Chapter Sixty-Eight: Subjugation – The Enigmatic Slave Woman (Part One)

Although this woman was a slave, she possessed an indescribable freshness and nobility, clearly originating from a respectable family. As she appeared, the three other women showed concern and worry in their eyes.

The slave master introduced, “This woman is likely one of the mistresses from her family; these three maids always fiercely protect her!” He then barked harshly at the woman, “Step forward and pay your respects to the lord! He is to be your future master!”

The woman snorted in contempt and ignored him. The slave master, furious, grabbed a piece of metal and squeezed it tightly. Instantly, lightning wrapped around the woman, causing her to groan in pain. Her eyes reflected suffering, yet she stood tall, enduring the assault with unwavering pride.

“My lord! Please, do not torment her. We are willing to do anything in her stead!” All three women knelt, pleading desperately.

Seeing her suffering, Wood felt a pang of compassion and said quietly, “Enough.”

The slave master, knowing Wood was in the company of the esteemed National Protector Mage, had already realized this was no ordinary man. Hearing him speak, he quickly ceased his magical attack.

Wood stepped forward, gently brushing her golden hair and inhaling a faint fragrance. His fingertips lightly lifted her chin, revealing her cold and piercing gaze, her face radiating a noble and dignified air.

“What is your name?” Wood asked softly.

The woman remained silent, staring back icily. Among the three kneeling women, one perceptive maid recognized Wood as the likely buyer and hurriedly crawled over, embracing his leg. “My lord, please do not be angry. She was originally my lady and simply cannot adjust so quickly. Allow us to persuade her.”

Noticing the fear in her eyes, Wood smiled gently. “What is your name?”

“Amber, my lord,” she replied boldly, warmed by Wood’s kindness.

“Hmm! A fine name,” Wood remarked calmly.

“My lord... we have no right to bargain with you, but if you would treat our lady kindly, we would obey your every command.” She was truly loyal, caring for her mistress despite her own precarious situation.

“How dare you threaten your master!” The slave master exploded in anger, snatching the whip from a guard and swinging it toward Amber.

Amber cowered, expecting the sting of the whip, but felt nothing. Turning, she saw Wood had caught the tip.

The slave master protested, “My lord is too soft-hearted. If these wretched maids are not disciplined, they will forget their place and dare to set terms with you.”

Wood made no comment, but exchanged a meaningful glance with Gu Feng; both understood each other.

“This woman in shackles is no ordinary person. If her powers hadn’t been sealed, these chains might not hold her,” Wood whispered.

“Vital Energy Lock… Only a Saint Mage or Sword Saint would use such a technique. Her cultivation and background must be extraordinary,” Gu Feng agreed.

“My lord, this woman is too proud. Let me tame her first before sending her to your estate. As for these three women…” the slave master said obsequiously.

“They’re attractive and well-built, but what’s rare is their willingness to suffer for their mistress. Such loyalty is uncommon.” Gu Feng remarked, subtly suggesting Wood accept the three.

Wood nodded, pointing to the woman in shackles. “I want her as well. Thank you, Brother Gu.”

Gu Feng smiled, “No need for thanks between us!”

Turning to the slave master, he barked, “Hey, how much?”

The slave master had expected the National Protector Mage to be bored of his household maids and wanting something new, so he had brought out his finest acquisitions. He hadn’t anticipated the mage was buying them as gifts. Now, whether to give or not was awkward. He hesitated for a long moment before saying, “Since the National Protector Mage desires them, how could I dare accept payment? To have my humble offering accepted is already a great honor!”

His meaning was clear: the gift was for the mage, and what he did with it was his own affair, but the mage owed him this favor.

Gu Feng saw through his intention and feigned anger. “Do you take me for someone who’d accept such favors? Name your price!”

The slave master, a seasoned schemer eager to curry favor with the mage, refused to accept payment and ultimately begged Gu Feng to take the four slave women. Gu Feng, seeing him so tactful, agreed with a show of reluctance.

