Morning.
A sudden, urgent horn sounded.
The horn was real, coming from the northern part of Frost Wolf Ridge.
It instantly dissipated most of the anger David felt, as he frowned and looked towards the north.
"Young Master David, what happened?"
Liya looked puzzled.
"Something might have happened."
David stood up, threw on a piece of clothing, and opened the door.
Outside the door, Fire Dance stood expressionlessly holding a set of fresh bedding.
Shuili was setting the dining table.
"You two go attend to the lady, I'll manage on my own."
David was indeed in a bit of a hurry. Without waiting for the two sisters to help him dress, he quickly put on his clothes and rushed downstairs to the castle's reception hall.
As expected, the Gray Wolf Knight was already waiting there.
"What's going on?" David asked directly.
"There are refugees."
Upon hearing the Gray Wolf Knight's words, David felt assured.
He quickly instructed, "Send someone to guide these refugees to the temporary settlement, and let the clerical staff go over to register their information."
"There's always someone guarding the temporary settlement," the Gray Wolf Knight said.
David and the Gray Wolf Knight walked out as they discussed.
This refugee crisis posed a significant threat to Frost Wolf Ridge, and he had to handle it well to create a good environment for dual cultivation.
If he lost Frost Wolf Ridge, he and his wife would have to sleep outdoors.
...
Frost Wolf Ridge Settlement.
Calling it a settlement was a stretch. It was actually a small, makeshift camp located in the wilderness and forests, with some low and shabby tents and stone piles gathered in the lee of a cliff, barely shielding the refugees from the northern winds.
But even so, for these refugees, this place was a rare shelter, sparing them from wandering the wilds and enduring the cold.
Moreover, there was a large pile of thatch there. If they could use this thatch, they could keep warm even if it snowed.
Seeing all this in front of them, a large number of refugees burst into tears. They had been continuously driven out by the nobles of other territories, but the lord here did not expel them. Instead, he built a temporary camp and sent a large amount of thatch.
"Everyone, behave yourselves."
"Come over for registration, and after you're registered, you'll get a piece of black bread."
The clerical staff shouted loudly, blowing on their hands to warm them. Though it was only the beginning of winter, the weather was already extremely cold, and snow was surely not far off.
Originally, these refugees were already very obediently queuing up. Upon hearing that they could get black bread, even more refugees consciously maintained order, fearing they might accidentally lose this hard-won food source.
When David and the Gray Wolf Knight arrived at the settlement, there was already a long queue. After registration, the refugees received food and thatch, and then they could find a place to stay at the temporary settlement.
"Are there any marriageable-age girls here? You can line up separately."
The Gray Wolf Knight suddenly spoke up, "The castle intends to recruit a batch of maids. If anyone is chosen by the lord, it's a chance to rise to power."
Upon hearing this, the crowd stirred. Soon, a dusty, disheveled girl stepped forward to vie for this opportunity.
With this girl taking the lead, more girls stepped forward to queue up.
The clerical staff, following the Gray Wolf Knight's instructions, had the girl wash her face with water before beginning her registration. All identity information was recorded with great precision, making David feel as if he were in a large matrimonial market.
He naturally understood the intention behind the Gray Wolf Knight's actions; this knight was truly concerned about ensuring the Frost Wolf Clan had descendants as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, ordinary people couldn't assist with his cultivation.
After collecting the girls' information separately, David and the Gray Wolf Knight began their real purpose for this trip: recruiting refugees from the camp to form a militia team.
"Now, the camp needs to recruit a militia team to maintain camp order."
"Anyone interested in becoming a militia member can sign up," David said solemnly.
Hearing his words, the able-bodied refugees' eyes brightened. If they could become part of the camp's militia, they were guaranteed a full meal!
The Gray Wolf Knight personally took charge of recruiting militia members, selecting from the refugees those who seemed healthy and capable of combat.
Though this group surely included wanderlust-motivated wandering knights and mercenaries, there should also be some genuine wandering knights among them.
By having these refugees form a militia at Frost Wolf Ridge, the militia members could also monitor each other, keeping the camp in order.
Once the refugee crisis was over, those who passed the tests could directly fill the ranks of Frost Wolf Ridge's militia, making it a win-win situation!
...
At the moment in the camp.
A few people were whispering to each other.
"Princess, do we really have to stay here?"
Among the refugees, a wandering knight asked in a low voice, whispering to the disheveled girl beside him, his face filled with unchecked worry.
Ever since the Duke of Ice Crown rebelled,
he had been fleeing with the little princess of Jingge Kingdom all the way.
Although they managed to escape to the Silver Moon Kingdom, the Duke of Ice Crown's pursuers hadn't stopped searching for them. They weren't sure if they'd be safe here.
"For now, this is the best hiding place."
"The Frost Wolf Clan was once the ruler of the Northern Lands. Although they've declined, they surely still have some power, which might protect us," Princess Jingge said.
Instantly, her gaze turned toward the queue of girls. With her beauty, she'd easily pass as a maid, wouldn't she?
"Princess, you're the princess of Jingge Kingdom!"
The wandering knight's expression changed.
Even though the current Jingge Kingdom had fallen into the hands of the Duke of Ice Crown, it couldn't change the princess's noble status. As someone with Snow Demon bloodline, the princess was acknowledged as the ruler of all ice races, able to command every ice race!
"Don't worry, I have no intention of becoming a maid."
"I just want to figure out how to get the help of the Duke of Frost Wolf."
The princess furrowed her brow.
Her power was too weak right now.
To evade the Duke of Ice Crown's pursuit, she had to seek aid.
Furthermore, she had to find allies within the Silver Moon Kingdom and find a way back to Jingge Kingdom to reclaim it from the Duke of Ice Crown.