After the danger was cleared, the convoy set off on its way the next morning.
Wildfire went all the way to the northeast, and it was the red wilderness where goblins gathered. After a fight, the number of people in the team decreased, and many of the wounded were sent back along with the group of people who were escorting the prisoners. Although the number of people was small, the morale of the team was even more uplifted.
He finally walked into the red wilderness, and Xiaya was revisiting the old place. Recalling the last time he came here, he held an axe and a shield, and carried a poor man with missing front teeth on his shoulders—that adventure happened back then. Lots of interesting things.
As soon as the team entered the red wilderness, they immediately felt the desolation—it was already early spring, and other places on the wildfire plain were quite spring-like, but only this red wilderness was still desolate, and the red soil and gravel here were very strange. Ordinary vegetation on the surface is difficult to grow, let alone the cultivation of food. The ground was full of red soil that was dry and hard as gravel, and only some dry shrubs or cacti with tenacious vitality could barely survive.
Since entering the red wilderness, the team's speed has slowed down, not because of fear of danger, but because of such a large team, more than 200 people are rushing on the road, and the people and horses can't live without water. Fortunately, the team was full of old mercenaries and old men from the Gallens Chamber of Commerce who were used to walking in the wildfire. They were all familiar with where to find the water source along the way, but in this way, in order to accommodate the location of the water source, it was inevitable that a detour had to be taken. Walking, although Xia Ya is helpless, but also understands that this is impossible: in the wilderness, if there is no water, people may be able to endure it, but horses have no strength to drink without water. Ten large carts, who will pull them
Even in early spring, it is hard to see green on the red field, there is red soil everywhere, and occasionally you can see the dry thorn bushes lying on the ground. People have stayed in such places for a long time. The mood will inevitably be affected by the environment and become impatient.
What's more annoying is that everyone has already noticed that as soon as they entered the red wilderness, this team was immediately targeted. Along the way, there were already three or five groups of goblin wanderers who were secretly spying.
It's just that these goblins are bullying and afraid of hardship. Seeing that the human business group is passing by, and there are dozens of sturdy samurai guards, how dare those timid goblin wanderers come up to provoke them? It's just that these guys didn't want to spread out. They probably noticed that the dozens of carts were full of fragrant wheat noodles. The noses of goblins are naturally sensitive. If they follow the wind, they can smell it from far away The fragrance of the wheat, so the goblin wanderers who were secretly following along the way were reluctant to leave, just peeping around in the dark, and even at night, the mercenaries on the night watch seemed to be able to clearly hear the sound of the dark wilderness. There was a greedy drooling sound.
In the night, a pair of green eyes peeped around like a ghost, like a group of hungry wolves.
It has to be said that goblins are really strange and contradictory creatures.
They are the most cowardly, greedy, cowardly, ignorant, despicable... most disgusting races on the continent. So many "most XX" characteristics are fused together, and finally they form such an alternative and contradictory creature.
You say they are cowardly, which is true. But this kind of timid and cowardly guy sometimes shows a cruel side that makes other races look at him. But such cruelty is based on an almost shameless greed - the greedy continent of goblins is famous, and they are eager to ask for anything, whether it is food, clothing, shelter.
There was a saying among humans to describe a goblin: a rabbit, a hungry wolf, and a fox, when broken and mixed together, is a goblin.
Greed to the extreme, goblins dare to take risks, but because of lack of courage, once they are a little setback, they will cowardly retreat, but once they are a little proud, they will go crazy. And the blood of goblins is born with a cruelty that makes other races cold: they eat almost everything! All creatures, even the goblins themselves, can be their food!
Fearing the force of the guards in the caravan and not daring to step forward, is his cowardice. However, he was reluctant to leave and followed him all the way. This is his greed.
Originally, when they first walked into the red wilderness, everyone didn't take it seriously. Anyway, these goblins were like timid mice, they just followed around and behind to spy from afar. These thin green-skinned guys, dressed in tatters, I'm afraid that the beggars in human cities are much stronger than them. It is really difficult for people to be afraid of such a group of dirty mice.
Occasionally, some goblins dared to approach the convoy, and those mercenary guards threw a stone and shouted loudly, and they could frighten those goblins to turn around and flee, rolling and crawling, so that others in the convoy could see , causing everyone to burst into laughter.
