Chapter 167 - 166: Good Big Brother

The conversation between Ronin and Lurans lasted a long time.

Aside from matters concerning the Sain Territory, the latter part of their talk consisted mostly of Lurans imparting his cultivation experience to Ronin.

For example, when a Bronze Knight tempers their internal organs with Fighting Qi, they can supplement their training with external blows.

He also mentioned that after each cultivation session, one could purchase potions from the Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce for a medicinal bath to strengthen their body.

Ronin was surprised to learn that this Otherworld also had the concept of medicinal baths. It was the first time he had ever heard of it.

’Good thing I have the Attribute Panel,’ he thought. ’Otherwise, that would be another expense to worry about.’

As night deepened and midnight passed, Ronin opened the monthly sign-in screen and claimed the Heartwarming Gift Box.

This was the fifth month-end Heartwarming Gift Box he had claimed since arriving in this world. As the box opened, his Attribute Points and Energy Essence increased significantly.

[Sign-in successful. Attribute Points +40, Energy Essence +40]

Ronin allocated all the Attribute Points he received to his Knight Level. An invisible energy strengthened his internal organs, and his physique improved by leaps and bounds.

[Level]: 4 - Bronze Knight (93/800); 4 - Great Mage (0/1200)

[Attribute Points]: 0

[Energy Essence]: 451

He chose to raise his Knight Level first this time. After two assassination attempts, he understood that some fights erupted too suddenly. A higher Knight Level would give him an advantage when dealing with unexpected situations.

Besides, his future combat style would primarily rely on his abilities as a Knight and his Fighting Qi, so it was only logical to prioritize his Knight Level.

’If I can successfully obtain the Viscount title this time, then I’ll get 278 Attribute Points every month. At that rate, it will take me seven months to break through to the Silver Level just from natural growth.’

Seven months felt like a long time, but it was also short. After all, Ronin had already been living here for five months, and the time had flown by.

The night passed uneventfully. When the sun rose again, it was the last day of the year 968 in the Imperial Calendar.

The nobles gathered in Wushan Castle were still mingling and chatting in small groups.

The servants were still bustling about, preparing for the evening’s banquet.

The First Knight Order of Wushan Castle tensely handled the castle’s security.

Ronin woke early to stretch. After a full night’s rest, he was completely recovered. Moreover, thanks to the increase in his power yesterday, his overall vitality and spirit had reached a new level.

As he was enjoying breakfast, his first visitor of the day arrived at his small courtyard.

"Brother, so much happened last night. I didn’t get a chance to come see you."

Bretton walked over to Ronin’s table and sat down, asking with a mixture of excitement and concern, "I heard your Spirit was injured. How are you recovering?"

Ronin took a bite of cake and drank some milk. He hadn’t expected his first visitor of the day to be this newfound little brother of his.

"It was nothing serious. I’m completely recovered now."

Ronin smiled. "Today must be busy as well. How did you find the time to come see me?"

"I wanted to come and see you!"

Bretton leaned in closer and asked in disbelief, "Her Highness Princess said you’re an Advanced Level Knight. Is that true?"

For now, only Lurans knew that Ronin was a Bronze Knight. And after their conversation last night, Ronin had decided to be as vague as possible about his true strength in the future.

Therefore, as far as the outside world was concerned, he was still just an Advanced Level Knight.

"It’s true."

Ronin smiled and opened his palm. Instantly, Fighting Qi enveloped it like a silken glove, forming Fighting Qi Armor.

Bretton’s eyes widened. "Whoa, it’s real! I couldn’t believe it last night!"

He stood up, pacing back and forth in his excitement. "Brother, you’re an Advanced Level Knight at seventeen! That’s incredible! Absolutely incredible!"

"You’re not bad yourself."

Ronin offered some encouragement. "By the time you’re my age, you might even reach the Bronze Level."

But Bretton shook his head. Unlike Ronin, he had received a more formal education and knew just how difficult it was to become a Bronze Knight.

