Lords of the Heavens

Chapter 372 The Advantage of Taking the Lead
"Have you always been this arrogant? You didn't use this kind of method to bring down Second Aunt and Aunt Yue, did you?"

"If I didn't know your background, I would probably really think you were Lord Night Owl's illegitimate son!"

Hathaway said half-jokingly, her eyes full of amusement, as if she couldn't wait to check Li Wei's finances.

After all, putting everything else aside, the rewards from just a few cross-border announcements are quite substantial.

But what if? What if Li Wei really is an illegitimate child?

"Never mind that. Are we heading to Black Mountain Fortress now? Also, do you need me to scout ahead?"

Li Wei asked in a deep voice. His +7 perception was indeed correct. Hathaway and Night Owl were really the same kind of people, with eight hundred schemes in a second.

“In another hour, we will cross the desert and arrive at Black Mountain Fortress, where there are 342 free men. Once they are on the vehicle, we will set off immediately. I will be in charge of scouting, but you will be in charge of bringing up the rear.”

Hathaway laughed, noticing nothing unusual.

"Row!"

Li Wei then stopped arguing. Hathaway went to the front to make arrangements at the Black Mountain Fortress, while he went to the back.

At this moment, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the desert was quiet. The temperature was slightly low, there was no wind, and the road conditions were acceptable, which meant that Hathaway must have arranged for people to maintain it.

Speaking of which, her side is quite good, and there should be many more areas in this world to explore.

There must be many more survivors, or a superhuman force that is in no way inferior to the Ice Duke.

It seems that this world will need to undertake many more rounds of exploration missions.

As he pondered, he heard the sound of wings gliding. It was Ah Dai, who had slept all night and now looked energetic and even in a good mood. It stood next to Li Wei and kept him company as he looked at the boundless desert in the distance.

It's just like seeing an old friend you haven't seen for years.

“Ah Dai, I need you to go to the area we passed through before and see if the Ice Duke’s pursuers have arrived.”

At this moment, Li Wei gave an order.

We still can't be careless; the smoother things go, the more cautious we need to be.

"quack!"

Ah-Dai barked twice in dissatisfaction, then leaped into the air and headed straight back the way he came.

Soon, as traces of green appeared in the surrounding desert, and even patches of forest emerged, the Black Mountain Fortress was reached.

This is a small oasis with the sea on one side, mountains on one side, and desert on the other. There used to be a small town here, but it later became the territory of the Duke of Montenegro.

Overall, it was very good; Li Wei even saw more than 200 acres of lush green farmland here.

Hundreds of free men gathered by the roadside, their faces showing reluctance, and occasionally anger and fear.

But under Hathaway's imposing gaze and the intimidating whip in her hand, no one dared to question her.

That's right, Hathaway arrived ahead of time to arrange this matter, she's really efficient!

Thus, the convoy stopped at the Black Mountain Fortress for less than half an hour. After replenishing its water and food supplies and transporting all the free people, it set off again. Speed ​​was of the essence in war, and the key was to be fast.

This is the biggest secret and cheat code of this migration!
Li Wei felt that Hathaway was simply his best ally. With her making preparations in advance, it really saved him a lot of trouble!

The smoothness and tacit understanding of their strategic cooperation were truly unforgettable for him, but unfortunately, she was really not suitable to be his teammate.

At that very moment, as Li Wei and Hathaway's convoy set off again from Black Mountain Fortress, a legion of eight hundred superhumans arrived in Hathaway's former territory. The leader of the legion was none other than the Neanderthal druid who could transform into a giant eagle or a swimming fish.

"What courage! What speed!"

Looking at the empty territory, the Niren couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

Yesterday afternoon, Li Wei destroyed the bridgehead fortress. By the time he arrived here, it would be at least night. But Hathaway managed to pack everything up and set off in such a short time. How can such courage not be amazing?
It should be noted that this is a crucial moment in the attack on Socrates' territory, but after hearing about Li Wei's breakthrough, the Ice Duke preferred to suspend the attack and immediately withdraw his elite troops to travel overnight, which was incredibly fast.

Even so, we were still a step too slow.

"I guess they're still in the desert. Let me lead a centaur cavalry unit to catch up with them!"

Another Nepalese crosser said in a deep voice.

This Li Wei has now become their nemesis. In just a few months, eight cross-border individuals have died because of him, or have been killed by him.

This put their cross-border mission in a very passive position, and it looked like they were about to fail.

