Dual Cultivator Reborn [System In The Cultivation World] Chapter 987: a familiar face

"The lady beside me is Sister Ruo Xuan, and standing next to her is Sister Mu Yang," Yu Ming explained. After introducing herself, she presented the two women accompanying her. All three possessed features that suggested they hailed from a distant region, looking like foreigners in this land.

"I see... it is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Yu Ming, Ruo Xuan, and Lady Mu Yang," Yohan replied after learning their names. At a single glance, he could discern that these women were not locals; they had likely been kidnapped or trafficked across different territories. Yohan had no desire to pry into their tragic backstories or the circumstances that led them to the slave camps. He understood how painful those memories were to recall. Currently, these women simply wished to bury their pasts and overcome the trauma they had endured.

This was the same motivation that kept him from questioning Diya about her history. All he knew was that Diya’s aunt had sold her to the Nichole Clan, and that she was her only living relative following the death of her parents.

Reflecting on Diya’s hardships, Yohan let out a heavy sigh before turning his attention back to the three women standing before him.

"I truly hope you are finding comfort here. If you or the others require anything at all, do not hesitate to ask. I will be staying here for the time being," Yohan promised.

Hearing his words, the three women traded glances before focusing their gaze back on him.

"You have already provided so much. You didn't just rescue us from that nightmare; you gave us food and a place to live. We cannot possibly thank you enough for your actions; we owe our very lives to you," Yu Ming declared.

"Yu Ming speaks the truth. Because of you, we have reclaimed the freedom we lost in that place. If you hadn't intervened back then..." Ruo Xuan trailed off, her voice a mere whisper as agonizing memories of the slave camps flooded her mind. She was well aware of the grim fate that would have awaited them; without Yohan’s rescue, they likely would have been auctioned off to various corners of the Phoenix Kingdom.

Noticing her distress, Mu Yang placed a comforting hand on Ruo Xuan’s shoulder to steady her. She then addressed Yohan directly.

"We shall never forget the compassion you and your kin have shown us. Lady Alena and your companions have been incredibly gracious despite our lowly status; they have treated us with the dignity of human beings," Mu Yang said, a bittersweet smile touching her lips.

Their words caused Yohan to fall silent. After a long pause, he finally spoke up.

"You are human beings, and you deserve nothing less than love and respect. Do not speak of yourselves in such a demeaning way!"

Yohan stood up from his chair with conviction and stepped closer to the trio.

"It is my hope that from today onward, you all live with honor and by your own rules... it is best to leave the past behind. I realize it won't be easy, but try to move forward and forget the cruelty you suffered!" Yohan said encouragingly. Though he could not rewrite their history, he knew he had the power to shape their future, and that was exactly what he intended to do.

"In this place, you are free. You may do as you wish with your lives and start anew alongside your fellow sisters," Yohan added, smiling warmly.

The three women looked at one another again, their eyes filled with deep gratitude as they looked back at him.

"We will do exactly that, Young Master Yohan. Thank you for your kindness and assurance!" they responded in unison.

Moments later, Yohan invited them to sit within the tent. The four of them began discussing the affairs of the city. He suggested that anyone wishing to leave to find their families should be allowed to do so. Many women had been stolen away, and their loved ones might still be searching for them. Yohan realized that not every woman had been betrayed by her family; slave trading involved many different circumstances.

With ten official representatives now acting on behalf of the freed people, his responsibilities became much more manageable.

"We shall assist you, Young Master!" the three agreed, promising to help identify those who wished to depart. After finalizing several more details regarding the city, the ladies eventually exited the tent.

Once they had gone, Yohan exhaled deeply. He was reminded of the mysterious woman’s instructions to utilize these women to build a powerful army of Cultivators.

'I’m sorry... but using them feels morally wrong. I don't know what your true motives were when you assigned me such a bizarre task!' Yohan muttered to himself. He recalled the face of the stunning woman who had appeared to him in the Nichole Clan territory, urging him to perform Dual Cultivation with the hundreds of thousands of women he had liberated.

'I am aware that I possess a Unique Qi, but I refuse to use it to achieve an objective I don't understand. I won't exploit these suffering women for some grand scheme that remains hidden from me,' Yohan whispered. He had pondered the unknown woman's words many times, but he simply could not bring himself to follow through.

"Young Master Yohan, may I enter?"

Yohan’s deep thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice coming from outside the tent.

"Yes, come in," he answered. Immediately, a well-known figure stepped inside. Seeing her face, a genuine smile spread across Yohan’s countenance.

"It has been quite some time, Young Master Yohan!" the woman greeted him with an enchanting voice. Yohan stepped forward and opened his arms to welcome her.

"It certainly has been a while, Lee Qi."