Mount and Blade System: Start from Pioneer Lords

The small stone chamber was flooded with a group of burly men, making the air noticeably more stale.

The moment everyone entered, their gazes involuntarily shifted to a small tree in front of them, pure white and radiating a soft, white light.

"It's the Laurel Holy Tree." An elf warrior trembled, his eyes glistening, his voice nearly choked with emotion. "The Mother Goddess hasn't abandoned her children. She's still watching over us, and has come to our side."

All the elves present looked at the laurel tree with excitement and reverence, as if they were collectively experiencing an epileptic seizure.

Even Aysi couldn't help but take a deep breath, unable to hide her excitement. "I'm sorry, Li Wei, the laurel tree has an unspeakable significance to us elves."

"I understand."

Just like how, in his previous life as a descendant of Yan and Huang, he had unimaginable reverence for the dragon.

"Now that our purpose is fulfilled, we'll take our leave first." Li Wei wasn't interested in watching others stage a tragic drama here.

"Withdraw." He snapped his fingers, and under the grateful gaze of Aysi and the elves, he led the leaders of High Cliff Stronghold out.

Originally, with Bei Feng's size, it would have been difficult to sit in the crane to get to the top of the mine, but to Li Wei's surprise, it could not only grow larger but also shrink.

This made the lord realize that its innate spell was definitely more than just gigantification.

"Hahaha."

Until he exited the mine, looked at the snow flying in the sky, and smelled the fresh air, the lord couldn't help but burst into laughter.

This trip, he not only got a free mount, but also hatched the stone egg, and gained the goodwill of the elves, truly a rewarding experience.

What he paid was just a warm-up activity.

"What's wrong with the lord?"

Lai Dun, the goblin who had just joined High Cliff Stronghold, was puzzled by this. Could it be that strong people have this kind of quirk?

"Shh, don't disturb the boss."

As the oldest member who had followed Li Wei for the longest time, Zha Te was very familiar with this, with a 'just wait and see' expression.

"Once the heart's desire is resolved, one suddenly feels the vastness of the world. Asking the boundless wilderness, who is the winner..."

Li Wei looked up at the sky with his hands behind his back, chanting with his head shaking, with the demeanor of a legendary wandering poet Saint Teresa.

"Li Wei, I didn't expect you to have the literary talent of a university scholar."

Not knowing when, Aysi also came out. The elf queen looked surprised and admired.

"My dream is to be a wandering poet." The lord nodded slightly, trying to appear calm. "Miss Aysi, this is just the tip of my iceberg."

Looking at the admiring crowd around him, the lord's vanity was satisfied like never before.

With a wave of his hand, he strode towards the garrison, leaving behind only pairs of admiring eyes.

"Brother-in-law, where did you get this little thing?"

Mi Er looked at Bu Ji, who was being held in Li Wei's palm and was sleeping, and couldn't help but want to poke it.

But halfway there, he was slapped away by Li Wei.

"Don't touch her randomly. If you wake her up, be careful I'll beat you." The lord warned in a low voice.

He carefully placed Bu Ji into the flower basket on the table, letting her lie on the soft velvet, and finally covered it with a small piece of tailored silk.

Mi Er immediately looked aggrieved, feeling that this suddenly appearing little thing seemed to have stolen all of his brother-in-law's affection.

He was here first...

When there were many people in front, Bu Ji seemed very shy and stayed in the lord's pocket.

When he came back and took her out, she was already yawning, rubbing her eyes with her small hands sleepily.

How could Li Wei bear this? He immediately used the power of the lord of High Cliff Stronghold, ordering people to quickly make a small flower basket, lined with velvet quilts obtained from the elves.

"Is everything ready?"

Pulling Mi Er aside, Li Wei finally talked about business.

"The supplies have already been loaded onto the carriages, and the warriors are ready. We can set off at dawn."

Mi Er said, finally unable to help but open his mouth: "Brother-in-law, we helped the elves solve such a big problem, shouldn't we talk to them about conditions before we leave?"

Gratitude is something that expires if not used within a limited time. Now they are the benefactors, saviors, etc. of this elf tribe, everything is easy to talk about, but it's hard to say whether it will be discounted over time.

"Don't worry, it's two different things to rush to offer something and have someone send it proactively. I think they should be discussing this matter now." Li Wei sat firmly on the Diaoyutai, not panicking at all.

Facts proved that the lord was right.

Soon, when the sky was completely dark and one couldn't see their fingers, Aysi came to the lord's room alone.

Li Wei got up and took the initiative to pour a cup of hot water for the elf queen.

"Li Wei, thank you very much for your various help to the Yu Feng tribe during this time." Aysi held the water cup with her white jade hands, took a sip, and then slowly said.

