Clearing the Surroundings

"Quick, quick, doctor! Doctor, someone is injured here!"

A group of armored soldiers rushed into a medical clinic, carrying a stretcher in their midst. On it lay a soldier with a blood-soaked face; his armor had been punctured by a hole the size of a fist, and the area was drenched in bright red blood.

"Bring him here, gently, be gentle."

An old man in gray robes approached, his movements soft as he began to remove the soldier's shattered armor.

"Hiss!"

The old man's brow furrowed tightly. Once the armor was removed, he realized the soldier's condition was even worse than he had imagined. The wound was bleeding incessantly, and shards of armor were embedded deep within, making it incredibly difficult to clean.

The medical facilities at Crouching Dragon Ravine were poor; without priests or healers, saving him would be a struggle.

Yet, no matter how difficult, the old man prepared to try. After all, this was a living, breathing life.

"Bang!"

Lin Lei slammed his hand onto the table with a thunderous crash, sending pens and papers scattering across the floor.

"This is the fifth incident! The fifth damn beast attack. We have already lost five civilians and three soldiers."

"My Lord, this is unavoidable. We are in a savage land. Previously, our numbers were small, our range of activity was limited, and with your protection, we avoided such things. Now that our territory has expanded, the civilians' range of activity has gradually reached the edge of the Gloomy Forest, and our number of soldiers is too low to cover everything," Allen analyzed rationally.

"No, I cannot allow more casualties among my people and soldiers. It will severely damage morale, strip them of their sense of security and belonging, and hinder the further development of the territory. Besides, in my eyes, every one of these people is a vibrant life; I cannot be like a politician and treat them as cold numbers." Lin Lei stood up, stroking his chin as he paced back and forth in the hall.

"Where is Furell? Have him come see me."

"Yes."

Allen hurried out.

Before long, he returned with a bewildered Furell in tow. By then, Lin Lei had composed himself and was sitting in his chair.

"Both of you, sit. Allen, do you think our soldiers have the strength to conduct a 'Small Hunting Festival' around us to clear out the magical beasts and alien races within a ten-kilometer radius?"

"It would be difficult. Although our soldier count reached 600 after taking in 5,000 new residents, organizing a sweep is like looking for a needle in a haystack—a drop in the bucket. Furthermore, we don't know how many beasts are out there, how dangerous they are, or if there are any exceeding the Gold rank." Allen spoke plainly, his words like a bucket of cold water poured over Lin Lei.

"What if we include the goblins from Green Goblin Town? They have nearly five hundred troops. With their strength, could we carry out a 'hunt'?" Lin Lei refused to give up; he believed there was always a way.

"If we add the forces of Green Goblin Town, it might be worth a try. Over a thousand troops would be enough to clear the surrounding beasts, but I do not know if Chief Furell can support this operation." Allen looked toward Furell.

Lin Lei also turned to Furell, who had remained silent. "Chief Furell, what is your unique insight on this? If you have any concerns, feel free to speak."

"My Lord, I have no objections. As long as you give the order, Green Goblin Town can dispatch all our warriors and mages," the Bugbear Furell said, patting his chest boldly.

"Good. Since Commander Allen and Chief Furell both agree, this hunting operation will begin the day after tomorrow." Lin Lei thought aloud. "The hunting range will span ten kilometers south to ten kilometers north of Crouching Dragon Ravine. During the hunt, all civilians must stay indoors to avoid being accidentally harmed by fleeing beasts. At the same time, all soldiers of Crouching Dragon Ravine and all goblin warriors of Green Goblin Town must be coordinated under a unified plan. If we can swarm the beasts, do not split up your attacks..."

After hearing Lin Lei's instructions, Allen and Furell exited the council hall to execute the orders.

This hunting operation was essentially a small-scale war. Though limited in size, it was a war nonetheless. And a war is won through preparation and logistics. As the saying goes, "The army moves, but the grain and fodder go first." While not quite that extreme, there was much for Allen and Furell to prepare.

For instance, they needed at least two days' worth of rations and drinking water. Within this area of several hundred square kilometers (a circle with a ten-kilometer radius), tens of thousands of creatures lived; for the soldiers, this would be a prolonged battle. Returning to the territory during this time would be impossible, so water and food had to be ready.

Additionally, they needed to prepare the soldiers' weapons and armor. Well-maintained gear was to a soldier what a helmet is to a rider—it could protect their lives at critical moments. For soldiers mostly at the Bronze rank with a few at the Silver rank, iron armor was far tougher than their own flesh, and sharp weapons were essential for killing enemies and piercing the defenses of magical beasts.

