Volume One, Chapter Nine: A Father and Daughter

After careful consideration, Lin Yi’s mood gradually settled. His gaze fixed intently on the numbers displayed on the screen before him—the reward of 1,000 gold coins obtained from opening the treasure chest.

Then, his eyes shifted to the information beside it regarding training a level one Minion: it required spending 500 divine water or an equivalent amount of gold coins.

Lin Yi hesitated briefly but ultimately resolved to click the “Train” button. As his finger tapped the screen, the progress bar instantly advanced from 1/20 to 2/20.

He quickly checked the upgraded Minion’s stats: health had risen to 300, attack power to 15, and defense to 10. To advance it to level two, another 1,500 resources would be needed.

However, due to certain restrictions, upgrading immediately was impossible. The system notified him that the level two castle must be upgraded first.

Seeing this decent growth in stats, he mused inwardly that once his own level reached two, he would immediately begin further upgrading and strengthening Huang Tian. With his plan set, Lin Yi decisively closed his smart watch. After all, this training would still take some time to complete.

Weary in body and mind, he sank slowly onto the bed as his thoughts began to drift involuntarily. Recalling the events of the past two days felt like a dream.

First, he inexplicably arrived in this unfamiliar place, then encountered the sly and treacherous merchant Jack, and fortunately later found his long-lost younger brother. It seemed as though everything was progressing in a favorable direction…

As he pondered this, Lin Yi’s eyelids grew heavier until he slipped into a sweet slumber without realizing it.

The next morning, Lin Yi opened his eyes and murmured, “Today is the last day. Let’s install the turret on the city wall!”

When he stepped to the doorway, he saw a woman standing beside Huang Tian. Lin Yi was incredulous, thinking he must still be half-asleep. He shook his head and looked again. Indeed, it was a female Minion, about the same height as Huang Tian.

While Lin Yi was puzzled, Huang Tian, accompanied by the female Minion, approached. Huang Tian knelt on one knee respectfully and said, “Your Majesty, good morning!”

Lin Yi waved his hand and said, “Stand up. What’s your name? Tell me your background.” He felt a twinge of annoyance—what was the system playing at, sending him a female warrior? It wasn’t that he was picky; the problem was, he was still single.

At the same time, he glanced at Huang Tian, who kept sneaking glances at the woman. Lin Yi didn’t indulge him and teased, “Ahem, Huang Tian, look at you—you’re such a disgrace. If you keep this up, I’ll take those dog eyes of yours away.”

“Oh, Your Majesty,” Huang Tian scratched his head, apparently not understanding what Lin Yi meant.

Ah, Huang Tian would always be hopeless!

The female Minion beside them could not help but chuckle softly. “Your Majesty, don’t be hard on Brother Huang Tian. You’re just like that.”

“Wait, you two just met, and things are moving this fast?” Lin Yi said nonsensically.

“Your Majesty, what do you mean by moving fast?” Huang Tian asked, confused. The female Minion blushed and said, “Your Majesty, it’s not what you think. It’s just… since I just arrived here, Huang Tian gave me an introduction.”

“Oh, I see!” Lin Yi pretended not to have heard the rest and said, “Why don’t you introduce yourself first?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My name is Huang Xiaorong. Like Huang Tian, I lived in a Minion tribe. I was killed by a group of goblins.”

After finishing, Huang Xiaorong continued indignantly, “Those beasts—no honor in their fight, they ambushed me. Then I ended up here!”

After learning about Huang Xiaorong’s background, Lin Yi turned to look at Huang Tian, who was staring with wide eyes, almost drooling. Lin Yi playfully kicked him and laughed, “Hey, you dummy! Don’t just stand there grinning like an idiot. Later, I’ll give you blueprints and some wood and stone, plus a complete set of tools. You better perform well and help this lady build a beautiful house.”

After saying this, he patted Huang Tian’s shoulder meaningfully, his eyes conveying a brotherly understanding, as if to say, “Bro, I’m giving you a great opportunity—don’t mess it up!”

Then Lin Yi turned to Huang Xiaorong and Huang Tian and said, “You two can pick any spot you like. This house will be a temporary place to live. After all, we’ll be mining and building later, and maybe we’ll find even better locations. Huang Tian, once you’ve chosen a spot, come find me. I have a pile of treasures waiting for you in my room.”

After these words, Lin Yi winked mysteriously and added, “Alright, I won’t be a third wheel here and embarrass you lovebirds. I’ll go out for a stroll, see some sights nearby, and maybe pick up some treasures.”

Left with a slightly awkward expression, the two watched as Lin Yi placed the turret behind the city wall and then stepped outside the city gate.

Hmm~ thick fog was rising. Lin Yi looked at the vast plains that had been visible a couple of days ago; now, beyond a safe radius of about a hundred meters, visibility was pitifully low.

He thought for a moment: the protection period must be ending, and now the real world was beginning.

Walking along, he muttered to himself, full of helplessness and disdain, “Hmph, how could Huang Tian be so easily fooled, turning into a pathetic dog begging for scraps? I suspect the system must have gained some hefty benefits from him; otherwise, why would it so quickly send him a wife? This is outrageous.”

He was annoyed—very annoyed—the king was still single! As Lin Yi grumbled, a shadow flickered at the corner of his eye.

Thinking it was just his imagination, he looked again toward the shadow and saw two figures running from outside, followed by some skeleton monsters.

Lin Yi tensed and grabbed his large machete from his backpack, shouting to the figures, “Come here, it’s safe here!”

Hearing his voice, they hurried toward him.

Soon, two figures—a tall one and a small one—stumbled toward him. Lin Yi’s heart jumped; focusing, he saw they appeared to be a father and daughter. The child was about three or four years old, running unsteadily, while the adult, probably in his thirties, looked anxious but determined.

At that moment, a sinister skeleton monster lunged out from the shadows, mouth agape and claws flailing, aiming to attack the pair.

Lin Yi’s heart tightened. Drawing on some unknown courage, he swiftly rushed behind the father and daughter, eyes fixed on the monster’s movements, and with a single horizontal slash, decapitated the creature.

Watching the lifeless skeleton fall, Lin Yi did not relax. He quickly retreated to a safe distance. The other skeleton monsters seemed to lose their target and dispersed.

Turning to the father and daughter, Lin Yi saw the man tightly holding the child, eyes full of terror and gratitude. The child stared at Lin Yi with wide, curious eyes.

Lin Yi did not immediately ask about their situation but patiently waited for them to catch their breath. He understood well that in moments like these, giving them time and space was warmer and more powerful than any words.