Chapter 11: New Hope Town, Affairs, and New Subordinates

A few days later, Jier and his entire caravan passed through the still-deserted Shichui Cunzi and drove into Huitou Forest, where the mist no longer appeared.

After traveling along the hard-packed road through the forest for half a day, what appeared before Jier's eyes was a simple, large camp full of vitality.

The outermost circle of large trees in Huitou Forest had already begun to be felled. It was noon, and some resting lumberjacks, upon seeing Jier's caravan appear, immediately shouted aloud and waved their arms at them in excitement.

Jier and his group also responded from their carriages.

At the same time, in the chaotic camp—the land of the future New Hope Town—people at the several towering scout towers built there also saw the caravan emerging from Huitou Forest.

"Knight Jier and his group are back!"

"Lord Jier's caravan is back! Notify everyone, and of course, those Dwarves too!"

A villager responsible for scouting and keeping watch on the simple wooden tower shouted through a wooden megaphone.

Everyone who had been walking slowly about the camp suddenly became as energetic as if they were clockwork automatons, and each person's face took on a much more spirited look, as if their backbone had appeared.

Many people even dropped what they were doing and ran specifically to the gate on the west side of the camp that connected to Huitou Forest, craning their necks in anticipation as they waited for Jier's caravan to return.

Although everyone knew that Jier was not returning this time to see them, but to take away those annoying Dwarves he had made an agreement with.

But this was also a good thing; once the Dwarves left, the entire Babotali Valley would belong entirely to them, the Humans! Once it became Human territory, how the Humans wanted to develop this place would be their own business.

Yes, the reason the villagers were so eager for Jier to return and take away those annoying Dwarves was that, over these past few days of building New Hope Town and developing Huitou Forest, the Humans and the Dwarves—who hadn't completely left yet—had broken out into several confrontations and arguments.

Fortunately, the Dwarves were eager to return home and had little interest in continuing to argue with the Humans, but this still made many people feel unhappy.

Regarding the felling of trees in Huitou Forest, the Dwarves said that it was a hidden barrier they had spent hundreds of years establishing, and they would not let the villagers fell trees wantonly.

Upon discovering the secret underground passages in Huitou Forest, the villagers were afraid of those poorly lit tunnels and wanted to fill them with dirt, but the Dwarves would not allow it, claiming they were their important defensive and scouting system, and no one was to block the passages before they left.

The villagers tried to exchange many building supplies with the villagers of Torito Cunzi, but the Dwarves claimed that since they were leaving, they needed these useful supplies more than the settled Human villagers, so the Dwarves pressured the villagers of Torito Cunzi and got their hands on these supplies.

One thing after another, it seemed that in everything, those Dwarves who were about to get lost were working against the villagers of New Hope Town.

They urgently hoped that Knight Jier could return as soon as possible and take those annoying Dwarves completely out of Babotali Valley.

The caravan drove slowly into the large construction site of New Hope Town, or rather, a larger, scattered camp without walls, amidst the welcoming crowd.

Everywhere there were excavated trenches and gradually dug house foundations.

Those trenches were the future drainage system for the village, with a waterway led from the water source in Torito Cunzi into the town, then passing through Huitou Forest and flowing directly into the small river in the forest. The village's various domestic sewage, excrement, and the like could all be dumped into these trenches, and for drinking water, one could draw from upstream of the clean waterway.

And the foundations for the various planned houses had already begun to be dug. The large amount of soil dug out was transported to the side of the town facing Huitou Forest. In the plan, this soil, combined with logs and stone materials from the nearby mountains, would be used to build a sturdy city wall for the town, spanning north to south and about two kilometers long and three meters high.

This wall would, like the stone wall on the east side of Torito Cunzi, become the main defensive means for protecting Babotali Valley.

Furthermore, that wall in Torito Cunzi would also need to be planned for heightening and thickening.

Unlike the west side, which faced Human civilized society, the forest and mountains beyond the stone wall to the east were truly primitive areas; even the Dwarves had not ventured deep into them, but had instead built a stone wall to separate the two sides.

Because Torito Cunzi lacked a powerful combat team after the Dwarves left, the stone wall on the east side of Torito Cunzi needed to be heightened and thickened to guard against monsters and beasts climbing over. This way, even if the strength of the combat team declined, there would be no need to worry about most monsters that could not climb over the stone wall.

These were not small projects, so even with sufficient manpower, the procurement of materials would take several, or even over a dozen, years.

After the caravan entered the town, except for a portion of the Warriors responsible for guarding the surrendered Soldiers, everyone else was dismissed and moved about freely. In particular, Warriors with family and friends were allowed to go home to see their brothers and sisters, and to hand over the large amount of money and spoils they had earned while out with Jier.

Yongqi and Maomao also unexpectedly ran out during the day and, rarely, began trading with several Merchants in the town.

