Servant

"What level is Blossoming Tree's Goblin Engineering at?" Ye Ci suddenly asked out of the blue.

"He's almost a High-tier Goblin Engineer now. He can surely level up very fast if someone provides him with the materials he needs. But…" Bai Mo hesitated for a moment. "You've recruited him for the sole purpose of building siege machines, right?"

"Yes."

"The blueprint is difficult to find; you can't even buy it from the market. The major guilds have long recognized the benefits of Goblin Engineering, so they have been recruiting large groups of Life Players. Moreover, they have assigned a lot more people than our guild at the auction, so it won't be easy for us to outbid their players. Take our guild for example, we only managed to seize a total of five hundred blueprints from auction and market since our establishment. This is only an insignificant number compared to the massive amount of blueprints that are being circulated." Bai Mo sighed.

"Some of the rarer blueprints are very limited in number, so it is very likely that only one Life Player in an entire will have the chance of ever using one. I know it would be better for the rarest recipe to be learnt by fewer people, but having only one of us mastering these blueprints will seriously hamper our production. This case is especially true for the higher tier blueprints that require multiple skills to complete. Having more blueprints will solve this bottleneck."

Ye Ci naturally understood what Bai Mo was trying to tell her. She was reminded of Mara's skill which would allow her to duplicate blueprints and skillbooks. These two skills could very well solve Bai Mo's concerns. Not only that, she could also create duplicates of old but rarely seen recipes and skillbooks for sale. Cash would come flowing in and she would be able to play mind games with the major guilds. It was not a bad idea.

However, this would only happen if she could bring Alaunar, Mara and Yolan out from the Doluo Tribe, but even the mere mention of bringing Alaunar with her had worried the old man.If she were to propose bringing the entire family away, would the old man knock the life out of her with his God-tier staff?

Thinking up to this point, Ye Ci suddenly lost her confidence again. She had control over her own path, but she had no control over the system. Although her chances of success was great, nothing was decided until it really happened. Having such an unknown factor in her plan was indeed worrying.

In any case, it was no use for Bai Mo to worry about anything right now because his worries were not something that could be resolved within a short amount of time. When Bai Mo noticed that things also seemed like it wasn't going so well on Ye Ci's side, he asked, "What's wrong? You look like you are worried about something."

"Nothing serious, just some uncertainties."Ye Ci told everything about Alaunar's family to Bai Mo and as expected, he was extremely shocked. "How truly unbelievable! How truly unbelievable!" He chanted.

"What?" Ye Ci burst out laughing when she saw the rare expression on Bai Mo's face. "Yo, I've never thought that I'd ever see that look on your face. Aren't you one who is always smiling, cousin?"

Bai Mo reached out and slapped Ye Ci on her head in response to her statement, but quickly continued speaking. "It'd be great if we can bring those three here. As long as Blossoming Tree can reach the Master-tier in engineering, we won't have to worry about guarding the Mithril ore vein."

Ye Ci nodded. "That's right. Yolan is a Master-tier Builder. She can construct fortifications around the Mithril ore vein. Since Mara can duplicate blueprints, she can make multiple copies of such blueprints. Once Blooming Tree starts arming these fortifications, we'll be able to defend the mine."

Bai Mo agreed. "Although the future is uncertain, at least for now, this plan can allow one man to hold out against ten thousand." He thought for a bit, then stood up. "Alright, I will plan ahead by having Timely Rain recruit more Engineers and Builders."

Ye Ci breathed out a sigh of relief. "That's a good plan, but I'm still not sure if I can bring out this family of three."

"Just do what you can and leave the rest to God." Bai Mo patted Ye Ci on her shoulder. He took his bowl into the kitchen and went inside his room to prepare.

Ye Ci was still eating, but she had obviously lost her appetite. Ye Nantian rested his hand against hers and smiled, "Little Ci, do your best but don't be too harsh on yourself. Always remember that Dad and Mom will always be here for you."

Ye Ci, who was rendered speechless by Ye Nantian, stared at her father.

