The molten gold-like afterglow spread over the mountain top, dyeing the wooden houses scattered on the slope amber.
The mayor of Frost Leaf Town, Matt, had no heart to admire this twilight scene, his rough fingers rubbing forcefully, knuckles turning bluish-white from the exertion.
He stood on the hillside, eyes fixed on the procession approaching from a distance, his heart sinking to the bottom.
What was meant to come has finally arrived.
A month and a half ago, Matt received news that Frost Leaf Town, even the entire Black Pine Ridge, had been allocated to the Tulip Clan, Luo De Tulip.
This means the residents of Frost Leaf Town would start paying taxes.
Mind you, ever since the last tax officer was killed by robbers, Frost Leaf Town hadn't paid taxes for a whole decade.
Now with the appearance of such a Lord, everyone was inwardly uneasy and anxious.
Some Hunters had even fled, but farmers like Matt, with extensive lands, were reluctant to part with their property and chose to stay.
Matt had also discussed with other affluent farmers, wanting to resist the new Lord's rule.
Matt wasn't willing to hand over his wealth to this Lord without a fight, resorting to underhanded means if necessary.
But when Matt saw the imposing procession before him, more than twenty armed cavalrymen, the idea of resistance was completely dispelled.
Matt, along with several wealthy farmers, ran up to the procession to greet the new Lord.
Without needing any portrait, Matt immediately noticed the young man among the Guards, hastily running forward to bow in greeting.
Golden curls, a tall and robust figure, a fair and handsome face.
Such a young man couldn't be raised without the fine diet of nobility.
"Welcome to Frost Leaf Town, esteemed Lord,"
Matt's face was plastered with smiles, eyes full of wrinkles, nervously rubbing his hands,
"I am the elected mayor, Matt Pine, at your service for anything you require."
The other wealthy farmers quickly bowed and greeted, muttering words like "Welcome Lord Baron".
A mess, clearly unpracticed.
Luo De didn't mind, nodding slightly in response.
His gaze swept over the weather-beaten faces, finally resting on Matt,
"Traveling is tiring, quickly vacate a few houses for my people to rest."
"Also find a large place to imprison those sixty-three robber captives at the back."
"Prepare meals for forty people, those captives can go hungry for a night first."
Luo De, horseback, began instructing Matt to handle matters without any courtesy.
"Everything is ready, please follow me."
Matt showed no sign of complaint on his face, promptly standing aside to usher Luo De into the town.
Frost Leaf Town was located on a slope, flanked by steep valleys, with a two-meter high spiked fence along its perimeter as defense.
The location was decent, but the place wasn't large; Luo De estimated it could accommodate at most four to five hundred people even if filled with wooden houses.
Called a town, in reality, it was a larger enclave.
The Desert below, surrounded by mountains on all sides, seemed more suitable for establishing a town, Luo De thought, and this slope should be built into his own castle.
Luo De's arrival drew the attention of everyone in town.
They were curious yet fearful of Luo De, not daring to look directly at him on horseback, only stealing glances with sidelong looks while busy with their work.
"This is our new Lord, hurry and bow!"
At Matt's loud reminder, the residents hurriedly stood up, bowing to greet Luo De.
Upon hearing this, the distant residents immediately dropped their tasks and hid aside.
Seeing this, Matt quickly explained, "Frost Leaf Town has never had a noble like you, they are all ignorant fools unfamiliar with etiquette, please don't be offended."
Luo De had understood the situation of the Desert residents, most of whom were illiterate and knew nothing about etiquette, so he wasn't angered.
However—
"As mayor, didn't you teach them before I arrived?"
Luo De asked calmly.
"Why should I teach them…"
Matt was about to complain when he saw Luo De's cold face and immediately swallowed back his words,
"I'm terribly sorry, esteemed Lord, it was my oversight."
"Let's continue moving."
Luo De didn't probe deeper, but he realized that this mayor's inner attitude toward him wasn't as respectful as it appeared outwardly.
"Alright."
Matt nodded, quickening his pace to lead Luo De to a courtyard.
The courtyard housed three wooden huts, cleaned thoroughly.
But it was only clean.
This courtyard was not only mixed with civilian wooden huts but also appeared very dilapidated, seemingly uninhabited for a long time.
Luo De hadn't expected, having already stayed in the Border City for over a month, that his prepared residence here would be in such a state.
It seemed indeed that this place had not been under noble control for a long time, even the mayor treated the Lord perfunctorily.
Very well.
Luo De chuckled coldly, questioning, "Is this my residence?"
"I apologize, the Desert here is no match for your family castle, please understand."
Matt bowed with a smile, saying, "You may temporarily stay here, tomorrow you can personally choose an ideal location to establish your manor."
Noble offspring are truly delicate; even something cleaned so meticulously is despised.
Matt sighed inwardly, realizing how difficult it was to please Luo De, foreseeing tough days ahead.
Seems I should sell all the land here and find an opportunity to leave.
"No need for tomorrow, whose is that row of wooden huts on the hilltop?"
Before Matt could respond, Luo De ordered directly, "It looks good, and I will reside there in the future."
The place Luo De pointed to was a flat slope, spacious, with a large distance from other wooden huts.
Not only situated at the highest point of the township but also encompassed by other wooden huts, it seemed like a king able to overlook the entire territory.