So it wasn't until Elara called out his name that Wenbin paused for a moment. He then lowered his brows and eyes, didn't look at her, turned around, and gave her a bow.
"Thank you, noble lady, for calling the patrol soldiers to save me just now. I, Wenbin, have nothing to offer in gratitude, so I can only bow."
Wenbin held the bamboo scroll in his arms and bowed to Elara.
Elara raised her eyebrows slightly. He actually knew she was the one who told someone to call the patrol soldiers?
It seemed his martial arts and internal strength were indeed impressive. Just now, they were that far away, and it was so noisy all around, yet he still heard the faint movement on their side.
Since that was the case, Elara didn't bother beating around the bush and directly asked,
"How much does your mother's burial cost?"
Wenbin paused again and looked up at Elara. "You… are willing to become Wenbin's new master?"
Elara shook her head. Wenbin lowered his gaze once more and listened to her continue, "I'm a traveling merchant from the southwestern corner of the continent. Before coming to this Hundred Nations Banquet, I heard that a small kingdom in the southwest recently implemented a new policy and abolished slavery."
Wenbin's downcast eyes lifted again when he heard the words "abolish slavery," and his eyes widened slightly.
"In that small kingdom, there are no longer any slaves. All citizens of that country can now enjoy the same rights as regular people. Regardless of whether they used to be slaves or not, now they can study, take the civil service exam, and even join the government."
"I see that your bearing doesn't seem like that of an ordinary slave. The scroll in your hand is even self-written, so you must have some real talent."
"That's why I came to ask you, would you be willing to come with me to that small kingdom in the southwestern corner of the continent after the Hundred Nations Banquet ends? When we arrive there, perhaps your skills can be properly used and valued."
Wenbin was stunned. Perhaps he had never imagined that there could be a country in this world that dared to carry out such a revolutionary reform as "abolishing slavery."
Even though he had longed for a normal status to show his talents since childhood, his most extravagant dream was only to one day meet a master who truly appreciated his abilities, who would buy him without minding his identity as a slave, and who would be willing to listen to his advice and strategies.
But unexpectedly… in a place he didn't know about, there was already an entire country where slaves had been freed from their status by the monarch and had become ordinary people with rights he didn't even dare to dream of!
"What you said… is it true?"
Is there really a paradise in this world where slavery has been abolished, where even those born into slavery can take exams, earn official ranks, and become government officials?
Before Elara could respond, the people following her, Prince Yu, Gareth, and others, had already answered for her.
"I can vouch for her. What she said is true. That country where slavery has been abolished is right next to our Dahlia Kingdom, and its territory borders ours."
Gareth, standing behind Prince Yu, also nodded at Wenbin and said, "In this world, the only place I've seen abolish slavery is that country. You have talent, but in most slave-based countries, no matter where you go, you're seen as livestock first, then everything else."
"And with the identity of a slave covering you, no matter how talented you are, no one will notice."
"Only by going to this country that has abolished slavery and treats all citizens equally will you truly have a chance to be recognized and valued."
That was also the reason why he and Prince Yu couldn't save people like Elara could, wherever she went.
Even if they rescued someone, the person would still face resistance from the old systems and factions. Wenbin would not be allowed to become an official and would still remain a slave. So what difference would it make whether he was saved or not?
Prince Leland, who was following behind Prince Yu and Gareth, also heard for the first time from their mouths that such a country existed, one that had abolished slavery and treated all citizens equally, regardless of status.
He couldn't help but feel surprised and curious, but now was clearly not the right time to ask. He only glanced at Prince Yu and Gareth, then looked at Elara's back.
He faintly sensed that among the three of them, Elara seemed to be the most familiar with that country.
When Wenbin saw Prince Yu, Gareth, Prince Leland, and the others appear, he knew that everything Elara had said was true.
She had no reason to lie to him. After all, he was just a slave who couldn't even afford his mother's burial costs. He had nothing, not even a life that was worth anything. So what was there to lie about?
But that only made him think even more deeply about the nation Elara had described, a country where slavery no longer existed. His emotions grew more complicated.
He didn't know whether to mourn the fact that he hadn't been born in such a country or to envy the slaves there for being so fortunate, to have been blessed with the chance to change their fates.
Thud. The moment he had been standing while holding tightly onto his bamboo scroll, Wenbin suddenly dropped to his knees before Elara and bowed deeply.
"If you would not abandon me, I would be more than willing to yearn for that country. But adding what happened just now in the street, you have already saved me twice. I have nothing with which to repay you."
"You don't need to repay me now," Elara smiled and stepped forward to help Wenbin up. "I have many connections with people from that country, and I know that their ruler values talented individuals like you who are skilled in both the pen and the sword."
"When you arrive there, use your abilities well. One day, you will surely be entrusted with important responsibilities."
"When that time comes, just don't forget that I was the one who led you there."
"Of course not. You are my benefactor." Wenbin bowed to Elara once again, the seriousness and determination clear in his handsome eyes.
Elara slightly lifted the corners of her lips and took ten taels of silver from her sleeve, handing them to him.
"Ten taels of silver, is that enough for your mother's burial expenses?"
Wenbin looked at the ten taels of silver that Elara had casually handed over and felt incredibly grateful. But there was also a hidden sadness in his eyes.
"I'm sorry, my lady. Thank you for giving me silver for my mother's burial, but as the son of a slave, I am not allowed to purchase burial items."