Chapter 153 The Traveler from Afar Spring is quietly approaching...

Spring is quietly approaching.

Lin Yue was reviewing a plan for the expansion of the power grid in his study.

Since the Magic Power Plant began operating, the demand for electricity has been increasing daily. What was originally just enough for lighting now needs to power heating, workshop machinery, and even part of the train's power conversion.

"We need to find a way to expand the power plant," he muttered to himself.

Little Black lay on the windowsill basking in the sun, its ears twitching lazily.

[Another big project? Can't you just sit still for a while?]

"It won't stop." Lin Yue smiled. "When it comes to development, if you don't move forward, you fall behind."

Just then, the study door was pushed open abruptly.

Gray strode in, his expression grave.

"Lin Yue, the elves have arrived."

"An elf?" Lin Yue put down his pen. "Is it Lord Ilandil?"

“It’s Captain Lorian, and two guards.” Gray’s brows furrowed deeply. “They said they have an emergency to report.”

Lin Yue felt a chill run down his spine and immediately stood up.

Elves rarely use the word "urgent".

...

In the drawing room, Lorian was standing by the window.

The elven warrior still maintained his aloof demeanor, but his eyes held a newfound seriousness. Behind him stood two tall, slender elven guards, their hands resting on the scimitars at their waists, warily surveying their surroundings.

"Captain Lorian." Lin Yue walked in, cupped his hands in greeting, "What's the matter that's so urgent?"

Lorian turned around and went straight to the point: "Mayor Lin Yue, three days ago, our scouts discovered a team on the eastern edge of Silvermoon Forest."

"What team?"

"Orcs."

Gray's hand was already on the dagger at his waist: "How many? Which direction?"

“About thirty people,” Lorian said. “They’re moving north along the edge of the forest, and their destination seems to be… Hope Town.”

Lin Yue frowned.

Thirty orcs—if they're here to attack, that's a bit few. But if they're not here to attack, what are they planning to do?

"What is their equipment like? Are they fully armed, or...?"

“That’s the strange thing,” Lorian said, a hint of confusion in his voice. “They carried weapons, but not many. They did, however, carry a lot of… goods.”

"goods?"

“Furs, medicinal herbs, and some other goods whose nature is unclear.” Lori paused. “And there are old people and women in the group.”

Lin Yue and Gray exchanged a glance, both seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

A caravan of orcs carrying old people, women, and goods? This doesn't look like they're here to fight.

“There’s one more thing,” Lorian continued. “At the head of the group, there are two tall orcs leading the way. Our scouts say that their aura is extraordinary, unlike any orc warriors we’ve encountered before.”

Lin Yue's heart stirred.

Two imposing orcs?

He thought of Xiaofen's parents, the night wind and silver moon of the Wind Chaser tribe.

Could it be them?

“Captain Lorian,” Lin Yue asked, “what did those two leading orcs look like?”

"The men were over two meters tall, with silver-gray hair, and wore cloaks made of wild beast fur; the women were nearly 1.9 meters tall, with long hair braided, and wore exquisite animal skin armor."

Indeed, it was the night breeze and the silver moon.

Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief.

“I think I know who they are,” he said. “They must be here to visit Little Fern. Her parents are the leaders of the Windseeker tribe.”

Lorian nodded slightly: "I see. That makes sense then."

“However,” he changed the subject, “our scouts also noticed that besides the Windseekers, there seemed to be several other orcs with a distinct air about them. They gave off a more ancient and noble feeling.”

More ancient and noble?

Lin Yue seemed to be deep in thought.

Where are your people now?

“We left a few scouts to follow that team at a distance and monitor their movements. If they make any unusual moves, we will know immediately.”

"Thank you," Lin Yue said sincerely. "This intelligence is very important."

Lorian nodded slightly, then changed the subject: "However, we're not here just to report on the orcs."

"oh?"

“Mayor Lin Yue, Her Majesty the Queen has some words she would like me to convey regarding that special facility you built deep within the Cursed Lands.”

Lin Yue's heart stirred.