At the beginning, even some mercenaries who were very idle and bored, took pleasure in teasing these goblins, and everyone had a relaxed and happy smile on their faces.
"Hmph..." Although Xia Ya saw it in her eyes, she didn't say anything. It's just that Russell seemed a little disapproving of seeing those young mercenaries playing with goblins for fun.
"These guys, don't know how powerful these ground mice are! Hmph, these guys seem timid, but in fact they are the most despicable and cruel! We are so crowded that they would not dare to provoke them. If they were to walk here alone. , I'm afraid I've already been caught and eaten with the belt bones." Russell seemed to be somewhat disdainful of the actions of the young mercenaries in the Fire Rhino Mercenary Group.
Xia Ya didn't say anything, just looked at the gang of goblins who were following behind the brigade, and the corners of his eyes jumped imperceptibly.
(As if... something is wrong.)
Sure enough, the unease in Xia Ya's hunch soon came true!
On the fourth day of walking into the Red Wilderness, even those brave young mercenaries couldn't relax on their faces! Everyone's faces no longer have that kind of grinning expression, and no one dares to tease those goblins for fun!
the reason...
In just four days, more and more goblins gathered behind the caravan along the way! The speed of the increase is so fast and the number is so large that even the most audacious mercenary can't help but feel a little nervous!
Just imagine, when you look back at your back, there is a large dense green figure behind you. No matter it is day or night, all you hear in your ears are the sneaky shouts, and the sound of gurgling gurgling saliva. . At night, in the dark wilderness, countless pairs of green eyes are always spying on you in the dark...
many! Too much! If there are dozens or even hundreds of goblins, everyone will not pay attention. But the problem is, on the fourth day, looking back, the figures of those goblins are densely packed, at least more than a thousand!
When the number of goblins increases, the courage of these goblins is obviously much stronger. Some guys who are so hungry with green eyes will also try to get close to the convoy. Although they are still scared away by the mercenaries wielding swords, when they run away, It is no longer the kind of embarrassed and crawling appearance, but the fierce and greedy eyes from the far head, that green light, really makes everyone feel hairy!
Before, there were still some mercenaries who occasionally left the team and ran to wield swords to intimidate these ground mice and make these guys go away. But now no one dares to do so!
Because just last night, a young mercenary in the back team didn't seem to understand these green creatures. He took a sword and ran back dozens of steps to intimidate those guys like a few days ago. If it is according to the practice a few days ago , these guys must be running away screaming "Ooke Oak" in horror! But that time, with a certain number of goblins, they didn't run away! A dozen goblins surrounded the mercenary and dragged him straight off the horse! If it wasn't for the others in the back team who saw something was wrong and rushed to the rescue immediately, the reckless mercenary would have been dragged away by the goblin!
And in the thousands of green eyes cast from the back, the fear and cowardice of the previous few days are also disappearing little by little, replaced by a deep greed and cruelty! !
food! !
Numerous mercenaries suddenly felt a chill in their hearts: Those green ground mice, those eyes, regarded us as food!
On the fourth night, the number of vigils doubled, but even so, most of the people could not sleep peacefully, and the shrill screams of the goblins kept coming from the dark wilderness.
These cunning guys are not blindly inactive, at least in the middle of the night, the non-stop ghost screaming is a harassment trick, which interferes with the normal rest of the caravan and makes the caravan fall into a state of exhaustion.
On the fifth day during the day, the caravan that continued on the road found that the number of goblins hanging far behind seemed to have increased a lot. The goblins became more daring, and even some of the goblins braved the side to quickly run to the side of the caravan, so they marched in parallel with the caravan so unhurriedly, but their greedy eyes never left.
The irritated Xia Ya took a few mercenaries and rushed up this time. He chased away the goblins who had run to the side of the caravan, and captured seven or eight more. His feet were left on the side of the road and let them wailing and screaming.
Screams of the same kind—For goblins, such deterrence is usually most effective. But this time, the effect was not as obvious as Charya imagined.
This kind of method really made the goblins restrained a lot, and the distance behind them was also longer, but in the afternoon, these guys followed up again.
"I'm afraid I made a mistake." Char sighed. He rode his horse and looked at the crowd of goblins behind him that looked like a flood of refugees: "I underestimated the temptation of food for goblins."
