Evil dragon has a warm heart
Chapter 201 - 201 200 Rolands Letter

Chapter 201: Chapter 200 Roland’s Letter Chapter 201: Chapter 200 Roland’s Letter Bamboo wasn’t planted by Russell at Magic Medicine Tun, but near the Cigar Courtyard, not only because he liked bamboo, but the larger reason was that there was only one magical fungus available for the time being.

Throughout Glowing Valley, bamboo hadn’t been discovered yet; even during his previous visit to Tributary River Mouth, he seemingly hadn’t seen any plants similar to bamboo. Thus, it was difficult to grow a bamboo garden.

He could only ask the merchant caravans from Fluorescent Castle to help search for bamboo in the Volcanic Oasis or other warm enclaves.

Then bring back the bamboo seeds.

Of course.

If one day the bamboo with magical fungus bloomed and bore fruit, he could use the bamboo rice to propagate new magical bamboo, but Russell remembered that when bamboo flowered, it meant it was dying, and he certainly didn’t want the bamboo with magical fungus to blossom; he was content just nurturing it as it was.

“But then again, since bamboo can form a forest by itself, I’m nurturing this bamboo with magical fungus, maybe one day it’ll spread into a bamboo forest?”

Russell looked at the newly planted bamboo with magical fungus.

There were hundreds of bamboo shoots, each slightly thicker than a finger, forming a small bamboo forest to look at, and the underground bamboo rhizomes were still spreading ceaselessly with no sign of stopping growth.

Ordinary magical fungus would typically cease growing once it reached a certain stage, not flowering, bearing fruit, or withering.

But according to what Charlie said, this bamboo with magical fungus was discovered roughly a month ago, initially with only a few shoots.

Because the space behind his home was wasteland, and according to the rules of the lordship, these trees all belonged to the lord. So Charlie didn’t concern himself with these few bamboo shoots, but who knew that in a month’s time, the bamboo would have spread into his home.

It nearly pushed up the corners of the walls.

That’s why he had no choice but to find the Temporary Office.

“That is to say, this bamboo with magical fungus can continue to grow… Tsk tsk, I want to see if you can grow into a bamboo forest, no, a sea of bamboo!” Russell gladly thought that if it really came to be, even if it bore no magic potion or materials, just keeping it for appreciation would be a delight.

The ancients said, ‘Better to have no meat in one’s meal than no bamboo in one’s garden.’

Now, Russell’s Cigar Courtyard could also be considered to have bamboo.

“Little fellow, do your best.” He placed the bamboo spirit insect into the rack in the Elf Room. Despite his joy, he wasn’t too excited.

After all, he had two Little Sprites in hand.

“Eegoo?” The Tobacco Sprite Niko had just woken up and saw the new companion, so she flew over.

Then she grabbed the bamboo spirit insect and started flying around in front of Russell.

It wasn’t clear if she was welcoming the new companion or bullying it, but soon the noise awakened the Fluorescent Mushroom Bird Rosy, who also flew over, chirping and joining the welcome team, occasionally pecking gently at the bamboo spirit insect.

“Alright, alright, Niko, Rosy, stop tormenting the bamboo… the bamboo bug,” Russell spoke with a bit of awkwardness.

The bamboo spirit insect was naturally shortened to bamboo bug.

However, back on Earth, bamboo bugs were apparently a delicacy—of course, Russell was not fond of such insect-based delicacies.

“Eegoo.” Niko obeyed Russell’s command and tossed the bamboo spirit insect into the rack.

Fortunately, the spirit insect was tough, and it wasn’t hurt by the fall; it turned over and curiously crawled around its new home.

When it encountered other spirit insects, it would curiously touch them.

However, the older spirit insects weren’t as active as the bamboo bug; they lay lazily on the rack, too languid to respond.

…

“Lord, do we have a celebration banquet at noon today?” Butler Morris asked with a smile, “Under the gaze of the Great Dragon, you’ve acquired another spirit insect, my lord. This is indeed a rare joyous occasion for our lordship.”

