186: Fire (4,000)

Chapter 184: Fire (Four Thousand)

Each Fungus People's nest is managed by a leader, whom the Fungus People respectfully call 'King'.

He is not only the ruler of the nest but also the strongest and wisest being in the tribe.

Arthur followed Cassandra and her group into the cave, and Xiao Lingdang's earlier description proved true.

The space inside the cave was extremely wide, enough for an adult man to walk upright.

The two Fungus People leading the way brought them to a greenhouse.

Arthur saw many spore servants meticulously caring for the Fungus People's young nurtured in the greenhouse.

These servants looked almost identical to the humanoid fungal creatures seen before.

The Fungus People King could transform suitable corpses with special spores, making them serve as the nest's laborers.

“They won't save you for nothing,” Arthur said to Cassandra beside him, pointing at the busy servants.

Cassandra nodded gently, “Several of us who were too severely injured were transformed.”

“What exactly happened between you and your husband?” Arthur pressed.

Cassandra was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: “He went mad.

“The Candy Family's evil sorcery disturbed his mind.

“After our daughter left, he suddenly attacked me.

“I had no choice but to kill him.

“Originally, I also planned to go to Mist Town, but the Undead blocked all roads.

“So I could only follow the others and flee into the swamp.

“Later we found that those Undead seemed unwilling to enter this swamp at all.”

At this point, she looked around cautiously, lowering her voice to add, “Now, we finally understand why they didn't come.”

“How many survivors are left?” Arthur asked.

“Not many, only twelve people including me,” Cassandra's voice grew even lower, “There were twenty-seven at first.

“Those who were too severely injured and couldn't hold on were taken away by them.

“I witnessed the whole process; they didn't suffer much when they died.

“I guess those spores probably have hallucinogenic and sensory-numbing effects.

“Also, a few others went out to look for food and water and never returned.”

As she spoke, Arthur had already walked to the center of the greenhouse.

Among a dense patch of mushrooms, he saw the tallest Mushroom Person.

His build was almost as robust as Drax's.

The guiding Mushroom Person suddenly scattered a handful of pale green spores towards Arthur.

Cassandra quickly explained: “Don't be nervous, this is their only way of communicating with the outside world.”

“I know,” Arthur nodded.

Fungus People cannot speak, but they can release 'communion spores'.

Through these spores, they can telepathically communicate with other creatures.

Arthur took a deep breath, allowing the tiny spores to enter his body.

The next second, a deep and hoarse voice echoed in his mind: “Another survivor?”

Arthur looked up at the tall Fungus People King and replied in his mind: “I am not a survivor.

“I am the ruler of this land, and I have come to bring back the people under my command.”

“Ruler?” The Fungus People King's tone carried obvious confusion, “Many people in the past have claimed to be the ruler of this land.

“But most of them have vanished.

“With all due respect, I do not believe you have the qualifications to negotiate with me.”

“That remains to be seen, my friend. You haven't stated your conditions yet, so how do you know I'm not qualified to talk to you?”

The Fungus People King was silent for a moment, “Our tribe has been constantly harassed by 'harmful ones'.

“If you can help us eliminate them, I can let you take those survivors.”

“Are the 'harmful ones' you speak of the fungi entrenched in the old swamp house?” Arthur asked.

“Fungi? Is that what you humans call them?”

The Fungus People King paused, then gave an affirmative answer.

“Yes, those are them.

“In that stone cave, their leader is there.

“It is an extremely terrifying being, but fortunately, it is quite foolish.”

Arthur pondered for a while in his mind, then admitted: “This matter is difficult.

“I don't know the situation there.

“Nor do I have enough to start a big fire. You know, the best way to deal with fungi is fire.”

“If I say I have both of these things ready, would you be willing to go and eliminate them?” the Fungus People King asked.

Arthur raised an eyebrow, “So, you kept these humans not just to turn them into servants.

“You want them to help you eliminate those fungi?

“I understand. Tell me, how far along is your plan?”

After listening to the Fungus People King's entire plan, Arthur understood what he needed to do.

For years, the Fungus People and fungi have been vying for control of this swamp.

And the Fungus People have always been at a disadvantage.

The fungi's reproductive ability is simply too strong, and they can infect other creatures indiscriminately without any scruples.

But the Fungus People cannot do this; they are afraid of attracting outside attention and ultimately bringing about tribal annihilation.

This is not baseless fear, but a lesson learned from countless past experiences.

Whether human or other creatures, most regard them as monsters, or even food to fill their bellies.

It wasn't until the appearance of these human survivors that the situation took a turn.

The survivors offered to help the Fungus People clear out the fungi in exchange for protection.

And their method of clearing fungi was with fire.

