...

...

Arrange for a few people who have mastered the technology to each gather a team to build fire pits.

Durant then called Rein over to assign tasks to the Hunting Team.

Durant had Lawrence cooperate with Rein to gather all the Hunters to expand the Hunting Team.

Durant wanted to accumulate more meat while also advancing the progress of the [Hunting Lord]!

He aimed to fulfill all the other conditions for the Hunting Lord before next summer arrives!

If he has enough power by then, Durant intends to start hunting Magical Beasts to directly unlock the Hunting Lord entry!

The other goal is to quickly unlock the Breeding Lord entry.

Durant had already figured out that he couldn't afford bulls, horses, or sheep, but he could afford to raise rabbits!

He instructed Rein to lead the hunters in setting traps around the mountains and fields to catch the wild rabbits that breed in the summer and grow in the fall.

Rabbits have a strong reproductive rate, with one litter producing up to ten, and even with a high mortality rate, at least three to four can survive.

This exponential growth means that as long as Durant has two hundred rabbits, the Breeding Lord entry can soon be unlocked.

And catching two hundred live rabbits on the Desert isn't very difficult.

After arranging all these tasks, Durant returned to his Blacksmith Shop to continue forging weapons.

This is the work that most requires his personal involvement and can greatly enhance combat power.

During the battle with Chris, he deeply experienced the immense assistance provided by his weapons.

It was simply a dimensional reduction blow, so he planned to focus more on forging.

...

...

Clang, clang, clang——

"Lord Baron, the patrol team has sent word that an army has passed through White Rock Canyon."

Durant was shirtless, grinding a Longsword, when a Guard suddenly came to report.

Durant handed the nearly completed Longsword to Hammer, who carefully stored it away.

Everyone at the Blacksmith Shop knew they couldn't touch the weapons forged by the Lord.

Durant wiped the sweat off his body, put on his clothes, and returned to the manor hall.

In the manor, Durant, Gang Le, Rein, and others had been waiting for some time.

Everyone bowed in salute, and Durant nodded slightly in response.

Once seated, Durant took the initiative to report:

"The forces are similar to what Count Hawk mentioned in his letter, with at least forty armored men, adding about two hundred including all the militia recruits."

He paused for a moment, frowning as he added, "However, they don't seem to be attacking, as their marching speed is extremely slow. After passing through White Rock Canyon, they only advanced ten kilometers in an entire day."

"Ten kilometers?"

Durant frowned slightly. What is this Baron Halon doing?

A normal person can walk four or five kilometers in an hour, so even at the slowest marching speed, they should cover more than ten kilometers a day.

"Is that guy touring my territory?"

"According to the patrol's report, they indeed seem to be on a sightseeing tour..."

Durant hesitated for a moment before responding, "They are marching with no sense of urgency."

"What's even stranger is that he suddenly ordered his troops to halt, and our scouts thought they'd been discovered.

But it turned out that the Baron was just going to hunt in the nearby woods, and afterward, they lit a fire to cook... just like a noble excursion."

"Is this guy trying to deceive us?"

Durant fell into deep thought, wondering if this guy was openly repairing a plank road while secretly crossing the ocean.

Does Count Hawk have another plan?

He raised his head, looking firmly at Durant, and said, "Either way, we must not let our guard down.

Keep a close eye on his every move and order the patrol team to widen their patrols to see if there are any other armies lurking around."

"Yes, Lord Baron."

Durant agreed with Durant's view, and the others also felt something was amiss.

As a result, Durant specially dispatched an additional patrol team to monitor the direction of Border City.

However, it turned out Durant's judgment was wrong this time.

After careful reconnaissance, Durant confirmed that there were no other enemy forces ambushed around — this Baron Halon was indeed just leisurely strolling.

What was supposed to be a three-day journey, Baron Halon stretched into a full week.

The ambush set up by Durant was getting moldy in the woods, yet Halon still hadn't reached the appointed location.

Fortunately, Durant had enough patience, otherwise, he might have ordered a direct attack.

It wasn't until the morning of the eighth day that Baron Halon's troops finally arrived leisurely near the designated location.

"Noble Lord Baron," reported the envoy responsible for leading the way respectfully,

"The encampment of Lord Chris is just inside the mountain pass ahead."

Baron Halon nodded nonchalantly and commanded, "Go inform Chris to make the arrangements and come out to greet me personally."

The envoy was momentarily stunned, then quickly responded,

"The troops might be camped deep in the mountain pass, so you may have to wait a little longer."

"That's all right, you go ahead, I'll just brew another pot of tea."

With that, Baron Halon yawned and instructed his maid to light the fire for tea.

His attendant dared not speak further and nodded in agreement before galloping off toward the mountain pass.

