Chapter 575: Three Tasks
Chapter 575: Three Tasks
"Ah! Ah! Ahhhh~~"
"Oh, cruel fate, I curse you! Why can't lovers be together? Why must my beloved and I be separated? The cranes soar high, their loyalty wavers, and I sing alone, my shadow a lament in solitude."
"Ahhhh—Ow!"
In a moment of frustration, Silude lost her balance and tumbled out of her wheelchair.
Her loud cries turned into wails.
As evening approached, Silude, having finished her work at the University, was pushing her wheelchair back to Lindsey's residence.
Just as they had planned earlier.
With her teaching duties completed, she was about to start drawing the construction plans for the camp.
At that moment, in the town, even Grandpa Hammer had led a team away.
Without anyone monitoring or controlling her, Silude began to vent her frustrations loudly.
Her wails attracted the confusion of other citizens.
They looked towards Lindsey's residence, glancing at each other in bewilderment, and discussions arose:
"What's wrong with the teacher?"
"She's been repeatedly rejected by Lord after expressing her love, could she have gone mad?"
"..."
Meanwhile, two other teams on the Desolate Land were also on the move.
Lindsey, accompanied by Vivian, Iron Jade, and several other quick-witted citizens, headed towards the Insect Tribe.
With their previous experience, this journey and the treatment process were now familiar.
While others worked during the day, Lindsey and the leader of the Insect Tribe, the Lamentor, discussed further collaboration and set out west during their leisure time.
Lindsey was clearing a path through the mountains.
Despite the treacherous terrain, his Ancient Imprint provided an endless supply of stamina, and with his Artisan skills, he swiftly carved out a safe tunnel leading directly to the gold mine at an astonishingly rapid pace.
In three different directions.
The only uncertain factor was the team heading towards the iron mine.
It was precisely because of this uncertainty that Grandpa Hammer left the Banyan Forest and chose to lead the team himself.
After a full month of arduous travel,
They finally reached the location of the iron mine.
This place was originally a river valley.
But as the resources in the Desolate Land dried up, the river also ran dry, leaving only parched yellow soil on the barren land.
The humans occupying this iron mine had set up camp here.
They had gathered sharp rocks from somewhere, forming a circle around the mine entrance, creating a crude yet sturdy and dangerous defensive structure.
The Banyan Forest's envoy team arrived at the valley entrance.
Within moments, the sound of metal clanging filled the mine tunnel.
Humans wielding iron weapons swarmed out, forming a defensive perimeter around the mine entrance with their weapons.
"Who's out there?"
Grandpa Hammer stepped forward:
"The Ross Camp, right?"
"We're here today on behalf of the Banyan Forest with good intentions, and we have important matters to discuss with you."
Grandpa Hammer conveyed their intentions with simple words, explaining their purpose and goodwill.
Although the miners inside the tunnel remained wary, the tense atmosphere eased slightly.
They waited for a few more moments.
Seeing that Grandpa Hammer's team was merely waiting at the entrance without any further action, a voice echoed from within the mine:
"You can wait outside! We must discuss this matter with our leader! Remember, no funny business!"
Grandpa Hammer responded:
"Of course, we're willing to wait! We mean no harm!"
"..."
A few minutes passed.
A man with pale skin, as if he had never seen the sun, slowly emerged from the mine tunnel.
Essence energy rippled around him.
This Awakened individual scanned the envoys from the Banyan Forest.
He quickly confirmed that, aside from two or three guards, most of these people were ordinary individuals without Quintessence.
With this number and strength...
If a full-scale battle were to unfold, the mine cave side would likely emerge victorious.
However, the other party had a considerable number of people, and judging by their attire, most of them were well-equipped, wearing armor and helmets.
They couldn't be treated as ordinary wasteland refugees.
If they were to engage with these people, the mine cave side would undoubtedly suffer significant losses.
"Moreover, the Banyan Forest..."
The mine cave leader's brows furrowed slightly.
As the leader of a small-scale power, he was well aware of the recent turmoil in this land.
—The Banyan Forest.
Rumors claimed that it was a land of abundant water and fertile soil.
On the ruins of Yaro Camp, a new leader had employed some means to acquire a vast forest, transforming the entire camp into something extraordinarily perfect.
Furthermore, this emerging power was very welcoming to outsiders.
As long as one was willing to join them, they would provide suitable housing and delicious food, ensuring a life free of worries.
In the wasteland, such conditions were akin to a daydream.
Even in the deep, dark ironstone mine cave.
Some of his subordinates were itching to make a move, wanting to try their luck by seeking refuge in the Banyan Forest.
With this in mind, the mine cave leader made a decision:
"The Banyan Forest!"
"Listen, we bear no ill will towards you, nor do we have any particular fondness."
"Take your people and leave!"
"Let's each go our own way; there's nothing to discuss."
The mine cave leader chose to refuse.
Regardless of the sincerity behind the other party's attempt at conversation.
Once both camps had normal communication, and if the situation in the Banyan Forest turned out to be true, his people would undoubtedly be swayed, resulting in a significant loss of manpower.
The ultimate outcome was something he, as a leader, was unwilling to bear.
"Your Excellency, please wait a moment!"
At this moment, Grandpa Hammer suddenly spoke up:
"We apologize for our intrusion, but before that, please take a look at our sincerity!"
"..."
The mine cave leader paused in his departure.
As a leader, he had to maintain a bit of face. After a few seconds, he waved his hand:
"Your sincerity?"
Grandpa Hammer gave a signal.
A young messenger behind him immediately stepped forward, presenting the gifts they had prepared in advance.
The handsome young man was equally pleasant to look at.
The mine cave leader allowed the messenger to approach, and with just a glance, he recognized what they had brought? It was some exceptionally well-grown crops, their grains plump and full.
Along with them, there was simple cooked meat.
The former was a rare sight in the wasteland, but the latter was even more special.
These seemingly ordinary grilled meats exuded an extraordinarily enticing aroma. Even he, as the leader and an Awakened, had never tasted such a delightful flavor!
At the same time, the messenger who had approached the mine cave leader spoke again:
"Our camp can provide supplies. We've come to visit with the intention of establishing an iron mine trade with you."
"Your Excellency, we respect your rule over this territory and are willing to offer our support. If you're willing to cooperate, we'll be delighted; if you refuse, we won't insist, and we'll leave immediately."
"So, please consider it."
The mine cave leader had initially planned to refuse.
But as he looked at the long-unseen lushness outside and the tempting food before him, and even considered the longing gazes of his subordinates around him.
He began to hesitate.
(End of Chapter)
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