So, the Fungus People secretly went to various farms at night, retrieving lamp oil, pine resin, and other flammable materials.

Unlike other creatures, the Fungus People can use spores to interfere with the fungi's perception.

Thus safely approaching the old house where the fungi were entrenched.

They placed these combustibles in key locations.

But the plan was stuck on a crucial issue: who would light the fire?

The Fungus People can barely withstand sunlight, let alone approach flames.

Flames would ignite the spores on their bodies, causing them to be burned along with it.

They once tried sending spore servants to carry out the ignition task.

But these low-level creations were simply unable to complete such complex operations.

They also had the survivors try, but whenever a survivor approached the old house, they would be discovered by the patrol creatures arranged by the fungi.

That's right, those fungi deliberately kept some creatures as informants.

Sometimes it was wolves, sometimes ravens, sometimes even a group of rats.

Like the Fungus People, past encounters had led them to develop a set of methods for dealing with various invaders.

“So, you've already placed fuel piles in various locations around the old house?”

Arthur asked in his mind, “What I need to do is go and ignite those fuels, right?”

“That's right, human,” the Fungus People King's thought came, “My people will cover you with spores to prevent you from being discovered by the harmful ones.

“But you must evade those infected living creatures.

“Once they give a warning, those harmful ones will immediately swarm and attack.”

“You're very lucky, I happen to have a way to deal with it,” Arthur said, “Without further ado, let's set off now.

“I must return before dark.”

A total of three fuel piles in different locations needed to be ignited.

So Arthur and Pixie decided to split up.

The young Baron knew very well that once the fire started, the fungi would immediately become alert.

And the interfering spores released by the Fungus People would also lose their effect due to the high heat of the flames.

Therefore, he entrusted the farthest ignition point to Xiao Lingdang, while he himself was responsible for the two nearby ones.

When the first fuel pile, filled with lamp oil and vegetable oil, was ignited, the invisible Arthur immediately rushed towards the next ignition point.

As soon as the fire started, the fungi reacted.

Fortunately, the Fungus People on the periphery, responsible for releasing interfering spores, were using spores to calm the fungi.

As Arthur arrived at the second ignition point, he saw a wisp of black smoke.

This meant that Xiao Lingdang had successfully completed her task.

He took out his tinderbox and spare flammable materials, quickly igniting the second pile of fuel.

But just as the flames rose, two wolves infected by fungi were attracted by the smoke.

Although they couldn't see the invisible Arthur, they still threw their heads back and let out sharp howls, sending warnings to their companions.

Immediately after, a shriek like a broken horn echoed from the old swamp house.

The sound was sharp and piercing, as if countless people were wailing in his ears simultaneously.

Arthur's eardrums and brain felt as if they had been hammered, nearly causing him to faint on the spot.

He clung to consciousness, trying not to look through the window at the interior of the old house. He couldn't imagine what a terrifying sight lay beyond that window.

He avoided the strange fungal creatures emerging from the soil, retreating to safety at the fastest possible speed.

By this time, the spores released by the Fungus People had been inactivated by the flames.

Only then did he realize how many fungi there were in this area.

His footsteps on the mycelia attracted the attention of the fungi.

Soon, the fungi surged towards him.

Fortunately, most fungi moved very slowly.

And those infected living creatures, unable to find a target, could only run wildly around Arthur.

The fire spread much faster than imagined; fungi and their released spores were inherently flammable.

Especially the air spores, which, when they burst, produced spores like Blazing Fire Glue, intensifying the flames.

Finally, Arthur successfully reached the safe zone.

The Fungus People waiting to receive him immediately stepped forward and killed the pursuing living creatures.

The young Baron of Qingfeng Valley turned around, looking at the old house not far away. Amidst continuous shrieks, he saw a giant burning monster burst through the roof of the old house.

The monster was taller than the entire old house, completely engulfed in flames, like a devil crawled out of hell.

On the other side of the swamp, the people waiting there also witnessed this astonishing scene.

They were wondering why Arthur had not returned.

Upon seeing the big fire, Heir couldn't help but ask, "What the hell is going on?"

Airo and Drax seemed much calmer.

"I bet this has something to do with the Lord," Drax said, "He would never delay this long."

"I agree," Airo echoed.

Among everyone, Ge'ertu'da was the most worried.

She had spent the shortest time with Arthur and wasn't sure what capabilities this young Baron of Qingfeng Valley possessed.

"Are we... are we really not going to check? Maybe... maybe Lord Arthur is in trouble," she asked with a trembling voice.

"Don't worry, little girl," Airo explained, "Arthur is not just a noble; he is also a priest who can cast magic.

"You must have faith in your Baron of Qingfeng Valley."

"But we—we're not doing anything?" Ge'ertu'da asked again.

