Of course, there was no need to rush to establish a third base; what Shen Mu needed to do now was return to the Noble Residence, get some sleep, and then reconsider.
He was truly exhausted during this period.
After giving instructions to Manid regarding the construction work, he returned to the Noble Residence.
He went back to his favorite large bed, covered himself with a thin blanket, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.
And he slept quite comfortably this time.
Shen Mu went to sleep around four in the afternoon, entering dreamland earlier than usual, as after a day of exhaustion, what he wanted most was a good night's sleep to recover his depleted energy.
However, having grown accustomed to a fast-paced life, he unconsciously found himself slowly opening his eyes at a specific time.
He woke up again.
“What’s going on? I actually feel a bit sleepless.” Shen Mu looked at the still dark sky outside the window, realizing it was still night and the sky hadn’t brightened, feeling a bit helpless.
So he sat up properly from the bed, glanced at the room where no water had been prepared for him, and then said, “Someone.”
The door was immediately pushed open, and at this moment, a Holy Tree Knight outside the door walked in, bowing respectfully and inquiring, “Lord Shen Mu, I am here. How may I help you?”
“Please bring me a cup of plain water with honey, thank you.” Shen Mu spoke, stating his request.
“Please wait a moment, I will bring it from the first floor.” The Holy Tree Knight immediately nodded, then turned around, closed the door again, and went to the first floor to prepare the honey water Shen Mu needed.
On the first floor, there were also Halflings on duty, to prevent Shen Mu from getting hungry or wanting something to drink during the night.
Upon hearing the Holy Tree Knight’s conveyed request, they immediately began preparing it in the kitchen.
The honey water was quickly prepared.
It was all placed in a ceramic pot, then put on a tray by the Holy Tree Knight, who quickly returned to the second floor, knocked on the door again, and after receiving permission, pushed the door open and placed it on Shen Mu’s bedside table.
“Thank you very much.” Shen Mu nodded to him, then waved him away from his bedroom.
“If you have any further needs, please tell me. We will do our utmost to serve you.” The Holy Tree Knight respectfully saluted by placing his hand on his chest and bowing, then closed the door, and along with the other Holy Tree Knights and Swadian Sergeants, quietly sat down again on both sides of the door.
Moreover, in the adjacent rooms, there were already hidden sentries on duty, also Holy Tree Knights and Swadian Sergeants, who glanced over, and only after confirming there was no abnormality did they return to their rooms.
Throughout the entire second floor, the Holy Tree Knights, Swadian Sergeants, and Swadian Knights who returned with Shen Mu were all residing there.
They were all top-tier troops.
In case of any incident, even if they, as Knights, were not the most formidable soldiers in ground combat, they could still rely on their armor and superior combat skills to protect Shen Mu.
Furthermore, among the 100 Swadian Sergeants already present, some had been assigned to stay here.
Approximately 30 people.
In addition, on the first floor, there were 50 burly Lake Rat Gang Destroyers, top-tier warriors comparable to Tier 6.
As soon as there was any movement, they would react to ensure Shen Mu’s safety.
After all, for all Mount & Blade Soldiers, Shen Mu’s safety was the top priority; neither buildings, towns, castles, nor even their own lives were as important as Shen Mu’s safety.
At this moment, Shen Mu drank the honey water and felt much more refreshed.
He also changed into his everyday clothes.
He got out of bed, stood by the window, and looked at the unobstructed Deherim outside, raising his eyebrows slightly, also looking towards the Holy White Council's Holy Light Torch Tower in the southeast corner of the Castle District.
“It truly lives up to its name as a special magical building; the light it emits can actually allow people to barely make out the outlines of things even at night.” Shen Mu expressed his heartfelt admiration at this moment.
Because one of the effects of the Holy Light Torch Tower itself was to provide partial visibility at night, allowing people to see approximately forty to fifty meters away.
Basically, it was similar to daytime visibility.
