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Tian Dou City
After traveling in a large circle, Tang San and his companions returned here.
"San Ge, after that grand event, you were made a count by Emperor Xue Ye," Xiao Wu mentioned. "Emperor Xue Ye even personally arranged a large estate for you in Tian Dou City."
The noble titles in the Tian Dou Empire are ranked as Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, and Duke. Among these, marquises and dukes have the authority to establish cities and enjoy autonomous rule, though they must publicly acknowledge allegiance to the Tian Dou Empire and pay annual tribute.
Outstanding performers in the Continental Elite Tournament can be granted the title of baron. This year, due to the exceptional talent displayed, Emperor Xue Ye generously awarded viscount titles.
All members of the Tian Dou Royal Team were granted the title of viscount.
Tang San, however, was directly made a count.
When this news first spread, it caused quite a stir. Platinum Bishop Salas thought Emperor Xue Ye had gone too far, but considering that Tang San was personally titled Holy Son of the Spirit Hall by the Pope, he refrained from opposing it.
After all, now even Salas had to bow to Tang San when they met.
"Captain Tang, it seems you haven't visited the estate yet," Lan Yinzi teased, wanting to see the estate Emperor Xue Ye had gifted to Tang San.
"It would be good to take a look," Tang San nodded, then laughed, "I might be the only one who was given an estate by the emperor but didn't move in immediately. Even to see it, I had to wait for a month."
"Hehe, doesn't that just show you don't care about fame and fortune, San Ge?" Xiao Wu praised.
"No, I do care about titles," Tang San shook his head. "It's just that once I have them, I don't care much anymore. It seems what I love most is studying martial soul cultivation theories."
With that, Tang San took out a map and led the three girls to the estate.
When they arrived at the entrance, they saw a wide, intricately carved iron gate.
Two knights in armor stood guard outside.
"Here come four more impersonators," one knight complained as he stepped forward. "Please leave. This is Count Yin Lan's estate. Dressing the part doesn't mean you can impersonate him."
Clearly, many had recently tried to sneak in by pretending to be Tang San, but these two guards had caught and driven them all away.
"I am Tang San," Tang San sighed, taking a count's token inscribed with "Yin Lan" from his jade belt to prove his identity. "If you still don't believe me—"
A yellow, two purple, one black, and one red spirit ring emerged.
Such a configuration of spirit rings was irrefutable proof!
"Greetings, Count!" The two guards immediately knelt on one knee, welcoming Tang San.
"Please rise. There's no need for such formality. I'm not accustomed to it."
"Yes, my Lord!" The two guards stood up promptly, opening the intricately carved iron gate with reverence, watching as Tang San, Xiao Wu, Guang Ling, and Lan Yinzi entered.
This Silver Blue Estate, like most estates in Tian Dou City, featured a Western European architectural style.
From a distance, the main house stood tall with its white columns, marble adorned with elegant carvings, and intricately crafted ebony doors and windows. Nestled amidst surrounding trees, the estate exuded a grand and majestic aura. At the front, a circular fountain displayed a statue of the Blue Silver Emperor, with water streaming from a central pearl and cascading over twelve leaves.
Various plants adorned the sides, and with the flowers in full bloom, the entire estate seemed enveloped in a fragrant, white-orange haze.
A gentle breeze carried the scent, bringing relaxation and calm.
Around the main house, there was a large open area filled with neatly arranged buildings of varying heights, intended for the servants.
Behind these buildings lay a garden filled with a variety of rare and vibrant flowers.
When the servants saw Tang San and his companions, they immediately stopped their tasks and came over to greet him. Taking this opportunity, Tang San gathered all the servants in the estate.
"Greetings, Count!"
In unison, they expressed their loyalty to Tang San.
These people were more akin to slaves, devoid of self-awareness and independent thought, likely spies sent by Xue Ye, Xue Xing, or Xue Qinghe. Nonetheless, Tang San treated them with appropriate respect: they were to work in the estate and receive a monthly wage of two hundred gold soul coins. However, if anyone shirked their duties, they would be dismissed upon receiving their final pay and given their freedom.
Immediately, most of the servants were thrilled, promising to work diligently and not slack off.
As for freedom...
Perhaps they had once thought about it, but now they understood that without power, wealth, or influence, freedom was merely an illusion. Working for a noble household provided a more practical and tangible security.
Though their lives were not their own, the dangers they faced were clear and manageable—dealing with their master or other noble factions.
Moreover, being a servant in a noble household meant they could eat and drink to their fill, and the higher the status of their master, the more they could look down on minor nobles.
