13. The Wounded Veteran

Li Asan led Zhan Xiaobai to the front of the thatched hut nestled in the mountain hollow. He knocked on the door and was greeted by the wounded NPC veteran.

Inside, the hut was exceedingly simple: a broken table, an earthen bed, and a battered iron sword hanging on the wall—likely the weapon once wielded by the old soldier.

Seeing Li Asan, the veteran spoke in a calm tone, "So it's Brother Li. My humble home is crude; please, come in and sit wherever you like. And this is?" He sized up Zhan Xiaobai. It was clear at a glance that Zhan Xiaobai's appearance differed greatly from Li Asan's—naturally so, as the distinction between a player and an NPC was obvious.

Li Asan introduced him: "This is Xiaobai, the chief of Xiaobai Village, and my lord."

The old soldier was startled for a moment, then hurriedly bowed, "A humble man greets the chief."

Zhan Xiaobai quickly raised his hand to stop him, replying courteously, "Please, no need for ceremony. I heard from Elder Li that you live in seclusion here, so I came by to pay you a visit. Forgive my intrusion."

The veteran considered himself of low status and dared not accept such honor, responding with modest humility.

Zhan Xiaobai intended to win him over, so he was especially polite and meticulous in his manners. Courtesy never offends, and the old soldier felt at ease upon hearing his words.

Once their conversation had grown familiar, Zhan Xiaobai got straight to the point. "Aside from visiting you, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to join me and settle in Xiaobai Village?"

The old soldier hesitated. "My left leg is crippled, so I can neither fight nor travel on behalf of the chief. If I settle in the village, I'll be of no use and only consume the villagers' rations. That... doesn't seem right."

He hadn't refused outright, and Zhan Xiaobai sensed hope in his words, feeling secretly delighted.

He quickly replied, "How can you say you're useless? You've already given me a soldier's token, which is a tremendous favor. I don't need you to do any work—just settle in the village and perhaps stroll around when you have time. I'll build you a new hut in the village." As he spoke, he signaled to Li Asan with his eyes.

Li Asan understood and promptly began persuading the old soldier.

The veteran kept insisting, "I shouldn't, it's not right, let me think it over," but his demeanor betrayed him—he was anxiously hoping Li Asan would urge him further. Back when Li Asan first invited him to join Xiaobai Village, he'd already wanted to accept, but felt it improper to agree immediately. Now that the chief had come in person, he was eager to accept, and his refusals grew increasingly perfunctory.

Li Asan spoke kindly and persuasively. At last, the old soldier agreed, bowing to Zhan Xiaobai, "Receiving such favor from the chief, I can only do my humble part. I am willing to follow Elder Li's example and serve my lord, becoming a villager of Xiaobai Village."

Zhan Xiaobai, having recruited the veteran, laughed heartily. "Excellent, this is wonderful. Asan, help him pack up; let's head out."

There was little to pack—the only item of value was the old iron sword hanging on the wall. The wounded veteran slung the sword across his back and limped along with Zhan Xiaobai and Li Asan.

On the way, Zhan Xiaobai asked about the old soldier's past. It turned out he had been a squad leader under Ma Wan, one of the Ten Divisions of Xiliang, but after an arrow wound crippled his leg, Ma Wan discharged him, and he retired to live in seclusion. (The Ten Divisions of Xiliang referred to the ten warlords of Xiliang.)

Upon returning to the village, Zhan Xiaobai instructed the carpenter and several farmers to build a thatched hut for the old soldier, giving him a space of his own. The veteran did not decline and gladly accepted.

Zhan Xiaobai called Li Asan aside and instructed him, "Asan, take extra care of this old soldier from now on. He may not need to work, but he's our most senior and experienced veteran. If enemies invade, he could be invaluable."

Li Asan understood, smiling, "Rest assured, my lord. This veteran will soon prove his worth—otherwise, I wouldn't have urged you to recruit him."

Zhan Xiaobai was curious, "Oh? Soon? How so?"

Li Asan explained, "You may not know, my lord, but a veteran who has reached level twenty-five and served as a squad leader is bound to possess some unique skills. From various signs, I am almost certain this old soldier has combat abilities."

Zhan Xiaobai was overjoyed. "Combat skills?!" Combat skills could significantly enhance attack power and fighting prowess.

"Exactly."

Now Zhan Xiaobai could barely contain his delight. No player had any skills yet; acquiring them followed two paths: learning from manuals or being taught by NPCs. Both were elusive and depended entirely on luck.

"Can he teach others?"

"If his skill level is high enough, he can, but it depends on his willingness. There's no need to rush—take it slowly."

"Heh, no hurry. The village has just begun; there's time to persuade him to take apprentices." Zhan Xiaobai nodded, entrusting the matter entirely to Li Asan, who readily agreed.

Just as Zhan Xiaobai was about to send him off, he suddenly remembered his own job change and asked, "Asan, do you know what being a Scholar entails?"

Li Asan replied, "Scholar is a general term for people of repute. It relates directly to fame, official rank, public support, politics, and charisma—it's highly influential. Why do you ask, my lord?"

Zhan Xiaobai explained his need to choose a profession at level ten, wondering whether to become a Scholar.

Li Asan laughed, "My lord, there are many advantages to the Scholar profession. If you wish to become a leader among heroes, Scholar is the best choice. The others are less effective." With that, he left Zhan Xiaobai to reflect.

Zhan Xiaobai thought to himself: He had chosen to establish a village and then a city after obtaining the blueprint, with the aim of becoming a ruler in the Three Kingdoms. What was there to hesitate about? Scholar was clearly the first choice. Later, if he wanted to command troops, he could set Warrior as his second or even third profession.

Having made up his mind, Zhan Xiaobai selected Scholar as his profession.

Zhan Xiaobai: Level 10, Scholar, Reputation 20, Official Rank: Chief of the First Village Under Heaven. Xiliang.

His reputation points totaled twenty: ten from founding the village, another ten from recruiting an NPC Scholar as his subordinate.