Zuo Xiaolan also patted Ye Ci on her head with a smile. "That's right, we're a family. No one will be able to separate us no matter what, so just do what you can."

Family? Family…? Ye Ci seemed to suddenly be enlightened! It turned out that she had forgotten about something all this while! How could she forget such an important thing! Ye Ci suddenly stood up then rushed up to her parents with a smile. "Dad, Mom! I know now! I know now!" While saying that, she rushed into her room, leaving Zuo Xiaolan and Ye Tiannan behind in their confusion, wondering what had Ye Ci figured out.

Ye Ci went online and strode quickly to the tent where Alaunar and his family lived. She peered into the leather tent through the gap and saw Yolan passing a bowl of meat soup to her children, then rubbing her children's heads affectionately. The gentle look and affection on her face seemed so familiar to Ye Ci. It was exactly the same as how her parents would look at her!

She actually forgot that Yolan, Mara and Alaunar were family! Although Ye Ci had been talking about family, she never thought of them as one entity. She saw them as three separate individuals and compared them to each other, trying to figure out who was more loyal to her. It was only now she understood her grave mistake. She shouldn't have viewed them as three separate individuals in the first place. If she were to view them as one entity, then things would be much easier.

Ye Ci couldn't help but get excited at the thought. She reached out to part the leather flap and walked into the tent.

"Ah, you're here! I just made some meat stew. Come, have a bowl! The mountain is very cold in winter, have a bowl of soup to warm yourself up." Yolan quickly invited Ye Ci to sit down when she saw her coming in. Alaunar was going to bow to Ye Ci, but Ye Ci gestured for him to sit down and eat instead.

After spending a few days with Ye Ci, Mara was quite used to Ye Ci now. She quickly fetched a bowl for Yolan to serve Ye Ci a bowl of meat soup.

Ye Ci accepted the bowl and drank the soup after expressing her gratitude to the family. Although her real body was stuffed, her body in the game was still exhausted. Drinking the soup seemed to instantly dispel her weariness and allow her to slowly regain her HP.

Alaunar stared at Ye Ci in silence before suddenly speaking up, "Elf, have you gathered enough ores?"

"Mhm." Alaunar had been following Ye Ci so he naturally knew how much ores she had taken, so Ye Ci didn't try to deceive him either. As for his question, Ye Ci could vaguely figure out the reason behind it.

"Does that mean you can buy a harp for Lia soon?" Alaunar gripped his soup bowl tightly as he gazed at Ye Ci fervently, seemingly trying to suppress his emotions.

"Yes."

Alaunar thought for a very long time before asking, "Elf, do you know what is Lia's most impressive ability?"

"What is it?" Ye Ci didn't directly answer Alaunar but chose to smile at him, then swept her gaze over Yolan and Mara. Both of them had sort of a lonely look on their faces. It would seem like they knew what Alaunar was going to say.

"She can whisk you away from this island." Alaunar lowered his voice and had a very secretive expression on his face, thinking that Ye Ci was really oblivious to this information.

Ye Ci pretended to be surprised to play along with Alaunar. "Oh? That's really impressive!"

"Yeah! I heard that it was handed down in Lia's family. Khu'tak managed to leave back then thanks to Lia's great great grandmother!" Alaunar seemed rather pleased with himself speaking up to this point. This was a secret between him and Lia, so naturally no one else would know about it.

Although Ye Ci didn't really know about that, she wasn't really concerned about it. What Alaunar was going to say next was more important. "So that means as long as I pay Lia, I can leave here?"

Alaunar was stunned. So were Yolan and Mara. The three of them stared at Ye Ci as though she was a complete stranger.

"Why? Did I say something wrong?" Ye Ci shrugged.

"No, no. You're right. If you buy a harp for Lia, she will definitely send you away from here." Alaunar lowered his head, looking a little upset.

Ye Ci reached out to ruffle his hair and consoled him with a smile. "What's wrong? Are you reluctant to see me go?"

Alaunar stared into the bowl of soup he was holding, looking determined. Yolan spoke up instead. "Elf, Alaunar is very fond of you and is hoping that you would stay. Must you leave?"

