Map Expansion

After discussing some details with Harlen, Nord returned to Tami Village the next day. Only Old Mor chose to stay behind. He wanted to remain at Distant Mountain Stronghold for a while longer, and Nord agreed to his request. Not only was it for Old Mor's personal reasons, but leaving him behind would also greatly help Distant Mountain Stronghold's reform plans. After all, Old Mor had spent twenty years beyond the mountains and could more or less influence how some people viewed the outside world.

Everyone felt differently on the journey back. Although there were two fewer people than when they had arrived, everyone was in high spirits. First, Old Mor had finally found a home after twenty years. Though they had complained about him a little before, they were still happy for him at this moment. Second, they had heard Nord's plans before. Finding Distant Mountain Stronghold was extremely important to Tami Village's development. Though the hunters did not understand anything about development plans, they were delighted to be able to help the village and Lord Nord.

The hunters chatted and laughed along the way. Cindy, in Nord's arms, had recovered over the past two days. Her body was no longer as frail as before, and her fur had become softer and more lustrous. Her jet-black coat gleamed like a gemstone. Seeing everyone's joy, the little one seemed to catch their mood and suddenly leaped out of Nord's arms.

She landed lightly on the ground and happily darted around everyone's feet. Since the hunters knew the Little Mountain Cat was Lord Nord's pet, they were afraid of accidentally stepping on her. They also held a certain fear of the Black Mountain Cat.

Especially the hunter whom the Black Mountain Cat had approached that night. If Ryman had not acted decisively, he might already have died beneath its claws. Watching the kitten hop around at his feet, he recalled the terror of being dominated by the Black Mountain Cat that night. The cheerful atmosphere instantly turned tense, and everyone became cautious.

Cindy seemed to sense the change in mood. She looked up at everyone innocently, her clear eyes filled with confusion, and let out a soft little cry.

"Meow~"

As if she were saying, What are you doing? Keep having fun.

Naturally, the hunters could not understand what Cindy was saying. They instinctively kept their distance from her. Unable to feel the joyful mood, Cindy seemed a little dejected. She scampered back to Nord, then easily climbed up the outer robe of his Heraldic Armor, which hung down to his ankles, and onto his shoulder.

Nord took a moment to react. He had not expected Cindy to possess such a skill. Worried that she might fall from his shoulder, he slowed his pace and held out his right hand beneath her. But seeing that Cindy sat steadily on his shoulder without swaying as he walked, Nord relaxed. As expected of a spirit of the forest—even a one-month-old Little Mountain Cat possessed such outstanding balance.

Cindy sat on his shoulder and looked around from side to side. Nord also adjusted his stride to make his steps steadier. Then, without realizing it, Nord discovered that the system map had expanded.

The fog covering the area north of Wild Boar Cave, South Boundary Mountain, and Distant Mountain Stronghold had dispersed. The terrain between them was now clearly visible.

Nord took out the hand-drawn hide map from his clothes and compared it with the system's precise map. Looking at the crooked lines on the hide map, he found that it still bore some resemblance to the real map. Nord felt somewhat gratified. At least he had not let down his physical education teacher.

Judging from the map, South Boundary Mountain was roughly seventy or eighty kilometers from Wild Boar Cave. From South Boundary Mountain to Distant Mountain Stronghold was another twenty or thirty li. Including the mountain crossings, it would take at least two days to travel from Distant Mountain Stronghold to Wild Boar Cave at the fastest.

Before Nord could figure out why the map had expanded, he discovered that the Daily Quest, which had been stalled for so long, had been completed yesterday.

Daily Quest: Find a Mountain Stronghold

Quest Description: Countless mountain strongholds are hidden within the Amon Mountains, but the mountains block your path, making them difficult to discover. This quest tests not only your patience and perseverance, but also your luck. Set off and search for them. You will unveil the mysterious veil of the Amon Mountains.

Quest Reward: Experience ×500, Linen ×100, Gold Thaler ×100

Quest completed. Rewards distributed.

Nord had nearly forgotten about this quest. When he received it more than half a month ago, he had been conflicted. The rewards were indeed generous, but the quest was also very difficult. He did not know when he would be able to complete it, and if he spent that time completing easier quests, he would surely earn more than this quest's rewards. Nord could calculate that clearly enough.

But the system had not given Nord the right to choose. Once a quest was issued, it had to be completed, or there would be no next quest. So after so long, Nord had put this quest out of his mind. If he had not just discovered the map update, he would not have noticed that the quest had already been completed.

Since the rewards were already in hand, Nord did not intend to dwell on it. It was all in the past, and receiving the rewards was still good news. Filled with joy, Nord could not wait to return to Tami Village. He wondered how the renovations on his manor were going. His body was still on the road, but his heart had already flown back to Tami Village—to his grand villa.

Two evenings later, the group finally returned to Wild Boar Cave. The outpost had not changed, but the personnel left behind there were pleasantly surprised by Nord and the others' sudden return.

Because Nord had taken part of the guard with him to search for Distant Mountain Stronghold, the outpost was now short-handed. Only two hunters were left on watch each night.

In the lonely cave, the two of them faced the campfire alone. Outside, it was pitch-black, and wolf howls occasionally echoed through the darkness, putting considerable psychological pressure on the hunters.

With Nord and the others back, the cave suddenly became lively. The hunters eagerly shared the good news of finding Distant Mountain Stronghold, as well as their experiences along the way.

Holding the curious Cindy, Nord sat before the campfire and listened to the hunters boast to one another. He did not join their discussion, merely watching their noisy banter in silence.

Though the hunters were uneducated and lacked descriptive words, their speech was dry and sometimes disjointed. Yet that did not stop the others from listening with great interest. Other hunters would occasionally add a word or two. Nord could not help but sigh. Simple people found it easier to gain happiness in life. Sometimes, the more one understood, the harder it became to experience the taste of happiness.

Recently, Nord had felt somewhat melancholy every night, though he did not know where the sadness came from. Looking at the bright moonlight streaming through the cave entrance, Nord shook his head and stopped dwelling on it. No matter what, there had been plenty of good news lately. He should be happy too.

Looking down, Nord saw that Cindy was intently watching the hunters' animated conversation by the campfire, as if she could understand them. Her little ears twitched from time to time, making her look especially adorable.

Nord stopped paying attention to them. He set Cindy down and quietly went to his bed to rest. The past two days of travel had left him tired. Not long after lying down, Nord drifted into sleep. Half-asleep, he seemed to feel something leap onto him.

I apologize to everyone. I did not notice there were so many typos before. I am working hard to carefully go through the earlier chapters again. If you spot any, please help mark them for me. It is easy for one person to miss things. Thank you all for your support.