2 Recruiting Worthy Scholars

This small village blueprint stirred Xiao Bai's heart with excitement; the first step of the city-building frenzy in the Three Kingdoms was about to unfold in his hands. The thought of thousands of laborers breaking ground, a mighty spectacle of galloping horses and grand waves—how marvelous!

“Big brother, let’s find a place to build the village right away. If someone else beats us to it, that wouldn’t be good! Being the first in the world is worth a fortune!”

Ah Fei, seeing Xiao Bai lost in thought, called out impatiently.

Xiao Bai snapped back to reality, shot him a glance and said, “Didn’t you see I was contemplating? Let’s go and pick a spot to start the village.”

With a sweeping gesture, Xiao Bai, filled with excitement, prepared to lead the group to build the village. Suddenly, the “Distressed Old Village Chief” called out, “Wait, benefactor! You promised to help me find herbs to treat my leg!”

The five stopped.

Xiao Bai remembered and scratched his head awkwardly. “Oh, I almost forgot. I did promise. But I don’t know what the herbs look like. How am I supposed to find them?”

The old chief quickly explained, “They’re easy to recognize. I’ll tell you where to find them. Go about three miles from here and gather a herb called ‘Sanqi,’ and also…” (He rambled on for quite a while.)

While the old chief spoke, Sword Tyrant grew impatient and whispered to Xiao Bai, “Forget him. We should focus on building the village first. Those herbs will take at least a day or two to find, and there’s no other reward. It’s just a waste of time.”

Ah Fei, Autumn Water, and the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn nodded in agreement.

Xiao Bai hesitated. Since he’d made a promise to the old chief, he felt he should honor it.

“Let’s do this: we split up. Two of us will immediately scout for a suitable site to build the village and let me know when you find it. The other two will search for the herbs the old chief needs. I’ll stay to take care of him. This way, we won’t delay the village construction and we’ll repay him for giving us the blueprint. What do you think?”

“Alright, I know a bit about construction sites. I’ll go pick a spot. Who’s coming with me?”

Sword Tyrant agreed with Xiao Bai’s plan.

In the end, Sword Tyrant and the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn went to look for a site, Ah Fei and Autumn Water searched for herbs, and Xiao Bai stayed behind to care for the old chief.

As for why Xiao Bai stayed alone, he had a small ulterior motive. This NPC seemed quite intelligent; perhaps he could provide other quests and rewards.

The distressed old chief was deeply moved and thanked him, “Benefactor, you are truly loyal and honorable, keeping your word. I thank you!”

Xiao Bai couldn’t accept such courtesy and quickly helped him up. “No need for that—it’s what I should do.”

The old chief sat up. “May I ask what your plans are for the future?”

Xiao Bai was secretly delighted; here was an opportunity.

“I plan to build the village first, then observe the situation and seek a path forward.”

“Nowadays, the world grows increasingly unstable, with signs of chaos. Don’t you wish to accomplish something great?”

Xiao Bai replied eagerly, “Of course I do, but I lack strength! Do you have any advice for me?”

“If you have grand ambitions, I am willing to serve and assist you.”

The old chief produced a letter of allegiance and handed it to Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai was so surprised he was speechless. An NPC offering allegiance to a player? He’d never heard of such a thing. He took the letter and asked, “What is this?”

“This is my Scholar Token. Please accept it, benefactor.”

“A Scholar Token? You’re a scholar?”

Xiao Bai was truly astonished now, and didn’t dare underestimate the old chief.

Scholars of the Three Kingdoms were all towering figures; even a minor one could shake the entire gaming world. Every scholar NPC in the Three Kingdoms had a unique name, impossible to duplicate. Each possessed a Scholar Token, recording their identity.

The old chief finally displayed a rare proud demeanor, stroking his white beard and boasting, “Of course. I am a level 10 scholar, named Li Ah San. Rank: tenth-grade village magistrate. Don’t be fooled by the modest rank—it’s officially recorded in the Imperial City’s records.”

Hearing the name, Xiao Bai was both amused and helpless. Level 10 scholar—impressive indeed. Was there a Li Ah San in the Three Kingdoms? Most likely not. Probably added by the system’s programmers. Still, it was a named scholar, better than nothing; ordinary NPCs didn’t even have names.

He checked the attributes:

Li Ah San, Scholar level 10, rank tenth-grade village magistrate. Level 10. Health: 120 HP. Strength: 10. Status: injured and weak. Skills: administration, medicine. Special ability: assistance.

The attributes looked pretty good—much better than his own.

Xiao Bai accepted the Scholar Token, officially recruiting Li Ah San as his first NPC subordinate.

The old chief, Li Ah San, knelt in joy. “Greetings, my lord!”

At that moment, the system’s beauty, Xiao Zhao, announced: “System message: Player Xiao Bai has successfully recruited a scholar, becoming the first player in the China region to do so. You are awarded 10 reputation points, and the news is broadcast across the China region.”

Xiao Bai didn’t notice the voice prompt, entirely unaware that the game world was suddenly in an uproar. He was secretly delighted; now he could count himself among the reputable figures with subordinates. He quickly helped the old chief up. “Don’t bow to me anymore—it’s awkward. Just call me Xiao Bai.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Li Ah San was set in his ways and didn’t heed Xiao Bai’s words. He began to offer advice: “My lord, for your future, building the village should be your highest priority.”

“But your leg injury?”

“My injury is not a major hindrance for now, just makes movement inconvenient. Still, building the village comes first.”

“Very well, I’ll call the others back.”

He didn’t need to call them—they were already returning.

Ah Fei was the first to rush back, shouting in delight, “Big brother, you recruited a scholar? Where? Show me!” Autumn Water followed behind, carrying some herbs.

Sword Tyrant and the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn were also excited. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Bai had brought them such a huge surprise. Scholars were extremely rare.

Xiao Bai was puzzled; the old chief was right in front of them—where else?

Sword Tyrant was the first to react, clicking his tongue in wonder as he circled the old chief. “Wow, you’d never have guessed this NPC is a scholar! Almost missed it. Xiao Bai’s got a good eye. What’s his name?”

Ah Fei and Autumn Water immediately realized that this old NPC was likely the scholar.

The old chief stood with hands behind his back, proudly declaring, “I am Li Ah San, level 10 scholar, tenth-grade village magistrate. Greetings, young heroes!”

After a brief silence, the group burst out laughing. What an interesting NPC.

“All right, building the village is our priority. Everyone, follow orders!”

Xiao Bai was full of spirit, issuing commands.

The old chief responded, “Yes, my lord!” and the others followed suit.

Xiao Bai said, “Sword Tyrant will lead the way. Ah Fei and the Young Hero of Spring and Autumn will carry Li Ah San in a basket as the central force. Autumn Water will guard the left flank. As for me, I’ll take up the right flank as escort and commander, providing cover.”

The four obeyed and moved into formation. Sword Tyrant led ahead, two carried the basket, Xiao Bai and Autumn Water wielded bronze knives, wary of wild beasts along the way. The group headed southeast, where Sword Tyrant had discovered a river, said to be ideal for developing a village.