This is indeed an overlooked issue.
It can be said that if Xiaya's caravan was carrying dozens of carts of goods that were not food, but something else, such as cloth, silk, or even iron ore or other furs, I'm afraid it wouldn't attract so much. What a trail of goblins!
It's because... For goblins, food is too important! !
For the goblins whose civilization is far inferior to humans and other races, they generally do not rob the human caravan of the brigade. One reason that has been overlooked is that many goods that are precious to humans are worthless to goblins.
For example, precious silk fabrics, for goblins who don't even have the habit of bathing... Do you think these green-skinned and dirty guys care if they wear silk? There are also those shiny gold and silver jewelry, for the goblins, in their eyes, the value is probably more important than a flesh and bone.
In the red wilderness where food cannot be grown, food is the biggest scarce resource!
For a goblin, there is nothing more important in the world than filling your stomach!
However, most of the caravans in the past, but very few will transport a large amount of food!
Grain itself is a commodity with relatively low value. To cross a vast wildfire and go to Odin's empire to do business... No merchant would choose food as a commodity. Most people will choose some precious furs, medicines, metal tools and other more valuable things to traffic.
So, I'm afraid... Most of the goblins in the red wilderness have never seen such a full 50 carts of food in their lives! !
Xia Ya also took a group of mercenaries to disperse these guys on horseback, but he and his people went out, and the goblins fled away from a distance, but when Xia Ya returned, they gathered again and followed from a distance. After all, there are too few people in Xiaya, so he doesn't dare to lead people to chase too far. Otherwise, if he drives away the east, the guys from the west may take the opportunity to attack the caravan.
"Hey, it seems that you really shouldn't bring so much food to the Red Wilderness." Xia scratched his scalp and sighed helplessly as he looked at the followers behind him.
But then he patted his head, ran his horse to a carriage in the middle of the group, opened a simple wooden shed door on the carriage, and shouted to the inside: "Hey, do you have any way to deal with your kind? "
Sitting in the carriage is naturally a heaven attack.
The powerhouse among the goblins has not shown up for many days, and even when dealing with the horse thief a few days ago, it has not come out of the carriage - the reason, it is very speechless.
Tiangong was sick, and was very sick.
When he set off from Wildfire Town, Tiangong didn't seem to be in any serious trouble, and there was still an excited false fire in his eyes, but the night he left Wildfire Town, the goblin lord fell ill, and he couldn't afford it.
This is not surprising. Although Tiangong is powerful, it is still flesh and blood. It has been living in Wildfire Town for several months. In the past few months, it has slept and slept in the air, and was hungry. In such a cold winter, he slept in the streets and alleys, often starved, and was bullied and beaten several times by the beggar gangs in Wildfire Town. Even if it was originally an iron body, it would inevitably lose too much. It's just that the persistent thoughts in my heart are supported, and relying on that belief in my heart, it ignites a false fire, and it barely falls down.
But as a result, once Xia Ya was found again, the energy in his heart was loosened, and within two days, the internal injury and wind-cold disease accumulated in the previous months broke out together.
Along the way, I was completely stunned. My original sturdy physique had deeply sunken cheeks. I also suffered from a severe cold. Every day I was wrapped in a thick blanket and still trembling, let alone riding a horse. , can't even walk, a good and fierce goblin macho, his eyes have no brilliance.
This serious illness is also due to Tiangong's good physical fitness and solid foundation to carry it down. Naturally, there are people in the caravan who know medical skills and are also equipped with some ordinary medicines. Poor Tiangong is such a majestic person. I only drank half a bowl of broth every day, and I couldn’t eat anything. I drank potions at first, and I vomited after drinking it. Later, I gradually got better. Since I walked into the red wilderness, I can barely get out of the carriage every day, and get down and walk a few times. Breathe out.
Xia Ya was really out of ideas, so he ran to ask Tiangong, but Tiangong sat in the carriage wrapped in a blanket, glanced at Xia Ya, and shook his head simply.
The turtle was obviously dissatisfied: "Aren't you the famous Tiangong lord in the red wilderness? You ran out to scare these guys, can you drive them away?"
After hearing this, Tian Gong looked at Xia Ya coldly, although he didn't say anything, the contempt in his eyes was undisguised.
Xia Ya sighed, and immediately realized that he was confused.
