Change

Watching the puzzled look in Nord's eyes, Harlen glanced at the crest on Nord's chest, his expression extremely complicated.

"Every Amon Eagle is wild and unyielding. They are the rulers of the sky; no other bird dares challenge their majesty. Legend says that eagles cast their young into different places, and only those that can fly to the highest peak of the Amon Mountains, Monhere Peak, can earn their race's recognition."

It was Nord's first time hearing the origin of his family crest. Though he had heard it from a stranger, he wanted to ask Harlen why he knew so much. Before he could speak, Harlen changed the subject.

"Benny's father has gone hunting. This old man still has a little standing around here, so I'll go tell the mountain folk this good news. It'll spare them some suffering too."

Harlen avoided Nord's gaze and slowly made his way toward the other mountain folk's homes with his cane. Nord could only sigh helplessly, deciding to look for another chance to sound him out later.

Nord followed Harlen as they notified every household. Nearly all the adult men had gone out hunting, leaving only women and children at home. Nord had Ryman, Old Mor, and the others lead the starving women and children to dig yams near the stronghold, while he remained behind to wander around the stronghold.

As the sun set in the west and darkness gradually fell, the men who had gone hunting returned to the stronghold one after another. Some of those who had come back empty-handed looked deeply worried, unsure how they could face the wives and children waiting at home. They returned burdened by guilt, only to discover an unexpected surprise.

Nord remained at Benny's home, hoping to learn more about Harlen's background. But Harlen was an old fox, and Nord gained nothing.

Benny's father was named Wagner. He was in his forties, about the same age as Old Mor, but far sturdier. Even a starving camel was bigger than a horse; though Wagner had grown thinner with age, traces of his former powerful build could still be seen. The moment he entered, he fixed his gaze on Ryman among the crowd, as if he knew who was the strongest fighter among Nord's group.

Especially after learning that Ryman had once saved Benny's life, he immediately burst into hearty laughter and slapped Ryman's broad chest.

"So you saved my son's life! Good lad, you've got the build I had in my prime. If I were still young, I'd definitely have a match with you today. Unlike my son Benny, who's so skinny he could be blown over by the wind!"

After saying that, he shot Benny a glare. Benny, who had been watching the show, immediately shrank back in fright, his eyes full of grievance.

Nord could neither laugh nor cry at Benny's unruly father. At such an age, he was still like this. Nord could not help mocking Benny's family inwardly: the old one was learned and wise, the middle one was a reckless brute, and the young one was timid and weak. He had no idea how they had ended up as one family.

Nord stopped letting his thoughts wander. Since he had found Distant Mountain Stronghold, his plan to develop the mountains could finally begin. Thus, he turned his gaze toward Harlen, the oldest and wisest elder of Distant Mountain Stronghold.

"Mr. Harlen, do you know where the nearby strongholds are located?"

Harlen examined Nord. A glint of sharpness shone through his clouded eyes as he said with an unreadable smile.

"Viscount Nord, I'm merely a little older, not some grand old gentleman. There are quite a few strongholds around here. Distant Mountain Stronghold is the southernmost stronghold in the Amon Mountains. Once you pass South Boundary Mountain, the strongholds start becoming more numerous."

A puzzled expression appeared on Nord's face. Did South Boundary Mountain hold some special significance?

"Why do the strongholds become more numerous after South Boundary Mountain?"

Harlen's gaze became deep and distant, making Nord's scalp tingle. After a long while, Harlen sighed and spoke meaningfully.

"Hardly anyone remembers how many years ago it happened. In any case, the mountain folk of the Amon Mountains have lived north of South Boundary Mountain for generations. They have never taken a single step beyond it."

Hearing Harlen say this, Nord seemed to have guessed something. He cautiously probed further.

"Then can we try to change that now?"

Harlen looked at Nord with a smile, as if he had heard something very amusing. Even his tone changed.

"Viscount Nord, how exactly do you intend to change it? Do you think changing the rules Amon Stronghold has upheld for a thousand years is as easy as saying a few words?"

Nord met Harlen's gaze directly, his eyes full of sincerity and confidence as he tried to persuade him word by word.

"There is an old saying in my homeland: when things are poor, change is needed; with change comes progress; with progress comes endurance. If I had not come, who knows how much longer Distant Mountain Stronghold could have held on? How many people would have starved through the freezing nights every year? The time for change has come. Can you truly bear to let your descendants suffer the bitterness of poverty and hunger year after year?"

No one knew which words had moved Harlen. The elderly man stared blankly at Nord, his expression dazed. Looking at Nord's sincerity, Harlen seemed to recall something. He sighed, and his gaze gradually became firm as he slowly spoke.

"Go on, viscount Nord. What do you intend to do? I'll do my best to help you. These old bones of mine still carry a little weight among the nearby strongholds."

Nord was overjoyed. He had not expected the seemingly stubborn Harlen to agree so readily. A smile naturally spread across his lips. After thinking carefully, Nord cautiously explained his plan to Harlen.

"This is what I'm thinking. First, in my name, we'll spread word of yams to the surrounding strongholds, so they can safely survive the Frost and Cold seasons."

A trace of approval flashed through Harry's eyes. He admired Nord's willingness to spread news of yams to the surrounding strongholds. Not every noble was so selfless. In Harlen's memories, nobles were selfish bloodsuckers, even if Nord had a few clever tricks of his own.

"In your name, Viscount Nord Isaac, I will spread this good news to every stronghold in the Amon Mountains. For the sake of the Amon Eagle, I will do my utmost to help you."

Nord lowered his head and looked at his family crest again. Could Harlen be connected to his family? It seemed he would have to investigate it carefully in the future. But when he remembered that he was the Isaac Family's only remaining heir, Nord developed a headache. There was not much left to investigate. He quickly cast the matter aside and began explaining the next part of his plan to Harlen.

"I plan to establish a trade relationship with Distant Mountain Stronghold first. I'll use the resources in my hands to exchange for medicinal herbs, furs, and other resources from the Amon Mountains, then gradually expand to the surrounding strongholds. I believe you also deeply desire the resources from the outside world."

Harry was somewhat surprised. He had not expected the young viscount Nord to be so steady. Rather than making sweeping changes to the stronghold's rules, he intended to slowly break down the barriers in the mountain folk's hearts through this gentle approach.

Harlen also greatly approved of this method. Without question, it was a more experienced way of handling things, making Harlen regard Nord even more highly. It seemed this young viscount was even more outstanding than he had believed.

"For now, we'll treat Distant Mountain Stronghold as a pilot site and slowly push forward our reforms. I believe this will be like a raging torrent. Once it gains momentum, it will surge onward, unstoppable!"

The immortal firebird had opened a new dynasty. I won't even mention Fist's music video. Congratulations to FPX on their rebirth! Hopefully next year will be called the Golden Rain. Tian was truly fierce, and every player coming out of YM was stronger than the last. So the question was, who had been acting against Teacher Piao? There was a mole. Abort the trade.