I Become a Landlady in the Game World
Chapter 209 - 131: Changing Territory

Chapter 209: Chapter 131: Changing Territory

Hope Village.

The departure of hundreds from the territory had a significant impact on the other residents of Hope Village, especially since those who left were among the strongest Professionals in the territory.

The most obvious effect was on the Demon Beasts surrounding the territory.

Originally, under the cleaning by the soldier team and various small private teams, the Demon Beasts around various resource points within the territory’s bounds were basically unable to create any trouble.

But after this group of main forces had left, clearly, the number of Demon Beasts within the territory increased drastically, and they were just too many to be cleared out in time.

At night, even the city gates had been touched by the Demon Beasts.

On the first night, fortunately, the soldiers on the night watch noticed and organized a counterattack promptly, preventing significant damage to the territory’s city walls, and in following nights, there were more soldiers on duty.

It was then that they realized, if you didn’t quickly clear out the Demon Beasts within the territory when they exceeded a certain ratio, a small Beast Tide would form at night within the territory, which would also attract Demon Beasts from outside the territory.

Therefore, after being caught a bit off guard the first night, the Professionals of Hope Village actually rejoiced in the nights that followed.

Compared to attacks in the open wilderness without cover, they had a smaller chance of being injured when killing Demon Beasts with the city walls on their side, and they also gained more from it.

After reaping the benefits, the number of Professionals guarding the city gates at night also increased.

Over the next few days, the residents within the territory gained a good deal of experience, and the defense of the city became more skilled.

For example, now, as dusk approached, several soldiers were already on watch in the watchtowers making observations about conditions within the territory, as spotting early on which direction had the most Demon Beasts was very important for the territory’s battle preparations.

The height of the watchtowers was quite considerable, generally allowing oversight of the entire territory within a certain range, and though some trees provided cover, if the soldiers had experience, many movements could not escape their eyes.

And while they were surveying, they spotted the silhouettes of Zhou Bai and his party.

There were many expeditions coming and going within the territory, but a procession of more than two hundred people was still a rare sight, and most importantly, it included the figures of O’Neill and company.

From a distance, human faces were hard to discern, but Beastmen were very easy to recognize.

"Lord Zhou and the others have returned!" one soldier exclaimed from the watchtower after confirming the presence of O’Neill and his group.

This news quickly caught the attention of many.

Zhou Bai and company had gone to the native territory, a territory ranked higher than theirs, and their safe return undoubtedly meant they would bring back plenty of information.

Tailor shop.

Ding Qiurou had been extremely anxious about Zhou Zhengping and Zhou Bai’s expedition, worried for their safety.

She was very aware that though Zhou Zhengping and Zhou Bai might be among the strongest in Hope Village, outside, they could be considered at the bottom amongst Professionals, so how could she not worry!

Seeing Ding Qiurou’s concern, Diana reassured her, "She went to Bengala Town with the identity of Village Chief; the mayor there definitely won’t allow anyone to trouble her easily."

The dangers were mostly outside the territory, but Zhou Bai’s party was large and included Beastmen, making an incident highly unlikely.

Even if something did happen, with the protection of the Beastmen, Zhou Bai was sure to be safe.

"Yes, I know." Listening to Diana’s comforting words, Ding Qiurou’s expression relaxed a bit; she understood the logic but couldn’t help worrying when actually facing reality.

It was at this time that a clamor arose from outside.

Ding Qiurou instinctively went outside.

And as soon as she did, she heard someone say,

"They’re back, the expedition to other territories has returned."

Returned?

Without giving it another thought, Ding Qiurou immediately joined the group heading for the city gates, and upon confirming that it was an expedition of more than two hundred people on the way, she was certain it was Zhou Bai’s group, and her tense mood eased substantially.

Diana also heard these sounds after stepping outside and, seeing the jubilation among the territory’s residents, her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

The residents of Hope Village seemed to live more relaxed lives.

That attitude towards life was something most of them would never dare to dream of.

Since coming to this territory, she herself had changed quite a bit.

So, she remained calm in her mind, but occasionally her emotions were still influenced by the activity in Hope Village.

Huu~

Diana sighed deeply in her heart.

There was nothing bad about that.

The better Hope Village was, the better her life there, wasn’t it?

Diana’s thoughts were known to no one, and Ding Qiurou had already followed the crowd to the outskirts of the city. It was completely dark by then, and torches throughout the territory were lit in turn, illuminating the land.

They had just arrived when they saw the figure of Zhou Bai and the others appear not far from them.

When she saw Zhou Bai, Ding Qiurou felt relieved.

Her daughter was safe!

Zhou Bai also spotted Ding Qiurou in the crowd at a glance and waved to greet her.

Seeing her like this, Ding Qiurou smiled.

It seemed the journey went smoothly!

This was apparent to the others as well when they saw the relaxed manner of Zhou Bai and his party.

Many went up to them directly and then couldn’t wait to start asking.

"How is Bengala Town?"

"Did you manage to sell all your goods smoothly?"

"Was the road dangerous?"

"Did you buy any special merchandise to bring back?"

"..."

Everyone’s questions bubbled up one after the other, clearly showing their strong curiosity about Bengala Town.

The natives rescued from the Beastman Territory had told them a lot through their stories, but those who had become slaves of the Beastman Territory were from villages—many of which were only Level 1 villages; most of them were ordinary residents concerned daily with survival, not with the world of high-level Professionals. And the few who were Professionals came from small-scale territories, knowing only superficial information with little value.

As for the Undead npc, they provided quite a bit of valuable information, but most of that information was dated. Thus, it wasn’t nearly enough for the villagers.

Therefore, they were eager to hear more from their fellow villagers, and if they could actually come into contact with the products of this world, all the better.

Seeing everyone’s unanimous curiosity, Zhou Bai spoke directly, "Bengala Town is very prosperous and powerful. We saw a lot there and bought back many goods. Once we return to the territory, they will be sold in the shops. Don’t worry."

They had traveled the whole day, encountering Demon Beasts from time to time and were on edge throughout. In a word, they needed rest.

Hearing Zhou Bai say this, and seeing the weary looks on everyone’s faces, people quickly spoke up, "Come, let’s enter the territory first and talk later."

Hearing this, Zhou Bai and the others immediately continued walking inward.

It was then that successive whistle blasts came from the watchtowers of the territory.

When the whistle sounded, the residents who had been surrounding Zhou Bai and the others quickly reacted and shouted loudly, "The Beast Tide is coming!"

The Beast Tide?

Zhou Bai himself was a bit slow to react. Wasn’t the Beast Tide something that only happened when the territory was being promoted?

"Get inside the territory first! Once the whistle sounds, the Demon Beasts will be right behind," Ding Qiurou urgently pulled Zhou Bai inside.

Zhou Bai looked around and saw many people starting to run, quickly heading toward the safety of the territory. The group that had just returned followed suit amidst the rushing crowd.

Within moments, they had all entered the territory.

And the moment they entered, when they looked back, they indeed saw countless dark figures rushing towards them from afar.

Were there really a Beast Tide?

Zhou Bai, as the Lord, was somewhat perplexed. He had only been away for a few days. How could the "development" of the territory have become something he didn’t understand?