What is a goblin? For creatures like goblins, there is no such thing as "loyalty".
Even if Tiangong used to be famous in the red wilderness, it was extremely prestige. But the goblins' fear of it is based on the personal deterrence of Tiangong. Now... Tian Gong is so sick that he can't even walk. At such a time, pulling such a sick guy out to scare those hungry wolves with green eyes? I'm afraid that if Tiangong really dares to go, those guys will dare to peel it alive, cook it and eat it on the spot!
Moreover, the previous Tiangong was the lord, but it has been more than half a year since it left the red wilderness. I am afraid that the tribe has already changed its owner. This time, the reason why Xia Ya recruited so many mercenaries to follow him along the way is also because if the tribe of Tiangong changed its owner, he would simply help this guy to subdue the tribe by force!
But at this time, it is undoubtedly impossible to ask for help from Tiangong.
In the evening of this day, a small episode occurred.
The convoy stopped to rest, probably when the caravan drivers were cooking, the fragrant cooking smoke that came out stimulated those hungry guys who were going crazy, and a group of goblins rushed up from behind like a madman, waving The sharpened rotten tree sticks, as well as some tattered swords and weapons that were pulled out from there, smashed to the bonfire closest to the outside in the caravan station!
Their goal is very clear, to snatch food!
Dozens of goblins rushed in without warning. Everyone seemed to have no idea that these timid guys would dare to take the initiative to attack their own brigade. As a result, these dozens of goblins almost fell over the mercenaries and lowered their eyelids. Suddenly awakened, the mercenaries took up weapons and cleaned up these guys like chopping melons and vegetables. After killing seven or eight, the goblins dispersed.
Just such a move is obviously an extremely dangerous signal!
As the number increases, the greed of the goblins becomes stronger and stronger, and their courage grows! It's too big to dare to take the initiative to attack!
Although it is only a small share now, there is no guarantee that tomorrow more guys who are tortured by greed will follow suit...
In a way, these things are more dangerous than horse thieves! Horse thieves, if you kill one, you will lose one. But here is the red wilderness! If you kill one today, maybe ten will emerge from any corner tomorrow! And in the blood of these goblins, in addition to cowardice, there is also a kind of cruelty that is almost crazy. Once they are crazy...
Too many ants can kill an elephant!
This night, Xia Ya couldn't fall asleep. In the wilderness at night, there were bursts of sharp and shrill cries from the goblins from time to time, just like the howls of wolves.
When it was dawn, Xiaya saw Sharbado Doro, as well as the mercenaries such as Hawk Russell, all with dark circles under their eyes.
"We have to find a way, otherwise, I think these guys are getting more and more courageous. I'm afraid they will gather to attack us today... Although we are not afraid, it is difficult to get rid of these guys when we are entangled."
On this day, Spahn from the Gallens Chamber of Commerce came up with a way to let the remaining Landis archers use bows and arrows to deter these guys.
Sure enough, under the threat of bows and arrows, some goblins who ran close were immediately shot to death by Landis guards mercilessly!
But the problem is that the blood of the same kind of death did not quench the greed of the remaining goblins, they just cunningly opened the distance a little, ran beyond the safe distance of the bow and arrow, and still followed closely.
However, the bows and arrows of the Lantis guards are not unlimited. Everyone came out to be guards, not to fight. Each person only wore two quivers, which had been consumed by a small amount when fighting horse thieves before. And now... the arrows shot, but no one dared to leave the team to recover the arrows, those goblins are staring around.
Finally, in the afternoon, Xia Ya was impatient and couldn't hold it in any longer. He shouted: "Hawk! You bring fifty people on the horse and go kill with Lao Tzu for a while! Teach these guys a hard lesson and let them suffer a little! Maybe you'll be honest! Russell, your people are in charge of guarding the convoy!"
Hawke responded with a bang, and was about to run to gather the people, but at this moment, a voice came.
"please wait a while."
I saw a man walking out of the crowd. He was tall, slightly thin and handsome, but his eyes were a bit sullen, and he wore black leather gloves on his hands. Philip.
