The next morning, at the east gate of Qingmu County.

The air was filled with the clamor of voices.

On the main road outside the city gate, a massive convoy was assembling.

Most prominent were the five hundred Beacon Guards, lined up in neat phalanxes, their halberds like a forest, silent as iron.

Their dark brown leather armor gleamed steadily in the morning light, and their faces looked as if carved from the same mold—resolute, calm, and disciplined.

In front of the phalanx was a caravan consisting of ten large wagons.

Pulling the wagons were exclusively Great-Horned Deer; these tall pack animals stood docilely by the roadside, occasionally flicking their tails and chewing fodder.

On the first wagon, snow-white salt bags were stacked neatly, totaling three hundred units.

Beside them were several large wooden crates containing two thousand gray energy crystals, allocated from the Qingmu County warehouse.

On the second wagon were three hundred units of salted fish. The salted fish were strung together with straw ropes, hanging in dense clusters, filling the air with a rich, salty aroma.

On the third and fourth wagons were six hundred units of grain—rice, wheat, and miscellaneous grains—packed so tightly that the axles creaked under the weight.

Further back were several carriages specifically for passengers. Seated inside were the families of Tian Jian and Tian Zheng, as well as the families of the Intermediate Talents.

Elderly people, children, and women were squeezed into the carriages, their faces filled with unease and expectation.

They didn't know what kind of place Beacon Fire Town was, but they could only obey the Lord's command.

At the very front of the convoy were nine Great-Horned Deer for riding. Eight of them already had riders.

Zhao Hu sat at the very front, carrying his troll tusk shield, eyes fixed on the east with a smile on his face.

Tie Dun sat beside him, clutching his troll bone shield, looking around excitedly like a child.

Wang Wu and Arrow Eye sat side by side, conversing in low voices.

Su Yurou rode a docile doe, holding a short staff, a faint smile on her face.

A Wang and Scarface Liu guarded her on either side, alertly scanning the surroundings.

Shadow Snake was also on a deer's back.

Lin Feng stood at the city gate, giving Liu Ming the final arrangements.

"I'll leave Qingmu County to you," Lin Feng said. "You're more familiar with the daily affairs than I am; manage it as you usually do. If anything major happens, send someone to Beacon Fire Town to report."

Liu Ming nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Lord. I will certainly do my utmost to manage Qingmu County well."

Lin Feng thought for a moment and added, "The salt market in Heiyan Town and the fish market in Hupan Village should continue to operate.

When merchant caravans come to buy salt and fish, conduct business as usual. Don't let things fall into chaos just because the Lord has changed."

"Yes."

"Resources from Qingmu Forest and Qinglin Lake should be harvested normally. If you're short on manpower, you can request reinforcements from Beacon Fire Town."

"Understood."

"I will see to it that the families of those Intermediate Talents are well-settled in Beacon Fire Town.

Once they are settled there, they can come back to visit whenever they wish."

Liu Ming's eyes reddened slightly as he bowed deeply. "The Lord is benevolent. I thank the Lord on their behalf."

Lin Feng waved his hand and said nothing more.

He turned, walked toward the tall Great-Horned Deer at the front, and mounted it.

"Depart."

With a single command, the procession began to move slowly.

The five hundred Beacon Guards set off, their footsteps rhythmic like thunder. The Great-Horned Deer of the convoy moved their hooves, and the wagon wheels rumbled.

From the passenger carriages, children poked their heads out curiously, watching the receding walls of Qingmu County.

Lin Feng sat on his deer and looked back once.

The east gate of Qingmu County was wide open. Liu Ming and a group of officials stood at the gate, bowing from afar.

On the arrow towers atop the walls, the soldiers on duty also saluted one after another.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and looked ahead.

To the east lay the direction of Beacon Fire Town.

...

After a morning of travel, the group passed through Qingmu Forest, went by Qinglin Lake, and headed east along the path they had come.

The five hundred Beacon Guards marched in unison, ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) maintaining a disciplined formation throughout.

The convoy's speed was neither too fast nor too slow; the Great-Horned Deer had excellent endurance and showed no signs of fatigue even while pulling heavy loads.

Zhao Hu sat on his deer, looked back at the long convoy, and grinned. "Lord, this procession of ours is quite impressive!"

Tie Dun nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! Five hundred elite soldiers, ten large wagons, and even High-level Talents! Who would have dared to imagine this two months ago?"

Arrow Eye remarked with emotion, "Two months ago, we were still gnawing on dry rations at Black Wind Camp."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

Amidst the laughter, the procession continued forward.

...

At noon, the west gate of Beacon Fire Town came into view in the distance.

The twenty-meter-high walls stood tall and majestic in the sunlight. There was an arrow tower on each side of the gate, which stood wide open with a group of people waiting.

Leading them was Zhang Ping.

Seeing the massive convoy drawing closer, an uncontrollable smile broke out on his face as he hurried forward to meet them.

"Lord!" Zhang Ping ran to Lin Feng and bowed. "You're finally back!"

Lin Feng dismounted and smiled. "What, were you afraid I wouldn't return?"

Zhang Ping waved his hands hurriedly. "No, no, it's... it's just that I missed you so much!"

Lin Feng smiled, patted his shoulder, and strode into the town.

Behind him, the convoy and the Beacon Guards filed in one by one.

...

Lords Mansion, Council Hall.

Lin Feng took the main seat, and everyone else sat down. Zhang Ping stood to the side, holding an account book, already silently calculating the gains from this trip.

Lin Feng's gaze swept over everyone as he spoke slowly:

"Everyone, you've worked hard on this trip."

Zhao Hu was the first to wave it off. "Lord, don't say that! We just followed along to run errands; you're the one who really worked hard!"

Tie Dun nodded repeatedly. "Right, right! You took on that old man Meichuan all by yourself and killed him; we were just helping out!"

Wang Wu smiled. "It's our blessing to be able to follow the Lord and conquer such a large territory."

Everyone chimed in with agreement.

Lin Feng smiled and didn't continue the topic.

He looked at Zhang Ping: "Zhang Ping, have the supplies been tallied?"

Zhang Ping opened the account book and began to report:

"Lord, the supplies brought back this time are as follows:"

"Three hundred units of salt, three hundred units of salted fish, six hundred units of grain, and two thousand gray energy crystals."

"Two High-level Talents: Senior Miner Tian Jian and Senior Blacksmith Tian Zheng, along with seventeen family members from both families."

"Three Intermediate Talents: Intermediate Tailor Inoue Ori, Intermediate Brewer Kobayashi Zo, and Intermediate Carpenter Suzuki Zo, along with twenty-three family members."

He closed the account book, his eyes full of excitement. "Lord, our Beacon Fire Town has more and more talents!"

Everyone smiled at the news.

Lin Feng nodded, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long breath.

From Black Wind Camp to Beacon Fire Town, from Beacon Fire Town to Qingmu County.

Step by step, he had made it to this day.

He looked up and gazed out the window.

The afternoon sun spilled in front of the Council Hall, illuminating the entire courtyard.

A smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Next, it was time to properly digest these gains and await the next Nightmare Tide.