Chapter 706: The Slave Yaluopu

Nie Yan rode his flying mount while examining the three items in his backpack.

The first item was a map made of brocade. When unfolded, it displayed the entire terrain of the Abernathy Grasslands, including mountains, rivers, lakes, grasslands, and so on. A large central area marked with golden patterns indicated his territory.

After surveying the Abernathy Grasslands, Nie Yan finally confirmed the location of the boundary lines.

The second item was a lord’s covenant certificate, serving as proof of Nie Yan’s status as a lord.

These two items were bound to him, and only with them could he truly be considered the lord of this land.

As for the third item, Nie Yan took it out. It was a diamond-shaped crystal fragment emitting a faint green glow. Its front was shaped like a sharp cone, resembling a sharp dagger. As Nie Yan took it out, it emitted a dazzling green light, and a powerful, unknown force surged toward him.

“What is this thing?” Cui Can Dao Guang (Cui Can Daoguang) asked in puzzlement.

Everyone’s attention was drawn to this crystal fragment.

“The Fragment of Jobiah’s Scepter,” Nie Yan looked at its attributes and said in astonishment.

“Jobiah? You mean the emperor of the Glinlan Empire? Why is it in your hands?”

“Yeah, logically speaking, shouldn’t such an item be in Emperor Jobiah’s possession? He isn’t dead, and such items, like a scepter, generally won’t break unless their owner dies.”

Hearing their discussion, Nie Yan raised his eyebrows. What did this crystal fragment signify? It was too early to speculate recklessly, so he put the fragment away.

Nie Yan and his companions discovered a very large tribe. Thousands of white tents stretched continuously across the grasslands. Many people moved about inside, and outside, some herders were tending flocks of sheep and cattle wandering across the plains.

“Let’s go down and take a look,” Nie Yan said. This was the largest tribe they had encountered since entering the Abernathy Grasslands.

They slowly descended onto an open space in the center of the tribe. Six large flying mounts instantly crowded the square.

Immediately, some guards wearing simple leather armor and carrying bows rushed forward and surrounded Nie Yan and his companions.

A tall, muscular middle-aged man approached. His left hand held a large bow, and his right hand held a short sword as he looked at Nie Yan and his companions.

“This is the territory of the Kawanas Tribe. I am Sampul, the chief of Kawanas. Strangers, please show your identities, or you will be considered enemies of the Kawanas Tribe,” the man shouted loudly.

The atmosphere in the square suddenly became tense.

Some players in the distance were pointing and whispering. Some of them recognized Nie Yan and were watching how the situation would develop.

Although this area was near the border between the Glinlan Empire and the Sa’tern Empire, many players had entered this region. They had established good relations with the tribes of the Abernathy Grasslands and were here completing quests, hunting monsters for experience, and selling loot. However, everyone entering this area needed to gain recognition from the local tribes.

“Respected Chief Sampul, I come from Karol City in the Glinlan Empire. This is the covenant proof granted by both the Glinlan and Sa’tern Empires,” Nie Yan said, taking out his lord’s covenant.

The middle-aged man named Sampul showed a look of slight confusion. He took the lord’s covenant from Nie Yan’s hand, examined it, and returned it. Then, placing his right hand on his chest, he bowed and said, “Respected Grand Lord Nie Yan, welcome to Kawanas.”

Seeing Sampul bow to Nie Yan, the surrounding guards holding bows immediately lowered their weapons and also bowed to Nie Yan like Sampul.

When Nie Yan appeared here, the distant players understood that everything here was about to change. The Abernathy Grasslands would transform from a border area with no clear authority into a player-controlled territory. Some people had already decided to leave, while others prepared to stay and see what Nie Yan would make of this place.

Nie Yan and Cui Can Dao Guang exchanged glances. Indeed, the lord’s covenant was effective.

However, each tribe here had its own rules, and Nie Yan could not mobilize them at will. The position of lord was merely a deterrent. Without building his own army, even within the three-month protection period, these tribes could still undermine Nie Yan’s rule, even if Angel Dominion did not act.

“Respected Lord, please follow me. Kawanas will treat the most honored guest with the best wine and the most beautiful women,” Sampul said. With a wave of his hand, the guards holding bows immediately made way.

Nie Yan looked at Sampul. For some reason, he sensed a hint of unfriendliness from Sampul’s expression. Thinking for a moment, he understood. His arrival would compete with the tribes here for control of the land, and gaining their support would be difficult. It seemed that becoming the lord of this land was not a simple matter.

