MC's career as foreign lord

The scene that Zhou Ren saw was, in essence, not complex. He could probably give many different reasons why this area was so hot, but when zoomed out to this region, there was actually only one.

"The space here has been heated!" Zhou Ren said, the huge pit in front of him confirming his guess. Inside, a row of red-hot objects reflected Zhou Ren's somewhat excited face.

This was a lava pool on a clay/red sand mountain! The molten stones had turned into lava, seething terrifyingly within. The area was not small, with almost half the mountain dominated by the oppressive heat.

But it doesn't make sense! Even if it's a lava pool, there shouldn't be so much hard clay, red sand, and sand!" Zhou Ren pondered for a moment, but couldn't come up with a good reason.

You should know that in MC, the clay mountain terrain wouldn't have such a large lava pool. It's not logical!

If I can't figure it out, then I won't think about it. Just like the wind that keeps blowing, if Anna hadn't given an explanation, Zhou Ren would have only been able to treat it as a natural phenomenon, and wouldn't have been able to connect it to the Lord of the North Wind.

"Wait a minute!" Zhou Ren suddenly stopped digging sand. "Who was fighting the Lord of the North Wind and the Platinum Dragon God Bahamut? The Five-Headed Dragon Queen Tiamat?"

"If Bahamut created this North Wind that will never disappear for countless years, would Tiamat, as the mother of evil dragons, be so quiet and leave nothing behind?" Zhou Ren analyzed calmly, feeling that he was getting close to the truth.

However, his knowledge of this world was still too limited, so he couldn't make a rash judgment and could only put it aside slowly and continue digging sand.

But the appearance of this pile of lava really came at the right time. It meant that he no longer lacked obsidian. He was truly only one step away from creating an enchanting table, which was digging out diamonds.

Moreover, this also meant that, with lava, even if it couldn't be taken out as obsidian, it could still be scooped out with a bucket.

In this way, he could actually use the casting method to gradually cast a Nether portal. Now he could even go to the Nether!

However, Zhou Ren didn't know what the Nether would be like in the new version, and he didn't know what kind of changes would occur in the Nether in this world. All of this was still unknown.

So, to be safe, he wouldn't go to the Nether for now and would continue to develop for a while.

Zhou Ren thought about these random things, but his speed didn't slow down. A large amount of sand was directly dug away by him, along with some red sand.

Red sand is actually used to make Zisha teapots, Zisha teacups, and water bottles. He still remembered that he had traveled thousands of miles to find red sand, but he still didn't see a clay mountain and could only give up in regret.

Now that red sand and clay mountains were right in front of him, if he didn't dig a little more, he would feel sorry for himself.

Zhou Ren dug about six stacks of sand. After calculating the materials he needed, he stopped digging the remaining sand.

It would be great to have a beach or a desert-like place. If he had to dig in the river, it was estimated that the sand in the entire upstream section would be dug out by Zhou Ren.

He shook his head with some emotion, glanced at the lava pool again, and thought about dumping all ten buckets of water in his hand and filling them with ten buckets of lava to take back.

Sometimes, you have to make full use of the resources around you. These ten buckets of lava can be used as fuel to burn glass, which would save a lot of coal at once, wouldn't it?

Zhou Ren thought leisurely and walked back home, stuffing all the sand into the furnace. Suddenly, the furnaces in the workshop were not enough, so he found a stack of stones and made eight more furnaces.

"Clang!" The sound of iron clanging rang out, and Zhou Ren finally remembered what he had forgotten. The iron golem was still wandering downstairs, shouldn't he quickly arrange some work for it?

Zhou Ren's original intention for creating the iron golem was actually to defend against monsters and act as a meat shield. Now was the perfect time to test it. He let one iron golem guard the house and led the other iron golem towards the gate.

In front of the house opposite, a group of mercenaries were packing their things. They seemed to have completed their guarding mission and were about to leave.

Zhou Ren didn't have any ill feelings towards them. They seemed to be very strong. If something happened in the town, the mercenaries might lend a hand.

Didn't they almost take action the night before? It was just that Zhou Ren acted too quickly, stifling their desire to act.

Zhou Ren led the large iron golem out of the territory.

There were obviously fewer mercenaries along the way. Those teams that were originally resting outside the wall or in the wilderness had now returned behind the wall, where many tents were stationed, like a temporary camp.

It seemed that the lesson last night was profound enough. Those monsters that would sneak attacks had a great impact on them. They didn't continue to stay outside arrogantly, but carefully came inside the wall.

At least under the protection of the town guards, they had enough time to prepare for battle, instead of rushing to fight and suffering heavy losses.

So, in half a day, the place had become very lively. A large number of daring merchants had opened up a sales street here, and the town guards were collecting taxes on the spot.

In fact, this was also a protective measure, protecting these merchants who didn't have much fighting power so that they could live better and trade better.

Although Zhou Ren heard many mercenaries cursing "vampires," both the tax and the commercial street provided them with great convenience in a sense.

The materials and resources they plundered outside could be exchanged for gold and silver coins nearby, or directly exchanged for the materials and medicines they wanted, which not only improved their strength but also allowed capital to flow, wouldn't that be wonderful?

The newly arrived president of the Mercenary Guild was also a smart person. He didn't put on any airs, but calmly placed the temporary residence of the guild here and hung up a sign.

Those mercenaries with monster heads, holding the contracts issued by the Mercenary Guild, ran directly to negotiate prices with the merchants. They were even too lazy to go to the town to collect supplies, but prepared to let the merchants do it for them.

The merchants naturally reluctantly began to deduct materials and money. After a loud quarrel, the two sides reached a reconciliation and laughed and left.

