Chapter 67: Mastering the PUA Technique: The Serfs of Your Territory Will Never Run Away!

"So many craftsmen? Is this real or fake?"

Before Gervas could speak, Lei Meng, Knight Mi Gen, and the others were already stunned.

In noble territories, although the status of craftsmen is not as high as that of knights, their numbers are not much greater than those of knights.

Therefore, it is absolutely incredible that such a village of refugees should have more than ten craftsmen.

"Does your village really have so many craftsmen? Do you know the consequences of deceiving a noble?" Gervas deliberately questioned in a cold voice.

"My lord, we dare not deceive you; everything we say is true. Black Pine Village is entirely composed of craftsmen. We are willing to serve my lord for the rest of our lives, only begging my lord to spare us and our families!"

Gervas frowned on his face, feigning a fierce internal struggle, though of course, his heart was bursting with joy.

With so many craftsmen, the shortage of craftsmen in Storm Territory could be alleviated in one go.

Meanwhile, Lei Meng, Knight Mi Gen, and the others waited tensely for Gervas.

So many craftsmen are indeed rare.

Moreover, they also knew in their hearts that refugees are not necessarily irredeemable evils.

Except for those who fled because of murder or theft.

The vast majority fled with their families beyond the kingdom's borders because they could no longer survive under such exploitation.

"Very well, since my Storm Territory was established not long ago and needs many craftsmen to help with construction, I will make an exception and not kill you, but only demote you to slaves."

"Additionally, if you work hard for three years, I will consider restoring your serf status!"

"Thank you, my lord, for your benevolence!"

"Thank you, my lord, for your benevolence!"

The serfs were overwhelmed with excitement; no one expected not only to survive but also to have the chance to restore their serf status after three years.

Indeed, not only them, but even the knights and guards nearby were deeply gratified, moved by their lord's benevolence.

For a moment, cheers erupted repeatedly!

And Gervas had only one sentence he wanted to express: If you use the PUA technique well, the serfs of your territory will never run away!

"Look over there, what is on that carriage?"

"Oh my, it seems to be corpses! How can there be so many corpses!"

"Yes, where did the lord and his party go?!"

As the procession returned and entered the small town, it immediately drew the attention of a large crowd of serfs.

However, this time, seeing the hundreds of corpses on the carriages, the serfs' faces were filled with terror.

After all, judging by their clothing, the identities of those corpses were no different from those of these serfs.

"People of Storm Territory, I have good news for you! Just this evening, the great lord led us to pursue yesterday's bandits!"

"Taking advantage of the fact that the Scorpion bandits had already left, the lord led us to annihilate those wild dogs who followed the Scorpion bandit gang to commit evil deeds!"

"And these corpses belong to the wild dogs!" Amidst the crowd's discussion, Knight Mi Gen loudly proclaimed the battle achievements.

The serfs were stunned at first, then their eyes suddenly sparkled with light.

"What? These are the corpses of wild dogs? Does that mean the wild dogs have already been killed by the lord?"

"No wonder it is so! Our benevolent lord is only cold towards wild dogs and bandits. Look at the Scorpion flag on top and the mud on their clothes; these are those wild dogs!"

"That's right, they are yesterday's wild dogs. These damned bastards trampled my farmland completely. Haha! Now they have finally met their retribution! The lord is mighty; he has avenged us!"

"Waaah! The wild dogs have finally met their retribution! The lord is mighty! He has finally avenged us!"

"The lord is mighty! I, Auntie Jola, want to bear children for you..."

Seeing many of the people moved to tears, Gervas signaled Knight Mi Gen again.

"People of Storm Territory, what are you waiting for? The corpses of these wild dogs are right here. Come up and teach them a good lesson, so that even in hell, they will suffer punishment for their deeds!"

The serfs were stunned for a moment, then with a sudden uproar, like a pot boiling over, they surged towards the carriages.

"You damned wild dog!"

"You son-of-a-bitch wild dog!"

"You damn..."

Fists rained down like rain; the corpses of the wild dogs began to repay their debts in place of their living selves.

Upon learning that the lord was preparing to tell stories to Shirley, Rose's heart was filled with worry.

It was not that she worried the lord would do anything to Shirley, but rather that Shirley might delay the lord's rest.

Although the old butler John had comforted her, saying that this would actually help the lord relax.

But a noble lord is still a noble lord; she feared that without her presence, such a small child as Shirley might unintentionally offend the lord.

Carrying a carefully cooked goose egg custard, Rose nervously came to the back garden.

From afar, she heard laughter coming, and a look of gratitude flashed in Rose's eyes.

"Giggle, giggle, giggle! It sounds good, really good!"

"Does Shirley want to hear another one?"

"Lord Gervas, is that allowed?"

"Of course!"

After calming her emotions somewhat, she approached a stone table.

"Greetings, my lord. The goose egg custard is ready!"

"Chef Rose, just place it here for now," Gervas nodded.

"Mother, you're here. The lord's stories are so wonderful; you should listen too!" Shirley innocently extended the invitation.

Rose naturally dared not, "Shirley, mother still has things to do, and..."

"You won't need to cook tonight—let's sit together and listen for a while!" Gervas interrupted Rose's excuses.

Rose hesitated, seeing Shirley's hopeful gaze, and after a moment's pause, she sat down.

Gervas continued telling his story.

The lord's tale was novel—a story of Snow White, something Rose had never heard before.

Shirley grew anxious for Snow White at times, then cheered at the prince's appearance.

Amid Shirley's constant joyful applause, Rose felt a long-absent warmth.

Thinking of the hardships and fears she'd endured alone these past years, she wished—just for a moment—that this could last forever.

"Mother, Mother, wake up! The lord says today's story is over—he'll begin his cultivation soon. We'll come back tomorrow to listen!"

Shirley's call awakened Rose.

Coming to her senses, Rose was startled—but Gervas was already absorbed in eating his goose egg custard, paying her no attention, and Rose exhaled in relief.

Yet hearing Shirley's words about "diligent cultivation," Rose felt an unprecedented impulse.

After respectfully taking leave, Rose took Shirley back to the servants' quarters where they lived.

"Shirley, do you like Lord Gervas?"

"Mother, of course Shirley likes him! Shirley wants to live in the castle forever and listen to the lord's stories!"

"Mother, can we never leave again?" Shirley pleaded innocently.

"Yes, Mother will cook delicious meals for Lord Gervas forever!" Hearing Shirley's words, the last of Rose's reservations vanished.