The kitchen sent out waves of smoky, scorched smells, along with bursts of cheerful, silver-bell laughter. Mountain Lord, standing outside the kitchen and stroking Black Tiger's sleek fur, wore a smile as well.
Shanhua had finally smiled, and she had smiled happily. This greatly swept away the melancholy brought on by Ma Shaokang's death.
In Mountain Lord's eyes, the fact that Lü Yue could make his precious granddaughter smile meant the boy had some ability after all. He was no useless wine sack and rice bag—he was not stupid, quick-witted, and had principles. He truly was not a bad choice.
As for Lü Yue's potential in the Martial Dao, Mountain Lord had also seen that it far surpassed Ma Shaokang's.
This stemmed from many factors.
For one, Ma Shaokang had his father and uncle, as well as his family's inherited martial arts, giving him a high starting point in Martial Dao Cultivation.
But Lü Yue's starting point was no worse. Born into the Meng Family, Lü Zhong's martial arts might have stopped at the three apertures of the Innate realm, but given the Meng Family's stature, he had still laid an exceptionally solid and profound foundation for Lü Yue. In some respects, it was even stronger than Ma Shaokang's. This was the advantage of the platform.
Could a mere Ma Family Manor possibly be mentioned in the same breath as the Meng Family of Earl of Nan'an?
Lü Zhong might appear to be only a steward, and Lü Yue merely a servant, but before Meng Zhao returned, they had acted in his stead in managing all the affairs of the second branch. They were far beyond what a tiny Ma Family Manor could compare to.
Second, Lü Yue's physique and talent truly surpassed Ma Shaokang's. Especially after reaching the Innate