Into the Mountains

Leaving Lakeside Town and following the main road northeast, they would pass through two territories.

The first was Pasture City, ruled by the Iron Hoof Viscount Family.

Pasture City was famous for horse breeding. At least half of the Common Horses and Warhorses in Wushan Territory came from Pasture City.

The Iron Hoof Family was an ancient family that had existed even before the Orlant Empire split apart, and it held considerable status within Wushan Territory.

Luo Ning had originally planned to purchase supplies in Pasture City, but there was no need for that now.

The second territory they passed through was Swamp Town, ruled by Baron Leysen of the Sain Family.

The previous self knew little about this family, only that the current Baron of the Sain Family seemed to be an Advanced Peak Knight.

As the noble territory closest to Mountain Forest Town, Sain Territory could be considered Luo Ning's neighbor. He planned to pay them a visit when he had the time.

After passing through Sain Territory and continuing north, they saw rolling hills ahead.

The mountains were not high, at most one or two hundred meters, and their slopes were gentle. However, there were so many of them, stretching endlessly across the land, that Mountain Forest Town had become difficult to reach and remote.

Luo Ning took out a map. It only roughly marked Mountain Forest Town's location, so precise navigation with it was clearly impossible.

Fortunately, there was a path through the forest that people had traveled before, pointing them in the right direction.

"It's noon. Everyone, rest here for now."

Luo Ning had Chahar inform everyone to take a break while he stood on the little forest path.

"My lord, the road into the mountains doesn't seem easy to travel," Macken reminded him.

"That's inevitable."

Luo Ning sighed and crouched by the roadside. "But there are wheel tracks here. Clearly, Carriages from Mountain Forest Town have traveled out before. If they can get out, then we can get in."

Mountain Forest Town had no lord, yet there were wheel tracks on the road. This showed that aside from the people Wushan Castle sent to collect taxes every year, the residents inside also had contact with the outside world.

That was only normal.

Mountain Forest Town did not have every necessity required for human survival. Some things still had to be bought elsewhere.

"Once we reach Mountain Forest Town, if everything goes smoothly, I'll organize a hunting team and see whether we can hunt Demon Beasts."

"If we can obtain Demon Beast hides, Elrond and I can learn how to make Spell Scrolls."

He still had three bottles of the "ink" Pedro had left behind for making Spell Scrolls. If not for their lack of Demon Beast hides, he and Elrond would have begun learning to make Spell Scrolls long ago.

Forming a hunting team was a decision Luo Ning had made after careful thought.

After all, those who lived by the mountains ate from the mountains, and those who lived by the water ate from the water. Since they were close to the Magical Beasts Mountain Range, they had to make use of the Demon Beasts.

Materials from Demon Beasts could be sold for money, while Spell Scrolls were an industry derived from them.

Of course, that was only if everything progressed smoothly. They would have to wait until things had stabilized first.

"Elrond is willing to serve you, my lord!" the mage respectfully responded to Luo Ning's proposal.

Over the past two days, Elrond had been the idlest of them all.

Unlike Macken, he could not guide Luo Ning in sword practice and combat. Nor did he need to train like the guards. When he had nothing to do, he could only refine his mana. He was both the idlest and the most bored.

With nothing else to do, Elrond could only browse the books in the carriage and broaden his knowledge.

"You don't need to worry about having nothing to do. Once we reach the territory, I doubt anyone will have time to be idle."

Luo Ning looked ready to throw himself into a major undertaking. After all, it was his own territory—the mountains, the water, and the people all belonged to him. Failing to develop it properly would truly be a waste.

After a simple lunch, Luo Ning led the group on the road once more.

The mountain road was full of potholes, and in some places rainwater had washed out deep ruts. The Carriages had a very difficult time moving through it.

For comfort, Luo Ning stopped riding in the carriage and chose to travel on horseback instead.

"To get rich, build roads first!"

It was a timeless truth, but as he looked at the many rolling hills, though none were particularly tall, he knew road building would be an enormous undertaking.

"Building a flat road from Mountain Forest Town to the outside world won't be possible in the short term."

Luo Ning sighed. They could only take things step by step and first make sure Carriages could pass through safely.

