Chapter 558: Clearance Operation

Lying on the wooden bed with his hands clasped behind his head, Wu Ming pondered over the gains from this experience.

“According to Sir Takur’s explanation, a knight’s regular training involves mastering various weapons, practicing horsemanship, and at most, incorporating some breathing techniques to tap into human potential… Even if one trains to the utmost limits, one would only end up like me now!”

Through careful probing, Wu Ming reluctantly realized that the much-mythologized knight training was, in reality, nothing more than ordinary physical exercise.

When it came down to it, many of these family-based traditions and gradual improvements weren’t even as effective as the system he had developed himself, which could at least train the body to the limits of one’s race.

Therefore, although Takur had hinted at the possibility of taking him on as a squire, Wu Ming still chose to remain a free commoner.

“What truly makes a knight powerful are the rituals and holy oil!”

A gleam of insight flashed in Wu Ming’s eyes: “A squire whose body has been trained to its racial limits undergoes a series of elaborate rituals—fasting, bathing, praying… This lasts for seven days, during which holy oil is applied daily, and vows are made before divine statues…

After going through all this, the knight awakens something called ‘Origin,’ or ‘Battle Qi,’ or perhaps ‘Vital Energy’—a seed of transcendence. One aspect among strength, speed, or recovery abilities will be enhanced. The church claims it’s a divine blessing… However, some great noble houses seem to possess secret reserves of holy oil, so their knights only need to swear fealty to them to receive the same blessing!”

Clearly, the holy oil was merely a kind of secret elixir monopolized by the church and the great nobles.

Baron Terry, although a noble, was not powerful enough nor possessed any holy oil reserves. Therefore, the knighthood ceremonies for his knights were conducted at Howling Castle, which required paying a substantial fee.

“In Windfly Plains, whether a knight can truly be ‘ordained’ is a benchmark for measuring a noble’s power. Previously, only Earl Blueshaw at Howling Castle had this capability, but now, Viscount Garcia has also joined their ranks…”

Without this, Viscount Garcia wouldn’t have been able to defeat Earl Blueshaw and subsequently promote and ordain a group of new knights after the war.

“Putting it all together, for a true knight to ascend in Windfly Plains, there are only three paths: Earl Blueshaw, Viscount Garcia, or the church?”

Wu Ming scratched his nose, somewhat helplessly: “Never thought the rules of this world would be so strict, and achieving transcendence would be this complicated…”

He had also inquired about druids, priests, mages, and other magic-based professions, as well as news about other races like elves, dwarves, and goblins, only to be met with disdain from Takur. The look on his face was as if to say, “Are you an idiot?”—a memory that still felt fresh to Wu Ming.

It seemed either this world had no magic-based professions or other races, or if they did exist, they were extremely low-key and inaccessible to someone at Takur’s level.

Of course, holy oil was only the path to becoming a transcendent knight.

If one merely wanted to become a knight lord, as long as a noble was willing to carve out some land from their estate and grant it, even a commoner who couldn’t lift a chicken could become a noble knight. However, when war broke out and the vassal was required to fulfill their duty to their lord, well, let’s just say it wouldn’t end well…

“Holy oil isn’t omnipotent either. I’ve heard the process is extremely painful and arduous, and the first requirement is physical fitness! One must at least reach or approach one’s racial limits. Otherwise, wouldn’t those noble lords have already soaked themselves in holy oil all day long, turning into superhumans?”

Wu Ming contemplated his own path.

Remaining a free commoner didn’t seem to pose many issues. Next, he had to choose among three directions.

Originally, serving under Baron Terry, if he accumulated enough merit, he might have had the chance to ascend at Howling Castle like Takur. However, opportunities were scarce under a mere baron.

“What a pity… If I had crossed over a bit earlier, before the war, that would have been great! Viscount Garcia, coming from elsewhere, was bound to be quite generous, promoting a batch of knights… Unfortunately, I missed the last train!”

War, especially large-scale war, had always been the best path for commoners to rise in rank.

As an outsider, Viscount Garcia’s generosity and willingness to share benefits were well-known, and Wu Ming regretted missing this opportunity.

“Alright then, I’ll wander across Windfly Plains and look for opportunities!”

When he first arrived, unfamiliar with the area and its people, with low personal power and no identity proof, he could only choose to lie low.

Now, after several months of activity, he had gained some strength and a bit of starting capital. Most importantly, he was about to obtain his free commoner status, prompting him to start considering traveling.

Although most commoners only knew of the path of knighthood, Wu Ming had no intention of hanging all his hopes on that single route.

Even if Windfly Plains offered no clues to magical powers, what about other places? Such as the Highlands where Viscount Garcia hailed from, or the unexplored wilderness?