"I’d be more than satisfied just to have your level of strength when I’m seventeen."

Bretton was simple, but his background was complex. That was Lurans’s assessment of him.

This thought sparked an idea in Ronin’s mind, and he said, "Whether you reach the Bronze Level or not, you and I are destined to surpass our father and become the pillars of the Wushan Clan."

He pointed to the adjacent chair, adopting the authoritative air of an older brother. "Sit down, Bretton. There’s something I want to talk to you about."

Sensing Ronin’s seriousness, Bretton obediently walked over and sat down. "Go ahead, Brother. I’m listening."

"I know that now that my strength has been revealed, many people will be whispering rumors and gossip in your ear."

"For example, that my sudden rise to power threatens your right to inherit the Marquis’s title. Some might even say I’ll kill you to usurp it."

It was like a scene from the past; these were the same kinds of things Bretton had said when he first approached Ronin.

"But just as you once told me, we are both of the Wushan Family. We have the same silver hair and black eyes. We are brothers. I would never move against you."

He paused for a moment before continuing, "Our rise and our strength are all for the sake of making the Wushan Clan stronger. That’s your wish, too."

A flicker of emotion crossed Bretton’s eyes, and he seemed touched by Ronin’s sincere words.

He broke into a wide grin. "You’re right, Brother. That is my wish!"

"I used to think I was the better choice because you weren’t strong enough. But it’s different now. You’re more talented than me when it comes to cultivation. In fact, I think the inheritance should go back to you. I’d be happy to just support you, like I was supposed to before!"

’Just as I thought. Bretton doesn’t have a complicated mind; he simply believes whoever is stronger is the better fit.’

’A person like that is easy to get along with, but also easily manipulated.’

’Still, if I can win his sincere loyalty, I’ll gain an exceptionally powerful and devoted subordinate for the future.’

’Bretton’s talent is likely on par with Ridder’s. And crucially, he has the drive to become one of the strong.’

What Ronin needed to do was eliminate any possibility of them becoming enemies. He had to ensure that when Bretton grew older and more mature, he wouldn’t be manipulated by those with ulterior motives.

"No, I don’t need it."

Ronin smiled. "You will still be the one to become the Marquis of Wushan Territory in the future."

’Lurans is still around, and Wiggin is still alive and well. It will be ages before it’s the third generation’s turn to inherit the Marquis title.’

’By then, what heights will I and my subordinates have reached?’

"You don’t want it?"

Bretton was stunned by his words. Ever since last night, Dianey had been insisting that Ronin would try to seize power from him, making their relationship sound incredibly precarious.

He was secretly relieved he had come to talk with Ronin this morning. Otherwise, he might have actually been misled.

"Bretton, sometimes you need to broaden your horizons."

Ronin made an expanding gesture with his hands. "If you get bogged down by a single issue, that same issue will often become the very thing that holds you back."

"Take a Knight’s Swordsmanship, for instance. Once your skill reaches a certain level, stubbornly sticking to one particular stance or Sword Technique will often prevent you from breaking through."

"At that point, what you need to do is elevate your perspective. Look at your Swordsmanship as a whole, examining and understanding it from multiple angles."

He was saying all this mainly to build up his image as a good older brother in Bretton’s mind.

The example itself was valid, of course, but it sounded a bit like he was just spouting platitudes. Whether Bretton could grasp any real meaning from it would depend entirely on his own ability to comprehend.

Bretton’s eyes lit up. He felt his brother was imparting some extraordinary wisdom to him, and he listened with rapt attention.

"Brother, your words have given me a lot to think about. I think I understand!"

Ronin cleared his throat and changed the subject. "Did you bring your sword?"

Bretton shot to his feet, excited. He knew Ronin was about to test him. "I’ll go get it right now."

"No need."

Ronin stood and walked out into the courtyard. "Tom, give Bretton your sword. I’m going to give him a few pointers on his Swordsmanship."