SEC Chapter 16 [Reconnaissance] 9
Chapter 16 [Reconnaissance] 9
Sarah's lips slowly curved into a smile.
The two were very close, close enough to feel each other's breath.
Just then, a woman's voice suddenly came from the doorway.
"Sarah."
The two of them pulled their hands back as if they had been electrocuted, and then turned their heads at the same time.
Sarah's mother was standing in the doorway, holding a roll of clean linen bandages.
Her face showed surprise, and her gaze slowly moved from Sarah's face to Luo Xu's face, and then back to Sarah.
"The bandage on your foot is dirty, it needs to be changed." Her voice was calm, but her lips were pursed into a thin line.
"...Okay." Sarah clenched her fingers on the hem of her skirt, then stood up, leaning on her cane.
As he got up, his cane struck the edge of the bed with a dull thud.
She froze for a moment, then lowered her head and walked towards the door.
The room was eerily quiet, broken only by the tapping of her cane. Soon, Sarah disappeared through the doorway.
Sarah's mother didn't follow immediately. She stood in the doorway, casting a scrutinizing glance at Luo Xu.
Luo Xu felt as if he had thorns in his back.
Fortunately, she didn't say anything, turned around and gently closed the door.
Luo Xu breathed a sigh of relief. He stared at the ceiling, Sarah's mother's image still flashing before his eyes.
They scrutinized him, and with a wary air.
In fact, Luo Xu could understand her feelings.
Who wouldn't be wary if a stranger from an unknown place made intimate gestures with their daughter?
This matter did not trouble Luo Xu for long.
With the autumn harvest just around the corner, he needed to refine his revised plan to raid the camp.
To ensure everything went perfectly, he mentally outlined the tasks for each step and the contingency plans for any unforeseen circumstances.
After finishing the deduction, Luo Xu couldn't help but rub his hands together.
The raid plan is feasible! And the more information we gather, the greater the chance of success.
If we can wipe out these bandits in one fell swoop, we can not only eliminate the threat to Lantas Village, but also gain him a lot of experience.
The most crucial step now is to figure out the location of the camp and the bandits' patrol patterns.
Luo Xu did not intend to tell Captain Walter about this now.
Without the Mount & Blade system enhancements, the others would have difficulty scouting the camp's location in the dark, so the scouting mission had to be carried out by him.
I can't just lie there doing nothing!
"Ding~" Luo Xu rang the bedside mobile.
Although you can't move around right now, you can still improve your reconnaissance skills.
Reconnaissance skills allow him to see more clearly in the dark, and each level he gains increases his chances of success.
A moment later, the butler pushed the door open and came in.
"I'd like to sit in the backyard; it's a bit stuffy inside. Could you bring me a deck chair?"
The butler nodded in agreement and turned to make the arrangements.
Two servants came in, carried Luo Xu slowly down the stairs, and took him to the backyard.
An old recliner was placed in the shade of a tree in the corner of the yard, next to a small wooden table and a half-full pot of water.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the ground.
There is a small grove of trees outside the courtyard wall, from which the occasional cooing of a turtledove can be heard.
Luo Xu leaned back in his deck chair, focusing his attention on the branches of the trees.
Several doves were twisting their necks and flapping their wings on the branches.
"Ding! Your scouting experience +1, next level: 3/72."
The alert sound for the reconnaissance skill will ring out every now and then, and the experience will slowly accumulate.
At noon, the maid brought lunch, and the tray was laden with a very generous spread.
A bowl of steaming chicken and vegetable soup, and a piece of dark bread with a crispy crust and a rich wheat aroma.
Next to the bread was a small dish of soft cheese and a few thinly sliced cold marinated meats.
Luo Xu tore off a piece of bread, dipped it in some cheese, and chewed it slowly.
After finishing lunch, Luo Xu continued to stare at the treetops.
"Ding! Your reconnaissance skill +1, now your reconnaissance skill is 7."
The afternoon sun was a bit stronger than the morning sun.
Luo Xu put his hand on his eyebrows to block the sunlight shining directly into his eyes.