This so-called attendant was actually Durant's Guard.

As soon as he entered the mountain pass, he relayed the information to Durant.

Durant listened with a slight frown,

"It seems that this Baron Halon is more vigilant than expected."

Baron Halon did not recognize Chris's entourage, but he did recognize Chris himself.

If Chris really appeared to greet them, everything would be exposed.

Durant's expression tightened as he lowered his head to think of a countermeasure.

Gang Le looked at Luo De and asked, "Master, what should we do next?"

Luo De thought for a moment and said, "He likes to put on airs and won't come in? Then send someone to force them in."

Durant appeared a bit hesitant, "You mean...?"

"Have the cavalry outside pretend to be a Desert patrol and create some commotion for me, then that Halon will be willing to come in."

Luo De believed that Baron Halon, who planned to ambush his granary, would now not want to rashly alert his own troops.

Durant's eyes lit up upon hearing this, "No problem, my Lord!"

Following Luo De's instructions, Durant quickly relayed the order.

Setting up an ambush, Luo De naturally wanted everyone to be left behind, so he left a reserve force at the rear.

The message was sent out from the flank, and a cavalry squad soon appeared.

The scouts left behind by Baron Halon quickly discovered the cavalry squad feigning a passing patrol and reported it swiftly.

As Luo De anticipated, Halon did not rashly attack the highly mobile cavalry squad.

And to avoid being discovered by the opponent, he immediately ordered his servants to destroy traces and commanded his troops to hide in the ravine.

Nonetheless, he remained highly vigilant, sending out scouts to climb the hillside and reconnoiter the surroundings.

When the scouts stood on the hillside and waved to Baron Halon, indicating no abnormalities around, only then did Baron Halon lead his troops deeper.

However, he was unaware that beneath this scout was a guard of Luo De.

A sharp short sword was pressed against the scout's groin, forcing him to make a safe gesture.

Meanwhile, Luo De stood atop the mountain, observing everything.

"Wait, wait until their entire tail is in, then seal the exit tightly."

Luo De watched Halon's forces quickly step into the ravine, but noticed that the rear of the troop suddenly showed some commotion.

Halon was more acute than expected, detecting something amiss and immediately ordering his troops to change direction.

"Take action!"

Luo De also knew that the man sensed the ambush and immediately gave the order!

The sound of a horn suddenly rang out, and the Wildmen ambushed on both sides leapt out of the grass simultaneously.

Long Spears poured down like hail, densely covering the entire space over the top of the ravine.

The shield formation was like an illusion under the dense Long Spear attack, easily pierced by the sharp spear points!

The Long Spears, descending with great momentum, shattered the blocking shields instantly!

The strength of these Wildmen was indeed enhanced by Luo De's Commander's Blade!

The soldiers screamed continuously, and the orderly troop quickly crumbled!

The mountainsides were completely ambushed, leaving soldiers with no place to hide!

The recruits were panic-stricken, some frozen in place becoming live targets.

Blood sprayed in the ravine, instantly dyeing the soil and rocks red.

After four rounds of Long Spear rain, less than half of the men were left standing!

The recruits and militia within the troop had basically fallen, groaning in pain.

The soldiers at the rear of the troop who wished to escape were intercepted by Luo De's soldiers coming from behind.

Woo—

The charging horn sounded, and Gang Le and Durant each led a team of soldiers down the hillsides, directly rushing toward Baron Halon!

"Stop fighting!"

However, before the soldiers on either side engaged, Baron Halon suddenly threw down his weapon and shouted,

"I surrender! I surrender!"

"Baron Rod! I have something to say! I have something to say!"

...

...

Luo De initially had great confidence in this ambush.

He understood it would be a simple battle, but he didn't expect it to be so simple that it ended just as it began.

Luo De frowned, examining the tied-up Baron Halon before him,

"Chris said that your strength is already close to that of an Advanced Knight.

You should have had a chance to escape, so why did you surrender?"

Baron Halon looked around and softly implored, "Can I speak with you alone?"

Luo De hesitated for a moment, then gestured for the other guards to withdraw, leaving only Durant.

"This person remaining is my most trusted subordinate."

Luo De glanced at Durant, then his gaze fell back on Baron Halon,

"Now you can speak."

Baron Halon lowered his voice and said, "Simon was killed by my men."

Luo De raised an eyebrow, looking at Baron Halon without speaking.

The matter of Simon was not a secret; many people knew about it.

Such a casual remark from Halon couldn't be easily believed by Luo De.

"Dawn Society."

The three words added by Halon did, however, pique Luo De's interest slightly.

Being able to mention both together, what Halon just said gained a bit more credibility.

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