Later, hearing the report from the Merchants, Jier learned that Yongqi and Maomao intended to sell the various metal items of all sizes they had acquired along the way—except for things the Maomaos could use directly—at a discount to the Merchants of New Hope Town.

Having been active in Human society along the way, they understood at least one thing: Humans were not short of metal materials; they only recognized coins! With coins, one could buy metal materials anywhere; without coins, even if a large amount of metal materials were placed in front of them, they wouldn't be able to take them away.

The Maomaos had become proficient in recognizing and using Human coins.

They knew that compared to various scattered metal items that were difficult to carry, precious, shiny coins that were small in volume and not so heavy were easier to carry.

Considering that Yongqi and Maomao had specifically asked about Jier's subsequent route, Jier guessed that they might use the coins in Dorn Town, which they were familiar with, to buy or even order a large amount of metal items that the Maomaos could use directly.

For example, smaller hand saws, mining picks, hammers, and other production tools, as well as daggers, long nails, and other items they could use directly.

Especially metal long nails; these metal tools, which Humans thought could only be used as construction tools, were seen by the Maomaos as excellent long-range projectiles. With a strike from their long tails, they could be launched powerfully and accurately to kill unarmored targets at short to medium range.

The improvement in the Maomaos' combat effectiveness from this was very obvious, so even though the demand for iron nails in New Hope Town was also high, they still found a way to spend their precious coins to buy a bag of iron nails.

The entire afternoon, Jier spent his time in the messy town, receiving reports from the various people in charge of the town's construction and soliciting their opinions. Jier had indicated more than once that he was not responsible for managing the town's affairs, but the people had already become accustomed to Jier's command and decision-making on the road previously. During the days when Jier and Priest Bata'er were both away, they couldn't make any decisions and could only act according to the previously discussed plans.

When they encountered things they couldn't solve, there was no other way; they could only pause the matter and wait for someone with prestige to make the final call. It was unfeasible to let them discuss and decide for themselves; no one in the town would submit to anyone else, and even Mr. Bafute, who managed everything, had limited energy, most of which was wasted on communication with the Dwarves.

And those stubborn Dwarves who couldn't understand human speech were truly more than Mr. Bafute could bear.

"Knight Jier, they are as stubborn as the stones on the mountain next to us. They seem to be listening to any of my proposals, but after I finish speaking, they completely disagree with even the slightest bit! I've had enough of them. Please take them away as soon as possible. If they don't leave, I can't get many things done here. Because they are obstructing everything."

Then there was the obstruction of logging, the prevention of people using the stones from the ruins in the center of Torito Cunzi, the refusal to let people dig the waterway, and so on. Even when digging foundations in the town, the Dwarves would come over to stop them, saying things like the digging of foundations in the town was causing cracks in the tops of their underground tunnels.

Jier was somewhat amused and annoyed; he had no choice but to say that they would rest temporarily in the town for one day and set off with the Dwarves the morning after next—if the Dwarves were ready to leave.

If the Dwarves were not ready, he would urge them tonight; at most, after four days, he had to leave no matter what.

Jier had already been delayed for a long time. Originally, it should have been him and Priest Bata'er riding quickly to Changmai Cunzi, bravely and peerlessly defeating those scoundrel Soldiers and Knight Hate like cutting melons and vegetables, and then, after rescuing the villagers of Changmai Cunzi, handing the villagers over to Priest Bata'er on the spot, which would have been the end of it. The round trip would have taken at most twenty-some days. As a result, from parting with the Kendall Army at Montoka City until now, more than a month had passed; he had been completely delayed by this matter for nearly fifty days.

He wondered if Knight Kela thought he had already died on this mission and had regretfully forgotten him?

It would be best if that were not the case, because Jier still had many knightly combat skills to learn from Knight Kela; he had only learned how to accumulate and simply use Life Energy, barely becoming a Knight-rank Warrior, and there were more things that needed further study.

By evening, after eating, Jier was still busy; various figures in the town, and even people from Torito Cunzi, had come looking for him.

He needed to act on behalf of Priest Bata'er to coordinate the exchange of some materials between New Hope Town and Torito Cunzi. It couldn't be done without him; both sides needed a heavyweight figure with status and the ability to speak to witness the matter, and it also had to be signed.

It was Jier who signed to confirm. Because Jier's signature could also be recognized by Priest Bata'er later. Moreover, with Jier's signature, he could barely leave a tiny bit of his own Life Energy on his name, which could be used for anti-counterfeiting to show that it was a matter confirmed by him personally.

Some of the talent from Torito Cunzi that Jier had previously taken a liking to also came over at this time.

This referred to the three Tusi Brothers and the Herbalist Suoye-Zuojigela; they were all rare talents that Jier favored, so he had the intention of hiring and subduing them to join his team.

But among the three Tusi Brothers who came over in the evening, only the second and third brothers were there; the eldest, Datus, had not returned.

