Green Monster Epic

Chapter 58: Recommencing the Journey

Alan didn't want to linger in the Thunder Tribe for too long. After all, this wasn't their territory. Transporting these several carts of grain back to the tribe as quickly as possible was the top priority.

After Jack accepted the offer of employment, Alan had already made preparations for departure that very night. The next morning, before the sun had even risen, the goblin Jack was already waiting in the backyard of the Shamrock Inn where Alan and his people were staying.

Jack was certainly tempted by the price Alan offered. With his abilities, it wasn't easy for him to get a job worth more than one gold coin. He only managed a few scattered ones throughout the year, let alone a mission as high as 15 gold coins. Of course, he was also aware of the risks behind this mission. If he didn't have a team to accompany him on the return journey, it would be nearly impossible to safely return to the Thunder Tribe from over a thousand miles away, unless he was a high-level combat professional or higher.

However, Jack also had his own secrets. As a darling of shadow energy, Jack, who was only 17 years old, was actually a naturally advanced combat professional. However, his advanced profession and characteristics leaned more towards self-preservation and weren't very useful in combat, so he had always remained low-key, not daring to easily provoke other combat professionals.

Jack, a level 7 Lurker/level 2 Shadow Walker, could hide in any location where there was shadow without being noticed by enemies. The silent characteristic allowed Jack to make no sound when sneaking in the dark, which further enhanced his stealth advantage. Especially as a darling of shadow energy, although he didn't have the money to learn skills and inheritances, he automatically gained an excellent life-saving skill when Jack independently advanced to become a Shadow Walker—Shadow Leap: Under shadow coverage, the Shadow Walker can suddenly flash from his original position and appear at other shadow points within a 150-yard range, even if the shadows are not connected.

It was precisely because of this life-saving skill, coupled with his professional characteristics, that Jack had the confidence to return to the Thunder Tribe alone without any other team following him. The Tagan Desert might not be advantageous, but as long as he detoured along the edge of the desert, the ubiquitous shadows in the wilderness could guarantee Jack's safety. Of course, the risks were still extremely high, otherwise Alan wouldn't have offered such a high price of 15 gold coins.

With Jack's joining, Alan naturally didn't stay any longer. Early the next morning, he led his tribesmen and a group of slaves, and marched out of the south gate of the town in a mighty manner, heading towards his hometown.

"Hurry up and move, don't block the way, green skins!"

The kobold guards guarding the entrance and exit of the Thunder Tribe, after Alan fawned over them and handed over the exit fee, waved their hands impatiently with sleepy eyes, and drove Alan and his party out, but they didn't make things too difficult for Alan and them.

Although Thunder Town wasn't a necessary route for the border trade road of the Elven Kingdom, it could be considered a prosperous place in the southwest. There were quite a few merchant teams leaving the town early in the morning. Alan and his group thought they had gotten up quite early, but there were already several merchant teams waiting to leave the town in front of them. After waiting for nearly half an hour, Alan and his group successfully walked out of Thunder Town. At this time, the red sun had already leaped out of the horizon, radiating scorching light in all directions.

Although the Thunder Tribe had two powerful legendary warriors guarding it, the tribe still didn't dare to relax. After nightfall, they would also imitate the civilized world and close the city defenses for management until dawn the next day before reopening.

"This entrance and exit tax can be considered a considerable income for a prosperous town. Don't underestimate the small tax per person, only 5 copper coins. But it can't withstand the daily flow of people entering and leaving the city. Under the circumstance of accumulating little by little, the daily income is tempting."

Phillip had already become Alan's tail these days. Now, except for resting and sleeping, he wouldn't leave Alan's sight, waiting for Alan's inquiries at any time. Now, it's good, he has one more companion, who is the guide Jack that Alan hired at a high price. The three of them walked at the front of the team, guiding the team to move forward slowly.

"Looking at the traffic flow of this Thunder Tribe, the head tax alone is probably more than 2-3 gold coins a day. The accumulated income over a year is a huge fortune."

"It's a pity that the location of my manor was remote back then, otherwise, if it were like this, I'm afraid it wouldn't have fallen to this point."

While Phillip was introducing the value of the entrance and exit tax to Alan, he sighed enviously.

"I just don't know if your tribe, Master, has such convenience in its territory, and has the opportunity to build such a town. At that time, you will be holding a gold mountain and counting money while sitting!"

Having heard Alan say before that they were going to Thistleburg to escort a human merchant team, Phillip thought that perhaps the other party's territory also had some operational value, so he asked expectantly. If the other party's territory had such operational value, even if there was no chance to escape, perhaps his future life would be better.

Hearing Phillip's inquiry, the goblin Jack, who was walking at the front, pricked up his ears inconspicuously. Although he often dealt with the outside world and had contact with countless goblin compatriots, it was rare to see a goblin tribe chief as wealthy as Alan. When passing by several fully loaded vehicles before, Jack's small hand quietly brushed over the sacks under the rain-proof animal skins on the vehicles, and he had already judged that the contents were most likely grain.

Being able to purchase these thousands of pounds of grain at one time, and being able to spend 15 gold coins to hire a guide, the tribe's strength would not be too bad, at least Jack had never encountered such a generous existence among the goblin compatriots he had come into contact with. Although the Thunder Tribe was good, it wasn't their goblin territory. The hardships Jack had suffered and the oppression he had encountered in order to survive in the town over the years were countless, the biggest reason being that they weren't kobolds.

If there was a powerful goblin tribe willing to accept him, Jack would also be willing to move there. The sense of identity with his own kind would at least not be worse than the Thunder Tribe, right?

"Our tribe, ah, just recently seized the gnoll's camp. There is a beautiful lake there - Green Lake. The land around the lake is fertile, and there are many animals living around, at least it won't let our tribesmen go hungry."

A golden nest is not as good as one's own doghouse. In Alan's eyes, although the Thunder Tribe was wealthy and prosperous, when it came to a sense of identity and security, I'm afraid Thunder Town couldn't compare to Green Lake's attraction to Alan and his people.

"As for the passing merchant teams, maybe we can encounter 2-3 teams throughout the year?"

Alan's words completely dispelled Phillip and Jack's expectations, and they turned aside one after another, not letting Alan see the disappointment in their eyes.

"By the way, Phillip, can you help me identify what kind of grain is planted on the land outside this town? Maybe we can imitate the kobolds when we go back and reclaim land by Green Lake for planting!"

Alan didn't notice Phillip's change in expression, and even if he did, he wouldn't care. When he noticed a row of good-looking man-made objects by the roadside, he instructed Phillip to start working.

"This should be wheat..."

Phillip walked to the crops and carefully identified them.

Today, the contract was successfully signed, and the novel will soon be recommended. At that time, there will be a burst of updates, instead of just one update a day like now.