Chapter 28: 28 Soldiers and Horses Come to Welcome

In the woodland beside the road sign for Shanlin Town, Luoning's party rested in place after finishing their lunch.

After a morning of trekking over mountains and through ridges, the guards sometimes had to dismount to push the carriages, so everyone was still somewhat exhausted.

However, at the thought that this long journey was about to end, joy was revealed in their eyes.

At this moment, they were gathered in groups of three or five, leaning against tree trunks and resting in the shade, occasionally engaging in quiet conversation.

A mountain breeze blew by, and the leaves swayed with the wind. Mage Aierlong, who was meditating under a tree at the very front, opened his eyes and gazed ahead, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

"My Lord, I sense that there are people and horses coming from over there," Aierlong warned.

Luoning opened his eyes abruptly, ending his Refining Magic Power. He stood up and looked toward the plain at the foot of the mountain; indeed, he could see a group of people and horses coming along the main road.

It was just that the distance was too great to see exactly how many there were.

Chahaer stood by Luoning's side, looking out as he said, "Could it be that the Administrator here discovered us and ran out specifically to welcome you, My Lord?"

Luoning shrugged, "I hope so!"

He turned and walked with long strides toward the area where the guards were resting; Guard Officer Maiken and his deputy Dawei both followed.

"Attention, everyone!" Luoning shouted aloud.

Having undergone training for this period of time, all the guards stood straight the moment they heard this command, regardless of their previous state.

Compared to ten days ago, their discipline had improved by who knows how many levels.

The guards made the movements like a conditioned reflex, but in their hearts, they were a step behind in questioning:

The Baron had just told them to have a good rest at noon, so why was there sudden training again?

Of course, Luoning did not call them up for training, "Pick up your weapons and assemble here!"

Weapons?

The guards were stunned for a moment. Practicing footwork and military boxing did not require weapons, so why did the Baron want them to bring weapons?

Chahaer and Dawei were also stunned; they could not understand why the Baron would make such an arrangement.

Among those present, perhaps only Maiken and Aierlong were not stunned. It was not that they understood Luoning's purpose, but rather that no matter what decision Luoning made, they would execute it unconditionally.

Doubt was doubt, but in the hearts of the guards, Luoning held absolute authority, so they immediately took their inferior longswords and assembled quickly.

Five rows and six columns, neat and uniform.

"Very good!"

Looking at the neat and orderly formation, Luoning nodded slightly, "What greets us later might be enthusiastic fellow countrymen, or it might be cold longswords, so prepare yourselves for battle!"

Hearing this, everyone present felt a shock in their hearts.

What was going on? Could there still be danger upon reaching Shanlin Town?

Luoning did not explain too much, "Now, in groups of five, spread out!"

An uneasy, tense atmosphere spread, but they all knew there were Intermediate Knights in the team, as well as a Mage—a total of four Transcendental—so they were not overly panicked.

"My Lord, are you worried they will attack us?" Aierlong asked.

Luoning nodded slightly, "I hope I am overthinking it, but being prepared is always good."

"Protect the Lord with our lives!" Maiken took down his Shield and drew his longsword, shouting.

Dawei also made the same movement, "Protect the Lord with our lives!"

Seeing this, the guards raised their inferior longswords one after another, "Protect the Lord with our lives!"

Seeing this scene, Luoning could not help but smile.

Having one's own base of support is good indeed.

Time passed slowly, and that column of people and horses was getting closer and closer. Luoning also noticed that they not only had cavalry but also Infantry walking behind.

"Twenty-eight people in total."

Intermediate Mage Aierlong had better insight and confirmed the number of the other party.

The corners of Luoning's mouth curled up. Twenty-eight people coming at once, and there were both cavalry and Infantry—what was this for?

If he had encountered such a formation while passing through other territories, Luoning would likely have chosen to detour immediately to avoid their edge.

But now he could not do that; he had already reached his own territory, so how could he detour?

Even if the other party came with ill intent, he had to face this wave head-on.

The sound of hooves and footsteps gradually became clear, and everyone's hearts rose to their throats.

Soon, the people and horses appeared a hundred meters away.

Luoning was the first to mount his horse and move forward, looking down from a height, leading the team to block them on the slope.

Beside him, Maiken, Dawei, and Aierlong also mounted their warhorses, guarding him in the middle.

When the two sides were about fifty meters apart, Maiken shouted in a deep voice, "Stop, you people! State your names and identities!"

The voice was loud and shook the mountain forest.

The five cavalrymen on the other side, who had already slowed down, pulled on their reins and stopped in place. A tall and thin man lightly squeezed his horse's belly and stepped forward two paces from the crowd.

"And who are you people?"

He questioned coldly, "What are you doing in Shanlin Town?"

Maiken responded in a deep voice, "Standing before you is the bloodline of the Wushan Family, the Baron of Shanlin Town, Luoning Liehuofengbao! If you are the subjects of Shanlin Town, you should offer your greetings and loyalty to Baron Luoning!"

"The bloodline of the Wushan Family?"

There was a trace of doubt in the other party's voice, mixed with an imperceptible mockery.

"As far as I know, Earl Wiggins has only three children. The eldest son, Luoning, has just had his inheritance rights revoked; the daughter, Maijinni, is married to Sir Kabier of Cuican City; and the second son, Buleidun, is studying at the Wushan Extraordinary Academy."

He raised his eyebrows and spread his hands, "I have never heard of Earl Wiggins having a son named Luoning Liehuofengbao. What, an illegitimate child?"

"You..."

Luoning raised his hand, signaling Maiken that there was no need to argue. He held the reins with both hands, sitting on his horse without impatience.

"They say Shanlin Town is exceptionally remote and barren, and that news should be slow to reach here. I didn't expect that even though you live in the mountains, you could hear so quickly about the eldest grandson of Wushan Castle having his inheritance rights revoked."

Luoning chuckled, "Then you should know that Luoning changed his surname to Firestorm, right?"

The other party's expression changed slightly, realizing they had accidentally let something slip.

Luoning did not want to waste words with them either, so he laid his cards on the table, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be the Administrator of Shanlin Town; tell me your name."

"The outside world belittles you as a fool, but seeing you today, it is clear that rumors are not to be trusted." The man stopped playing dumb and raised his hand to perform a Knight Salute.

"Lord Baron, I am Pulinsite, the Administrator of Shanlin Town, and also the manager and protector of Shanlin Town."

Luoning narrowed his eyes and frowned.

The title of Administrator was granted to the other party by Wushan Castle. But "manager" and "protector" were clearly titles the other party had added for himself.

Judging by the other party's tone and attitude, he likely already considered himself the master of Shanlin Town.

That was why Pulinsite had brought troops to welcome Luoning, and why he remained on horseback to speak with Luoning instead of dismounting to salute.

Luoning did not know what the other party was relying on, but it was obvious that he would not easily relinquish the throne of the "de facto lord" of Shanlin Town.

Or perhaps the other party was using this display of force to try and extract some benefits from him, the lord?

Luoning swept his gaze over the troops at Pulinsite's side; there were four cavalrymen, twenty Infantry, and he even saw three Archers.

According to what Lulansi had said, Shanlin Town had a population of no more than a thousand, so the fact that they could field so many men as Guard was somewhat beyond Luoning's expectations.

"Very well, Mr. Administrator Pulinsite, now you can tell me your purpose."

(End of this chapter)