Chapter 152: 152 Northern Wubei Territory

Chapter 152: The Northern U District

Since Ro Ning’s last departure from Wushan Castle, Lu Lans had noticed a change in his eldest grandson—and thus the idea of a marital alliance had taken root.

In the past, when Ro Ning was still idle and uneducated, such thoughts had never crossed his mind.

Now that his grandson had changed, Lu Lans, as a grandfather, was determined to carve out some space for him.

In truth, Lu Lans still did not fully trust Ro Ning; he feared that upon his death, this grandson would be the first to perish.

Ro Ning understood the old man’s concern. Though he resented others steering his path, he had no grounds to blame him.

“Enough,” Lu Lans said with a smile. “Now it’s your turn to speak.”

Ro Ning snapped back to attention. He had been lost in thought about the marriage proposal and had forgotten why he had come to see Lu Lans in the first place.

After a brief pause, he met the old man’s gaze squarely, his expression earnest: “Grandfather, I want the Sain Domain.”

Just as the sudden mention of marriage had stunned Ro Ning, his words left Lu Lans equally speechless—he had not anticipated this.

“What sudden madness is this?” Lu Lans frowned. “Did Ma Wen put you up to this?”

He knew Ro Ning had arrived with Ma Wen’s carriage. He had assumed the boy had no ambition to annex other noble lands—so he naturally suspected Ma Wen’s influence. After all, the latter had motive.

To the northwest of Mu Ma City lay the Sain Domain; to the southeast, a sliver of land bordered Osun’s territory, while Lai Sen was closely allied with Ba Lin Dun.

Should Osun or Ba Lin Dun ever turn against Mu Ma City, they could easily form a pincer movement.

“Lord Ma Wen has treated me kindly,” Ro Ning shook his head. “I bought over forty horses from him, paying only half the price.”

“But he didn’t suggest this. Grandfather—this is my own idea.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Lans’s eyes. When had his grandson grown bold enough to contemplate seizing another noble’s land?

“This idea is dangerous!” Lu Lans sat upright, his voice stern. “Even if you’ve clashed with Lai Sen among the Wild Tribes, it hasn’t reached the point of annexing his domain. And the Kingdom’s law is clear: a noble may not lose his title or lands unless he commits a grave crime. I cannot assist you in this.”

He could help Ro Ning with countless things—but to strip a noble of his lands without cause was to declare war on the entire noble class.

“Then, Grandfather,” Ro Ning smiled, “your words imply that if a noble of Wushan Domain commits a grave crime, you may strip him of his title and lands. Am I correct?”

Lu Lans’s eyes narrowed. He saw the implication—but dared not believe it.

Lai Sen of the Sain Domain was an old-line noble. What damning evidence could he possibly leave behind for a seventeen-year-old boy?

Lu Lans’s tone remained grave, as if instructing a child.

“To accuse a noble of a grave crime without proof is itself a grave crime. You may face fines, imprisonment—or even loss of your title and lands.”

Ro Ning nodded. “I know. Without sufficient evidence, I would never have raised this.”

“What evidence? Show me first.”

Ro Ning gave a cryptic smile. “Forgive me, but I must keep it secret—for now. I intend to reveal it before the assembled nobles.”

Lu Lans’s heart tightened. Ro Ning meant to play a grand game.

If the evidence was weak, it would be catastrophic.

“If you wish to avoid disaster, you must show me first,” Lu Lans insisted. The Wushan family had finally produced a promising heir—he could not risk losing him.

But Ro Ning had absolute confidence in his evidence. He had physical proof, witnesses, and even the assassin imprisoned at Shanlin Castle. What could go wrong?

And once Wei Jin Si learned of Lai Sen’s ties to the Skull Society, the man would tear Lai Sen’s skin off himself—no need to summon the Shadow Assassins. He’d condemn Lai Sen outright.

To divert the conversation, Ro Ning said: “I’d like to reveal it during the second half of your birthday banquet. You won’t mind if I disrupt such a joyful occasion, will you?”

Lu Lans knew Ro Ning would not budge. He sighed, sinking back into the sofa cushions. “It doesn’t matter. We’ve held birthday banquets many times. A little disruption adds flavor.”

He added, half-complaining, “But you—you’re keeping secrets from me now.”

It was no wonder. Wushan Castle had neglected Shanlin Town for years; it had become a forgotten corner, cut off from the world. No news ever reached him.

Otherwise, he might have guessed.

“Don’t worry, Grandfather,” Ro Ning said. “I never act without preparation.”

“If I truly bring down Lai Sen,” he pressed, “will you give me the Sain Domain?”

Lu Lans no longer dwelled on the evidence. “If your proof is sufficient to topple Lai Sen, you will have done Wushan Castle a monumental service. I will not only grant you the Sain Domain—I will give you the entire northern territory, and elevate you to Viscount of the Northern U District!”

A baron marrying a princess was still beneath dignity.

Lu Lans had long planned to raise Ro Ning’s rank and lands—but had lacked a suitable pretext.

To bestow such honors without cause, especially to a non-legal heir, would invite scandal.

At these words, Ro Ning’s eyes lit up.

He had only wanted land. He had not expected such a windfall.

A viscountcy—this was priceless.

The title itself mattered little. What truly mattered was the doubling of his monthly check-in rewards.

“The northern territory is vast. Combined with Sain Domain, I could easily pass for a count.”

Ro Ning grinned shamelessly. “Why not make me a count, Grandfather? The title would be grander.”

Wushan Domain currently held only two counts—Wei Jin Si’s was provisional.

“Pah!” Lu Lans scowled, laughing. “Your father is still only a count. You’d leap ahead of him? Where’s his face?”

“Father has thick skin—he wouldn’t care,” Ro Ning argued.

Lu Lans waved him off, torn between amusement and exasperation. “Enough. Go. You may rise to viscount without battle merit—but to become a count, you’ll need at least one.”

Ro Ning sighed. He knew he wouldn’t get the countship.

But that was only logical.

If he could secure Sain Domain, gain the viscountcy, and claim the entire north, he would be more than satisfied.

As for the countship—where would he find battle merit? Did he have to crush the Black Gold Brotherhood?

Was that the organization’s purpose—to serve as a trophy for noble knights to slay?

Ro Ning rose. “Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll take my leave.”

“Go, go!”

Once Ro Ning departed, Lu Lans sighed. “Mo Si, why has Ro Ning changed so much in these past half-years?”

“I’ve heard that after great calamity comes great fortune. Perhaps the same applies. The boy has endured too many upheavals—he has matured.”

“Perhaps,” Lu Lans murmured.

Rulance could not help but think of his eldest son. "When Gremes was seventeen or eighteen, his mind was equally meticulous. Master Ronin is quite like his uncle now, though it is a pity his strength falls so very short."

Gremes—the eternal ache in his heart.

Most offered his consolation, "My Lord, sometimes a wise ruler does not require immense strength to win the allegiance of the powerful. The same holds true for Master Ronin; after all, he already commands a follower capable of defeating a Bronze Knight!"

"Ha, you truly know how to comfort a man."