Seeking a Way Out

Seeking a Way Out

After Rulans made his promise, a new round of arguments began in the hall of Wushan Fortress.

Wiggins and the Nigan Three Knights were mainly responsible for settling the compensation plan, and there was naturally no shortage of bargaining.

From that moment on, no one spared another word for Luo Ning, as though he had nothing to do with the matter at all.

"Really just a tool."

Luo Ning muttered under his breath. At first, he listened to a few lines of the argument in the hall, but the soreness in his legs soon stole his attention.

His Previous Self had been surrounded by wine and women every day. His physical condition was terrible—weak beyond belief.

If he could, he really wanted to stand up and leave this hall.

But it was not the time yet.

Though he had safely made it through the crisis, he had no idea what fate awaited him next.

Generally speaking, nobles stripped of their Right of Inheritance were either sent to other small cities to manage the family's businesses, kept in the castle like pets, or, in worse cases, stripped of their surname and expelled from the family. Some even died unnatural deaths.

What fate awaited him?

"As long as I'm not thrown into prison or put under house arrest, anything is fine."

The argument lasted for more than an hour before the three Nigan knights finally left the fortress, satisfied with the outcome.

If nothing unexpected happened, officials from both sides would handle the remaining details and draft the contract.

At that point, Luo Ning, whose legs had gone numb from kneeling, forced himself to perk up.

The outsiders had left. Now it was his turn.

Wushan Fortress fell quiet for a moment. Then Wiggins angrily grabbed the Crystal Cup at his side and hurled it before Luo Ning, where it shattered with a sharp crack.

"It's because of you that the family had to pay such a huge price!"

Luo Ning wanted to say that his son had already paid with his life, but he did not dare let those words leave his mouth.

The old Marquis seated above cast a glance at the son he disliked and coldly demanded, "And how are you any better than Luo Ning? Cough, cough..."

"On the battlefield, you dared divide your forces without even knowing the enemy's strength. You even agreed to Slant, who was in charge of logistics, leading soldiers into a charge. Is your head stuffed with horse dung?"

"Cough, cough, cough cough!"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, and the old Marquis began coughing violently.

Wiggins had a rather fiery temper, but before his father's criticism, he could only sullenly lower his head and sit silently in his chair.

"Ah!"

After calming down, Rulans let out a heavy sigh. His disappointing son still seemed not to understand the deeper meaning behind Selena's suicide. His political instincts were far too dull.

If only his eldest son Gremus were here, he would not have all these worries.

Rulans shifted his gaze to Luo Ning, who was still kneeling. Perhaps out of boredom, he casually asked, "Luo Ning, my grandson, what do you think about this matter?"

He sighed inwardly again. The temperament of this Legitimate Grandson of his was exactly the same as Wiggins had been in his youth.

No, even worse. At least Wiggins had mastered Battle Qi, while Luo Ning was merely a Mortal.

Hearing the Marquis address him, Luo Ning raised his head.

He did not understand why Rulans was asking such a question, but he knew that whether he answered well or poorly might affect how he would be treated afterward.

"A conspiracy. This is a conspiracy!"

His Previous Self was not particularly sharp-minded, so he tried not to make his words too precise.

"Though I can't remember what happened that night, Selena and I had feelings for each other. Even if something really happened, she would not have killed herself. There must be a conspiracy behind this!"

Surprise flashed through Rulans's eyes. His grandson possessed such insight?

And at a time like this, after losing his Right of Inheritance, should he not have been kneeling on the ground in tears, drowning in endless regret and grief?

"Get up, my grandson. Tell me, what kind of conspiracy do you think it was?"

Luo Ning breathed a sigh of relief. Grimacing through the discomfort, he slowly rose to his feet. His punishment was finally over.

He thought for a moment and organized his words.

"Grandfather, I think someone assassinated Selena, then framed me in order to drive a wedge between us and the Hyde Family. That would make Wushan Territory even more unstable and unsettled, ultimately achieving the goal of splitting Wushan Territory apart!"

In truth, he would rather have said that it was the Hyde Family's conspiracy. But that level of understanding was too deep and did not seem like something his Previous Self could have come up with, so he gave a shallower explanation.

Yet even that shallow guess made Rulans nod. "Being able to see this much proves that your mind is a little sharper than your father Wiggins's."

Wiggins looked as though he wanted to speak but stopped himself. Had the old man gone senile? This foolish son was smarter than him?

And he was even trying to claim someone wanted to sow discord between the Hyde and Wushan families. In Wiggins's view, Luo Ning was simply talking nonsense.

"What you said does make some sense."

Rulans smiled and gestured for Luo Ning to sit to the side.

In truth, he had already begun to suspect whether Selena was truly of Hyde Family blood.

However, there was no need for him to voice that suspicion.

"It is fine for Brayden to inherit. That little fellow formed a Battle Qi Seed at just thirteen years old. His future achievements will certainly surpass yours. With the Hyde Family's support, our family can still sit firmly in Wushan Territory."

Luo Ning's expression shifted, and he roughly understood.

