The noble women look to Rebecca's attire as a benchmark for style, emulating her fashion choices.
Rebecca's advertisements are tailored perfectly to cater to such tastes.
The second group consists of ordinary residents who prioritize practicality and affordability.
The endorsement of the fabric store by both the Lord's estate and the temple instills credibility among the common folk.
Should the prices be reasonable, they two would opt to make purchases here.
Thus, Fonggha's bone fabric store adeptly fulfills the desires of both the elite and the populace, positioning itself as a formidable competitor to the established local fabric shops, potentially surpassing them.
Before long, a steady stream of customers began to enter the shop, selecting garments that caught their fancy.
Even some elegantly dressed, noble women entered the store with poise, inquiring about custom requirements and options.
Fongghao stood quietly among the crowd for a while, observing the smooth progress of the opening, and feeling satisfied, he decided to leave.
With the morning still young, Fong Hao and his companion took a carriage to the task hall, which remained lively.
This venue was a hub for numerous mercenary teams engaged in the sale and exchange of materials and equipment.
However, as it was still daytime, the number of vendors was fewer than in the evening.
Fongghao and Inja disembarked and confidently stroed into the task hall where mercenaries awaited assignments and settlements.
Approaching the counter, Fongghao declared, "I represent the windmill mercenary group and wish to see if there are any suitable tasks available.
" Following the realization that the Faceless Ones had begun to harbor suspicions about him due to the mercenary group sung had arranged for the registration of a small-scale mercenary group in advance.
The name of his previous bone knight order would no longer be used.
Henceforth he would operate under the title of windmill mercenary group when accepting assignments at that time.
It would also provide those individuals with misleading information.
Fonggha's mercenary group was merely too small rather than being deliberately concealed.
Moreover, the alibi presented yesterday from Ley was sufficient to keep the other party in doubt for a while.
At least for the foreseeable future.
There would be no suspicion cast upon him.
Very well, sir.
The receptionist placed the task information before Fong Hao, who swiftly perused it.
Task: Escort a merchant convoy out of the city, requiring more than 30 personnel with priority given to reputable mercenary groups.
Payment will be settled on arrival with no delays.
Task.
The Koli's family seeks a swordsmanship instructor to teach their children with preference given to professional sword wielding heroes.
A single page map indicated a bandit village north of the city.
With the task, clear out the bandit stronghold.
Fonggho flipped through the pages rapidly, completing a review of the task information.
Once again, it was comprised of ordinary tasks, either escorting merchant convoys or eliminating bandits.
These were not beyond Fong house capabilities.
However, he yearned for quests that would yield treasure chest rewards rather than merely seeking monetary compensation.
After a second review, he still found nothing satisfactory.
It seemed he would once again have to accept tasks to eliminate bandits.
Just as he was about to express his intention to take on a task, a voice suddenly emerged from behind him.
Mr.
Fongha, Miss Anja, is that you? Funo turned to see the curly-haired, somewhat portly Eric, who gazed at him with curiosity.
Indeed, it is you, Mr.
Fong Hao.
I never expected to see you here, Eric exclaimed slightly excited with the enhancement of his mental acuity.
Fonggha's memory had also significantly improved.
With a brief recollection, he recalled this plump individual's name and identity.
Smiling in recognition.
Yes, I too did not anticipate encountering you here, Mr.
Eric.
Indeed, what a coincidence.
Eric's gaze shifted momentarily.
By the way, since the last auction, have you encountered any troubles? Troubles? Fonhow inquired, puzzled.
Haha.
It's good if you haven't.
It's good.
Eric chuckled awkwardly, aware that he had perhaps spoken too much, and quickly changed the subject.
Brother Fong, you truly leave us no path to survival.
Not only have you opened a fabric shop in Lysa's city, but you also enlisted Lady Rebecca to promote it for you.
How we manage from here on.
Eric was also a fabric merchant in the city, though his shop was modest and not as renowned as some others.
However, the population of Lysa's city was sufficient to sustain them.
Yet, Fongo's actions instilled a sense of crisis among all fabric merchants.
No one had been able to persuade Lady Rebecca to advertise for their shops.
It was feared that the opening of the bone fabric shop would directly siphon off a substantial portion of business from within the city.
Look at what you're saying.
Those fabric shops have been operating for decades.
How could I easily user them? Fong Hao waved his hand dismissively.
Era chose not to elaborate further, but instead shifted the conversation, inquiring, "Mr.
Fong Hao, is the gentleman depicted in the portrait, Miss Lorena?" Since our last parting, I have not received any news about her.
Following the recent auction, Eric had not heard anything about Lurena.
He had even arranged for someone to inquire within the city.
Yet there was no trace of her, as if she had vanished from existence.
This left him feeling somewhat anxious, akin to a cake that had suddenly disappeared just when it was within reach.
Today, however, upon seeing the male model in the portrait, he instantly recognized that it was Loranna, the very person he had been seeking.
Had it not been for Fong Ha's knowledge of Lena, Eric would not have approached him, given that Ley was closely monitoring Fong Ho.
Fonggha regarded him with a hint of skepticism and remarked, "Perhaps it is best to let it go.
After such a long time without contact, she may not harbor any feelings for you.
" "How could that be? You are well aware of the circumstances from last time.
" "It is merely that she hesitates to speak up.
I ought to be more proactive," Eric insisted.
"Why not share her address with me, and I shall treat you to a drink? That might not be appropriate.
" Disclosing her address so casually could provoke her displeasure.
Fong how hesitated.
His reluctance was not a mere dismissal.
If Lorena were to discover that her information had been shared so recklessly, the little loyalty he had painstakingly built up would surely diminish.
He was determined not to engage in such a precarious venture.
Hearing Fong How's words, Eric found some merit in them.
After a moment's contemplation, he proposed, "How about this? I shall write a letter, and you can help me deliver it to Miss Lorena.
This way it does not constitute revealing her information.
That is indeed feasible.
Fong Hao agreed.
Upon hearing Fong Ha's consent, Eric<unk>s face brightened with a smile of gratitude.
Momentarily forgetting that they were rivals in the same field, overflowing with thanks, he noticed the task list in Fong Ho's hands and suddenly realized the purpose of his visit.
Mr.
Fonggha, are you also taking on mercenary tasks? I happen to have a rather promising assignment organized by the captain of the Dragon Scale Mercenary Corps, Team 2, which involves exploring a certain ruin.
I hear the risks are low and the rewards quite generous.
Would you be interested? Mercenary collaborations were not uncommon.
Certain critical information and special locations could only be accurately obtained through large mercenary groups.
For various reasons, these groups would often reach out to familiar teams or collaborate with other mercenary corps for joint explorations with rewards distributed as previously agreed.
Although Fong How was indifferent to the remuneration Eric mentioned, the term ruin undoubtedly piqu his interest.
A ruin? Indeed, I am quite familiar with this captain.
If you're interested, I can certainly mention it to him and we can go together providing mutual support, Eric remarked.