The adventure of 'Silver Leaf City' has brought a great psychological shadow to Marbury. The monsters he encountered along the way, the ant nests deep underground, and the danger of dying at any time, these scenes became his irreversible nightmares.

But Marbury's nightmare has become a paradise for adventurers in Harmony Village. They constantly greet each other, assign people, confirm the team, bring equipment and guides and set off, as if they were going on an outing.

"Don't they know that the current 'Silver Leaf City' is still dangerous? Ants, goblins, and countless monsters. There are also undead and guardian beasts roaming around the dungeons. The slightest carelessness is total destruction. ”

Before entering the government center, Marbury couldn't help but ask several adventurers, and the answer was either 'poverty is more terrible than death', or 'His Excellency Hugo has provided sufficient security', and everyone was full of confidence.

Ordinary adventurers face 'poverty', and the long-legged family faces 'decline'. In this chaotic and dark world, it takes generations for a power to thrive, but it only takes a few mistakes to die. Marbury seemed to understand.

After being briefed by Assistant Seth, Marbury saw Zhou Qingfeng again. The first time the two met, they were still in the underground ant nest, and he was facing a teenager. But in a blink of an eye, the boy became young, and he was already tall and straight.

"Your Excellency Hugo......" Marbury walked into Zhou Qingfeng's office and wanted to salute, but found that the 'king' of the Black Forest was playing with an ant - acidophilus, the oversized kind. One is weak, and a group is terrible.

"Oh...... Lord Marbury. Feel free to sit. Zhou Qingfeng didn't have a fight, continued to stare at the acid-emolin ant, and at most shouted to Seth at the door, "Go and pour two glasses of water." ”

What was supposed to be a very formal meeting was made into a family affair. Marbury had to pay attention to the acidophilic ant as well, and asked without words, "Your Excellency is very interested in this ant?" ”

Zhou Qingfeng put a piece of wood on the back of the acidophilic ant and said casually: "I want to test how many items a worker ant can carry?" And figure out their ability to move under different loads. ”

The poor acid-emolin ant had several pieces of wood on its back. When it reaches a certain weight, it is pressed and unable to move, and has to wave its tentacles, as if begging for mercy.

Marbury had been bitten by these ants, splashed with their acid, and it was really hot and painful, very uncomfortable. Regarding Zhou Qingfeng's behavior of playing with ants, he can only express his incomprehension. If it was normal, he might have to taunt a few words.

But now the city lord can only watch quietly, thinking about how to praise a few words. It's a pity that his literary talent is not as good as Zhou Qingfeng, and he can't find any good words when he searches his intestines. But Uncle Zhou himself took the initiative to ask, "How is your father?" ”

"Thanks to Your Excellency's concern, my father's condition is much better. I also want to formally thank you for escaping from the acidophilic ant-plagued dungeon thanks to your courage and wisdom. ”

The people of Cold Wind City escaped from the dungeon, and Zhou Qingfeng could completely turn his face and attack them. But he even spared Fabro, and there was no hostile behavior. Afterwards, the people in Cold Wind City were a little scared and even more puzzled.

"Is it just verbal thanks?" As soon as Zhou Qingfeng raised his head, Marbury, who was bowing to him politely, was dumbfounded. He paused for a few seconds without getting an answer, and laughed again: "Is it really a verbal thanks?" Then why are you running to me? ”

Marbury had never spoken so bluntly, and he stuttered for a moment, thinking only 'how can this guy be so shameless'. However, Uncle Zhou's teasing gaze was really penetrating, and he was stunned to see him blushing.

"What do you want?" Marbury had his father's shadow in the past, and he had never encountered any troublesome characters, let alone any embarrassing moments. When he came, he still had a hint of arrogance, feeling that he had deigned to visit......

However, Uncle Zhou didn't eat this set at all, shook his head and said, "I can't think of anything you can give me?" I don't lack money, food, people, territory. On the contrary, you will have something to ask for me, and that's why you are here. ”

Zhou Qingfeng's tone was flat, his attitude was calm, and he had a condescending sense of overlooking. Marbury was speechless for a while, clumsy and clumsy, not knowing how to respond, and inexplicably remembered his father's advice before departure......

"Victor. Hugo's origin is unknown, but he can integrate the forces of the Black Forest in a short period of time, and he must have his advantages. Judging by the composition of his staff, he is very inclusive and does not attach too much importance to competing interests. This is the reason for his success.

But such people should not and do not feel at ease in the Black Forest. What about him taking control of the Elven Ruins? It was just a ruin, and he needed to turn the ruin into wealth. So he will inevitably rush out to find a bigger living space. ”

In the face of Zhou Qingfeng's ridicule, Marbury's forehead sweated slightly, and his brain had never been so desperate since he was born. Grasping something, he repeated his father's words, "You need more living space." ”

"Of course." Zhou Qingfeng smiled, "Who doesn't need it? ”

"The Black Forest is so poor that it is almost cut off from the outside world except for a boardwalk. The traffic here is too inconvenient. ”

"Oh, that's right. That's the worst thing about this place. ”

"You need to break out of the Black Forest, either to start a war or to make friends. It's up to you? ”

"What if I choose war?"

"The closest city to the Black Forest is the Longlegs' Coldwind City. The Black Forest is your home turf, and we can't afford to send a lot of troops. But if you're in Coldwind City, how many troops can you send? ”

Marbury's mind suddenly came alive, he was a little nervous, and his breath was short. He had never thought of such a thing, but now he was forced to think about it.

"There are 20,000 people in Coldwind City, and our Longlegs Clan has a military strength of more than 1,000 people, including more than eighty official knights. In addition, there are several churches of good gods in the city, such as the church of the god of justice, 'Tyre'.

If you kill yourself from the Black Forest, we and the Church will definitely resist. How many people can you organize? Does it have what it takes to beat us? ”

Zhou Qingfeng was also a little interested in listening, and motioned for Marbury to continue.

The sweat on the forehead of the city lord Da Shao was even more, "In addition to Cold Wind City, there are more than a dozen big cities and hundreds of small towns in the Northland. We maintain a loose alliance.

When any city is attacked, the others are obliged to help. Are you an outsider who wants to challenge the order of the entire Northland? ”

Challenge the whole Northland? Of course, it can't be done.

Let Zhou Qingfeng organize an expedition of more than a dozen people, this is no problem. But to start a war, he can't even muster a full-fledged army of a hundred men. Hire at most a hundred scattered adventurers, but such an army can only bully serfs.

Zhou Qingfeng's face showed some approving smiles.

As if he had been praised by his teacher, Marbury swallowed hard, and continued to stammer: "But if you cooperate with us, you can expand externally in another way." We have connections to refer you to.

We can even forcibly suppress the Church, at least so that the paladins of Tyre don't openly trouble you. This is absolutely possible, and with our permission, you are free to appear in Coldwind City.

Your Excellency Hugo, you need ours as much as we need you. It's all good for us to work together. We help you connect to the wider North and even the South, so you can go further. ”

Speaking such a long passage in one breath, Marbury held his breath, as if a student in class was being asked by a teacher, waiting to be praised or reprimanded. When the smile on Zhou Qingfeng's face became thicker and thicker, he breathed a sigh of relief, only to find that his whole body was soaked.

Zhou Qingfeng shouted outside the door of his office, "Seth, where did you die of a lazy?" Why don't you make a pot of tea for Lord Marbury? Don't you see the thirst of the guests? ”