I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 238 Seeing Through
……

……

Noon in the Icefield Mountains.

Even in early spring, the cold wind is still like a knife, constantly whipping at your face.

Occasionally, snowflakes would fall, making one think it was still winter here.

"This place is only four or five mountains away from the Ice Breath Hills, so why is the temperature so different?"

Looking at the snowflakes falling on his cloak, Rhodes couldn't help but ask, "Isn't this abnormal even in the Northern Wilderness?"

“You are right, my lord.”

Kyle explained, “When we were young, the elders of our tribe told us stories about the Icefield Mountains, where the Frost Goddess and the evil five-colored dragon, the White Dragon, fought a great battle.”

That battle froze the entire wasteland, causing all things to perish. The Frost Goddess and the White Dragon were also severely wounded; their divine blood and power remain here forever.

"So powerful?"

Rhodes was somewhat surprised, "One battle and the entire wasteland is frozen?"

The northern wilderness is larger than an imperial province.

If that's true, then these gods are really exaggerated.

"Yes, the elder told a story like this: the wasteland was originally like the Icefield Mountains, which gradually melted over thousands of years and became what it is now."

Kyle laughed and replied, "The story might be exaggerated, but I think the Icefield Mountains might be related to these things."

Rhodes nodded slightly.

The lizardmen had previously said they wanted to resurrect the white dragon they worshipped, and now, combined with this story of fighting the Frost Goddess, it sounds somewhat reasonable.

"Oh, by the way, the leader of the Ice Tribe, Sejuani, worships the Frost Goddess. You can ask her if you want to know more."

Kyle thought for a moment and added, "It's the goddess of nature and frost, that's right."

Rhodes smiled. "Never mind, this is Sejuani's belief, let's not ask."

Rod heard that people who believe in gods are very averse to others talking about their gods casually.

After taking the frost resistance potion, the snowflakes and cold winds had little effect on the soldiers, and Rhode was no longer bothered by the snowstorm.

"Your Excellency! We've captured a lizardman deserter!"

Durant strode over, followed by two soldiers escorting a gaunt lizardman.
“He’s a cowardly lizardman deserter,” Durant emphasized.

Rod squinted and waved for him to bring it to him.

"I like people who are afraid of dying."

Rhodes said this because the lizardmen he had previously captured were very tough.

Even with the most cruel methods used, the lizardman, whose lower body was already covered in blood, still did not utter a sound.

Rhodes still possessed the aura of a dragon slayer, yet they still did not yield.

Sejuani originally knew the approximate location of the Bloodscale Tribe, but after searching there, she found that the place was deserted.

That's why the patrol team had no choice but to search the Icefield Mountains.

The lizardman was pushed in front of Rhodes, fell to the ground in the snow, and lowered his head, not daring to look Rhodes in the eye.

They really do look timid.

"I won't kill you as long as you tell the truth."

Rhodes looked down at the kneeling lizardman.

"Tell me, where is your new camp?"

Rhodes' voice was calm, yet carried an unyielding and authoritative force.

The lizardman didn't dare to look up, his voice trembling.

"I...I can't say..."

Its body trembled, and the scales on its face opened slightly in fear, revealing the dark red skin underneath.

"The high shaman will tear me to pieces..."

"Don't worry, as long as you're telling the truth, I'll protect you."

Rhodes drew the dagger from his waist, its sharp blade gleaming coldly, and slowly pressed it against the lizardman's throat.

"If you don't talk, I'll have you torn to pieces right now."

As he spoke, Rhodes pressed his dagger down slightly, slowly slicing open the lizardman, from which dark red blood seeped out.

The lizard emitted a low hiss, filled not only with pain but also with fear.

"In...in the Ice Rock Rift!"

The lizardman cried out in a trembling voice, "Don't kill me! I can point it out to you on the map!"

Rhodes waved his hand, and a guard brought over a map made of animal hide.

This map was found on a lizardman; it was extremely rudimentary and had no markings whatsoever.

The lizardman's eyes darted around as he looked at the map. After a moment's thought, he placed his finger on the upper left corner of the map.
"Right here in this mountain valley in the northwest!"

“Ice Rock Rift?” Rhodes asked definitively.

