Selling Oneself

Several days ago.

"Who's there?!" the sailor on guard suddenly shouted, gripping the spear in his hand nervously.

A suspicious humanoid black shadow emerged from the bushes. After glancing at the sailor, it collapsed to the ground, falling unconscious.

The sailor was stunned. He cautiously approached the unconscious mysterious person, poked his shoulder with the spear, and turned his face upwards towards the sky.

Although his face was completely black and bore terrifying burns, the sailor frowned and looked for a while, still recognizing the identity of this mysterious person.

"It's Huang Zao!!!"

"Huang Zao is still alive."

"Captain Lan Zao, your brother is still alive, he's back."

The sailor shouted, alarming the exploration team members throughout the camp.

A group of people swarmed over. Leading them was Lan Zao, who had a robust physique, as strong as two adults combined, and a rich, deep Bronze aura.

Seeing the unconscious Huang Zao, Lan Zao was first in disbelief, then filled with surprise and joy. He quickly knelt down, lifted Huang Zao's head, and let him lie semi-reclining.

"Brother, brother, wake up quickly!" Lan Zao called out loudly.

Although Huang Zao was unconscious, he was still muttering, "Water... water..."

Lan Zao reached out, and the other sailors immediately handed over a waterskin.

After being moistened by the water, Huang Zao finally slowly regained consciousness.

His blurry vision gradually cleared. Seeing Lan Zao's rough face, Huang Zao almost shed tears: "Brother, I'm Huang Zao, I'm back, I saved my life!"

Huang Zao's voice was very hoarse, extremely weak.

He had been chasing the main group alone, and it was not easy in this dangerous forest.

"Huang Zao, what exactly happened? We all thought you were dead. Captain Lan Zao wanted to go back and find you several times, but everyone stopped him. No one thought you could be alive. Lan Zao wiped away tears for you several times." An old man squeezed into the circle of people.

His face was full of wrinkles, his body was thin and withered, and he wore a pair of cracked glasses. He had a large, bushy white beard, which had turned black and gray from sleeping rough and not cleaning it for a long time, like a worn-out rag.

This old man was Cang Xu.

He was an old scholar who had served nobles for many years.

The entire exploration team respected him greatly because, under his guidance, the exploration team had made it out of the desert.

"Thank the gods, thank fate, you are still here, you are still alive. My goodness, this is truly a miracle!" Lan Zao shouted loudly.

"Quickly tell your brother, what exactly did you encounter?" Lan Zao was also very curious.

Huang Zao snorted coldly in anger: "I wasn't dead at all. I was just temporarily unconscious at that time..."

He briefly recounted the development and outcome of the events.

Lan Zao sighed with emotion: "Huang Zao, you really did save your life, that was truly thrilling."

The people around echoed him, saying words of astonishment or congratulations.

However, the old scholar Cang Xu's expression became solemn: "Trouble, everyone, it seems we are in trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" someone asked.

"No matter how much trouble it is, I won't abandon my brother! We'll fight the spider swarm!" A hint of killing intent flashed in Lan Zao's eyes, his attitude extremely resolute.

Huang Zao said, "No spiders are following me, everyone can rest assured. As long as we escape their hunting grounds, those spiders will climb back into the tree canopy. I stayed with them for several days."

"Besides, with that big fire at the end, the spiders were probably all burned to death."

Huang Zao's tone carried pride. The danger had passed, and his escape experience had turned into something to boast about.

The old scholar shook his head, "I'm not talking about the spiders, I'm talking about those two people."

"Those two people must be dead by now, though it's a bit of a shame," Huang Zao said. He didn't directly admit to his desertion, but instead said that the Eight-Legged Spiders had attacked Zhen Jin and the others, and he was lucky enough to be let go and seize the opportunity to escape.

"Not necessarily dead," the old scholar sighed.

Lan Zao muttered, "Low-level magic and Battle Qi are forbidden on this Sea Island. Do those two young people have such great ability to escape the wrath of the Eight-Legged Spider leader?"

The old scholar's brows remained furrowed, "Black Iron-level strength is indeed restricted on this island. But what about Silver-level? Gold-level? We don't have such strong individuals among us, so we can't be sure if such strength is also restricted!"

