Chapter 5: Good Work Gets a Reward
After the journey ended, Luo Yi found himself teleported back to the Lords Mansion.
[Adventure Card rewards will be settled after 1 standard hour]
Glancing at the fool card in his hand, Luo Yi shrugged. It seemed he wouldn't be able to receive the reward immediately.
Fortunately, one hour wasn't long. He could take a walk outside and familiarize himself with his territory... The rain gradually stopped, but the dark clouds hadn't dispersed, and the streets of Moonstone Town remained desolate.
As the only tavern in town, the Silver-Plated Lily was doing exceptionally brisk business at a time like this. Whether they were farmers, butchers, or blacksmiths, they all treated themselves when they weren't working.
Accompanied by the creak of the door being pushed open, another familiar figure entered the tavern.
"Old man, what brings you to the tavern today?"
Several patrons recognized the Old Town Mayor and, drunk, raised their nearly empty mugs in greeting.
Di Lun shook his head slightly. He was too old to sit at a table with these drunkards.
But if he were a few decades younger, he definitely could have drunk these guys under the table.
He wasn't here to drink today.
"Norma, is Li Xue back yet?"
The middle-aged woman called Norma was the tavern's proprietress. Although she was a woman, she was powerfully built, and judging by her thick arms and leg muscles, it was clear that if any drunkard dared to cause trouble, they would certainly receive a physical sobriety treatment.
Hearing the Old Town Mayor mention the name "Li Xue," a trace of tenderness couldn't help but appear on the face of the Valkyrie-like Norma.
"She should be back soon. What do you need her for... Oh, I almost forgot, the Town Meeting is coming up."
Before Di Lun could explain, the proprietress slapped her forehead, as if realizing something.
As one of the few educated intellectuals in town, the proprietress's young daughter was often borrowed by neighbors to keep accounts, write letters, or translate documents.
The seasonal Town Meeting was very important to Moonstone Town. Whenever it approached, Di Lun would ask Li Xue to serve as his assistant and help organize various documents.
"Yes, the Town Meeting is coming soon."
The Old Town Mayor stroked his beard and nodded slightly, a hint of melancholy hanging between his brows.
Seeing his expression, the proprietress tentatively asked, "Is the town's situation this year... still not optimistic?"
The Old Town Mayor pondered for a moment before concluding, "To look on the bright side, it's about the same as before."
"Then it's completely hopeless." Norma sighed and muttered, "We really should save up money and move to a nearby big city. It doesn't matter if we stay, but Li Xue has been smart since she was little, and she deserves a better environment..."
"Stop."
The Old Town Mayor's expression immediately turned serious, and he lowered his voice.
"Don't let the Gang know you're talking like this. Don't even hint at the idea of moving until you've paid off their debt... otherwise, they'll do anything!"
Even a tough woman like Norma shivered when she heard "Gang," revealing a complex expression of intense regret mixed with fear that prevented her from speaking.
The atmosphere instantly became heavy and awkward.
Fortunately, a cheerful and lively voice sounded from outside the door just then.
"I'm back!"
The drunkards who were licking their mugs reacted first, cheering loudly.
"Our little sweetheart is back! Sister Norma, give us a free mug of ale, just because Little Li Xue is so smart and cute!"
"Dream on."
The proprietress glared at the rowdy patrons, then hugged the small figure that rushed toward her, her tone softening.
"What did you learn today?"
"Bishop Uncle taught me some knowledge about arithmetic, calendar systems, and farming."
The girl tilted her head back, her flaxen twin pigtails bouncing excitedly, and then looked at the Old Town Mayor nearby.
"Good afternoon, Grandpa Di Lun."
"Haha, good afternoon, Little Li Xue."
The Old Town Mayor greeted her with a smile, but then recalled the new Lord's instructions, and a hint of helplessness appeared on his aged face.
"Grandpa wants to ask you for a favor these next few days, to organize and copy some documents. Is that alright?"
The girl first glanced at her mother beside her. After her mother nodded in assent, she also nodded firmly, her tone cheerful, "Of course I can! Is it related to the Town Meeting?"
"That's right, but..."
Di Lun hesitated for a few seconds before telling her about the new Lord.
Because she spent her days studying at the nearby Church School, Li Xue didn't know that a new Lord had arrived in Moonstone Town. Hearing the Old Town Mayor's words, her emerald eyes immediately widened with curiosity.
"Tch, none of these Lords are any good."
Norma frowned. If she had known there was this layer of connection involved, she absolutely would not have let her daughter take this risk.
"Old man, it's fine if you ask Li Xue to help you, but don't let her run into trouble."
"It's best not to let that new Lord see Li Xue, lest something happen."
The proprietress was well aware of the temperament of these noble masters. If a lecher discovered her precious daughter, there would inevitably be all sorts of harassment.
As commoners of low birth, they couldn't resist. The best possible outcome would be Li Xue becoming the Lord's nominal mistress and plaything.
"Of course I know that."
The Old Town Mayor nodded. Just as he was about to say something more, he heard a deliberate cough nearby.
He looked back and saw the new Lord, whom they had been desperately trying to avoid, standing right beside them with an awkward expression, looking like he wanted to speak but couldn't.
At that moment, Di Lun was so terrified he saw his life flash before his eyes. If he hadn't been so reckless when he came to Moonstone Town to mine during the Gold Rush, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation today... "Lord, they spoke carelessly! If you must punish someone, punish this old man!"
The Old Town Mayor shielded the bewildered Li Xue behind him and dropped to his knees with a thud.
Norma realized that this strange, dark-haired youth was the town's new Lord. Her nerves immediately tightened, and she firmly held her daughter's shoulders, remaining silent.
The tavern also fell silent, as if the previous noise had been an illusion. The patrons exchanged glances, occasionally stealing a look at Luo Yi.
"...I didn't hear anything."
Luo Yi glanced at the proprietress. The face of this mighty woman was so strained it looked like a portrait, so he decided not to bother her.
"Y-yes."
The Old Town Mayor realized the Lord had no intention of assigning blame, immediately sighed in relief, and climbed back up from the ground, clutching his old back.
"Are you here... to drink?"
"Just came to look around."
Luo Yi shrugged. In reality, Moonstone Town didn't have many shops, and this tavern was probably the only public entertainment venue.
He had originally intended to find a place to meet Faye Er.
But since he ran into the Old Town Mayor here, things would be much simpler.
"An Itinerant Merchant named Faye Er might be coming to town in a few days. When he arrives, have him come to the Lords Mansion to see me."
"An Itinerant Merchant?" The Old Town Mayor thought to himself that it had been a while since a merchant had voluntarily visited the town. "I will keep an eye out, Lord. Do you have any other instructions?"
"Nothing else... hmm." Luo Yi glanced at the girl, who was protected behind the Old Town Mayor but couldn't help poking her head out to look at him. "Present the documents related to the Town Meeting to me as soon as possible."
"Do a good job, and there will be a reward."