Mushroom Lord in the Underground City

Chapter 552 - 542: Fungus Castle’s City Defense Material Sources

Belial is the leader of a crack spy squad under Mofulei.

At this moment, he is hidden in the lee of a deserted hill far from High Castle Fortress, observing the converted military fortress using the "Far Sight Technique."

In the past, High Castle Fortress strengthened the defense on its northern side to resist the Empire, whereas the southern side was comparatively weaker in defense.

Once Duke Sigmund occupied the place, his first priority was naturally to heavily fortify the southern walls, inscribing various defense magic arrays and erecting magic towers one by one.

Moreover, three camps were newly established in a horn-like distribution on the periphery of the fortress, clearly expanding the actual control range, managing this strategic location like a steel barrel.

However, Sigmund’s specific modifications to the city defenses were not the focus of his visit. He appeared here solely for surveillance.

According to reports from his subordinates infiltrated within the fortress, a batch of marked materials is about to be transported from the south gate.

This batch of materials is neither the substance for constructing defensive magic arrays nor ordinary military supplies. It shouldn’t be in the southern area of High Castle Fortress; its nature is extremely suspicious.

Belial even slightly suspects whether Sigmund is secretly conducting business with human factions?

However, just a batch of material movements does not explain anything. Lord Mofulei requires substantial evidence to strike at Sigmund effectively, which is why he is here.

As the sun set and the afterglow dyed the city walls in dark gold, three carriages without any family insignia, covered with heavy tarpaulins, departed from the south gate of the fortress, perfectly matching the description in the intelligence.

Leading the way was even a registered Blood Knight, although he wasn’t wearing the knight armor, obviously not wanting to draw attention.

The carriage veered directly into the dense forest to the east.

Belial did not follow immediately; the risk of exposure in doing so was too high.

In the dense forest, there’s only one road suitable for carriages. He plans to wait near the exit.

This time, he’s acting alone, without bringing any squad members. In such missions requiring extreme covert tracking, the number of people is not an asset and can become a burden instead.

In terms of stealth, tracking, and concealment skills, he confidently surpasses those subordinates.

Their value lies in weaving intelligence networks and fixed-point surveillance, collecting clues, while the final confirmation and tracking are personally handled by him.

His caution is necessary because a spy squad has already disappeared before them.

However, he did not find the convoy at the forest exit, given their speed, they should have emerged already.

Unless... the unloading site is within the forest?

This is perplexing, even if they were trading with someone, the other party should take the goods away!

If not exiting through this road, are they perhaps doubling back and brazenly passing outside High Castle Fortress?

Thinking this, he took off his shoes, silencing his footsteps.

He also sprinkled anti-magic powder and deodorizing powder on himself.

Only then did he sneak into the forest.

The forest was not dark, the glowing mushrooms dotted here and there illuminated the forest’s outlines for travelers.

The fungal mat serves as the supply line for Puki, a fact the Empire already knows, and has been cleaning up the fungal mats near the borders after the war.

However, open areas are manageable, but terrain like forests is hard to clear completely unless the entire forest is burned down.

Thus, this is one of the few areas near High Castle Fortress where mushrooms still grow.

After some time searching, he finally found the carriage that had just completed unloading.

The goods were piled beside the road, as the Demon Race transporting them loaded crates onto the carriage.

This scene excited Belial, feeling he was close to uncovering Sigmund’s hidden secret.

Yet it also made him more cautious, carefully hiding in the darkness.

Although far away, Belial’s keen hearing allowed him to catch their conversation.

"This is the last crate."

"Really, after so many trips, yet we still don’t know who the other party is."

"Do you want a long life? Don’t be curious about irrelevant things, isn’t getting a jar per trip enough?"

"Indeed... hehehe..."

"Quiet, you all!"

With the Blood Knight’s rebuke, no sounds emerged from the team, silently turning the convoy back.

Belial did not continue following the convoy but instead kept his eyes on the batch of goods from a distance.

He needed to confirm Sigmund’s trading partner!

Soon, there was activity from that side.

Pop—pop—

One by one, hollow Cow and Horse Puki emerged from the holes, each swallowing a packaged item, then turning back into the hole.

"Puki?"

Belial looked around, trying to find the Puki Master.

He couldn’t see the Puki Master but discovered an unexpected thing instead.

A long strip of white, tattered cloth-bag-like object quietly lay on the fungal mat.

Understanding the surroundings is a basic skill for advanced spies; Belial distinctly remembered there was nothing in that spot before!

This made him shudder, even though he didn’t know what it was or hadn’t seen the real trade partner.

Belial felt he couldn’t stay any longer, immediately wanting to retreat.

"You’ve watched for so long; don’t you want to know more?" The white cloth moved, emitting a sticky and disgusting echo that sent chills down Belial’s spine, "Like how that delicious ’wine’ is produced?"

Run!

"Yes, that’s right! Run away! Run out of the forest and you’re safe! Hee hee hee!"

...

As the convoy exited the forest’s edge, the leading Blood Knight suddenly pulled the reins.

He turned his head, looking back at the fluorescent-dotted forest behind him.

A breeze dragged across, causing the leaves between the forest to rustle.

"Master, what’s wrong?" asked the half-blood retainer following closely.

The Blood Knight remained silent for a moment, his gaze slowly retracting from among the forest shadows beneath his visor, "No, it’s nothing, probably just the wind."

...

Leaning on the Empire is good; they never lack for supplies.

In terms of vastness and wealth, the Kingdom is far behind the Empire, occupying the most fertile regions.

The Fungus Castle’s defenses are built to the highest standards, without these rare materials from the Empire, Lin Jun would find it challenging to obtain them from elsewhere.

That’s also why Lin Jun engages in the "wine" business with Xiao Xi.

Unfortunately, it’s a thirty-seven split, Lin Jun only takes seventy percent.

Obviously, these spies were resolved by himself, putting in so much effort, only to earn this little, Lin Jun felt he lost out.

But being acquainted with Xiao Xi for several months, considering they’re life-and-death companions, Lin Jun accepted the minor loss.

The captured spies can also fill the talent pool, forming a cycle of beneficial growth.

Putting them into the tunnel is kind of hassle; Lin Jun plans to learn the Puki Transformation Technique soon, so even if they come out of the tunnel, others would just see Puukis frolicking together.

Taking out the city defense material list, Lin Jun scanned the inventory, ticking off item after item until reaching the last.

Mermaid’s Tears? Siphon Bug Crystals?

Things from the sea...

Can Fishman Tears be used?

Lin Jun recalled the seventh floor’s oceanic rift, wondering how that group of Fishmen was doing now?