Chapter 27: Cornered Bai Ya

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Cornered Bai Ya

Faced with such a pitiful group of young slaves, Furen’s choice wasn’t hard to guess.

He not only let Zovir go, but even took out another Gold Coin in an attempt to help the children return to a normal life.

But Zovir didn’t accept it.

After a bit of back and forth, Zovir remained firm in his refusal. Furen finally gave up. Then, amidst a chorus of sincere goodbyes like "Thank you!" and "May God bless you!", he left the abandoned mill with Lu Wei and Clara.

"I really don’t know how they are going to survive."

Back on the main street, he glanced back worriedly. "They’re so young, and they have slave brands. I doubt anyone will give them a job."

"It’s not that dire. There are still plenty of factories willing to take them in."

Clara explained, "After all, you only need to provide food, a bed, and a tiny salary. It’s much more cost-effective than hiring Ordinary workers."

"Besides, you can work them as hard as you want. They’d be too afraid of getting caught and sent back to dare quit."

"Huh? Then what’s the difference between that and being a slave?" Furen asked, shocked.

"Hmm... Essentially, there isn’t one."

Clara thought for a moment. "But at least in name, they’re no longer slaves."

"...Right. I suppose that’s something."

It was likely the only way he could console himself. Furen fell silent for a moment, then nodded in resignation.

Then, with some curiosity, he turned to the "clever one," Lu Wei.

"Lu Wei, my friend, what would you have done if your coin purse had been stolen?"

’He definitely wouldn’t have just given the Thief another Gold Coin.’

Lu Wei answered casually, "I’d probably make him work for me until he paid back the money he stole."

"I see..."

Furen pondered for a moment. "That’s quite reasonable. Compassion and justice... perhaps there’s a way to satisfy both..."

’What is he even talking about?’

’Is that really something he should be mulling over?’

"Alright, that’s over and done with. Don’t forget why you’re here."

Lu Wei shot Furen a look, feeling the need to remind him to stay on track.

Of course, it didn’t really matter whether Furen became a "great Warrior" or a "social activist."

But Lu Wei was heading deep into Gelan Forest tomorrow to scout a location for his "new shop," and having a Bodyguard like him around was crucial.

So, he needed to get Furen’s focus back on adventuring, and fast.

Luckily, Furen still seemed more drawn to the "thrill of an adventurer’s life," so the reminder was all it took for him to snap out of it.

"You’re right... So, what’s next?"

"We need to buy some supplies."

"Uh, aren’t we getting lunch first?"

"I told you this morning! Enduring hunger is a key part of surviving in the wild—"

Lu Wei’s voice trailed off. He abruptly remembered that Furen was back to being a rich kid.

’That was close!’

’I almost snapped at the rich kid!’

"But then again, we can practice that later."

"Let’s go, my friend! Time to eat!"

...

...

"This is a clinic! Not a fucking monastery!"

"Besides, even the monasteries don’t hand out free meals anymore!"

"Tell her to get out! Or else have that kid Lu Wei come and pay the bill!"

Meanwhile, as Lu Wei, Furen, and a meal-mooching Clara were feasting at a streetside tavern, a fierce argument was breaking out in the small clinic on Daffodil Lane between Aryan and Elder, who had just returned from a house call.

"But Bai Ya hasn’t found a job yet!"

Blocking the door to the patient’s room, Aryan stood with her hands on her hips and yelled, "Besides, her injuries aren’t even healed yet!"

"Bullshit! I saw her fetching water from the well when I left this morning!"

Elder’s eyes bulged as he tried to overpower Aryan with sheer volume. "I can’t even lift a bucket like that!"

"That’s because you’re fifty years old, Master! And you drink too much!"

Utterly unafraid, Aryan guarded the door like a sentinel. "And Bai Ya was fetching water this morning to help us clean the clinic! Haven’t you noticed how much cleaner it is, Master?!"

"I..."

Stunned, Elder looked around. It really did look different.

Aryan, for all her competence, had never liked chores like cleaning. As a result, the clinic’s hygiene was usually only maintained to a level that "wouldn’t scare off patients."

And now...

Spotless floors, neatly arranged medicine jars, sparkling-clean glass windows... Elder didn’t know how long Bai Ya had spent, but he guessed it must have been the entire morning.

After all, it had been the same old mess when he’d woken up.

"Still no."

His bluster clearly fading, Elder mumbled, "Don’t think doing a few chores means she can just freeload here forever."

"She’s not saying she won’t leave. As soon as Bai Ya finds a job, she’ll go."

Sensing an opening, Aryan immediately softened her tone.

Based on her experience, all she had to do now was wheedle a little, and Elder would give in.

She didn’t like wheedling, but she was always very confident in her ability to do it well.

But before she could even put on the act, the door to the patient’s room suddenly opened behind her.

Bai Ya stepped out, her face flushed with embarrassment. She gave Elder a deep bow.

"Elder, I’m sorry. I’ll leave right now."

"..."

’Hey!’

’Don’t just decide on your own!’

’I was so close to convincing him!’

Aryan’s eyes flew wide. She quickly grabbed Bai Ya’s hand. "Bai Ya, go back inside. Master will agree to let you stay."

"No, I can’t trouble you and Elder anymore," Bai Ya said, gently shaking her head.

"But you haven’t found a job! And you don’t have any money!"

Having grown fond of Bai Ya after chatting with her over the past couple of days, Aryan couldn’t help but ask anxiously, "Where will you go?!"

"Mr. Lu Wei said I could go find him, that he would help me."

Bai Ya told a little lie to reassure Aryan. "So please, don’t worry."

"Oh? He did...?"

Hearing that Lu Wei had promised to help Bai Ya, Aryan paused for a second before letting go of her hand.

"If that’s the case, then... all right."

"Okay, I’m off then. I’ll come back to chat when I have time."

"Okay! Anytime!"

"Mhm... Elder, goodbye."

With a nod and another goodbye to Elder, Bai Ya walked out of the small clinic as the two watched.

It was already noon. The sun blazed overhead, and there was almost no shade to be found, even in the alley.

She glanced down at her own shadow, shrunken to a small patch at her feet. Worried about arousing Aryan’s suspicion, she didn’t dare linger and quickly started walking toward the mouth of the alley.

But she had no idea where to go.

After all, as an Adventurer Town, Heitai Town was constantly full of cheap labor—people whose dreams of adventure had been dashed and who were now trying to save up enough money by working odd jobs to try again.

That meant even a job that barely paid enough to survive had plenty of competition.

And compared to nimble-fingered Dwarves, Strong Half-Beastmen, and hardworking men, Bai Ya had no competitive edge in any industry.

Unless it was a brothel.

But she would rather die than go there.

’Mr. Lu Wei is a free merchant. Maybe he needs an assistant.’

’I wouldn’t need a salary. Just food and a bed would be enough.’

Wandering aimlessly through the streets, head bowed in thought, Bai Ya ultimately concluded that Lu Wei was her only option.

She really didn’t want to trouble him again, but it seemed she had no other choice.

She subconsciously touched her chest as she silently quickened her pace.

’I wonder if Mr. Lu Wei managed to pawn the Pendant, and if he got enough money to pay for his merchandise.’

’He’ll take me in... right?’