Chapter 20: Universal Skill Book [Enslavement]

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Under Old White’s suspicious gaze, Luo Xiu once again helped him to his feet. But this time, Old White was unwilling to stay in that place any longer. For the first time ever, he invited Luo Xiu to his shop for a chat. Since there was no way out around here anyway, Luo Xiu naturally agreed.

Returning once more to Old White’s trading post, Luo Xiu felt a strange sense of familiarity. It was still the same narrow shop, with the long counter and two doors—everything seemed unchanged.

Luo Xiu, stirred by memories, walked toward the door on the right side of the room—where Old White kept his slaves.

“Looking at this door reminds me of Layla. I bought her from here back then. May I take a look inside?” Luo Xiu asked, his expression deeply emotional.

But Old White stepped in front of him with a look of disdain. It was obvious from his sneer what Luo Xiu was thinking. He said, “Don’t even think about it! There’s no way I’ll let you lay a finger on my stock again!”

Then, as if recalling something, he grinned wickedly: “Besides, all the ones you liked—Gaza, Lina, and Angel—they’re all sold. You’ll never see them again in your life, haha.”

Well then.

Luo Xiu shrugged, caught red-handed. Old White was indeed more skilled at playing roles than he was. At this moment, he looked exactly like the villainous stepmother in a novel who sold her own daughter to slave traders.

But in essence, he was far worse than any wicked stepmother—because he was the slave trader himself.

Unfortunately, Luo Xiu was not the poor lad who overcame hardships to be with her.

Farewell, Gaza, Lina, and Angel.

With nothing to lose, Luo Xiu still asked, “300 copper coins for Lina. Will you sell?”

“Deal.”

Old White didn’t hesitate at all.

Luo Xiu was speechless, staring at Old White for a long moment, unable to respond.

This old man was even more unscrupulous than he had imagined.

“What are you staring at? Are you buying or not?” Old White showed no embarrassment.

“No.”

Luo Xiu replied irritably.

“Heh, untrustworthy brat,” Old White said, moving behind the counter to take out two tea bags, preparing to brew tea.

“Just find a seat anywhere.” There were two high stools in front of the counter. Luo Xiu pulled one over and sat opposite Old White.

Just as he settled down, Old White’s eyes shifted subtly. He looked at Luo Xiu with a meaningful glance.

“You didn’t just kill goblins on your last outing, did you?”

“I also killed a few slimes.”

Luo Xiu answered frankly.

Old White chuckled after hearing this. He pushed a cup of freshly brewed tea across to Luo Xiu and said:

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“I’m old, and my nose isn’t what it used to be. I couldn’t smell the non-monster blood on you outside just now.”

Luo Xiu took the tea cup, inhaled the fragrant aroma, expression unchanged.

“Ran into some careless ones.”

“You young folks have it too easy these days, always wasting things.”

Old White sipped lightly from his cup.

“Next time you have some to sell, bring them to me. No need to kill them.”

Luo Xiu smiled at this. He also took a small sip. The tea in this world was somewhat like Western tea from his original world—fragrant but lacking in strong tea flavor.

Pursing his lips, Luo Xiu said, “Some people are just born not to be merchandise, so they have to be killed.”

Old White laughed, “I, Old White, have lived for many years, seen and experienced a lot, but I’ve never seen anyone who couldn’t become merchandise.”

“Well then, next time I’ll bring you a few, if you’re willing to take them.”

After speaking, Luo Xiu’s thoughts suddenly shifted. He asked, “Old White, since you’ve seen and experienced so much, do you know how to leave Wheel Town?”

“Of course I do,” Old White answered without hesitation.

“How do you leave?”

“Go to Bantanda.”

“…”

Luo Xiu’s excitement faded.

“What if I don’t want to go to Bantanda?”

“Then head towards Red Mushroom Town, go to Canril City. Though I hear there’s been an outbreak there recently.”

Old White looked at Luo Xiu’s downcast expression.

“What’s wrong? Afraid of war? I told you, it’s definitely not war—don’t worry.”

Luo Xiu had no choice but to drop the subject.

He sipped his tea in small mouthfuls, deciding to wait here until Layla arrived, then go to Sunset Forest to level up.

Since there was no way out for now, strengthening himself was the safest path.

Speaking of strengthening…

“Old White, have you ever heard of the universal skill book?”

He looked at Old White.

“Of course. I have one myself.”

Old White took a delicate sip of tea.

Luo Xiu’s eyes widened. He had only meant to ask about the universal skill book, but he had unexpectedly learned that Old White actually possessed one.

“Are you sure?”

Luo Xiu asked.

“I never lie.”

Old White’s expression was serious.

“…”

Luo Xiu doubted that was the truth.

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Seeing Luo Xiu’s disbelief, Old White grew somewhat annoyed and said:

“Wait here. I’ll get it for you! You really shouldn’t doubt me, little Luo Xiu. When you see it, I hope you’ll apologize.”

With that, Old White stood and headed toward the door at the far end of the room.

“No peeking!”

He warned specifically before entering.

Luo Xiu sighed softly. Sometimes he really wished there was more trust between them.

With that thought, his gaze drifted toward the door on the right.

…

When Old White came out from the door at the far end, he was carrying not only a skill book but also a parrot perched on his shoulder.

Luo Xiu eyed the parrot warily. He still vividly remembered the last time it had slandered him.

Fortunately, this time the parrot was quiet, simply preening its colorful feathers on Old White’s shoulder.

Old White passed the skill book to Luo Xiu with a cold smile.

“See for yourself.”

Luo Xiu took the book and opened it. The familiar words “Universal Skill Book” appeared before his eyes.

This skill book was called [Enslave].

It allowed the user to forcibly enslave low-intelligence creatures, and with the consent of higher beings such as humans, to sign enslavement contracts.

Luo Xiu suppressed his excitement.

“Can I buy this skill book?”

“This is the only heirloom my grandfather left me. If I sell it, I wouldn’t know how to face my grandfather in Heaven.”

Old White’s eyes glistened with tears as he turned his back.

“It’ll cost extra.”

Luo Xiu looked suspiciously at Old White, suspecting the old man was smirking behind his back.

“How much?”

“5,000 copper coins!”

Old White spun around quickly, holding up five fingers.

“No bargaining!”

“Are you crazy for copper coins?”

Luo Xiu realized the old man had jacked up the price. After all, that red-haired man named Mike didn’t seem like someone who could pull together 5,000 copper coins.

Just as he was about to haggle, he suddenly noticed an eerie silence around him.

The sudden absence of noise felt unsettling.

He hurried to the shop’s door and looked out through a small window.

Outside, a crowd was kneeling in unison.

The wandering merchants and the residents of Wheel Town were all kneeling, performing a kowtow in front of two figures standing before them.

Among them was a man and a woman.

The man was tall and upright, with brown hair, dressed in extremely fine attire—fitted uniform, embroidered cuffs, gold-trimmed buttons—a clear sign he was no ordinary person.

The woman was tall and slender, wearing a white high-slit dress, her expression icy cold. A bow and quiver crafted from olive branches were slung across her back.

Most striking were her ears—pointed at the tips—revealing her identity:

An elf.