“Besides… the church should also have some martial traditions and clues to magical professions…”

Although Wu Ming had achieved considerable success in both martial and Daoist arts, his specialty was always in the Daoist path, making him naturally more inclined toward magic-based professions.

…

“William! As a reward for your loyalty and bravery, and for saving Sir Takur’s life, I grant you the status of a free commoner in the name of the barony…”

Several days later, in the mayor’s mansion, the study.

Wu Ming humbly bowed and received a thick piece of parchment from Baron Terry.

The paper was thick and stiff, pale yellow in color, with an indescribable texture when rubbed between the fingers. Treated with special medicinal solutions to be waterproof and mildew-resistant, it was highly valuable and typically used only for recording important documents and major contracts.

What was handed over to Wu Ming was proof of his free commoner status. Apart from a series of ornate phrases and seemingly meaningless decorative borders, the most important part was the baron’s personal signature and seal in the lower right corner.

With this document, William would be recognized as a free commoner and granted the corresponding treatment in every city across Windfly Plains.

Guaranteed by Baron Terry’s name, all nobles were bound to abide by this rule.

“Thank you again, Your Lordship!”

Wu Ming bowed.

“If you’re going to thank anyone, thank Sir Takur!”

Baron Terry waved dismissively, clearly not considering Wu Ming particularly important.

“I originally thought he would enthusiastically invite me to serve as a captain of the town guard or something…”

As Wu Ming stepped out of the study, he scratched his nose, feeling somewhat self-important, when he soon spotted Sir Takur.

“Greetings, my lord knight!”

He quickly bowed, still within the game’s rules, for now he hadn’t yet broken the rules with his own power, so he must abide by them.

Wu Ming would never consider himself the savior of his life and forget such formalities.

“No need to be so formal, just call me Takur!”

Although Takur said this, his relaxed eyebrows and smiling face told a different story.

“I must also thank you, my lord, for helping me obtain my free commoner status!”

Wu Ming slightly bowed again: “But there’s one more matter I’d like to ask for your help with!”

“Hmm? What is it?”

Takur asked directly, feeling somewhat at ease.

After all, he had put in considerable effort to secure William’s free commoner status, feeling that he had already repaid most of his debt.

Some people might believe that doing a favor without expecting anything in return will accumulate goodwill, but in reality, it’s often a form of torment for the recipient who feels burdened by the debt.

But Wu Ming wasn’t like that. He chose to directly cash in his favor while maintaining proper etiquette and showing no arrogance, which made Takur quite pleased.

“It’s just a small matter. I’d like to help Aunt Roa in town settle her tax arrears…”

Wu Ming briefly explained the situation.

A few gold dragons might attract the greed of tax officials, even the name of Lorian couldn’t suppress it, but Takur was different.

After all, he owned an estate and was a hereditary knight—a quasi-noble!

What Wu Ming meant by speaking to Takur was simply to use his name to provide Aunt Roa with some future protection.

“I see! I agree!”

Takur smiled: “Do you need me to accompany you?”

“Merely having your approval is already deeply appreciated!”

Naturally, Wu Ming wouldn’t accept that offer and immediately bowed in gratitude.

“What a pity…”

Watching his departing figure, Takur felt quite regretful. This William knew when to advance and when to retreat, was polite, and had considerable strength. He would have made an excellent squire. Unfortunately, the other party didn’t seem to have this intention, so he naturally wouldn’t bring it up himself, to avoid embarrassment.

…

“Being a knight’s squire might be good, but advancement is too difficult… and there are also restrictions from oaths, which is another complication…”

Once becoming a squire to a certain knight and swearing fealty, one would essentially be bound to that knight. Although it’s not impossible to break free, the consequences would be quite severe.

After all, among the nobility, which is built upon the rights and obligations between lords and vassals, how many would willingly accept a knight with a history of breaking oaths?

Regardless of time and place, leaders always value loyalty highly.

Moreover, the path of a squire is strictly limited. Unless one experiences extraordinary luck, one would remain a squire for life.

Even with a knight’s protection and a status higher than that of a free commoner by half a rank, Wu Ming still chose not to pursue it.

…

Ding! Ding!

Coins rolled onto the table. Tax official Fed looked at the gold dragons and silver talers with an amused expression.

“Five gold dragons and seven silver talers, count them!”

William’s tone wasn’t particularly polite.

Fed swallowed hard, then asked suspiciously, “William, how did you get so much money?”

As far as he knew, the recent expedition had suffered a major defeat. Although this young man was fortunate enough to save Sir Takur’s life, he shouldn’t have gained much otherwise.

“Naturally from Sir Takur!”

Wu Ming immediately silenced Fed with one sentence, using Takur’s name as a tiger’s skin to back his claim: “Bring the tax payment certificate, with your signature and seal!”

Moments later, he held a receipt, smiling on his face: “Give this to Aunt Roa. My favor from William is now completely settled.”