n

n

nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nWith the intentional provocation, Steve, who had no choice but to be ruthless and violent due to his lack of rations and clothing, became the public enemy. The Black Armor Guards under him also became the target of the people’s hatred and acts of revenge. Small scale conflict targeting the Black Armor Guards became more and more frequent. The situation did not improve even after Steve increased the strength and radius of his patrol squad.

nSlowly, the relationship between the Black Armor Guards and the rest of the people became increasingly tense. The people walked quickly on the streets, worried that they would suddenly meet with mishap. They would also close their doors and windows the moment the sky got dark. At the same time, the Black Armor Guards were also afraid of getting ambushed, and they traveled in large groups even when they were headed to the bar to get a drink. No one dared to act alone.

nThere was a joke circulating within the internal command of the Black Armor Guards. They had to move with their brothers no matter the time and place. They patrolled the streets together, went to the toilet together, flirted with girls together. They even had to move in pairs when they wanted to find a woman. One would be enjoying himself while the other would guard him with heavy arms, in case someone from the Rossi Empire suddenly charged in.

nAt the same time, Yang Ling recalled all of the guards in his patrol squad, consolidating his forces and strengthening the defense of Wissen Castle. In order to ease the worries of the servants whose families were in Wissen Town, Yang Ling had decided to bring their families into the castle temporarily. This way, his servants and subordinates became even more grateful, putting even more effort into fulfilling their duties.

nFor example, Madam Liss was in charge of sweeping the floor. In the past, she would only wipe the floor once every day. But now, she would voluntarily wipe the floor thrice a day even without the old butler Murbaqi’s instructions. Madam Penny, who was in charge of purchasing groceries, would praise Sir Yang every time she went to the market to purchase groceries, much to the envy of the rest of the townspeople. They would often ask if there were any vacancies in Yang Ling’s abode.

nThe days passed, but the situation in Wissen Town did not improve. Instead, it became more and more tense!

nWith the increasing number of Black Armor Guards falling to ambushes, and with the weather getting colder and colder, the Black Armor Guards who lacked clothing and rations became increasingly violent, and their discipline degraded. One day, just as Yang Ling was leaning back on his large chair and enjoying Alice’s massage, his guard Argus walked in with large steps.

n“Sir, the bar owner Andrew, the blacksmith, and the rest of the people came to pay you a visit!”

n“Invite them in!” Yang Ling sat up straight. “Alice, you must be tired. Go and rest. The weather is so cold, you need to be careful not to get sick, especially since you are wearing this little clothing!”

nSeeing the thin robe draped over Alice’s skinny shoulders, Yang Ling shook his head. He then draped his own leopard skin coat over her. Alice quickly snuggled into the warm coat after giving a soft reply.

nAlice had just left when a flurry of footsteps came from outside the door. Looking up, Yang Ling saw Argus leading in a large group of people. Other than Andrew, the blacksmith, and the rest of the people, there were also several strangers. There were men and women, young and old, totaling upwards of a hundred people.

nYang Ling was surprised by the sudden appearance of over a hundred people, but their expressions shocked him even more. Some had blank expressions and were mumbling, as if they were suffering from dementia. Some had sunken expressions, their muscles rigid, as if someone owed them five hundred thousand dollars. A few people began weeping softly the moment they saw Yang Ling, as if they were seeing a relative they had not seen for many years…

n“Andrew, what’s going on?” After seating the group, Yang Ling instructed his servants to serve them tea before asking Andrew who was seated closest to him.

n“Sir, we cannot survive like this!” Andrew clenched his teeth and said fiercely, “A few days ago, you lent me a sum of crystal coins to purchase land and build an inn. I picked out a decent location two days ago and was prepared to pay and begin construction. But as I left my house yesterday morning, all of the crystal coins were snatched away by a group of Black Armor Guards. They even broke two of my ribs!”

nAndrew pulled up his shirt, revealing the ugly black and purple bruises on his skin. He was coughing continuously, as if his injuries were rather serious.

nThey broke two of his ribs?

