Chapter 78: The Dryad
The Black Forest might not cover a vast expanse of land, yet it could pose some challenges. Fortunately, the half-abomination swept all obstacles along their way; therefore, they all had a smooth journey, encountering no difficulties on the path. However, the edges of the Black Forest painted a different picture altogether. Adjacent to a vacant lot, the land appeared barren and almost desolate. Perhaps due to its proximity to the forest, the vegetation struggled to thrive here, and as a result, the ground was littered with gravel, while clumps of withered, yellowed weeds scattered here and there.
Towards the end of the barren terrain, a small-scale ruin stood in the distance, consisting of about a dozen dilapidated buildings. Some of the structures still had homemade, rudimentary canopies, while outside lay scattered tricycles and motorcycles in a state of disrepair. In the vicinity, a group of middle-aged laborers could be seen, each of them wielding saws and straining to cut through the wood. As they heard a rustling from the nearby woods, they immediately looked up and spotted Xiao Yu and his entourage making their way towards them. These workers quickly ceased their labor, casting uneasy glances at each other and arming themselves with weapons such as axes.
It turns out that the area is inhabited after all.
Though the small size of the settlement could explain why Xiao Yu missed it during his initial exploration. Upon closer inspection, the place resembled a modest county or a small town, with the tallest buildings no more than three or four stories high, their simple and unrefined exteriors belying any indication of a bustling metropolis. The local people have notably dark skin and give off the distinct impression of being farmers, perhaps because they were accustomed to physical labor.
The standoff persisted for several minutes as the opposing sides sized each other up. Eventually, more than a hundred people emerged from the other side, including a dozen or so women and children. Among them was a dark-skinned, gray-haired man, who appeared both short and stout. Fixing his gaze upon the opposing party, he bellowed out a warning: “This is our territory. What are you doing here? Leave immediately, and don’t attempt any deceit, or we will not hesitate to treat you harshly. You’ve been warned!”
The man’s pronunciation was notably non-standard. As both Xiao Yu and Jiang Xiaowen hailed from the south, they could deduce that the man was speaking in a regional dialect common to that area. While some of his words were difficult to comprehend, the tone of the man’s voice was unmistakable in its hostility. Indeed, the others in his party shared in his animosity, evidenced by their rising tempers and quick acquisition of weapons—including those dropped by monsters, as well as basic tools such as hoes and hatchets.
Du Tao quickly stepped forward with his hands held high, seeking to reason with the hostile group. He assured them that he and his companions were merely passing through and had no intention of causing any trouble. The locals appeared to be somewhat skeptical, but after noticing that most of the newcomers carried bulky backpacks, they began to let their guard down. Gradually, their expressions began to soften, and they seemed less convinced that the outsiders posed any immediate threat to their territory.
Just as he was about to speak, a poor farmer yelled, “If you’re just passing through, then pass through. We don’t accept strangers camping out here for the night. You should leave immediately!”
Du Tao smiled wryly and shook his head, “Okay, let’s go now!”