"Yes. Or rather, it wasn't difficult, but I encountered some strange things."

"What's strange?"

"We're basically in the safe zone originally identified by the Liang Nation. According to the Liang people, someone once disobeyed the ban and headed south. A short distance wouldn't be a problem, but if they went more than a mile, they would have collapsed and been covered by the smoke. When the smoke cleared, their body would have vanished."

"One mile?"

“Yes, but now that we have built fortifications to the south, the distance is only about three hundred steps.

Some time ago, the Ministry of Works increased our supplies, part of which consisted of old horses unfit for combat, which we had to slaughter on the spot. However, one horse wasn't tied up tightly, broke free, and headed south, where it was inexplicably killed three hundred paces south of the fortifications.

"Beat him to death?"

Lin Hai noticed his choice of words.

"It's not some sudden and inexplicable death, but he was beaten to death?"

"Yes, I am sure of it. Although I did not see anyone appear, the craftsmen and guards with me heard a crisp sound, similar to the sound of an explosion, but not exactly the same."

Zhang Huarun said affirmatively.

"Did you see any fire or smoke?"

"No. I have asked the Liang soldiers who were stationed here before, and they also have similar legends. However, they thought the sound was thunder, so they always believed that those who accidentally entered the restricted area were killed by lightning."

"Have you ever repeated the experiment?"

"We have, and the situation is the same. And I can confirm that the smoke they are talking about is caused by smoke bombs. Although I did not see anyone throwing smoke bombs, the generation and dissipation of the smoke is almost identical to the smoke bombs that the Empire is testing."

"Okay, I understand. I need you to take a risk, are you willing?"

"I am willing to give everything to Your Majesty."

"Hmm...it's not that serious. I just want you to lead your men to dig a trench all the way south. Didn't you say there was a safe distance of 300 steps? Dig to 299 steps for me. Then expand horizontally and see if we can push the entire defense line another 299 steps south. Let me know when you reach the position. I want to come and take a look."

"Your Majesty's body is worth a million gold..."

"That's an order."

"I obey your command."

Lin Hai waved his hand to signal Zhang Huarun to leave. He stopped again and quietly looked at the observation tower located in the middle of the observation post.

It's unknown how long this ancient outpost has existed, perhaps as long as ten thousand years. It's possible that the Liang Kingdom's outpost was simply built on the foundations of a previous dynasty.

From the day it was built, this outpost had assumed the mission of guarding the northern empire on this continent. Behind it was a hill so low that it was not even of much military value. On the hill was another watchtower, which served only as a relay station for signal fire.

Not far to the north of the hill is Qinghe City, which is already well-known on this continent. Oh no, it is now called Dawn City.

In other words, the former residents of Qinghe were only a few dozen miles away from the legendary extremely dangerous abyss, separated by a small hill.

Although the residents here are disturbed by inexplicable information and naturally ignore the southern part of the hill, so that many people have never been curious about what is to the south from birth to death, but in fact, if they insist on going south, they will not encounter danger immediately, and there is at least a safe distance of dozens of miles.

"I just don't know why the soldiers here are so determined to stay here. Logically, if I weren't here, they wouldn't be able to sense this area, let alone stationed here."

Lin Hai muttered to himself.

"Oh, that's easy. The soldiers are specially selected."

A carriage passed through heavy defenses and stopped beside Lin Hai. A middle-aged man's voice came from inside.

"Special selection?"

Lin Hai didn't seem surprised by the carriage and asked back.

"Well, to put it simply, they have intellectual disabilities. There's no other solution. Otherwise, why would the orders they received be so simple?"

"This... is really an unconventional approach. I thought you would build them an iron cage."

"The fewer people who know about the cage, the better. Mr. Lin, why don't you get in the carriage and talk? If we leave this carriage, I'm worried that I won't be able to talk to you properly."

"No problem, Your Majesty Xia Junao. It's our first meeting, so please take care of me."

Lin Hai smiled.