Chapter 95: 96 Population Breakdown Breakthrough

Chapter 95, 96. Population Threshold Breached

After the frenetic pace of offensive maneuvers came to an end, Ronin’s rhythm of life slowed once more.

Though life in Zi Guo Village was far less comfortable than in Shanlin Town, Ronin had to devote considerable time and patience to demonstrating the techniques of mulberry cutting and air-layering to Horn—especially the latter, a method he had only ever observed others perform, never tried himself.

Over these past two days, Ronin had also inspected the newly cultivated fields of Zi Guo Village and selected ten acres to designate as a mulberry plantation.

Mulberry cultivation required ridge farming, and compared to wheat, the ridges for mulberries needed to be higher. Ronin had already imparted this method to Horn, instructing him to maintain a spacing of eighty to ninety centimeters between each sapling.

Oral instruction could only guide; the actual extent to which mulberry expansion would succeed depended entirely on Horn’s competence.

Given the man’s earnest demeanor and meticulous notes, Ronin held out some hope.

He did not expect this endeavor to be completed within a year—that was unrealistic.

He was only seventeen this year. Time was on his side. He had ample years ahead to improve conditions and ultimately carry silk out from these very forests.

Three days later, in the afternoon, Ronin, accompanied by Horn, arrived at the northernmost edge of Zi Guo Tribe’s territory.

The Wu Bei Forest was vast, and beyond it stretched even greater expanses—yet no humans dwelled there, nor any wild tribes.

“So,” Ronin said, “there were once nobles fleeing disaster who led their people northward and settled there, forming tribes like yours. But eventually, those tribes vanished entirely?”

Ronin stood atop a high ridge, gazing northward. He could almost see the ocean’s waves churning at the horizon.

It was said the northern border of Wu Mountain Domain was ringed by sea—though utterly undeveloped, which was unusual.

Shouldn’t coastal regions be more prosperous?

Take Jiao Jiao City, Wu Mountain’s port town, where Danis Port connected the domain to the Kingdom of Auduin in ceaseless trade, flooding Wu Mountain Castle with untold gold each year.

Yet the north, encircled by sea, remained untouched. It was perplexing.

He unfolded his map. Perhaps this northern protrusion was too isolated—its trade routes too long, and no lucrative resources discovered, leaving no human footprints.

“Yes, my lord!” Horn replied. “I once ventured north myself. There were traces of habitation—wooden huts, stone dwellings, bones scattered across the ground. But I saw no living souls.”

His face darkened with unease as he recalled. “I felt something… unnatural about their disappearance. I dared not go further.”

Hmm.

Ronin frowned, glancing at his bodyguard, Macken.

The man understood. “Rest easy, my lord. When I find time, I’ll lead a team to thoroughly survey the northern region and mark out any hazardous zones in advance.”

Ronin nodded. “Zi Guo Village has endured safely for years. Even if danger lurks north, its impact would be minimal. The survey can wait until you’ve been elevated to Bronze Knight.”

“Understood, my lord.”

Horn stood quietly, listening to the exchange between master and servant, feeling strangely unsettled.

Elevating to Bronze Rank was no trivial matter. Many remained stuck at High Knight for life.

Yet the way these two spoke, it sounded as inevitable—as if it were effortless.

Had Macken already reached the brink of breakthrough?

Horn recalled how Macken had utterly crushed Slayn just days prior. He nodded inwardly. It was entirely possible.

*Clip-clop. Clip-clop.*

The sound of hooves made them all look up.

There came Aileen and Jenny, riding toward them on horseback.

Ronin had left three of Slayn’s horses to Jenny’s family. They had been learning horsemanship these past days—and now, it seemed, they had mastered it well.

Soon, the two steeds arrived before them.

Aileen dismounted gracefully, smiling. “Brother Ronin, your steward Wilson has returned from Gray Soil Tribe.”

After days of companionship, the little girl had finally succumbed to the temptation of calling him “brother.”

“Oh?”

Ronin grinned. “Then Wilson must have completed the census of Gray Soil Tribe.”

“Yes, my lord,” Jenny dismounted. “Wilson says he wishes to report his findings. Also, Zhuweit, as you instructed, has brought back a large sack of the tribe’s specialty—‘Gray Soil.’”

Qingzhu Village’s specialty was bamboo. Zi Guo Village’s was mulberry and silkworms. Ronin was eager to know what exactly this “Gray Soil” was that Babulin’s people spoke of.

“Then let’s return,” Ronin said eagerly, taking Aileen’s reins and swinging onto her horse. “Little Aileen, want to ride with me?”

Aileen’s cheeks flushed crimson. She hesitated, then whispered weakly, “I—I’ll ride Mother’s horse.”

“Hahaha!”

Ronin laughed heartily. Teasing children still brought him joy—even if the girl was far too young.

“Macken, accompany Aileen and Jenny back.”

He turned his mount and galloped toward the village.

Moments later, he entered the parlor, where Wilson and Zhuweit awaited him.

The moment he stepped in, both rose to greet him.

Zhuweit said, “My lord, Riedal sends word that affairs in Gray Soil Village proceed smoothly. All villagers now recognize you as their lord. You may inspect at any time.”

“I see. You’ve stabilized them in such a short span—excellent work!”

Wilson handed over a bound ledger. “My lord, here are the population figures for Gray Soil Tribe. Compared to Qingzhu and Zi Guo Villages, Gray Soil has more artisans.”

He continued, “I inquired: there are three carpenters—one nearly equal in skill to William. Two masons as well. And plenty of able-bodied laborers.”

Ronin smiled. Gray Soil Tribe, having siphoned off its allies, was indeed far stronger.

“Wilson, your abilities grow ever sharper.”

He praised him, then took the ledger.

The moment the parchment touched his hands, system text shimmered before his eyes—

【Achievement “Population Flourishing” Completed. Attribute Points +50, Energy Essence +100】

Gray Soil Village’s population totaled 455. Combined with Shanlin Town, Qingzhu Village, and Zi Guo Village, Ronin now governed 3,180 subjects—surpassing the achievement’s threshold of three thousand.

He casually opened the achievements interface. The information updated:

【Population Flourishing】: Register 5,000 subjects. Reward: Attribute Points +100, Energy Essence +200

The required number had not risen drastically—only two thousand more. Seemed manageable.

Ronin had conquered the Black Domain Tribe. If he purchased more slaves, perhaps this achievement would soon be his.

(End of Chapter)