In the forest over a hundred miles east of Weisen Town, there were towering trees and thorny vines everywhere, with few human footprints. Not to mention loggers, even hunters from the town rarely came here.

  However, when the sun sets in the west, several fast-moving black shadows appear in this rare place. Like a few wild geese, they sweep across the snowy ground, leaving behind only a faint trail of footprints, which are soon covered by the snow.

  After crossing a low shrub, confirming that no one was following, several warriors dressed in black shadows crawled under a rock. A cold wind mixed with snowflakes blew over, covering all traces of smell and footprints.

  Behind the rock is a huge natural cave with many sharp stalactites hanging down. The ground is icy and has a thick layer of frost on it.

  "Your Highness, Selon is honored to report that he has successfully obtained the latest troop deployment map and patrol routes of the Bantu people!" As soon as he entered a dark green tent, the leading warrior knelt down in front of a young man leaning on a large chair, pulled out a thin piece of animal skin from his pocket, and handed it over to the approaching armed guard.

  "Selon, if I'm not mistaken, you're still a baron, right?" The young man leaning on the large chair took over the thin animal skin, looked at the ink marks that had not yet dried, and said faintly after a pause: "I heard there's still an unopened mountain in the Ruya Valley. You've worked hard for so many years, it's time you had a territory of your own!"

  Territory?

  "Thanks for your great kindness!" The warrior named Selon was overjoyed and excited when he understood the young man's intention.

  According to the custom of the Tyrant Continent, a baron is nominal and has no actual power, with no fiefdom and the title cannot be inherited by his descendants. Only after being conferred as a viscount can one possess territory and hereditary privileges, truly entering the circle of nobility.

  Although the Roua Valley was located at the southernmost tip of the empire, known as a barbaric land, Serlon was still excited. One step from baron to viscount, this is something that ordinary people dare not even think about.

  "Selon, this is your reward!" Seeing Selon's excitement, the young man in fine clothes smiled faintly and said to the other envious warriors: "This time we came secretly to Visen Town, our mission is arduous. But as long as it goes smoothly, everyone will be heavily rewarded!"

  "Thanks to Your Excellency for the promotion!" Seeing Selon step into the sky, he would become a true noble after returning. The other warriors were both excited and full of hope. It was said that His Excellency had always been generous, it seemed that this was indeed true.

  "By the way, Seron, how did the negotiations with them go regarding food and armor?"

  "Your Highness, this...” Selon hesitated for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying: “Your Highness, the other side is too shameless. A cart of green wheat costs 500 purple crystal coins to open its mouth, and even a single long arrow requires ten purple crystal coins, which is almost ten times more expensive than usual, so...”

  Looking at the expressionless prince, Selon was drenched in cold sweat. Having just received an unexpected reward, if he were to anger the prince due to not discussing food and armor properly, it's possible that not only would this unexpected reward be retracted, but he might also receive severe punishment. After all, on the vast lands of Ross, the prince's severity was as famous as his generosity.

  It is said that His Highness once took a personal attendant to visit a minister, and before going, he specially instructed the attendant to change into formal attire. As a result, the attendant was dissatisfied because of the hasty time, and the third button on his shirt had a small stain that wasn't wiped clean. For this reason, the unlucky attendant was transferred to the army to wash clothes for the soldiers, and washed for a whole year!

  "Oh, so the other party only needs crystal coins?" Seeing Selon's tense and sweaty face, he remained calm and composed, having learned the skill of controlling his subordinates after being by the Emperor's side for many years.

  Tens of thousands, or even tens of millions of purple crystal coins, might be an astronomical sum for ordinary people, but for the vast and populous Ros Empire, it was just a drop in the bucket. At the critical moment, * didn't care about paying a few more crystal coins; what he worried about was what hidden purpose Yang Ling had behind his offer to help with all his might.

  Like Stoff, he led a large number of guards to rush to the remote Weisen Town, and took a strong interest in Yang Ling's unique strength. Although he spent countless efforts, the result was in vain, and no clues related to Yang Ling's life experience could be found.