Perhaps this old Marquis had known the Hyde Family's demands from the very beginning.

The old Marquis did not think highly of Wiggins, nor did he think highly of Luo Ning's Previous Self. Therefore, after seeing through the Hyde Family's intentions, he had simply gone along with them and stripped Luo Ning of his Right of Inheritance.

Rather than wait until after his death for Wushan Territory to fall apart, it was better to let the Hyde Family support them wholeheartedly. At the very least, Wushan Territory's ruler would still bear the Wushan name.

That was why, from beginning to end, Rulans had not shown any anger toward Luo Ning, not even the slightest hint of blame.

This put Luo Ning at ease. Perhaps he could use the loss of his Right of Inheritance to ask for some benefits?

"Losing your Right of Inheritance may be a good thing for you."

Rulans continued, "Though you no longer have the Right of Inheritance, you are still a child of the Wushan Family. You can retire in this castle without any issue."

Retire?

Luo Ning was still young. He had finally transmigrated here, and he did not want to spend his life in this castle, able to see the end of his days at a glance.

Besides, remaining at the center of this vortex might get him killed. It would be better to leave early.

"Grandfather, I don't want to retire in the castle!"

The moment Luo Ning said that, Wiggins began angrily cursing him. "What, the family raising you still isn't enough? Do you want me to throw you out of the family right now?"

But Rulans asked with a genial smile, "Oh? Then what do you want to do?"

That single question choked back Wiggins's anger just as he was about to vent it, leaving him deeply uncomfortable.

But it was precisely because the old man had shown no anger or blame from beginning to end that Luo Ning felt he had a chance to gain some benefits.

Of course, asking outright would not be ideal. He needed to put on an act with his words.

Luo Ning's expression immediately turned desolate, as if he were heartbroken and filled with regret.

"Grandfather, Father, because of the foolish mistake I made, the family paid such a terrible price. From yesterday until now, I have felt deeply guilty and remorseful!"

As he spoke, Luo Ning rubbed his eyes hard. The discomfort caused two tears to seep from the corners of his eyes.

"I don't want to become a worthless burden who only eats and drinks off the family. I want to make up for my mistakes. I want to manage businesses for the family. Even if it means becoming the Baron of a remote little town, I am willing to go and earn profits for the family!"

Without a Noble Title, Luo Ning was still a noble.

But with a Noble Title, he could activate his golden finger.

That was his true goal.

"You actually want me to make you a Baron?"

Wiggins was so angry his beard nearly bristled. "Do you even have the ability to manage a town?"

"Hahaha, cough cough cough..."

Rulans began coughing as he laughed. He was too tired today, and his old injuries had left him utterly exhausted.

"It is rare for you to have such thoughts. Your idea is not bad, either. And since you noticed the conspiracy behind Selena's death, it shows you are not as foolish as I imagined."

At this point, the old Marquis paused. "I can give you a chance."

He looked at his son. "Wiggins, choose a small town in a remote region and give it to Luo Ning. Let him try his hand at it. Even if he manages it poorly, it will not matter."

Most importantly, it would keep Luo Ning away from Wushan City, which would be good for everyone.

Luo Ning smiled. He was more than willing to move farther from the center of this vortex.

"Thank you, Grandfather. I will manage it well and will not disappoint the family's generosity!"

But Wiggins's expression was far from pleasant. "Father, you spoil him too much. This fellow wants nothing more than to indulge himself. The men who earned merit in this war have yet to receive their rewards, yet Luo Ning is being granted land first. This is inappropriate!"

Rulans did not say anything further on the matter. Instead, he slowly rose with the aid of his cane and prepared to leave.

"My health is getting worse and worse. I likely only have another two or three years to live. As the Count of Wushan City and the future heir of Wushan Territory, can't you think more objectively about things?"

Wiggins fell silent. He did not know why his father had suddenly lost his temper with him.

But seeing his father grow thinner and thinner, bitterness filled his heart as well.

A knight at the peak of Meteor Rank could normally live to at least one hundred and ten. Yet the severe injuries Rulans had suffered thirty years ago had left his body in terrible condition. Now, at seventy-five, he was nearing his limit.

"Fine, Father!"

Wiggins sighed, thought for a moment, and said, "Then let Luo Ning become the Baron of Mountain Forest Town and manage Mountain Forest Town for us. That way, those who earned merit will not have too many objections."

Mountain Forest Town?

Luo Ning's Ears perked up. His Previous Self had no information about Mountain Forest Town, so it was likely a remote place.

But what did Wiggins mean by that final remark? Why would those who had earned merit not have too many objections?

Rulans paused mid-step, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.

"Do as you wish."

The old Marquis continued out of the hall.

At that moment, Luo Ning smiled, because the line of text in his vision changed:

Noble Title obtained. System activation in progress...

"Grandfather, I'll support you!"

Luo Ning ran over with a smile. He was truly grateful to the old man.

"Hehe, you are a little more thoughtful than before."

At the same time, Rulans sighed inwardly. If you had changed sooner, perhaps I would not have stripped you of your Right of Inheritance.

But everything was too late.