Today, Meixina was in charge of guarding the post, while Kevin and Ang Nuo would head in the last direction together.
The day before, explorations in the other two directions had yielded no major discoveries.
However, Meixina had successfully befriended a group of dwarves who had arrived in the western part of the world a few days before him.
These dwarves were also from the Fágláisī Empire, but according to them,
their purpose for being here was to escape the persecution and enslavement by outsiders.
When Ang Nuo learned of this, she quickly realized that someone was systematically targeting and controlling these native inhabitants.
"It's highly likely that Huáng Lóng from Novice Village No. 127 is responsible."
"But it has nothing to do with me. Anyway, that group probably won't come to the west."
Thus, Ang Nuo put the matter out of her mind, focusing on the task at hand.
After the two of them rode their horses for nearly 120 kilometers, they finally found their objective upstream on an unknown river.
The Demi-human tribes.
An estimated population of over a hundred.
They also possessed a certain form of social organization.
A small town had already been established.
"This trip was certainly worthwhile."
Ang Nuo exclaimed.
Following this, the two of them immediately used the sundial to record the direction and marked the general location on the map.
In recent days, it felt quite like being a navigator exploring the world.
Ang Nuo went to negotiate with the demi-humans, while Kevin returned to base to fetch Meixina and supplies.
With a clear direction, actions always proceed swiftly.
The two successfully reached the demi-human town just before dusk.
Ang Nuo had already been waiting at the entrance for a long time.
"What did the person in charge here say?"
Meixina and Kevin rode in on several tall horses, drawing all eyes.
"They are very willing to accept us and are even planning a welcome celebration for us."
"Also, Meixina, the residents here seem to recognize you."
"Hm?"
"Meixina! Is that really you!"
An older, but still brawny male demi-human with bear ears on his head approached.
"It's you! Mr. Bruto!"
"That's right! Miss Ang Nuo mentioned she had a Crusader companion, and I immediately thought of you!"
Meixina quickly dismounted and shook Bruto's hand firmly; they seemed like old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.
"Miss Ang Nuo, I used to work in the City of Carpenters in the Empire—Huilin City. After the city fell, Meixina saved me and a few of my companions from a Three-armed Giant Monster."
"Ah, this town is called Huilin Town, and that's how it got its name."
"Hahaha, that was almost ten years ago."
......
Almost everyone in the town attended the welcome party.
However, Ang Nuo disliked overly lively gatherings, so she sat by her favorite fountain not far away, observing the scene.
She noticed that there were not only demi-humans here, but also humans, elves, dwarves, and more... even a Giant Eagle.
"You noticed?"
Bruto walked over to Ang Nuo, swaying slightly with a wine bottle in hand, and then plopped down beside her.
"Our town was built by this motley crew."
"That dwarf with low alcohol tolerance is Boulderiver. He fled here after Ironwater City fell a few years ago."
"That unfortunate Giant Eagle was cursed by a Demon Wizard, unable to ever find its own kind, so it flew here alone."
"And this fellow..."
Bruto, being a gregarious fellow, chattered endlessly to Ang Nuo about the stories of Huilin Town, occasionally taking a sip of wine.
Ang Nuo was naturally happy to listen.
Everything seemed so wonderful.
The next day, Meixina woke up first as usual.
After preparing breakfast for the three of them, Ang Nuo's biological clock also chimed on time.
As for Kevin... he was still sleeping.
"He drank too much."
"Perhaps the pressure has been too great recently. He's younger than me and hasn't experienced as much. It's normal for him to release some of that tension."
Bruto knew the three only had tents, so he had already prepared ample space in his town hall office and resting room, even setting up three beds.
"Speaking of which, we should also have our own house, shouldn't we? It's not good to keep bothering others."
Meixina said, handing Ang Nuo bread and some long-missed milk.
"Hmm... Then let's build a log cabin. Kevin should have the skills, and if we work hard, with our horses, it should be done in a few days."