Huang Zao couldn't help but widen his eyes, "Mr. Cang Xu, do you think those two are Silver masters, or even Gold powerhouses? That's impossible, they are too young. Besides, I never felt any Silver or Gold aura from them. That girl, however, seemed to be a Black Iron-level mage."

The old scholar chuckled and shook his head slightly, "Are there few young powerhouses? White Wolf General of Cold Iron City is only seventeen, the great mage Shui Si of the Golden Rose Family is just a sixteen-year-old girl. The recently risen Killer Luo Shi was unearthed by the Killer Alliance from commoners, and it is said he is only eighteen."

"No way, these people are future big figures, too far away from us. Could it be that I just casually ran into such people?"

The old scholar's voice was low, "The possibility is high. According to your description, that girl is young and already has Black Iron strength. She herself is not to be underestimated, so what level of power cultivated her?"

"That girl respectfully called the young man 'Sir', so what is the status and strength of this young man? You can think about it."

Everyone fell into contemplation, and the faces of the Huang Zao and Lan Zao brothers clearly began to look troubled.

After waiting for a moment, the old scholar continued, "I think that young man is not only of high status, but he is also very strong himself. Gold cultivation is unlikely, but he is very likely a Silver-level powerhouse."

"Mr. Cang Xu, do you have any evidence?" Lan Zao retorted, "Why do you think so?"

Cang Xu smiled, "We can think from another perspective. Suppose you discovered someone in distress and wanted to rescue this person, you would face more than a dozen Bronze-level Eight-Legged Spiders. And including you, there are only two teammates in total. If you weren't Silver or Gold level, how would you dare to provoke these spiders and risk saving someone?"

Lan Zao's mouth fell open, speechless for a moment.

"So, these two people are likely not dead. I offended a Silver master, and possibly even a Gold-level powerhouse?" Huang Zao muttered to himself, his mouth twitching slightly.

"I shouldn't have run away, I should have returned the dagger to them! I was wrong, I made a big mistake!!" Huang Zao tightly grabbed Lan Zao's arm and shouted repeatedly.

Under immense psychological pressure, he finally chose to confess.

When everyone heard that he had deserted and taken the crucial dagger, their expressions changed.

"Mr. Cang Xu, what should we do?" Lan Zao was also at a loss and could only turn to the old scholar for guidance.

"Everyone, don't panic." Cang Xu raised his hand to first calm everyone's emotions, "Things haven't reached an irreversible point yet."

"Everything before was just my speculation. The two of them could very well have become spider food, or perished in the fire. Isn't that right?"

"But didn't you just say, old sir, that it's more likely that these two have resolved the trouble and are chasing after us? We left markers all along the way," Lan Zao's face was extremely conflicted.

Cang Xu nodded, staring at Lan Zao with deep eyes, "So, we need to turn around and go back now. We need to confirm whether they are alive or dead."

"If they are dead, we might be able to pick up some excellent equipment."

"If they are still alive and in some kind of trouble, we must step in and help them both, repaying their life-saving kindness to Huang Zao and atoning for Huang Zao's desertion in the face of the enemy."

"If they are hunting us, I strongly advise everyone not to resist unless absolutely necessary. Think carefully, can we possibly match the strength of those who could eliminate the Eight-Legged Spider swarm?"

"Surrender! Surrender is a very good option."

"Don't forget, we were all on the same ship, and we all ended up here. They need us, important figures always need subordinates. At the very least, they need enough hands to operate a ship."

Scholar Cang Xu's words made everyone nod in agreement.

"Then, then what should I do?" Huang Zao asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, I'm here, brother," Lan Zao said, though his tone clearly lacked confidence.

Cang Xu looked sincerely at Huang Zao: "Forceful resistance will only lead to death. Even if you keep running, where can you run to? Run into the forest and be eaten by wild beasts? Following my method is your best chance of survival. Remember, if those two important figures are still alive, you must try your best to show the value of your survival. Don't be stingy with your possessions; even though important figures certainly won't care about them, you must still offer them up and fully express your remorse."

