At this moment, the Mussen family had already heard the alarm sound from the village entrance and had all hidden.

"It's me, Mother, Sister!"

Mussen rushed straight to the woodshed, moved the barrels on top, and lifted the wooden board of the cellar,

"I'm Mussen, Mother, I'm back!"

A middle-aged woman cowered in the corner, clutching a kitchen knife tightly.

After seeing who it was, her eyes first showed confusion, then her face filled with joy.

"You... how did you come back?"

Her voice trembled, unable to believe her eyes,

"Weren't you... dead already?"

Her gaze shifted to the bear-like Gang Le behind Mussen, fear creeping back onto her face,

"Who are they?"

"Listen to me, listen to me, don't be nervous!"

Mussen jumped directly into the cellar, holding his mother's trembling hands,

"They are all my companions. I have now joined the Black Pine Forest, loyal to Lord Baron Luo De."

"Ah?"

Mussen's mother looked at her son in shock, unable to believe what she heard,

"How can this be? Are you betraying our Lord Hawk Count?"

"Bah!"

Mussen spat, eyes filled with resentment,

"Why not?"

"Hawk Count doesn't care about us at all, only sends us to die!"

"I don't want to work for him anymore!"

Mussen took a breath, his tone calming down,

"At Baron Rod's place, we eat well, live well. As long as you're willing to work, everyone can eat their fill."

"No more starving through winters like before."

Mussen held his mother's hand tightly, his eyes filled with pleading: "Now you come with me, we all move to Black Pine Ridge."

"Black Pine Ridge... isn't that Desert?"

His mother's eyes were full of doubt.

"No, no, no! It's completely different there now."

Mussen explained loudly: "Trust me, quickly pack your things. And what about my sister's family?"

"To the east of the village..." Mussen's mother answered in a daze.

"I'll tell her in a moment, have her family come with us!"

Mussen said eagerly.

Because Mussen knew, if they didn't leave, they'd be robbed.

If the food is stolen, they might starve.

Mussen's mother nodded blankly, her eyes still filled with unease: "Then... what are these soldiers doing?"

Mussen pulled her aside, lowered his voice and said: "This is between the Lords; we don't have to worry about it. Just pack your things and come with me."

As the only son in the family, Mussen's words carried weight.

His mother immediately started packing, taking away all the clothes and some valuable items from the house.

While packing, Mussen's father hurried back.

He had been in the village tavern joining in the excitement, and ran back quickly upon hearing the alarm.

Seeing the soldiers in the yard, he was ready to fight, but was stopped by Mussen, who rushed out.

And Mussen's father was more open-minded than his mother, agreeing without hesitation with Mussen's idea.

After all, life under the rule of the Hawk Count had really been difficult for their family.

Otherwise, Mussen's father would be at the tavern drinking, not joining in the excitement.

Crying and screaming rose and fell in the village.

Because the soldiers didn't use heavy hands, the villagers had a chance to make noise.

If it were really vicious robbers, what would be left now would only be young women.

The soldiers moved quickly and in an orderly manner, taking away all valuables and things easy to carry.

Ironware, copper coins, furs, food, herbs... anything that could be exchanged for money was not overlooked.

In addition, the farm oxen and horses were also herded out together.

These animals were key for the soldiers to transport goods.

According to Luo De's plan, a small team would escort, then catch a few slaves, and use animals and carts to transport the goods near White Rock Canyon.

Upon arrival, another team would provide support.

This first group responsible for transporting goods was chiefly composed of Mussen's family and a few compliant neighbors.

Cold Hill Village had some clever people.

Knowing it would be a harsh winter after being robbed, upon hearing Mussen's description of Black Pine Ridge's good life, they willingly requested to go there for a living.

Before dawn, Mussen led them, pushing carts full of loot, moving towards Black Pine Ridge under the soldiers' escort.

Mussen walked at the front of the line, breathing a sigh of relief.

As Gang Le had previously said, by doing all this, he finally considered himself part of Black Pine Ridge.

Both in lifestyle and in spirit.

...

...

Eagle Town is not an impenetrable wall.

More like animal hide gnawed by rats, full of holes.

In less than two days, the news of the death of Hawk Count reached the ears of various subordinate Lords.

Including Baron Halon.

In Hawkeye Manor, Harun frowned deeply, his face pained.

"How could he just die?"

Baron Halon's mind was in chaos as he clutched his head, pacing back and forth,

"Why? How did he suddenly die?!"

These sentences repeated in his mouth, confusion, distress, accompanied by some resentment.

Baron Halon was not happy to hear of Hawk Count's death.

On the contrary, this news was like a bolt from the blue, disrupting Baron Halon's meticulous plans.

All previous arrangements by Baron Halon became void, losing their significance.

The eagerly awaited path of revenge was cut off by this sudden change.

Baron Halon felt an emptiness inside.

The truth from that year, Harun would never have the chance to verify.

Baron Halon's wife, Olaya, seeing his painful appearance, stepped forward and embraced him,

"It's okay, whatever decision you make, I will support you."

Baron Halon rubbed his forehead wearily, smiling wryly: "Now I just don't know what to do."

Although Hawk Count was dead, he had an eldest son who could inherit the title of Count, leaving no place for Baron Halon.

But that didn't mean Baron Halon had no opportunities.

On the contrary, the turbulent period of the new count's succession was the best time to change the situation.

It was exactly this kind of opportunity that plunged Baron Halon into hesitation.

Submit or resist?

To submit, Baron Halon was unwilling.

If he submitted so obediently, wouldn't all Baron Halon's preparations over the years have been in vain?

Not just Eagle Town, but even the Hawk Count's castle had his people.

But to resist, Baron Halon's other preparations were still inadequate.

Baron Halon could choose not to pledge allegiance to the new Count, but that would mean confronting the entire Eagle Ridge.

This position was very passive, lacking both military strength and territorial defense.

Olaya was very smart, understanding Baron Halon's dilemma after thinking through.

"Perhaps we could listen to that baron in Black Pine Ridge?"

"He must possess extraordinary wisdom to develop his territory so quickly."

Baron Halon nodded thoughtfully, "This is indeed a way."

He pondered for a moment, and said: "But if we ask Baron Rod for help, we will have to bleed again."

"That's still better than giving benefits to the new Hawk Count."

Olaya said gently: "That's the last thing you want to see, isn't it?"

Baron Halon said nothing, various thoughts swirling in his mind, weighing the pros and cons.

In the end, he sighed,

"Write the letter, otherwise it will be too late."

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