Chapter 288 - 287: Showdown

"Ronin is here?"

In the courtyard, Wiggin, who was sitting in his wheelchair, brightened up when he heard Holwart’s report.

"That kid. He didn’t even say a word when he got home. Quick, go tell him to come see me."

The great victory on the southwestern front meant that Wiggin’s share of the iron mine was back in his hands. He couldn’t have been happier these past few days.

"My lord, Young Master Ronin is currently in the rear courtyard discussing matters with the Marquis. I’m afraid he isn’t available at the moment."

"That’s fine. Just let him know. Have him come over when he’s finished."

Dianey, who was humming a little tune to herself as she bent over to tend to the flowers, glanced at her husband. "Are you still planning to ask Ronin for a share of the Chishan Iron Mine?"

"Of course. That’s what we agreed on before," Wiggin said as if it were a matter of fact.

Dianey went back to watering the plants. "Things are different now. Back then, Coren hadn’t betrayed us, and it seemed like Ronin was just going through the motions. But in reality, Ronin played a key role in winning the war. It’s not really appropriate for you to ask for a thirty percent share of the Chishan Iron Mine now."

Wiggin frowned, looking at his wife as if she were a stranger.

"You’ve changed. Now you’re even taking Ronin’s side."

Dianey stood up, carried the watering can to one side, and said very naturally, "It’s just as everyone is saying. Ronin is the hope of the Wushan Clan, and he truly is exceptional."

"That’s true. I never expected him to reach such heights."

Wiggin agreed, unable to deny it. "But I won’t give up my share of the iron mine. At worst, I’ll just ask for a little less."

After Ronin left Lurans, he received an invitation from Holwart, telling him to go and pay his respects to his father, Wiggin.

He knew, of course, what they would talk about when they met.

However, since Lurans had already decided to grant him both Chishan Town and Giant Stone City as his fiefs, the ownership of the Chishan Iron Mine naturally belonged to him alone.

There was no need to discuss splitting the shares with Wiggin anymore.

’But if I just tell him that, I wonder how he’ll react?’

So, Ronin used the excuse that he would eat lunch with Lurans first, delaying the meeting.

"Brother, how did you manage your Cultivation? How did you become a Silver Knight?"

Bretton ran over, pestering him with questions in disbelief.

He had been utterly shocked when he read the news in the letter.

The last time they met, Bretton had felt that his brother’s back was a distant, unreachable sight. Now, he felt he had no hope of catching up.

"A firm resolve, continuous effort, and an unshakeable will. I relied on those things to progress so quickly."

Ronin patted Bretton’s shoulder and said earnestly, "Keep it up, Bretton. As long as you do the same, you’ll definitely make great progress too."

Bretton’s eyes sparkled with admiration. "I’ll definitely learn from you!"

As the two were talking, Mosite returned with Erin.

Erin had changed into a sky-blue Mage’s Robe, its style somewhat resembling a cinched-waist formal dress.

Erin lifted the hem of the robe and gave it a little swing. "Mosite said this dress costs several hundred Gold Coins. It’s too valuable. Is it really appropriate for me to accept it?"

Although she couldn’t bear to part with it, she knew how expensive Magic Dresses were and was hesitant to accept.

Ronin’s eyes lit up.

’The clothes really do make the woman. That saying is true after all.’

After putting on the Mage’s Robe, Erin’s entire aura seemed to rise to another level.

"Since it’s a greeting gift from the Marquis, you can wear it with peace of mind."

Ronin was very pleased with the overall effect. "Butler Mosite, is there anything special about this outfit?"

"Young Master Ronin, it’s said that this dress can activate the ’Light Body Skill’ magic."

Erin nodded. "I tried it. After activating the bead on the chest with my Magic Power, my body becomes much lighter, and my movements are a lot quicker."

Ronin stepped forward, touching the bead to feel it out. "There is indeed a fluctuation of the Wind Element inside."

In battle, wearing such a Mage’s Robe would certainly provide many benefits.

"I wonder who made this Mage’s Robe?"

’Magic Clothing... that’s a pretty good business to be in.’

Mosite shook his head. "I only know that it was a gift from Viscount Dennis of Sharp Horn City. I do not know who made it."

As the three were discussing the robe, Bretton walked up and asked, a little hesitant and a little curious, "Is this... my sister-in-law?"

Erk.