He knew that the elves couldn't possibly be indifferent to the power plant. Patrols had seen elves appearing at the power plant's patrol perimeter before.

What instructions does Her Majesty have?

Lorian hesitated for a moment, then carefully chose his words: "Her Majesty the Queen expresses... admiration for your attempts to harness the power of the Earth's Sorrow. But she also has some concerns."

"What are your concerns?"

"The energy of the Earth's Lament is extremely violent. If something goes wrong during the collection and transformation process, the miasma and toxins could spread to a wider area... including Silvermoon Forest."

Lin Yue nodded, indicating his understanding.

This concern is valid. While the power plant is currently operating normally, no one can guarantee that problems will never arise. In the event of a leak, Silvermoon Forest would be the first to be affected.

“Your Majesty, please rest assured,” he said. “We have set up three lines of defense around the power plant. The first is an energy-sealing rune array designed by Norm to prevent energy leakage; the second is a barrier of purifying plants grown by Kaelan to absorb any accidental leaks of miasma; and the third is regular manual inspections to ensure that all equipment is operating normally.”

“Moreover,” he added, “we have chosen a location on the outskirts of the Earth’s Lament, where the energy is relatively mild. We will not rashly advance into the core area until the technology is more advanced.”

Lorian listened attentively, his expression softening slightly.

“I will relay your words to Her Majesty the Queen,” he said. “However, Her Majesty has another question.”

"Please speak."

“That kind of… electric light.” A hint of curiosity flashed in Lorian’s eyes. “Our scouts say that the nights in Hope Town are as bright as day. The light is not from flames, but it is brighter and more stable than flames.”

He paused, then looked directly at Lin Yue.

"Your Majesty would like to know if this technology... could possibly be extended to Silvermoon Forest?"

Lin Yue's lips curled up slightly.

"Of course. As long as power transmission lines are laid, electricity can be delivered anywhere. However, this requires a lot of materials and manpower, especially some special materials..."

What material?

"The conductors that can carry electricity need to be made of copper or similar metals. As for the utility poles that support the conductors, ordinary wood is prone to rot, so it's best to use a special type of wood that is rot-proof and insect-proof. In addition, if materials that can enhance energy conduction can be embedded in key nodes, the effect will be even better."

He looked at Lorian and said meaningfully, "As far as I know, there is something called Wind Whisper Crystal in Silvermoon Forest, as well as iron birch wood unique to elves... If we can use these materials, the stability and efficiency of power transmission lines will be greatly improved."

Lorian was silent for a moment, then he understood what Lin Yue meant.

“I will convey your proposal to Her Majesty the Queen,” Lorian said. “I’m sure she will consider it seriously.”

"Thank you." Lin Yue smiled. "By the way, Captain Lorian, how is the construction of the three-race trading post progressing?"

Upon hearing this, Lorian's expression visibly relaxed.

“It’s done,” he said. “Trade has been restored on the ancient trade routes of Silvermoon Forest. Elves, dwarves, and the goods of your Hope Merchant Guild travel along these routes every day.”

"How was the result?"

“It’s much better than expected.” Lorian rarely smiled. “You wanted the merchant’s goods to be especially popular. Those canned goods, seasonings, and all sorts of novel foods… Our people have never seen those things before, and now almost every elf’s household has a few cans stored up.”

He paused, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Especially that stuff called Fire Crystal Pepper Sauce. The druid has been addicted to it ever since he tried it once. Last month he asked me to bring him ten whole jars, saying it helps to stimulate the power of nature... I suspect he's just craving it."

Lin Yue couldn't help but laugh out loud.

That Fire Crystal Pepper Sauce was Ah Qiang's masterpiece; I never expected that even the elves couldn't resist its charm.

“Once the trade agreement is officially signed,” he said, “we can set up a branch of the Hope Trading Company in Silvermoon Forest. Then it will be much more convenient for the elves to buy whatever they want.”

“That would be wonderful.” Lorian nodded. “I don’t know if Her Majesty the Queen is pleased, but those elf boys will be overjoyed.”

