Chapter 442: Gathering Intel (1/2)

Lin Mu walked into an old restaurant that had a faded name broad. There were a few villagers sitting around on the tables while chatting amongst themselves.

”What would you like?” A tanned middle aged woman walked asked Lin Mu.

”Ah, I'd like some breakfast. Whatever you have.” Lin Mu replied.

”I'll send some right over, you can take a seat with the others. We don't have private seats left now.” The woman replied.

”Sure, that won't be a problem.” Lin Mu said before sitting at a table that already had six people sitting on it.

It was evident that due to being the only restaurant, it was popular and the people who were too busy to cook would come here to have their meal. Things like these were common in villages where a majority of the population consisted of farmers.

They would need to work on the farm most of the time thus often wouldn't have time to cook. Those that had families wouldn't have to do the same as their wives would cook for them.

Lin Mu glanced at the appearance of the six men and found them to be relatively common looking.

”What's the current news around the region, brothers?” Lin Mu questioned.

The men stopped talking and looked at the newcomer.

”It's the same mostly, but after the incident two years ago things have become a bit volatile. The northern tribes have become active again and the perpetrator of the incident is still at large.” One of the men spoke with a sigh.

”Oh? I see. I saw the poster at the square while coming here, is he the perpetrator?” Lin Mu asked.

”Yes. That is the person who has made the lives of us commoners difficult. We now need to pay higher taxes as the army has been deployed.”

”Aren't the cultivation sects doing anything? I mean, isn't it their duty as well to stop the Northern Tribes?” Lin Mu replied.

”We don't know much about that we are mere peasants. We can't deal with the matters of the immortals, perhaps only in the city you will find more information about them.”

”I understand.” Lin Mu said before his food arrived.

While eating his food, Lin Mu made some casual conversation and learned more things about what had happened. He also learned the exact time that had passed since he was sleeping.

It had been two years and three months since he fell asleep. During that time, a lot of changes had occurred in the kingdom and even in the rest of the empire. The Army had even started recruiting more and more men now.

They were not only recruiting for the position of soldiers but also for jobs such as cleaning, cooking and maintenance of equipment. Only the villages that majors did farming were spared, as food was an essential that no army could do without.

Even the rich were not spared, as their children were being called to work as well. The kingdoms had seen the horrors of the past war with the northern tribes and thus did not want to be careless. They were doing their 120% to ensure that everything would be fine when it eventually comes. For them, they would do over preparation rather than leave the response of the enemies to chance.

Lin Mu also verified the fact that no one could recognize his appearance now that he was looking older. He couldn't find out what was going on in Wu Lim city though, as all they said was that the entry there was restricted.

'Looks like I'll have to see it myself,' Lin Mu thought.

He finished his meal and then left the village. Calling Little Shrubby, he got on his back and continued his travel to the city. The next stop for him will be the eastern town, but he didn't want to stop there choosing to go straight to the city.

Since he was with little Shrubby he couldn't travel on the main road and went through the forested area. But he would only be able to travel up to a certain point before needing to stop.

After reaching the part near the Eastern town, the rest of the way was open plains and if he traveled with little shrubby, he would be easily spotted.

”Wait here, I'll be back in two days at the very late.” Lin Mu instructed.

”I can't come?” Little Shrubby asked.