Since Philip was abolished by Char Ya, his force was greatly damaged. The last time he beat the horse thieves and finally led the mercenaries to attack the horse thief brigade at night, Char Ya did not bring Philip - not because of anything else, but because of Philip After his hand was abolished, both hands lacked the thumbs, and it was impossible to hold the weapon. The most important thing for this kind of immediate hacking is strength, but skill is second. Philip's current state is really not suitable for experiencing this again. It's a scene of slashing and slashing - in foot combat, he might be able to use the swordsmanship skills of a high-ranking samurai, but he is not good at fighting with horses.
Philip is now used to wearing a pair of black leather gloves to cover the broken finger wound on his palm. He looked at Xi Ya with a strange expression.
"My lord... Perhaps, I have a way to solve these troublesome goblins. I wonder if you would like to give it a try."
Everyone was surprised when they heard it. Philip stood there with a steady expression, ignoring the suspicious eyes of the people next to him, and just looked at Xi Ya steadily.
"Do you really have a way?" Xia Ya was also dubious.
"Although I'm not completely sure, I can try it." Philip's tone was very relaxed: "If it doesn't work, it's not too late to fight. And... If you're welcome, my lord, I think you won't be able to scare away these things by fighting. Guys, it's not that we haven't killed goblins in the past two days, but this kind of dirty creature, once its eyes are red, it will force a burst of madness."
"What are you going to do?" Xia's eyes narrowed and he looked at Philip. He could see that this guy looked very confident and didn't look like he was blowing the air.
"As long as you give me three carts of food, sir."
Three carts of food
Xia smiled.
There are more than 50 carts in the convoy brought this time. When fully loaded, one cart can only be loaded with 1,000 catties of grain. After all, the food for fifty cars was far from enough to trade the poisonous mushrooms with the Tiangong tribe, but it was just a deposit. After all, since it's a transaction, you can't just talk with one mouth, and you have to take away the things in the tribe, right
If it was an ordinary tribe, Xiaya would be ruthless and slaughter the opponent's tribe! Or snatch it by force... But, after all, it is a tribe of Tiangong, and I am too embarrassed to make this move. Besides, if I leave this tribe without tearing my face, there may be opportunities for trade in the future... Those Zaku natives have gold, and goblins are poisonous Mushrooms, and own food!
If you want to continue to exchange for gold, you have to establish a good relationship with the tribe of Tiangong, in order to continue this business for a long time.
Therefore, the more than 50 carts of food that I brought with me are actually a sign of sincerity—and I heard from God, even if the Zaku natives trade with goblins every year, they are divided into many times. Hundreds of truckloads of grain are not transported at once.
Therefore, the 50 carts of grain brought here, how many more and less, is not very important.
Besides, three trucks of food are only about three thousand catties, and they are not worth much. Philip actually has a way to solve the troubles of these goblins
"Okay, I'll give you three cars and see what you can do."
Philip got Xia Ya's permission, smiled again, looked at Xia Ya, this time his eyes were a little serious: "Sir, if you have been punished and deserved a reward, I have done this, what reward will you give me? "
With these words, Sharba, Hawke and others next to Dunshou became angry. Hawke just joined Xia Ya, and he didn't have the confidence to say anything. Sharba snorted heavily: "What do you mean? Do you ask for benefits before you do anything?"
Philip smiled lightly, looked at Sharba, and said slowly: "Sharba, you are Lord Xia's former comrade-in-arms. Now, you are still in the military, and you can be regarded as his subordinate in the middle of the army. And Dotolo, it's Xia. Lord Ya's squire... If you say that, it's only natural for you to serve the adults." After a pause, Philip smiled, his tone a bit weird: "But what about me? What kind of identity am I? Don't forget, I don't have one. Cut your fingers and wipe blood on your forehead!"
The last sentence was very rude, and even Hawke beside him blushed and couldn't speak.
Xiaya listened, but was not annoyed at all, and smiled lightly: "Not bad, Philip, what you said is not bad at all. Speaking of it, we just had some grudges in the past, but we just happened to meet on the road. And speaking, You don't owe me anything, although I saved your life, but speaking of it, if I hadn't cut off your fingers and ruined your martial arts, you wouldn't have been nearly killed, so let's talk about it carefully. , I really have no right to order you to do anything for me."
Philip looked indifferent: "Sir, since I dare to say such a thing today, I have no worries. I am a waste anyway, I have practiced martial arts for half my life, and now there is less than 30% left. If I rely solely on this ability, Most of you don't look down on me. I've made up my mind long ago along the way, I'll sell my life to you in the future, but I'm afraid that the master will look down on me as a waste."
