Chapter 165: 165 Candor

Chapter 165. Honesty

A cultivation prodigy of pure Wu Mountain bloodline was of immense importance to Rulans.

So, after finishing his primary duties, he came directly to Luo Ning’s side to ask in person.

For Luo Ning, he knew that if his true strength were revealed, it would draw the attention of everyone—especially Rulans.

Yet, how to explain his power had long been his greatest dilemma.

The only thing that eased his mind was that the one asking was Rulans—someone who would never harbor the thought that “a towering tree invites the wind’s wrath.”

“Grandfather, just a few days ago, my strength was still at the peak of the Advanced Rank.”

Luo Ning hesitated, then spoke the truth: “But now, I am a true Bronze-Rank Knight.”

As he spoke, he activated his battle aura.

Rulans felt it with a mere flicker of perception—this aura was thicker, denser than that of any ordinary Advanced Knight. It was unmistakably Bronze-Rank.

“Excellent!”

He gripped his cane tightly, lifting it slightly before letting it drop again.

Overcome by emotion, he lost control of his strength—the cane slammed hard against the floor, wood groaning under the impact.

“Excellent! Excellent!”

Rulans could no longer contain his joy—he burst into loud, booming laughter.

“After thirty years of silence, the Wu Mountain clan may finally rise again!”

His face glowed, shedding all traces of weariness and illness. “Luo Ning, in you, I see the shadow of your uncle, Greymes!”

Rulans paused, then added: “But you, my boy, are even greater than he was.”

Luo Ning had underestimated the shock and joy his strength had stirred in the old man.

“Thank you for your praise, Grandfather.”

Luo Ning smiled. “In truth, had it not been for Princess Branqi’s assassination attempt, I would not have revealed my strength so soon. The Wu Mountain domain still feels unstable.”

Rulans took two deep breaths, steadying his trembling emotions.

“You’re right. Within our domain, vassals plot treachery; beyond our borders, powerful enemies circle. It is indeed unstable.”

His tone carried the weight of deep familiarity—and quiet despair.

“But had you shown your talent earlier—even just hinted at it to me—I would never have sent you to Forest Town.”

“Forest Town isn’t so bad.”

Luo Ning countered. “Becoming Baron of Forest Town kept me out of public view for nearly half a year. Otherwise, I might have suffered the same fate as Father.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want to lose a leg like Father… or an arm like Baron Germain.”

Rulans fell silent.

He finally understood why Luo Ning had hidden his strength—why he had willingly exiled himself to Forest Town. All for safety before strength.

“You are wiser than I imagined.”

Rulans’s gaze flickered, as if haunted by memories long buried. “Long ago, had Greymes not been so brilliant, so conspicuous… perhaps he would not have been betrayed.”

Thirty years prior, twenty-four-year-old Greymes had fought with the strength of a peak Bronze-Rank Knight.

Many believed that within a few years, Wu Mountain would produce a knight stronger than Rulans himself—perhaps even a Silver Moon or Sun Radiance.

To any kingdom or great lord, low-rank knights meant little. But high-rank knights—especially those above Starflow level—were forces no one dared ignore.

A Silver Moon knight? They were called “ten thousand to one.”

One such knight equaled an entire army. Unless matched by another peerless transcendent, such a being was nearly impossible to defeat.

Greymes’s brilliance had terrified nobles who wished Wu Mountain no good.

That betrayal… may well have been born from that fear.

Rulans did not press further—when exactly Luo Ning had awakened his battle seed, or when he had ascended to Advanced Rank.

They were irrelevant. What mattered now: his grandson was Bronze-Rank.

“What are your plans next?”

Rulans changed the subject. “I’ve noticed Branqi’s attitude toward you is quite favorable. Perhaps this marriage alliance will succeed.”

“Then the King may bestow honors upon you. You could seize the chance to pledge loyalty to King Brunno, become a noble of the kingdom, and perhaps gain a larger domain.”

Though both were titled barons, the barons of Wu Mountain and those of the Auduin Kingdom served different lords.

“Does becoming the King’s vassal mean I must abandon Forest Town?” Luo Ning asked.

Rulans nodded. “Naturally.”

Luo Ning had come to regard Forest Town as his second home. He had discovered silkworms and kaolin there. How could he abandon it?

Besides, lands granted by the King carried too many uncertainties.

If assigned to a more chaotic region, it would be worse than the quiet stability of northern Wu Mountain.

“Then I’d rather remain loyal to you, Grandfather,” Luo Ning smiled.

“Of course you may!”

Rulans chuckled. “Beyond Forest Town, the only other domain in northern Wu Mountain is Sain. I shall grant you both. More than enough to build upon.”

At that, he recalled Luo Ning’s earlier words about Sain.

“What leverage do you hold over Raisen? Are you certain you can bring him down?”

After this incident, Rulans trusted Luo Ning more than ever. Yet he asked out of curiosity.

He sensed there were still secrets he did not know.

Luo Ning fell into thought. Rulans waited, silent.

At last, Luo Ning spoke:

“Grandfather… do you think this assassination attempt is connected to the Skull Society that killed Father?”

Rulans shook his head. “I’ve heard Toru’s report. There is no evidence linking it to the Skull Society. In truth, this investigation may yield nothing.”

“If we ultimately pin the blame on the arena’s inspectors, it will only make Wu Mountain Castle look incompetent.”

Luo Ning said: “We need a stronger scapegoat.”

“A scapegoat?”

“Someone to take the blame.”

Rulans understood—this new term painted a vivid picture. “You want Raisen of Sain to be that scapegoat?”

Luo Ning nodded.

“On the seventh of this month, I was attacked by the Skull Society in Forest Town. But the assassin knew too little—he failed, and I captured him alive.”

He reached into his robe and pulled out the testimony given by Shadow, handing it to Rulans.

Rulans’s eyes blazed with fury toward the Skull Society.

He had not realized they had not only struck at his son—but now at his grandson too.

They meant to erase his bloodline entirely.

When he read the contents of the letter, his fury intensified.

“The Sain family has served the Ushan house for two or three generations—yet Raison would commit such treachery!”

Rulans returned the testimony to Ronin. “Where is the assassin? Have you brought him?”

“No, I’m still holding him at Mountain Keep.”

Ronin refolded the testimony and put it away. “But I’ve brought another witness—he can likewise prove that Raison sought to kill me, and acted upon it.”

“Oh? Who is it?”

Ronin glanced toward the door. “Tom, come in.”

(End of Chapter)