...

After seeing Lorian off, Lin Yue returned to his study.

There was a letter on the table, sent by Ryan yesterday, which he hadn't had time to read carefully yet.

Upon hearing the news of the orcs' visit, he suddenly remembered that the letter contained some information about the orcs.

He opened the envelope and began to read it carefully.

In his letter, Ryan said that a caravan had recently returned from the grasslands, bringing some news about the orc tribes.

The most intriguing information comes from the Thunder Tribe.

"The Thunder Tribe is the core of all the orc tribes; almost all orc kings come from the Thunder Tribe. Their beast form is a giant tiger, and they are the most powerful of all orc tribes. It is said that the current orc king is very old, while his crown prince disappeared half a year ago and his whereabouts remain unknown..."

Lin Yue frowned.

Crown Prince missing?

He thought of Ah Qiang.

He dislikes fighting and only enjoys cooking. According to him, he was driven out of the tribe about half a year ago...

There's also Ah-Qiang's extraordinary skills and unique insights into tribal management...

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Hei jumped onto the desk and asked curiously.

“Xiao Hei,” Lin Yue said in a low voice, “Do you remember when A-Qiang first came here, you said he had quite a background?”

Of course I remember. That guy's aura was extraordinary; he was definitely not an ordinary orc warrior.

“I have a rough idea now. The crown prince of the Thunder Tribe disappeared half a year ago, and that's exactly when A-Qiang came to Hope Town.”

Little Black's ears perked up.

[This guy might actually be the orcish crown prince? And he came here to work as a cook?]

“Clearly, his ambitions lie elsewhere.” Lin Yue sighed. “In that case, those orcs with such different temperaments that Lorian mentioned are very likely from the Thunder Tribe. They’ve come to find A-Qiang.”

So what do you plan to do?

Lin Yue pondered for a moment.

“Let’s see them first.” He stood up. “In any case, Qiang is now a resident of Hope Town. I won’t hand him over unless he does it voluntarily.”

...

After seeing Lorian off, Lin Yue immediately gathered the patrol team members.

“The orcs are coming,” he said bluntly. “About thirty of them, carrying goods and gifts, and there are old people and women in the group. Leading them are several white wolves, who are likely Xiaofen’s family.”

"Xiao Fen's family?" Fei Ye's eyes widened in surprise. "Then...they've come to see Xiao Fen?"

“It should be,” Lin Yue nodded. “But we can’t let our guard down. Thirty orcs, even if only half of them are warriors, is still a considerable force.”

“I’ll take some men to the border to meet them,” Fei Ye said. “If they are truly here for a peaceful visit, we will treat them with courtesy; if they have other intentions…”

"No need to be so nervous." Lin Yue waved his hand. "But it's good to be cautious. Gray, take a team to greet them, and bring A-Qiang along too."

"Qiang?" Gray looked at him in confusion.

"Um."

...

On a path on the outskirts of Hope Town, at the edge of the Cursed Lands.

Gray led twenty elite patrolmen, who lined up by the roadside to wait. Ah Qiang stood at the very back of the line, head down, his expression complex.

Ever since Lin Yue asked him to come and welcome the orc delegation, he had been restless.

Xiao Fen also came.

The huge white wolf lay at Lin Yue's feet, its ears twitching incessantly, clearly sensing something.

"They're here, about two miles to the southwest."

Lin Yue looked up.

Sure enough, a group of people was slowly walking along the path.

At the very front were two tall orcs.

The one on the left is male, over two meters tall, with bulging muscles, and wearing a cloak made of wild animal hides. His hair is silver-gray, his eyes are deep gold, and he exudes an aura of seasoned battlefield prowess.

The one on the right is a woman, also tall, nearly 1.9 meters, with a slender and athletic figure. She wears exquisite animal skin armor, her long hair is braided into intricate plaits that hang down her back, and her bright golden eyes hold a hint of gentleness.

It was night wind and silver moon.

Xiao Fen let out a "whoosh" and rushed out.