"It's nothing." Li Wei smiled slightly, very politely.

"Last time I took the initiative to thank you, but you refused, but this time, please accept this gratitude from everyone in the Yu Feng tribe no matter what."

As Aysi spoke, she handed over a piece of parchment.

Li Wei took it and examined it carefully. It was written in exceptionally beautiful common language, and the final name was written in elven characters, which Li Wei didn't recognize.

This parchment was a unilateral letter of commitment. The content was also very simple: the Yu Feng tribe was willing to hand over 20% of the magic crystal mine they mined to the lord, as well as various other materials.

Even if the lord encountered trouble, the Yu Feng tribe was willing to provide unconditional assistance.

Li Wei didn't know how many percent of the magic crystal mine Fu Li Na occupied, but being valued by her so much, it was obviously definitely not low. The Yu Feng tribe was willing to take out 20% under such circumstances, which was not considered full of sincerity, it could be said that they were making a big sacrifice.

Of course, it also proved from the side that the laurel tree was more important to the elves than imagined.

Li Wei shook his head slightly and pushed the parchment back.

Aysi frowned. Could it be that this Lion Hunter was ultimately the same as others, his desires like boulders rolling down a cliff.

But the next sentence made her ashamed.

"Aysi, I came to help you before because of Fu Li Na, and I didn't contribute anything to the laurel tree matter."

Li Wei started, smiled slightly: "Compared to these things, I actually care more about the friendship between us."

"Us...friendship..." Aysi carefully looked at the overly handsome human in front of her. Even though she had experienced all kinds of things, she couldn't help but blush slightly when faced with such straightforward words.

It was just not obvious in the light of the candle.

"I think the Yu Feng tribe can maintain friendly relations with High Cliff Stronghold in the future."

"The Yu Feng tribe is located deep in the wilderness. Many things cannot be obtained, such as weapons and equipment, and various daily necessities, but High Cliff Stronghold happens to have these. We can completely establish trade and exchange what we have for what we need."

"I know a sentence from a book, only interest binding is the most reliable relationship."

After saying so much in one breath, Li Wei slowly drank a sip of hot water, waiting for the elf queen's reaction.

The so-called kindness is limited. Although the elves are definitely willing to give him 20% of the magic crystal mine to show their gratitude for the time being.

But over time, some people will inevitably feel dissatisfied.

Not to mention, the lord doesn't have much use for the magic crystal mine at present, and it's a bit painful to sell it directly, so it's better to leave it to this group of elves.

Establishing trade between the two is conducive to the development of High Cliff Stronghold.

And usually speaking, the more ambitious a person is, the more he looks down on the immediate small gains.

Only then did Aysi realize that she was wrong, and there was some disappointment in the depths of her heart.

She carefully observed the Lion Hunter, wanting to see if he was joking.

In the end, she concluded that the other party was serious.

"Li Wei, you are the most different human I have ever met." Aysi stretched out her small hand to Li Wei, "In the future, the Yu Feng tribe and High Cliff Stronghold will be the closest allies. I will establish a caravan to High Cliff Stronghold. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation."

"Of course." Li Wei shook the elf queen's small hand twice.

"By the way, I'm leaving tomorrow morning." Li Wei remembered something and said it together.

"So soon?"

"The war is over, and the matters have been resolved. There's nothing to stay here for. It's better to go back sooner. It's been almost a month since I came out this time." Li Wei shook his head.

"I wish you a safe journey." Aysi gave her sincere blessings.

Finally, the two chatted until midnight before Aysi left with lingering feelings.

The Lion Hunter was clearly only eighteen or nineteen years old, but he knew all kinds of strange things and stories, which made people unable to help but immerse themselves in them. When they came back to their senses, it was already midnight.

Aysi had seen many people, but Li Wei was the first person who made her feel very interesting.

……

With the Southern Coalition resolved and the Yu Feng tribe's crisis lifted, it was naturally time to return.

Unlike when they came, the warriors of High Cliff Stronghold were obviously much more silent when they returned.

The reason was the carriages in the middle, which were filled with coffins similar to those of the Holy Light Church, containing the fallen warriors of High Cliff Stronghold.

A total of twenty, including Fei De warriors and orc savages.

"Lord, you are the first person I know who is willing to give a fallen warrior a dignified farewell." Lai Dun rode on a lame horse. His tone contained intriguing emotions, with emotion and admiration.

Usually, when a warrior in the wilderness dies, if there are any conditions, they will be cremated on the spot, but most of them are left to be exposed to the wilderness, and finally digested by this world.

Even for humans, most of them are collectively burned at once. It was the first time he had seen someone specially equipped with coffins and pulled back to their hometown.

"I can't control others, but for the people under my command, I promised to bring them back, and I won't break my promise."

