C10 Selling His Body to Save His Mother

Early the next morning, Yang Rui, accompanied by a large sum of gold coins and gifts, as well as Yang Ann and over ten guards from the Yang family, departed from Oakenbreak, setting their sights on Brittlecoast City.

The journey from Oakenbreak to Brittlecoast was a mere three hundred miles—a distance they could cover in less than half a day at a full gallop. But with time to spare, Yang Rui and his companions were in no rush. They rode at a leisurely pace, taking in the surrounding scenery as they made their way.

By evening, they had smoothly reached the outskirts of Brittlecoast, an ancient city that now stretched before them. As one of the Ember Empire's twelve subsidiary cities, Brittlecoast boasted a bustling population of over a million, a thriving trade scene, and an abundance of resources. The city's vibrancy caught Yang Rui's eye, sparking a desire to explore.

With a plan in mind, Yang Rui wasted no time. He headed straight for the courtyard residence purchased by the Yang family in the city, where he stored all the gold coins and gifts brought from Oakenbreak. He entrusted Yang Ann and the others to guard the property while he set off to wander the city streets alone.

True to its reputation, Brittlecoast was teeming with life. Shops lined the streets, densely packed and brimming with activity as countless pedestrians bustled in and out, purchasing an array of goods. The city was a tapestry of people and color.

Strolling down the lively streets, Yang Rui observed the thriving shops on either side, a faint smile playing on his lips. He meandered aimlessly, occasionally stopping to purchase items that piqued his interest.

"What's going on up ahead? Why has such a crowd gathered?" he wondered aloud upon noticing a throng of people.

Curiosity piqued, Yang Rui quickened his pace and approached. There, he saw a muscular, towering man kneeling at the side of the street, in front of a wooden sign that read "Selling myself to save my mother."

"Brother, what's happening here?" Yang Rui inquired, his brow furrowed as he turned to a young man standing nearby.

The young man explained, "That's Xue Tao, a hunter from the western slums. He's a devoted son whose mother has fallen gravely ill. She needs a thousand gold coins for treatment. Unable to bear the thought of losing her and without the means to pay, he's resorted to selling himself to save her."

"However, Xue Tao is merely an ordinary hunter with the strength of a seventh-level warrior. In Brittlecoast, where masters abound, he's hardly noteworthy. Nobody would shell out a thousand gold coins for him!" The young man, familiar with the burly figure, explained to Yang Rui with a look of resignation.

In the Ember Empire, the currency is divided into gold, silver, and copper coins, with an exchange rate of one hundred to one for silver to gold, and ten thousand to one for copper to gold.

A single copper coin can buy a bun, while a gold coin can sustain a family of three for a year.

Typically, a seventh-level warrior can earn just one gold coin a month, amounting to twelve a year. After expenses, they might save up to seven or eight gold coins at most.

For a seventh-level warrior to accumulate a thousand gold coins, it would take a century of saving—a truly daunting amount.

"Kid, you think you can fetch a thousand gold coins? Pure fantasy! Tell you what, I'll be generous and offer you a hundred gold coins. Come with me and serve as my servant!"

At that moment, a young man dressed in fine brocade, about seventeen or eighteen years old, approached Xue Tao with three imposing men radiating a formidable presence.

"The Young Lord of the Blood Wolf Gang, Zhao Ann, has taken an interest in Xue Tao. He's in trouble now!"

Upon seeing the brocaded youth, the young man next to Yang Rui paled, whispering his alarm with evident concern in his eyes.

"Young Master Zhao, if you give me a thousand gold coins, my life is yours! Whatever you ask of me, I'll do without hesitation! Even if it means braving the most perilous challenges, I won't flinch!" Xue Tao looked up at Zhao Ann with a beseeching gaze.

"You're not worth a thousand gold coins, and I'm not short on people willing to risk their lives for me! I'll say it again: a hundred gold coins, and you come back to serve as my servant. What do you say?" Zhao Ann spoke with an even tone.

"Young Master Zhao, my mother's treatment costs a thousand gold coins, and we can't afford to be a penny short!" Xue Tao replied, shaking his head.

"Pfft! You think someone would pay a thousand gold coins to save you? Do you fancy yourself a beauty from the Fragrant Pavilion?" Zhao Ann scoffed with contempt.

"I'll pay the thousand gold coins!"

At that moment, Yang Rui stepped forward and declared loudly.

"Young Master, are you truly willing to part with a thousand gold coins?"

As Yang Rui's words hung in the air, Xue Tao leaped to his feet, his face alight with excitement as he gazed at Yang Rui.

"Absolutely! I'm willing to pay a thousand gold coins!" Yang Rui confirmed with a nod.

"Kid, are you trying to make a fool of me?"

Zhao Ann's face darkened as he saw Yang Rui offer the sum for Xue Tao, his gaze turning deadly.

While Zhao Ann spoke, his three henchmen quietly encircled Yang Rui, ready to strike at their leader's command.

"What's the matter? You can't afford the price and now you resent me for offering it?" Yang Rui responded coolly to Zhao Ann's challenge.

"Kid, you're really not taking me seriously, are you? Teach him a lesson, make him realize just how many eyes the Horse King has!"

Zhao Ann's eyes flashed with malice as he bellowed the command.

Instantly, three muscular brutes channeled their inner strength, their fists flying towards Yang Rui with ferocity.

Witnessing the impending assault, Xue Tao's face paled, and he quickly positioned himself in front of Yang Rui, ready to take the brunt of the attack for him.

But Yang Rui, with a look of approval, swiftly pulled Xue Tao to safety behind him. With a swift lift of his right foot, he delivered a punishing kick to the assailant, sending him screaming through the air before crashing to the ground.

Without missing a beat, Yang Rui pivoted, his right fist clenched, and with a fearsome power, he struck the remaining two brutes. They were hurled through the air, landing with bone-crushing force and emitting agonized howls.

"How can this be!"

Zhao Ann's face twisted in shock as he watched his three bodyguards taken down with ease by Yang Rui. He exclaimed in disbelief, his eyes wide with astonishment.

It's important to recognize that Zhao Ann's three bodyguards were all second-rate warriors, yet Yang Rui dispatched them with ease, indicating he possessed the prowess of at least a late second-rate, if not a first-rate warrior. This was utterly inconceivable to Zhao Ann.

After all, Yang Rui appeared to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. How could someone so young have the capabilities of a late second-rate or even a first-rate warrior?

"Impossible is nothing!"

Upon hearing Zhao Ann's astonished exclamation, Yang Rui remained unfazed. With a cold huff, he sent Zhao Ann flying with a kick, causing him to crash to the ground and cough up a mouthful of crimson blood.

"My friend, Zhao Ann is the sole heir of Zhao Kui, the leader of the Blood Wolf Gang. By injuring Zhao Ann, you've surely incited Zhao Kui's wrath. I urge you, we must make haste and leave Brittlecoast at once!" Xue Tao, witnessing the scene, grew pale and quickly advised Yang Rui.

"There's no need to worry! The Blood Wolf Gang is of no consequence to me. If they choose to stay away, so be it. But should they dare to seek retribution, I won't hesitate to obliterate them!" Yang Rui declared with a dismissive air.