It ran to its parents, excitedly nuzzling them with its head, its tail wagging as if it were about to fly.

“Little Crescent Moon,” Yin Yue knelt down and hugged Xiao Fen tightly, “My child, Mother missed you…”

Night Breeze reached out and gently stroked Xiao Fen's head, his eyes full of affection.

The heartwarming scene softened Lin Yue's mood.

But he soon noticed that there were several orcs with different temperaments at the back of the group.

The leader was an elderly man. He was burly, with a full head of silver hair, and although he was old, he exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Beside him stood a middle-aged woman. Tall and robust, with broad shoulders and a thick back, she was clearly a battle-hardened warrior. Her face was dignified and resolute, carrying the distinctive heroic air of an orc. Her gaze was urgently searching for something within the crowd.

When her gaze fell on A-Qiang, she froze.

"Qiang'er?"

Her voice trembled, and tears instantly filled her eyes.

"Qiang'er!!"

She rushed over without hesitation.

Ah Qiang also went to meet them, and the two embraced tightly in the middle of the road.

"Mother..." A-Qiang's voice choked with emotion, "Why have you come?"

"Silly child..." The woman held his head, tears streaming down her face. Her usual strength was completely gone, replaced only by a mother's tenderness and worry. "You've been gone for so long, how could I not worry? I heard the Wind Chaser tribe was coming to visit Little Crescent, and I insisted on coming... just to see if you were doing well..."

The dignified old man also came over. He looked at the mother and child embracing each other and sighed.

"Qiang, you still managed to get your mother found."

Ah Qiang looked up, saw the old man, and his expression was complicated.

"Maternal...maternal grandfather".

The old man walked up to A-Qiang and looked him up and down.

"You've gained some weight in the past six months. Looks like the food here is pretty good."

"Grandfather, I..."

"Alright, we can talk about it when we get back." The old man waved his hand, then turned to Lin Yue. "You must be the mayor of Hope Town, right? I am Sartu, an elder of the Thunder Tribe. I came with the Wind Chaser Tribe to meet you."

"Elder," Lin Yue bowed respectfully, "I have long admired the Thunder Tribe. Please follow me; tea and refreshments have been prepared in town."

...

News travels faster than people.

When Lin Yue accompanied the orc group into Hope Town, a number of curious residents had already gathered on the street. They whispered among themselves, their eyes fixed curiously on the tall, burly guests with their unique attire.

"Look, those are Qiang's family members."

"Such tall people... They must be from a nomadic tribe in the north."

"Ah Qiang is so lucky, his family came to visit him."

"That old man looks so dignified..."

Most residents were unaware of the concept of orcs. In their minds, this was simply someone named Qiang who came from afar, just like some townspeople came from the mountains or the coast, only with different appearances and habits.

When they saw A-Qiang affectionately supporting the weeping woman and Xiao-Fen happily circling around the tall couple, they naturally accepted these guests from afar.

Several regular customers who often ate at No. 1 Restaurant even dared to come up to Sartu and say with smiles:

"Grandpa, you must be Qiang's elder, right? You've raised a fine child."

"Yes, Master Qiang is such a nice guy, and his cooking skills are absolutely superb!"

"He's the one who makes the fire crystal pepper sauce in our town. Now, without that spicy flavor, we don't enjoy our meals."

"Everyone likes your child here. He's kind and capable, and he's helped everyone a lot!"

Sartu was initially taken aback by the simple praise, but his serious expression gradually softened. He looked at Aqiang and saw his good-for-nothing grandson being genuinely loved and appreciated by so many people. For the first time, his stubborn disappointment wavered.

A-Qiang's mother covered her mouth, and tears welled up again, this time tears of relief and pride.

Lin Yue observed all of this and, at the opportune moment, guided the group through the bustling streets toward Store No. 1.

Lin Yue arranged the largest private room for the beastmen to sit and rest. Tea and snacks were served in a continuous stream, all of which were Hope Town's best-selling specialties.