Li Wei didn't want to talk too much on this topic. He rode on Bei Feng, looking high and far, with a very wide view.

His heart wasn't made of stone. These old people who had followed him from the beginning would forever sleep here, and he was also very sad.

But he was the leader of this big family. Anyone could show sadness, but he couldn't be sad all the time, which would greatly affect morale.

Bu Ji seemed to feel Li Wei's emotions, standing barefoot on one of Bei Feng's heads, making strange movements, seeming to want to make him happy.

The three-headed dog was very dissatisfied with this little thing jumping around on their heads, but since being beaten badly by the lord just now, understanding that its status was the lowest, it no longer dared to threaten Bu Ji with its teeth.

Although this little thing was small, it was a true master and couldn't be provoked at all.

Li Wei stretched out his finger, and Bu Ji flew over like the wind, sitting on his finger, rubbing his cheek with her head.

For some reason, this little thing that hatched from the stone egg showed extraordinary dependence and closeness to Li Wei.

On the contrary, her attitude towards Sam, the legitimate subject of the goddess of nature, was average.

After learning that this little thing was the creature hatched from the stone egg, Sam had been wanting to approach.

Li Wei wasn't stingy and allowed the two to have brief contact. Although Bu Ji didn't treat Sam with the same vigilance as she did with others, she only circled around the old thing twice, plucked a white beard from the other party's chin, and flew to the lord like a treasure.

This made Sam very angry. Clearly, he was the most loyal subject of the goddess of nature, but this little ancestor didn't pay attention to him at all.

Although he was angry, he couldn't do anything in front of the two ancestors.

Regarding Bu Ji's matter, Li Wei only talked in detail with a few of High Cliff Stronghold's leaders.

As a result, Zha Te, the brainless guy, thought that the little thing saw the lord at first sight after birth, so he regarded the lord as his mother, and that's why he was so unusually close.

Just like those birds in the wilderness.

Li Wei directly rewarded this guy with a kick. Only this silly guy could come up with such nonsense.

Besides him, there was also the three-headed dog at the time. Why didn't she recognize the three-headed dog as her mother?

However...it didn't seem impossible.

After all, his image was the most similar to this little thing, and the three-headed dog had nothing to do with her.

The first thing she saw after birth was very likely his great heroic posture of tactical retreat.

After thinking for a while, he shook his head and sighed, helplessly picking up a delicate silver kettle and pouring milk into a silver cup the size of a bottle cap.

This was what he shamelessly asked Aysi to get from those lactating elven women. Aysi's eyes were wrong when she looked at him at the time. If it weren't for his good words, his great image would have been shattered.

It can be said that a drop of milk stumped a heroic man.

After all, even if this little thing regarded him as his mother, he couldn't squeeze out a drop of milk.

"You little thing, you really make your mother...father break his heart, drink more quickly."

Not knowing if she understood the lord's words, she held the silver cup and drank heartily, getting her little mouth covered in milk stains.

The return journey wasn't as simple as imagined. Although no one with no eyes blocked the way, the howling wind and endless snow were more terrifying than wilderness bandits.

Li Wei had to personally lead people at the back of the team to prevent anyone from getting lost in the snow and completely lost in this vast white world.

Everyone was like warriors from ancient times, walking on this desolate land in the wind and snow.

A few days later, the silver-clad High Cliff Stronghold was already in sight. Li Wei stood on the giant Bei Feng, looking high and far, with a wide view.

Putting everything else aside, Baron's ability to change size with his innate spell gave the Lord a wonderful idea.

After Baron grew in size, his shoulder height could reach seven or eight *ren*. If he raised his head, it would be more than ten *ren*. Standing on his head would be like standing on a mobile watchtower.

In the telescope, a small figure wearing a thick cloak was standing on the walls of Highcliff Fortress, gazing north. A thick layer of snow had already accumulated on her cloak, indicating that she had been standing outside for a long time.

The cloak was personally commissioned by the Lord from Rollina, and he immediately recognized the small figure as Weiss Christina.

He couldn't hide the excitement in his heart: "Full speed ahead!"

Highcliff Fortress welcomed its true master once again.

The peaceful Highcliff Fortress became bustling with activity, as if even the cold had been diluted a bit.

"Li Wei, you're finally back."

Weiss Christina stood at the gate of the city, her hands on her lower abdomen, trying to maintain her composure despite her excitement.

"Christina, you have no idea how much your Baron has missed you!"

Li Wei leaped off Baron and rushed forward, embracing Weiss Christina.

The Lord's unexpected behavior caused Weiss Christina's face to flush red, like a ripe red apple.

"Li Wei, there are so many people here..."

She had just opened her mouth when the Lord gave everyone a look, and they all whistled, pretending to look elsewhere.

