Leveling up felt truly marvelous—a comforting sensation that spread from the inside out, permeating his entire being.
At the same time, Yan Xing felt changes in his own body. His bones cracked, and his already tall frame grew even sturdier. His muscles bulged, brimming with power.
I feel like I could knock down a cow with a single punch now. Truly befitting a human Knight—we certainly rely on physical strength to make a living.
Hahahaha...
"My Lord! This is the God-given Weapon bestowed upon you..." Eddie approached Yan Xing, presenting a flail with both hands.
The flail's handle was about a foot long, engraved with patterns for an easy grip. One end of the handle was carved with a wolf's head, while the other was attached to a foot-long chain with a silver, caltrop-style spiked iron ball at its end.
Yan Xing took the flail, and its attributes appeared before his eyes.
Werewolf Flail: God-given Weapon
Damage +10
Strength +1
Intelligence +1
Knowledge +1
Intimidation towards Werewolf Race +1
Beyond its inherent impact damage, a God-given Weapon's displayed attributes also provided additional damage and attribute bonuses.
Therefore, if he struck someone with the same force, the Werewolf Flail would inflict 10 more damage than the steel pipe Yan Xing was currently using.
Combined with the flail's strength boost and its inherent structure, the damage dealt would be even higher.
Another attribute that Yan Xing valued was that the Werewolf Flail could actually intimidate werewolves.
Although I'm not sure how intimidating +1 actually is, it should at least give me a psychological edge.
Yan Xing, holding the Werewolf Flail, swung it around like nunchucks with a "HMPH HMPH HAH!" before tucking it into his belt.
This thing definitely requires dedicated practice; I nearly brained myself just now.
At this moment, the rescued peasants, under Lao Hansi's direction, firmly tied up all the werewolves. The werewolves, still poisoned, offered no resistance. Though their eyes were open, the peasants dragged them about like dead dogs.
After tossing all the werewolves together, Lao Hansi led the peasants to kneel before Yan Xing, reciting an oath of loyalty.
Finally, they shouted in unison, "Lord Yan Xing, your word is our command!"
Yan Xing was in high spirits. Gaining so many peasants at once means I meet the criteria for building a village-level Council Hall. And there's a reward of 200 God-given gold coins! Although this doesn't meet the 500 God-given gold coins requirement for a village-level Council Hall, I have no intention of spending God-given gold coins on it anyway. If I can build it myself, I will. Only if it proves impossible or I absolutely need to save time on construction will I consider spending God-given gold coins.
"Rise, everyone!" Yan Xing addressed his subjects with a leader's authority. "From now on, follow me, and you will prosper. As long as you obey and work diligently for me... you'll all have new clothes to wear, meat to eat, and houses to live in. For festivals, weddings, and the birth of children, I will also give you a generous gift. As for that leftover meat, divide it among yourselves... Don't let it go to waste."
The peasants roared "Long live the Lord!" then rushed towards the meat; their scrambling and eating habits were hardly better than those of the werewolves.
Lao Hansi didn't join the scramble; he had eaten his fill while shelling nuts earlier.
Leaning on his pitchfork, Lao Hansi approached Yan Xing, bowed respectfully, and said, "My Lord, there are 14 peasants in the Shed awaiting your recruitment. Tomorrow is the start of a new week, and God will grant another 14 peasants in the vacant Sheds."
Having familiarized himself with the Lord System, Yan Xing had a general understanding of the functions of various buildings.
The Shed was a recruitment building. Only Lords, and Heroes appointed by them, were qualified to recruit the peasants within.
Each week, 14 peasants would be available for recruitment in the Shed. If not recruited, the number would not accumulate.
The same rule applied to other recruitment buildings.
And what about Lao Hansi and his group of 14 peasants? They were the guards accompanying this newly appeared peasant Shed. Defeating them granted ownership of the Shed. Fourteen peasants mean 14 God-given gold coins per week. I definitely need to recruit them quickly. Besides, tomorrow is Monday, so I can recruit another 14. That means I'll have forty-four peasants by tomorrow!
Hahahaha...
Yan Xing followed Lao Hansi into the Shed.
The crude structure, made of grass and wood, looked as if a strong gust of wind could sweep it away at any moment.
Inside the damp and slightly odorous Shed, the 14 peasants awaiting recruitment didn't exist in physical form.
They were projected as ethereal figures of light in the center of the Shed by some unknown power, all holding pitchforks, their eyes closed, standing like statues.
[You have discovered a Shed]
[There are 14 peasants waiting for recruitment in the Shed]
[Peasant Recruitment Price: 15 God-given gold coins/person]
[Please confirm the number of recruits]
So expensive!
Seeing the recruitment price for peasants, Yan Xing was taken aback.
Recruiting all 14 peasants would cost 210 God-given gold coins. And I only have the 200 God-given gold coins I just received—not enough to recruit them all. Moreover, recruiting one peasant costs 15 God-given gold coins, and it would take four months of tax collection to break even. During that time, if a peasant dies accidentally... it's a net loss. On the Wildwind Highlands, a fiercely contested land, can I even protect these peasants for four months?
Yan Xing was very conflicted.
Should I use all my current God-given gold coins to recruit peasants? Or should I take these coins back to reality, exchange them for actual money, and buy materials to develop my territory? Or maybe a compromise? Use some of the God-given gold coins to recruit peasants as labor for territorial development, and exchange the rest for money...
While Yan Xing was considering how to allocate the limited God-given gold coins in his hand, a new prompt appeared.
[Hero's Special Skill: Winning Hearts... Activated]
[The 14 peasants greatly admire you and wish to join your forces. Do you agree?]
This... they admire me already? Winning Hearts can be used like this? Agree! Free peasants? Of course, I'll agree!
Yan Xing issued the recruitment order. The light enveloping the peasants awaiting recruitment vanished, and they transformed from ethereal figures into physical beings.
[You have gained the allegiance of 14 peasants.]
[You have gained 14 experience.]
[You have gained 14 reputation.]
The newly materialized peasants knelt before Yan Xing, presenting the taxes they owed.
Fourteen Gold Coins in hand.
Lao Hansi also collected the taxes from the rescued peasants and presented them to Yan Xing.
[One of your subjects has been promoted to a Second Order Elite Unit… Tax Collector]
[Your formal appointment will enable him to perform his duties better, thereby increasing your tax revenue.]
Lao Hansi (Human)
Tax Collector: Second Order Elite Unit
Attack: 2
Defense: 1
Lethality: 2
Stamina: 4
Talent: Taxation (Represents the Lord in levying taxes on subjects, and can collect an additional five to ten percent in extra taxes. Amounts less than one Gold Coin are accumulated and collected in the next taxation cycle.)
Elite Units can be appointed by the Lord as junior officials to assist in the management of the territory.