https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-22-The-Scholars-of-the-Refugee-Camp-Part-2-/13030722/
Chapter 23: Village Foundation Document
Chapter 23: Village Foundation Document
2017-09-25
Four refugee leaders and a scholar, what an unusual combination!
Most people, upon seeing this group, would ponder the peculiarity of it all. But Lu HaiKong's thought process was different. At a glance, he had already sized up these individuals.
Based on past experience, each refugee leader could potentially yield 1.5 gold. With four of them, that meant a potential haul of 6 gold. Additionally, there was a boss-like figure among them, and Lu HaiKong felt like a wave of gold was beckoning him. He was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of happiness.
Without hesitation, Lu HaiKong charged into battle, leading his troops, including the giant axe-wielding Wang Chao and Ma Han, along with eight bandit infantrymen. It was a one-sided battle, as Lu HaiKong's team of ten had stats that were at least on par with, if not superior to, the refugee leaders. Even Lu HaiKong's and Wang Chao's attributes were far more impressive than those of the refugee leaders.
With all of them rushing in, the five opponents had no chance to resist. The four refugee leaders were swiftly defeated by Lu HaiKong within a few moves, and the remaining scholar was surrounded.
Lu HaiKong had intended to finish off the scholar with a swift axe strike, but after witnessing Lu HaiKong effortlessly crush the refugee leaders, the scholar knelt down and surrendered before Lu HaiKong could make his move.
"Spare me, brave one! I'll serve you faithfully, day and night, and be your most loyal follower!" the scholar pleaded, his face covered in snot and tears.
As Lu HaiKong stared at the scholar, bewildered by this unexpected turn of events, the system prompt appeared.
'The junior scholar, Zhang Wen, is captivated by your intimidating presence and wishes to become your follower. Do you accept?'
Lu HaiKong, curious about the scholar's abilities, opened the attribute panel for the scholar before him.
Name: Zhang Wen
Scholar Level: 5
Abilities:
Strength: 5, Politics: 20, Strategy: 25, Command: 5
Skill: Persuasion Level 1 (5% chance to convince a captive to surrender. Can be used three times per day on the same target, costing 1 gold each time.)
"This Persuasion skill is interesting. Sure, it's free anyway," Lu HaiKong thought, considering it a bargain. He clicked confirm, but the subsequent prompt made him hesitate.
"Recruiting 'Junior Scholar' Zhang Wen requires 10 gold. Will you pay?"
"What? I have to pay? No way! You surrendered to me, and now you want me to pay? I knew you were up to no good with that innocent-looking face. I'll just finish you off with my axe; maybe I'll even get some gold from your remains!" Lu HaiKong brandished his axe, his anger evident.
The unfortunate scholar was terrified, "No, brave one! It's the rules, I can't help it! Just give me the money, and we'll go through the formalities. I'll return it to you immediately after the process is complete!"
Zhang Wen was exasperated. He had never encountered someone like this. Usually, when others recruited a scholar, they would be delighted to pay even 50 gold, let alone 10. He had never heard of someone refusing to pay and threatening to kill a potential recruit.
Some people may seem easy-going and carefree, but don't be fooled. Underneath that friendly exterior lies a cunning mind, always ready to sell you out with a mischievous smile and then ask you to help count the money.
Lu HaiKong is one such individual.
After listening to Zhang Wen, Lu HaiKong seemed a little tempted, but then he tilted his head and calculated, frowning with a troubled expression. "I'm sorry, brother. I think we have a good connection, but I don't have 10 gold on me."
"Sigh, you know how tough it is these days. Life as a mountain bandit is tough, with no guarantee of the next meal. I can't bear to see you suffer with me. It's better if I just end your misery with one swing of my axe. Don't worry, I'll do it quickly, and you won't feel a thing."
Seeing Lu HaiKong's guilty expression, Zhang Wen felt sympathy for his friend. He had to understand his situation, but wait, this guy was going to chop him up! This was a blatant robbery! How could he sympathize with this? Absolutely not!
Zhang Wen almost felt his brain short-circuiting due to Lu HaiKong's antics. At this moment, even Zhang Wen, as simple as he was, realized that Lu HaiKong had set his sights on him. To save his own life, he knew he had to offer something substantial.
'Forget it, I'll pay to get rid of this trouble.'
Zhang Wen sighed and took out a rag-wrapped bundle from his pocket. "Master, I have some savings here. Since you're facing financial difficulties, I'll give it all to you!"
Zhang Wen emphasized the words 'give it all', implying that he was giving everything he had.
In the 169 version of the game, one gold is equivalent to 1,000 copper coins.
Lu HaiKong, with a mischievous smile, took the bag of money from Zhang Wen's hand and counted it. He found a total of 12 gold and immediately beamed with joy. However, he had no intention of letting Zhang Wen off the hook.
"Brother, you're a good person, but I aim to be a mountain bandit king. My subordinates, the scholars, are supposed to have sly and cunning appearances, like the typical wretched military advisors. How can I let you, with your honest looks, be my advisor? It would be embarrassing for me."
Zhang Wen almost cried. How shameless could one be? Even after taking the money, he wouldn't let Zhang Wen go!
"Since that's the case, then let me go," Zhang Wen said cautiously.
Lu HaiKong's face darkened, and he slammed his axe forcefully into the ground. "What are you saying? You gave me 10 gold, and we became brothers. Now you're saying I'm not worthy of being your brother? If that's the case, let's end our brotherhood here and now!"
Zhang Wen's face twitched as he looked at Lu HaiKong's stern expression and the axe in his hand. Finally, almost in tears, Zhang Wen took out a few items from his body.
A copy of the "Basic Internal Power" manual, a "Village Foundation Document," and a tattered piece of sheepskin.
Seeing that Zhang Wen had practically emptied his inventory, Lu HaiKong immediately beamed with joy. He eagerly took the 10 gold and gave it back to Zhang Wen, also confirming the master-servant relationship between them in the game system.
(End of Chapter)
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