nLooking closely at Andrew’s injuries, Yang Ling’s expression sank. Andrew was already in his fifties. He could easily develop complications after being beaten up like this, even if he had been given timely treatment. It looked like the Black Armor Guards under Steve were becoming more and more insolent, for them to lay such a heavy hand on a defenseless old man.

nAfter a moment’s deliberation, Yang Ling was about to console Andrew when a young lady dressed in rough clothing charged out and knelt before him.

n“Sir Yang, when my father returned from hunting, the Black Armor Guards accused him of supplying the Rossi forces with information and beat him badly. He has been lying on the bed for more than a week, unable to get up. His injuries are getting more and more serious, and if he doesn’t receive treatment soon, I’m afraid…” The young lady’s face was covered in tears as she looked at Yang Ling. “Sir Yang, please save my father, I’m begging you!”

nLooking at the crying, pitiful girl named Kristin, Yang Ling shook his head. It looked like the Black Armor Guards under Steve had become paranoid after suffering such heavy casualties. They even beat up an ordinary hunter for being the spy for the Rossi soldiers.

n“Miss Kristin, please get up!” Yang Ling reached out to the kneeling girl and helped her up. “Do not worry, I’ll immediately send someone to treat your father. Don’t worry, it’ll be alright!”

nYang Ling shot a glance toward Argus as he spoke. The latter understood his intentions and quickly helped the grieving Kristin to a chair by the side.

nFollowing that, seeing how Yang Ling accepted the young lady’s request so readily, the rest of the people started voicing their grievances.

nSome said that the rations they had saved up for the winter had been snatched away by the Black Armor Guards and that they had no more food left for the days ahead. Some said that their family members went to hunt in the Terras Forest, but were captured by the Black Armor Guards and accused of being spies. In fact, there were some who claimed that their daughters had been humiliated by a group of drunk Black Armor Guards, and they were asking Yang Ling to help them find justice.

n“Sir, if this goes on, there is no way we can carry on living!” Seeing Yang Ling remaining silent while the rest of the people voiced their grievances, Andrew spoke as he knelt on the ground.

n“That’s right, Sir Yang, please save us!”

n“Sir Yang, as long as you lead us, we will go all out against them and kill the blasted beasts!”

n“That’s right! That nonsense leader Steve is just a thief! Other than Sir Yang, no one else is worthy of being our leader. All of us will fight for you!”

n…

nThe people became more agitated as they spoke, pointing their spears toward the leader Steve. They were all pleading for Yang Ling to help them seek justice, hoping that Yang Ling would exterminate Steve’s faction just like he had the Anca family. In their eyes, if Wissen Town were to have a leader, it had to be Yang Ling.

n“All of you, I am sorry, but I am just a small merchant. I do not have the ability, nor is there a possibility that I would go against Sir Leader.”

nYang Ling coldly rejected the requests of the people. The situation now was tense, and who knew if Steve had spies amongst the townspeople. He did not want to leave behind something that could be used against him in the hands of the Black Armor Guards who were ready to attack.

nFurthermore, there was still not a clear victor between Steve and the Rossi forces. If he were to act now, he would have to pay a price even if he achieved victory, giving a free advantage to the Rossi forces in the forest. It was smarter for him to deal the fatal blow when both armies were at their weakest.

n“Sir…” Seeing Yang Ling refuse them, the people knelt in disappointment. There was no way they could continue living their lives if they allowed Steve’s Black Armor Guards to continue acting this way.

n“People, I am very sympathetic to your plight!” Yang Ling’s eyes moved as he thought of an idea. He said, “I am unable to help in certain areas, but if you truly cannot live on, you can talk to my butler and collect some rations and clothes to ward off the cold. In fact, if any of you feel uneasy, you can move into my castle temporarily!”

nMove into the castle temporarily?

nWhen they heard Yang Ling say this, the crowd had a glint in their eyes, finally seeing a ray of light. Yang Ling had powerful abilities. The Black Armor Guards would not dare act rashly within the castle, even if they had the gall of a bear.

nThe people were elated. Yang Ling also let out a faint smile. Obtaining the gratitude and support of the people would be immensely beneficial for his future plans, and the price he had to pay was merely some rations and a few empty guest rooms. If he planned this right, he might be able to further profit from this.

n