Ye Ci nodded. "Yes, Yolan. I am an adventurer. To me, there's a more beautiful and vast land beyond this place, beyond this this island, beyond this sea…" Ye Ci was quickly interrupted by Mara before she could even finish speaking. "But don't you think this place is very beautiful? We have lush forests, vast oceans and you can even hear the mermaids sing. Why would you want to leave such a beautiful place? Are the foreign lands that attractive?"

Ye Ci knew Yolan and Mara were not anxious because of her. They were anxious because Alaunar had made some sort of decision. It was for this reason, Ye Ci could only look at Mara gently and speak to her in a soft tone, "Mara, you are right. This place is very beautiful. The sky is very blue and the forest is very green. The people here are very kind. Although I don't have any good impression on the mermaids, I can't deny their beauty and melodious voices either. Some of the places beyond here are filled with blooming flowers. But some are barren lands with snowy mountains, deserts, forests and waterfalls. In the outside world, every step leads to a different scenery. Even though this is a great place, the blood of an adventurer still runs through my veins. I love a life of uncertainty; I yearn for that kind of excitement."

"Excitement?" Mara cocked her head to the side and looked at Ye Ci quizzically.

"Yes. You never know what kind of excitement you will go through in the next moment. You could be in danger, or receive boons beyond your wildest imagination, or find yourself in the face of disaster. You will never know for sure. It's exactly because of this unknown that you can feel how truly exciting the world really is. Unlike here, where the sky is always blue, the forest is always green and the beautiful mermaids are always there."

Yolan listened to Ye Ci attentively. She had never left this tribe ever since she was born, so the world out there greatly fascinated her.

She suddenly smiled wryly. "I think I know why my husband yearned for the world outside so badly. Perhaps, he was also an adventurer."

"Mommy, you can't say that! That means…" Tears welled up in Mara's eyes, threatening to fall at any moment.

Alaunar reached out to grab Mara's hand, then gently shook his head. ���That's enough, Mara."

Mara bit her lower lip. Although she was very young, she knew a lot of things. She lowered her head in great sorrow. "Brother, Khu'tak also yearned for the outside world back then. But in the end, the mermaids brought back news on his departure and he never returned. If you are going to be like Khu'tak, will you still remember me and mommy?"

Ye Ci determined that the timing was right, so she put on a look of surprise. "W-Wait…! Alaunar, are you thinking of leaving here?"

"Yes!" Alaunar snapped his head up as soon as he heard Ye Ci's question. There was no hesitation, only unswerving determination.

"B-But… Dalufar probably won't allow you to leave." Ye Ci shook her head. "I think he regards all of you very importantly. You are Dak's younger brother. He surely wouldn't want the same thing to happen again."

"Yeah! Brother, Elf is right. There's no way Lord Dalufar will allow you to leave." Before Mara could finish speaking, she was stopped by Yolan. She shook her head gently to Mara, then sighed. "Stop it, Mara. Your brother has the right to decide his own future."

Mara bit her lips and lowered her head. Tears fell from her eyes.

"Elf, I need your help." Alaunar looked at Ye Ci, with the determination of a man.

"My help?" Ye Ci pointed at herself, acting as though she was very innocent while asking the question even when she already clearly knew the answer.

"Elf, please take me with you!" Alaunar set down the bowl he was holding and walked to Ye Ci. He kneeled on his right knee, placed his left fist on his chest and lowered his head as he spoke earnestly. "If you are willing to take me with you, I swear that I will forever be your loyal servant!"

Ye Ci had thought of this before, but she didn't expect Alaunar to suggest this on his own accord. This was still quite shocking to her. She silently stared at Alaunar who was kneeling before her on one knee. This was the most formal and respectful bow in the Doluo Tribe. It was the highest form of respect one could show to another.