The lizardman nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes!"

Seeing the lizardman's anxious expression, Rhode moved his finger to the upper right corner of the map.

"How come I heard this is an ice rock rift valley?"

"No, no, no, it can't be there!"

The lizardman retorted loudly, "I was referring to the Ice Rock Rift!"

"Oh."

Rhodes seemed thoughtful as he pressed on, "Then where was this place I was pointing to earlier?"

"here……"

The lizardman paused, swallowed hard, and quickly shook his head. "I don't know about that place either. It's not important."

"It's not important... Oh, I see."

Rhodes nodded slightly.

"If our raid succeeds, I will not only let you go, but I will also reward you."

"Good good!"

The lizardman breathed a sigh of relief, his vertical pupils filled with joy.

Rhodes waved his hand, and the soldiers led the lizardman away.

Watching the lizardman being taken away, Rhodes didn't order a raid. He turned to look at Durant.
"how do you feel?"

"Something feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

Durant instantly understood Rhodes's meaning and looked in the direction the lizardman had left.
"I think we should be more cautious."

“It seemed quite happy just now?” Vivian suddenly interjected.

Rhodes was somewhat surprised, and looked at Vivian with delight, "You've seen the key point, is there anything else?"

Vivian pouted and shook her head in confusion.

"Maybe I'm being too suspicious, but I felt something was off from the very beginning."

Rod didn't hide anything and slowly said:
"Even the captured lizardmen have backbone, but we've only just stepped into the Icefield Mountains and we've already encountered a spineless coward? Isn't that too much of a coincidence?"

Durant and Vivian nodded in unison.

"It's really too much of a coincidence," Durant agreed.

"But this is just a suspicion, and I cannot make a definitive judgment."

Rod continued, "Until I made him look first at the top right corner, and then quickly jump to the top left corner."

"It is very likely that he did not know where the so-called Ice Rock Rift was at all, but relied on a familiar reference point to correspond to it."

"This reference point might be the place he is most familiar with, which is their new camp."

Rhodes put his arm around Vivian's slender waist and said with a smile, "The last point is what Vivian said: the lizardmen are in a very good mood."

"This lizardman was forced to betray his tribe under duress and enticement. Shouldn't he be distressed?"

“Mmm-hmm!” Vivian nodded repeatedly in response.

"So, the so-called Ice Rock Rift Valley must be a trap?"

Durant understood what Rod meant and asked, "So what do we do next?"

"Let's first confirm that the information is accurate."

Without hesitation, Rhodes ordered, "Send Gala to the Ice Rock Rift to investigate what's going on."

"Send the patrol to scout the area in the upper right corner. Call Sejuani along; she knows the area well."

Rod smiled.

"As for what to do, we'll see which one is true."

"Yes, Lord Baron!"

Durant solemnly responded and turned to relay the order.

……

……

Evening, under the cover of night.

The cold wind howled through the icy rift valley, stirring up snow and dust that blurred the outlines of the rock walls.

Behind the rock wall, a dilapidated mountain village surrounded by a spiked fence can be vaguely seen.

On a mountaintop not far from the village, an eagle hid beside a rock, watching intently ahead.

Not far behind the eagle, Gala crouched behind a protruding rock, observing silently.

Gala was draped in a gray cloak, which concealed him well in the darkness.

"The camp is empty."

Just as Gala was observing everything, Vika's voice suddenly rang in his ears, startling him.

Are you a ghost?

Gala swallowed hard, then turned to look at Vika, who had appeared beside him at some point.

"There was no fire, no footprints, not even the scent of living creatures."

Vika ignored him and continued, "I vaguely saw a tripwire hidden in a crevice in the rock, probably connected to something."

"The land inside also has problems; it looks like it has been renovated and is very flat."

Vika said solemnly, "My intuition tells me there are probably a lot of spike traps inside."

Gala nodded silently, a hint of understanding in his eyes.
"When my eagle flew over, I didn't see anyone."

Eagles are quite conspicuous on the ice plains, so Gala didn't dare let his eagle linger for too long, only letting it glide across the sky. "It seems that, just as we suspected, this is a conspiracy."

