Chapter 345: Chapter 293: Ximu Town, Making a Comeback

The sparse drizzle, like fine silver needles, quietly fell from the sky, soaking the slightly barren land of the Scale Earth Rift, and the air was filled with the moist scent of earth blended with the fresh fragrance of grass after the rain.

This trade route winds around the northwest border of the Sel Wilderness.

For many long years, it remained unknown, with few caravan tracks passing through.

Primarily because of the frequent appearance of monsters causing raids, coupled with the long distance to the Federation’s garrison camp, safety was a concern, making it abandoned for years, with only wind and wild grass as its most loyal companions.

Only those impoverished small caravans, unable to afford the high fees of the main roads, would venture here out of desperation, clinging to a glimmer of hope, biting their teeth and daringly choosing this perilous path.

However.

Since that turning point over twenty years ago, everything here has undergone tremendous changes.

Today, while the Scale Earth Rift cannot compare with those bustling and thriving main roads, it is certainly no longer that deserted and nearly barren narrow path it once was.

At this moment.

Old merchant Matthew, wrapped in a thick waterproof dark cloak, huddled beside the cargo pile in the open-top goods vehicle on the road widened more than double.

The cold rain threads kept seeping into crevices, bringing bursts of chill.

He slightly turned sideways, narrating to the young apprentice beside him, whose face still showed travel fatigue and curiosity about the long-sealed past of this trade route.

The engine rumbled deeply under the drive of black oil.

This goods vehicle, made of metal and hardwood, maintained an unexpected stability and speed on the muddy road.

Matthew raised his hand to wipe away the rain on his face, his voice sounding a bit distant amid the rain threads.

"Back then... Right here on the Scale Earth Rift, something impossible to ignore occurred, causing quite a stir, even alerting many high-ranking nobles, which gave this godforsaken place its current bit of prosperity."

The young apprentice immediately straightened his back, with an ever-growing curiosity in his eyes.

As the goods vehicle moved steadily in the hazy rain, the old merchant, with the calmness of a storyteller, laughingly recounted several tales.

The apprentice listened intently, and the story’s ins and outs gradually became clear in his mind.

More than twenty years ago, a group of ferocious wilderness monsters unified and integrated, occupying the land of Scale Earth Rift, claiming it as their territory.

But contrary to everyone’s expectations.

The monsters dwelling here did not behave as the rumors suggested, neither slaughtering nor plundering passing merchants.

Quite the opposite.

They astonishingly restrained their inherent ferocity and greed, offering the rough minerals they arduously mined from the depths of the Wilderness and the primitive-scented beast skins they hunted, expressing willingness to conduct fair bartering with passing human caravans.

Even more unbelievably.

They proactively took on the role of "cleansers," clearing away the truly ferocious beasts and dangerous monsters around, transforming the perilous Scale Earth Rift into a relatively safe and reliable wilderness passage.

One must know.

On this vast and dangerous land, only those large trade routes, requiring high tolls and taxes, could enjoy the Federation’s garrison’s regular cleansing of nearby threats as a safety guarantee bought with real money.

Yet this free, monster-autonomous passage was no less safe, perhaps even superior in some respects.

Merchants are inherently adept at pursuing benefits.

Acutely recognizing the unique value and potential profit of Scale Earth Rift, more and more caravans began tentatively traversing here, and as they personally verified that the Monster Race indeed restrained their claws, allowing smooth transactions, the trade route gradually became lively.

"But." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Upon hearing this, the under-twenty, frank young apprentice couldn’t contain the bubbling doubts in his heart.

"Old Matthew, why haven’t we seen even a shadow of wilderness monsters after traveling for so long? Aren’t they the masters here?"

He looked around at the desolate rain scene with confusion in his voice.

"Young man, don’t rush, be patient and listen further."

Old merchant sipped a mouthful of the hot tea he carried, and continued in his aged tone, illustrating the twist in the tale.

As the Scale Earth Rift thrived, with merchants constantly coming and going, and everything seemingly progressing positively.

The nominal owner here—Viscount Ironthorn, spurred by the thriving image of his territory, also saw a dramatic surge in greed.

He intensified the taxes on merchants passing through Scale Earth Rift, to an astonishing degree.

Simultaneously, he started extending his greedy feelers toward the Monster Race dwelling here, maintaining the passage’s order, demanding exorbitant taxes as if the monsters were his tenants.

The apprentice frowned, asking puzzledly, "Do you mean that Viscount Ironthorn drove away those wilderness monsters?"

"Yes, but more accurately, the monsters killed Viscount Ironthorn and then voluntarily abandoned Scale Earth Rift."

Upon hearing this answer, the apprentice’s confusion deepened: "This... doesn’t seem right?"

"Nobility is prestigious, and amidst splendor, why would they personally risk coming to this perilous wilderness?"