Unfortunately, this guy is cunning as a devil and quite strong, so there's really no way to deal with him for the time being.

"It's too late. Since we didn't manage to corner Li Wei here, it's all too late. Besides, we underestimated Hathaway. We thought she hadn't built a magic mine yet because she lacked strength and was planning to stay in Black Mountain Fortress!"

"Who would have thought she had such courage!"

"Let's retreat! The situation is already like this, and we can't afford any more mistakes. Besides, Duke Hanbing is extremely wary of us, so in a sense, having an enemy like Li Wei is actually a good thing for us!"

"Wouldn't that be too easy on Li Wei!"

Another Nepalese cross-borderer said bitterly.

"What else do you want? Li Wei's momentum is already established. Unless Duke Hanbing can take over Socrates' territory within a month, there might still be some chance. Otherwise, with Hathaway's help, Li Wei has already perfected his territory to the greatest extent possible."

"He won! When the radiation storm breaks out this fall, he will have two magic mines with a total storage capacity of two hundred units of magic. Even the Ice Duke will have to take a detour!"

“We must admit this, but Li Wei’s biggest drawback is that he is just a passerby. In another year and ten months, he will finish his mission of developing and building the city, and his territory will never have any connection with Duke Hanbing again.”

"Only then will Duke Frost have to rely on us. Don't forget, our mission still has two years to go!"

"In short, let's avoid their sharp edge. Li Wei will eventually take on cross-border missions, and he'll get his revenge just the same way."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Several days later, a large convoy emerged from a highway in the northern mountains, heading directly towards the riverside fortress, less than 300 li away as the crow flies.

It was the migration convoy led by Li Wei and Hathaway.

Their journey went remarkably smoothly, because although Duke Frost sent out pursuers, they ultimately did not dare to chase them into the desert, nor could they possibly take a longer, roundabout approach to intercept the convoy, like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Even those with superpowers need supplies and logistics, and they also get tired.

In short, besides the surprises brought by some mutated creatures along the way, Li Wei and his group even managed to incorporate a survivor base. The number of survivors was small, around two hundred. Li Wei didn't intervene, but watched Hathaway handle the situation swiftly and easily, allowing her territory's population to smoothly surpass one thousand.

"quack!"

Back in his own territory, Ah-Dai was extremely excited. He circled in the sky a few times before flying to the riverside fortress. A moment later, five mutated little crows flew over and solemnly accompanied the convoy.

A moment later, a cavalry squad of twenty men appeared in the distance, followed by an enchanted war chariot and three armored personnel carriers.

This is the Riverside Knights patrol team led by Javier, Heath, Paul, and Jocelyn, responsible for routine patrols three hundred miles west of the Riverside Fortress.

From a distance, Javier and his men split into two lines, guarding both sides of the convoy.

Although these were all lightly armored cavalry, many of whom had only been training for a month and were only there to fill the ranks, the scene was indeed quite impressive.

The free people in the convoy whispered among themselves, filled with unease, unsure of where their fate would take them. Heather, on the other hand, seemed to be having second thoughts, and she pleaded with Li Wei in the carriage.

"Can't you give me a position as a territory advisor? I regret it now. Li Wei, believe me, you need a powerful spellcaster and lover! Cross-border missions aren't limited to five people."

"Don't be ridiculous, you're better suited to be my ally and mistress."

Li Wei said calmly, ignoring Hathaway's clinging and whining like a cat.

The reason needs no explanation; they know it perfectly well in their hearts.

They were both the kind of people who refused to be subservient to others. Perhaps Li Wei could be more accommodating to some extent and was willing to make slight concessions for the sake of the bigger picture.

But Hathaway, she was a tyrant!
The more capable, powerful, and strong she becomes, the more uncontrollable she becomes.

It's not that she's crazy and uncontrollable, but rather that she can't be controlled by others.

Whether this person is called Li Wei or Night Owl!

For a while, Li Wei was always a little curious. In the beginner missions, Hathaway clearly didn't need to treat him that way, really!
He once thought that Hathaway was the kind of woman who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, so she didn't need to take responsibility.

Until recently, Night Owl told him that she had already designated him as the second Hathaway, meaning that Hathaway was the senior sister and he was the junior brother.

However, this junior brother is very likely a casual pawn that Night Owl has casually arranged. If the plan goes smoothly, he is Night Owl's spy in the Ministry of the Interior to supervise, restrain, and intimidate Hathaway.

So what did Hathaway do? She slept with Li Wei without saying a word!