Vika lay prone on the rock, his body hunched over, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding mountain stronghold.
"Has your eagle discovered where the lizardmen are hiding?"

"There is a cave in the northwest, which should be a good place for Tibetans."

Gala patted the snowflakes off his cloak. "Nothing else was found."

Vika's tail swished slowly as he looked intently at the spot Gala was pointing to.

Gala quickly tugged at Vika, "Hey, I know you want to prove your worth as soon as possible, but the Holy Lord's orders are only to conduct reconnaissance."

"It's enough to confirm that this is a trap."

Gala advised against it, saying, "If you do more, you're more likely to make mistakes."

Vika didn't say anything, but lightly jumped off the rock, showing his attitude through his actions.

Gala breathed a sigh of relief and grinned.
"Everything is as the Holy Lord predicted, and the Holy Lord must be very happy."

……

……

Rod was indeed very happy to hear Gala and Vika's report.

Although Sejuani had not yet replied, the army had already marched northeast.

If it weren't a trap, the army would have had to change direction, wasting an extra half day.

That way, you won't have to worry anymore.

Rhodes immediately instructed his guards, "Inform Durant that the army should cease resting and continue its eastward advance."

"Yes, Lord Lord."

The guard trotted off to deliver the order.

Vivian looked up at Rhodes with some curiosity, "Aren't you going to do anything about the lizardmen who are preparing to ambush us over there?"

"in spite of."

Rhodes laughed without hesitation: "One in the east and one in the west, it will take at least half a day to travel. Let those lizardmen who are lying in ambush stay put."

"We'll deal with the Bloodscale Tribe after we've taken care of their camp."

Rhodes's current target is the Bloodscale Tribe's High Shaman.

If we kill him, this tribe will fall apart again, and we can just hunt them down one by one.

At the same time, Rhodes had another guess in his mind.

—Did the other side set up the trap so far away to buy time?

Of course, this was just Rod's intuition, so he didn't say anything.

"Your Excellency!"

Just as Rod was thinking, Durant ran over quickly.

"Reports have come back from the front: Sejuani and her men have found the lizardman camp!"

"very good!"

Rod's eyes lit up.
"Order the troops to advance at full speed and reach the target point before dawn!"

……

……

In the ravine, the gates of the lizardmen's camp were tightly shut.

In the darkness, a few burning torches flickered with a lonely light, illuminating the surroundings.

Inside two wooden watchtowers, the lizardman spearmen watched warily, their eyes fixed on the darkness outside the camp.

Several campfires crackled, their light reflecting off the rock face and outlining the trails of the lizardmen's tails as they patrolled.

Unbeknownst to the passing lizardmen, a graceful, slender, ghostly figure glided through the shadows and silently ascended the watchtower.

It was Vivian.

puff-

With a soft sound, the ink-black embroidery needle pierced the lizardman's neck. Vivian forcefully covered the lizardman's mouth, suppressing his dying screams.

After all was quiet, Vivian held her breath and gently placed him on the railing.

call--

Vivian, her face flushed, let out a long sigh of relief, and her figure disappeared into the darkness once more.

Assassination is not difficult; the difficulty lies in catching the lizardman's massive body.

Meanwhile, at the other watchtower, Vika, the lynx-man, gently laid down the lizardman's corpse.

The lizardmen patrolling below moved with heavy steps, pacing back and forth around the camp, completely unaware of what was happening on the watchtower.

Vika picked up the torch and quickly waved it twice in the air.

In the darkness outside the camp, the movement was unusually conspicuous.

In the next instant, hundreds of figures, exuding a chilling aura, surged toward the camp under the cover of darkness.

At the same time, Vivian reappeared, this time beside the gate of the lizardman camp, behind the guards.

puff-

A clean, crisp sound of flesh being pierced rang out, and a lizardman guard fell straight down!

"you……"

"call out!"

Before the other guard could even utter a sound, an arrow from a crossbow pierced his throat!
As Rhodes's personal maid, frequent bed partner, and biting lover, all of Vivian's crossbow bolts were handcrafted by Rhodes himself using sea-patterned magic steel!

Even ordinary shields can't stop it, let alone the lizardmen's scale armor.

