Business Comes Knocking

When Avilan appeared in Chika Village again, nearly a hundred Catfolk swordsmen followed behind him, pushing more than twenty large carts. They all wore armor freshly forged by the Horned Demon blacksmiths, with full-cover helmets that made it impossible to see who wore them.

Such a large procession naturally drew the attention of Chika Village's villagers. Alarm bells rang out at once, and the village militia sprang into action, gathering at the entrance with the few weapons Cameron had left behind.

After only a few days apart, tall fences had been erected in many places around Chika Village. It was no longer as easy as before for outsiders to invade the village.

Avilan raised his head and could see the towering watchtower in the center of the village, capable of effectively monitoring the area for several hundred meters. That was also why Avilan's group had been spotted the moment they emerged from the Messiah Great Forest.

"Teacher, is that you?" Just as Avilan was worrying over how to greet them, a familiar voice rang out. A nimble little figure darted toward him, and when Avilan saw who it was, he could not help but laugh.

It was actually little Anxi. The little girl charged out of the village at an unbelievable speed and flew straight at Avilan.

This time, the one responsible for escorting the equipment was Tiger Fang, another Third-Tier Great Swordsman among the Catfolk. Because he was broad and fierce-looking, more tiger than cat, Avilan had given him the name Tiger Fang.

Tiger Fang had just been about to move when Avilan discreetly stopped him.

Anxi leaped into the air, jumping a full meter high before throwing herself into Avilan's arms. Avilan could only sigh that she truly was a little monster with nearly maxed-out growth potential.

"Teacher, it really is you! I missed you so much!" Anxi said affectionately before Avilan, leaving Tiger Fang staring in astonishment.

Was this truly still the cold and icy, never-smiling Great Lord of Despair from Despair Fortress?

"Alright, get down. It seems you've all changed quite a lot in the week or so since I left." As Avilan spoke, he surveyed the surroundings with interest.

Chika Village had truly changed a great deal. If the village militia had better equipment and platforms were built atop the wooden palisades, it would be almost like a small fortress.

"Light Wolf and Light Tiger greet our lord!" The two Light Spirit Swordsmen arrived a step later than Anxi and promptly paid their respects to Avilan.

"My lord, Essin City's envoy is in the village," Light Tiger said quietly as he watched Avilan's more than twenty carts being pushed into Chika Village.

The villagers, however, did not pay much attention to it. The village was currently as poor as a washed-out sack, and Avilan had saved their lives in the first place. They all assumed he was a traveling merchant, merely planning to store his goods in the village for the time being.

"Oh, that's fine. We can talk business with them while we're at it." The moment Avilan heard that an envoy from Essin City was present, his spirits rose. His main purpose in coming this time was to use Chika Village to establish contact with Essin City.

The more than twenty carts entered Chika Village, drawing over even the villagers still at work, including the envoy sent to Chika Village.

"What is Essin City's envoy doing here?" Avilan greeted the village chief with a smile, then asked Light Tiger beside him.

"I know!" Anxi immediately raised her hand. "Chika Village's former lord died some time ago during the conflict with Bilong City. His Lineage has no legal heir, so City Lord Kalons wants to incorporate Chika Village as an administrative village under Essin City."

Avilan looked around in surprise, then immediately understood. Compared to other regions, the land around Chika Village was all excellent farmland. Wheat fields spread around the village, dyed a lush green by the wheat. When the occasional breeze swept through them, they swayed gently. As everyone walked along the road, it felt as though they were soaking in a green pool.

"With such a large grain-producing area, if I were Essin City's lord, I would also try every possible means to keep it in my own hands. Weapons and equipment are the weapons of open warfare, while food is the source that sustains soldiers in battle," Avilan said with a smile. Anxi beside him nodded thoughtfully.

"Where is Wellington?"

"Brother went to work in the fields. Now it's just Brother and me at home..." Anxi's mood sank as she spoke.

Avilan did not comfort Anxi. Instead, he went straight to meet Essin City's envoy.

The two were invited to the village chief's home as guests.

"Greetings, Lord Aslan. My name is Mesa Edson, and I am Essin City's administrative minister." After respectfully offering a bow, Mesa introduced himself.

Avilan nodded, accepting the greeting. As for introductions, there was no need for one at all.

Essin City currently lacked the military strength to take control of Chika Village, likely because of Light Tiger and Light Wolf, the two Fourth-Tier Light Spirit Swordsmen.

After all, the strongest person in all of Essin City was only a Third-Tier Great Swordsman. They might not necessarily lose a war if they provoked a Fourth-Tier Swordmaster, but if these two infiltrated Essin City and devoted themselves to assassinations, no one could endure that.

"Tell me your purpose." Avilan sat there casually, while Anxi sat beside him playing with the little toy Avilan had given her—a magic crystal ball.

Judging by the glowing magical mark within the crystal, it was a crystal ball that had magic sealed inside.

In Essin City, even the cheapest fifth-level spell would cost dozens of gold coins.

Chika Village's annual taxes were less than twenty gold coins.

"That is the situation. I hope Lord Aslan can make things convenient for us." After Mesa explained Kalons's intentions, he hoped Avilan would agree to have Light Wolf and Light Tiger withdraw from Chika Village, making it easier for Essin City to take over the village.

"I don't want to involve myself in that. After all, I'm not from Chika Village. I came out this time to sell some local specialties." Avilan directly cut Mesa off and changed the subject.

His overbearing attitude was displayed to the fullest.

Here, he was the strongest. Every topic would be set by him.

Mesa clearly dealt with "strong people" often. He merely shook his head with a bitter smile and followed Avilan's lead. As for the mission concerning Chika Village, he no longer expected to accomplish it.

"That's more like it. I have a batch of weapons, armor, and grain piled up on hand, and I hope to sell them as soon as possible." Avilan clasped his hands on the table. The old village chief immediately brought over two cups of plain boiled water, then tried to pull Anxi away, only for Avilan to stop him.

"Let her stay here. It's good for her to learn more."

The old village chief immediately understood. As he lowered his head and left, a flicker of joy passed through his eyes.

Anxi gave Mesa a thoughtful glance, then went back to playing with her crystal ball.

"Grain and weapons and equipment!" Upon hearing Avilan's words, Mesa's voice unconsciously rose several decibels. Clearly, he had been stirred.