Leilin followed Tran into the large white tent.
A heavy scent of incense hung in the air, masking the stench of sweat and filth from the slaves, making the atmosphere far more pleasant than outside.
The slaves inside at least wore a few thin strips of linen, providing modest coverage for their private parts.
Tran led Leilin before a group of exceptionally muscular adult men. "They are all properly trained, fully-fledged Knights! Well? They should meet your requirements perfectly!"
Leilin nodded and stepped up to a bald, broad-shouldered man. "Chip! Scan!"
"Ding! Target biological data — Strength: 3.1, Agility: 2.8, Constitution: 2.9, Spirit: 1.5, Status: Affected by a neurotoxin!"
The data for the other Knight-class slaves was similar, and only now did Leilin notice their unfocused, glazed eyes and dilated pupils.
"It seems their minds have been affected by something…"
Tran hurriedly offered an apologetic smile. "Knights generally have strong resistance, you see. To cater to different customers' needs, we can't just use a single spiritual imprint to control them all! Instead, they've been subjected to repeated hypnotic suggestion and punishment, then managed with drugs — high-grade enforcers! They're not as agile as normal Knights, but they can still follow simple commands."
Spiritual imprinting was the method formal Wizards used to control their servants, but for an Apprentice, it was beyond their ability.
Tran had clearly assessed Leilin's strength and specifically recommended this batch of goods.
"Not bad! What's the price?" Leilin asked.
"One hundred Magic Stones each!" Tran replied.
Leilin nodded, picked out the two with the highest stats, paid the Magic Stones, and received a scorpion-like creature from Tran.
"This is a Desert Stinger Scorpion. The venom of each one is unique. To ensure control, we've used the toxin secreted by this particular scorpion on the two slaves you've purchased. If these Knights don't receive the suppressive antidote produced by this scorpion within ten days, they'll suffer beyond imagining! Of course, this is only a last resort. During training, commands to obey their master unconditionally were already implanted in these Knights' minds! Now, the lives of these two Knights are yours!"
Tran respectfully handed Leilin the box containing the scorpion.
Leilin nodded and stored the box safely. "In addition, I need a maidservant who can handle simple laboratory assistant duties…"
When Leilin emerged from the market once more, two Knights in full armor and a delicately featured maidservant followed behind him.
The maidservant had clear, bright eyes and wore a black gauze dress. According to Tran's introduction, she had been trained from childhood in various skills, more than capable of handling simple experimental tasks, well-suited to Leilin's needs. Moreover, mandrake extract had been administered to her, effectively shielding against
The cost, however, was that her lifespan had been reduced to just thirty years.
"The Anling Bird Market does well on this front! They even offer free exit service — though only for premium customers!"
When Leilin reappeared with his new servants, they were no longer in the small village but at the outskirts of a city.
This was another service the high-tier market provided, naturally for a fee.
But since it saved a great deal of trouble, and Leilin's current strength was still far from formidable, even spending a few extra Magic Stones was well worth it.
"Master!" The Knights and the maidservant knelt in unison.
"Mm." Leilin nodded coolly. "Do you have names?"
The two Knights exchanged glances, and both lowered their eyes with a dim look. "No, Master. Please grant us names." The maidservant shook her head as well, looking quite pitiful.
"You — Gelin." Leilin pointed at the larger of the two Knights. "You — Fuleisa." That was the other one.
"And you!" Leilin glanced at the pretty maidservant. "You'll be
"Thank you for granting us names, Master. We shall remember our loyalty always!" The three knelt forward and kissed Leilin's boots.
"Enough." Leilin waved them up and looked around.
They seemed to be in a small grove, and in the distance, the silhouette of a massive city was visible — at least ten times larger than the one Leilin had stayed in before. Carriages loaded with goods streamed in and out of the city gates without pause. It looked quite prosperous.
"Gelin! Go into the city and buy a carriage. I'll wait here for you." Leilin tossed a small black pouch to the larger Knight.
"Pick up some travel supplies and clothes while you're at it," Leilin added casually.
Since destroying the spell books and selling off the potions, his total assets had swollen to nearly three thousand Magic Stones. His luggage, on the other hand, had been cut drastically — a single bundle was enough to hold everything. Whatever he'd left behind at the previous campsite wasn't worth much anyway, and he'd burned it all before heading to the market, saving himself the trouble of going back.
"At your command, Master!" Gelin caught the pouch, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.