016: The Landlady Challenged Li Cha (Please Continue Reading!)
Over the next two days, Li Cha found a rental in the outskirts of Saint Ann City and opened a psychological clinic not far from the Old Shock Tavern.
Although MI6 was dangerous, and his major superior, who showed no expression all day, was even more so, her advice to Li Cha was sound.
The “time” trade, disguised as sleep aid therapy, was truly flawless.
Li Cha never intended to do anything risky with his trading partners. Without any mission scrolls, his sole goal was to fatten his wallet.
As for leveling up by fighting monsters—what era was this? No need to waste time on that.
Resting three to four hours daily while grinding gathering quests yielded experience points no less than venturing out to slay monsters.
Anyway, before reaching level ten, Li Cha was determined not to leave the city. Being a distinguished psychological counselor sounded much more appealing.
Even in this other world, business licenses were a thing, and normally Li Cha wouldn’t qualify for one.
But he was no longer the little Karamy who had just arrived.
He said he set up the clinic partly to hide his identity and partly to gather intelligence.
Once his reputation spread, his contacts would far surpass those at the tavern, and perhaps he could glean important information during treatments.
So, he submitted his application that very day and immediately received his professional license. Opening the clinic didn’t cost much.
Additionally, Li Cha obtained a second-class imperial soldier’s uniform, with two vertical stripes on the shoulder and no stars.
He also acquired a black iron dagger, a longsword, a shield, and light armor, boosting his level 3 attack power to 44.
Official MI6 employees were authorized to carry firearms, and Mary promised Li Cha his would be issued within three months.
Currently —
[Name: Li Cha]
[Profession: None]
[Level: 3 (88%)]
[Attack Power: 44]
[Assets: 31 silver 26 copper coins]
[Junior Adventurer, MI6 Second-Class Soldier]
...
Unfortunately, the system did not recognize Li Cha’s profession as a psychological counselor.
His profession remained “None,” and the lowest line still showed adventurer and second-class soldier.
The good news was the Hutton case had been closed.
Freya asked Li Cha to continue following up, but with no one contacting him afterward, he busied himself with his own affairs.
Now Mary told him he no longer needed to, and Li Cha was pleased.
...
At the Old Shock Tavern,
Li Cha sat at the bar,
Facing Mary, the proprietor, barefaced once more.
Mary said, “I thought you might regret this—it was a good chance to stay in your superior’s favor.”
Li Cha took a large gulp of beer and replied, “Of course, I want to cling to the officer’s long legs, but even though I haven’t seen the whole Hutton case, I know it’s not simple.
If some bigwig gets involved, they might just get fined or relocated. That’s it.
But me, a lowly MI6 soldier—I could die without a grave in an instant.”
Mary said, “Ha, cowardly man.”
Li Cha responded, “If that’s cowardice, I’m happy to be a coward for life.
When I first arrived in Saint Ann City, I accepted everything.
What happened? Nearly got shot.”
Mary, the boss, retorted, “Cowardly and petty.”
Li Cha smiled.
Facing a woman who could kill him with a single punch, he wasn’t going to fuss over small matters.
Then Mary remembered, “Although you skipped third-class soldier because of merit, you still need rookie training. Report to Maple Leaf Office tomorrow at 1 p.m.”
“Alright, thank you, Officer Mary.”
After saying this, he took his drink and headed to the card table.
After several days, Li Cha couldn’t blend in with everyone, but the regulars at the Old Shock Tavern all knew the young adventurer.
Mainly because he had defeated Mary the proprietor, a record that could be verified.
The men gathered, and as always, women were the evergreen topic.
A middle-aged man with a ruddy nose sidled over: “Li Cha, what were you talking about with the boss just now? She seemed a bit mad.”
Li Cha sighed, “The boss is too expensive.”
Middle-aged man: “Ha! You punk, a beauty like the boss? We couldn’t buy her even if we had the money, and you complain about the price?”
Li Cha: “Then lend me some money; I’ll pay you back another day.”
“...”
The conversation ended abruptly.
The most relationship-damaging topic in the world was money, same among brothers, let alone drinking buddies.
Wendy came over, holding out her hand: “Pay up for the drinks.”
Li Cha still had less than a third of his drink left and was confused: “Wasn’t the boss treating me?”
Wendy pouted: “You freeloader, how much have you drunk? Believe it or not, I won’t let you through this door tomorrow.”
Such a feisty little girl.
Li Cha looked back for Mary, but the bar was empty. With many eyes watching, he could only fish out a few copper coins and put them into that tender white hand.
The girl took the money, lifted her chin proudly, much like a victorious peacock.
But just as she turned, a sharp slap landed on her pert behind.
“Li! Cha!”
Wendy was furious.
...
What greeted her was a handful of copper coins.
Li Cha smiled, “Let’s try something different tonight.”
He drained his cup, hoisted the girl onto his shoulder with one hand, and headed upstairs.
As a member of MI6, Li Cha knew Wendy was truly just a civilian girl.
So no matter what his intentions tonight, the risk of having a gun pressed to his head was gone.
“Wow!~~~”
A clear whistle sounded.
The rough men present began to cheer.
“Li Cha, well done!”
“I, Randolf, am rooting for you to teach this rude girl a lesson!”
“That’s right! A real man hits back, face to face!”
“Wendy’s too arrogant. Even her godmother can’t beat Li Cha, and yet she dares to provoke him!”
“Li Cha! Li Cha! Li Cha! Li Cha!…”
The tavern’s lively atmosphere surged several notches higher.
The girl on Li Cha’s shoulder, Wendy, blushed deeply, struggling to hit his back: “Li Cha, put me down! I won’t charge you today, put me down!”
Li Cha ignored her, climbing the stairs, saying, “Business isn’t something you do when you want and don’t when you don’t. Behave, and soon I’ll show you what flying to the sky means!”
Just then,
A figure appeared at the second-floor stairway—
Who else but Mary, the proprietor.
Adventurer Li Cha had twice defeated Mary; records could confirm that.
Yet Mary’s undefeated record had lasted many years.
Compared to that, when Mary glared, the men downstairs immediately sobered up.
She looked at Li Cha and said each word deliberately, “Put her down.”
Li Cha begrudgingly set Wendy back on the floor.
The large eyes upstairs looked complicated, but soon Mary beckoned to Li Cha, “You want to play, huh?
Fine, I’ll keep you company. Come with me!”
“Wow!~~~”
“The boss has challenged Li Cha!”
“It’s on! Li Cha versus the boss lady! Place your bets now!”