"I think Arthur has already done everything that needs to be done," Airo continued, "If he needs our help, he will definitely send someone to notify us.

"Now, we just need to wait here quietly."

The fire was still raging, and the giant purple-rotted fungal corpse monster had long been swallowed by the sea of flames.

Other fungal creatures were also slowly escaping the fire, but their speed was clearly no match for the spreading flames.

The Mushroom King looked at the scene before him with great satisfaction.

"Thank you, outsider," he thanked Arthur via telepathy.

Arthur, however, corrected him sternly, "Friend, I am not an outsider.

"I am the Baron of Qingfeng Valley, the ruler of this land."

"My apologies, Baron of Qingfeng Valley," the Mushroom King immediately corrected himself, "If such a title pleases you.

"Since you are the ruler of this land, I have an impolite request that I hope you will hear."

"Hey, you can't do business like that. I've already helped you deal with your enemies.

"You should fulfill your promise."

The Mushroom King quickly explained, "No, no, you can certainly take those survivors.

"I just want to reach a new agreement with you."

"Tell me."

"My people and I would like to rent this swamp from you," the Mushroom King slowly said, "In return, we will pay tribute to you every quarter.

"The spores we cultivate and the special mushrooms we grow are all high-quality alchemical ingredients.

"Furthermore, we can share our mushroom cultivation techniques with you."

Arthur weighed it in his mind for a moment and said, "I need to take some of the things you mentioned back with me to confirm if what you're saying is true."

"That's perfectly fine," the Mushroom King immediately agreed, "I will have someone prepare them."

"Also, the 'swamp' you mentioned is this area right here, correct?"

Arthur drew a circle in the air with his finger, indicating for the other party to confirm the scope.

"Precisely," the Mushroom King replied.

"Then if we can sign an agreement, it's best to define the boundaries clearly," Arthur added, "That way, there will be far fewer unnecessary troubles in the future."

"I agree with your idea, Lord Baron of Qingfeng Valley."

So, after spending some time preparing the necessary things, Arthur returned to the swamp with the human survivors.

When everyone saw Arthur's figure, Airo couldn't help but laugh, "What did I tell you?"

Ge'ertu'da immediately knelt down and prayed to Mother Earth, expressing her gratitude.

After the prayer, she immediately got up and ran towards her mother.

The mother and daughter embraced tightly.

Heir, meanwhile, took charge and began to handle the follow-up matters for the survivors.

"Let's talk as we go," Arthur ordered, "We must return to camp before dark."

On the way back to camp, Xiao Lingdang vividly recounted the events to everyone.

After clarifying the origins and backgrounds of these survivors, Heir rode his horse to Arthur's side to report.

"Lord, these survivors are mostly serfs and don't know much.

"But one thing is certain: the Candy Family is using witchcraft to create an Undead army.

"Someone saw with their own eyes the overseers taking living people to the Candy Family's cemetery.

"Afterward, those people turned into Undead creatures."

Arthur speculated upon hearing this, "So the entrance to the ancient tomb should be within the Candy Family's cemetery."

"But that cemetery is very large," Heir added, "It's roughly half the size of a Plantation.

"Finding the entrance won't be easy."

"Does Cassandra know the exact location of the ancient tomb?" Arthur asked.

Heir nodded, a smile appearing on his face, "Yes, she does.

"She said that before her husband went completely mad, he drew her a map and told her to give it to the mayor of Mist Town.

"He wanted the mayor to quickly send people to conquer the Candy Family."

"That's good, at least my efforts weren't in vain this time," Arthur sighed in relief.

"It's all thanks to you, Lord," Heir said respectfully, "With the map, we can start planning our attack on the ancient tomb."

"There are still three days until the deadline, no need to rush," Arthur cautioned, "It's never too late to act after reconnaissance is thoroughly done."

Saying that, he took out the three magic scrolls he had obtained from the haunted house earlier from his saddlebag and handed them to Heir.

"These should help you, take them."

Heir took the scrolls, examined them carefully, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"You know how to use them, right?" Arthur asked.

"Lord, rest assured, I know how to use them," Heir replied, "My godmother taught me how to use magic scrolls before.

"It's just that scrolls are too expensive, so I rarely have the chance to use them. Thank you, Lord!"

Arthur nodded slightly.

After Heir carefully put away the scrolls, he added, "Lord, Cassandra wants to come with us."

"We already have the map. Is it appropriate for her, a commoner, to accompany you?"

"She said she's the herbalist of the farm and knows some medical skills, so she can help treat the wounded," Heir explained, "Also, she wants to avenge her husband."

"The mother and daughter just met, and they're going to be separated again?" Arthur mused, "Alright, if they have no objections, and you think it's feasible, then I have no objections."