He discovered another bird hidden deep in the tree canopy, and the system notification sounded softly.
The maid came by once and refilled the kettle. Luo Xu took a couple of sips and then continued to stare at the woods.
Time passed slowly amidst the alternating calls of doves and system notifications, and the sun gradually sank behind the courtyard wall.
"[Reconnaissance] 9, distance to next level: 45/121."
Looking at the panel in front of him, Luo Xu couldn't help but smile.
There are about three days left until the wheat ripens, and he should be able to raise his reconnaissance skill to level 15 or higher.
The soreness and swelling on my side has subsided, and it's much better than this morning. As long as I don't touch it, I don't feel any pain.
Luo Xu propped himself up from the recliner, trying to see if he could walk.
He tried to walk a few steps; his ribs were still a little sore, but it no longer affected his walking.
Luo Xu paced backyard, slowly stretching his body, when suddenly Sarah's pretty face appeared in his mind.
What is she doing right now?
Luo Xu turned around and slowly walked towards the back door.
Seeing this, the butler quickly stepped forward to help him up: "Mr. Luo Xu, why are you standing up? Is there anything you need me to do?"
"I've been lying down all day and want to move around a bit," Luo Xu said with a smile.
The butler withdrew his hand and simply followed silently beside him.
Luo Xu walked into the hall and suddenly heard a young man's voice.
"The wool has been stockpiled for more than half a year, and I have personally checked its quality. If the caravan arrives in the fall, I am sure we can sell it all."
The speaker stood in front of Galon, with a sturdy and well-proportioned build and good-looking features, but his tone carried a rough and rugged quality.
When Galon saw Luo Xu enter, he exclaimed softly, "Luo Xu, why aren't you lying down?"
Seeing the reproachful look he gave the butler, Luo Xu quickly explained, "Mr. Galon, I've recovered a lot and can walk slowly now."
Galon nodded, smiling as he pointed to the young man beside him: "Luo Xu, perfect timing, let's get acquainted. This is Eric."
The young man turned around, quickly looked Luo Xu up and down, and then said indifferently, "Hello, my name is Eric, and I manage the sheepfold and wool business for Lord Galon."
In the game, the village of Lantas primarily relies on sheep for its livelihood, with wool being its main source of income.
Eric couldn't help but speak with the tone of someone in a superior position.
"Hello, my name is Luo Xu."
"I heard you were the one who took down two deserters." Eric took a half-step forward as he spoke, a mixture of sweat and muttony odor wafting over him. "Thanks for saving Sarah."
Luo Xu subconsciously took a step back, gave a brief reply, and then turned to Galon. Just as he was about to speak, the sound of a cane tapping on the ground echoed on the stairs.
It's Sarah.
She was using a cane to slowly walk downstairs.
Luo Xu's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped below Sarah. This way, he could catch her in case of an accident without appearing rude.
"Why are you standing up? Didn't Granny tell you to lie down?" Sarah looked up and saw him standing there, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.
"I've been lying down all day, and my back is aching..."
Before Luo Xu could finish speaking, a figure reeking of sweat rushed over.
"Sarah, your foot isn't healed yet, how did you manage to come downstairs by yourself? Let me help you—" Eric had already reached out his hand.
"No need," Sarah said coldly.
Eric paused for a moment, then spoke a few steps faster: "Sarah, you said last time you wanted to see this year's new fine wool harvest..."
"Just show it to my father."
Without even glancing at Eric, she walked straight past him and, leaning on her cane, went to Luo Xu.
"Chestnut cookies are baking in the oven right now; you should try some later."
"OK."
The two slowly went downstairs.
When Luo Xu got downstairs, as he turned around, he suddenly noticed Eric staring in his direction.
He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anger.
It turns out he was one of Sarah's suitors.
Ignoring him, Luo Xu and Sarah walked together to the cushioned bench in the hall.
Luo Xu helped Sarah sit down carefully, then brought over a low stool so she could prop up her right leg.
After doing all this, Luo Xu walked up to Galon and said what he had been wanting to say: "Mr. Galon, I would like to buy a few sheep from you."