Chapter 590 - 308: Having Support Makes Things Easier
The caravan that had set out with over a hundred people had grown to three or four hundred on the return trip, the majority of whom were goblins.
Zhou Zhengping was well aware that the large number of goblins might attract the covetous gazes of other teams.
After all, the market value of goblins was indeed not low.
This group of goblins, if sold, could probably fetch over a thousand gold coins.
Therefore, on the return journey, Zhou Zhengping did not take the main roads but instead took lesser-known forest paths and had the soldiers scout ahead of their advance.
In such a manner, they managed to spend the first day of the return journey smoothly.
However, as they drew closer to Hope Village, the situation became different.
"On both the main and minor roads nearby, there are people,"
"It’s nearly impossible to avoid running into them."
"..."
Several scouting soldiers spoke reluctantly.
They had checked and could not find a suitable route for their team to move forward because there were too many people.
"When we came here, there were no signs of anyone around, right? How come there are so many teams appearing nearby now? Go and scout out their destinations," Alike, who was also part of the team, spoke up.
Special circumstances surely meant something special had happened.
"Yes," the scouting soldiers responded, and once again went out from the team.
The entire team paused, causing Smell and others who followed to feel a bit worried.
"What’s happened?" Smell asked Mills.
"We have probably encountered other teams," Mills analyzed, "But don’t worry, we are nearly within our territory."
Listening, Smell appeared somewhat dejected, "It’s unfortunate that in the eyes of humans, we are valuable commodities rather than living beings; therefore, even walking on the road requires us to worry about being looted."
Hearing Smell’s words, Mills’ comforting response was choked back before he could speak it.
What Smell said had struck a chord in Mills’ heart.
The standing of the Goblin Clan on the Stan Continent was too low, so low that everyone bullied them.
Had they not thought of rebelling?
They had! But what could they possibly use to rebel?
Over time, the spirit in their hearts had been worn away; their only thoughts were to cling to life, and any degree of freedom they could obtain was considered good fortune.
That is until... they went to Hope Village.
Thinking of Hope Village, Mills’ thoughts snapped back, and he said earnestly, "I believe it will change!"
"Hmm?" Smell looked at Mills, not understanding.
"In Hope Village, we are residents, lives that are to be respected," Mills declared emphatically.
This statement instantly lifted Smell’s dampened spirits, "Really?"
"Really!" Mills gave a firm answer.
Over these days, Smell had kept inquiring about Hope Village casually from Mills; Mills knew Smell’s inner unease, so each time Mills gave him a solid answer.
Seeing Mills act this way made Smell feel a bit embarrassed.
He knew he should trust, but when one is always in darkness, a sudden glimpse of light would unavoidably bring a strong desire to verify whether the light is genuine.
Just then, the scouting soldiers who had gone to investigate returned.
Seeing this, Mills took Smell forward a few steps, proactively looking to understand the situation.
Mills knew that only by letting Smell truly be a part of it would he realize how reliable this group of people was.
As they drew near, they heard the reporting of the situation.
"They are all heading for Hope Village."
"Some intend to do business; others plan to settle there."
"They say that Hope Village is now famous across many territories; they are relatively close, so they came especially to Hope Village,"
"Hope Village’s reputation is not just for good merchandise, it’s also a vacation paradise!"
"..."
Several soldiers were speaking with a hint of excitement in their expressions.
They hadn’t expected that so many teams were targeting their own territory.
They knew Hope Village had gained some fame before their departure, but what they hadn’t anticipated was that its reputation far exceeded their imagination.
Something must have changed in Hope Village during the time they were away.
As they witnessed the admiration for Hope Village, they couldn’t help feeling a sense of pride.
That was their territory, after all!
Zhou Zhengping listened and couldn’t help but curl his lips into a smile.
So many people flocking to Hope Village was enough to prove how well his daughter managed their land.
However, his thoughts soon shifted to their route forward.
If it was one or two teams, they could avoid them, but now with so many teams, they wouldn’t be able to dodge them all.
"Since that’s the case, let’s take the main road to Hope Village! Travel with the other teams!" Zhou Zhengping decided on the spot.
After speaking, he looked to Mills and Smell, among others, "What do you think?"
"We follow your lead, Lieutenant," Mills said without hesitation.
"Then you all take up your arms, and follow us!" Zhou Zhengping continued.
"Understood," Mills nodded, and then he and Smell made their move.
After spreading the news, the goblins who had come with him each took out their weapons: long spears, lances, Iron Axes, swords, and so on.
These were weapons they had bought in Hope Village according to their personal preferences.
During their time in Hope Village, although they primarily worked in the territory and seldom fought, they never stopped training.
Because they too wished to contribute their strength to Hope Village during the Beast Tide and Territory Wars.
Smell and the others were stunned when they looked at Mills and his comrades.
They naturally had weapons, as they needed to defend against Demon Beasts in the wild, but they had never imagined Mills and the others would have such a complete armament, and most were even Silver Weapons.
Compared to the Silver Weapons, theirs couldn’t even qualify as Bronze.
"Weapons..."
"When you reach Hope Village, you can buy them; they’re not expensive at all. For now, just use your own, don’t worry! We’re arming ourselves as a precaution, and also to declare to others that we’re not slaves," Mills responded with a smile.
Smell: "...Okay."
Soon, once everyone was ready, the group emerged from the forest path and started towards the main road.
It wasn’t long before they encountered other teams.
These teams were taken aback to suddenly see Zhou Zhengping’s group emerge, and quickly drew their weapons.
Upon seeing this, Zhou Zhengping was the first to speak up, "We are a team from Hope Village, now returning home after completing our mission, with no ill intentions."
Zhou Zhengping repeated his point several times before the weapons of the surrounding teams were no longer aimed at them.
"You’re really a team from Hope Village?"
"Yes, I am Lieutenant Zhou Zhengping of the soldier team from Hope Village, and the Hope Village Chief, Zhou Bai, is my daughter," Zhou Zhengping introduced himself, also invoking the name of Zhou Bai.
Indeed, after Zhou Zhengping made this statement, someone in the teams spoke up.
"Right, right, right, the Hope Village Chief is indeed a woman, and her name is Zhou Bai."
"The soldier team of Hope Village does have some fine Lieutenants, unlike other territories."
"..."
After some in the teams gave their input, everyone accepted the arrival of Zhou Zhengping and his companions, and they each made their calculations.
They were going to Hope Village for business (to settle), and now they had bumped into the real deal from the village, an official no less; perhaps if they could establish a little relationship, things would go smoother for them in Hope Village?
In an instant, several team leaders approached Zhou Zhengping with enthusiastic smiles.
Seeing their eager smiles, Zhou Zhengping immediately understood their intentions.
Having connections makes things easier.
His daughter had unwittingly become his support!
Pride!