In Ning Rongrong's eyes.
This reward wasn't enough to make Xiao Wu betray Tang San and get intimate with Boss Li...
If the reward were more generous, perhaps increasing Soul Power Level or improving Martial Soul quality.
Ning Rongrong might even have urged Xiao Wu to complete the quest.
But for now, the decision was entirely Xiao Wu's.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded and said, "Rongrong's right. If you want to complete this quest, Xiao Wu, we'll help you. If you don't, then never mind!"
The Passersby around them listened as the three beauties talked, and couldn't help wondering what kind of quest they'd received.
"No! I want to complete this quest!" Xiao Wu replied, her beautiful eyes brimming with determination.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were both a little surprised by Xiao Wu's resolve.
Xiao Wu continued, "This quest reward is very important to me! I need to complete the quest and get the reward!"
It was very important?
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were puzzled.
But when Li Haiyun heard this, he immediately understood.
He knew why Xiao Wu wanted to claim the Black Grade Quest reward.
"Xiao Wu really is a kind girl!" Li Haiyun thought. "She wants the reward so Ning Rongrong won't have to hunt Soul Beasts, and can complete two Purple Grade Quests outright!"
"Not only can she protect the Soul Beasts, she can also grow closer to Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing."
"Maybe good things really do come to fools!"
Li Haiyun had figured it out because he'd read the original story.
But Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were too caught up in the situation to see it, and hadn't realized yet.
"Xiao Wu, why is this quest reward so important to you?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Xiao Wu glanced warily around them. There were people everywhere, and she couldn't talk about it here.
Especially after what had just happened with Tang Hao, Xiao Wu was even more cautious and didn't dare speak carelessly.
"There are too many people here. I'll explain when we get somewhere quieter!" Xiao Wu replied.
"Mm-hmm, okay, Xiao Wu!" Ning Rongrong nodded, understanding.
Then Ning Rongrong looked at Li Haiyun and said gently, "Boss Li, could we use the back room of your shop to discuss this? We'll decide whether to complete the quest, and if we do, we'll let you know!"
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and the others were already very familiar with Boss Li, which was why they dared make such a request.
"Of course!" Li Haiyun smiled and agreed warmly.
Then.
Li Haiyun led the way, opened the door, and ushered Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu inside.
There was a Reception Hall. Though its furnishings were simple, every item was exquisite.
The tables, chairs, and wall paintings all looked finely crafted, as if made by a master.
After settling the three sisters in, Li Haiyun returned to the shop. He didn't eavesdrop on their conversation.
Inside the Reception Hall.
"Xiao Wu, you said the reward was very important to you. Why is that?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Zhu Zhuqing also turned her curious gaze on Xiao Wu, waiting for her to speak.
"Rongrong, Zhuqing!" Xiao Wu said earnestly. "I want to claim this Black Grade reward and give it to you, Rongrong."
"Give it to me?" Ning Rongrong froze, thinking Xiao Wu simply wanted to repay her kindness.
Xiao Wu nodded and continued, "I want to give you two Purple-Grade Instant Completion Cards, then help you complete those two Soul Beast-hunting quests."
"That way, you can claim the rewards right away, and those forty Soul Beasts will be spared!"
"Soul Beasts are just like people. They have feelings, lives, families, and friends!"
"Rongrong, I don't want you to have the blood of too many Soul Beasts on your hands."
"I know that for human Soul Masters, hunting Soul Beasts is the most ordinary thing in the world!"
"Just as Soul Beasts also roam around, attacking and killing people."
"But we're good friends. I want fewer Soul Beasts' bloodstains on your hands!"
"Rongrong, Zhuqing, promise me, okay?"
"If it isn't absolutely necessary, don't go out of your way to hunt Soul Beasts!"
By the end, Xiao Wu's voice had turned pleading, and she looked heartbreakingly pitiful.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing weren't heartless. Hearing this, they softened at once.
"Xiao Wu, I'm sorry. I didn't know that my Soul Beast-hunting quests had already hurt you!" Ning Rongrong said sincerely. "I promise I won't slaughter Soul Beasts indiscriminately. Unless it's absolutely necessary, I won't hunt them lightly!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded solemnly and said earnestly, "Xiao Wu, you're a kind girl. I promise you too—I won't go out of my way to hunt Soul Beasts. If I have to kill one, it'll be a rotten one that deserves to die!"
"Zhuqing, Rongrong, thank you!" Xiao Wu said, taking Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong's hands in hers.
The three sisters looked at one another with deep affection.
After a while.
