Chapter 263: A Duty that Cannot Be Refused

“Lord Marquis…” Wu Qingsong struggled to find the right words. 

‘I mean, I’m practically a potential rebel. How did I suddenly end up with this huge responsibility?’

“I know this is a difficult task, but according to imperial law, my soldiers can only cross the border in emergencies, and they cannot stay for long. Although the Marquis is my in-law, and I can make many decisions on his behalf, he would not allow me to keep crossing the border.” The Marquis Osaga explained. “Esola’s garrison has just been established but is already completely corrupt and useless in a fight. Other hunting squads are struggling to survive as it is and can’t handle an additional mission like this. Tagredi, do you think anyone else could take on this task?”

Wu Qingsong was at a loss for words.

The Marquis suddenly shifted topics. 

“How much profit does this armor you produce make?”

“Well… Lord Marquis, honestly, there isn’t much profit in it,” Wu Qingsong replied. “I’m just trying to keep my people occupied, to give them a way to scrape by.”

In times like these, acting modest and downplaying profits was always a safe move. Plus, with no machines involved, just handcraft, the price he set was enough to make any workshop run at a loss.

The Marquis Osaga nodded. “I’m aware of that. Our Osaga Chamber of Commerce tried to produce similar armor in its own workshops, but the quality doesn’t compare to yours, and the cost is actually a bit higher than buying from you directly. Here’s my proposal. I’ll buy two thousand sets from you each year, adding a ten percent markup on your current price as a military subsidy. This money can’t be squandered. It must go toward training soldiers and carefully patrolling northern Esola. I’ll send people to check in periodically. Tagraedi, don’t disappoint me.”

Wu Qingsong felt a mix of emotions—touched by the Marquis’s gesture, but also troubled.

Periodic inspections? Isn’t that like having a knife to my throat? If one of his people stumbles upon something they shouldn’t see, I’ll be in the same situation Alvin was. Then what? Silence them? Or… eliminate the witness?

“Lord Marquis,” he finally replied, putting on a spirited expression. “You’ve already helped me so much. If I haggled or took your subsidy, would I still be a man of honor? Don’t worry, the northern mountains of Esola will be patrolled thoroughly. If anything goes wrong there, I’ll be the first to pay the price. I’ll be vigilant. As for the armor, if you need more, everything I produce can go to the Osaga Chamber of Commerce at cost, no higher.”

The Marquis of Osaga looked at him and finally nodded slowly. 

“Do you have any other requests?”

“I’d like your support to deal with any suspicious individuals,” Wu Qingsong said. 

Once the Silvermoon Wolf Clan settled down, no hunting groups should be allowed near their mountain area. Simple warnings won’t work at first—only severe action would make it clear that no one should go there.

Maybe taking on this task from Osaga could help clear the Silvermoon Wolf Clan’s name.

“No problem,” Osaga replied, though he clearly misunderstood Wu’s intentions. “I’ll guarantee your authority. Any smugglers headed north, you’re free to execute on the spot and seize their goods. But, Tagraedi, don’t take it too far. The northern barbarians are still enemies of the empire, and you are a noble of the empire. A small amount of smuggling to fund your troops is one thing, but if you start trading large amounts of military supplies to them, I’ll be the first to come down on you.”

“Lord Marquis,” Wu Qingsong sighed internally. 

So, Osaga thought he wanted to control the northern smuggling route? 

“Rest assured, I would never do that.”

“Dismissed.” Osaga looked weary. “Before you leave tomorrow morning, pick up messenger pigeons from the quartermaster. I’ve arranged for two pigeon keepers. Each month, I’ll send ten pigeons to Orgrimmar. In an emergency, release them right away. Understood?”

“Thank you, Lord Marquis,” Wu Qingsong said once more before taking his leave.

Outside, a mastiff soldier was waiting to escort them to their lodgings and later brought them food.

The surroundings were eerily quiet. If it weren’t for the occasional torchlight from the watchtowers, Wu Qingsong might have thought they were in the wilderness.

At dawn, they were woken by the shouts of soldiers training. Wu Qingsong stood by the window, watching them closely. These were likely new recruits, with simple gear, but their morale was already far above the garrison troops he’d encountered in the Tecks Mountains and nearly on par with the soldiers of the Sentalus Legion.

He intended to bid farewell to the Marquis before leaving but was informed that the Marquis had set off early that morning to inspect a nearby military settlement.

“This Marquis…” Beck and the other houndmen couldn’t help but remark.

“What about him?” Wu Qingsong asked.

“He’s nothing like an elf,” Beck replied.

To an elf, this might have been a grave insult, but Wu Qingsong knew that, to Beck and the others, it was high praise. Compared to the elves in the imperial capital, the Marquis Osaga was practically an ascetic. 

But why hadn’t someone like him been put to greater use? Why was his territory so small?

Wu Qingsong couldn’t help but sigh slightly. He bowed respectfully toward the Marquis’s quarters under the watchful eyes of the guards, then left.

This wasn’t a show of formality but a genuine expression of respect. A person like him was truly worthy of admiration. Fortunately, elves like him were rare in the Empire.

***

Wu Qingsong and his group traveled directly from Norwei back to Orgrimmar, where Ram was already waiting for them. After hearing about the Marquis Osaga, everyone felt a pang of regret.

“A shame. Elves like him are rare,” Harold remarked.

Ram, however, replied, “It’s probably for the best that they’re rare.”

“Nina, how are your people settling in?” Wu Qingsong asked.

“They’re set up in a quiet valley north of Orgrimmar. It’s remote enough to avoid detection.”

“What about food?”

Nina shook her head slightly.

“Those bastards looted and burned all the grain from Silvermoon,” Ram said bitterly. “Right now, they’re surviving on what you confiscated, but it won’t last until the fields are ready. If only we could’ve brought back the grain we seized from Tannar.”

“We need to settle the territory arrangements quickly,” Wu Qingsong said. “With the Marquis Osaga’s support, Orgrimmar can raise a larger force and have grounds to purchase more grain. Some of the Silvermoon people can be selected. Those without obvious distinguishing features can pose as newcomers joining from afar. They’ll form a patrol squad to secure the northern area. This should prevent anyone from stumbling across them and help us fulfill the Marquis’s task. You’re more familiar with the Norwei Wolf Clan than we are, so you should be able to spot and capture them more easily. The Silvermoon group can hunt in the mountains for food and produce leather. For land cultivation, I’ll send Feya over to help speed things up. Here in Orgrimmar, we need to restart the armor business and get the smuggling of grain, seeds, and soap up and running again.”

Each person noted their tasks and got to work.

But as the others left his office, Wu Qingsong stopped Nina.

Ram bit her lip quietly but left without saying a word.

“Wu?” Nina felt a bit uneasy.

“Nina, there’s something I think I need to clarify with you.”

Nina grew more unsettled. She watched Ram’s quick departure with a flash of irritation—but strangely, there was also a hint of unexplainable anticipation stirring inside her.

“Orgrimmar is establishing a new religion,” Wu Qingsong began. He didn’t notice the subtle expression on her face. “It’s still small, but it’s a crucial part of my plan. I understand your people have a strong ancestral faith, but this isn’t in conflict. I hope you’ll allow my priests to preach among your people. Nina, if there are particularly gifted girls among you, faith could help unlock their potential. Do you understand?”

Nina was a bit taken aback. “This is what you wanted to talk about?”

Wu Qingsong nodded.

Nina felt a mix of disappointment and relief. 

“Could I meet with your priests first, to learn more about this religion?”

“Of course,” Wu Qingsong replied.

“I’ll get back to you soon,” she said, then quickly left his office.