Section 23: Selling oneself for support

Several days ago.

"Who goes there?!" The sailor on watch suddenly shouted, gripping his long spear nervously.

A suspicious human figure emerged from the bushes. After glancing at the sailor, he collapsed to the ground unconscious.

The sailor froze, then cautiously approached the unconscious figure. Using his long spear, he turned the person's face upward.

Although the face was blackened with horrific burns, the sailor recognized the mysterious figure after a moment.

"It's Huang Zao!!!"

"Huang Zao is alive."

"Lan Zao, your brother is alive. He's back."

The sailor's shout alarmed the entire exploration team in the camp.

A crowd rushed over. Leading them was Lan Zao, whose immense frame was as big as two grown men combined, exuding a deep and dense Bronze aura.

Seeing his unconscious brother, Lan Zao first felt disbelief, then joy. He quickly knelt down, lifting Huang Zao's head so he could half-sit up.

"Brother, brother, wake up!" Lan Zao shouted.

Though unconscious, Huang Zao mumbled, "Water... water..."

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

After drinking the water, Huang Zao slowly regained consciousness.

His blurred vision gradually cleared, and seeing Lan Zao's rugged face, tears almost fell from Huang Zao's eyes. "Brother, I am Huang Zao. I'm back. I narrowly escaped with my life!"

Huang Zao's voice was extremely hoarse and weak to the extreme.

He had pursued the main group alone, surviving in the perilous forest was not easy.

"Huang Zao, what happened? We all thought you were dead. Captain Lan Zao tried several times to go back for you but was stopped by everyone who doubted your survival. Lan Zao shed tears for you many times," an old man squeezed into the circle.

His face was full of wrinkles, his body thin, wearing broken glasses. Shaggy white whiskers covered his face, unkempt and grayed with grime from exposure to the elements.

This old man was Cang Xu.

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

The exploration team respected him greatly; their escape from the desert was thanks to his guidance.

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

"Quick, tell your brother what happened?" Lan Zao was also very curious.

Huang Zao snorted coldly, "I wasn't dead. I was temporarily unconscious…"

He briefly explained the events that transpired.

Lan Zao was moved, "Huang Zao, you really did escape death. It was so dangerous."

Those around them echoed, expressing exclamations and congratulations.

The old scholar Cang Xu, however, looked concerned. "Trouble, we may be in trouble."

"What trouble?" someone asked.

"No matter what trouble, I won't abandon my brother! We will fight the spider colony!" Lan Zao's eyes flashed with killing intent; his resolve was firm.

"No spiders followed me. Rest assured, everyone. Once we escape their hunting area, the spiders will climb back to the treetops. I was with them for several days," Huang Zao said.

"And the last big fire probably burned the spiders to death."

Huang Zao spoke proudly. The danger had passed, and his escape was now a story to brag about.

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

"They must be dead by now, though it's a pity," Huang Zao said. He didn't confess his cowardice, but claimed that the eight-legged spiders attacked Zhenjin and the others, while he, fortunate, had escaped.

"They might not be dead," sighed the old scholar.

Lan Zao muttered, "Magic and fighting energy are restricted on this island, how could those young people escape the rage of the lead eight-legged spider?"

The old scholar frowned, "Black Iron Level's powers are restricted here. But what about Silver Level? Golden Level? Since none of us possess such strength, we cannot be sure if those ranks are also restricted."

Huang Zao's eyes widened, "Mr. Cang Xu, you think those two are Silver-level experts, or even Golden-level powerhouses? Impossible, they're too young. Besides, I never sensed any Silver or Golden aura from them. That girl seemed to be a Black Iron level Mage."

The old scholar chuckled and shook his head slightly, "Are young powerhouses rare? The White Wolf General of Cold Iron City is only seventeen. Shui Si, the great Mage of the Goldenrose family, is only sixteen. Recently, the rising assassin Luo Shi from the alliance, is said to be only eighteen."

"No way, those people are future big shots, far from us. How could I randomly encounter such individuals?"

The old scholar's voice lowered, "Very likely. Based on your description, that girl being a Black Iron level Mage shouldn't be dismissed. Which power nurtured her?"

