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Chapter 17: All Good Things Must Decline
As the sun gradually shifted westward, the white clouds were painted with patches of evening glow.
On the green meadow, the two women in black gradually stopped their “hunt.”
The entire afternoon, the two of them had only managed to kill three fat sheep together.
Su Ning, having chased sheep all afternoon and suppressed her frustration, silently vowed: one day, she would dominate this entire grassland.
“Let’s go, Su Ge. We’re not coming here tomorrow—it’s too tiring!”
Qiao Duoduo was equally exhausted. This flock of sheep was truly low-yield, the in-game equivalent of a gym for weight loss with top-notch results.
Better to finish early, go home, rest a bit, and sort out the sheep loot.
They had earned a total of 66 copper coins and 25 cards, including eight blue cards:
True to blue-quality, these were all genuinely good items. Qiao Duoduo kept one can of milk for her little nephew, and Su Ning sent the other two home.
The fabric naturally went to Su Ning, while the backpack went to Qiao Duoduo. The fabric could boost magic resistance, and Su Ning planned to make warm wool coats for autumn.
The backpack not only had storage space but also added five extra backpack slots, much to Qiao Duoduo’s delight.
Each took a box of sheep milk. Its stats were excellent: +20 MP and +10% agility for one hour. The two exchanged glances, feeling that the next sheep hunt would be a breeze.
The sheep leather boots were also excellent: +6 agility, +3 strength, with attribute boosts better than Qiao Duoduo’s Moonshadow Bow.
Qiao Duoduo insisted that the boots should go to Su Ning, feeling she had already taken too much for herself. But Su Ning, resolute as the support “nanny,” said sneakers were enough and insisted that Qiao Duoduo wear the boots.
Embarrassed, Qiao Duoduo secretly vowed to study cooking harder and pamper Su Ning even more.
They also had twelve green cards:
Lamb skewers restored +30 satiety and +15 HP—definitely better than those in the newbie village. Wool soap +50 cleanliness, usable three times.
After reviewing the loot, Su Ning finally found the fat sheep somewhat cute. The lamb skewers and soap were split evenly, while the wool shears and sheephide went to Su Ning. Qiao Duoduo even handed over all three sheep corpses to Su Ning.
Overall, though there were only three sheep, the harvest was plentiful.
There were only five white cards, all just plain buns. Qiao Duoduo didn’t take any and, after grooming herself, went to the restaurant to help in the kitchen. Su Ning had dinner at the restaurant and decided to browse the streets.
Street shops mainly sold finished goods, while system shops focused on materials, tools, and semi-finished items.
Su Ning noticed a shop selling weapons and decided to buy a sword for her father, entering a nearby weapons shop.
Green-quality long swords only added 3 strength points, causing her to frown slightly.
“Boss, do you have better one-handed swords?”
“Miss, this is the best sword in my little shop,” the owner replied, his voice slightly hoarse. Seeing the price was 1 silver coin, Su Ning’s headache worsened.
“If you really want this sword, try the blacksmith—better quality, but higher price.”
Su Ning checked her 6 silver 40 copper coins and sighed. For that price, the quality wasn’t worth it; she could get a simple headband for less.
She looked at all sorts of weapons—spears, halberds, axes, daggers—but no premium items.
So she went to the blacksmith. The shop was empty except for a burly man scribbling at a desk.
“Hello, I want a good sword,” she said.
The man didn’t look up, muttering, “A good sword? What counts as a good sword?”
“For green-quality, at least +5 attribute points,” Su Ning replied cautiously, having already been disappointed at the weapon shop.
“Five points is a lot, that’ll be 2 silver coins. No bargain,” the man said, finally looking at her with interest. “Pay a deposit of 1 silver now; delivery tomorrow morning. But I won’t do any carvings.”
“I want it for my father. A one-handed long sword, the simpler the better.” She placed 1 silver coin on the table.
Leaving the blacksmith, she still winced at the price—a single sword cost 2 silver coins. NPC shops were indeed expensive.
Regardless, Su Ning continued checking shops one by one.
At the tailor shop, she asked, “Can we bleach or dye fabrics here?”
“No, bleaching and dyeing must be done at the central server district. Only large shops there can handle it.”
Su Ning thanked them and left. Her street tour ended just as Qiao Duoduo returned home.
Summary of shopping: store items were overpriced and low-quality. However, Su Ning did find a nice staff and planned to make one for her mother, feeling clever.
Sometimes, things just go to extremes.
A few steps out of the restaurant, they ran into Xu Ming.
Technically, it wasn’t an accident. Xu Ming’s group had returned from a mission and spotted Su Ning entering the restaurant, then saw her wandering outside alone. He waited outside for Qiao Duoduo to emerge—and he succeeded.
“Hello, what a coincidence!” Xu Ming awkwardly scratched his head like a boy.
Su Ning rolled her eyes, not wanting to talk to a stranger, feeling annoyed.
“Coincidence,” Qiao Duoduo replied perfunctorily, preparing to leave with Su Ning. But Xu Ming blocked their way again.
“Then not a coincidence. Little brother, do you have something to ask?”
Qiao Duoduo inwardly rolled her eyes. She didn’t understand—he had helped her, and she thanked him. There was no reason to join his team! Was she supposed to repay him with allegiance? Or did he expect a thank-you gift?
“No, I just want you to seriously consider joining my team. Our formation is excellent!”
As expected, Qiao Duoduo handed him a lamb skewer card.
“Consider this your morning ‘thank you’ for helping me. We really have our own team.”
Xu Ming, still young, fumbled with the card. Luckily, most of the main party was still in the newbie village. Otherwise, a crowd would have watched, and he would’ve panicked. Meanwhile, the quiet street had a few pedestrians sneaking glances.
“I’m not after your items; I’m serious. I’m inviting you!”
By the third time he blocked them, Su Ning’s annoyance reached its limit. Pulling Qiao Duoduo back, she spoke with authority:
“Sir, you say you invite us to join. Tell me—what kind of treatment will your team provide? How much gold and loot per day? You say you have a priest—does that guarantee full HP after every battle? Will injuries be treated promptly? Is loot distribution fair, open, and transparent? Can we choose equipment first?
Where will we live? What accommodations will you provide?
Lastly, my boyfriend will join us later. What are the joining conditions for him?”
Su Ning’s rapid-fire questioning drained the color from Xu Ming’s face. He and his friends had simply entered the newbie village, had compatible jobs, and worked hard to level up. Fast progression, simple promotion quests, but little money. Without a priest, they couldn’t have managed.
However, in the vast land of Huaxia, there are always people who like to meddle, like this man.
“You two little girls should be grateful the team even considers you. Young people, don’t aim too high.”
With a disappointed, lecturing tone, he scolded. Su Ning muttered two words through her teeth: “Damn it.”
Turning, she snapped:
“Sir, do you know me?” Then pointing at Xu Ming: “Do you know him?”
The man shook his head, shrugging. “I don’t know either. I’m just speaking fairly.”
“Since you don’t know, why speak about fairness? Couldn’t you mind your own business for a day? My standards are high—do you know my daily monster hunt earnings? How much I spend shopping? How many pieces of equipment I have? How many he has? If he thinks about taking us in, he must be able to support us. Otherwise, that’s not shelter—it’s a burden!”
She turned to Xu Ming:
“You want to invite us, which shows your insight. But little brother, insight alone is useless without strength to back it up.”
Lhaozi[Translator]
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