Farming with Entries: From Lord to Emperor

——Within those eyes was a hint of dissatisfaction, seemingly blaming him for interrupting the feast.

"If the knights we sent really succeeded, why haven't they returned to report?"

Spoke the middle-aged noble slowly, his voice calm and rational,

"For such important news, they should have returned immediately."

"At the very least, they should have sent someone back to convey the message."

His words were like a bucket of cold water, dousing the crowd's enthusiasm, leaving the nobles slightly stunned.

The previously lively hall fell into silence once more.

The nobles exchanged glances, the excitement on their faces gradually faded, and their eyes fell on Winnie and the elder noble, seeking answers.

Winnie's brow furrowed slightly, but soon relaxed,

"I suppose they must have been seriously injured."

Winnie explained leisurely:

"Luo De can tame dragons; his power is certainly not simple."

"Moreover, he should have high-ranking knights by his side."

"Even if led by Wagri, those knights couldn't have completed their mission unscathed."

Winnie lifted her head, her eyes filled with self-assuredness, as if to say, "It must be so,"

"They must have suffered severe injuries during their retreat and are now finding a place to hide."

Winnie's explanation sounded quite plausible.

And many preferred

"Yes! That must be it!"

The tall noble immediately chimed in, seemingly eager to believe this explanation.

"We should send people to search for them and bring them back!"

"Right now, the most important thing is to seize the opportunity!"

The elder noble nodded emphatically, full of agreement,

"No matter what, only with Luo De severely injured would Black Pine Ridge's army retreat so hastily."

The elder noble's gaze swept across the others present,

"This is not the time for hesitation."

"If we don't seize the opportunity promptly, it will soon slip through our fingers."

He paused for a moment, his voice becoming more resolute.

"I've decided to send troops in pursuit; who will join me?"

As soon as the elder noble finished speaking, someone responded immediately.

"Our Black Ice Territory is willing to send troops with you!"

"Twin Rivers Valley will also dispatch troops!"

"Wolf Ridge shall join as well!"

The elder noble held considerable prestige; several nobles excitedly raised their hands in agreement.

The earlier doubt seemed to be thoroughly cast aside.

Winnie stood beside the long table, watching all this, her lips slightly curved upwards.

This was the scene she longed to witness.

"But now it's winter; waging war is very difficult."

Someone hesitated, "The soldiers' bodies might freeze."

Winnie let out a cold laugh,

"Precisely because of that, the enemy will not expect us to attack."

"Making decisions that the enemy deems improbable is the key to winning wars."

The elder noble nodded in agreement.

"If we don't attack now, once Black Pine Ridge recovers by spring, there will be no chance."

After some discussion, it further fortified the nobles' confidence.

Winnie's eyes were filled with confidence as she looked at the map on the table,

"In that case, let's discuss how to devour Luo De's armies next."

...

...

Thirty miles outside the border city.

In the depths of a snow-covered valley, inside an unnamed cave.

Luo De sat beside a blazing fire, handling the fire-tinged charcoal, the orange-red glow illuminating his handsome and composed face.

The cave was crowded with soldiers.

They sat shoulder to shoulder on the ground, all focusing on the charcoal in Luo De's hands, eyes filled with curiosity.

Everyone wanted to know one thing.

Whether the lord was truly fearless of fire, or if magic made the charcoal less hot.

One soldier, overwhelmed by curiosity, secretly touched the discarded charcoal from Luo De.

"Hiss!"

The burning pain made the soldier quickly withdraw his hand, immediately drawing the laughter of other soldiers.

But it also proved that the lord truly feared no fire.

Notably, the Tide Body's traits made many soldiers no longer fear the severe cold.

Especially the knights of the Frost Winter Knight squad.

The fires now lit inside the cave were mostly for illumination and heating the hard, dry rations.

The cold wind howled ceaselessly past the cave entrance, like a wolf's howl echoing in the valley.

The wind carried in some snowflakes, dancing in the air before settling on the cave floor and quickly melting into patches of water.

Before long, the sound of snow being treaded came from the cave entrance.

Gala came rushing in.

The soldiers made an effort to make way.

Gala squeezed to the front of Luo De before kneeling on one knee,

"Saint Master, there is movement from Frost Castle and the military camp."

Gala reported in a lowered voice.

Though not loud, the voice was still clearly audible in the quiet cave.

"Their troops are advancing towards White Deer Territory and Hawk Ridge."

"The formation is long, appearing quite imposing."

"Based on our observations, there should be over eight hundred men."

Upon hearing this, a trace of excitement flashed in the soldiers' eyes.

The fish has taken the bait.

Luo De's fingers stopped fiddling with the charcoal.

"What about the border city?"

Luo De asked, a hint of anticipation in his calm voice.

"The border city has also dispatched troops."

Gala answered earnestly.

"However, they are heading towards our Frost Leaf Town."

"Two detachments, not large, estimated to be around two hundred men."

Luo De nodded slightly.

The border city only deployed two hundred men.

So at least six hundred must remain guarding the city.

The play of "Black Pine Ridge army retreating" was mainly to lull the border city into a false sense of security, causing the garrison to move out and leaving the city's defenses vulnerable.