Blood Rose Tavern

[This is a city with a story.]

Nonsense, what city doesn't have a story.

After confirming his identity at the guard post, Li Xunsheng stepped into the ancient city.

[Notice Board: If you want to get some basic quest information, this is the place to be.]

Got it, got it, let me see...

Stopping in front of the notice board and looking at the various daily quests above, the young man's eyes quickly glazed over...

"Hiss... Do all of these require such a high cooking level?"

[Drunken Flower House is recruiting apprentices. Requires cooking level of 30 or above.]

[Lingyue Pavilion is hiring helpers. Requires cooking level of 20 or above.]

"Ah, no luck with any of these. Aren't there any easier ones?"

Scanning one notice after another, Li Xunsheng finally found a strange piece of information through the Eye of God.

The notice board read:

'Seeking Head Chef. Cooking Level Requirement: 80'

At first glance, there seemed to be no problem; in fact, the requirement was quite high. However, Li Xunsheng discovered that the owner of this notice was actually the proprietress of a small restaurant – Mo Rui.

The main point...

Li Xunsheng stared at the cooking level 80 marked on the notice, concentrating and pondering...

[Reaching level 80 in Life Skills makes one a Master, a truly rare existence.]

"So, can this little restaurant accommodate such a big shot?"

The answer was, of course, no. Then why would this woman post such a notice?

[Alright, actually, this woman isn't sincere, so she just filled in the level randomly. It seems anyone can try.]

"I'll go take a look."

The address clearly indicated a prime location in Lone Star City, yet there was no sign of doing business. The recruitment advertisement was also so perfunctory.

This woman had successfully piqued Li Xunsheng's interest.

She definitely had ulterior motives! Perhaps there was a hidden story!

Based on Li Xunsheng's years of gaming experience, this situation clearly indicated a hidden quest!

While others were busy leveling up, he had to seize the opportunity!

Quickly passing through several streets, Li Xunsheng arrived in front of the shop mentioned on the notice.

As expected, his guess was correct. The female manager had no intention of opening the shop. The storefront, on this bustling street, was deserted, completely out of place with the prosperous surroundings.

[Blood Rose Tavern]

He walked up and knocked on the door. Being in a safe zone, Li Xunsheng wasn't worried about his safety and casually waited for the owner to open the door.

"Hmm? Who is it?"

A soft, enchanting voice sounded from behind the door. After a slight click, the wooden door opened, and a beautiful woman with purple hair, dressed in a black mage robe, peeked out.

"Hello, I'm here to apply for the Head Chef position. My name is Li Xunsheng."

[Mo Rui Lv70 ??? (Unable to obtain more information due to a damaged Eye of God)]

"Hmm? Recruiting? Ah... yes, yes, yes, there was that."

The buxom proprietress blinked in surprise for a moment, then her eyes turned into a charming smile, gesturing for the young man in front of her to come in and chat.

"Don't you usually open for business? I saw that notice seems to have been up for a long time... Your shop is quite conspicuous on the street..."

Gazing at the alluring figure beneath her black robe, Li Xunsheng's pupils constricted.

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[This woman has been in Lone Star City for some time, but she has never officially opened for business. She seems to be using the guise of business to do other things...]

"Haha, maybe my previous requirements were too high, so no one applied."

Smiling, the woman brought over a cup of tea and sat down in front of Li Xunsheng, her face beaming with a seemingly harmless smile.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Li Xunsheng always felt a subtle, enchanting aura emanating from this woman... both her appearance and figure, as well as her soft, sweet tone...

"What is your cooking level?"

"Lv.2"

"???"

Li Xunsheng did not hide his cooking level, causing Mo Rui's mouth to twitch.

"But, our requirement is..."

"Alright, Miss Mo Rui, let's just be upfront about this."

[Forbidden Barrier]

Withdrawing his gaze from the doorway, Li Xunsheng sighed softly. He decided not to play coy any longer and would pursue his own objective first.

"I can tell that the reason you opened such a small shop in this city is merely to disguise your identity. However, I am an outsider. I hold no opinions about any factions or races. I just want to find a place to stay here for now before making further plans."

Ignoring Mo Rui's surprised expression and the fleeting glints of ruthlessness in her eyes, Li Xunsheng remained as steady as a mountain, speaking eloquently.

"It's not right for you to keep the shop closed. Not operating in such a prime location will only attract more suspicion, just like setting excessively high recruitment requirements. In my opinion, to better hide in this city, you should operate normally."

"But it seems you're not suited to being out in the open. Therefore, hiring a diligent and cheap laborer to work seems like the best option."

Under Mo Rui's increasingly terrifying gaze, Li Xunsheng tugged at his collar.

"What do you think of me? Although my current cooking skill level is very low, I'm confident I can raise it quickly. Ah, my salary expectations are very low; I'd be satisfied with just room and board for seventy to eighty silver coins a month."

"Heh, quite clever, little brother."

Suppressing her murderous intent, Mo Rui, inherently cautious, stared intently at the human youth before her and said through gritted teeth, "Are you threatening me? What will you do if I don't agree?"

"If you don't agree... then I'll just go find somewhere cool to stay. I don't want to provoke someone like you; I just want to find a place to freeload."

Mo Rui's reaction was even more intense than Li Xunsheng had anticipated. However, the young man knew that the moment he knocked on the door, there was no turning back.

"You think you've got me cornered?"

The man's calm and composed expression completely enraged Mo Rui. The beautiful woman's body erupted with black mist, no longer concealing her true form...

Black horns, bat-like wings, a tail like a spade...

Mo Rui curled her lips, revealing sharp fangs.

"Demon Race..."

Li Xunsheng's expression grew solemn. The situation had now exceeded his control.

He had initially thought this young lady was at most a spy from another city, or perhaps an intelligence operative from another country, or even a vanguard for some strange organization.

To his surprise, this woman was actually an alien!

The racial differences would likely prevent today's farce from ending simply. His divine passive might be forced to trigger.

"Are you really going to attack? You might regret it."

In any case, Li Xunsheng didn't want to fall out with her completely and could only make a final, helpless effort.

"Hmph! Do you think there's still a chance?!"

Mo Rui extended her hands at a disturbingly fast speed, grabbing Li Xunsheng's shoulders. Red light flashed in her eyes as extremely powerful mental chains surged towards the youth's soul.

This man dared to come alone; he must have some backing.

Therefore, in an instant, Mo Rui unleashed her strongest control technique, aiming to completely seize the man's mind!

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