Chapter 5 Destitute and Bare_1
Yan Xing had not expected his initial location to be so perilous, causing him to involuntarily scan his surroundings.
Unknowingly, night had fallen. The bright moon hung in the sky, and stars twinkled. The breeze continued to WHISTLE, making Yan Xing feel as if something hid in the scruffy grass nearby. The outline of the farming tricycle glimmered in the glow of the fire, and the shadows of three people were cast upon the tent.
Yan Xing asked his subordinates in a low voice, "Could we encounter Orcs and Elves here?"
The talkative Gao Sipa replied, "My Lord, our location is in the eastern part of the Wildwind Highlands, close to the Rithine Sea, and far from the Orc strongholds in the west. Orcs are highly unlikely to come here. To the north lies a vast swamp area, inhabited by the Swamp Tribe. These mud-wallowing creatures never participate in the conflicts between the three races on the Wildwind Highlands, nor can the three races defeat them in the swamp. As a result, it’s rare for the Elf Race to cross the swamp to come here. Even the Human noble lords look down on this place."
"Why?" Yan Xing was puzzled. If this place wasn’t threatened by Orcs and Elves, wouldn’t it be a good place for farming?
Gao Sipa answered, "Because there are no forests or stones here. Without the ability to build lumberyards or quarries, we can’t gather wood or stone. Constructing a territory requires a large amount of wood and stone. If we can’t collect them ourselves, we can only buy them from elsewhere. Although this isn’t the main confrontation area between Humans, Orcs, or the Elf Race, it’s also not very safe. Being close to the swamp, Marquis Anderson isn’t willing to provoke the Swamp Tribe and hasn’t built a city here. Other nobles, unable to receive assistance from Storm City, are also unwilling to invest their own money and take the risk of offending the Swamp Tribe by establishing a city here."
Yan Xing kept nodding as he listened. In short, this barren grassland held little strategic significance for Human powers. Orcs wouldn’t traverse the Wildwind Highlands from west to east for no reason, and it was difficult for the Elf Race to cross the territory of the Swamp Tribe to reach this place. Moreover, the area was resource-poor, making it of little value for Human development and defense. If they inadvertently offended the Swamp Tribe, they could lose a natural barrier against the Elf Race. Therefore, this piece of wasteland became a place of balance on the tense Wildwind Highlands, formed by many factors. In the short term, the only likely threat to this place probably came from the Swamp Tribe in the northern swamps.
Thus, Yan Xing asked, "Will the Swamp Tribe come here?"
Gao Sipa replied, "The Swamp Tribe is definitely active within the swamps. However, their Werewolf patrol squads sometimes patrol this area, but they won’t stay for long. Since Humans are powerful on the Wildwind Highlands, the Swamp Tribe won’t easily trouble any Humans they encounter. But if they come across Human peasants, they will surely plunder them. After all, they are envious of the Gold we can contribute as taxes every week."