Afterward, the slave master brought three slave collars and fastened them around the three women’s pale necks, then handed Wood a metal token. “My lord, this magical device activates the electric attack in the collars. If these slaves misbehave, one jolt will ensure obedience!” Wood, not wishing to appear too gentle in the women’s eyes, accepted the token.

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“I am Xiang Ling.”

“I am Shi Yue.”

The remaining two women gave their names, but the shackled woman remained silent. Returning to the National Protector’s mansion, the three women’s eyes once again showed anxiety. From their perspective, Wood seemed gentle, and following him might not lead to a miserable fate—at worst, they would become his concubines, something for which they were mentally prepared. Wood, though not a dashing figure, was decent-looking and preferable to those ugly old masters. If they bore him a child, they might even gain status and escape slavery.

Yet their worry was for their mistress, who had treated them like sisters—now, Ouyang Lingfeng, once a martial arts prodigy, had also become a slave alongside them. Her strong character would not easily accept such humiliation. If she refused to submit, who knew what their new master might do? Having seen Wood accept the magic token controlling them, he did not seem so easily approachable after all.

As the maids fretted, Wood and Gu Feng were discussing matters via the dimensional trading system.

“Wood, that girl was bound with a Vital Energy Lock by a Saint-level master. Her own cultivation must be impressive. If we use the virus evolution serum and the dragon blood we acquired, she could be elevated to Sword Saint, making her a great asset to you.”

Wood nodded. “That’s my thought as well. But she seems fiercely proud; she must be subdued first.”

Gu Feng grinned mischievously. “So what if she’s proud? I doubt you can’t handle her. If not, there’s always that special potion!”

Wood chuckled. “What fun is there in using the potion alone? I’d rather take on something more challenging!” He was clearly influenced by Gu Feng and Zi Gui.

“This is my lady, Ouyang Lingfeng. She simply needs time to adjust; let us persuade her,” the three maids said gently, fearing Wood and Gu Feng’s silence meant displeasure.

Wood looked at Ouyang Lingfeng and suddenly summoned the Azure Sky sword, thrusting it at her. The three maids cried out in terror, faces pale, but with a few crisp clangs, Ouyang Lingfeng’s shackles were severed. With a pat, Wood injected true energy, forcibly unlocking the Vital Energy Lock.

This finally moved the woman. Her eyes scrutinized Wood, a look of puzzlement emerging. In her experience, she had never heard of such a young Sword Saint. After all, to unlock a Vital Energy Lock placed by a Sword Saint, one must possess equal power.

“Defend yourself. If you can defeat me, you may leave freely. If not, you’ll obey my commands,” Wood said calmly, knowing only force could subdue her proud spirit.

She flexed her hands and feet and finally spoke, her voice like a silver bell. “Since you can break the Vital Energy Lock, you must be a Sword Saint. Yet my lock was just undone, my blood and energy disrupted—how could I be your match? Are you not deliberately humiliating me?”

Wood smiled proudly. “Then I’ll grant you three days to recover. After three days, no matter your method, if you withstand one strike from me, I’ll return your freedom!”

“One strike?” She looked at Wood, secretly delighted. “He’s too arrogant! Even against a Sword Saint, I can put up a fight. He underestimates me.” Yet she maintained composure. “Are you serious?”

“Serious.”

“Very well. Since you are so confident, I won’t need three days—half an hour will suffice.”

With that, she opened her delicate mouth and spat out a ring. The clever girl had hidden her spatial ring inside her mouth, explaining her silence earlier.

Unhurriedly, she retrieved a small porcelain bottle from the ring, poured out a fiery red pill, and swallowed it. “Sir, may I borrow a quiet room to meditate for a while?”

Gu Feng chuckled, “A Vitality Elixir! This girl is truly clever, restoring her strength before the fight. Wood, are you sure you can subdue her in one strike?” He summoned a servant, who led her to a guest room.

Half an hour later, she appeared before them again, this time clad in tight-fitting silver armor, radiating a blue glow with strange engravings. The armor was remarkably short, leaving her snowy, shapely thighs fully exposed. Strapped to her thigh was a belt holding a dagger, and a curved blade hung at her waist.