Age of Evolution

Chapter 388: 388: Lin Zhen’s Knight Group

In most civilized planets, Planet Stage is considered to be the top-level of the strong ones. For example, Lin Zhen on Earth, has not discovered any Planet Stage yet. Perhaps Yan Qiyue is at Planet Stage, but it is uncertain.

Even Earth’s top masters like An Bihuai and Chen Fenglie are just at Satellite Stage, which is nothing in the scope of the interstellar world.

And the two slaves in front of him had both reached the Planet Eighth-level!

The one on the left has long, yellow hair with dozens of tiny braids, heavy black circles under his eyes that look innate, and he appears not very strong but somewhat effeminate. Within his delicate demeanor lies ruthlessness. He definitely looks like a villain.

The one on the right actually has two black horns on his head, messy hair, is about 2.2 meters tall, inconceivably muscular, and has dark skin with just a pair of brightly shining eyes.

There were even eight people behind them, all at Satellite Level 9.

The salesperson, fearing that Lin Zhen might not be satisfied, pulled the effeminate man over: “Count, do not underestimate this effeminate man. The Empire had paid a price to capture him. He is at Level Eight Peak, just on the verge of breaking through. As long as his chip is replaced, he could enter Planet Ninth-level at any time, and may even enter the Constant Star Stage in the future. Buying him is a big bargain for you.”

All countries in the universe have specially developed a type of chip to control slaves. Once the chip is installed on a slave, the slave will be absolutely loyal to their master.

Slaves cannot betray their master. If they have a thought of betrayal, the chip will automatically destroy them.

Unless the slave’s realm breaks through the Black Hole Period and reaches the third level of the Extreme Realm, Star System Stage, they will have the ability to destroy the chip in their body. So slaves in the Black Hole Period are not very popular because they can easily rebel against their master.

The salesperson even pried open the effeminate man’s mouth: “Count, look at this guy’s teeth; he has an excellent physical quality. You can just give them some food casually on a daily basis….”

At this point, Lin Zhen suddenly interrupted him: “You just said that the Empire captured him? Who is he?”

“Uh … did I say that?” The salesperson tried to play dumb.

“Don’t play dumb with me. The intelligent system records every word you say. Do you know what the consequence of deliberately deceiving a noble is?”

Lin Zhen’s face became serious. The salesperson was just a citizen. If he really offended Lin Zhen, Lin Zhen even had the right to execute him on the spot, though solid evidence would be needed.

The salesperson’s expression tightened: “Count, please forgive me. I’ll tell you. This person used to be a deputy on the Black Pearl. He was a subordinate of the renowned interstellar pirate Xilanke. The Black Pearl is Xilanke’s ship.”

“You mean, they are all pirates?”

“Well … they used to be, but now they’re just obedient slaves.”

The salesperson’s face was apologetic, but there was also a hint of smugness.

Lin Zhen was also somewhat speechless. No wonder the salesperson had so generously offered these ten slaves as gifts; they were all pirates. If found by Xilanke, it would definitely be troublesome. These ten pirates were a hot potato in their hands.

It’s hard to say whether they were deceived or not. If it wasn’t for these troubles, the Black Pearl would not have been so cheap.

Since the spaceship had been bought, having these ten pirate slaves didn’t matter that much.

“What are your names?” Lin Zhen asked.

“My name is Ronnie, and I am the deputy captain of the Black Pearl.” The effeminate man spoke first.

“I’m Shac, also the deputy captain. The eight of them are drivers and weapon controllers.” The tall man with horns also spoke.

Lin Zhen nodded. Since they had been bought already, there was no way he wouldn’t use them. He told the salesperson, “Give me their main chips.”

The main chips controlling the slaves belonged to the master and were held by the sales manager here.

The sales manager had been waiting there. Immediately, he transferred the main chip data to Lin Zhen using the intelligent life application.

Soon, Chris got the authority, and Lin Zhen became the new master of these ten slaves.

“You don’t need to feel disheartened. I am a Count of the Empire. Following me is at least much better than following ordinary citizens or knights. I can say that besides me, there may not be any higher-ranking nobles willing to recruit you.”

Among the nobles, knights, barons, viscounts are considered low-ranking nobles, while counts, marquises, and dukes are high-ranking nobles.

Ronnie and the other nine slaves nodded. They had become numb to their fates since being captured. It didn’t matter much who they were with now, as they were all slaves. Maybe one day their master would have a bad mood and execute them.

However, the Count in front of them seemed to be a relatively good person. Their lives should not be too harsh.

Lin Zhen’s lips curled into a slight smile: “You might think that your days won’t be good in the future, but I want to tell you that, if you perform well, I might promote you to be members of my knights’ group, and you can become knights.”

