The look on everyone's face was one of utter astonishment at Zhong Shenxiu’s words, and the current situation only served to utterly confuse them. They couldn’t understand why they were still alive and unharmed. Where had the injuries on their bodies gone? And what was that agonizing feeling they had just experienced?!
No one dared to voice these questions, so they could only suppress their thoughts and ponder in secret!
While these individuals were lost in their own worries, Zhong Shenxiu finally spoke again: “From this moment on, you will work for me for free for a period of five years!”
Zhong Shenxiu was currently in dire need of manpower. The newly established “Dark Guild” alone required a contingent of bodyguards for protection, and these men had conveniently delivered themselves right to his door—no need to waste any effort!
However, these men were left utterly bewildered by Zhong Shenxiu’s statement; they simply couldn't keep up with his sudden leaps in thought!
Zhong Shenxiu seemed to sense their confusion. With a light smile, he quickly explained, “Your lives are now controlled by me. If you wish to regain your freedom, you must work for me without pay for five years!”
After a brief pause, Zhong Shenxiu added, “It would be best if you discard any thoughts of escaping or resisting. Otherwise, the curse marks within your bodies will be activated, and at that time, you will experience firsthand what it truly means to wish for death!”
Curse marks? What curse marks?
Upon hearing Zhong Shenxiu’s explanation, these men became even more mystified rather than understanding anything clearer!
“To ensure you comprehend this deeply, I can let you experience it temporarily.” As Zhong Shenxiu finished speaking, the bodies of the swordsmen suddenly seized up, and then an indescribable pain swept through their entire beings.
In that instant, every single one of them gasped, large beads of sweat streaming down their faces uncontrollably.
The pain was akin to ten thousand ants gnawing at their hearts, a torment of a thousand cuts, so agonizing that their nerves were on the verge of collapse, yet they could not even faint!
Every second felt like an age of torment!
This feeling was truly terrifying; it was genuinely a fate worse than death. Even the strongest will would become as fragile as paper under this sensation!
“How does it feel?” Zhong Shenxiu withdrew his mental control once he felt it was enough.
Indeed, he could now render these people miserable simply by exerting his will. That “Yin-Yang Soul-Locking Curse” acted like a spiritual brand, incredibly convenient to activate!
This was even Zhong Shenxiu’s improved version of the “Yin-Yang Soul-Locking Curse.” If it were the original version, Zhong Shenxiu could directly command their bodies with his will, rather than merely inflicting pain!
But that would be far too inhumane and did not align with Zhong Shenxiu’s principles! Unless dealing with the most heinous villains, Zhong Shenxiu would not easily strip others of their autonomy!
Faced with Zhong Shenxiu’s question, none of the swordsmen replied. They were all panting heavily, their faces still ashen, their entire bodies drenched in sweat!
They had finally experienced Zhong Shenxiu’s methods firsthand and now understood that this “little boy” was more devilish than a demon!
After a period of both soft persuasion and hard pressure, the swordsmen finally capitulated. To call it capitulation was perhaps too generous; their mental defenses had utterly crumbled under Zhong Shenxiu’s assault!
It was pitiable that many of these swordsmen had reached the strength level of “Sword Saint,” yet they were so easily broken before the face of a “Prodigy”!
Seeing that he had successfully subjugated these swordsmen, Zhong Shenxiu felt quite pleased. He glanced at Zakley, who was still standing rigidly, and a smile crossed his face again. Suddenly, an idea struck him, one that directly concerned the “Mislane Family”!
Zhong Shenxiu stored Zakley into his magic ring, as he would need him later. The next order of business was figuring out how to settle these swordsmen!
After some thought, Zhong Shenxiu decided to temporarily hand them over to the dispatch of Faraday and the other two. This was the initial stage of starting a venture, and manpower was needed everywhere. The construction of the “Dark Guild” alone required a significant labor force, and these swordsmen were all powerfully built, not to mention strong. They were perfectly capable of handling heavy manual labor!
Alas, these swordsmen, accustomed to high monthly stipends, never imagined they would fall to the status of “migrant laborers”!
Speaking of which, readers might ask: Wasn’t Zhong Shenxiu worried that these swordsmen might revolt once handed over to Faraday and the others?
Actually, this worry was unnecessary. The marvelous aspect of the “Yin-Yang Soul-Locking Curse” was that the moment any disloyal thought arose in their minds, it would instantly activate, and the duration and intensity would increase with every subsequent activation!
Outside the Gates of the Necromancer Association.
Although two days had passed, the number of necromancers gathered outside the gates had not decreased; if anything, it had increased since before.
