Chapter 415: Pledge of Loyalty

Luo Ning gazed down at the young man kneeling before him on one knee. The youth hadn’t fled—instead, he had come willingly, offering allegiance. That took extraordinary courage.

After all, there was no way for him to know whether the new lord would accept this oath—or hand him a sword in return.

“You have remarkable bravery,” Luo Ning said.

He glanced at the other guards who had also knelt around them. “Are these soldiers of House Reed?”

“Yes, my lord!” came the reply.

Saimon remained on one knee. “Over the past two days, I’ve led efforts to stabilize the city—arresting troublemakers and preventing many from fleeing Purple Thunder Domain.”

“Oh?”

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow. He recalled what he’d seen from the sky earlier—the domain had indeed appeared calm, untouched by chaos or disorder.

“How did you manage that?”

Saimon’s heart still pounded. He had no idea yet what kind of man stood before him, so he answered with utmost sincerity.

“I imprisoned those who caused unrest. As for those trying to flee, I told them that even if they reached Vila Duchy, without land or shelter, they’d likely end up as serfs—or worse. Better to stay here. There’s plenty of farmland and livestock needing care. Even if the marquis reclaims the territory, he won’t massacre everyone.”

In short: fleeing offered little hope; staying held a sliver of survival.

Luo Ning gave a slight nod. Though defeated lords’ people often became slaves, it wasn’t inevitable.

And with hundreds of thousands in Haide’s domain, turning them all into slaves at once would be unmanageable.

That Saimon understood this—and had taken two decisive actions—showed initiative. It wasn’t his place, perhaps, but it revealed competence, decisiveness, and value.

This was his letter of loyalty, written not in ink but in deeds.

“I’ve never heard of House Reed, nor of you. Introduce yourself.”

At those words, Saimon felt a thread of tension ease. When someone wanted to know you, things rarely ended badly.

As Saimon spoke, Luo Ning pieced together the family’s story.

They were the only baronial house under Viscount Taine. Saimon’s father, Baron Nig, had been a peak Silver-ranked knight, so during the land grants, Taine awarded House Reed the northeastern edge of Purple Thunder Domain—to guard the mountain foothills, keeping rampaging magical beasts from threatening the realm.

Nig had died in battle, but Saimon himself was capable—a peak Senior Knight and mid-tier mage. His mother, Julia, was also an advanced mage.

Had Viscount Taine survived, Saimon would have inherited the title, and House Reed would remain strong.

Luo Ning found both Saimon and his mother impressive. Especially the former—having him assist McKen in governing Purple Thunder Domain would make things far easier.

But then again… Luo Ning was the one who killed Saimon’s father. Could such a man truly serve him with loyalty?

Luo Ning pondered for a long moment before speaking.

“I will accept your allegiance—but you must agree to my terms.”

Saimon lifted his head. “Please, speak them.”

“First, I will confiscate House Reed’s lands.”

Luo Ning had many followers, yet even men like Ridal and McKen held only governorships—no fiefs, no noble titles granted.

He couldn’t allow a defeated enemy’s son to become the first baron of Wubei Territory.

Saimon’s eyes flickered. He’d expected this.

Still, the loss of ancestral land struck deep within his chest.

Yet he knew—he had no right to refuse.

“However,” Luo Ning continued, “as supernaturals serving me, your family will receive farmland under Wubei’s talent recruitment policy, according to established rules.”

Hearing this, Saimon felt a small relief.

“Second,” Luo Ning went on, “I value your abilities. My Moon-silver Knight McKen will govern Purple Thunder Domain. You will assist him directly.”

At that, Saimon’s pupils contracted sharply.

“M-Moon-silver… knight?”

He’d never even seen a Moon-silver Knight in his life—now he was to serve one?

A faint curl tugged at Luo Ning’s lips. Letting the man grasp McKen’s strength was meant to intimidate.

Before overwhelming power, even a local serpent or schemer would bow low.

“And third,” Luo Ning said, “the Marsh Town in Wubei is my magical base. I admire your mother’s talent. If she agrees, I wish for her to live and work there.”

“In Marsh Town,” he added, “she’ll access greater magical knowledge, learn potion-making techniques, and may even receive guidance from Archmage Elron in cultivation.”

“This…”

Saimon froze.

Had he heard correctly? One Moon-silver Knight was already unbelievable—now an archmage too?

Two eighth-rank supernaturals!

No—wait.

Saimon looked at Luo Ning, then at Carlos, the beast in the courtyard whose mere presence pressed upon him like a mountain. He realized—this man and this creature were terrifyingly powerful as well.

This Lord Luo Ning… was truly extraordinary.

Perhaps serving him wasn’t such a bad choice after all.

But the request about Julia troubled him.

He understood Luo Ning’s intent, but Wubei was so far away—how long might pass before he saw his mother again?

With careful hesitation, he asked, “My lord… may I visit her in Wubei?”

Luo Ning smiled slightly. “Of course. Not only may you visit—she may return to Purple Thunder Domain as well. I impose no restrictions on your freedom.”

Saimon exhaled deeply.

As he’d thought—he had no real alternatives.

Agree, and his family could live in peace, better than common freemen.

Refuse? Who knew what fate awaited—but certainly nothing good.

“My lord, I accept your first two conditions. For the third, I’ll accept on my mother’s behalf for now, but please allow me to return home, inform her, and bring you her answer.”

Luo Ning nodded. Clearly, the man cared for his family.

“I believe your mother will agree.”

From his spatial ring, he withdrew a vial of high-grade enhancement elixir and handed it to Saimon. “Drink it.”

Saimon took the bottle. He didn’t recognize the liquid inside—his mind instinctively leapt to poison, something to control him.

Was this how the Wushan family operated? With such underhanded tricks?

The thought flashed through his mind, but he dared not voice it.

By now, he had no choice.

He twisted open the cap—and swiftly drank the potion in one gulp.

Heat surged through his body. His inner qi churned violently. For a moment, he feared the poison had taken effect.

But the sensation lingered—yet brought no pain.

And as the potion's effect was about to fade, a flash of azure light shimmered across his body.

"I've broken through!"

Simon could scarcely believe the surge of newfound strength coursing through him. Bewildered, he turned to Roland. "My lord, your potion...?"

When Roland had learned that Simon was a peak-level senior knight, he had merely intended to test a vial of enhancement elixir—never expecting it would actually succeed in pushing the man beyond his limits.

Smiling, Roland said, "This is precisely the magical potion I need your mother’s help to produce—one capable of advancing a knight’s cultivation."

For a moment, Simon stood stunned, unable to fathom that such an impossibly potent elixir could exist.

Then, shame flushed his cheeks.

At first, he had doubted Roland’s request—that asking his mother to craft potions was surely a lie. Then he had suspected the vial contained poison. Now, truth laid bare before him: Roland had deceived him not at all, while he himself had harbored suspicion and mistrust like a petty soul.

With genuine reverence, Simon rendered a knight’s salute. "I am deeply grateful for your gift, my lord. From this day forth, your will shall be the path I follow." (End of Chapter)