"That girl called the young man 'Master,' so what about his status and strength? You can ponder on that."

The crowd fell into deep thought. The Lan Zao and Huang Zao brothers' faces became noticeably grim.

After a moment, the old scholar continued, "The young man not only has a high status but likely has strong strength. Being a Golden Level may be unlikely, but being a Silver-level expert is possible."

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

Cang Xu smiled, "Let's consider another angle. Suppose you encounter someone needing rescue. If you had to face over a dozen Bronze-level eight-legged spiders, with only two companions, could you dare to provoke these spiders and risk saving someone without being a Silver or Gold-level expert?"

Lan Zao opened his mouth, speechless for a moment.

"So those two are likely still alive. I offended a Silver-level expert, or maybe even a Golden-level powerhouse?" Huang Zao muttered, his mouth twitching.

"I shouldn't have fled, I should have returned their dagger! I made a grave mistake!" Huang Zao gripped Lan Zao's arm tightly, shouting repeatedly.

Under immense psychological pressure, he finally chose to confess.

Everyone's faces changed upon hearing Huang Zao's desertion and taking the crucial dagger.

"Mr. Cang Xu, what should we do?" Lan Zao, at a loss, turned to the old scholar for advice.

"Everyone stay calm," Cang Xu raised his hand to soothe the group, "It is not beyond repair yet."

"All this is speculation. Those two could have become spider food or perished in the fire, right?"

"But didn't you just say they likely survived and are chasing us? We left markers along the way," Lan Zao said, his face conflicted.

Cang Xu nodded, fixing his deep gaze on Lan Zao, "So, we need to turn back. Confirm whether those two are dead or alive."

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

"If they are alive and in trouble, we must help them, repay their life-saving grace, and atone for Huang Zao's cowardice."

"If they are hunting us, I strongly recommend not resisting unless absolutely necessary. Think about it—can we match those strong enough to kill a horde of eight-legged spiders?"

"Surrender! Surrender is a good option."

"Remember, we were all on the same ship, and are stranded here together. They need us; everyone needs subordinates, at least hands to help sail."

Cang Xu's words led to nods all around.

"What about me?" Huang Zao asked anxiously.

"Don't worry, brother." Lan Zao's tone, though reassuring, lacked confidence.

Cang Xu looked earnestly at Huang Zao. "Resisting is a death wish. Running, where can you escape? Be eaten by beasts in the forest? My method offers your best chance. If those two live, show your survival value. Don't be stingy with your belongings—nobles overlook them but offer them humbly, demonstrating sincere remorse."

Huang Zao nodded repeatedly, committing Cang Xu's words to memory.

With that, they turned back along the original path.

At the mountain spring, they encountered Zhenjin and Zi Di.

Zhenjin and Zi Di showed themselves first, with Huang Zao stepping forward.

"It's you! At last, we've caught you, Huang Zao."

Zi Di scowled, Zhenjin stayed silent, his glance hostile.

Huang Zao's heart trembled.

He wished Zhenjin and Zi Di had died. Yet, they stood perfectly fine in front of him.

Even though Huang Zao was rough by nature, the meaning of this situation had been explained thoroughly by the wise scholar.

Furthermore, Huang Zao saw Zhenjin's "new weapons."

These war spears, scythes, long swords were obviously made with spider limbs combined with wood!

"They killed the Silver-level spider leader!"

"Why am I so unfortunate, encountering two great figures?!"

Clang.

Huang Zao dropped his scimitar on the stone.

Then, with a thud, he knelt, slamming his forehead on the ground, pleading, "Masters! I, Huang Zao, deserted! I erred, committing an unforgivable crime! I won't resist – my fate lies in your hands!"

The young man and woman exchanged astonished glances.

What is happening?

Surrounded, they feared hostility, but Huang Zao immediately confessed and surrendered.

"Honored masters, my name is Cang Xu, a scholar who served the Shata family for thirty-eight years." The old scholar approached.

Behind him stood Lan Zao.

Zhenjin remained silent, while Zi Di stepped forward, speaking first. "I'm Zi Di, leader of the Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce. I'm honored to introduce—before you stands an esteemed member of an elite bloodline tracing back to the legendary magical beast Gold Needle Bumblebee Queen. He is the sole heir of the Hundred Needle family, a Holy Temple Knight, and a candidate for White Sand City Lord."

