Chapter 413: New Enclave

After Black Python City was seized, the task of taking control fell to the three knights’ captains—Meilongnika, Kabir, and Sandro.

Other noble houses also lent their knight squads to help root out suspicious figures, for the threat of Mephisto still loomed.

Rulans and his grandson Luoning strolled through the castle grounds, discussing how war merits would be distributed once the conflict ended.

Looking back, the war had not lasted long, and the toll was far less than anticipated.

The assisting nobles had suffered losses, but not heavily.

And it was clear that the main force had come from Wushan Fortress’s three knightly orders—the victory hinged largely on the deeds of Luoning and others.

Thus, Rulans decided to reward the allied nobles with money or resources, while the members of the three knightly orders deserved special recognition.

Only Kabir would be granted a title for now—Sandor was already a viscount, and Meilongnika had only recently become a baron.

Though they wouldn’t be elevated in rank, Rulans would slightly expand their domains.

For Meilongnika, for instance, some territories near Wushan Town from the Haidi County could be carved out and given to him.

Besides the captains, he would select several outstanding knights from the orders to be honored as honorary knights—a distinction many aspired to.

As for Luoning, special treatment was inevitable. After all, wasn’t he the grandson Rulans had set his hopes upon?

“Your Wubei Territory is already vast. You also hold Jushi City and Chishan Town, and An’xian City is guarded by your own knights. If I were to give you Haidi County as well, it’d seem rather excessive.”

Luoning smiled wryly. Indeed, it would be too much. At this rate, his lands would cover nearly a third of Wushan Domain—larger even than the territories directly ruled by Wushan Fortress.

“Though I won’t grant you a county, I will still give you a piece of land.”

Luoning blinked. “If you’re truly giving me land, which one?”

Rulans said, “Zilei Territory. Its former lord was ‘Taine Zilei’—you may know the name. He was Barlington’s father-in-law.”

Luoning nodded. Both Taine and Barlington had died on the battlefield outside Cui’can City. The land should have passed to his son.

But Osen had committed grave crimes and thus lost his domain; naturally, his vassals would lose theirs too.

“Haidi County isn’t just the third-largest grain producer in Wushan Domain—it rivals Muma City in horse supply. Though most horses are under the Hai family’s control, the Zilei estate, being the only viscountcy under Osen, still holds considerable livestock and grain.”

Luoning’s eyes lit up.

Horses were strategic assets. He would need many when forming knight squads and orders.

He could afford to buy them now, yes—but nothing beat self-sufficiency.

“Beyond grain and horses, Zilei has a large population. Not quite a hundred thousand, but around seventy or eighty thousand, I believe. And since the war was distant from Zilei, aside from the troops Taine sent out, there should be no other losses.”

Grain, horses, people—three vital resources Luoning needed. Giving him Zilei Territory was clearly a decision made with deep consideration.

Even though the old man had recovered, his favoritism toward Luoning remained unchanged.

Luoning said sincerely, “Grandfather, you’re truly wonderful!”

“Hahahaha—”

Rulans stroked his beard and laughed heartily. “I haven’t finished speaking yet. Don’t rejoice too soon.”

“Uh?”

Luoning scratched his head. “What else is there?”

“The location of Zilei Territory isn’t ideal.”

Rulans stepped aside, picked up a stick, and began sketching on the ground. “Its left side faces the county, its right backs against the Black Pine Mountains—just like Wushan Range, this mountain chain separates Wushan Domain from the Duchy of Vila.”

With the stick, he drew a simple diagonal line for the mountains, then circled the southernmost tip.

“It lies at the base of the range. A southern road leads straight into the Duchy of Vila.”

Luoning understood now.

He’d thought the “poor location” referred to the Black Pine Mountains—but that didn’t worry him.

It was the last sentence that revealed the true issue:

the neighbor—Duchy of Vila.

When Osen ruled, he had ties with Andreya; relations were peaceful. Taine had no reason to fear Vila.

But now, things were different. The feud between the Wushan and Vila families ran deep.

“So… if I become lord of Zilei, Vila might attack me?”

Rulans shook his head. “They won’t invade openly. But expect underhanded moves—bandits raiding the border, as they’ve done these past years.”

“I see.”

Luoning stroked his chin in thought. Who should he send to Zilei—Ridal or Macken?

Since it was his own land, the guard must be his own men.

Though he commanded the Fifth Knightly Order, he couldn’t misuse public forces for private gain.

If he transferred Ridal, the order would still have to remain at An’xian City.

“Jushi Territory is deep inland, safe enough. Jeffery is already forming a knight squad—best to leave it to him.”

After careful thought, Luoning decided on Macken.

Macken was now a mid-level Silver Moon knight—among the elite. More than capable of defending Zilei.

“What? Are you afraid to take it?” Rulans asked with a smile.

Luoning snapped back. “Ha! Grandfather, you jest. As long as you dare to give, I dare to take. I’ll never complain about a small domain!”

“Bold words indeed!”

Rulans chuckled, feigning scolding. “But you’ve the strength to back them.”

Across all Wushan Domain, only in Luoning’s hands would Zilei be secure—only then would the border chaos subside.

“You have too few knights under your command,” he said. “You must build your forces quickly. At first, don’t be too selective—anyone who obeys your orders will do. Arm them, strengthen their combat power, then later examine their backgrounds and character, weeding out the unfit.”

“I’ve already set men to work on it!”

Recruitment had been ongoing. Truthfully, he wasn’t even sure how many knight squads he now had.

“Oh, grandfather, there’s something else I must tell you.”

Rulans turned, watching him. When Luoning brought something up himself, it was rarely trivial.

“Dianne came to me, pleading for mercy for the Hai family. I remember Barlington’s son and daughter are still at the Arcane Academy in Wushan Town. Perhaps we could spare them?”

The siblings—were they unfortunate? They had escaped Mephisto’s corruption in Wushan Town.

Yet misfortune followed: stripped of nobility, bereft of nearly all kin.

Rulans smiled faintly. So that was it.

“Barlington was killed by you. Aren’t you afraid they’ll seek revenge someday?”

Luoning shrugged. Given time, they still couldn’t match his strength. Revenge was impossible.

“Don’t worry. Even if you hadn’t asked, I’d have arranged something suitable for them.”

He thought of Dianne. Her recent conduct had been acceptable.

After all, the Hyde family was Diane's natal family; he still needed to save a bit of face for his daughter-in-law.

It was unexpected that Ronin would actually speak up for Diane.

Seemed the members of the Wushan family had rather harmonious relations.

At this thought, Rulans smiled and gently patted Ronin on the shoulder: "All right, you've been working hard lately. Rest well for a couple of days, then start preparing to take over the Purple Thunder Territory." (End of Chapter)