Chapter 300: I’m Back

With mounting anxiety, Wu Qingsong and Nina traveled through the night toward Norwei.

By the time they arrived, the morning sun was just rising. The area around Norwei was still dotted with military camps, with soldiers engaged in their morning drills. The soldiers seemed far more disciplined than Wu Qingsong’s previous visit, though their numbers had clearly diminished.

The two had already devised a plan during their journey.

When Ram and the others left Orgrimmar, it was likely that Lord Osaga hadn’t yet uncovered everything they’d done. But four months had passed since then, and there was no telling how much the situation had changed. Moreover, the story they’d extracted the night before was just one man’s version and might not reflect the truth.

Suppressing their impatience, they carefully observed the area until they spotted a lone messenger soldier.

“The Thirteenth Mercenary Corps?” 

The soldier looked at Wu Qingsong and Nina with mild surprise, assuming the masked pair wanted to interrogate him about some sensitive matter. 

“They’re to the north.”

“Where exactly in the north?” Wu Qingsong pressed. “Be specific.”

“About 100 li northeast, in the mountains.”

After knocking the soldier unconscious, Wu Qingsong left a pouch of coins at his feet and then continued in the indicated direction with Nina.

Even though neither of them were ordinary humans, the relentless pace of their journey was beginning to take a toll. They had to rely on Nina’s Silver Moon Light to dispel their fatigue before pressing on.

By noon, they had finally reached the location described by the soldier.

It was a valley nestled in the mountains, surrounded by dense forests and rugged terrain—far from an ideal place.

A clearing had been carved out in a narrow gorge, where logs had been used to construct a small, rudimentary town. Near the creek running through the valley, newly plowed fields stretched out, though the crops were still just seedlings.

The settlement was unfamiliar, but its style was unmistakably similar to Orgrimmar’s, suggesting that either Harold or Ram had overseen its construction.

Wu Qingsong and Nina shed all attempts at subtlety and sprinted down the mountainside toward the settlement.

“Who goes there!” 

A group of guards emerged from the forest, weapons raised, but their shouts of warning quickly turned into cries of astonishment.

“It’s the lord! Lord Tagraedi has returned!”

Among the guards, Wu Qingsong spotted Angus, who froze, his mouth agape in disbelief, before rushing forward with large strides.

“My lord… you’ve finally returned!”

The guards’ cries caused everyone to stop what they were doing and turn toward the commotion. Soldiers atop the watchtowers spotted Wu Qingsong and, with a yell, alerted the entire settlement. The small town burst into life.

People dropped their tools and ran toward the gates. As Wu Qingsong questioned Angus about the situation, his heart gradually settled. Then, a petite figure darted out from the crowd and threw herself into his arms.

The next moment, Ram and Ling appeared at the gates, tears streaming down their faces.

The crowd instinctively parted, creating a path for them to rush forward and embrace Wu Qingsong tightly.

“You’re back… you’re finally back…” Ram looked visibly thinner, and both Ling and Liuli seemed similarly worn. 

The sight filled Wu Qingsong with heartache.

He held them tightly, showering them with kisses. 

“I’m back. I’m back…”

Not far behind him, Nina watched the reunion, her eyes reddening. Ram finally noticed her, hesitating for a moment before walking over, her eyes brimming with tears, and embracing her warmly.

Harold, Morin, and other familiar faces emerged from the crowd. Though they all looked haggard, they were alive, and that was all that mattered.

“Xeila?” Wu Qingsong exclaimed in surprise when he spotted someone he hadn’t expected to see.

“I begged her to return from the capital,” Ram explained. “Without her, the mercenary corps wouldn’t have been able to continue existing. We’d have been forced to convert into a hunter group, losing our claim to land and the ability to feed so many people.”

“Thank you,” Wu Qingsong said to Xeila, who nodded silently.

Through her veil, Wu Qingsong couldn’t see her face, but her eyes conveyed the same relief and joy as everyone else.

“Thank you all for your hard work. I’m sorry to have made you worry,” Wu Qingsong said, addressing the crowd with sincerity. “Everyone… I’m back!”

“Lord Tagaredi!”

“My lord!”

“Praise Xuanyuan!”

The crowd erupted into cheers and celebration.

Ling and Liuli finally let go of him, allowing Wu Qingsong to embrace and shake hands with others, basking in their warm welcome.

The people cheered with abandon as if a massive burden had finally been lifted from their shoulders. It was as though a fractured community had suddenly found its anchor again.

While the people had always been grateful for Wu Qingsong’s contributions, his extended absences had led them to believe that the territory functioned largely under Ram, Harold, and Angus’s leadership. His presence had seemed almost optional.

But after this ordeal, no one thought that anymore.

Without Wu Qingsong, Orgrimmar had immediately lost its foundation. Those who depended on its stability became like driftwood in a storm, unable to protect their assets or guarantee their safety. The specter of a nomadic, uncertain life had returned, and though Ram had done her best to hold things together, relocating to this desolate region was the only solution she could offer. Yet even here, they lived under the shadow of impermanence, unsure how long they could endure without Wu Qingsong’s name and strength shielding them.

For many, their faith in Xuanyuan and their prayers for Wu Qingsong’s safe return had become their last hope.

And now, that hope had been realized.

People wept and laughed simultaneously, their relief palpable. From this day forward, though challenges lay ahead, their efforts would have purpose again. For the first time in months, they could sleep soundly, confident that tomorrow would bring stability.

Spontaneous celebrations began as the settlement pooled their meager resources. Ram and Harold scraped together what little food and drink remained, organizing a modest feast to celebrate Wu Qingsong’s return.

“Don’t worry, Silvermoon is safe,” Ram reassured Nina as they stood atop the gatehouse, holding hands. “And so is Daryl.”

“After you disappeared, a lot happened. Many lives were lost, but in the end, we managed to stabilize the situation,” Ram explained. “But without Wu here, we couldn’t continue protecting Silvermoon. After consulting the elders, they decided to head north. They’ve now established a base in the northwestern plains of Batiz. Don’t worry, Darryl is doing an excellent job. Everything is fine.”