Chapter 28: The Troops Meet
In the Woodland Next to the Shanlin Town Signpost. After Luo Ning's troops had lunch here, they rested on the spot.
After a morning of climbing over mountains and crossing hills, the guards sometimes had to get off the carriage and push it, and everyone was still a little tired.
However, joy was revealed in their eyes when they thought about the end of this long journey.
At this moment, they were gathered in groups of three or five, leaning against the tree trunks, resting in the shade, and chatting in low voices from time to time.
A mountain breeze blew by, and the leaves swayed in the wind. The wizard Elrond, who was sitting in meditation under the tree in the front, opened his eyes and looked ahead with a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
"Sir, I feel like there are troops coming over there," Elrond reminded.
Luo Ning suddenly opened his eyes and finished refining his magic power. He stood up and looked towards the plain below the mountain. He could indeed see a group of people coming along the road.
It's just that the road is too far and I can't see exactly how many people there are.
Chahar stood beside Luo Ning, looking out and saying, "Could it be that the government official here discovered us and came out to greet you, Master?"
Ronin shrugged, "I hope so!"
He turned around and strode towards the guards' resting area, followed by Guard Officer McKen and his deputy David.
"Everyone!" Roning shouted.
After this training period, all the guards stood up straight for the first time after hearing this order, no matter what their state was.
I don't know how much higher the level of discipline has been compared to ten days ago.
The guards acted reflexively, but they had a question in their minds:
The Baron had just told them to have a good rest at noon; why did they suddenly have to train again?
Roning certainly didn't call them up for training, "Pick up your weapons and gather here!"
Arms?
The guards were stunned for a moment. Practising footwork and military boxing does not require weapons, so why did the Baron ask them to carry weapons?
Chahar and David were also stunned. They couldn't understand why the Baron would make such an arrangement.
Perhaps only McKen and Elrond were not stunned among those present. It was not because they understood Ronin's purpose but because they would unconditionally execute whatever decision Ronin made.
Although they were confused, in the hearts of the guards, Roning had absolute authority, so they immediately gathered together with their inferior swords.
Five rows and six columns, neat and uniform.
"very good!"
Looking at the neat and orderly queue, Roning nodded slightly, "We may be greeted by our own enthusiastic people or by cold swords, so be prepared for battle!"
Hearing this, everyone present was shocked.
What's going on? Is there still danger in Shanlin Town?
Luo Ning didn't explain too much, "Now, form groups of five and spread out!"
An uneasy and tense atmosphere spread, but they all knew that there were mid-level knights and a magician in the team, a total of four extraordinary people, so they were not too panicked.
"Are you afraid, my lord, that they might attack us?" Elrond asked.
Roning nodded slightly, "I hope I'm overthinking it, but it's always good to be prepared."
"I swear to protect you, sir!" McKen took off his shield, drew out his sword and shouted.
David also made the same gesture, "I will protect you till my death!"
Seeing this, the guards raised their inferior swords one after another, "We swear to protect you till death!"
When Luo Ning saw this scene, he couldn't help but laugh.
It's good to have your own team.
Time passed slowly, and the column of people and horses was getting closer and closer. Roning also noticed that they not only had cavalry but also infantry walking behind them.
"Twenty-eight people in total."
The intermediate magician Elrond had a stronger insight and determined the number of the enemy.
Luo Ning raised the corner of his mouth. Twenty-eight people came at once, including both cavalry and infantry. What were they here for?
If he encountered such a situation when passing through other territories, Roning would most likely choose to take a detour immediately to avoid the sharp edge.
But he can't do that now. They have already reached his territory. How can he take a detour?
Even if the other party has bad intentions, he has to deal with it head-on.
The sounds of horse hooves and footsteps gradually became clearer, and everyone's heart was in their throat.
Soon, the men and horses appeared a hundred meters away.
Luo Ning was the first to mount his horse and walk forward, looking down from a high position, and led the team to block the way on the slope.
Beside him, McKen, David, and Elrond also mounted their horses and protected him in the middle.
When the two sides were about fifty meters apart, McKen shouted in a deep voice: "Stop, tell me your name and identity!"
The sound was so loud that it shook the mountains and forests.
The five enemy cavalrymen, who had already slowed down, pulled the reins and stopped where they were. A tall and thin man lightly stepped forward from the crowd, squeezing his horse's belly.
"Who are you?"
He asked coldly, "What are you doing in Hillwood Town?"
McKen responded in a deep voice: "The one standing in front of you is the blood of the Wushan family, the Baron of Hillwood Town, Ronin Firestorm! If you are the subjects of Hillwood Town, you should offer your greetings and loyalty to Baron Ronin!"
"The bloodline of the Wushan family?"
There was a hint of doubt in the other person's voice mixed with a barely perceptible mockery.
"As far as I know, Earl Wiggins has only three children. His eldest son, Ronin, has just been deprived of his inheritance rights. His daughter, McKinney, has married Sir Kabir of Brilliant City. His second son, Breton, is studying at Wushan Supernatural Academy."
He raised his eyebrows and spread his hands: "I have never heard that the Earl has a son named Ronin Firestorm. What, a bastard?"
"you..."
Roning raised his hand, signalling McKenz that there was no need to argue. He held the reins with both hands and sat on the horse without any impatience.
"It is said that Shanlin Town is extremely remote and barren, so it should not be well-informed. I didn't expect that you, who live in the mountains, would hear about the revocation of the inheritance rights of the eldest grandson of Wushan Fort so quickly."
Roning chuckled, "Then you should know that Roning changed his last name to Fiery Storm, right?"
The other person's expression changed slightly, and he realized that he had accidentally let something slip.
Luo Ning didn't want to waste time on the other party, so he went straight to the point, "If my guess is correct, you should be the government official of Shanlin Town. Tell me your name."
"The outside world has been belittling you like a fool, but after meeting you today, I realized that all the rumours are true." The man did not continue to play dumb but raised his hand to make a knight's salute.
"My Lord Baron, I am Princet, the political officer of Hillwood Town and also the operator and protector of Hillwood Town."
Roning narrowed his eyes and frowned.
The title of political officer was given to him by Wushanbao, but the titles of manager and guardian were obviously given to him by him.
Judging from the other party's tone and attitude, he probably thinks he is the master of Shanlin Town.
That's why Princet brought his troops to greet Roning and talked to Roning on horseback instead of dismounting to salute.
Luo Ning didn't know what the other party relied on, but it was obvious that the other party would not easily give up the throne of the "actual lord" of Shanlin Town.
Or is it that the other party is using this situation to gain some benefits from him as the lord?
Roning glanced at the soldiers around Princet. There were four cavalrymen, twenty infantrymen, and even three archers.
According to Lu Lans, Shanlin Town has a population of no more than a thousand, but they could actually provide so many people as guards. This was a bit beyond Roning's expectations.
"Okay, Mr. Political Officer Princet, now you can tell me your purpose."