Purgatory Artist-Chapter 176: The Viscount’s Gift

30 Professionists.

They were all well-trained, able to carry out their orders without hesitation, clearly veterans of the battlefield.

Liu Ping had just announced their recruitment.

Under the command of that soldier, they began to assign tasks in an orderly manner, setting up defensive outposts on the city wall, even sending a few people to the city to purchase supplies.

Seeing how busy they were, Liu Ping couldn't help but silently ask in his mind:

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"These people won't betray me halfway through, right?"

A line of burning text quickly appeared:

[Betrayal is the same as abandoning the mission, a large amount of Soul Points will be deducted, if they don't have enough Soul Points, they'll be erased]

[In addition, you can set up some small reward mechanisms to make it easier for you to order them around.]

"I can set up a reward system?" Liu Ping asked.

[Of course] the Sequence answered.

Liu Ping thought for a bit, then said: "Alright ... then it's decided:"

"Those who can gain my favor, perform bravely in battle, or make a special contribution will have a certain chance of receiving additional gems from me"

Liu Ping finished.

A few moments later, a line of burning text appeared in the void of space:

[Side quest issued: The Knight Commander's Good Impression.]

Liu Ping looked at those people, only to see their expressions twitching as they looked towards the void of space.

At the very next moment.

A female Professionist came in front of Liu Ping and winked at him:

"Sir Knight Commander, you look quite young, how about this big sister take you out for a drink?"

"Anything outside of work and missions will make me feel disgusted, remember that." Liu Ping coldly replied.

"Yes sir! Commander ! "the female Professionist bowed, then turned around and left.

Seeing that, everyone fell into thought.

Liu Ping asked the Sequence: "They can see the mission as soon as you issue it?"

Two lines of burning text appeared in front of Liu Ping's eyes:

[They are low-level heroic spirits who responded to my call, only to help you complete your current mission]

[Remember, you're the employer]

Reading this long burning text, Liu Ping was stunned for a bit.

I'm the employer?

The soldier came closer with a flattering smile and whispered: "Sir Knight Commander, your safety is more important than anything else, I'll specifically assign two of my best men to protect you, what do you think?"

"... What's your name?" Liu Ping asked.

"Zhao Mingguang"

"Zhao Mingguang, I still have some ability to protect myself. Your most important mission is to defeat the devils, so don't worry about me."

"Alright, as you wish."

At this point, a Professionist ran back from the city and told the soldier: "Boss, we used the Sequence exchange coins to buy food, but we couldn't buy anything to eat."

"Could it be that they only accept gold and silver?" Zhao Mingguang asked in surprise.

"That's not it, boss, I feel like they don't have any more food to sell" the Professionist replied.

Zhao Mingguang looked at Liu Ping.

Liu Ping said, "Your food, lodging, weapons, and armor will all be provided by Viscount Addington. You don't have to worry about that."

The Professionists cheered.

Liu Ping turned and walked into the city. Without turning back, he said, "You guys set up the fortifications first. I'll settle the logistics now."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Sir Knight." Zhao Mingguang shouted.

When Liu Ping returned to the castle, he saw that the entire castle was empty. There were even fewer servants.

As for the officials in charge of various affairs, not a single one was seen.

Liu Ping suddenly thought of the long convoy that had left the castle in the morning.

Thinking back, the city was also desolate.

Of the guards at the city gate, one was wrapped in bandages, while the other was still sick.

"It can't be ... that stupid."

Liu Ping muttered.

"Sir Knight, you're back." A person who looked like a butler said.

"What's the matter?" Liu Ping asked.

"This is what Viscount Addington left for you." The butler carried a wooden box.

Liu Ping opened the wooden box. Inside, there was a seal, a long string of keys, a card, and a note with elegant handwriting.