To this end, when Lin Lei returned to Crouching Dragon Ravine, he had specifically purchased a thousand sets of finished armor and weapons, distributing them to every soldier upon enlistment. Of course, for Green Goblin Town, Lin Lei had sent two hundred sets of weapons and armor along with the food supplies, effectively bolstering their military strength.

Inside the Elder Hall of Green Goblin Town.

Furell was relaying the details of the joint hunting operation to the elders.

"The Lord has ordered our Green Goblin Town to dispatch troops to join them in clearing out the surrounding indigenous tribes and magical beasts. Do any of the elders have any objections?"

"We cannot go. What if Baron Lin Lei is just trying to deplete our strength? If he makes our goblins fight the magical beasts, our already limited number of goblin warriors will die in vain in these useless battles, and Green Goblin Town will no longer have the strength to stand against Crouching Dragon Ravine."

No sooner had Furell finished speaking than the Bugbear mage jumped up to refute him.

"Chief, I believe we should go. This could be the human Baron testing whether our submission is genuine. If we truly refuse, I fear our Green Goblin Town, which has only just begun to show signs of improvement, will be reduced to ruins. Ever since we became vassals of Crouching Dragon Ravine, the human Baron has frequently sent us food and weapons, and even dispatched professionals to help us plan the development of Green Goblin Town. If we disobey Baron Lin Lei's orders, we would be no better than ungrateful wolves who cannot be tamed."

As soon as the Bugbear mage finished, a thin, elderly mage stood up to argue. He and the Bugbear mage were at constant odds; he opposed whatever the Bugbear agreed with, and supported whatever the Bugbear opposed.

"You..."

The Bugbear mage was so furious his eyes bulged like a bull's.

"The development of our Green Goblin Town was earned by our own efforts! The human Baron took our stored furs and ores in exchange for food and weapons. We deliver timber to them every day, and only then does he help us develop. It is an equal exchange."

"Pfft, an equal exchange? Who would you have traded with if Baron Lin Lei weren't here? What we need is a lord who can communicate with the human world. It was he who gave us this opportunity, not something you can conjure just by flapping your lips."

The elderly mage laughed aloud, leaving the Bugbear mage speechless.

Furell slammed his hand on the table three times, cutting off the elderly mage before he could continue. He turned his head toward the Great Elder Vix, who was sitting at the head of the table, and asked, "Great Elder, what are your thoughts?"

Vix, who had remained silent until now, opened her eyes. The people around them fell quiet, staring at the Great Elder.

"Since we have chosen to walk this path with the Baron, we must see it through to the end. Besides, haven't you already made your decision? Do as you see fit."

Furell nodded and said, "Back at Crouching Dragon Ravine, I already promised the Lord that we would dispatch five hundred goblin warriors to participate in this 'hunt.' Since the Great Elder supports it as well, have everyone prepare immediately. The 'hunt' is scheduled for the morning after tomorrow."

Furell took Vix's advice into account and decided to participate in the "hunt."

"We only have a little over five hundred goblin Champions. If you take so many, Chief, what will happen to the defense of Green Goblin Town? You know there is a Kobold tribe nearby that has been eyeing us covetously. Without guards, Green Goblin Town will be breached by them."

A limping goblin mage said.

"The purpose of the 'hunt' is precisely to eliminate them. Once the tribal Champions head to Crouching Dragon Ravine, Green Goblin Town must remain vigilant. No women or children are to leave the town. As long as the Kobolds don't get wind of this immediately, they will cease to exist once the 'hunt' is over."

Inside the Lord's Mansion at Crouching Dragon Ravine.

"My Lord, I want to participate in this operation too. Staying in my room alone without students to teach is so boring," Aierlan said, tugging at Lin Lei's clothes.

"No. This operation is extremely dangerous. Even I am not certain I won't be injured, and as a Silver-rank mage, you would be even more vulnerable. Be obedient. Once we clear out the threats around the territory, I will bring my parents and sister here. You won't be bored then."

"Ah, you're bringing your parents over too?"

Aierlan felt a sudden flutter of nerves. Every girl feels flustered at the prospect of meeting her beloved's parents.

"Yes, my parents are still living in Wheat Town. Although they have the protection of the town mayor, it is never as safe as being with me. Before, Crouching Dragon Ravine wasn't secure enough to protect them. Once the hunt is over, there will be very few enemies left to threaten us, and I can bring my parents and sister here. You will have to teach my sister, Avril, how to use magic then."

Lin Lei continued.

"I will, I will."

Upon hearing that Lin Lei's parents were coming to Crouching Dragon Ravine, Aierlan's desire to join the operation vanished into thin air, and she began to ponder how she would face Lin Lei's parents.