CHAPTER 69: CHAPTER 65: WILDMAN

Two or three dozen people charged down from the hillside with loud roars!

Primitive animal skins covered their privates, their faces full of beards, holding spears and bow and arrows!

Luo Fei understood why Us called them wild men.

Their attire made them look as if they were ready to eat people!

"Run!"

Us shouted again loudly, and Luo Fei quickly grabbed his wife’s mother and the children, running wildly without looking back!

Us, his wife, and his father were all hunters, more capable than Luo Fei and his mother!

"Throw everything away! Leave it!"

Luo Fei took the bundles from his wife’s mother and cast them aside!

These animal skins and dried meat could be traded for some food, but life was more important!

Us, his wife, and father raised their bow and arrows, shooting back at the wild men while running to prevent them from pursuing!

However, Us was just an ordinary hunter, and the pressure from the wild men’s approach made him lose his composure, causing his shots to lose accuracy!

"Why are these guys out here?"

"Damn, isn’t their tribe supposed to be in the valley?"

"Did they run out of food, or did a flood destroy their homes?!"

Us’s home was near a branch of Blue River, the origin of which was in the Blade Mountain Range.

This branch was usually just a stream, only turning into a real river after heavy rains recently.

"These wild men wouldn’t be dumb enough to build houses on a river path, would they?!"

Us’s constant shouting made his wife frown,

"Shut up! Save your energy for running! They’re catching up!"

As she spoke, Us’s wife reached for an arrow but found the quiver empty!

Without any weapons to fight back, Us’s wife turned and ran without hesitation!

"Drop it, drop everything you’re carrying!"

Us also smartened up, telling his wife and father to drop their backpacks.

With that, the three of them sped up, leaving the wild men behind.

Perhaps because they had left all their belongings behind, or maybe they were just too fast, the wild men also stopped their chase.

Us and the others ran for a long time, stopping only after confirming the wild men were no longer pursuing. They collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

"We’re finished, now we’ll starve."

Us breathed heavily, a sense of sorrow filling his heart.

They had little to their name, and now all was lost.

The direction the wild men had come from suggested his home in the Blade Mountain Range was gone.

"We won’t starve!"

Luo Fei waved his hand while gasping for air, assuring, "The Lord won’t let you starve!"

"No refugee in our town has starved, how could a few of you starve!"

Luo Fei still wanted to boast a little, but then came the sound of urgent hoofbeats.

Luo Fei looked up, a smile appearing on his face.

"It’s the Lord’s patrol!"

...

...

"Wild men?"

Luo De was having lunch, immediately put down his utensils upon hearing the news.

He didn’t even have time to wipe his mouth, asking, "Where did the wild men come from?"

"Reportedly from within the Blade Mountain Range."

Durant handed the document to Luo De.

The patrol’s routine reports were directly handed to Durant, with only major incidents being reported to Luo De.

"No need for me to read it, just give me a brief."

"Yes, my lord."

Durant nodded and said, "The town’s dung worker’s relatives were chased by wild men and happened to meet the patrol team.

The patrol, seeing no threat from them, charged and dispersed the wild men’s group.

A total of twenty-seven wild men were captured, with two heavily injured and six lightly injured, the rest were okay."

"None got away?" Luo De asked.

"People can’t outrun warhorses, sir. The two severe injuries were because they were caught while trying to escape."

Durant added, "Oh, among Luo Fei’s relatives, there were three hunters, and they also helped."

"A family of hunters?"

Luo De was a bit surprised, asking, "Then why isn’t Luo Fei a hunter?"

Durant shook his head, "Not sure about that."

Whether Luo Fei was a hunter wasn’t important; bringing back three hunters was significant.

Luo De didn’t delve into it and instructed, "Send people to assist; twenty-three wild men are hard to manage. Also, bring some food."

The journey is long, and if the food runs out and the wild men go hungry, they’ll likely go mad.

The territory lacks manpower, so retain as many as possible.

"Let Luna go along and see if the severely injured can be saved."

"Yes, my lord."

Durant responded, though his face showed some hesitation.

Luo De rarely saw such an expression on him, growing curious, asked, "What’s wrong? Speak up if you have something on your mind."

"Can we let Stella go along too?"

Durant explained, "I’ve noticed not only is her archery precise, but she also shows great talent in sword skills, better than many new recruits.

I think she can be groomed."

"Are you two together now?"

Luo De’s eyes brightened, suddenly interested, asking, "How far along are you two?"

Durant’s face turned slightly red as he softly said, "The other night, Stella came to me drunk, questioning if she wasn’t beautiful.

And then we..."

"Enough, no need for details, I get it."

Luo De smiled with joy.

This finally solved a lingering concern.

"Sorry, sir, for being like this before you’re married..."

Durant said apologetically.

"It’s nothing, you’ll be old if you don’t marry soon."

Luo De waved it off, saying:

"Once things calm down, I’ll have a yard built near the manor, and that will be your temporary home."

Since Durant had a woman now, a wooden house in the manor wasn’t enough.

In this era, contraception methods were limited, and the idea wasn’t popular, plus there’s also Luo De’s contributions.

As long as they’re healthy, it won’t be long before she conceives.

"As for Stella, you can have her assist you."

Employ capable relatives.

Durant indeed needed an assistant.

Luo De trusted Durant’s judgment and believed he wouldn’t place Stella in a position just due to her status.

Durant didn’t need to do that, as Luo De was never stingy with him.

"Thank you for your trust."

Durant bowed and then went to arrange for the patrol team to be welcomed.

Three days later.

The welcoming team returned to Frost Leaf Town.

"Good day, my lord."

Stella at the front of the team saluted to Luo De, "Thank you for your trust."

Luo De looked at Stella, saying, "I trust Durant’s judgment. He speaks highly of your abilities, and I hope you prove him right."

Stella’s expression turned solemn, earnestly assuring, "I will not disgrace the mission."

Luo De nodded and approached Luo Fei, "You did well, but remember not to go alone next time; the wilds are dangerous."

"Yes, yes, my lord,"

Luo Fei replied hesitantly.

He felt a bit intimidated by the lord, even though he was much younger than himself.

Us felt similarly and couldn’t help but clench his fists nervously.

"My lord, I wish you good health."

Us finished speaking and regretted it—his lord was already in good health.

Luo De couldn’t help but laugh, but didn’t fault Us, instead saying, "Welcome to Frost Leaf Town.

Word has it you fear going hungry here?"

"Rest assured, Frost Leaf Town has never starved anyone."

Luo De’s gaze swept over the other two hunters, "As long as you’re willing to work as hunters, you’ll only eat your fill."

This brought joy to Us’s heart, and he quickly bowed,

"Thank you! We’ll definitely work hard, my lord!"

Luo De patted Us’s shoulder, then walked to the back of the team to begin observing the group of wild men.

...

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