This was also the reason why Wenbin made up his mind today and decided to sell himself again as a slave.
Just like those mocking people said earlier, in this world, slaves are not worthy of being buried in coffins.
Wenbin, being the son of a slave, couldn't even step into a coffin shop. Even if he did, no one would sell to him. That's why he had no choice but to give up his long-held beliefs and take out his slave contract again, willingly selling himself in order to bury his mother properly.
Elara had already abolished slavery in Plumera. Although she had seen the situation in other kingdoms along the way, she hadn't looked deeply into matters regarding slaves. She didn't expect that slaves couldn't even buy a coffin.
After thinking for a moment, she said, "In that case, I'll have someone go buy a set of coffins and burial items for you. Just wait here. After they finish buying everything, you can take them to your home.
In the next few days, I'll have people accompany you and help with your mother's burial and everything related to it until the burial is complete. Once everything is done, I'll have them return. Is that alright?"
That way, he wouldn't be given a hard time because of his identity while burying his mother, even if she had already bought him everything.
Wenbin raised his eyes and stared blankly at the young woman speaking. Since he was young, due to his identity, aside from his parents and master, he had hardly ever received kindness from others, let alone such a great act of grace.
Wenbin's thick eyelashes trembled slightly. He had originally planned to give up his dreams and beliefs, sell himself, and bury his mother properly.
But just when he thought that even selling himself wouldn't allow him to bury his mother, this noble lady appeared at the lowest point of his life and gave him a way out.
Wenbin pressed his thin lips together. His hands, covered in scars and thick calluses, slowly lowered the bamboo scroll in his arms. Then he knelt down and solemnly bowed to Elara.
"Wenbin swears here! In this life, I will repay the lady's life-saving grace! If not, let lightning strike me down! Let me be a beast for eternity!"
As his words fell, he lowered his head and knocked it hard on the ground three times.
Elara originally wanted to stop him, but after thinking it over, she decided not to stop him from making such a solemn vow.
After Wenbin finished kowtowing, he looked up at her. Elara still handed him the ten taels of silver in her hand.
"Since you've agreed, go tidy yourself up and change into clothes that look presentable. Whether it's for your mother's burial or accompanying me to that small kingdom later, what you're wearing now isn't suitable."
"In three days, if you've finished dealing with everything, you can come find me directly at Jinyun Inn. If you still have other matters to handle, take care of them first and then wait for me at the west city gate after the Hundred Nations Banquet."
Wenbin looked at the ten taels of silver that Elara handed over again. A wave of indescribable emotions surged in his heart.
His chest felt tight and sore. It was the first time he had received kindness from someone outside of his parents and master. This unfamiliar feeling almost made his eyes turn red.
He pressed his lips tightly together and stayed silent for a long time before carefully and cautiously putting away the ten taels of silver in his hand. Then he looked up at Elara, as if trying to etch every detail of her face into his memory. His voice was slightly hoarse.
"For the lady's kindness, Wenbin will never forget it for the rest of his life."
After resolving Wenbin's matter, Elara returned to the inn and continued practicing while also reviewing the data she had collected from the national battle of the Banquet of a Hundred Nations.
The national battle was already approaching its final stage. The few remaining powerful third-class nations were all located in the central region of the continent, each backed by clearly established second-class or higher powers.
Before the final duel to determine the champion on the last day of the national battle, Elara received a secret letter from Lucian.
The letter stated that the champion would likely emerge around noon, after which all second-class or higher powers would immediately head toward the hidden treasure site.
The seal surrounding the treasure site would likely be lifted around midnight.
Once the seal was lifted, any force confident in handling the mechanisms and traps could enter the site.
If not confident, they would have to wait patiently until his Heavenly Craft Pavilion and the other powers arrived to jointly break the mechanism and enter.
Besides this important information, Lucian also sent her ten pieces of items that resembled locks and rings.
He said these were called "mechanism locks," which could deal with most of the traps currently discovered inside the treasure site. Each lock also came with life-saving tools inside, such as hooks, rescue ropes, silver needles, and lock picks.
Lucian gave her ten mechanism locks, telling her that aside from keeping two for herself, she could distribute the rest to friends who would be entering the treasure site with her.
Elara sent a reply expressing her thanks and accepted both the information and the mechanism locks.
According to the previous intelligence from Lucian and the data gathered by the Puppet Soldiers she had dispatched, the treasure site was located in a deep mountain gorge about six hundred li, or three hundred kilometers, northeast of the capital of the Geranium Kingdom.
The national battle would end around noon, and the seal would be lifted at midnight. That left roughly twelve hours in between, which was enough time for them to ride there on fast horses, with time to spare for rest and observation.
Lucian had told her the national battle end time and when the powers would depart. Prince Leland had also informed them in advance.
He was among those who would immediately set off for the destination upon receiving the map after the national battle ended.
Elara and Prince Yu came with Prince Leland, so they would naturally set off right after the battle ended as well.
According to the feedback from the Puppet Soldiers, Elara had already used the System's 3D simulation map to model the terrain and environment of the hidden treasure location.
The 3D simulation map was very useful. It helped her identify the entrance to the deep valley where the treasure was located and also locate the positions of the guards sent by different forces to seal the area.
Judging by the strength of the auras reported by the Puppet Soldiers, those guards came from at least five different second-class or higher powers.
Their personal strength was also very formidable. Almost all of them were top-level experts ranked on the continent's power and assassin lists.