She looked at Alaunar for a good while, before finally reaching out to help him up. She seated him beside her and spoke to him with a serious expression. "Alaunar, do you really wish to leave?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I want to become a hero like Khu'tak! I don't want Doluo people to remain unknown. I want everyone to know, the Doluo isn't some useless tribe being exiled by Humans and Barbarians. We are one of the best tribes in the world. I don't want our people to continue to be oppressed, and be tempted by Devils. We are clearly capable of defending ourselves. That's why I want to leave and train. I want to be the second Khu'tak, no, I want to be an even bigger hero than Khu'tak!" Alaunar wasn't loud, but his speech was powerful and resonating. Even as a player, Ye Ci couldn't help but cheer the NPC on for his lofty ambitions.

"I can take you away." Ye Ci stared into Alaunar's black eyes for a long while, before giving him a careful answer. A sparkle of joy flashed across Alaunar's eyes when he heard her reply. However, Ye Ci's next word made him anxious again. "But…"

"But what?"

"But I can't accept you as my servant." This was Ye Ci's conclusion after pondering the matter over for a good while.

"Why?!" Alaunar couldn't believe it. In his simple mind, he thought that he wouldn't be able to leave and see the outside world without becoming Ye Ci's servant. So Ye Ci's answer was no different than outright refusing his request and this naturally made Alaunar feel extremely helpless. "I am willing to be your servant! I am willing!"

"No. I still can't agree to that regardless if you are willing or not." No matter how much Alaunar insisted, Ye Ci was firm on refusing him because she suddenly thought of a way to bring their entire family away. Sometimes, refusing didn't mean denying and agreeing didn't necessarily mean accepting either. Playing hard to get was indeed an intriguing phrase.

"Why?! You have to give me an answer!" Alaunar was extremely agitated. He had a strange feeling toward Ye Ci. He admired, feared, revered yet also unwilling to submit to her. Despite the fact that he was still a mercenary hired by Ye Ci, he was acting recklessly and being unruly.

Ye Ci wasn't bothered by this because she knew Alaunar wasn't fully loyal to her yet. If his loyalty had reached that extent, then this situation wouldn't occur in the first place. "The answer is actually very simple." Ye Ci looked at Alaunar, then glanced at Yolan and Mara. In her gaze was forgiveness and smile. "A hero should never be a servant."

Unlike the mindset of Chinese where 'a hero might also have a humble family root', status was taken very seriously in Jiama Continent. If a hero or warrior came from a less honorable background, his growth would be affected negatively. It was for this reason Ye Ci decided to refuse taking Alaunar in as her servant. Only by maintaining Alaunar's pride would she win Yolan and Mara undying loyalty.

As expected, the tent fell into silence after the answer came out of her mouth. After a long while, only then she heard Yolan's faint sobs. Both her and Mara had kneeled before Ye Ci and were rubbing their hair against Ye Ci's feet. "Thank you, my master. Thank you for making my son possess the dream and journey of becoming a hero. My son cannot serve you as a servant, but my daughter and I are willing to serve you as your servants in his place. We are willing to serve you with our whole life, my master!"

"Mara agrees with mommy!"

Ye Ci secretly assessed Yolan and Mara's fondness toward her, and discovered that their loyalty toward her had been maxed out. It seemed like all she needed to take Alaunar down was to loosen her reins on him in order to grasp him better. Ye Ci quickly helped Yolan and Mara up, then shook her head with a smile. "How is that possible? I can't even agree to have Alaunar as my servant, how will I possibly agree to having both of you as my servants? Moreover, it's pointless even if I were to accept your request. I'm leaving here after all. There's no way both of you will leave your hometown. So…"

Alaunar looked at his mother and younger sister, then suddenly spoke up. "Can you take all of us away from here together?"

"Together?" Ye Ci blinked, acting as though she was bewildered, but her heart was blooming with joy. I did it, I finally did it!

"Yes, together." Alaunar nodded. "Truth be told, I am the only son in my family. If I were to leave my mother and sister behind in the tribe alone, I don't think I will ever be at ease."

"Isn't Dalufar taking good care of your family?"