"Elrond, do you think there are spells or Battle Skills that can split mountains?"

"Definitely!"

Elrond was utterly certain. "Mages draw upon the World Elements to cast spells, and the World Elements are boundless. As long as a mage is powerful enough and can mobilize enough of them, I'm certain the power would be enough to split mountains!"

"You have a point."

Luo Ning turned to Macken. "You have the Earth Attribute. Do you think there are Battle Skills that can split mountains?"

Battle Skills used a knight's own Battle Qi. In terms of power, they were generally weaker than spells, but Macken also gave an affirmative answer.

"Definitely. It should just be more difficult than using magic."

Luo Ning nodded. "Then in the future, I'll leave the road from Mountain Forest Town to the outside world to you."

Macken said, "Uh... if my lord needs it, I'll do my best!"

"Ha~"

As the group entered the mountains, the weather became less hot. Especially when the mountain breeze blew, the coolness during their rests was wonderfully pleasant.

However, by the latter half of the night, it became somewhat cold. Without enough bonfires, they would probably catch a chill.

Fortunately, they lacked everything here except wood.

The road was difficult, and Luo Ning's group traveled for more than a full day before finally crossing a small hill and spotting the town in the distance ahead.

Luo Ning glanced at the huge stone by the roadside. Written clearly on it in red were the name of the town ahead—Mountain Forest Town!

"We're finally here!" he said happily.

They had set out on the fourth, and now it was noon on the thirteenth. After ten days of travel, they had finally nearly reached their destination.

Hearing Luo Ning's voice, the guards began cheering as well.

Many of them had doubted at the beginning whether they could reach Mountain Forest Town safely. Now that it stood before their eyes, they had done it!

For people who had barely ever left Wushan City since birth, this was both a challenge and an achievement—something they would tell their descendants about in the future.

"Chahar, we'll rest here at noon!"

Luo Ning ordered with a smile, "Make sure everyone eats their fill and rests well. This afternoon, we'll enter the town!"

"Yes, my lord." Chahar swiftly went to make the arrangements.

Luo Ning dismounted, and David took the reins he handed over and stood nearby. Ever since the boy had become a Beginner Knight, Luo Ning had arranged for him to remain by his side.

"Mountain Forest Town's terrain is pretty good. It isn't the mountain town I imagined."

Luo Ning stood in the middle of the road and looked out at the distant town.

Seen from the slope, Mountain Forest Town lay on a plain between the mountains. Though there were hills within the town, they were not high and were much gentler than the peaks they had crossed on the way here. It had the typical features of hilly terrain.

"I remember Holwart saying that after crossing the forest to the east and north of Mountain Forest Town, one would reach the sea."

The sea was also a resource. If he could extend his territory to the coast, that would be an extremely valuable thing.

Withdrawing his gaze, Luo Ning walked over to the marker—the large stone—and patted it twice. It was heavy, weighing at least several hundred pounds.

"Macken, I have a task for you."

Macken stepped forward. "My lord, please tell me."

Pointing at the large stone, Luo Ning said, "Once we've settled down and have some free time, move this road marker for me."

"No problem!"

Macken examined the stone. If he was going to move it, he would probably need to use a carriage.

"My lord, where do you want me to move it?"

Luo Ning pondered briefly. "Along this road, move it about fifty li south first."

"Oh, right. If it's inconvenient to move, just smash this stone and set up another road marker fifty li away."

Hearing that, Elrond laughed. "Congratulations, my lord. Your territory has expanded by another circle!"

"Haha, you understood what I meant right away!"

Judging from the route they had traveled, there was still plenty of undeveloped land in this area. Who knew whether Count Wiggins might send a Pioneer Knight over to compete with him for territory?

First, he would move the territorial marker farther away. If anyone came later, they could argue with Luo Ning about it first.

"Macken, Elrond, David, you're all extraordinary individuals. Your observation is sharper than that of ordinary people. Keep a close watch on the surroundings during the rest. Report anything unusual immediately."

Although he had arrived in his own territory, Luo Ning had not lowered his guard after the previous assassination attempt by the guards.

He could not say whether those waiting to greet him were his subjects—or his enemies.