Chapter 108: Generous Lurans

Before they spoke, Ronin had assumed Bretton would try to show off in front of him, like a petty man drunk on a little power. But he was wrong.

Then, after Ronin refused his request, he thought Bretton would get angry, maybe even fly into a rage. But again, he was wrong.

So he decided to chat a little longer to figure out what this brother of his was really thinking.

After their conversation, Ronin had a completely new understanding of Bretton.

In Bretton’s eyes, Wushan Castle’s predicament was caused by two main factors:

First, Lurans’s deteriorating health. Second, Wiggin’s lack of strength.

In summary, Wushan Castle had lost the person who served as its martial pillar, leading to its unstable position.

Bretton had aspired to become a powerful warrior since he was a child. This desire became even more urgent after he once overheard some nobles in the corner of a banquet privately mocking Wiggin for his incompetence.

In his philosophy, as long as one was strong enough and their fists were hard enough, nothing was a problem.

As for things like politics, he knew very little and cared even less. Acting as a lobbyist for Sain Territory today was simply a favor for a friend from his student days.

Naturally, Ronin was only half-convinced by these words. But when he saw the calluses on Bretton’s palms, as thick as those of a veteran soldier, he suddenly felt he might have judged him too quickly.

Perhaps Bretton was just a martial arts fanatic living in his own bubble, genuinely ignorant of certain matters.

"My lord, you’re finally back."

Macken and the others, who were waiting in the small building’s living room, immediately rose to greet Ronin upon his return.

"You should all get some rest. You don’t have to worry about my safety inside Wushan Castle."

Ronin smiled. "Have you had dinner?"

"We’ve all eaten."

Macken replied, "Steward Holwart made excellent arrangements."

Wodun and George nodded emphatically.

Although they didn’t get to dine with Ronin in the main hall, even the smaller hall was an eye-opening experience for them, with its lavish food and attentive service.

They had thoroughly experienced a high-class noble’s banquet. They would have plenty to brag about when they returned to Mountain Forest Town.

"Alright, go get some rest."

Macken reminded him, "My lord, Mr. Mosite just stopped by. He brought many books, saying the Marquis had prepared them for you. They’re all on the desk in your bedroom."

When Ronin had come down from the mountain, he had mentioned to Lurans that he needed Combat Skill and Magic Books. He hadn’t expected them to be delivered so quickly.

He went to his bedroom.

The Magic Crystal Lamp illuminated the room brightly, and Ronin immediately saw the books piled up like a small mountain on his desk.

’The old man is really generous, giving me so much all at once!’

He strode to the desk and found that Mosite had thoughtfully divided the books into seven piles by Attribute: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, Lightning, Light, and Dark.

Considering his own Attributes, Ronin first checked the Wind and Fire piles.

"Fire Attribute: Intermediate, Advanced Level, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Meteor Level..."

Ronin was stunned. He hadn’t expected Lurans to provide Fire Attribute Combat Skills ranging from Intermediate all the way to Meteor Level, and there was even a copy of the *Wushan Fighting Qi Secret Scripture*.

A Fighting Qi Secret Scripture was, in essence, a special method for circulating Fighting Qi.

It was common knowledge that an Intermediate Knight needed to open their Fighting Qi Veins, transport the Fighting Qi from their Fighting Qi Spirit Seed to all parts of their body without any loss, and finally break through their Sea of Qi to reach the Advanced Level.

For an Advanced Level Knight, their cultivation mainly focused on strengthening their Sea of Qi to store more Fighting Qi.

In the later stages, Knights could use this Fighting Qi to temper their skin and flesh, increasing their resistance to damage.

When this tempering reached a certain point, fleeting Bronze patterns would form on the Knight’s skin, signifying their entry into the Bronze Level.

The Fighting Qi Secret Scripture was a cultivation method that aided this tempering process.

There were many Fighting Qi Secret Scriptures on the market. While they all served the same ultimate purpose, they varied in quality.

A good Fighting Qi Secret Scripture could increase the efficiency of the tempering process and conserve Fighting Qi consumption.

The Wushan Clan’s Fighting Qi Secret Scripture wasn’t the absolute best, but it was definitely top-tier and of excellent quality.

Of course, for Ronin, he had no need for such a thing.

All he needed to do to increase his strength was to add points. A day and night of tempering couldn’t compare to him adding a single Attribute Point to his Knight Progress.

It wouldn’t be much help to Macken and Rida either, as they had their own methods.

However, there were other Professional Knights in the territory. When they reached the Advanced Level, they would need it.

Ronin could treat the *Wushan Fighting Qi Secret Scripture* as a treasure to be bestowed upon someone loyal and reliable.

’The old man is very thoughtful!’

Ronin put down the Fighting Qi Secret Scripture and began to examine the Wind Attribute Combat Skill and Magic Books.

「...」

「Meanwhile, in another building, Bretton, having parted ways with Ronin, returned to the living room and sat on the sofa.」

His mother, Dianey, was reading a book. Seeing her son return, she asked, "How did it go? Did Ronin agree?"

She clearly knew why Bretton had gone to see Ronin.

"No, Mother, he didn’t agree."

Bretton replied, "Ronin wants to manage those lands himself."

Dianey furrowed her delicate brows and closed her book. "Him? How can he manage them with just the handful of people from Mountain Forest Town?"

"I think Brother Ronin can do it," Bretton objected. "He’s very confident."

"Oh, heavens, Bretton, have you gone mad?"

Dianey was shocked by her son’s words.

"How can you believe that nonsense from Ronin? Don’t you know what kind of person he is? Leaving those lands in his hands is an absolute waste—they won’t have any value at all!"

In front of outsiders, Dianey would never disparage Ronin or anyone else so directly, but when facing her son, she was always blunt.

Bretton frowned, confused. "Ronin has changed, hasn’t he? He even conquered Wilderness Tribes!"

"Those few Wilderness Tribes? I could conquer them by just taking a column of Infantry from the Knight Squad. What does that prove?"

Dianey shook her head helplessly, her eyes filled with disappointment.

"I thought there would be no problem entrusting this matter to you, but not only did you fail, you’re even speaking up for Ronin. It seems your grandfather was right. You’re only good at cultivation; you have no talent for politics or negotiation."

Bretton lowered his head and didn’t retort. He felt his mother was right.

Dianey sighed. "How many times have I told you? The land in the north of Wushan Territory must be controlled by our people. That’s the only way to keep those ill-intentioned nobles over there in check!"

Bretton was puzzled. "Isn’t Brother Ronin one of our people?"

"He is your competitor!"

Dianey said in a low, furious voice, "He has never been one of us. Why don’t you understand? Huh?"

Bretton shook his head. He felt the issue was too profound for him to comprehend.

From his perspective, he had already secured the inheritance, and Ronin had even promised to help him restore the family’s glory. They were just laughing and talking a moment ago. How had Ronin suddenly become ’not one of them’?

"Mother, when you say ’us,’ who exactly are you referring to?"

Bretton’s voice was weary. "Ronin and I are brothers. We both belong to the Wushan Clan. We..."

"Enough!"

Dianey snapped, "I don’t want to hear those words from your mouth again!"

She looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Remember, Bretton, no one will support you forever—except for me, and except for the Hyde Clan!"

"No one else. You can’t trust anyone else!"

After a long moment, she reined in her anger and said in a heavy tone, "Child, there are some things you don’t understand. When you’re a little older, you’ll know that everything I do is for your own good."

Bretton looked at his mother with a complicated expression. In the end, his defiance softened. "Alright, I understand..."