"Where is Datus?" Jier met the two Tusi brothers in a spacious meeting tent. They were travel-worn, and although they had changed into new forest hunting gear, there was still a lot of dirt left from the journey.

They had evidently rushed home in a hurry and then rushed back to Babotali Valley.

Zhongtusi scratched his head in embarrassment, not knowing how to explain the situation. After all, Jier had requested that the three brothers join his command, but that kind of thing had happened with his eldest brother.

Xiao Tusi, however, did not feel embarrassed at all and said with a mocking tone: "Don't mention it, Knight. My eldest brother, he left home for a few years without returning, and who would have thought his wife would have given birth to another child for him."

"How old is the child?" Jier asked the most crucial question.

Zhongtusi said embarrassedly: "Just born not long ago..."

Clearly, this child could not possibly be the seed of Datus; Jier could not help but twitch the corner of his eye, and as for the uncomprehending Datus, he was likely still searching for who the real father of his "good big son" was at this moment.

"Then your family, nothing happened, right?" Jier asked.

"Who? My eldest brother? What could happen to him? Aside from this matter, my eldest sister-in-law has taken very good care of the family all these years, and the parents of us brothers have also been very well cared for. What could my eldest brother do to my eldest sister-in-law? She has already done well enough. Moreover, my eldest sister-in-law has always claimed that she was forced; it was a pitch-black night, and the village was silent..."

Seeing that Xiao Tusi was about to go on and on with a long-winded speech, Jier hurriedly interrupted him: "Alright, alright, I don't want to hear the story of that time. Since you two have come, that's perfect. Go to my caravan now and inform Xueya Site and the others who are still guarding it that you have officially joined the team. I am still very busy here; take my sword, and when my subordinates see my sword, they will know you are my people."

After saying this, Jier unbuckled his Hunting Sword and handed it to Zhongtusi to hold.

This single-handed Long Sword was quite heavy; Zhongtusi almost fell to the ground from not holding it steady. Xiao Tusi did not believe it, asked his second brother for Jier's sword, and only after handling it himself did he gasp and take a look at Jier's arms and legs.

One must know that Jier was always wearing armor and carried this weapon on the metal belt at his waist, and he carried it for an entire day at that. The thing they found strenuous to hold for a moment, Jier carried for a whole day without feeling it was heavy; his strength was truly something they could not imagine.

And did Jier not feel tired?

Jier did not feel tired at all; he even felt that the Hunting Sword, which originally had a suitable weight, was actually a bit light now?

If it weren't for the fact that Jier did not believe the strength enhancement given to him by the Dwarf God of Strength was permanent—things given on a whim would inevitably be taken away abruptly—Jier would have intended to re-equip his weapons and gear based on his current strength.

The person who subsequently walked into the meeting tent was the type of person Jier's team needed most at this time: the Herbalist Suoye-Zuojigela. Since parting ways with the Agricultural God Church's Bata'er Jiaoshi, Jier's team had been without anyone capable of providing medical treatment.

This would not do; a team lacking medical support could not go far, especially when dealing with various situations other than combat injuries, the entire team needed someone to be responsible for medical affairs.

Previously, everyone was working for the Agricultural God Church, so the accompanying Bata'er Jiaoshi naturally shouldered all the large and small medical affairs of the team. From treatment during combat to physical discomforts like headaches and fevers, and even clearing internal parasites, it was all handled by the Priest.

Once he left, or rather, after Jier and his team resolved the matters of the Agricultural God Church, they had to find a new medical talent.

Of course, it was not impossible to go without such a team member, but timely treatment during and after combat would be gone, and everyone would have to be more careful when fighting to avoid getting injured. Moreover, every time they reached a town, they would have to spend money to find Herbalists and Church Priests to treat the team members' physical ailments.

"Bata'er Jiaoshi is currently responsible for the management of the rescued people in Changmai Cunzi and all subsequent affairs; it is estimated that it will be at least half a month before he can depart from Changmai Cunzi and come toward Xinxiwang. And after he leaves, the medical side of my team will rely entirely on you!"

Jier invited Zuojigela to sit down and talk, and got straight to the point to discuss the salary for hiring him.

Hearing the not-insignificant salary offered by Knight Jier, Herbalist Zuojigela nodded inwardly, but he still spoke of his troubles in a low voice with a worried expression: "Lord Jier, I really cannot hide it from you; I have also encountered troublesome matters these days. If I cannot resolve these troubles, it will be difficult for me to go with you and focus on being responsible for the health of the warriors in your team."

Jier's mouth twitched, and he piled a smile onto his face: "It's fine, tell me about it; I still have some ability. Perhaps the things you find difficult to solve can be resolved by me in a few moments. You are an important talent I value; your matters are the matters of me and all the warriors in my team. Tell me."

Zuojigela lowered his head in embarrassment and spoke softly: "My Lord, there are two matters. The first matter is..."

?? Welcome everyone to subscribe to this book, add it to your favorites, and vote for this book with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and rewards. Thank you all.