Huang Zao kept nodding, desperately engraving Cang Xu's words into his heart.

Just like that, this group turned around and returned the way they came.

At the location of the mountain spring, they encountered Zhen Jin and Zi Di.

They revealed themselves voluntarily. Huang Zao stepped out from the crowd and walked in front of the young man and woman.

"It's you! Hmph, we finally caught you, Huang Zao."

Zi Di was displeased, while Zhen Jin remained silent, his gaze unfriendly.

Huang Zao's heart trembled.

How he wished Zhen Jin and Zi Di had perished just like that. But now, the two of them stood perfectly fine before him.

Even if Huang Zao was a rough man, inherently muddled, the meaning contained within this situation had already been explained clearly and thoroughly by the old scholar Cang Xu.

Immediately after, Huang Zao saw the "new weapons" equipped on Zhen Jin.

These spears, sickles, and longswords were clearly assembled from spider forelimbs combined with wood!

"They eliminated that Silver-level spider leader!"

"How could I be so unlucky as to run into two important figures?!"

Clang.

The Curved Blade in Huang Zao's hand was thrown onto the mountain rock.

Then, with a thud, Huang Zao knelt on the ground, his forehead hitting the ground hard, and he actively begged for mercy: "Two sirs! I am Huang Zao, it was I who fled in the face of the enemy. I was wrong, I committed an unforgivable sin! This humble one will not resist. Whether to kill or to flay, it is entirely up to the two sirs to decide!"

The young man and woman exchanged glances, both a little bewildered.

What was this situation?

After being surrounded, they had thought these people were going to harm them. As a result, Huang Zao directly confessed and surrendered.

"Two sirs, this old man's name is Cang Xu, a scholar who once served the Shata Family for thirty-eight years." The old scholar also walked over at this time.

Behind him followed a strong man, who was Lan Zao.

Zhen Jin did not speak. Zi Di, however, took half a step forward and spoke up: "I am Zi Di, the current Guild Master of the Purple Vine Merchant Guild. Now, I have the honor of introducing to you all—the adult before you is a possessor of noble bloodline, whose bloodline can be traced back to the legendary magical beast, the Golden Needle Bee Queen. He is the sole heir of the Hundred Needles Family, a Temple Knight, and also a candidate for the White Sand City Lord this time."

"Purple Vine Merchant Guild?" As Zi Di spoke, someone among the crowd couldn't help but let out a low cry.

They had all heard more or less about this famous merchant guild.

"Temple Knight?" When Zi Di mentioned this, it triggered another series of gasps.

Lan Zao's body swayed, and Huang Zao knelt on the ground, not daring to look up, his ears starting to buzz.

"Hundred Needles Family..." The old scholar Cang Xu's pupils constricted slightly.

He knew much more about nobles than Lan Zao, Huang Zao, and the others. Cang Xu was clear: the Hundred Needles Family was not simple. Although the family had suffered heavy losses due to their resistance against the empire, they were, after all, once great nobles of the south with deep foundations. The current Hundred Needles patriarch was a Gold-level expert. Although he had suffered severe injuries, he was still not to be underestimated. And the young man before them was the sole heir of such a family?

A respectful expression appeared on Cang Xu's face. He bowed and said in a deep voice, "Cang Xu is fortunate to be able to meet the two sirs here."

Lan Zao knelt on the ground with both knees. "Lan Zao kowtows to the two sirs. Sirs, Huang Zao is my younger brother. I am willing to pay with my life and beg the two sirs to forgive his sin!"

"Brother!" Huang Zao looked up, straightening his upper body, and stared at Lan Zao in shock. His forehead was already covered in blood.

Zhen Jin remained expressionless and silent, his demeanor putting increasing pressure on those around him.

"Two sirs." The old scholar spoke again. "Please allow me, an outsider, to honestly state all the facts I have seen."

"Speak," Zhen Jin finally said his first sentence.

Cang Xu exhaled a breath of stale air and continued, "Huang Zao committed an unforgivable sin. He tried his best and finally rushed back to his brother's side. He was terrified and panicked, so weak that he fainted at one point."

