Physicians, healers, priests, and other such professions are highly valued wherever they go.
Yang Ming revealed a friendly smile and said softly:
“No need to thank me. Helping those in need is a traditional virtue of us huaxia people. However, I’m curious—why were you kidnapped by goblins and brought to a place like this?”
At the mention of this topic, Anna’s expression grew much sadder. She sighed and explained:
“We originally lived in a small town twenty kilometers to the west, which had a branch of the Church of the Goddess of Light. But five days ago, an army of more than a thousand demons invaded the town. The town’s soldiers were completely unable to resist them, so we could only flee, abandoning our homeland and heading to another branch of the Church of the Goddess of Light thirty kilometers away to seek help.”
Yang Ming looked Anna over and noticed that she was covered in dirt, with a sallow and emaciated face. She clearly had not eaten for a long time, so he asked:
“Miss Anna, in your current condition, trying to travel thirty kilometers is no different from seeking death.”
Anna bit her red lips, clasped her fists together before her chest, and pleaded helplessly:
“We originally had ten guards escorting us, but unfortunately, they were all brutally killed by goblins. Great lord, I have an unreasonable request. Could you take us in temporarily?”
Yang Ming had been waiting for her to say exactly that.
“You may.” Yang Ming nodded and said, “However, you must work for me.”
There were still quite a few injured warriors at present. If he could bring Anna back to his territory, the mortality rate would be greatly reduced.
“Work for you?” Anna froze for a moment. The expression on her face immediately became extremely tense and uneasy. She clenched her fists and struggled inwardly for a long time before finally sighing in resignation.
“Great lord, as long as you take us in, I will let you do whatever you want with my virgin body.”
Yang Ming was stunned as well and hurriedly explained:
“You misunderstood. I mean that I’ll pay you a salary and hire you to work as a physician in my territory, treating illnesses and injuries.”
Anna’s expression instantly relaxed, and she said softly:
“Lord, Anna would be delighted to work for you.”
Yang Ming was very satisfied. He then ordered the warriors to clean up the battlefield and collect useful supplies.
Before long, the group resumed its journey back to the territory.
Along the way, Yang Ming also asked about the basic information of Anna’s group.
Anna told him everything truthfully.
Apart from Anna, there were also three young women who were priests and possessed some healing ability, but their abilities were much weaker than Anna’s.
The two cooks were twin sisters. They could prepare Fine-Grade and excellent-grade ingredients, and after cooking, the combat power granted by the ingredients would increase accordingly.
For example, one serving of fine-grade demon wolf Meat could increase the consumer’s combat power by 1–5 points, but if it was prepared by someone in the chef profession, the increased combat power could rise to 2–7 points.
The higher the quality tier of the chef, the more combat power the food they prepared could provide.
But the person Yang Ming cared about most was a witch.
She wore a crown and a red-and-white shrine maiden outfit. Her facial skin was as delicate as white jade, and she was exceptionally beautiful.
According to Anna’s introduction, this witch was named Tang Keke. She could change the weather and could even control artificial rainfall.
As for the other young women, they were all ordinary people.
“They all have very good abilities. I’ll have to find a way to make them willingly stay in Huaxia City forever.” Yang Ming thought to himself.
Before sunset, Yang Ming successfully returned to Huaxia City.
Upon hearing that Yang Ming had returned, Chen Jian came out to greet him immediately.
“Greetings, lord.” Chen Jian offered his customary greeting.
“Were there any exotic beast invasions today?” Yang Ming asked.
“No. On the contrary, I took in another group of refugees—about sixty people. They were brought here by an old clan leader,” Chen Jian replied.
An old clan leader?
Yang Ming was delighted. Wasn’t this the administrator’s assistant he had always wanted?
“Take me to see him.” Yang Ming spoke impatiently.
Under Chen Jian’s guidance, Yang Ming met the old clan leader.
An old man dressed in a cyan robe.
“Benevolent lord, thank you for taking us in. We swear to the heavens that we will become your most loyal subjects.”
The old man knelt on the ground in trepidation, afraid that he might displease Yang Ming and be driven out of the territory.
Yang Ming scanned him.
【Name】: Karl.
【Quality tier】: common grade.
【Combat power】: 4.
【Talent】: public order（F-Rank, possessing a mind far more intelligent than that of an ordinary person. He can increase residents’ happiness and reduce the crime rate within his jurisdiction.）
“Get up,” Yang Ming said.
Karl stood up and said respectfully, “Thank you, lord.”
Yang Ming thought for a moment before asking Karl:
“Old Karl, you’ve been in Huaxia City for half a day already, haven’t you? What do you think needs improvement in terms of management and laws?”
Old clan leader Karl was very intelligent. Knowing that Yang Ming was testing him, he thought carefully before offering his insights:
“In my opinion, there are many areas that need improvement. First, regarding the measures of distributing food and housing for free, I believe that those who are capable should do more. The more capable a person is, the better food they should receive and the better room they should live in. Second, a currency system should be established as soon as possible to stimulate the residents’ labor…”
Karl spoke at length.
After listening, Yang Ming greatly admired Karl’s talent and said:
“Karl, your ideas are excellent. I appoint you as the first public order Officer of Huaxia City, to assist me in managing Huaxia City. Are you willing?”
Karl immediately knelt on the ground, his face filled with excitement, and said:
“Great lord, I am very willing to serve you.”
Karl’s suggestions were quite reasonable, so Yang Ming had Chen Jian take Karl to the residential district to issue the announcement.
Afterward, Yang Ming went to the blacksmith shop, where Cocolite worked.
“Bang, bang, bang!”
Inside the blacksmith shop, a young woman wearing blue clothes was vigorously hammering ironware.
She was so absorbed in her work that she did not notice Cocolite when Yang Ming walked up to her.
“You actually forged twenty Tang Hengdao?” Yang Ming asked instinctively when he saw them.
Only then did Cocolite notice Yang Ming’s arrival. She immediately stopped working and respectfully said to him:
“Lord, I’ve been working as hard as I can. Are you satisfied with my efficiency? If not, I’ll try to forge thirty weapons every day from now on.”
Yang Ming smiled and comforted her:
“No, I’m very satisfied with your efficiency. But don’t overwork yourself. Compared with work, your health is more important.”
Seeing how concerned Yang Ming was about her, Cocolite was deeply moved and said:
“Lord, at noon, I almost forged an excellent-grade weapon. Unfortunately, I ran out of stamina and failed at the final step. I’ll work even harder from now on and won’t let your concern for me go to waste.”
Yang Ming pondered for a moment, then took the last Soldier Enhancement Talisman from the system storage and handed it to Cocolite.
“Stick the Enhancement Talisman onto your body and absorb its power.”
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