153: Eight-seat ballista

"Colonel, that's a total of 102,000 Merit Points."

"Here are your equipment." The old man handed Lin Yue a storage ring, then smiled, "This storage ring contains all the equipment, but you need to return this space ring within ten days."

"Alright." Lin Yue smiled, without this large space ring, he really wouldn't have been able to take it all. He hadn't expected it to be quite so user-friendly.

But then he reacted, asking sharply, "What? 102,000 Merit Points?"

"That's right." The old man then meticulously explained the details to Lin Yue.

Only then did Lin Yue realize that watchtowers indeed didn't cost anything, but the ballistae on top of the watchtowers cost 4,000 Merit Points each, and there were eight of them, costing him 32,000 Merit Points!

He couldn't help but burn with rage, looking around, but the Clerk was nowhere to be seen!

"This kid dared to trick me?" Lin Yue suddenly felt a bit amused, he actually got tricked?

And by a young Clerk? This Clerk's acting skills could make him an Oscar winner!

However, being in the same Military Camp, if the monk runs away, can the temple run with him?

Lin Yue looked at the remaining 2,130 Merit Points and walked out. He probably wouldn't find him now; he'd settle the score with him later.

"General, I'd like to request a leave of absence." Lin Yue returned and said to She Jian.

"You may, there won't be any major movements recently, so you can go back and manage your Fief with peace of mind." She Jian smiled.

"Thank you, General!" Lin Yue cupped his hands in gratitude.

After bidding farewell to She Jian and Zong Ze, he went alone to the Heavenly Tier Teleportation Array in Fushi County City, paid the fee, and began the teleportation.

After a sound of the teleportation activating, when he opened his eyes again, Lin Yue was already in Xiangping Commandery City. He looked at the familiar sights before him and walked towards the city gates.

Leaving Xiangping Commandery City, he rode his horse towards the village, not stopping despite the biting cold wind!

He was eagerly anticipating the moment the village would upgrade to a town! He couldn't wait!

Meanwhile, in the Encampment of Fushi County City, a young figure hid in the shadows, observing Lin Yue's every move. Only when he saw him leave the Encampment did his nervous and uneasy heart finally settle.

"That was close." The young man patted his chest and let out a sigh of relief, then couldn't help but exclaim:

"It's been a long time since I met someone so obedient!"

The young man turned and walked back, but after a few steps, he stopped and looked back again. He only relaxed when he saw that Lin Yue hadn't returned.

"He seems like a man of Amiability, he wouldn't be so petty, would he?

Ah, only these eight ballistae are left. If I sell them, I can go back to Xianyang.

Actually, ballistae are quite useful, you're not really at a loss, are you?" The young man was a bit conflicted, but then he shook his head and walked back again, looking at the sky contentedly:

"Never mind, these eight ballistae are sold. I'll be able to leave this barbaric land and be transferred back to Xianyang City soon. By the time you return, you won't find me."

At this moment, Lin Yue was still galloping across the land of Liaodong. The heavy snow in Liaodong this year came even earlier than in Shang Commandery. The sky was gradually darkening, the temperature plummeted, and the accumulated snow had already turned to ice, making it truly dark and slippery.

But the village was still half a day's journey away, so Lin Yue found a nearby village and stopped.

Lin Yue entered the village and found a household to stop at, reaching out to knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock!"

Soon, the door of a room inside was opened, and an old man, wrapped in his clothes, walked out and asked cautiously, "Who is it?"

"Old man, I'm passing through here. It's dark and slippery, and too cold outside. I'd like to ask for a night's lodging." Lin Yue said.

Then the main door was slightly opened by the old man, and in the darkness, the old man's hand, hidden in his clothes, stirred restlessly.

"I have several sons at home, there's no room." The old man said in a deep voice.

Lin Yue secretly glanced and saw a cold glint reflecting from the old man's embrace.

"Old man, I mean no harm. At this temperature outside, spending a night would kill someone." Lin Yue pleaded again.

In this kind of weather, even in later generations, staying in a room without heating could lead to not waking up, let alone spending a night outside.

"Don't you understand what I'm saying? I truly have no room at home." The old man took a step back and said in a deep voice.

Then his expression changed, and he suddenly pulled his hand out from his clothes, stepping forward quickly!

Then the old man threw the short knife aside, opened the main door, and said with a smile, "Guest, please come in."

Lin Yue, leading Big Yellow, strode in. The old man remained in place, fiddling with the one tael of silver, which appeared captivating under the moonlight.

Lin Yue reached the house before the old man caught up.

"Guest, please come in." The old man opened the door, motioning for Lin Yue to enter, while he himself took Big Yellow and tied him to a pillar, and built a temporary simple shelter for Big Yellow.

"Old man, where do I stay?" Lin Yue asked.

"My place is a bit simple, you can stay wherever you like, but this spot is the warmest!" The old man pointed to a spot and said.

"Alright, thank you, old man." Lin Yue said and lay down.

"Old man, are you alone?" Lin Yue asked.

The old man was a bit nervous upon hearing this, but quickly reacted and smiled at Lin Yue:

"Guest, please don't be offended. I was afraid you were a Mountain Bandit earlier and wanted to sound imposing and scare you away.

I have two sons. The younger one went to serve in the military, and the older one took his family to his father-in-law's house a few days ago. Tonight, I'm alone."

"So you're not afraid I'm a Mountain Bandit now?" Lin Yue asked with a smile.

"My entire life's savings aren't as valuable as this one tael of silver, so you're joking, aren't you?" The old man said with an embarrassed smile, revealing a few missing teeth.

"I noticed you seemed a bit nervous when you came out. Are there many Mountain Bandits here?" Lin Yue asked.

The old man sighed and said, "They usually stay in the mountains, so they're not very common. But since winter began, these Mountain Bandits often come down to raid, and over time, we've gotten somewhat used to it."

"What about the Government, don't they do anything?"

"You, guest, are clearly a noble person and don't understand these matters.

Our village is remote, and the nearest villages around us are more than ten li away. By the time the Government arrives, we would have long been reduced to bones.

Moreover, how can the Government have time to manage so many things? After several unresolved incidents, we no longer hold any hope."

"Then how have you managed to survive until now?" Lin Yue asked.

Just as the old man was about to speak, the sound of a door opening echoed from outside once more. Both of them simultaneously looked towards the sound.

"Old man Zhang, are you home?" A robust voice sounded from outside the door.

Hearing this voice, the old man breathed a sigh of relief and said to Lin Yue, "It's nothing, guest, don't worry."

Lin Yue nodded, then saw the old man go out to greet him, shouting as he walked, "Coming!"