Chapter 75: Chapter 75: The Feud Between Undead and Holy Light
Zong Shen led Aisha to the entrance of the Lord’s Courtyard.
He waved an arm and shouted loudly towards the outside.
"All soldiers, prepare to assemble!"
Hearing the Lord’s summons.
All the soldiers began to gather.
The Mage stopped meditating, and the Wolf Cavalry finished their training.
Everyone gathered at the courtyard entrance, forming two somewhat uneven lines.
Zong Shen glanced around.
All soldiers were present.
He pointed at Aisha and began the formal introduction.
"This is our new member, Holy Light Priest Aisha!"
"From now on, she will fight alongside us. You are comrades, and even more, partners."
Zong Shen spoke passionately, but the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Fortunately, Korby was quick-witted, raising his arm and shouting loudly.
"Long live the Lord!"
"Long live the Lord!"
...
Among the soldiers, Tasuya the Necromancer, standing in the back row, frowned at the sight of Holy Light Aisha, sensing the holy aura emanating from her, her face showing an expression of extreme disgust.
Aisha seemed to sense this too, slightly turning her head, her deep blue eyes glinting with determination, looking at Tasuya without backing down.
The two women thus engaged in a silent war.
If looks could kill, the place would already be in ruins.
[Due to the soldiers’ attribute conflict]
[The loyalty of Necromancer Tasuya towards you decreased by 3 points, current loyalty 85]
[The loyalty of Holy Light Priest Aisha towards you decreased by 3 points, current loyalty 72]
The two loyalty change notifications suddenly appeared.
Leaving Zong Shen bewildered...
He had thought about the possibility that Tasuya and Aisha might not work well together.
But he didn’t expect that such intense hostility would erupt just from them meeting...
At this moment, both their gazes coincidentally turned towards Zong Shen, seemingly wanting him to make a statement.
Feeling the murderous intent from both pairs of eyes, Zong Shen couldn’t help but shiver.
"Damn it, I must never let these two women come together again!"
He swore to himself.
"Ahem..."
"Alright, let’s proceed with today’s expedition preparations."
"Korby!"
Zong Shen interjected, starting to outline today’s exploration plan.
"Please instruct us, my Lord!"
Korby bowed.
"You lead six Wolf Riders with me on the expedition, keep five back to patrol and protect the farmers, and assist in water collection."
Upon hearing this, Korby stood straight, solemnly placing a fist on his chest.
"As you command, my Lord."
After speaking, he dismounted and pointed out the "newcomers" recruited just yesterday.
The veteran soldiers stayed behind, while the new recruits went to the front lines, refining the team’s coordination.
Zong Shen nodded in satisfaction and continued to call names.
"Favide, Aisha, Luna, Lensa Shattered Claw, Madeleine, you all join me on the expedition."
"Tiezhu, today’s task is to explore the southern part of the territory, focusing on searching for indigenous villages, Lord territories, other ruins, and powerful monsters!"
"Remember, I only need you to explore, avoid combat, and prioritize your safety!"
Upon hearing this, Tiezhu bowed and withdrew.
"Mapple, Tasuya, you both stay and guard the territory."
At this moment, Tasuya suddenly retorted.
"Why is the Lord not taking me but taking that one?"
She pointed a hostile finger at Aisha. If Zong Shen couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer to both, their loyalty might fall further.
"Dear Tasuya, Aisha is a new member, and I need her to integrate with everyone quickly."
Then, Zong Shen looked at Aisha.
"I know Holy Light and the Undead are irreconcilable, but the territory I wish to build is one of tolerance, full of hope, where everyone finds faith and pursuit."
"So, I hope you both can put aside prejudices, join me, join everyone, in creating a great territory!"
"This is my glory, and our shared glory."
Zong Shen said passionately.
He waved the banner of territory and honor high.
Both women snorted coldly.
Tasuya slightly bowed, greeted, and left.
Aisha also turned and walked towards the main force.
Zong Shen sighed in relief. Although they were still at odds, at least their loyalty didn’t drop further.
After arranging the exploration team for the day,
Zong Shen went to the stove side.
He chose to make 60 servings of [Roasted Beast Meat], each taking three minutes, which would require three hours to complete.
The hunger level consumption depended on different situations; at night, the farmers were asleep, using up hardly any.
So, they could at least last for half a day.
Zong Shen started cooking in advance, so it would be ready to eat once the exploration was over.
As for the accompanying soldiers,
Zong Shen distributed a piece of [Exquisite Camel Meat] to each of the seven Wolf Riders, and gave [Refined Wheat Bread] to everyone else.
Lastly, he fed a piece of [Fresh Beast Meat] to each of the seven Giant Wolves and the Black Panther.
Having addressed the final matters,
Korby led six Wolf Riders, paving the way ahead, moving towards the northeast of the territory.
There, Korby had previously discovered an abandoned mine, but a Blood-toothed Wild Boar was roaming outside the mine.
The first exploration destination today was that abandoned mine.
In the second line were Luna, who was riding a Black Panther, and Favide, Madeleine, who were riding [Avalon Prairie Horses].
Zong Shen still rode his Old Traveling Horse.
Although his old horse was noticeably slower as everyone else moved at full speed,
with all participants being mounted, their overall speed was faster than the previous forest exploration.
A grand procession rode their mounts towards the northeast.
Clouds of dust rose along the way, stretching out towards the northeast.
...
Not long after the party left the territory,
a young man in black light armor, wearing a Rhino Horn Helmet, with two One-Handed Swords strapped on his back, riding a gray Heavy Packhorse and wearing Beast Hide Boots,
stopped by a few large trees 2 kilometers away from Zong Shen’s territory.
His appearance resembled that of an East Asian.
However, his looks were quite ordinary.
Neither handsome nor ugly,
the type that would blend into a crowd without a trace.
Noteworthy were his eyes,
with sharp eyes like those of a hawk, he boldly surveyed Zong Shen’s distant territory in the distance.
After a moment, his gaze softened, appearing harmless to humans and animals alike.
"Caitlyn, is this the territory you discovered yesterday?"
"Indeed, it’s quite impressive, built perfectly."
The man’s voice was soft, as if carried away by the wind.
As soon as he finished speaking, a slender figure appeared, wearing black tight-fitting leather clothing, with her face covered by a veil.
In her hands was a pair of green-bladed snake-shaped daggers, with which she respectfully saluted the man.
"My lord, this is the place..."