The question stunned all three of them for a moment. Then Erin’s face turned beet red, and Ronin rapped Bretton on the head.

Mosite bowed and explained, "Young Master Bretton, you’ve misunderstood. This is Miss Erin, an Intermediate Mage from the Wubei Territory. She’s the same age as you."

A look of astonishment flashed in Bretton’s eyes, and he felt a sudden, inexplicable pressure.

’It’s one thing that I can’t catch up to my brother’s strength,’ he thought. ’But now it feels like even his followers can surpass me.’

’This won’t do!’

If Ronin knew what Bretton was thinking, he could only sigh at how a cultivation prodigy’s perspective truly differed from that of an ordinary person.

The group chatted for a while longer before having lunch with Lurans.

After asking Mosite to get Erin settled, Ronin went to Wiggin’s courtyard.

"Greetings, Father." Ronin bowed politely.

Wiggin grunted. He was a little resentful. He had sent for Ronin so long ago, yet the boy had dragged it out until the afternoon to finally show up.

"Sit, Ronin. Your performance this time has astounded us all. The family will be proud of you!"

"Thank you for your praise. It was my duty."

As he spoke, Ronin sat down in a nearby chair, picked up the cold fruit juice a servant had prepared, and took a sip. It was very refreshing.

"After this victory, I will request that your grandfather make Chishan Town your fief."

Lurans obviously hadn’t told Wiggin about his decision, which was why his father was saying this.

"Thank you for the thought, Father, but Grandfather already told me this morning. He is going to grant me Chishan Town."

Ronin paused. "In addition to Chishan Town, he’s also giving me the Hansen Clan’s Giant Stone Territory."

"What?"

Wiggin was stunned, clearly not expecting such a response from Ronin.

He unconsciously gripped the armrests of his chair and sat up straight. "Then, Ronin... what we discussed before."

Ronin thought for a moment and decided not to beat around the bush, but to tell the truth:

"Father, when we spoke before, the deal was for you to help me obtain the management rights to Chishan Town. But now, Grandfather has directly granted Chishan Town to me as my territory. That means I have sole ownership of the Chishan Iron Mine."

He spread his hands. "You didn’t provide me with any help, Father. So, it’s very difficult for me to agree to you getting a share of the Chishan Iron Mine."

BANG!

Furious, Wiggin crushed the armrest of his chair.

He had been prepared to haggle with Ronin, but he never expected the boy to shut him down with a single sentence, leaving no room for negotiation.

Perhaps it was a fit of rage brought on by his avarice, but Wiggin grabbed a splintered piece of wood, imbued it with Fighting Qi, and hurled it at Ronin, demanding furiously, "What did you say?"

Ronin didn’t move. Just as the piece of wood was about to hit him, he unleashed a burst of Fighting Qi, condensing it into a partial suit of Armor in front of him.

CLACK. The wood struck the Fighting Qi Armor, ricocheted back, and stabbed into the lawn by Wiggin’s feet.

"You!"

In that instant, Wiggin was jolted back to his senses.

He had forgotten. The Ronin of today was not the Ronin of the past; he was no longer someone Wiggin could casually berate and strike.

A Silver Knight. Even if his leg wasn’t broken, he wouldn’t be able to take a single blow from Ronin, let alone now with his limited mobility.

If Ronin had adjusted the angle just now, that piece of wood could have easily pierced his only good leg.

Hearing the noise, Dianey immediately came out of the house. The moment she saw the scene, she could guess what had happened.

"We’re all family. We can talk things over."

She walked over and advised, "There’s no need to get so angry."

"You’re right."

Ronin dissipated his Fighting Qi barrier, a smile on his face. "There’s a saying: ’Impulse is a demon.’ After experiencing such great ups and downs in life, you still haven’t broken this habit, Father. That’s not a good thing."

Wiggin snorted coldly and showed no more signs of aggression, but his expression was so dark it looked like he was about to cry.

Dianey could hear the accusation in Ronin’s tone, but could only say helplessly:

"His temper has mellowed a bit since he lost his leg. But it’s a habit he’s had for most of his life. It’s difficult to get rid of it completely."

Wiggin couldn’t help but glare at Dianey before reminding Ronin in a harsh tone, "Ronin, watch your attitude. No matter what, I am still your father!"

"I have never forgotten that."

Ronin reminded him back, "But you also need to understand that I am not *just* your son."