"By the way, Zhuqing!" Xiao Wu looked at Zhu Zhuqing and continued. "Your Letter Delivery Task is fairly simple. It's along the way."
"So I took the liberty of not assigning you a Purple-Grade Instant Completion Card."
"If you want one, just tell me anytime. I'll gladly give you one!"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled. "Silly Xiao Wu, my quest is easy to complete. There's no need to waste a Completion Card."
"You can't call Xiao Wu silly!" Ning Rongrong said. "She's very sensible and wouldn't waste these Completion Cards recklessly."
"Right, right. Put that way, she really isn't silly!" Zhu Zhuqing replied with a soft laugh.
"Zhuqing, Rongrong, thank you for understanding!" Xiao Wu said, beaming.
She felt so comfortable and happy spending time with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Then.
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu brought Boss Li over and told him about the Black Grade Quest.
In response.
Li Haiyun said he would do everything he could to help Xiao Wu complete the Black Grade Quest.
They agreed that after Li Haiyun had bathed that night, he would gather up his clothes.
Then Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong would come collect them and take them back to wash carefully, returning them the next day.
The clothes included Li Haiyun's underwear...
At the same time.
Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu planned to use Boss Li's usual clothing measurements to sew him a new set of clothes by hand.
Of course, washing clothes and sewing a new outfit were both difficult tasks for the three of them.
So they planned to spend the next three days learning sewing and laundry techniques from the most experienced women in Suotuo City, while completing the quest!
Ning Rongrong said she would cover all the expenses!
And so.
Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu left the shop and strolled along Suotuo City's bustling commercial street.
Before long.
They spotted a shop called Cloud Pavilion, filled with all kinds of expensive silk fabrics and a dazzling array of clothes and trousers.
The proprietress of Cloud Pavilion was said to be the finest tailor in all of Suotuo City, peerless in design, craftsmanship, and taste.
And the proprietress was quite beautiful, too.
She was in her forties, but looked like a wealthy lady. She wore a qipao-style gown and carried herself with graceful dignity.
Ning Rongrong was the apple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's eye, and she had money and connections. Naturally, she could persuade the proprietress to teach them personally.
As it happened, the proprietress of Cloud Pavilion felt that she was the one benefiting, and was deeply honored.
After finding the shop, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing began studying in earnest.
The three sisters were united. They didn't leave Xiao Wu to handle the quest alone while Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing sat around doing nothing.
The three of them got along wonderfully and were having a great time!
Time flew by.
Soon, night fell.
Today, Li Haiyun had sold only one Mission Card—the one Xiao Wu had bought.
Li Haiyun took his business in stride and didn't worry about sales.
What was meant to come would come; it was only a matter of time.
At that moment.
Li Haiyun was soaking in the bathtub in the bathhouse, enjoying life.
The clear, hot water steamed around him, leaving his whole body feeling wonderfully relaxed.
Every pore in his skin had opened, and he was luxuriating in the moment.
The bathhouse was lit by a Soul Tool orb.
As long as a wisp of Soul Power was fed into it, it shone brightly, just like an electric light bulb.
Its white glow fell upon Li Haiyun's body, perfectly revealing his already fair and muscular frame.
He was exceptionally handsome, like an exiled immortal descended from heaven.
Before long.
Li Haiyun finished bathing, got dressed, and changed into a brand-new set of pale-blue robes and trousers.
His outfit had something of an ancient style, blended with modern formalwear, giving it a distinctive look.
Li Haiyun put all the clothes he'd worn during the day, including his underwear, into a cloth bag until it bulged.
Then Li Haiyun carried the bag out of the bathhouse.
He sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, gazed at the bright moon and stars above, and waited for Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing to arrive.
"Ever since I grew up, I've been on my own, and naturally I've had to wash my own clothes."
"I never thought that thanks to a Mission Card, I'd get to give my hands a break today."
"Even if I only get to enjoy it for three days, it'll still be a lovely time for me!"
Li Haiyun thought to himself, filled with emotion. He felt that the world was a beautiful place.
As the owner of the Quest Card Shop.
Boss Li was respected, didn't have to worry about fighting for the time being, and Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were all kind to him.
He was enjoying himself and loved the life he had now.
Just then.
A faint knocking came from the courtyard gate.
From the lightness of the knock.
Li Haiyun knew it was Rongrong and the others.
"Come in," Li Haiyun said gently, rising from the stone bench.
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu pushed open the door and entered. Seeing how relaxed Li Haiyun looked after his bath, they all thought he was a handsome man.