106: Target, Qingfeng Valley!

Chapter 105: Target, Qingfeng Valley!

A grand show concluded.

The next day, at the first hint of dawn, Godwin was already up, performing a final check on the caravan heading to the Whispering Place to purchase grain.

"Hey, Steward," the Captain, Iron Shovel, said, "Last night, Lord Arthur dispersed the Night Mist. He said it won't appear again for three or four days.

"You can rest assured. Besides, our caravan members aren't pushovers; they can all fight."

The address "Steward" was a nickname given to Godwin by the original six people.

Although he had never intended to take on this role, his gaze swept over every cart.

This time, according to the Commander's grain requirements, they dispatched two horse-drawn carriages and three mule-drawn carts.

Aside from the mule carts, each horse-drawn carriage was manned by two people.

Partnering with Iron Shovel was the halfling Ted Mesh.

The other horse-drawn carriage was driven by the halfling Oak couple.

These four were the core strength of the driving team.

Especially the Oak couple, they came from the Wanderer clan among the halflings.

This clan believes in the People of Adventure, and their notable characteristics are that they do not claim land ownership, do not build permanent residences, and do not cultivate crops.

They view themselves as eternal passersby in the world, migrating from one community to another, enjoying the hospitality of every friendly host they encounter, and once that welcome is exhausted, they set off again.

Whenever conditions allowed, they would always embark on their journey with items suitable for carriage loading.

It was this couple who suggested the idea of converting the carriages into covered wagons to Iron Shovel.

"Although the Night Mist is gone, don't forget Lord Arthur said there are still many cultists wandering outside."

Godwin reminded them, then turned to Jerome and others responsible for the escort, saying, "Everyone, please be extremely careful.

"The pollution brought by the Night Mist still exists; be wary of the undead."

Jerome, riding a pony, waved his hand and replied, "We understand, Steward."

Godwin saw the caravan out of the city gates before returning to the camp.

Faith and hope, after all, cannot fill stomachs.

While last night's performance certainly elevated the status of the entire Pioneer Group and greatly boosted the morale of the soldiers here, if they continued to eat such terrible food, resentment would eventually erupt.

Godwin's military experience was not extensive.

But from Jessica and other soldiers, he learned that the Pioneer Group's soldiers were quite satisfied with their food.

He had also heard praise for it more than once from other civilians in the caravan.

Many even stated that for this full meal, they were willing to give their lives for the lord.

At this moment, Godwin increasingly understood why Lord Arthur often spoke of ensuring everyone had enough to eat.

Upon returning to the camp, he coincidentally met Catherine and her party, who were about to depart.

After a brief exchange, they bid each other farewell.

He continued walking, arriving at Arthur's residence.

He asked Vanka if the lord had already woken up.

The personal maid informed Godwin that Arthur had already gone to the command post.

Godwin nodded.

Their lord had another virtue, which was diligence.

He always seemed to have endless things to do.

Generally speaking, a noble of Arthur's status would often get drunk at evening banquets, then sleep until noon the next day, waking up in someone else's wife's bed.

Then, after washing and dressing, he would attend various negotiation activities in the afternoon.

"Did His Lordship say he wanted me to go with him?" Godwin asked.

Vanka shook her head and replied, "He left a message for you, asking you to handle the matters of cleaning up the contaminated areas."

"I understand."

Arthur was very lucky, because Commander Jafar also woke up as early as he did.

Unlike before, since last night's events, Jafar had been exceptionally polite to him.

"If you haven't had breakfast, join me," Jafar invited Arthur.

Arthur unceremoniously pulled up a chair and sat down, saying directly, "I have already sent people to the Whispering Place to purchase food.

"Once the food arrives, I hope you will keep your promise and send soldiers to clear those contaminated areas."

"Rest assured, Baron," the Commander guaranteed, "Once my men have eaten their fill, I will send them out.

"By the way, may I ask how you know about those contaminated areas?"

Before Arthur could answer, the Commander waved his hand and said to himself, "No need to tell me, I think I already know the answer.

"It's the deity you believe in, isn't it? I heard Juan say that he always gives you revelations."

Arthur hummed in acknowledgment.

The Commander then smiled and asked, "So today, what revelation did he give you?"

Arthur pretended to take out a notebook, but in reality, he opened the intelligence panel.

Besides two unchanged pieces of intelligence, the four new pieces of intelligence today were all quite useful:

[Green Intelligence (Follow-up)] A crocodile is trapped in the Mud Crab Swamp. Rescuing it will bring benefits.

[Green Intelligence] Due to your dispersion of the Night Mist, your reputation at Lookout Fort has increased.

The attitude of the residents here has turned to respect, and their attitude towards your faction has turned to friendly.

Your faction will receive certain discounts when shopping here.

[White Intelligence] Some areas of the Mud Crab Swamp release poisonous gases. Dispatching alchemists for research can make use of them.

[White Intelligence] Please optimize the investigation team heading to Qingfeng Valley. The number of personnel should preferably not exceed four.

"He does not always respond constantly," Arthur replied, "Regarding those cultists, I think we should investigate them.

"Lest they form a force and affect the transport teams.

"After all, these guys are not undead creatures; the power of the ley lines cannot stop them."

The Commander pondered for a moment and said, "I will have the church people handle this; they are very happy to deal with those heretics.

"Furthermore, I have already signed the trade contract, and I have also sent a messenger to report to the higher-ups.

"I imagine they will not object to purchasing grain from the Baron of Qingfeng Valley.

"After all, as it stands, this benefits everyone."

"Thank you, Commander."

"No, I should be the one saying thank you," Jafar said, "But you must also be careful of Itmar; he is very close to the Black Goat Caravan.

"You've taken business from the caravan and ruined the Quartermaster's plans; they probably won't be happy."

"I have a countermeasure."

"That's good. Oh, by the way, how did you convince the Warthog Caravan?"

Arthur smiled and replied, "I gave them a future.

"If they are smart enough, they will choose to stand with me."

After breakfast, Arthur rearranged the personnel heading to Qingfeng Valley based on the intelligence.

He selected Flora, Drax, and Old Joe as companions.

No one questioned his decision.

Only Philip, who was removed from the team, was somewhat displeased.

However, Godwin quickly found him and gave him a new task.

So, around nine o'clock in the morning, amidst the blessings and prayers of the Pioneer Group, the armed carriage drove out of Lookout Fort and headed straight for Qingfeng Valley.

"I really don't understand," Bruce said, drawing a Mother Earth symbol on his chest, "Why did His Lordship suddenly reduce the number of people in the investigation team so much?"

Jessica patted his shoulder and said, "Don't overthink it. His Lordship's decisions always have their reasons."