The lizardman guard, his face filled with shock, clutched his neck and collapsed against the fence!
Without any hesitation, Vivian swung her embroidery needle and cleaved the bolt on the gate with a single sword stroke!

Just then, the continuous noise finally caught the attention of the patrol of lizardmen, who turned to look at Vivian and roared loudly.
"Enemy attack!"

Just then, a series of sharp whistling sounds rang out, and countless arrows rained down from the sky!

In an instant, screams, roars and warning horns mingled together!
The lizardman camp was in complete chaos!
……

……

In the lizardman camp, in a cave on the hillside, a crude altar pieced together from stones sits in the center.

The stone was covered with twisted runes drawn in blood, which shimmered with an eerie glow under the torchlight.

A ring of animal bones encircled the altar, with wolf skulls, bear skulls, and even human skulls piled up in a circle, their empty eye sockets staring into the darkness.

Sharp bone spears were inserted between the skulls, with dried flesh hanging from them, emitting a musty stench.

In the center of the altar, a sunken stone disc was filled with dark red liquid, with congealed blood clots floating on its surface.

Surprisingly, there was no smell of blood inside.

The high shaman sat before the altar, his eyes closed, his gaunt face filled with solemnity.

"Oh no, Great Shaman!"

The lizardman guards stumbled into the cave, their loud shouts causing the blood on the altar to surge violently.

A thick, fishy stench instantly filled the air, leaving the cave bewildered.

The high shaman slowly opened his eyes, coldly staring at the guards.

“If you don’t have anything important to do, you will die here today.”

The lizardman guard trembled with fear at the high shaman's blows, his bone knife nearly falling from his hand.

"Humans! Humans have stormed the camp!"

The high shaman's pupils suddenly contracted. "What?"

The high shaman lost his usual composure; his voice was shrill, filled with disbelief and rage.
Weren't they lured to the empty village?

"I...I don't know!"

The lizardman guard stammered, "They just stormed in, and our men are slaughtering them!"

"You, you should leave now!"

"inability!"

The high shaman roared in anger, and swung his staff hard, smashing it down on the guard's head!

Despite his slender appearance, the great shaman possessed immense strength, instantly knocking the guard to the ground!
But the guards dared not resist, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at the Great Shaman.

The high shaman immediately raised his staff, intending to stab the guard in the chest, but hesitated as he did so.

"Go, call another member of the tribe to come in and protect me!"

"Okay, okay!"

The guards immediately ran out of the cave.

"Guards! Guards, protect the High Shaman!"

As soon as the guard finished speaking, two lizardmen rushed in!
"Great Shaman, where are we going?!"

The messenger guard asked anxiously, while the high shaman raised his cane and pointed at the guard.

"You two killed him! He's a traitor!"

As soon as the high shaman finished speaking, the two lizardmen who had just entered were stunned for a moment, then immediately swung their bone knives and plunged them into the guards' chests!
"me……"

The guard, completely bewildered, collapsed to the ground in shock and disbelief.

The high shaman ignored him and immediately pointed to another one with his cane, "He's one too!"

The lizardman, who had just killed the guards, didn't understand what was happening. Before he could even draw his bone knife, his throat was slit by his tribesmen!
"Great Shaman, were we attacked because of those two...?"

"Pfft!"

Before the last lizardman could finish speaking, one end of the great shaman's staff was plunged into his throat!

Like the other two lizardmen, he didn't know what had happened until he died!
The great shaman didn't waste any words. He hurriedly dragged the corpse to the altar, cut a hideous gash in the neck of the tribesman, and let the blood pour into the stone slab in the middle!
"Not enough! Not enough!"

The great shaman's roar echoed through the cave, his eyes flashing with a mad light.

He rushed toward the other two corpses and dragged them to the center of the altar to bleed them.

More! I want more!

The high shaman's voice was almost a roar, "The blood sacrifice needs more lives!"

However, there were no more figures left in the cave at this time.

The high shaman's Adam's apple bobbed as he looked at his wrist.
"With a divine body, this broken body is useless!"

The high shaman murmured, picked up the bone blade, cut his wrist, and dripped the blood into the center of the altar.

(End of this chapter)