Night Breeze and Silver Moon sat with Little Fen on one side, the three of them enjoying a happy time together. Silver Moon kept stroking Little Fen's fur, her eyes full of love.

Elder Sartu took a sip of tea, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“This tea… has a very unique flavor,” he commented. “It has a delicate aroma and a mellow aftertaste. We rarely get to drink such a refined beverage on the grasslands.”

"I'm glad the elder likes it." Lin Yue said with a smile. "This is a specialty of Hope Town, made by stir-frying Starlight Wheat and several local herbs. If the elder likes it, you can take some back with you later."

Sartu nodded without being polite.

He put down his teacup and his gaze fell on Lin Yue.

“Mayor Lin Yue, I’ve heard A-Qiang mention you. He said you’re a good person, that you gave him a place to stay and let him do what he likes.”

“Qiang is a talented person,” Lin Yue said. “He has an amazing talent for food. I just gave him a platform to showcase it.”

“Talent… Hmph.” Sartu scoffed. “Where we come from, he’s hardly considered talent. What use is an orc who doesn’t want to fight?”

Ah Qiang lowered his head, not daring to speak.

His mother held his hand tightly; those hands, which could tear apart wild beasts on ordinary days, were now trembling slightly.

Lin Yue smiled.

"Elder, forgive my bluntness, but war is merely a means, not an end. What do the orcs fight for?"

Sartu narrowed his eyes: "For survival. For territory. For glory."

"What if we could survive, own territory, and gain glory without fighting?"

"No war?" Sartu laughed. "You humans don't fight, but what's the result?"

“That was the way of the past, which brought bloodshed and hatred.” Lin Yue’s gaze was calm and firm. “But we are now walking a different path. Look out the window.”

He stood up, walked to the window, and drew back the curtains.

Outside the window, the streets of Hope Town were bustling with people, and the shop signs along the street glittered in the sunlight. In the distance, the faint sounds of machinery from workshops and the whistles of trains could be heard, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread.

“This road is paved with rails, hearths, books, and contracts.” Lin Yue turned around. “We have railways connecting the north and south, workshops producing goods, schools imparting knowledge, and clinics treating the sick and wounded. Our goods reach the forests of the elves and the mountain fortresses of the dwarves through trade, and we exchange them for the supplies we need. The people here do not need swords, yet they can make their homes more prosperous day by day.”

Sartu remained silent.

He had to admit that what the young man in front of him said was true.

He had witnessed the prosperity of Hope Town all along his journey. The houses here were more sturdy than the orc camps, the food was more plentiful than the orc prey, and the people were warmly dressed, well-fed, and wore satisfied smiles on their faces.

All of this was achieved without war.

"Moreover," Lin Yue continued, "although A-Qiang doesn't like fighting, his Wild Barbecue Sauce has become one of the best-selling products in Hope Town. He has contributed to this place in his own way."

"Isn't this a kind of honor?"

Sartu remained silent for a long time.

Ah Qiang's mother was already in tears.

“Mayor Lin…” She stood up and bowed deeply, “Thank you. Thank you for taking in my child and helping him find his own value.”

“Madam, you don’t need to be so polite.” Lin Yue helped her up. “Qiang is my friend and also a member of Hope Town.”

He looked at Sartu.

"Elder, I have a suggestion."

"explain."

"The orcs have furs, medicinal herbs, and specialties from the grasslands. Hope Town has grain, salt, various tools, and technology. Instead of fighting each other, we should exchange what we have."

He pulled out a document that he had prepared beforehand from his pocket.

"This is a trade agreement drafted in the common language of the continent. If the elders are willing to sign it, from now on, the Thunder Clan and the Windseeker Clan will be official trading partners of Hope Town. Whatever you need, we will sell to you; whatever we need, you will sell to us. Fair trade, no infringement on each other."

Sartu took the document and examined it carefully; he clearly recognized the common script. His brow furrowed at first, then gradually relaxed.

“The terms are fair,” he said, “but I have a question.”

"Please speak."

"What if we sign this agreement, but other tribes don't recognize it? What will you do if they come and rob your caravans?"

