The afternoon sun was scorching, making the flagstones piping hot.
A dull, rhythmic sound of footsteps and the creaking of wheels grinding on the ground approached from the northwest, breaking the town's afternoon tranquility.
"My Lord!" a guard rushed into the stone house, his face grave.
"A large contingent has arrived outside the town. Looking at their banners and what they're escorting... it seems like a slave-catching team."
A slave-catching team?
Lei Luo nodded, calculating the time; they should have arrived by now.
"How many people do they have? What are their demands?"
Lei Luo stood up. Moonlight also stopped playing, raising its head and looking towards the doorway with golden vertical pupils.
"There are about fifty to sixty guards, all armed and looking very capable. They are escorting... roughly four to five hundred slaves, pulled along by prison carts and ropes. Their steward hopes to enter the town to rest and purchase some supplies," the guard reported.
Lei Luo pondered for a moment.
"Let them in."
Lei Luo quickly made a decision.
"Tell the guards to remain vigilant. Send someone to inform Aide and Bolin to bring their men over to maintain order."
"Yes, My Lord!" The guard took his leave.
Not long after, a team permeated with the smell of sweat, dust, and an unexplainable oppressive aura slowly drove into Blackstone Town.
Leading the way were a dozen guards on inferior horses, clad in leather armor, and with scimitars at their waists. Their eyes vigilantly scanned the curious townspeople, their faces showing a professional indifference and wariness.
Following closely were several huge wooden prison carts, their wheels rumbling and emitting a harsh noise.
The prison carts were filled with slaves of various skin colors and ages; most were barely clothed, their expressions numb, and their eyes hollow, as if they had completely despaired of their fate.
A strong, peculiar odor filled the air.
Between the prison carts, there were even more slaves strung together with thick ropes, being herded forward by the guards like livestock.
These individuals appeared slightly stronger, but they, too, had their heads bowed, stumbling as their shackles and handcuffs chafed their skin, leaving streaks of blood.
At the very rear of the procession were a dozen wagons loaded with supplies, and another twenty to thirty guards, either walking or on horseback.
A slightly plump middle-aged man, dressed in relatively decent silk clothes, rode on a bay horse, surrounded by guards, clearly the steward of this slave-catching team.
The townspeople spontaneously cleared the way, and whispers replaced the previous clamor.
The excitement brought by Pegasus had not entirely faded, and this cruel and realistic scene before them made them feel another side of this world.
Some women turned their heads away with expressions of unbearable pity, while most of the men remained silent, their gazes complex.
The plump steward dismounted, a professional smile plastered on his face, and quickly walked towards Lei Luo.
Still a few steps away, he cupped his hands in greeting: "This must be the Lord of Blackstone Town, I presume? I am Andrew, the steward of this caravan... oh no, this team. Passing through your esteemed territory, I wish to request some convenience from your Lordship, so that our men and 'goods' can rest for a while and replenish our food and water."
His phrasing was cautious, referring to the slave-catching team as a "team" and the slaves as "goods."
"I am Lei Luo, the Lord of Blackstone Town."
Lei Luo nodded, his gaze calmly sweeping over Andrew and the indifferent guards behind him.
"Blackstone Town welcomes all guests who abide by the rules. You may rest in the designated area, and if you need supplies, you can purchase them from my subordinates at a fair price."
"Thank you, My Lord! Thank you, My Lord!"
Andrew's smile widened, and he quickly expressed his gratitude.
"We will cause no trouble and will leave as soon as we've restocked."
Lei Luo made no comment, his gaze turning to the escorted slaves.
His eyes slowly swept over them; most of the slaves had their heads bowed, numbly enduring the scorching sun and the guards' scolding.
Suddenly, his gaze lingered on a particularly tall barbarian youth.
The youth was chained beside a prison cart. Unlike the other dispirited barbarian slaves, though he was also shirtless, covered in scars and grime, his back was held perfectly straight.
Beneath his messy brown short hair were a pair of eyes burning with a fiery rage and defiance, glaring fiercely at the surrounding guards, like a trapped young lion.
He didn't look old, perhaps only fifteen or sixteen, but his frame was exceptionally sturdy, and his muscle lines were clearly visible. Even in such harsh conditions, one could still discern the powerful strength and potential contained within him.
"Steward Andrew, you've had quite a haul this trip."
Lei Luo withdrew his gaze and spoke casually.
"Where did you acquire so many 'goods'?"
Andrew's face showed a hint of pride: "Replying to your Lordship, we just returned from the edge of the northern barbarian grasslands. We were lucky enough to encounter a few tribal conflicts and casually 'picked up' some bargains."
He said it lightly, as if discussing the most ordinary business transaction.
Lei Luo understood.
Conflicts between barbarian tribes were common; the defeated often became slaves, which was a cruel law of the grasslands.
"Speaking of which, my Blackstone Town is newly established and in need of people."
Lei Luo changed the subject, his tone flat.
"Reclaiming farmland and building houses both require a large amount of labor. I see that among your 'goods,' there are quite a few strong barbarians. I wonder if Steward Andrew would be willing to part with some?"
Andrew's eyes lit up.
He had originally thought the Lord of this remote small town would only offer convenience, but he hadn't expected an unexpected business opportunity.
In the slave trade, the most important thing was the buyer.
"My Lord jests. All my 'goods,' as long as the price is right, are naturally negotiable."
Andrew rubbed his hands, his attitude becoming even more enthusiastic.
"What kind of people does your Lordship need?"
"I'm not interested in the scrawny ones."
Lei Luo interrupted him, his gaze once again subtly glancing at the barbarian youth.
"I need those who can truly work and have strength. For example... those strong barbarian youths."
Andrew followed Lei Luo's gaze and immediately understood.
He walked into the middle of the team, shouted loudly, and had the guards pull out the strongest-looking barbarian slaves, lining them up.
"My Lord, please take a look!"
Andrew pointed at the slaves, as if introducing merchandise.
"These are all hand-picked barbarian warriors. Although they are captives, they certainly don't lack strength! Whether it's quarrying or felling trees, they're excellent at it!"
About a dozen barbarian slaves were pulled out; most were injured, their eyes filled with humiliation and hatred, but their bodies were indeed much stronger than the other slaves.
Lei Luo slowly stepped forward, carefully examining these slaves.
He was like a discerning buyer, scrutinizing their muscles, bones, and even reaching out to pinch one of their arms.
The barbarian youth whom Lei Luo's gaze had been fixed on was also among them.
When Lei Luo walked in front of him, the youth suddenly lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes glaring fiercely at Lei Luo, and a low growl escaped his throat, as if in defiance.
"Oh? This kid has quite a temper."
Lei Luo spoke indifferently, stopping Andrew.
"What's your name?" Lei Luo asked the barbarian youth.
The youth glared at him but did not speak.
Seeing this, Andrew immediately stepped forward to scold him.
"This kid's name is Thor, and he's the son of a chief from a small tribe of the Barbarian Bear tribe," Andrew said. "This kid isn't old, but he's very strong and injured several of my men."