Gaining freedom, on the other hand, meant they would have to face unknown dangers threatening their lives and struggle daily for food and shelter.
Hence, none of these servants considered reclaiming their contracts.
Why settle for being a small leader when they could live comfortably as a follower of a powerful noble? Especially when their master, Count Yin Lan, rivaled the strength of the Spirit Hall Pope and was personally titled Holy Son by the Pope himself.
Why would they ever think of leaving?
Additionally, this count was kind-hearted, willing to pay them wages, and only dismissed them with their freedom if they made a mistake. Other nobles weren't so generous; if a servant erred, they might be killed outright without violating imperial law.
In this era, it was common knowledge that servants had no rights, and their deaths were insignificant, unworthy of attention or retribution against the noble.
But Tang San was not accustomed to this.
Now, he had the authority to follow his own principles.
After dismissing the servants, Tang San sighed and said, "Such a large estate requires a steward. Otherwise, when we go to Spirit City, we won't have time to manage it."
"I know of a market in the south of Tian Dou City that specializes in selling slaves," Lan Yinzi said. She was far more familiar with Tian Dou City than Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Guang Ling, who spent most of their time training, researching, and fighting. Even when they did visit the city, it was mainly to explore the more famous streets.
"That sounds good."
Tang San wasn't surprised by the existence of a slave market. After all, not all slaves could be auctioned. Only the rare or particularly significant slaves would be placed in large auction houses.
As for capturing disciples of major sects or prominent families as slaves, no one would dare to do so unless those sects or families were completely annihilated or had declined significantly. Such an act would be a direct provocation, leading to an endless cycle of vengeance.
Even though the Spirit Hall and the Haotian Sect were adversaries, neither side would publicly allow such actions. The consequences would be catastrophic.
Unless the auctioneer was invincible.
The so-called rare and significant slaves usually referred to those whose martial spirits had mutated affecting their physical form, or individuals implicated due to their families being eradicated for committing some transgression.
Upon arriving at the slave market, Tang San immediately noticed it was livelier than other districts, with the people bustling around being either wealthy, noble, or spirit masters. Ordinary people were rare.
"Come and see, slaves from the North family of Sala City!"
"The Mary family of White Cloud City was exterminated by the Spirit Hall for colluding with heretics. Their patriarch's son and wife are all on sale, one thousand gold soul coins each."
"Take a look, my slaves are strong and sure to work hard!"
Hearing the loud cries around him, Tang San frowned. Although he had anticipated it, he still found it difficult to accept such a situation.
Xiao Wu felt the same, "Treating people like commodities is something I can't stand."
In the past, Xiao Wu would have freed all the slaves immediately. However, she now understood that doing so would only invite criticism for being naïve. Moreover, the freed slaves would likely be recaptured and punished even more severely.
In fact, even if she opened the cages, most slaves wouldn't flee, knowing that any attempt to escape would result in harsher treatment later.
Such was the reality of this world.
Guang Ling pondered whether she might have ended up like these slaves if she hadn't met Tang San.
"Perhaps even worse, I might not have even qualified to be a slave!"
"Where's the biggest slave market here?" Tang San stopped a passerby, handing over a silver coin as he asked.
The man, delighted at the sight of the silver coin and shocked by Tang San's presence, responded with excitement, "You are...!"
"Shh."
Tang San raised his index finger to his lips and pulled up his mask. "I prefer to keep a low profile."
"Sir, walk 300 meters south, and you'll see an auction house that specializes in selling slaves. You can go there." The man, trying to contain his excitement, pointed the way.
"Thank you." As Tang San was about to leave, the man called out and handed him a piece of paper and a pen, nervously asking, "Could you sign this for me? I'd like to keep it as a souvenir."
Tang San took the paper and pen, signed his name, and handed them back with a smile. "Keep it quiet, okay? I don't want to be chased by a crowd for autographs."
"Absolutely! I promise!" The man took the paper and pen, overjoyed.
In the world of Douluo, gaining fame through the Continental Elite Tournament was the best way to become well-known.
And idol worship...
With the mass production and spread of soul guide cameras, it was becoming increasingly popular.
"San Ge, you're really famous," Guang Ling said admiringly.
"It's actually quite troublesome. Every time I go out, I have to wear a mask. Otherwise, I can't handle the crowd that gathers around me," Tang San replied, adjusting his mask. He then led the three women towards the slave auction house as directed.
This auction house was named:
Luowang!
(End of the Chapter)