"Indeed. Lord Dalufar takes special care of orphans and widows like us. But Lord Dalufar is the chief of this tribe. There's a limit to how much he can care for us. Even if I am here in the tribe, my mother and sister are still being bullied. If I'm gone, I'm afraid that life is going to get more difficult for them. So, if you'll allow, I wish to bring my mother and sister away from here too. That way, they won't be too worried about me as they can always see me."

Alaunar seemed to have suddenly grown up at this very moment. He was very mature in his thinking, and was no longer the willful youth who only did the things he wanted. He was really like the pillar of his family now.

"What do you think, Yolan and Mara?" Naturally Ye Ci couldn't only listen to Alaunar's opinion when it came to matters like these. She had to listen to the opinions of the people who were involved in this. "Do you both agree to leave the tribe with Alaunar?"

Yolan looked at Mara. After thinking for a moment, she finally spoke up. "I have never left the tribe and have no idea on what lies out there beyond here. But if master is willing to take us with you away from here, we are willing to leave the tribe together with Alaunar. We are a family. Unless there is any special circumstances, we are not willing to part with each other."

Ye Ci nodded, extremely satisfied with the turn of events. "Alright. If all of you insist, then I can bring you all with me." After Ye Ci said that, she could immediately hear three system messages.

"Doluo Tribe member Yolan is now your servant."

"Doluo Tribe member Mara is now your servant."

"Doluo Tribe member Alaunar is now your guard."

Guard? Ye Ci was slightly taken aback. In the previous world, she had only heard about the mercenary and servant systems but not a guard. Could it be that she has triggered the system, that she never did in the previous world, in this world? Just when Ye Ci was thinking about that, she received another system message. "You have discovered the servant and guard systems due to your diligence and resolve, would you like to make your ID public?"

"No."

It would be best to lay as low as possible when it comes to matters like these. Letting more people know that she had servants and guards would only invite trouble, so she ought to be more cautious.

"Due to… player's unrelenting diligence and resolve, the servant and guard systems have been discovered. The servant and guard markets will now be opened in cities for players to experience these new aspects in the game. Have a good time." After Ye Ci refused making her ID public, this message immediately popped up in the global chat, and caused passionate discussions among guilds and players. Even so, Ye Ci didn't seem to be too bothered about it.

That was because Ye Ci was more concerned on how to break the news that she would be bringing the three away to Dalufar. After mulling it over for a long time, she came to the conclusion that it was better to clarify things up with Dalufar as early as possible. She had been to the illusionary realm, and discovered Nuoba's Secret. She was certain that Dalufar was close to discovering the truth as well. If she did not share what she knew, Dalufar might not allow her to bring the family with her easily.

Ye Ci went to buy the harp that Lia needed first, then bought the most decent recipes from the shop. After spending the last piece of ore she had on her, only then she went toward Dalufar's tent. However before she even reached Dalufar's tent, she spotted Alaunar watching her silently under the moonlight.

"What's wrong, Alaunar? Why are you standing here?" Ye Ci was curious, so she went up to him and asked.

"Master, I know what you are about to do. I wish to join you." Alaunar ran up to Ye Ci and bowed. Ever since he became her guard, he was behaving a lot more polite around her.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" There was no way Alaunar didn't know what she was going to do, and he was adamant in following her so Ye Ci was worried if it was wise for him to do that.

"I am sure, master. I know what I am doing. I have my own obligations toward this tribe." Alaunar seemed so sure that he would probably disagree even if Ye Ci were to command him to return to his own tent. Guards and servants were different. Guards had their own rights in doing certain things, but not servants. Servants would always obey their master's command, regardless if it was right or wrong.

"Alright." Ye Ci nodded. In any case, she was going to use Nuoba's matter as a deal with Dalufar and make him owe her a personal favor so he would willingly release the family of three. At first, she was still worried if she would be able to convince him alone. Now that Alaunar was joining, it would probably be easier to convince Dalufar.