"Purple Vine Chamber of Commerce?" someone in the crowd whispered.

This renowned guild had left an impression on them.

"Holy Temple Knight?" Zi Di's words caused further exclamations.

Lan Zao's body swayed, while Huang Zao knelt, not daring to lift his head, his ears buzzing.

"Hundred Needle family…" the old scholar's pupils contracted.

His knowledge far surpassed that of Lan Zao and Huang Zao. Cang Xu knew the Hundred Needle family's complexity—once a southern noble family, deeply rooted despite their hardships for opposing the Empire. The current Clan Leader, a Golden Level expert, though wounded, remained formidable. Was the youth before them the sole heir?

Cang Xu's expression grew reverent, bowing deeply. "Cang Xu is honored to meet you both."

Lan Zao knelt. "Lan Zao pays respects to the masters. Masters, Huang Zao is my younger brother. I'm willing to sacrifice my life, pleading for his forgiveness!"

"Brother!" Huang Zao, forehead bloodied, looked at Lan Zao in shock.

Zhenjin remained expressionless, silent, increasing the pressure on those present.

"Masters," the old scholar spoke again. "Allow this outsider to present my truthful observations."

"Speak," Zhenjin said his first word.

Cang Xu exhaled, continuing, "Huang Zao committed a grave sin, fleeing yet returning to his brother's side. He was fearful, weak, and fell unconscious."

"This rash coward escaped death. Yet, settled, he was tormented by his guilt and regret."

"He confessed truthfully, begging our help to return to Spider Forest, to rescue you both."

"Hence, our fortunate meeting here."

"Masters, I beseech you to consider Huang Zao's repentance and show leniency."

Huang Zao and Lan Zao looked gratefully at Cang Xu.

Zi Di, glancing at the kneeling brothers, scoffed, "This base coward deceived Lord Zhenjin, hiding the Silver Magical Beast for selfish reasons. Fleeing, he left an elite bloodline in peril. Scholar, you advise leniency for such acts?"

Cang Xu nodded, smiling, "Addressing masters this way may be inappropriate. But in truth, they're sailors of the Pig Kiss, not soldiers of the Empire, thus not deserters, right?"

"These brothers are pitiful. Fishermen by birth, orphaned young, they relied on each other. If the masters execute the younger brother, the elder won't survive alone."

"Lord Zhenjin, as a Holy Temple Knight and noble, your future shines like the sun, unlike these ants from mud. As future White Sand City Lord, your grace will bless the city, your benevolence every citizen. Why be merciless to these ants?"

"If you forgive these pitiful souls, they'll eternally repay your mercy."

Zi Di raised an eyebrow, glancing at Cang Xu, without speaking.

Cang Xu slightly nudged Lan Zao with his foot.

Lan Zao jolted, hastily speaking, "Masters, please mercifully grant us a chance to atone. Accept us as humble servants, guiding us henceforth!"

Huang Zao remained silent, continuously kowtowing.

The brothers' earnest pleas moved onlookers.

"Masters," Zi Di addressed Zhenjin, ready for his decision.

All eyes turned to Zhenjin.

Cang Xu, head lowered, stared at the ground.

Seeing the brothers' blood-stained faces, Zhenjin finally spoke, expressionless, "Healing and aiding the weak is my Holy Temple Knight creed. Thus, I saved you in Spider Forest."

"Don't overestimate or underestimate people. That's our family motto. So, Huang Zao, Lan Zao, I offer you a chance to prove your loyalty and actions can change my perception."

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

The crowd relaxed, some even envied the brothers.

Despite their servitude, they might thrive under Zhenjin.

Cang Xu bowed again. "Your magnanimity, Lord Zhenjin, matches the earth; your compassion, the sun. Praise to you, our guiding beacon. Under your leadership, we lowly ones shall thrive."

Zhenjin, standing tall like a spear, his calm voice reached everyone clearly.

"The Holy Temple's light covers every land. The Empire's banner shields each citizen. Follow me, and I'll lead you to safety."

"Yes, Master!" the crowd responded, half-kneeling.