“That’s exactly what I wanted to say.” Lin Yue smiled. “Elder, the Thunder Tribe holds a superior position and wields far-reaching influence among the orc tribes. If the Thunder Tribe takes the lead in trading with us, the other tribes should not dare to act rashly, right?”

Sartu narrowed his eyes, as if he were re-evaluating Lin Yue.

"You seem to know very well."

"When doing business, you always need to understand your partners' situation," Lin Yue said frankly.

Sartu was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. I can sign this agreement on behalf of the Thunder Tribe."

He looked at the night wind: "Where is the Wind Chaser tribe?"

Night Wind and Silver Moon exchanged a glance.

“We are willing to sign,” Nightwind said. “In fact, along the way, we have already witnessed the changes brought about by the peace treaty between the three races. Elves, dwarves, and humans trade along the ancient trade routes, and the towns around Silvermoon Forest are much more prosperous than before. And the role that Hope Town has played in this…”

He looked at Lin Yue with admiration in his eyes.

“It’s much larger than we imagined. If the orcs could also join such a trade network, it would be a good thing for our people.”

Silvermoon nodded and said, "Instead of letting our warriors risk their lives to plunder, let's trade what we're good at. Furs, herbs, and animal bones and horns from the grasslands are things that both humans and elves need. And food, salt, and tools are exactly what we lack most."

"Okay." Lin Yue smiled. "Then it's settled."

...

That evening, Lin Yue hosted a banquet for the orc delegation.

The banquet was held in the lobby of Store No. 1, and almost all the core members of Hope Town were there. Stonefist led a few dwarf apprentices, Gray led the core members of the patrol team, and Aunt Lian was busy directing the kitchen.

The head chef is naturally Ah Qiang.

He personally cooked a meal for his mother and maternal grandfather.

The dishes blend the wildness of the orcs with the refinement of Hope Town: charcoal-grilled steak with fire crystal pepper sauce, the rich aroma of meat with a hint of spiciness; clear mutton soup with medicinal herbs from Hope Town, warm and nourishing; and a grassland stew created by A-Qiang, made with various wild vegetables and diced meat, so fragrant that it makes your mouth water.

Sartu took a bite of the charcoal-grilled steak, and his eyes immediately lit up.

"Delicious!" he exclaimed. "Did you make this sauce?"

“Yes, Grandfather.” A-Qiang said nervously.

"Hmm." Sartu nodded. "Not bad. It tastes much better than the roasted meat from our tribe."

This was the first time in Ah-Qiang's memory that his maternal grandfather had praised him after he became an adult.

His eyes reddened again.

A-Qiang's mother ate while wiping away tears, her face full of love and pride.

"My son... the food you cooked... is so delicious... I've never eaten anything so delicious in my life..."

"Mom, please stop crying, or the food will get too salty." A-Qiang hurriedly handed her a handkerchief.

"I'm happy! Let me cry!"

Everyone around laughed.

Stone Fist raised his glass and said loudly, "Come, come, let's drink to our distinguished guests today, and to peaceful trade!"

"cheers!"

As the drinks flowed and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.

The orcs were a little reserved at first, but after a few drinks, they opened up. They started bragging to the dwarves about who could drink more and who was stronger; they compared their combat experiences with the patrolmen; and a few young orcs even went to pester Aunt Lian, wanting to learn how to cook.

Little Fen lay by the door, a large bone dangling from her mouth, her tail wagging leisurely. Her parents sat beside her, the three of them enjoying a happy family time.

Lin Yue stood in the corner, watching the lively scene, a smile appearing on his lips.

Little Black jumped onto his shoulder and yawned.

[Another deal closed, satisfied?]

"It's alright," Lin Yue said softly. "At least, we don't have to worry about the orcs anymore."

You're a shrewd businessman.

"Thank you for the compliment."

"Speaking of which, that Ah Qiang is actually the son of the Thunder Tribe chief." Little Black's tail wagged. "A young master who didn't want to be a warrior came here to be your cook. This world is truly interesting."