Dalufar was quietly sitting in front of his huge table as usual. The table was piled up with all sorts of books. Under the dim light, Dalufar's white hair and beard was tinted gold, making him look very divinely. His magical staff rested quietly against the right arm of his chair, just within his reach. Ye Ci looked at the staff and thought to herself that it was impossible for her to ever get her hands on it in her entire life. It was fine though, she shouldn't be too greedy as she had already reaped a lot of rewards by coming here.

Dalufar sensed Ye Ci entering the tent, yet didn't raise his head. He continued reading his book but spoke slowly, "I heard you have bought Lia's harp."

"Yes, Lord Dalufar."

"Are you preparing to leave?" "Yes, Sir Dalufar. I've been here too long. I must continue my journey." Ye Ci responded with a very standard answer, as an NPC with high intelligence would see through any possible play of words.

Dalufar nodded, then closed up the book in front of him and lifted his head. He looked at the boy standing behind Ye Ci in silence. After a very long time, he finally spoke. "What about you, Alaunar? Have you made your decision?"

"Yes, Lord Dalufar. I have. I wish to leave with her to travel the outside world, just like Khu'tak did back then." Alaunar's voice wasn't loud, but one could hear the unwavering determination in it.

Dalufar listened to Alaunar and seemed to become dispirited. He remained seated and let out a long sigh before shutting his eyes. "It's been many years. I thought I wouldn't hear anyone talking about leaving the tribe again, yet I am hearing it now. The last time I heard this, I was still a youth like you, Alaunar. Back then, Khu'tak stood before me and told me the same thing. I was proud of him. After so many years, you're now telling me the same thing again. I…" Speaking up to this point, Dalufar paused slightly and an affectionate smile appeared on his face. "I am also proud of you."

Alaunar was very nervous at first but after hearing Dalufar's words, he felt relieved at once. After he relaxed, the only response he could give was speechlessly staring at Dalufar in a daze. After a long while, only did he manage to speak again. "Is that so? Lord Dalufar, are you really proud of me?" "Of course, my child. I am proud of anyone who can find their courage to take this first step out. Not only that…" Dalufar paused slightly, then looked at Ye Ci and continued speaking, "Advancing for the sake of your dream is a joyous thing that is worth celebrating. Alaunar, I look forward to the day you'll become a Great Shaman."

Alaunar was even more shocked now. "What? A Shaman? Not a Warrior?"

"Why a warrior? Aren't you a shaman?" Dalufar stood up, with the magical staff that Ye Ci had been drooling over in his hand. He slowly walked toward Ye Ci, then lowered his head to look at her. He sighed, then spoke only loud enough for both of them to hear. "I think what you said is right. People should chase after their own dreams. I can't make him stay here. Elf, I'll leave them in your hands."

Dalufar's words greatly astonished Ye Ci. He had figured out everything before she even said anything. This must be a BUG...

Despite Ye Ci's surprise, she still nodded and made a promise with Dalufar. She glanced at Alaunar behind her, then spoke to Dalufar. "Lord Dalufar, I come here today to inform you of another matter."

"What is it?"

Ye Ci sighed, then told everything about the things she and Alaunar saw in the Pitch Black Cave as well as everything in the realm of illusion to Dalufar. Dalufar appeared to be shocked. "What?! You are saying that Nuoba and Sha'jia are actually colluding together?!"

"No, I don't think it is Sha'jia. That was only an illusion. Only Sha'jia's servant, Ciss, was inside that illusion."

"That doesn't make any difference." Dalufar's face turned sour. "I only know that the Heart of Flame is sealed under the Pitch Black Cave. I've been watching over it with care for so many years, so that no demons have any chance to get close to it! Yet I didn't expect Nuoba to actually collude with a demon to steal the Heart of Flame! Just what is he thinking?!"

"I'm afraid that Nuoba is coveting over your position." Ye Ci sighed and slowly pointed out the key point of this matter. After all, Dalufar had been alive for too long. Although he was powerful, it was inevitable that some of his subordinates would start to misbehave.

Dalufar stared at Ye Ci intently, unable to utter another word.

The moon was shining bright In the night sky above Doluo Tribe. The moonlight silently shone on the ancient tribe that seemed silent, yet lurking with wild ambitions within.