  After the chaotic battle, seeing that he was no match for Stov, he led his subordinates to hide in the Trass Forest. The Trass Forest stretched for thousands of miles, it was the largest primeval forest on the continent, where magical beasts and towering trees were everywhere. Not to mention Stov's three thousand men, even if there were thirty million troops, they would have a hard time finding their tracks in the vast sea of woods at once.

  As expected, after hiding in the Tras Forest, * quickly grasped the initiative and from time to time launched surprise attacks on the patrolling Bantu people, causing Stoff severe casualties. In a hurry, he only brought more than 500 people, but they were all elite with one against ten. One-on-one, Stoff's Black Armor Army was not an opponent at all.

  Although they had turned the tide from defeat to victory, and gained the initiative, as the weather grew colder, the difficulties he encountered also grew. There was no stored grain, no replenishment of consumed weapons and arrows, nor sufficient priests and medicine. Even the warriors did not have winter clothing to keep warm, and non-combat casualties increased.

  Just as Yang Ling was at a loss, his strategist came uninvited. Taking great risks to sell various materials and even intelligence, he was overjoyed, and the two sides reached an agreement immediately.

  "Your Highness, we secretly infiltrated Visen Town this time and did not see Lord Yang." After waiting for half a day, seeing that the Highness was not angry, Selon let out a sigh of relief. "But according to his advisor Good, Lord Yang wishes to meet with Your Highness in person!"

  "Oh, and meet me in person once?"

  Without changing his expression, he cast a silent glance at the strategist behind him. The latter understood his intention and wanted to say something, but looking at the several warriors kneeling on the ground, he tightly closed his mouth.

  "Alright, you've all worked hard, go take a rest!"

  "Thank you, Your Excellency!" After bowing, Selon and his entourage quickly retreated. It wasn't until they walked out of the luxurious tent that Selon discovered he was drenched in cold sweat without realizing when it had happened.

  Concentrating his attention, after confirming that Seron and the others had gone far away, the strategist hiding in the darkness said softly: "Your Highness, even if the other party doesn't mention it, I think we should meet Yang Ling in person!"

  "Is it really necessary?" *Shakes head lightly. Yang Ling has a mysterious and powerful demon beast army, a large number of loyal followers, and seemingly unlimited crystal coins to spend at will. With his mysterious background, such a person would never be swayed by just a few boxes of crystal coins or a few beautiful women.

  "Your Highness, everyone has his strengths and weaknesses!" The strategist hiding in the dark nodded, understanding his meaning. "Help us, Yang Ling is taking a huge risk, one misstep and he might end up with his family ruined. What is he doing this for?"

  After a brief pause, seeing * staring at himself tightly, the strategist continued to say in a low voice: "According to Yang Ling's strategist, it was because Stoff snatched away their tavern and brewery. However, this is only the surface reason, and the deeper reason is that Stoff, this suddenly emerging lord, took away the opponent's development space and core interests here!"

  Development space and core interests?

  After a moment of contemplation, *nodded lightly in understanding, acknowledging that the strategist was right. "Matt Damon, how can we bind this local force to our chariot and disrupt the strategic plans of the Bantu Empire?"

  "Your Highness, it's actually quite simple. There is a way to satisfy Yang Ling's demands while greatly benefiting our empire!" Matteo Damon, hiding in the shadows, paused for a moment before speaking softly: "I think Your Majesty will be absolutely delighted to have an enclave deep within the Bantu Empire!"

  Exclave?

  After the unexpected event, *great joy. If Yang Ling is appointed as the Lord of Weisen, it will not only satisfy his ambition and demands but also bring countless benefits to the empire, with a significance far beyond the strategic destruction of the Bantu Empire. Of course, after the success, one's position in the heart of the emperor will be even more solid, and the upper hand will be stable in the struggle for the throne.

  I recommend a good Xianxia novel "Zhi Zun Hong Meng", book number 1011365, fellow book lovers can go take a look and adjust your appetite.