"This reckless and cowardly young man did indeed flee in the face of death. But after he settled down, he was tormented even more by the guilt and sin he bore."

"He fell into deep regret and self-reproach, without the slightest concealment, telling us all the truth and begging everyone for help to rush back to the Spider Forest to rescue the two sirs."

"It is precisely because of this that we are fortunate to meet the two sirs here."

"I implore the two sirs, considering Huang Zao's heart of repentance and atonement, to punish him lightly."

Huang Zao and Lan Zao cast grateful glances at Cang Xu.

Zi Di glanced at the two brothers kneeling on the ground and couldn't help but sneer, "This lowly and cowardly wretch deceived Sir Zhen Jin, concealed the fact of the Silver-level magic beast's existence, all for his own selfish gain. Then he deserted in the face of battle, putting a noble bloodline in danger, repaying kindness with enmity! Scholar, you are advising us to punish such a person lightly?"

Cang Xu nodded repeatedly and smiled, "Meeting the two sirs for the first time, it is indeed too presumptuous and overstepping for this old man to say these words. But in fact, these two are not soldiers of the empire, but sailors on the Pig Kiss. To talk about deserting in the face of battle, it doesn't quite count, does it?"

"Alas, these two brothers are actually pitiful people. They come from a fishing family and lost their parents very early. The brothers could only rely on each other. If the sirs were to execute the younger brother, then I'm afraid the older brother would not live alone either."

"Sir Zhen Jin, you are a Temple Knight, a knight among knights. You are born noble, with a vast future, like the clouds. And these two brothers are merely ants in the mud. Sir Zhen Jin, you will surely be the future White Sand City Lord. By then, your radiance will surely illuminate the entire city, and your grace will surely nourish all the city's residents. Why be stingy with these two tiny ants?"

"If the sirs forgive these two pitiful and pathetic little ants, I believe they will both repent for the rest of their lives and remember your compassion and benevolence. They will both do their utmost to repay your kindness!"

Zi Di raised her eyebrows, took a deep look at Cang Xu, but did not speak.

Cang Xu lightly kicked the kneeling Lan Zao with his foot.

Lan Zao jolted and quickly said loudly, "Sirs, please show great mercy and give us brothers a chance to confess our sins, correct our ways, and repay your life-saving kindness. Please, in your great tolerance, reluctantly accept us two lowly servants. From now on, we will be at your beck and call!"

Huang Zao did not speak, only kept kowtowing.

The brothers' desperate plea moved the others.

"Sir." Zi Di looked at Zhen Jin, adopting the posture of a subordinate waiting for the latter's decision.

Everyone looked at Zhen Jin.

The old scholar Cang Xu lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the ground.

Seeing the two brothers covered in blood and dirt, Zhen Jin slowly spoke with an expressionless face: "Saving the dying and helping the injured, supporting the weak, these are the tenets of us Temple Knights. It is precisely because of this that I chose to save you in the Spider Forest."

"Do not overestimate people, nor underestimate them. This is the family motto of my Hundred Needles Family. Therefore, Huang Zao, Lan Zao, I am willing to give you two a chance. I hope you can change my opinion of you with loyalty and concrete actions."

"Thank you! Thank you, my lord!" Huang Zao and Lan Zao were overjoyed.

Everyone around them breathed a sigh of relief. When they looked at Huang Zao and Lan Zao again, many couldn't help but show envy in their eyes.

Although these two brothers had sold themselves into slavery and lost their freedom from then on, by relying on a great figure like Zhen Jin, they might soar to success in the future.

Cang Xu bowed again, saying, "Lord Zhen Jin, your magnanimity is like the earth, and your benevolence rivals the sun. Praise be to you, you will be our banner. Under your leadership, we humble people can move forward correctly."

Zhen Jin looked at the people around him, his body straight as a spear. His calm voice clearly reached everyone's ears.

"The glory of the Temple covers every inch of land. The military banner of the Empire protects every citizen of the Empire. Follow me, and I will lead you to leave this place alive."

"Yes, my lord!" Everyone responded in unison, kneeling on the ground.