Night Owl could only stare helplessly, unable to do anything about it.

For example, this time, no matter what Hathaway says, she actually knew from the very beginning, after Night Owl lost power, that Li Wei had a high chance of coming to find her!
Not because of their relationship with each other, but from a strategic perspective.

All those other ridiculous excuses are just that—excuses.

Of course, aside from these calculations, Hathaway's abilities, vision, and strategic thinking are all top-notch.

Of course, the night owl is not someone to be trifled with!
Other teams' top seed players start with at least 100,000 gold coins.

But the owl insists on only delivering it to you when you need it.

So much so that after Night Owl lost power, Hathaway was so desperate that she couldn't even build a magic mine.

In conclusion, would Li Wei dare to marry a woman who can fight the Night Owl to a standstill?

Don't even think about it!

Being a mistress is fine, being an ally is also good, but I don't even want a teammate!
A team can only have one voice.

Li Wei is generous, giving his teammates extremely high bonuses, but anyone who tries to influence him will be nipped in the bud.

"Li Wei, don't regret it. I'm really willing to change for you this time because you are my knight. Can't I listen to you from now on?"

"no!"

"Ugh! They won't even pretend for a second."

Hathaway finally sat up straight, without the slightest embarrassment, because she was the queen of this track!
The next second, she took out her own development card and handed it over.

"Then, my esteemed Baron, let's discuss the terms of the alliance!"

Li Wei remained silent and immediately took out his own pioneering card, letting the two cards merge together. This was the alliance; whether it was NATO or something else would be determined by a higher-level department according to previous rules. Li Wei and Hathaway couldn't really play a significant role in this process.

So, is that why Hathaway is so confident?

Look at her bright, sparkling eyes, she's such a wild little horse!

In the blink of an eye, the two development cards were separated, as if they had gone through a contest and negotiation.

The league's results are in!

It has now been confirmed that Trail Blazer #3 Hathaway has decided to form an alliance with Trail Blazer #11 Li Wei, and the alliance's subordinate, obligatory, and liability relationships are determined based on the following facts.

[First, it has been confirmed that Hathaway, the pioneer, accepted Li Wei's invitation to establish a new territory in the Neanderthal Hills south of his riverside fortress. She possesses the qualification to migrate, but because the pioneering rights in the Neanderthal Hills are in Li Wei's hands (referring to the annihilation of the barbarian camp), Hathaway needs to pay Li Wei three points of Alliance Authority.]

[Note: The total alliance weight is 100 points. Both sides compete based on the overall strength of their respective territories. The winner will receive more alliance weight points. In simple terms, whoever has the bigger fist becomes the alliance leader.]

[Second, population comparison: 1009 vs 1207. In Hathaway's territory, there are five three-star residents, fifty-eight two-star residents, five hundred and twenty-nine one-star residents, and the rest are ordinary free citizens. In Li Wei's territory, there are four advisors, five four-star residents, two hundred and forty three-star residents, and the rest are two-star residents. Therefore, Li Wei gains twenty alliance weight, while Hathaway gains one alliance weight.]

[Third, Li Wei's territory contains four special buildings and one priest, while Hathaway's does not. Li Wei holds twenty Alliance weight, while Hathaway does not.]

[Fourth, Hathaway carries fifty-two vehicles, enough food for a month, and supplies worth a total of fifty thousand gold coins. Due to her strategic value, she can obtain twenty Alliance weight.]

[Fifth, Li Wei once generously donated 100,000 gold coins to Hathaway. Regardless of how this money is repaid, its value remains unchanged, and Li Wei will receive 20 Alliance weight.]

[Sixth, Li Wei was the initiator of the alliance, traversing three thousand miles and taking nearly a month. His attack on Duke Hanbing was also an important factor in the formation of this alliance. He can obtain ten points of alliance weight.]

[Seven, Lord's personal combat strength assessment: Li Wei will receive three alliance points, and Hathaway will receive two alliance points.]

[8. Lord Status Assessment: Li Wei is the Viscount of Flame, and can obtain 3 Alliance Weights; Hathaway is the Baron of Black Mountain, and can obtain 1 Alliance Weight.]

[The current counts are as follows: Li Wei's alliance weight is 79 points, while Hathaway's is 21 points. This indicates that the disparity in strength is too great to form an alliance, and they can only exist as vassal territories.]

[Nationwide Announcement!]

[Hathaway, the third trailblazer, has officially become a vassal lord under Li Wei, the eleventh trailblazer.]

(End of this chapter)