At the word “women,” Yu Wang Ran Zhi Qing Chun (Yu Wang Ran Zhi Qing Chun) lit up and asked, “The big guy, the chief, mentioned the most beautiful women. Don’t tell me they are those gorgeous NPC beauties?” It must be said that the NPC beauties simulated by data in Faith were very charming, making people drool. However, under normal circumstances, players dared not have any wild thoughts about NPC beauties, as they might be arrested by the guards, which would be terrible.

“Forget it. Just look at the women walking around in this tribe. They all look like water buffaloes. I bet their beauties won’t be much better,” Shui Se Yantou (Shui Se Yantou) poured cold water on Yu Wang Ran Zhi Qing Chun’s enthusiasm without mercy.

Cui Can Dao Guang looked at Nie Yan and whispered, “I can’t help but feel that Chief Sampul isn’t very friendly toward us.”

“The same as my feeling. Let’s continue watching,” Nie Yan said. Even if Chief Sampul was unfriendly toward them, he couldn’t do anything, after all, Nie Yan was the lord of this land.

“Okay.”

The group followed Chief Sampul, passing through the uneven paths between tents, heading toward a large golden tent in the distance.

The residents here were not wealthy, which could be seen from their clothing. When they saw Chief Sampul, the residents prostrated themselves on both sides of the path, trembling in fear.

Looking at this scene, Nie Yan fell into thought.

They walked for a few minutes when a group of more than ten people approached. It was a squad of ten fully armed guards escorting a young man bound in ropes. The young man was strong and muscular, wearing only a pair of tattered pants, his upper body bare, his skin dark, his muscles powerful, and his body crisscrossed with scars, old and new.

“Yalop, soon you will experience how wonderful death can be. Your body will be cut into pieces and fed to the vultures from the sky,” one of the guards sneered, letting out a strange laugh.

“I am not guilty,” the young man named Yalop tried to struggle free from the ropes, but in vain.

“You are not guilty? Your greatest sin is having a beautiful wife. She is too seductive.”

The guards laughed mockingly.

When they saw the approaching Sampul, they immediately fell silent and bowed, saying, “Respected Chief Sampul, Yalop has committed theft, and we are taking him to the execution ground.”

Sampul’s eyes were like those of a hawk, staring at Yalop’s face. After a while, he said, “Although you are the strongest warrior of Kawanas, I do not wish to put you to death. However, everyone must bear the consequences of their crimes. The execution will take place in half an hour.”

Nie Yan and the young man named Yalop exchanged glances. In Yalop’s eyes, there was an unreadable hatred and defiance.

Three scars almost ran across Yalop’s entire cheek, and on his left face was a clear brand mark, reading the word “slave.”

In the Glinlan Empire, people were executed every day, and Nie Yan was no stranger to such scenes.

As he passed Yalop, Nie Yan felt a heavy pressure surge toward him. This Yalop was definitely a powerful individual.

“Respected Chief Sampul, may I ask what crime this man committed?” Nie Yan asked.

“He committed theft, stealing from several households,” Sampul looked at Nie Yan, his eyes revealing a sinister and dark glint.

“If it was only theft, shouldn’t the punishment be less severe?” Nie Yan asked.

“Indeed, theft alone would not warrant execution. But he is a slave. In Kawanas, if a slave commits theft, he will be executed. Since he was previously a warrior who once defeated the Kirlan people, he is granted the honor of sky burial,” Sampul said indifferently.

Shui Se Yantou, Cui Can Dao Guang, and others felt a chill. This Sampul was undoubtedly a ruthless person, speaking of a death sentence so casually, as if bestowing a favor.

“Respected Chief Sampul, as the lord of the Abernathy Grasslands, do I have the authority to pardon someone’s death penalty?” Nie Yan looked at Sampul and asked. From the moment Yalop appeared, he seemed to feel a force of destiny. He immediately realized—he must save Yalop!

This matter was a crucial step in his becoming the true ruler of the Abernathy Grasslands.

“Yes, without a doubt.” Sampul stared at Nie Yan, his gaze flickering, and finally nodded.

The title of lord still had a certain deterrent effect.

“I would like to pardon Yalop. As the lord of the Abernathy Grasslands, I hereby declare him innocent!” Nie Yan declared. He understood that from the moment he saved Yalop, he and Sampul could no longer get along harmoniously. Navigating among NPCs was truly exhausting.

Soon, Yalop, who had just walked away, was brought back by the guards.