By order of the lord, the trading company is sealed off!

The next morning, the air was still damp and chilly, typical of the forest.

Ye Weian lifted the tent flap and came out, finding that the camp was not as noisy as usual during mealtimes.

Knight Kane was waiting outside the door.

Seeing him come out, Kane immediately stepped forward: "Young master, the brothers are all waiting over there. They have something they want to say to you in person."

Ye Wei'an followed Kane's gaze and saw that more than twenty soldiers had already lined up in a neat square formation, each looking at him with burning eyes.

When Ye Wei'an walked up to them, the veteran in the front row was the first to kneel down heavily on one knee.

Then, as if pushed over by dominoes, the soldiers behind them knelt down one by one.

"Lord Ye Wei'an!" Leading the group was the one-armed Roach, his voice hoarse with excitement. "We were kept in the dark before, almost becoming expendable pawns! Now we understand. From this day forward, our loyalty is no longer to that future baron of Firefall Fortress, but to you! Your will is our direction, your enemies are our enemies!"

"At your service, sir!"

The soldiers' shouts startled the birds in the woods.

Standing on high ground, looking at the soldiers, Ye Wei'an felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

This is the first armed force under his command since he came into this world.

Although these people could not be considered elite, and many of them did not even have a single warrior rank, in Ye Wei'an's eyes, they were the best prototypes.

With the [Companion System], even ordinary militia members can be transformed into a truly elite and powerful army.

"Very well, remember your oath today." Ye Wei'an accepted the pledge of allegiance: "Since you have chosen me, I will never betray your choice, and your glory will be with me."

The spiritual transformation brought about a complete change in the team.

The subsequent breakup was incredibly fast. The soldiers even chanted energetically while working, making the tedious march seem cheerful, and the speed was much faster than before.

The convoy completed the journey, which was originally scheduled to take two days, half a day ahead of schedule.

When the group arrived ten miles outside Firefall Town, the town had already received news that Xia Xing's illegitimate son was about to arrive.

Mayor Bartók—a middle-aged man with a plump build and a neatly trimmed mustache—was already waiting at the town entrance with several sheriffs.

The moment he saw Ye Weian, his face was filled with professional enthusiasm and humility, and he jogged over.

"By the great goddess Woking! Lord Yevian, it is an honor for Firefall Town to see you return safely." Mayor Bartók exaggeratedly clutched his chest. "I heard you encountered some savage thugs on the way? That was a close call. All the respectable people in town are praying for you."

"I appreciate your concern, Mayor Bartók." Ye Wei'an sat astride his tall steed, looking down at him with a cool tone. "However, I am back on official business, some of which may not be an honor for Firefall Town."

Bartók's smile faltered for a moment, and he coughed twice to cover his unease: "You flatter me, sir. It is my honor to serve you. I have prepared the best hotel in town for you, and the soldiers can also rest at the barracks in the eastern district..."

"I appreciate your kind words, Mayor Bartók." Ye Wei'an, sitting atop his tall steed, interrupted him from above. "I'm not used to living in other people's places; I have my own place to stay."

After saying that, he gave the order directly.

"Entering the city, destination: South Street."

The convoy drove straight through the bustling town under the astonished gazes of the townspeople, finally stopping in front of the most imposing building on the street—"Old Oak" leather goods store.

Mayor Bartók had already sensed something was wrong when he first heard the word "South Street".

As the convoy stopped, the town mayor, clinging to a last glimmer of hope, asked, "Young Master Ye Wei'an, is the place you mentioned......?"

"You guessed right, it's this very trading company." Ye Wei'an's words put an end to his anxiety.

"My lord, the owner of this 'Old Oak' leather shop is no ordinary merchant," Bartók tried to struggle, frantically giving Ye Weian meaningful glances. "He is deeply trusted by 'certain important figures' in Firefall Fortress. If you barge in with your men like this, and that esteemed person investigates, I, a mere town mayor, truly cannot bear the consequences."

Ye Wei'an found it amusing to see him looking so conflicted.

Bartók was clearly afraid of getting involved in the power struggle among Xia Xing's family members and wanted to find a way to back down gracefully.

"I understand your concerns, Mayor Bartók." Ye Weian pulled a roll of parchment documents from his pocket and suddenly unfolded it in front of Bartók.

"By order of Lord Baron Xiaxing, the 'Old Oak' leather shop in Firefall Town is suspected of colluding with bandits and harming innocent civilians. I hereby order the immediate arrest of the perpetrators and the confiscation of the relevant properties!"

After the order was read aloud, Ye Wei'an looked at Bartók. "This warrant was personally stamped by the Baron. Mayor Bartók, now you only need to tell me, are you prepared to obey or disobey the Baron's orders?"

Bartók stared at the parchment, his heart skipping a beat.

He was extremely familiar with the blue background and three gold stars on the coat of arms—it was Baron Xia Xing's seal.

He was a smart man, and the moment he saw the seal, he realized that this matter was completely beyond his control.

"Oh, sir, you flatter me!" Bartók immediately adopted a righteous expression, bowing even deeper. "Since it's the lord's secret order, I will naturally obey! Since this leather merchant is suspected of colluding with bandits, I not only dare not stop them, but I must also fully cooperate with you to clean house!"

He straightened up and waved his hands vigorously at the sheriffs behind him: "Did you all hear that? Lord Ye Weian is handling a case on the lord's orders. Everyone, make way and assist him in taking over 'Old Oak'!"

Ye Wei'an put away the documents and said coldly to Kane behind him:

"Break down the door."

"Yes, sir!"

Kane immediately dismounted and, with his soldiers who had just pledged allegiance and were eager to make a name for themselves, broke down the door of the leather shop.

"Everyone, squat down where you are! Anyone who resists will be killed on sight!" Kane was the first to rush into the trading company.

After the original owner of the trading company was captured, only the maids and helpers hired by Gray Raven remained in the company.

These poor people were terrified when they saw so many soldiers for the first time, and they all knelt down and begged for mercy.

This huge commotion quickly attracted the attention of half the street.

Merchants who were doing business on South Street, farmers carrying baskets on their backs, and hooligans who had nothing to do all day long all swarmed over.

People whispered among themselves, their faces filled with disbelief—in Firefall Town, Gray Raven was a notorious ruthless character, with legends saying that his backing was unfathomable and that even the sheriff would avoid him. Yet today, someone had led troops to smash his door.

"Look! The Gray Ravens' lair has been destroyed!"

"Judging from this, is the Xia Xing family serious?"

"I heard that's the lord's young master? Your Excellency is truly wise!"

Ye Wei'an went to great lengths, causing chaos by raiding and shutting down businesses, all to make a big fuss and spread the word.

Entering Firefall Town means returning to the territory of Firefall Territory.

The more people knew that he had returned safely, the less likely Lady Serena would dare to harm him—assuming she had received the news.

The more people who know that Gray Raven is a villain, the harder it will be for Serena to distort the truth and cover up the evidence.