An Unexpected Power

## 31. Unexpected Force

The sudden reminder made Luo Ning notice the bearded Professional Knight kneeling next to Prinster.

The opponent's strength wasn't great, and his combat skills shouldn't have been high either, otherwise he wouldn't have been defeated by a single blow from Luo Ning.

But now this person actually spoke up to remind Prinster, an Intermediate Knight, and his tone even carried a hint of warning.

In this world where strength determined status below the nobility, how could a Beginner Knight threaten an Intermediate Knight?

This made Luo Ning very curious.

"Who are you?"

The man tilted his head dismissively, his expression like a rooster about to fight. "Baron Luo Ning, I advise you to let me go. It will be good for you. Otherwise..."

"This captive, you don't seem to understand your situation yet."

Luo Ning drew the longsword from his waist and thrust it into the ground. The sharp tip directly pierced through the opponent's palm braced on the ground, then plunged into the dirt. The intense pain made the man howl and scream uncontrollably.

"As a defeated traitor, you have no right to hold your head high in front of me."

Luo Ning said coldly, then looked with killing intent at the other knight who had been intercepted and was trying to escape: "You speak!"

Perhaps the killing intent in that sentence was too strong, or perhaps the attitude Luo Ning had just displayed made this knight feel too desperate. With a cry, he actually fainted directly onto the ground, with liquid flowing from his crotch.

This left Luo Ning somewhat speechless. Was he really that scary when he spoke nicely?

And he was even a Professional Knight, yet his psychological fortitude was only this much.

The pungent smell assailing his nostrils made Luo Ning pinch his nose and move away, standing upwind.

"You speak!"

Luo Ning pointed at the last knight who had fought David and surrendered voluntarily.

"My patience is limited. If you also play dead and faint, I guarantee you won't have a chance to wake up!"

"No, my lord, I am perfectly clear-headed right now!"

Clearly, this Professional Knight who had fought David and surrendered voluntarily had already decided to confess. When Luo Ning questioned him, he immediately prostrated himself on the ground.

This sentence instantly made Prinster's face look even worse. He knew his secret likely couldn't be kept.

Luo Ning smiled. People who knew how to adapt to the circumstances were always so pleasant.

"Very good, what is your name?"

The knight on the ground replied, "My lord, my name is Malt Ray."

Luo Ning was a little surprised. "Look up. Are you of noble descent?"

Malt looked up, revealing a square face. His skin wasn't very good, and his brown hair looked messy and somewhat unkempt.

"Yes, my lord. My father was an Ennobled Knight who followed your father, Count Wiggins. However, he unfortunately died in battle after driving the rebels into Wubei Forest back then. After my mother gave birth to me, she has been living here."

"Pfft!" Prinster scoffed, "A bastard calling himself of noble descent!"

Luo Ning glanced at Prinster. This guy didn't seem to think highly of Malt.

"Your father was a loyal and brave knight."

He first acknowledged the man's identity and background, then changed the subject. "However, if he knew his son had betrayed his lord, he probably wouldn't be too happy."

"I am very sorry, my lord!" Malt lowered his head, his voice choked. "But please believe I had no choice."

This sentence might actually be true.

In such an environment, if Malt hadn't followed Prinster's wishes, his life would likely have been very difficult.

Luo Ning decided not to pursue these matters for now. "Alright, now I will allow you to atone for your mistakes. Tell me everything about them, without reservation!"

"It is my honor, my lord!"

Malt began to answer Luo Ning's questions, and right away he gave Luo Ning a surprising answer.

"My lord, this man's name is Dyson. He is the Defense Officer of Mountain Forest Town, and he is also a Knight of Sain Territory."

Luo Ning thought he had misheard. "What? You said Sain Territory?"

Sain Territory was the territory closest to Mountain Forest Town. It was ruled by Baron Leysen Sain.

Before entering the mountains, Luo Ning had planned to find time to visit this neighbor, but he hadn't expected that the knights of his own territory would have connections with Sain Territory.

"Yes, my lord!"

Malt continued, "Besides Dyson, the unconscious Kate, and the Professional Knight Vatro whom you just killed, all three of them are from Sain Territory and are loyal to Baron Leysen."

"Leysen's people not only appeared in Mountain Forest Town but also served as the Defense Officer of Mountain Forest Town. This is interesting!"

Luo Ning stared at Prinster with deep meaning. "Administrator, would you like to explain?"

"There's nothing to explain."

Prinster endured the pain. "Without external support, how could I alone deal with the Savage Tribe? Baron Leysen merely arranged for a few people to protect my safety and help me resist the enemy."

Luo Ning sneered. Nobles weren't that kind-hearted. Since Leysen chose to help, he would definitely receive a reward, and the reward would certainly be quite substantial.

"Never mind. Malt, you speak. Tell me everything you know."

Next, as Malt Ray spoke, the image of Mountain Forest Town in Luo Ning's mind completely changed.

Rulans had said the population of Mountain Forest Town was less than a thousand, but Malt Ray said there were at least a thousand people here;

Prinster had said that paying ten gold coins in taxes to Wushan Castle each year was the limit for Mountain Forest Town, but Malt Ray said that the Sain Territory sent people to Mountain Forest Town every year to transport away several carriages full of grain and various goods;

Prinster had said he needed to fight against the Savage Tribe, but Malt Ray said there hadn't been many conflicts between the Savage Tribe and Mountain Forest Town over the years, and any that did occur were isolated incidents;

Malt Ray also said that Prinster was both the Administrator of Mountain Forest Town and a Knight loyal to Baron Leysen.

"Baron Leysen only needs to spend ten gold coins a year to bring Mountain Forest Town under the name of his Sain Family."

Luo Ning gave Prinster a thumbs up. "That's quite the move you pulled off!"

Every so often, Mountain Forest Town would report to Wushan Castle how many people had been killed by Magical Beasts and how many villagers had been killed by the Savage Tribe, portraying Mountain Forest Town as a place even Pioneer Knights dared not set foot in.

As Wushan Castle neglected this land, it was very likely that they would eventually forget about it. Over time, Leysen became like an uncrowned king, the de facto owner of Mountain Forest Town.

All the land, population, and wealth here would flow into the Sain family's pockets.

Luo Ning also understood why news of what happened in Wushan Castle could reach the remote Mountain Forest Town on the edge of the Wushan Territory so quickly.

Needless to say, the news must have come from Baron Leysen, who also gave instructions to Prinster.

"Baron Leysen is really quite bold. For the sake of Mountain Forest Town, he even dared to kill someone from the Wushan Family."

On one hand, Luo Ning admired Leysen's courage, and on the other, he sighed at how the Wushan Castle's deterrent power over the various families in the Wushan Territory was truly becoming weaker.

When old Mr. Rulans, plagued by illness, eventually died, these restless lords would certainly redivide the territory.

"I underestimated the threat of Mountain Forest Town, but Leysen also overestimated my strength."

Luo Ning had considered that becoming the lord of Mountain Forest Town might encounter some obstacles, but he hadn't expected his opponent to have an Intermediate Knight and even lackeys from other nobles;

Leysen had also made corresponding arrangements, but he underestimated Luo Ning's strength.

Fortunately, Luo Ning was a little stronger.

"Sain Family of Swamp Town, since you've set your sights on me, don't blame me for dealing with you in the future."

Who said population expansion could only be achieved by absorbing people from the Savage Tribe?

The Sain Territory was also a viable option.