These few words were not in a hurry, but when they were said, both the tone and the eyes were steady. After this Philip suffered a big setback, his temper also sank more and more. He used to be a bit cunning and timid, but now after the big change, he seems to have a mentality to give up everything.
"So, you want to serve me." Xia Ya smiled.
"That's right." Philip admitted, but shook his head instead: "It's just that I can't do the kind of thing that cuts your fingers and wipes blood on your forehead. Even if I do, I'm afraid you may not be able to do it. Believe me. In the end, I know that you still don't think highly of me, my lord. Originally, I didn't intend to say these words. I just wanted to accompany you on a trip to the wildfire. Find the Zaku natives and finish the things that you promised. As for the future, see the opportunity. If you are interested in taking me in, I will say this... If not, I will find a remote place to hide and become a farmer. A few days ago, I happened to hear two of your words, so I made up my mind to say them today."
Xia Ya smiled: "What?"
"The water is too clear to keep fish. A good leader needs to be able to use people, good people and bad people." Philip smiled: "Sorry, I happened to hear what you and Sharpa said at the time. I don't need you to tell me, even I myself understand that I am a bad person. But since you said this, I have hope in my heart, but I just don't know, are you willing to use me as a bad person?"
"it is good!"
Xia Ya slapped his thigh and jumped up, staring at Philip with wide eyes. Sharba next to him immediately put his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. As soon as Xia Ya gave an order, he was ready to go up and slash got this Philip.
But Xi Ya stared at Philip for a while, and suddenly laughed a few times, with a bit of admiration on his face: "Philip, I'm not afraid to tell you, in the past, I really didn't think highly of you. But Now, you're a bit arrogant! Just because you dared to say these words directly to me, the Philip who was a few months ago would never have done such a thing! Go ahead and ask me to do something for you! "
"It's very simple." Philip sighed, as if he was relieved: "I naturally have a way to solve the troubles of these goblins, but after I'm done, or, after I go back this time, you let me go, I'll find a place to hide, Also please don't reveal my whereabouts, I have done a lot of bad things in the past, and there are not a few enemies. Either... In the future, I hope I can have a place under your hands!"
"I will answer you now." Xia Ya did not hesitate: "After you go back this time, you will serve in my garrison!"
Seeing that Xiaya made a promise, Philip didn't have the slightest joy on his face, but instead took a deep breath and looked solemn: "Okay, then please give me half a day, three trucks of food! I will definitely take this matter. Beautifully done!"
Sharba snorted and glared at Philip: "Three carts of grain? I want to see what skills you have! Philip! If you do well, I will be convinced by you! If you don't do well, I will blow the air. Get a few punches first!"
Philip looked at this guy, and suddenly his heart moved, and he deliberately smiled: "Salba, do you dare to bet with me?"
"Bet? I like to bet the most! What do you want to bet!" Sharba's face was full of excitement: "If I lose, let you hit me ten whips! If you lose, let me hit ten whips too!"
Philip shook his head: "You and I will be colleagues in the future. Isn't this kind of gambling hurting peace? It's better to gamble on other things."
"Then what are you talking about betting!" Sharba straightened his neck and shouted.
"Just bet on one thing." Philip smiled: "If anyone loses, they have to promise the other party to do one thing. No matter what the request, they must not resist, do you dare?"
Although Sharba was reckless, he wasn't really a fool, his eyes widened and he muttered: "Damn, this is a big gamble, in case you want Lao Tzu to strip naked and run naked in the military camp, or ask Lao Tzu Draw the sword and wipe the neck, what does Lao Tzu do?"
Philip smiled: "Naturally, he will not let the other party commit suicide. In the future, everyone's colleagues will never hurt the peace."
Sharba then smiled: "Okay! As long as you don't commit suicide! I still have to save this life and do something with Xia Ya! For the time being, I can't die!"
Philip nodded: "Okay, everyone present is a witness."
After he finished speaking, he nodded to Char, and Char asked that Span from the Gallens Chamber of Commerce to go down to help Philip mobilize the grain cart.
After Philip left, Xiaya glanced at Sharba, looked up and down at his good brother, and suddenly shook his head and smiled: "You arrogant bull, this time you will lose."