Zhou Ren also saw the "Old Ford" sign. The middle-aged half-elf smiled at him at the door, and the young half-elf waiter put things outside the tent as publicity.

The alert here was never lowered. Locke had deployed heavy troops here. Even though he was seriously injured, he didn't easily leave the front line, but kept his flag flying here.

Zhou Ren still held considerable goodwill towards him. As a human, to be so admired and recognized in an elven kingdom was a testament to his excellent performance as town leader.

However, hearing of his serious injury, Zhou Ren felt obliged to visit. The scribe, Eden, stood guard at the tent entrance, signing documents. Seeing Zhou Ren, he hastily rose.

"Lord Zhou Ren, have you come to see the town leader?" he asked. "The town leader is resting inside."

Zhou Ren nodded. "Yes! I wonder, how is Town Leader Locke doing?"

"You have the right to know. Please, follow me!" The scribe hesitated briefly before lifting the curtain and allowing Zhou Ren to enter.

Behind him, the iron golem, like an iron tower, followed, surprising everyone. Was this reclusive lord crafting golems at home?

However, it stopped moving after Zhou Ren entered the tent, revealing only its steel-like body and even stronger attributes, emanating an imposing presence even while standing still.

Stepping into the tent, Zhou Ren was startled by Locke's pale and lifeless face. He sat wearily on the bed, noticing Zhou Ren.

"Lord Zhou Ren has come? I'm truly sorry, Locke cannot properly entertain you," he said, his voice low and sickly. "Still, I thank your people for their help last night. Alas…"

He spoke to himself, seemingly incoherent and rambling.

Zhou Ren nodded, understanding his state. Only someone terminally ill would behave this way, yet Locke shouldn't be capable of illness.

He asked, "Town Leader, what… how did you become like this?"

Locke shook his head helplessly. "You mustn't tell anyone about my condition. As for the reason, it was that night's battle!"

He needed to maintain morale, so he couldn't appear too weak, or they wouldn't be able to hold the town!

"That night?" Zhou Ren recalled briefly, then suddenly remembered. "Are you referring to when you were stabbed by the dagger?"

Locke nodded. "That wasn't a simple dagger. It was a dagger from Yeenoghu's fang, carrying a curse and poison from a demon lord!"

A blessing for gnolls, but a curse for humans, makes perfect sense.

"I can't suppress this curse. Father Havali might be able to, but it would cost him his life, so we've been dragging it out!" He continued, "Now, it seems I can't hold on any longer!"

Zhou Ren was silent. "This place can't be without you! Those scattered mercenaries outside are useless!"

"Then what can be done?" Locke smiled bitterly. "Valle City is in dire straits everywhere. Even the princess has gone to provide emergency support. The Empire even said this place can be abandoned if necessary. Now, only I remain to hold the line!"

Zhou Ren nodded, placing a bowl of milk down. "Drink this, it should alleviate your condition considerably! This town still needs to exist!"

Locke took the milk from the scribe and drank it in one gulp. "Don't bother. I've tried so many methods, none have worked. If a simple bowl of milk could have the desired effect, then…"

He felt himself unable to continue. It was a simple, obvious truth: a curse from a demon lord couldn't be solved by mortals, not even by legends.

But even this simple reasoning, this normal understanding, was instantly shattered by what was happening before him!

Locke's complexion visibly reddened, and his weakened body rapidly filled with strength. He even jumped off the bed!

"What kind of milk is this?" he asked in astonishment. "The curse has dissipated, and my strength has returned!"

Zhou Ren waved his hand. "Just milk that can remove abnormal conditions. Now that you've finished drinking, can I have the bowl back?"

Only then did Locke hand over the bowl, having unconsciously clenched his hand tightly around it, but ultimately relaxing his grip.

Zhou Ren continued, "Is it alright if I take a patrol around?"

"Eden, find our Lord Zhou Ren a patrol!" Locke said, immediately snapping the relieved scribe back to attention.

"Yes! Town Leader!" He said loudly, leading Zhou Ren out, leaving Locke alone in the tent, frowning to himself.

"Milk that can dispel curses…" Locke pondered, deciding not to reveal Zhou Ren's immense power. News of Zhou Ren's strength might not be a good thing for Pineleaf Town or the Silvermoon Empire.

So, he simply pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind, focusing on more important and pressing matters, such as the upcoming defense.

He paced inside, then re-emerged, walking among the guards and displaying his restored condition. Free from the curse, he appeared stronger and more vigorous, eliciting cheers from them!

When they learned of the town leader's recovery, their confidence was immeasurably strengthened. Often, the presence of a strong military leader in war greatly enhances the combat effectiveness of the local troops.

Hearing the cheers behind him, Zhou Ren couldn't help but smile. Rather than replacing the town leader, it was better to have one who held him in awe, which would save a lot of trouble.

As for him, he had already left the walls and arrived in the ravaged wilderness.

Zhou Ren had only come for a quick patrol on the first night. At that time, there weren't many wilderness monsters, so no major problems arose. The wilderness then was still in its original state, with the wind gently swaying the grass.

But now, it was completely different. There was no grassland, only mud and debris. The remnants of war had churned everything into a slurry, obscuring the original colors.

Bones and blood had stained the area with chaotic hues, and no one could escape unscathed. The scent of iron and blood seemed to permeate the air.

Zhou Ren looked at the scene in surprise. The mercenaries were still digging everywhere, searching for new finds, while the monsters' corpses were being burned to ashes.

Although the wind could carry away all the flesh and blood, there were still survivors in the pits. The scene here could be described as a blood-red sunset, illuminating all directions!

"Let's go there!" Zhou Ren said, pointing to a corner of his territory where many mercenaries seemed to be gathered.