Zat even put his hands behind his back, pretending to critique a bare little tree.

"Just tell me if you missed your Baron," Li Wei asked with a smile.

Weiss Christina, looking at the face she had been waiting for every day, allowed emotion to overcome reason, and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito's: "I did."

After saying that, she buried her head in the Lord's chest, no longer daring to look directly at his intriguing smile.

"Hahaha." This made Li Wei very satisfied, and he finally released her from his embrace.

"This military life is not for humans, especially Mill, whose feet stink so badly that I can't sleep every night."

Li Wei immediately began to pour out his grievances.

"Brother-in-law..."

Mill's face was full of resentment. Didn't you promise not to tell my sister about these things?

Weiss Christina smiled, quietly listening to everything.

"And that blockhead Zat snores like thunder, shaking the snow off the tent."

Zat pretended not to hear, reaching out to scratch his butt. These words could no longer make him feel ashamed.

"Lord, you're back!"

At this moment, a wolf howl was heard, and Hogg galloped from afar on his dire wolf, the wind and snow on his body proving that he had just returned from patrolling outside.

He jumped off his dire wolf with an excited expression and ran to the Lord.

"That wolf cub that was only as tall as my waist back then is now almost taller than your Baron. Time really flies."

Li Wei looked Hogg up and down, feeling a little emotional for some reason.

Hogg was someone he had nurtured from a young age, so he had a different meaning, like raising a husky.

Looking around, Muto and the other Highcliff Fortress warriors were also excitedly looking at the greatest person in their hearts.

But Li Wei didn't see one person. He turned to Weiss Christina and asked, "Where's Sophia?"

When Li Wei found the silver dragon girl, she was intently weaving a piece of clothing, her cheeks puffed out, obviously struggling with the clothing in her hands.

And the appearance of the clothes was terrible.

"How did you convince her to work?"

Leaving the room, Li Wei couldn't help but give Weiss Christina a thumbs up.

After bringing this silver dragon back to Highcliff Fortress, all she did every day was sleep and eat, a complete freeloader, making the rice even more expensive.

"I just told her that she would be paid for working," Weiss Christina smiled slightly, and seeing the Lord's hesitant expression, she knowingly added, "Only a few silver coins a day."

The two looked at each other, and everything was understood without words, smiling as they left.

This trip by the main force of Highcliff Fortress lasted nearly a month. It would be a lie to say they weren't nervous, but fortunately, everything was safe and sound.

Highcliff Fortress had obtained almost everything it wanted: reputation, warriors, and an increase in strength.

During this time, Li Wei arranged a small meeting to introduce the new members to the old-timers of Highcliff Fortress, so that both sides could get acquainted first, and then slowly integrate.

The strong always cherish each other, and the horsemen warriors who joined Highcliff Fortress were obviously among the best, and soon became one with the proud and valiant generals of Highcliff Fortress.

They were jointly responsible with the gnoll cavalry for patrolling the area around Highcliff Fortress, especially the wide fields, which were the most important.

This was related to whether Highcliff Fortress could achieve self-sufficiency in food next year.

Strict patrols were necessary to prevent the starving wilderness natives from digging up the fields and eating the seeds inside.

Soon after, in the taverns and streets of White River City, bards began to constantly spread a story, a narrative poem about how the lion-hunting knight named Li Wei used his courage and wisdom to easily defeat the wilderness bandits.

If Li Wei heard it himself, he would be surprised that the content of the war was very realistic.

What "leading ten guards to bravely fight three hundred minotaur warriors", "night raid on the wilderness people's tribe", "cleverly capturing the spellcasting group", etc., were all true portrayals of his personal experiences.

But it was too real, which made people feel that there was a lot of exaggeration in it.

However, stories must have a bit of exaggeration to be interesting and make people love them.

With someone fueling the flames behind the scenes, soon the entire Northern Territory's streets and alleys knew that a lion-hunting knight related to the Southern Territory war had won a great victory in the wilderness, and the orc barbarians and Fede archers under his command became popular topics of conversation in taverns.

Some civilians who were still worried about going south were relieved by the addition of such a lion-hunting knight.

The most direct benefit of reputation was that apprentice knights began to come to Highcliff Fortress from White River City, braving the wind and snow.

These greenhorns were obviously the easiest to fool, and they couldn't help but get excited just from hearing the story of Highcliff Fortress from the bards.

They wholeheartedly believed that joining Highcliff Fortress would allow them to start building a career with their superb swordsmanship, make undeniable contributions, and be knighted into a true knight by the great Lord of Highcliff Fortress.

Unfortunately, reality gave them a hard slap in the face.

The majestic castle standing on the top of the mountain in the story was just a small town standing on a small hill.