On the note, it read:

|To York City Knight Commander Liu Ping.|

|You're in charge of all the city's defense. The seal represents your authority, and the key allows you to move freely.|

|I've brought some men to get reinforcements. I hope I can return as soon as possible to fight the evil fiends with you.|

|Justice will prevail!|

|Your City Lord: Viscount Addington.|

|P.S.|

|My ancestor was also a Knight, and has some inherited Knight skills. Due to the current crisis, I've specially left a Knight skill for you. I hope you'll be able to use it.|

|P.S.|

|If you really can't hold on, you can escape at any time. But before you leave, please burn down the entire castle. This will make my words more solemn and moving.|

|Thank you.|

Liu Ping couldn't help but laugh.

When he saw that scene in the morning, he had a premonition.

So he really ran away.

"Chanyi." Liu Ping called out softly.

"I'm here, demon... no, brat."

"Why are you calling me brat?"

"Haha, I like to see your helpless face. It's especially cute. Really."

"... You're best at scouting. First, see how many Professionists are still available in the city. Then, go outside the city and see if you can find any movement of the fiends or any other information."

"No problem."

Zhao Chanyi transformed into a small and cute cat. She jumped on the high windowsill, opened the window, and disappeared outside.

Liu Ping stood still and continued to think.

He had just arrived and had to accept the position of the Guard Knight Captain in order to establish himself in this world.

Therefore, he had no choice but to stay here and guard the city.

The most important thing right now is to see what's left here after the Viscount left.

Liu Ping first picked up the Card and carefully looked at it.

The Card depicted a knight in white armor. He held a sword in one hand, while the other hand was slightly raised to catch a ball of light.

A line of burning text quickly appeared:

[Advanced Sacred Chant]

[Unique Skill Card (Knight)]

[Description: This is a silent casting technique of Sacred Chant. It allows you to skip the chanting process and directly cast this basic healing spell]

[To use this Card, you need to pay 5 Soul Points]

Alright.

Although Viscount Addington ran away, he still cared about his reputation. When it was time to use someone, he had to at least pay them.

Liu Ping held the Card and muttered: "Use"

The card instantly turned into a ball of light and gently enveloped Liu Ping. It took a while before it completely disappeared.

Liu Ping's mind was suddenly filled with many techniques related to the Sacred Chant Spell.

In a trance, he felt as if he had practiced the Sacred Chant Spell thousands of times, to the point where he could use it with a wave of his hand and no longer rely on incantations.

Lines of small burning words quickly appeared:

[You have mastered the silent casting technique of the Sacred Chant Spell.]

[Soul Power consumption: 5 points.]

[From now on, you can cast the beginner healing spell: Sacred Chant Spell with a wave of your hand.]

This skill had a good healing effect on some external injuries on the limbs and internal injuries. It was a very practical Beginner Healing Skill.

Liu Ping's mood improved slightly. He picked up the seal and weighed it in his hand.

This was the vice seal of the castellan.

From now on, he could represent Viscount Addington and command the operation of the entire city.

What was left of the city to operate?

"Bring me to the granary." Liu Ping said to the butler.

"Yes, Sir Knight." the butler said.

Opening the door of the granary, Liu Ping could not help but sigh.

There was almost no food here.

Next, Liu Ping went to the weapons storage room, the stable, and the heavy equipment storage room.

The weapons storage room was empty.

There was not a single horse.

Surprisingly, there were still two intact cannons in the heavy equipment storage room.

But there were no cannonballs.

Liu Ping did not want to waste anything. He pressed his hand on the cannon and activated the ability of the Heroic Spirit UI: Card Collection.

Boom!

With a soft sound, the two cannons turned into a card and Liu Ping put it into his pocket.

"Is there really no food left?" Liu Ping asked.

"Sir Knight, in fact, everyone in the castle still has something to eat. The Viscount has also prepared enough food for you. It's all in the kitchen." the butler said softly.

"Bring me there." Liu Ping said.

The two of them went to the kitchen.

There was still a lot of food stored here. It was enough for dozens of people to eat for a week.