This time, Zhong Shenxiu did not go inside. Instead, he instructed Robin to summon the three old men.
However, when Robin returned, he was only accompanied by Stanley and Faraday; Gandalf was not among them.
Upon inquiry, he learned that Gandalf was currently engaged in establishing the “Dark Guild” and rarely visited the “Necromancer Association” these days.
Zhong Shenxiu asked no further questions. Instead, he introduced the captured swordsmen to the two, not by name, but by stating they were newly acquired, free laborers who only required food and lodging!
Stanley and Faraday, though curious, did not press for more details. They were very astute and understood one principle: it was best not to ask about matters that were not meant for them to know!
Subsequently, Zhong Shenxiu inquired about the potions.
“Elder, the sale of those potions is still booming. We are considering setting up a few more sales points elsewhere; having so many people blockading this location is inconvenient!” Stanley suggested.
Zhong Shenxiu nodded calmly, “You two can make decisions on these matters!”
“Elder, we discussed something, and we have a bold idea we’d like to propose to you!” Faraday interjected at this point.
“Speak plainly!” Zhong Shenxiu looked toward Faraday!
“Elder, could you perhaps develop a potion suitable for both necromancers and mages? If so, we could spread your fame through the mages! Then, the newly built ‘Dark Guild’ won’t lack customers!” Faraday said with utter sincerity.
Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes lit up. Faraday’s suggestion sparked a new train of thought in him!
Initially, upon learning that necromancers lacked formal equipment shops, Zhong Shenxiu had focused his sights only on them, overlooking the massive markets occupied by mages and swordsmen!
With Faraday’s reminder, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly realized that these two cake slices should also be grasped. Furthermore, a new idea crystallized at that moment: establishing a guild that encompassed all professions. Then, whether they were necromancers, mages, or swordsmen, they could find ideal equipment and potions within the guild—much like a department store!
Of course, Zhong Shenxiu was not the first to have such an idea, but others either failed to put it into action or achieved negligible results. In short, no well-known comprehensive guild of this nature had been heard of yet!
“I will consider it,” Zhong Shenxiu replied blandly to Faraday. In truth, he was already considering it deeply.
Faraday smiled, saying no more. He knew that Zhong Shenxiu saying this was tantamount to affirming his suggestion.
“Is there anything else?” After a brief silence, Zhong Shenxiu suddenly inquired.
“Elder, the higher-ups at the Association wish to meet with you,” Stanley stated quietly. Now that the fame of Zhong Shenxiu’s potions was widespread, the leadership above the “Necromancer Association” had naturally heard the news and likely conducted their own verification.
They wanted to find Zhong Shenxiu, most likely to discuss cooperation or the transfer of formulas! Where were they before?
“I won’t see them,” Zhong Shenxiu’s reply was concise. He certainly didn't have the time, especially since his current goal was to overthrow the “Necromancer Association”—why would he cooperate with them now?
“Anything else?”
“Elder, there will be a large auction on the twentieth of this month. Are you interested in attending?” Faraday asked.
“A large auction? Where is it?” Zhong Shenxiu became interested.
“It’s a distance from here; it takes several hours by carriage to reach,” Faraday explained while providing the specific location.
The reason he suddenly brought this up carried another intention: he wanted Zhong Shenxiu to concoct some even more potent potions to auction off, which would not only generate substantial income but also serve as excellent publicity!
Having gained a few days of sales experience, he had profoundly recognized the value of promotion! To run a successful business, one needed advertising!
Zhong Shenxiu’s thinking, however, was entirely different. He wondered if he could find some “treasures” that interested him at the auction!
After chatting for a while longer, Zhong Shenxiu handed the swordsmen over to Faraday and the other one before leaving.
He had so many things to attend to now!
One of them was to thoroughly modify Zakley’s corpse, as he intended to give the “Mislane Family” an unexpected surprise!
Before going to settle accounts with the “Mislane Family,” Zhong Shenxiu and Robin first visited the “Damp Forest,” as modifying Zakley’s corpse required some special herbs!
Enough preamble. After more than three hours of work, the modification of Zakley’s corpse was finally complete.
Zakley could now effectively be regarded as an extension of Zhong Shenxiu, as Zhong Shenxiu had separated a portion of his “Mental Wave” and imprinted it into Zakley’s mind.
When Zhong Shenxiu ceased conscious control, Zakley would operate according to his “initial settings.” He could be considered a living corpse!
Next up was delivering the surprise to the “Mislane Family.”
Would this “surprise” startle them to death? And just how powerful had Zakley become at this time? It truly made one look forward to it!
[Ti: Dear 3Z readers, the current chapter has reached the final page of this book]