Although things became blurry beyond a hundred meters, being able to see that far at night was already enough for them to react to many situations.
“I can’t sleep and want to go out and take a look.” Shen Mu put down the ceramic pot in his hand, savored the sweetness of the honey water on his lips, and suddenly felt a desire to go out and see the situation outside the city walls.
Especially whether the Blue Star Humans outside the city walls and within the low wall had been attacked by Undead Monsters during this time.
After all, at night, in the Blue Star World where Mount & Blade Rules could not cover, those areas would turn into terrifying places where Undead Monsters appeared, and he had only built a low wall on the outermost perimeter.
Only half a meter high.
Although it could block some clumsy zombies or Skeleton Soldiers, if there were slightly more agile ones, or those that could coincidentally climb over, then these low walls would not be an obstacle at all.
Therefore, Shen Mu had already arranged for Bandak and Fatis, as well as Lezalit and Bestour who returned with them, to assign daily shifts for generals to lead troops in patrolling the low wall.
This was to prevent any Undead Monsters from breaking through the low wall defenses and appearing before those Blue Star Humans at night, as at present, many Blue Star Humans were still living in tents on those vast lands.
If Undead Monsters truly crossed the low wall and appeared before these Blue Star Humans, it would be extremely difficult for these Blue Star Humans, who had not even mastered the Power of Rules, to resist these Undead Monsters.
And once casualties occurred among the Blue Star Humans, it would obviously be a sign of Shen Mu’s incompetence as a lord, leading to negative evaluations among those Blue Star Humans.
If those Blue Star Humans, for this reason, did not want to continue staying in the area where Deherim was located, and did not want to continue coming to pray.
Then Shen Mu’s Faith Power would be lost.
Therefore, Shen Mu would absolutely not allow this to happen.
He checked his clothes, choosing not to wear his armor, but only taking his knight’s sword, then called out to the Holy Tree Knight who was still on duty outside, saying, “Ten Holy Tree Knights, come with me to patrol outside.”
“Understood.” Immediately, from the adjacent room, 10 Holy Tree Knights, still clad in armor and serving as hidden sentries, walked out, respectfully saluting Shen Mu and appearing ready to depart at any moment.
“Very good, then let’s go.” Shen Mu nodded, then beckoned these ten Holy Tree Knights, leading them to leave the Noble Residence, retrieve their warhorses from the stables within the wall, and then mounted their warhorses, moving towards outside the city wall.
On the streets, many Blue Star Humans sleeping on the ground heard the sound of horse hooves and curiously opened their eyes, only to find it was Shen Mu leading Holy Tree Knights leaving on the street.
Each of them was quite curious, not knowing the reason why their lord was leaving with these 10 Knights.
However, these Blue Star Humans were all quite excited, as they had already known that Shen Mu had opened up slots to become Spiritual Realm Commanders.
Every day, 10 people would be able to become Spiritual Realm Commanders.
Therefore, they were all quite excited.
Even if they were not qualified to be chosen, this was still hope; perhaps if they were incredibly lucky or had some opportunity, they could become Spiritual Realm Commanders and have human followers.
People always dream, and they always see the best in others, hoping to become that best version of themselves.
After all, as long as there is hope, there is a chance.
And Shen Mu, of course, did not care about the gazes of these Blue Star Humans, only rushing towards the west city gate.
At this time, the west city gate was not closed; at the entrance, there were 10 burly Lake Rat Gang Destroyers standing idly on duty, and above the city gate, there were 20 Swadian Light Infantry and 50 Swadian Militia standing guard.
In any situation, they could make arrangements at any time, whether it was going out to approach those humans or decisively closing the city gate, they could do it.
Furthermore, not far from the city gate, there were more night patrol teams composed of Swadian Light Infantry and Militia patrolling.
And at regular intervals along the city walls, Swadian Light Infantry and Militia were standing guard and on alert.
It could be said that while the Town Area seemed to have reduced control due to the influx of Blue Star Humans, in reality, these Mount & Blade Soldiers were even more closely monitoring the situation inside and out.
