The Exploration of Distinguished Scholars

The categorization of player professions was exceedingly complex. They were mainly divided into three major types: Combat (infantry, archers, cavalry, generals, strategists, commanders), Technical (artisans), and Management (merchants). These included basic professions, advanced professions, and a handful of special ones.

Upon reaching level ten, players would select their first profession as their main vocation. Because the main profession was crucial, there was little room for choice, especially for the village chief and the four elders of Little White Village. Xiao Bai insisted that all four elders must uniformly choose the warrior profession, with plans for them to later transition into cavalry roles.

Cavalry offered advantages in mobile, long-range combat, and in later stages could be promoted to cavalry commanders or other advanced professions. Xiao Bai’s idea was that although the village was still small, they would eventually have to compete with other players and lords, and what they needed most were cavalry-related professions. As for support roles like artisans and merchants, those could be recruited from elsewhere.

Ah Fei, full of ambition, declared, “Big brother, if all five of us become great generals one day, that would be impressive! I even dream of a chance to duel Lü Bu on horseback. Five generals against Lü Bu!”

Xiao Bai laughed, “Alright, when you reach level eighty or ninety, you’ll be at the front when it’s time to fight Lü Bu.”

Ah Fei immediately wilted, muttering, “Damn, that’s still so far off.”

Sword Overlord said, “Xiao Bai, maybe I should pick the artisan profession and focus on construction. I’m more interested in building things.”

Xiao Bai hurriedly shook his head, “No, Sword Overlord, your main profession should be warrior, you can take construction as a secondary.”

Sword Overlord nodded and said nothing more.

The Young Hero of Spring and Autumn had no objections; he naturally preferred melee professions where he could wield a blade himself. As for Autumn Waters, her abilities were well-rounded, so the choice of profession made little difference to her.

Sword Overlord, Ah Fei, Young Hero of Spring and Autumn, and Autumn Waters all took up the warrior profession. Of course, for now, they were just the lowest-level basic infantry, each able to lead... one rookie soldier.

When it came time for Xiao Bai to choose his profession, he felt a headache. As village chief, his profession bar had one more option than the others: Scholar.

He knew little about the Scholar profession, only that it required a great deal of prestige to qualify.

Xiao Bai originally wanted to ask Deputy Chief Li A-san about it, as Li was a Scholar and likely knew more. Unexpectedly, Li was nowhere to be found; even after searching the village, Xiao Bai couldn’t locate him.

So, Xiao Bai had to put the matter aside temporarily and wait for Li’s return.

Everyone went about their business, leveling up, working as needed. Xiao Bai made a round through the village, checked the crops in the fields (not that he understood anything, but he played the part), then went to the artisan district to visit the carpenter. This wasn’t just him wandering about to slack off; frequent visits to the villagers could boost morale and increase loyalty.

The carpenter was busy with his work, barely had time to greet him.

Li A-san finally returned, meeting Xiao Bai in the artisan district, his face radiant with joy. He stepped forward and said, “My lord, what brings you here? Leave these inspections to me.”

Xiao Bai laughed, “A-san, you look delighted—did something good happen?”

Li nodded repeatedly, smiling, “My lord, you are most perceptive. Indeed, something wonderful occurred.”

Xiao Bai grew interested, “Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Li, proud and with a hint of boastfulness, explained in detail, “Recently, I had little to do, so I inspected the village. Suddenly, I thought, why not venture outside and explore the nearby area?”

Xiao Bai was slightly surprised. Exploration? Old Li had such ability? Not bad. He was always excellent at assisting, so it wasn’t unreasonable for him to be capable of exploring.

“Did you find anything?”

“Reporting to my lord, I explored within five li of the village and discovered a special character. Overjoyed, I hurried back to inform my lord.”

Xiao Bai was instantly thrilled, and quickly asked, “What sort of special character? Did you learn anything?”

Li replied, “It’s a level twenty-five wounded veteran. Because his leg was injured, he can no longer fight and has hidden himself in a small valley five li from the village. I found him and tried to persuade him to serve you, but he politely refused.”

Xiao Bai was deeply disappointed. Though wounded, he was still a level twenty-five character—if only he could be recruited. But he had been turned down; a pity.

“But...”

Li carefully pulled out a token, “Although I couldn’t persuade him to serve you, I did obtain a military tally from him. Please take a look.”

Xiao Bai took it and nearly exclaimed, “A military tally!”

A military tally—this was the first essential item for commanding troops. Without a tally, there could be no army. To establish a proper military, the first requirement was a military tally. There were many types.

Xiao Bai examined it closely and saw that the back was engraved with the character for ‘Sword.’ This tally was the most basic one among infantry, the Swordsman’s tally.

Xiao Bai was elated. With this tally, his soldiers would no longer be mere infantry, but swordsmen. Compared to ordinary infantry, swordsmen had much higher attack and agility.

“Well done, A-san, you’ve earned another merit!”

Li’s eyes were narrowed with laughter, but he had more to say, “Thank you for your praise, my lord. I suggest you visit the wounded veteran yourself and try to persuade him.”

Xiao Bai was puzzled, “Didn’t he already refuse?”

“He refused me, not you. Since he was willing to give me the tally, he must have good feelings toward us. If you go in person, you might convince him.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.” Xiao Bai chuckled, “Let’s go, we’ll try again and see if we can persuade him.”

Leaving the village, Xiao Bai and Li A-san headed straight for the valley five li away.

It wasn’t far, and soon they saw a thatched hut nestled in the valley. The wounded veteran had retreated to live here.

Such a hut was easily noticed by players. Many had already visited, hoping to receive a quest from this wounded NPC veteran, but all had been turned away. With no quest to accept, the players lost interest and left.