Chapter 228: The Bolante Bandit Group

The Bolante Bandit Group appeared after the Black Gold Brotherhood.

Although one is located on the southwest side of Wushan Ridge and the other on the southeast side, the nature of the two organizations and the things they do are very similar—

Attacking noble castles, occupying noble territories, and carving out their own spheres of influence.

Is it that Wushan Castle lacks the ability to wipe them out?

The answer is no.

In the early days, several Knight Orders of Wushan Territory combined with the troops of other nobles could defeat them, but only a year or two has passed, and they have sprung up again like bamboo shoots after a rain.

Time and again, perhaps Wushan Castle grew weary, or perhaps Weijinsi's repeated poor command caused his subordinates to harbor much resentment; as time went on, the intensity of the crusades weakened.

Nowadays, the border seems to be playing a game of push-and-shove; today you attack, tomorrow I strike back.

Besides causing a large number of soldier deaths, this situation has also led to frequent changes in the lords of these two directions, leaving the border of Wushan Territory in a constant state of turmoil.

Naturally, the major nobles, including the King, are all aware of such things happening in the Marquis Territory.

Legally speaking, the Kingdom has a responsibility to protect the lesser nobles below, but that only applies when the nobles' status is endangered, such as if the Bolante Bandit Group were to threaten Wushan Castle.

Like the current minor skirmishes only at the borders, the Auduin Royal Family, aside from expressing concern, will not go so far as to send troops to support. To them, sometimes it is not a bad thing for the nobles below to fight it out and consume each other's strength.

Furthermore, Wushan Castle never sent a request for support to the Royal Family or other nobles from beginning to end, so they have even less reason to worry.

Luoning pondered for a moment, wondering if this action by the Bolante Bandit Group was routine, or if someone was pushing it from behind.

But regardless of the situation, the Bolante Bandit Group cannot threaten Wushan Castle; after all, the Fifth Knight Order of Wushan Castle is stationed there.

They shouldn't have the strength to break through the Fifth Knight Order's defensive line and penetrate deep into Wushan Territory, right?

"Luogena, did you have any news about Earl Aosen when you went out this time?" Luoning asked.

At the beginning of the year, after Aosen was crippled by Lulansi, he returned to his territory, Heimang City, and Luoning had not paid much attention to him after returning to Wubei Territory.

"I did hear some news."

Perhaps Luogena, like Mawen, dislikes Aosen, so when he mentioned the latter, a smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

"It is said that after Aosen returned to Heimang City, he sought medical treatment everywhere while also seeking help from powerful Magicians, hoping to obtain Magic Potions or other methods from them to alleviate the injuries in his body. He even sent an invitation to Lord Milosilafu in Wushan Town, but unfortunately, he was rejected."

Milosilafu is the Level 7 Great Magus who makes Magic Potions for Lulansi, an Honorary Viscount of the Kingdom, an Honorary Count of Wushan Territory, and the manager of the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce in Wushan Territory.

Such a figure, although not a noble with a territory, possesses extraordinary influence; he is naturally qualified to refuse Earl Aosen's invitation without worrying about any consequences.

Luoning chuckled, "Aosen is thinking too much. If this kind of injury were so easily cured, my grandfather wouldn't have been troubled by it for so many years without being able to get rid of it."

Lulansi's strength, connections, and fame during his prime were all far superior to Aosen's; if he couldn't find a solution, where would Aosen go to seek help?

Moreover, Milosilafu, who alleviates Lulansi's condition, has already rejected Aosen's invitation out of respect for the Marquis, which presumably leaves the latter without even the possibility of alleviating his injuries.

"What about Balindun? What is his reaction?"

Balindun, Aosen's son, Daianni's brother, and a Golden Knight of the Count's territory.

"It is said he is very angry, even saying he wants to demand an explanation from the Marquis. However, Aosen later stepped in, saying the sparring failure had nothing to do with the Marquis."

Balindun is probably just paying lip service about demanding an explanation from Lulansi; in reality, he likely wouldn't dare to come to Wushan Castle.

A forty-four-year-old Golden Knight, Balindun's talent is remarkable; he certainly doesn't want to end up crippled like his father.

"The affairs of Heimang City have likely all been handed over to Balindun now; Aosen is probably going to rest just like the Marquis."

Luogena sighed with some emotion; the other party probably wanted to keep a high profile after becoming a Meteor-level, but he never expected such an ending, right?

"Is there any news about the Black Gold Brotherhood?" Luoning inquired.

"Although we didn't defeat the Black Gold Brotherhood last year, we did snatch back several territories, causing the other side to suffer heavy losses. Even if they want to retake those territories, they need to prepare enough food and train enough troops."

Speaking of this, he shook his head involuntarily; he felt the Black Gold Brotherhood should be quiet for a year or two.

"If you wish to know, my Lord, I will keep an eye out for information about them the next time I go out."

Luoning nodded, "Then I will leave it to you."

He had essentially come to treat Luogena as an intelligence officer.

In his view, no matter how strong the Black Gold Brotherhood is, it cannot out-consume Wushan Territory; there must be a backer behind this organization.

Since there is a backer, the possibility of a comeback in the short term still exists.

It's just that if the Black Gold Brotherhood also takes action then, Wushan Castle will be facing a two-front war.

Located at the northernmost tip of Wushan Territory, Luoning naturally wouldn't worry about the flames of war spreading to Wubei Territory, but the necessary preparations still had to be made, such as having Ruidar and Maiken train more soldiers.

A standard Viscount usually possesses four Knight Squads; Luoning is currently still short by two.

"How is the quality of the five hundred or so civilians brought back this time?" he asked.

"Barely acceptable; after the long journey, they are all quite exhausted now."

Luogena changed the subject, "However, there is an Intermediate Wandering Knight named 'Kuduolei' in the group that came this time. It is said he originally wanted to follow Baron Kona, but the latter's financial resources and territory management ran into trouble, so he had to give up."

"It just so happened that Andongni was recruiting Free Citizens there at that time, so he followed along to Shanlin Town."

Although the population of Wubei Territory now exceeds sixteen thousand, the purchased Slaves and these two batches of Free Citizens from outside do not include any Transcendental.

Being able to attract a Wandering Knight to join now sounds quite good.

"Perhaps I can tell Andongni to extend invitations to Transcendental as well, in addition to recruiting ordinary civilians."

Luoning thought to himself.

Just as the two were discussing, rapid footsteps came from outside, followed by a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Chahaer hurried in, "My Lord, Zhuweite sent someone over to report that Ximu has been beaten."

Hmm?

Luoning frowned: "What happened?"

"They said some of the newcomers were causing trouble. Zhuweite and Ximu went over to stop them, but the other party had a violent temper and their strength was above both of them."

Luoning glanced at Luogena, who also looked a bit embarrassed.

Without needing to ask, they guessed the identity of the assailant.

Although Zhuweite and Ximu were low in strength, they were considered original members, and under normal circumstances, only Ruidar and Maiken would take action to discipline them, though most of the time it was based on training and guidance.

There really had been no one who had intentionally attacked the two and injured one of them.

"Let's go, let's go take a look."

With nothing better to do, Luoning could just happen to meet this group of newcomers. (End of chapter)