When Shen Mu and the Holy Tree Cavalry rode to the city gate, the Lake Rat Gang Destroyers all made way.
They also respectfully saluted Shen Mu with a hand over their chest and a bow.
Shen Mu, still on his warhorse, nodded to them, then gently shook the reins, riding his warhorse out of the city gate.
And when he arrived outside the city gate, he was instantly shocked by the sight before him.
At this moment, outside the city gate, it was not very dim; instead, it was a bright scene similar to the misty dawn of early morning.
He subconsciously raised his head.
“Is it because of the Holy White Council's Holy Light Torch Tower?” Shen Mu also saw the Holy Light Torch Tower at the top of the Castle District, emitting visible light that resembled ripples.
At this moment, within a 1-kilometer radius outside the low wall, the rippling light could still be seen flashing.
It just happened to dispel the distant darkness.
Therefore, outside the city walls, the Blue Star Humans who had set up tents in the wheat field and were residing there truly seemed to be bathed in extremely bright moonlight, or perhaps dawn, all sleeping peacefully, or those who couldn't sleep were chatting idly.
Enjoying a hard-won sense of security.
After all, this was the first time they had experienced such a feeling of safety, where even at night it was like daytime, dispelling the darkness and allowing them to enjoy the protection of light, whether day or night.
Therefore, upon seeing Shen Mu leading the Holy Tree Knights out, it caused quite a stir among many Blue Star Humans, and their gazes towards Shen Mu were filled with admiration, reverence, and considerable respect.
Compared to their previous awe, their current gazes towards Shen Mu were much softer.
“Lord Shen Mu.” As Shen Mu arrived outside the city walls and began advancing towards the low wall, Bestour, who was on duty tonight, also galloped quickly on his Steppe Horse.
Behind him followed 50 Steppe Bandits and 10 Steppe Bandit Elites.
At this moment, they all looked quite relaxed.
“On duty tonight, have you noticed any abnormalities?” Shen Mu inquired, which was his most pressing concern.
“None, Lord Shen Mu, not a single Undead Monster has been found near the low wall, everything is safe.” Bestour immediately replied, and even picked up his Nomadic Scimitar, jokingly saying, “This is my Nomadic Scimitar, it’s the most idle it’s been tonight, it hasn’t even had the pleasure of killing an enemy.”
Beside him, the Steppe Bandits and Steppe Bandit Elites all let out unruly laughter, and amidst their relaxed demeanor, there was also a hint of regret that no battle had occurred.
Because they truly hadn't found any Undead Monsters.
“Indeed, the effect of the Holy White Council's Holy Light Torch Tower is truly astonishing.” Shen Mu nodded at this moment.
Then, looking at the city roads outside the low wall, which also extended far into the distance, Shen Mu hesitated for a moment and asked again, “Have you gone to the west to take a look?”
“No, Lord Shen Mu.” Bestour replied, “Our orders were to patrol inside the low wall.”
“In that case, you all come with me to take a look outside.” Shen Mu hesitated for a moment, then directly pointed at Bestour and the Steppe Bandits and Steppe Bandit Elites behind him, and then glanced at the Holy Tree Knights behind him, saying, “Come with me.”
“Yes, sir!” Bestour, who was already quite keen on combat, along with the Steppe Bandits and Steppe Bandit Elites, immediately showed excited smiles.
As Shen Mu shook his reins, he crossed the low wall and headed towards the city center of Bali River Street in Long City.
They also shook their reins and followed.
Those fragile Undead Monsters were simply not taken seriously by these Steppe Bandits from the Kujit Khanate.
At this moment, if they could enjoy the thrill of combat, they would also be very happy.
After all, aimless patrolling was not what these Steppe Bandits, who were unwilling to live ordinary lives, wanted to do; they preferred plunder, slaughter, and freely and joyfully galloping on horseback, without any constraints.