"Start arranging for people to cook. Lunch for everyone in the castle and 30 people." Liu Ping ordered.

"Sir, in that case, the food will run out in a few days." the butler said awkwardly.

"Leave the food to me. You don't have to worry. Just do as I say." Liu Ping patted his shoulder and said.

"Yes, sir." the butler said.

At noon.

The Professionists took turns returning to the castle to eat.

Liu Ping and Zhao Mingguang stood on the city wall and looked at the wilderness outside.

"We've already made preparations for the defense. In the afternoon, we'll send scouts out of the city to investigate the fiend's' movements," Zhao Mingguang said.

"This matter is not urgent. I have already sent scouts." Liu Ping said.

"Someone has already gone?" Zhao Mingguang asked in surprise.

He glanced around.

There were only a few guards guarding the left and right of the city gate. They were either injured or disabled.

"Sir Knight, our people are very professional. In fact, they are more qualified for this task. Let our people go." Zhao Mingguang said.

"Where did you guys come from?" Liu Ping asked.

"I can't say that." Zhao Mingguang pointed at the non-existent world in the void and smiled. "If I say it, I'll be obliterated."

A white figure flew over from afar and landed on Liu Ping's shoulder.

It was a cute, snow-white cat.

It spoke in human language: " Liu Ping, the evil creatures have finished gathering, they will arrive here in half an hour."

Both Liu Ping and Zhao Mingguang were surprised.

"How strong are they?" Liu Ping asked.

"About 700 evil creatures, their individual strength is about the same as these Professionists." the white cat answered.

Zhao Mingguang's expression became pale.

"That's impossible ... this is a suicide mission ..." he muttered blankly.

"Aside from these evil creatures, do they have any other trump cards?" Liu Ping asked.

"They don't. This is only a small city, so those powerful ones have all gone to attack other places. They seem to think that sending out 700 soldiers is already a lot of respect for this place." the white cat answered.

Liu Ping glanced at Zhao Mingguang and took out a Card.

Poof!

The Card turned into two cannons.

"These are the most powerful cannons in the castle, but they lack ammunition. I can see that you've made ample preparations before coming here, can you make some cannonballs?" Liu Ping asked.

"Yes, I'll arrange for someone to do it right away. But fiends are very cunning creatures. These cannons can only fire one round at most. After that, they will find a way to avoid it." Zhao Mingguang sighed and hurriedly left.

"Zhao Mingguang." Liu Ping called him back.

"Sir commander, is there anything else?" he asked.

"How many healers do you have?"

"Healers? That's a very rare Profession, our small group can't even attract a single healer."

Liu Ping looked at him and said, "No need to be afraid of over 700 evil creatures."

Zhao Mingguang's lips trembled, his face ashen and said nothing.

Liu Ping added: "I forgot to tell you, I'm a Holy Knight."

Zhao Mingguang couldn't help but look above Liu Ping's head.

There was nothing there.

"Now isn't the time, before the war starts, I'll let everyone know that," Liu Ping said.

"Very well, if you're a Holy Knight, then we still have a chance to fight this war!" Zhao Mingguang gritted his teeth.

Saying so, he hurriedly left.

Liu Ping stood still and muttered: "Activate [Heroic Spirit Shelter]"

I have to choose Yana and draw a Holy Knight skill.

This is related to morale!

Liu Ping thought silently in his heart.

Lines of burning text quickly appeared in front of his eyes:

[Heroic Spirit Shelter has been activated]

[Randomly drawing a Heroic Spirit for this war, chosen: Yana (Servant Divinity)]

[If the following conditions are met, you can draw a variation of Goddess of Torment Yana's ability and use it once]

[Draw condition: Torture an enemy and make them completely submit to you]

[For a Divinity, tormenting living beings brings a bit of joy]

Liu Ping appeared disappointed.

It's over.

According to the last line of text, the next draw won't be a Holy Knight skill, but Yana's ability as the Goddess of Torment!