Chapter 363 - 240: Showing Goodwill

As Fang Zhen watched Count Quentin protectively hovering over the silver bars, he felt as if he were seeing the entire trajectory of countless lives.

Clearly, Count Quentin had spent his entire life chasing fame and fortune. He was driven by greed, fear, lust, jealousy, and arrogance, constantly making choices that appeared rational on the surface but were, in fact, incredibly predictable.

As long as he remained trapped in that cycle, all of Count Quentin’s actions and judgments were firmly within Fang Zhen’s grasp.

Fang Zhen sighed inwardly.

He didn’t feel superior. Instead, a profound realization washed over him: all life is suffering.

’If it weren’t for the arrival of the Dungeon Life Game, even if I understood all these principles, would I be any different?’

’One may be in the mortal world, and even if the spirit transcends the material, the body must still toil within it.’

’That’s why one must become Extraordinary, break free from these shackles, and transcend it all,’ Fang Zhen mused.

Suddenly, his mind grew exceptionally clear. It felt as if some spiritual shackle had been shattered, leaving him with a sensation of profound relief and clarity.

He was taken aback, feeling a sense of lightness wash over him, both physically and mentally.

Fang Zhen immediately realized what had happened.

His Spiritual Power had broken through.

Fang Zhen’s Spiritual Power had already reached 13 points, and he had always assumed it could only be increased by allocating free attribute points.

But it now seemed his heartfelt pursuit of the Extraordinary Realm, combined with his insight that all life is suffering, had allowed him to break through a common mental barrier. He had experienced an epiphany, a spiritual ascendance.

Fang Zhen let out a surprised laugh.

’Then again, it makes sense.’

’Stories from Zen Buddhism are full of famous monks having moments of sudden enlightenment. Great figures from all walks of life experience similar epiphanies, sometimes changing the entire course of their lives.’

’Even ordinary people have stories of suddenly grasping a profound truth, reaching a great enlightenment, and changing their destiny forever.’

’Even a minor insight can lead to spiritual growth, making a person more perspicacious and mature.’

’The spiritual realm, after all, operates differently from the material one.’

’Of course, it might have just been because my Spiritual Power was on the verge of a breakthrough anyway.’

’I wonder how many points my Spiritual Power increased by. I’ll have to check the Dungeon Life Game interface after this is all over.’

A smile touched Fang Zhen’s lips, born from the unexpected boost to his Spiritual Power. Count Quentin, however, misinterpreted it, assuming Fang Zhen had other plans for the silver bars.

"Lord Fang Zhen? What are you suggesting?" Count Quentin asked, looking rather cautious.

Fang Zhen’s focus snapped back to the present. Still in high spirits from his unexpected breakthrough, he looked at the Count with a faint smile.

"This is an internal affair for the Quentin Territory, so I won’t interfere too much. However, I believe that for things to be sustainable, everyone needs to get a piece of the pie."

"These silver bars are merely an appetizer. There will be a steady stream of benefits rolling out in the future. That will be the main course."

"What you’re really dividing isn’t just this silver, but a reasonable system of proportions that will allow you to handle the benefits I’ll be providing later."

"But the specifics of that division are up to you. Discuss it amongst yourselves and give me an answer," Fang Zhen said calmly.

Hearing this, Count Quentin’s vassals visibly warmed to Fang Zhen; their expressions said it all.

Count Quentin had wanted to keep it all for himself, but hearing Fang Zhen’s words—and knowing his vassals had been starved for far too long—he knew that wasn’t an option.

Quentin could take the lion’s share, but if he didn’t even leave them the scraps, he feared his noble vassals might just revolt.

"Very well. We will give you an answer shortly, my lord," Count Quentin said.

Fang Zhen gave a slight nod.

「Seven or eight minutes later.」

Count Quentin and his vassals had finished dividing the spoils.

Quentin himself took seventy percent of the profits, distributing the remaining thirty percent.

Each of Quentin’s vassals received a share, but the distribution was far from even or fair.

Fang Zhen noticed a particular detail. The noble he had observed earlier—the one with the long ponytail who had remained calm and seemingly unfazed by the lure of money—received the smallest share.

While Count Quentin and the others were still bickering over the final details, Fang Zhen stood up, feigning the need for a rest. He took the opportunity to call over Ottis, who was an expert on noble lineages.

"Who is that noble with the ponytail?" Fang Zhen asked.

"That’s Viscount Keton," Ottis replied in a low voice after glancing over at Quentin’s group.

"Oh?" Fang Zhen’s interest was piqued.

"Viscount Keton is something of an anomaly among the local nobility," Ottis explained in detail, seeing Fang Zhen’s interest. "He dislikes socializing and turns down most invitations to gatherings, banquets, and balls. Instead, he prefers to hone his martial skills and read books. He’s quite unique in noble circles."

"Frankly, very few nobles can stick with either martial training or reading—especially reading. Viscount Keton’s lifestyle is completely at odds with that of his peers. Many of them make sarcastic remarks behind his back, and he’s been marginalized by the entire circle of nobility. But the Viscount doesn’t seem to care."

"Viscount Keton’s domain borders two of the Balenzuo Duchy’s viscountcies, so he bears the brunt of the border friction and harassment. Yet he has managed to hold on. Not only has his territory not collapsed, but he’s also one of the few lords who has managed to maintain a relatively decent standard of living for his commoners. I have no idea how he does it."

"However, because Viscount Keton is so different, he is not only resented but also disliked by the upper nobility. Count Quentin has privately expressed his dissatisfaction with the Viscount on many occasions. This is because Viscount Keton is always blunt, pointing out the contradictions and irrational parts of the Count’s orders, which often makes Count Quentin look foolish and embarrasses him publicly."