"No, build two. One for you and one for me!"
Meixina suddenly turned to look at Ang Nuo, her hair slightly bristling.
Ang Nuo thought about it and realized it wouldn't be appropriate; not to mention the difference in gender, it would be inconvenient in various aspects of daily life.
"Then two it is. Let's put in some effort."
After finishing breakfast, Kevin still hadn't woken up, so the two of them went ahead to select a site outside of town.
Huilin Town was primarily agricultural, with animal husbandry ranking slightly below crop cultivation, which is why the residents had sufficient dairy and egg products to consume.
"Find a place near the river and the forest; it'll be much better."
The speaker was an elf from the village named Silbind, whom Ang Nuo had heard Bruto mention. He was an anomaly among elves, having been driven out by others.
He was considered an anomaly because he was so different from traditional elves, drastically so.
Most elves, while generally friendly, carried an air of elegance and fastidiousness that made other races uncomfortable.
Silbind, on the other hand, seemed even less particular than a dwarf and was very approachable.
"You're building log cabins, right? It'll be convenient to build them near the forest. I'll help with the tree cutting."
"Huh? An elf? Cutting trees?"
Meixina and Ang Nuo had never seen such an unconventional elf before.
But seeing Silbind already embedding his axe blade into a tree, they couldn't say anything more.
Working together, the three of them undertook the tasks of felling trees, sawing lumber, and hauling wood.
This continued until after lunch, when Kevin finally wandered over from not too far away.
"Hey! Kid, you're awake."
Meixina walked up and swung his arm, delivering a heavy blow to Kevin's back, thoroughly rousing him from his drunken stupor.
"Cough! Ah... Yes..."
Kevin finally lifted his head slowly, but upon seeing the piles of lumber, he instantly sobered up.
"Are we going to war? Building abatis?"
"Hey, hey, have you been sleeping too long? We're building houses now. We can't keep bothering Bruto, right?"
Hearing this, Kevin nodded vigorously and immediately began to help the three of them process the lumber.
"An elf cutting down trees, this is the first time I've seen it."
"A mercenary without a contract, this is also the first time I've seen it."
Silbind and Kevin quickly struck up a conversation, discussing herbs, survival, and construction.
These two were likely the most skilled in these areas in all of Huilin Town.
This continued for five days. During this time, other residents occasionally lent a hand, and the two log cabins were soon completed.
Located by the water and near the trees, the environment was already quite good.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, this river might flood in the summer, so you need to be careful."
This statement stunned everyone.
Kevin and Meixina stood frozen, as if struck by lightning, not moving.
Looking back, Silbind had already vanished.
"Since that's the case, how about we build a reservoir upstream?"
So, the three of them spent many more days digging a reservoir upstream from Huilin Town and constructing a rudimentary dam.
Finally, after more than a week in total, Ang Nuo and her companions became homeowners, and Huilin Town also expanded.
With many horses, proximity to the river, and ample grassland, Ang Nuo's area felt like it was established for horse breeding.
As expected, a few days later, Silbind brought his horses over, asking for temporary care as he intended to travel far.
"You had this plan from the very beginning, didn't you?"
Ang Nuo leaned against the doorframe, staring intently at the scheming elf before her.
"How could that be? It's all a coincidence."
Silbind chuckled, then left Huilin Town with his luggage.
Of course, it was ultimately Meixina who agreed to take care of the horses.
"Do you know where he's going, Bruto?"
"Perhaps home. After hearing about the elf civil strife from you, he must be anxious."
......
"Mission Complete—Acquired Tiger Venerable Fortress."
"That's more like it, Tiger. With your powerful skills, you're bound to be of great use."
Fùshé stood beside Wēi Hǔxíng, gazing at the massive Tiger Venerable Fortress.
Wēi Hǔxíng had specifically sought out someone familiar with civil engineering among the players to reinforce the entire fortress.
He could now claim that this fortress was a hundred times stronger than Huáng Lóng's castle.