“Rare to see? It doesn’t seem all that rare,” Russell responded indifferently, “It’s just a spirit insect after all.”

Indeed, his heart was calm and undisturbed.

But after giving it some thought, it seemed that obtaining a Spirit Insect was indeed cause for great celebration; even Fluorescent Castle would hold a banquet if they got one.

For any Lord, a Spirit Insect was a strategic resource.

It was just that Russell’s Spirit Insects came in too many and too quickly, to the point where the Magical Medicine Fields could hardly keep up, naturally giving rise to the happy worry of “too many elves.”

“Then let’s hold a banquet,” Russell said, suddenly remembering something, “Oh right, tell James to go to Wheat Hamlet and invite old Charlie over. Ask Charlie to also attend the luncheon.”

It was old Charlie who had discovered the bamboo fungus, and Russell hoped to share his glory with the peasants in this way.

It likewise further encouraged the peasants to search for any possible bamboo fungi.

After all, discovering a magical creature not only rewarded one with a handsome sum but also the opportunity to have lunch with the Lord—an enviable and eagerly awaited dual benefit of fame and fortune.

“As you wish, milord,” Butler Morris replied.

Charlie, at the luncheon, trembling with nervousness, tasted many delicacies he had never enjoyed before, drank fine Pink Blush wine usually reserved for the nobility, and even received a set of new clothes from the Lord as a reward.

After eating his fill and donning new attire, he was transported back home by the carriage from Cigar Courtyard.

Charlie’s marvellous experiences that day spread rapidly throughout the entire Wuyao Snake Manor, as if given wings.

“Have you heard? Old Charlie from Wheat Hamlet discovered a Spirit Insect!”

“Indeed, the Lord rewarded him with a Gold Coin!”

“That’s not even the half of it. Old Charlie was also invited to the Manor’s annex, to have a meal with the Lord himself. That guy got to eat bread white as snow and drink wine as orange as the sunset—pure heaven!”

“By the Great Dragon, old Charlie really hit the jackpot!”

“It’s because our Lord is generous and kind-hearted. Charlie just stumbled upon a fungus, didn’t do much, and he made a fortune.”

“I’m not talking to you guys anymore, I’m going to look around the fields.”

“Ah, I’ll take a look around too. If I run into a fungus, the Lord might even reward me with a Gold Coin!”

“Quit your daydreaming; by the Great Dragon, that Gold Coin reward should come to me!”

That day, and for several days after, the serfs didn’t do their work attentively. They always looked for an excuse to wander around the wasteland, hoping to find some odd plants. If they were identified as bamboo fungus, wouldn’t that be an immediate fulfillment of life?

The lineup at the Temporary Office’s door grew long as the serfs, regardless of whether the plants they found were bamboo fungus or not, all wanted to try their luck.

If luck was poor, they faced chastisement from officials, at worst getting whipped a couple of times.

But if the eyes of the great dragon of the house were to glance their way, they might, like old Charlie’s family, suddenly live a life free of worry about food and drink.

Ten thousand copper coins, oh, how much black bread that could buy!

Such days continued until November, as the intense heat of summer began to retreat and the land entered a bustling harvest season. Wheat, barley, lentils—were all ready to be harvested, and after this crop, there was still time to plant one more round of short-term crops.

Just in time before the icy period arrives and the land freezes over again, they could enjoy another harvest.

Hixililu!

A horse galloped in—it was Raphael, the messenger from Fluorescent Castle, bringing three letters for Russell.

One was a routine letter from Fluorescent Castle; Mr. Roman, knowing Russell had acquired another Spirit Insect, naturally wanted to extend his congratulations and encouragement.

Another letter came from Red Castle and was signed Roland Yingguangjun.

“Hmm, big brother has written back,” Russell quickly opened the letter, and after reading it, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.