North Wind Fortress Log (I)

With disheveled hair and tattered clothes, Lang Li Bai Tiao finally saw the tall city wall in the distance.

"We've finally arrived— North Wind Fortress."

He immediately burst into tears.

He had endured a very difficult few months, but he had managed to survive even once. He was first knocked unconscious by a tribe of Hill Giant on the edge of Storm Highlands and captured as food. Just as he was about to be roasted, he used the skillful hands of Rogue to untie the ropes and then escaped using Obscuring Mist.

But as soon as he escaped one danger, he fell into another. Half-orc who were robbing Lang Li Bai Tiao spotted his equipment, stripped him naked, and enslaved him. He worked in the mines for more than a month until he finally escaped and came to North Wind Fortress.

Recalling this unbearable experience, Lang Li Bai Tiao gritted her teeth.

"This time in North Wind Fortress, I'm determined to make a name for myself!"

Dozens of guards patrolled the city gates, their chests bearing the emblem of Eagle Shield, the city's City Defense Army of North Wind Fortress and the guardians of order in the Lakman Duchy. At this time, the city was on high alert, and everyone entering had to undergo inspection and questioning.

People come and go here, including merchants driving horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians hurrying along their way.

Lang Li Bai Tiao quickly pulled down his hood and followed the crowd, trying to sneak through.

However, a long spear stood in front of him.

"Stop!"

"Five Silver Coin are required for you to enter the city."

Lang Li Bai Tiao froze instantly. He had no money at all. All his belongings had long been stripped off by the Half-orc. Even this hooded robe was stolen from a merchant caravan on the road. He was penniless.

Thinking of this, a fawning smile appeared on his face:

"Sir, all my money was stolen outside the city; I need to go back."

The guard glared at him, pointed his gun at his nose, and shouted sternly, "How are we supposed to know if you're a real resident? Don't try to fool us!"

The smile on Lang Li Bai Tiao's face immediately turned ashen. He turned to leave dejectedly, but was stopped again.

"Stop!"

"Sir, is there anything else you need?"

"Who let you leave? What if you're a spy?"

The Lang Li Bai Tiao was on the verge of tears.

Is there no law anymore? They won't let him in, and they won't let him leave. What are they supposed to do?

Lang Li Bai Tiao initially considered taking a gamble and using the Obscuring Mist to escape. However, upon further reflection, he realized that after enduring so much hardship to get here, using the Obscuring Mist would confirm his identity as a spy. If he were to be riddled with bullets and return to the Respawn Point, wouldn't all his arduous journey have been for nothing?

He might even be ridiculed by his haters, with phrases like "Why is this Lang Chu back?" and "Welcome Lang Chu!" already popping into his mind.

Thinking of this, the usually reckless and fearless Lang Li Bai Tiao gritted his teeth and thought to himself, "Then I'll just stay here and not leave! Even if I get caught and taken into the city, that's fine!"

This time he really didn't court death!

The Lang Li Bai Tiao chatted casually with the guards.

"My lord, the weather is really nice today."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"You look really handsome!"

However, the guards remained indifferent, continuing to arrest the vagrants and beggars who tried to slip through, which led to an increasing number of people standing Lang Li Bai Tiao.

Soon, another group of guards arrived.

They, the refugees, were then handed over to the guards for escort, and finally entered the city gates of North Wind Fortress.

The city was bustling with activity and quite prosperous, but the refugees were escorted to a little-known alley and made to walk along this road.

The Lang Li Bai Tiao asked, somewhat puzzled, "Where are we going?"

Why aren't you saying anything?

The captain of the guards didn't even turn his head, treating him as if he were dead.

As the group ventured deeper into the area, the atmosphere grew somewhat eerie. Finally, the Lang Li Bai Tiao came into view of a rather large stone building with a worn-out wooden plaque hanging above it—"Refugee Shelter."

The area is surrounded by a vast, dark forest, and there are few people around, except for the guards at the entrance of the shelter and this group of refugees.

"Could it be another sweatshop?"

The Lang Li Bai Tiao couldn't help but shiver.

He was taken into this so-called "refugee camp" along with the other refugees.

The room was surrounded by rusty iron cages, often containing congealed black bloodstains, as well as traces of urine and feces that had not yet been cleaned up. The air was filled with a strong, metallic stench.

Meanwhile, the Lang Li Bai Tiao was taken to a deeper underground level and locked in an iron cage.

Where is this?

"Holy crap."

In the darkness, the lights flickered.

He looked around and saw thin, pale-faced humans locked in those iron cages.

Those people were all dressed in rags, their thin bodies covered in filth and dirt. They were either curled up or lying in iron cages, some of which could fit more than ten people. There were rustling sounds coming from inside.

They no longer resembled humans; they were more like a pack of animals waiting to be slaughtered—or rather, that was the truth.

After hesitating for a moment, Lang Li Bai Tiao asked in a low voice.

Hey, do you guys know where this is?

Do you know how to get out?

As expected, the desired result was not achieved.

The emaciated "humans" all turned to look at him, their pupils glowing a scarlet eerie light in the darkness, their eyes looking at him as if he were food.

"Damn it, if you don't want to answer, fine, but you don't have to go this far."

The Lang Li Bai Tiao was startled.

"Food."

"Blood"

I want blood!

"I'm going to drain you dry—"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The "humans" gripped the iron bars of the cage and shook them, their faces pressed tightly against the bars, leaving red marks.

But they paid no heed; their gaunt, sunken faces twisted with madness, their expressions like those of a traveler dying of thirst in the desert finding water, filled with instinctive greed and desire.

Looking at those greedy and hungry eyes, the Lang Li Bai Tiao frowned slightly:

"Is this Vampire?"

"I never expected to find something like this here. Could it be—"

"Tap, tap, tap"

Rhythmic footsteps approached from the end of the corridor.

The surrounding Blood Slave immediately fell silent, trembling all over, like wild beasts encountering their natural enemy.

"What a disgusting bunch."

A cool, clear female voice came through.

A noblewoman dressed in heavy gowns walked slowly towards them. Her face was pale, and her delicate features revealed undisguised contempt for the "beasts" around her.

"Lady Alexia, it's him."

The guards standing beside him pointed to the Lang Li Bai Tiao and said respectfully.