Chapter 56: I Won't Let You Off Either

The two quickly entered the Forgotten Valley. Zhao Hai did not put away the xenomorph, nor did he need to. If his identity was that of a black mage, carrying a xenomorph would not be out of place, especially in the wilds where no one would care. However, when entering a city, black mages usually put away their summoned battle beasts or undead creatures.

The sides of the valley were not steep cliffs but rather gentle slopes covered with shrubs and weeds. However, it was clear that the trees here were much healthier than those around the castle, appearing vibrant and full of life, unlike the sickly trees at the castle.

There was no sign of people in the Forgotten Valley, only the occasional sound of insects, creating a harmonious and natural atmosphere.

Glancing at the slopes on both sides, Green turned to Zhao Hai and said, "Young Master, once we get up the hill, find a place to hide, and you go into the space. I'll go to Black Mountain Fort to buy clothes. When I return, we'll go to Black Mountain Fort together."

Zhao Hai nodded and directed the xenomorph to climb the hill. The xenomorph, now just a skeleton, had sharp claws, making it easy to climb.

Although they were still in Iron Mountain, the forest here was much denser and healthier than around the castle, with large, unknown trees everywhere.

Zhao Hai couldn't tell the difference between these trees and those on Earth. On Earth, he knew very little about trees, except for common ones like poplars, willows, elms, and pines. He barely recognized any others.

Green, sitting beside Zhao Hai, warned, "Young Master, the forest here is still dangerous. Not only are there frequent appearances of magical beasts, but some plants are highly toxic. So be very careful."

Zhao Hai nodded. Although he had never been to such a primeval forest before, he knew it was a famous setting in novels, often depicted as a dangerous place. Even in realistic novels, forests were described as perilous, and with magical beasts in this world, he was naturally more cautious.

The vegetation on the hill was lush, with various types of trees everywhere. Once they entered the forest, the light dimmed, making it feel cold and eerie.

After walking for a while, they found a hidden spot. They dismounted from the xenomorph, and Zhao Hai immediately put it into the space. Then, Zhao Hai and Green also entered the space.

Inside the space, the corn was still growing strong, the oilseed rape was healthy, and the slaves were learning to write. Merlin was now free, teaching the slaves to write and preparing meals.

However, it wasn't entirely peaceful. Zhao Hai had brought some stones that An and the others had mined from the castle into the space, asking them to try making grinding stones and mills when they had free time.

Zhao Hai also brought in a lot of grass, wanting the slaves to have something to do. People need activities; learning alone is not enough. Surprisingly, this arrangement worked well, providing a balance between work and rest for the slaves.

Merlin and the others were surprised to see both of them enter the space. In recent days, Green and Zhao Hai only entered the space if there was something important. If they wanted to meet, they had to leave the space.

Merlin hurried over and asked, "Young Master, Green, why did you come in? Is something wrong?"

Green smiled and said, "Nothing's wrong. We've already reached the Forgotten Valley. I'm letting Young Master stay in the space for a while while I go to Black Mountain Fort to get some clothes. Then we'll leave together."

Merlin understood Green's intentions and nodded. "Alright, go quickly. We'll wait for you here. Remember this location, so you don't get lost."

Merlin had been in a good mood lately. The Budan family was about to have income, the first since their downfall. Although the money hadn't arrived yet, it represented hope.

Zhao Hai turned to Green and said, "Grandpa Green, be careful. Our identity can't be exposed, or we might all be in trouble. It's fine if the radishes don't sell; we can wait until the storm passes. Your safety is the most important."

Green smiled warmly and patted Zhao Hai's shoulder. "Don't worry, Young Master. I won't die until I see the Budan family's revival." He then laughed heartily.

In the past, Green would not have done such a gesture with Zhao Hai, as he and Adam were not close, and Adam hated Green. They wouldn't have been so affectionate.

But now, Adam's body housed Zhao Hai's soul. Zhao Hai, a homebody and an orphan, was born in China, where filial piety is valued. Although Green and Merlin were nominally his servants, they had taken good care of him since he woke up, making Zhao Hai naturally feel a sense of respect and affection for them.

Zhao Hai's change was quickly noticed by Merlin and Green. Both were parents and very sensitive to such emotional shifts. Recognizing Zhao Hai's change, Green felt comfortable making such a gesture, which he wouldn't have done with his usual stern personality.

Zhao Hai didn't mind Green's gesture, feeling only the warmth of an elder's care. However, he didn't say much, as he was a reserved person who didn't easily express his feelings. He simply nodded and said, "Alright, Grandpa Green. I'll send you out." With a thought, Zhao Hai sent Green out of the space.

Green noted the surroundings, leaving some marks in inconspicuous corners, then hurried to Black Mountain Fort.

Green was a seasoned veteran, well aware of the adventurers' ways. He had no qualms, knowing that the only ones paying attention to the Budan family were the major nobles, who wouldn't focus much on them. The Budan family was no longer a threat, and the nobles didn't want to provoke Green and Merlin.

Ordinary adventurers wouldn't care about the Budan family either. No one had issued a bounty against them, and the Budan family couldn't afford to hire them. The adventurers had no time for a fallen noble family.

The real threat to the Budan family was the Vanser family. They had once been close, even planning a marriage alliance. But after the Budan family's downfall, the Vanser family no longer mentioned the alliance and even hoped for the Budan family's destruction.

Noble marriages were rarely about love but about interests. The Vanser family had seen the Budan family as a source of benefit. Now, with the Budan family fallen, they had no value to the Vanser family, so the Vanser family would not honor the marriage agreement.

The Vanser family wanted to break the agreement but also cared about their reputation. If they broke the agreement now, their reputation among the nobles would be ruined. They wouldn't do such a foolish thing.

So, they had two ways to break the agreement: one was for the Budan family to propose breaking it, which, though known to be forced by the Vanser family, would at least save face. The other was for the Budan family to be destroyed, with Adam Budan dead, thus nullifying the agreement.

Green had considered breaking the agreement but didn't act while Zhao Hai was still unconscious. He was also angry with the Vanser family for abandoning the Budan family in their time of need, which led to their downfall. The Vanser family was a powerful force in the empire, and their help could have prevented this.

Because of his resentment, Green didn't tell Zhao Hai about breaking the agreement. He wanted to drag it out, thinking, "You Vanser family didn't help us, leading to our downfall. I won't let you off easily."

Green understood the nobles' obsession with face, so he was sure the Vanser family wouldn't break the agreement. They would pressure the Budan family to do it themselves.

Although Green didn't want to break the agreement, he knew the Vanser family wouldn't let them go. They had too many threats and problems, so one more or less didn't matter. He decided to drag it out.

Despite this, Green was still cautious. The only exit from the Black Earth Wasteland was controlled by the Vanser family, and they would be watching their every move.