First Meeting with the Territory Residents

Chapter 35: The First Meeting with the Territory Residents

Luo Ning remained on the hillside for a long time. Only after confirming that the people from Sain Territory had left did he prepare to gather the troops and set off.

Although he had successfully navigated the immediate crisis, Luo Ning did not let his guard down regarding Sain Territory in the slightest.

He knew that Sain Territory's covetousness towards Mountain Forest Town would not disappear. The current situation was merely them choosing to avoid a direct conflict because Baron Leysen had some reservations.

When the day came that he no longer had these reservations, they would definitely launch a full-scale invasion.

And before those reservations disappeared, they might not openly target Luo Ning, but whether they would engage in covert actions was uncertain.

"Malt, starting today, you will wear a mask and change your name."

Malt, who was standing beside Luo Ning, felt incredibly conflicted at this moment.

He held both awe and fear for Luo Ning.

In the situation just now, lying on the ground pretending to be a corpse, he couldn't comprehend how much courage the Baron in front of him possessed to pull off that spectacular bluff.

Malt had truly seen something today!

As he tore off a piece of cloth from a corpse behind him and tied it over his face, he bowed and requested, "My lord, if possible, I would like to request that you bestow a name upon me!"

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow, not expecting this fellow to ask for a name from him.

"Then you shall be called Tom."

Malt respectfully knelt on one knee. "Thank you, my lord, for bestowing a name! Malt is in the past. From now on, I am merely your follower, Tom!"

Luo Ning nodded, mounted his horse, and the group slowly began to move, heading towards the town.

Macken, along with a few infantrymen on horseback, rode in front. Luo Ning, Elrond, David, and others were in the middle, followed by carriages carrying grain and the corpses.

He had not buried the people from Mountain Forest Town. After all, most of these people had relatives in Mountain Forest Town. Handing their bodies over to their families could be considered Luo Ning's benevolence.

Furthermore, he would inform everyone in Mountain Forest Town that Administrator Prinster had led the betrayal of Wushan Castle and had been eliminated by him, and that he would not pursue the crimes of the others.

This would also serve as a deterrent.

After all, Prinster had been operating here for nine years. Who knew if he still had followers or subordinates in Mountain Forest Town?

"Tom, do you have any other family?" Luo Ning asked.

"I... my mother is still alive."

Malt, who had transformed into Tom, immediately felt his heart tense. In his eyes, Luo Ning was someone who would kill without hesitation. He was afraid that Luo Ning would kill his mother like he had executed the captives, but he didn't dare to lie.

"What does she do?" Luo Ning asked.

"My lord, my mother, Leah, opened a tailor shop in town with a little money my father left behind and raised me with that small income."

Luo Ning nodded and said to Chahar, "After we arrive in Mountain Forest Town, Chahar, have Tom's mother come to the castle to work."

"Yes, my lord!" The manservant Chahar noted this down.

Tom secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness.

The group did not move quickly, but they arrived in town shortly.

Luo Ning finally saw his territory residents.

Regardless of gender, their faces were weathered, seemingly having endured much hardship, and their expressions were rather dull.

Perhaps only the children chasing and playing by the dilapidated longhouses retained a bit of vitality, making Luo Ning smile.

However, when these people saw that the last few carriages were filled with corpses, when they saw the blood dripping and leaving long trails on the ground, their faces were filled with fear. They quickly pulled their children and knelt by the roadside, not even daring to run.

The further Luo Ning walked towards the town center, the more people knelt.

Finally, on the smelly main street, he reined in his horse and stopped.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am from Wushan Castle, the legitimate grandson of Marquis Rulans, the lord of Wushan Territory. From today onwards, I am the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, your lord!"

Luo Ning cleared his throat. "My name is Luo Ning. Remember this name!"

The kneeling residents couldn't help but look up at Luo Ning, only to feel that the person sitting on the horse seemed to be radiating light all over, making it difficult to look directly at him.

Some of the more knowledgeable freemen saw the Wushan Family crest on the carriage and knew that Luo Ning was not lying.

They couldn't help but sigh, that after so many years, Wushan Territory finally had a true master, and this time it was not some pioneer knight, nor some newly appointed baron, but a direct bloodline of the Wushan Family!

Luo Ning tugged on the reins, coming to the last few carriages, his tone changing from the previous calmness.

"The former Administrator of Mountain Forest Town, Prinster, betrayed Wushan Castle, betrayed Mountain Forest Town, and betrayed his lord! They have all been executed by my knights!"

Those who had dared to look up at Luo Ning just now quickly lowered their heads after just a glance at the corpses.

"Towards traitors, I am never merciful!"

Luo Ning chuckled, his voice sounding rather cold to the residents. "My mercy is only for the residents loyal to me!"

The sound of hooves was crisp. With so many people kneeling on the street, no one dared to breathe loudly, but some couldn't help but weep.

Luo Ning looked over. Those must be the families of the traitors.

Seeing Luo Ning's gaze, they lowered their heads in panic, unsure of what to do.

"I believe that their betrayal was their personal act and does not involve their families."

Luo Ning didn't want to continue speaking in such an environment. "Any of you who are their family members can come up and claim their bodies. From now on, as long as you are loyal to Mountain Forest Town and loyal to me, I will not hold you accountable for anything."

With that, Luo Ning instructed his attendants, "David, you and two guards stay here and watch the carriage. Let their families come and claim the bodies."

He also whispered, "Remember to follow orders strictly. I've already explained what happened on the mountain. You know what to do."

"Understood, my lord!"

David selected two guards and shouted loudly, "The lord is merciful! You may come up and claim your family members' bodies!"

Everyone present remained motionless, none daring to step forward.

Luo Ning knew that with him here, they wouldn't have the guts. "Let's go, Tom. Take me to the castle in Mountain Forest Town."

"Yes, my lord!"

The castle of Mountain Forest Town was located on a hill in the northeast corner of the town. It was built over a decade ago by the first Baron and had been renovated and rebuilt by Prinster a few years prior.

Luo Ning had expected the castle to be very basic, but when he reached the outside, he found that wasn't the case.

Aside from being a bit small in size, the structure had everything a castle should: an outer and inner bailey, walls, a gatehouse, and watchtowers.

Prinster had acted as though he despised nobles, but his lifestyle was no different from one.

At this moment, the castle guards were all out, and Luo Ning and his party entered without any obstruction.

After entering Mountain Forest Castle, led by Tom, the guards rounded up all the castle's butler and servants.

Luo Ning, meanwhile, walked directly towards the fortress, which was built from discarded stones and appeared very sturdy, and sat on the "throne" at the top.

He thought of Rulans at Wushan Fortress that day.

That person had sat quietly on the high seat, not uttering a single word, but both Wiggins and the Golden Mad Lion of the Hyde Family had submitted to Rulans.

"The weak scream themselves hoarse, and no one cares; the strong speak softly, yet their words penetrate the heart!"

Looking at the servants of Mountain Forest Castle who were successively brought and made to kneel below, for a moment, Luo Ning experienced the thrill of becoming strong.

This feeling was truly captivating.