Upon hearing Lin Zhen’s words, the eyes of the ten slaves instantly lit up!

Knights are the private soldiers of nobles, also known as noble subordinates. Although they still held their lives in their masters’ hands, they were no longer slaves in other regards.’

They could receive salaries from their masters, find women, and indulge in pleasure. Except for absolute obedience to their master’s orders, they had unlimited freedom and even had their master’s support in the background in case anything happened.

Only counts or above had knight groups. This was the limit of the slave occupation.

Ronnie said in disbelief, “Master, but we are pirates.”

“Pirates? That’s all in the past. What’s the big deal? Now there’s just the Black Pearl.”

“But… if Xilanke finds you, you will be in trouble.” Shac reminded Lin Zhen.

“Not to worry. If I’m scared of pirates, then I wouldn’t have bought the Black Pearl in the first place.”

Ronnie and the others exchanged glances and knelt before Lin Zhen. “We pledge our lives to our Count!”

For these captured pirates, finding a master like Lin Zhen was an incredible stroke of luck. Their hopes of becoming knights brought tears to their eyes.

With the pirates now loyal to him, Lin Zhen’s energy blocks were complete.

“OK, Count, now you can ride your spaceship into the stars. To avoid any trouble, we’ve disguised the Black Pearl insignia and writings. It’s a simple cover, but it should be enough.”

Lin Zhen glanced at his ship. The painted skull and “Black Pearl” branding were covered by a thin layer of cheap armor, making it look less threatening.

With the title transfer complete, Lin Zhen led his ten subordinates onto the Black Pearl.

“Ahoy! I’m back on this ship, and back to my favorite spot!” Ronnie excitedly plopped down into his old seat, spinning in his chair.

The other pirates were eager to return to their familiar roles, eagerly touching every part of the ship. They had never thought they would be back on the Black Pearl again.

“First, let’s take the ship out and find a place to dock. I need to buy some slaves.”

Seated in Xilanke’s old seat – a massive recliner with auto-adjustments and a stocked fridge nearby (though currently empty) – Lin Zhen looked around and sighed at the opulence of his new life. He gave the order, and the pirates efficiently started the ship.

Once airborne, the ship accelerated sharply, soaring into the sky and out of view.

After a leisurely circle around, the ship eventually touched down on a nearby runway.

The runway’s territory covered thousands of kilometers, almost like a small country on Earth.

Ronnie excitedly said, “Master, I wish we could take the spaceship through the starry skies right now. We lived quite the life back then.”

“Be patient. There will be opportunities. Let’s wait here and I’ll go purchase some slaves. After that, we shall leave.”

Ronnie and Shac exchanged glances; Ronnie blinked and spoke to Lin Zhen, “Master, are you planning on buying slaves?”

“Yes. This ship has a limit of thirty thousand passengers. With just eleven of us, we cannot represent my planet well.”

Shac now chimed in, “Master, the slave market is a shady business. Slave traders are worse than pirates; they’ll deceive and take advantage at any opportunity. First-time buyers usually spend a lot of unnecessary money.”

Lin Zhen asked Chris, “What is the situation with the slave market?”

“Master, the slave market has no fixed prices. Each slave is unique, with different backgrounds and abilities. Artificial life cannot accurately evaluate the prices, not to mention the preferences needed to buy the perfect slave.”

Lin Zhen had little experience purchasing slaves in his previous life.

Ronnie volunteered, “Master, how about this? The eight crew members can wait here, while Shac and I go to the slave market with you. We have experience in these matters and will ensure the slave traders don’t take advantage of you.”

Lin Zhen nodded. The slaves would, by nature, be loyal to him without deception.

Seeing Ronnie and Shac’s enthusiasm, Lin Zhen sought to reward them by promoting them to members of his knight order.

Knighthood is a high-status distinction for nobles, recognized only by a count or above.

Lin Zhen instructed Chris to promote Ronnie and Shac, as the artificial life now had authority to grant knighthood. They instantly became Lin Zhen’s knights in service.

From here on, to Ronnie and Shac, Lin Zhen’s words were law.

The two never expected to become knights so quickly, their eyes welling with tears as they knelt before Lin Zhen, overwhelmed by emotion.

Ronnie raised his head, “Master, we can never repay your kindness. At the slave market, we’ll use our connections to choose the elite from among the slaves. Every cent will be spent wisely.”

Lin Zhen nodded and helped the two knights to their feet, ready to leave the ship with them.

However, Lin Zhen couldn’t shake a feeling that Ronnie’s “elite” would be similar to their own kind – desperate outcasts with nothing to lose.