Lin Ming's work efficiency was quite high. Having learned that Young Master Zhen bore him no grudge, and had even asked him to seek out Wei Jie more often, this indirectly showed that Young Master Zhen still regarded him, Lin Ming, favorably.
This greatly bolstered Lin Ming's fighting spirit.
And so, in escorting this batch of slaves, Lin Ming personally took the field, bringing along a contingent of his trusted subordinates to personally deliver this group of one hundred and fifty Saint realm slaves to Peacock Sacred Mountain.
Jiang Chen dispatched Xue Tong and the others to receive them at the entrance of Peacock Sacred Mountain.
Managing the slaves didn't require much effort from Jiang Chen, nor did he need to worry about them causing trouble. Never mind that they were at Peacock Sacred Mountain, where the Peacock Guard could put them down at any moment.
Even without the Peacock Guard, the slaves' lives and deaths were at the whim of their master in a single thought. This was because each slave had a soul jade slip held in their master's hands.
As long as the master crushed the jade slip, the seal within their spiritual consciousness would activate, directly causing their souls to shatter and killing them.
Under these circumstances, there was no possibility of the slaves causing any problems. Unless they had grown tired of living.
Moreover, the soul jade slips were held in the master's hands. With a casual probe, any malicious intent on the slaves' part would be clearly discerned.
So, once someone became a slave, no matter how powerful or proud they were before, they could only accept their fate and obey orders without question.
A single thought from their master could kill them if they showed the slightest defiance.
Jiang Chen was certainly not such a cruel person. He had not purchased these slaves to enslave them for life.
In fact, Jiang Chen disliked giving orders to slaves. It wasn’t because he believed in some lofty ideal of equality among all beings, but because he understood how difficult the path of a cultivator truly was. To become a slave was, without a doubt, a fate more cruel than death.
Therefore, when the slaves arrived at the Young Master’s residence, the first thing Jiang Chen did was gather them together and say, «I don’t know what circumstances led you to become slaves. I spent money to buy you, not to command you forever. My Young Master’s residence has only just been established, and I need capable people. I hope you will all fulfill your duties and responsibilities diligently. One day, I will restore your freedom and grant you a new life. You have my word on this. Moreover, that period will not exceed one hundred years.»
These words brought a touch of normal human expression to the faces of those slaves, which had been masks of numbness.
They had all become like human tools after falling into slavery; essentially, no joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness could be seen on their faces. Only a trembling, fearful obedience remained.
Hearing Young Master Zhen’s promise now, a glint of doubt appeared in each of their eyes.
Clearly, Jiang Chen’s promise left them torn between belief and skepticism.
They naturally knew who their purchaser was—the Young Master of Peacock Sacred Mountain, the most popular genius of Glazed City in recent years!
To be honest, on the way here, they had been filled with anxiety. After all, no one knew what awaited them once they set foot on Peacock Sacred Mountain.
It was true that in Glazed City, Young Master Zhen enjoyed an excellent reputation. But who knew what kind of person he was behind closed doors? Who knew whether he might be a cruel and tyrannical man, or someone who took his frustrations out on his slaves without provocation?
In many powerful households and great clans, the fate of slaves was truly miserable. At best, they were used as training dummies—sparring partners beaten at will.
At worst, they served as punching bags. Whenever their masters suffered even the slightest setback in the outside world, they would return home and vent their rage on a pair of slaves.
In the Upper Eight Regions, who knew how many slaves were beaten to death by their masters every single day?
Slaves possessed no human rights whatsoever. The death of a slave was no different from the death of a stray dog—no one would ask questions, and no one would seek accountability.
After all, everyone knew that a slave was nothing more than a piece of merchandise.
So when they heard Jiang Chen's words, they were struck speechless for a moment, scarcely able to believe what they had heard. Clearly, Jiang Chen's attitude toward slaves was entirely different from that of every other master they had ever known.
"Perhaps some of you think I'm putting on an act. Perhaps you think I'm just deceiving you. But consider this—what do you possibly have that would be worth deceiving you for?"
Jiang Chen's tone was mild, yet utterly blunt.
"I didn't make those promises to curry favor with anyone. I want you to understand something — in my hands, only I can determine your fate. Only I can grant you a new life."
"Perhaps many of you have countless questions swirling in your minds. I'll say just this once: any warrior who has cultivated to this stage has fought tooth and nail to get here. To be reduced to slavery, to never be able to rise again for all eternity — that fate is more cruel than death. And I refuse to be that cruel. So I will give you your freedom, give you the hope of a new life. But you must also prove that you are worthy of this chance. If you loaf around in my ranks, if you fail to show me sincerity that genuinely moves me, then I'm sorry — you are a slave, and you will remain a slave for life. There will be no chance to rise above your station."
Jiang Chen's words could not have been clearer.