Peril-Ridden Territory

Peril-Ridden Territory

After pondering for a long while, Luo Ning picked up his pen and wrote a new surname on the Letter of Appointment—Blazing Storm.

Fire and storm symbolized ferocity and grandeur. Wind fed the flames, while fire borrowed the wind's might, endlessly renewing itself and Crushing the Decayed and Pulling Up the Rotten.

By choosing this as his surname, Luo Ning not only meant to symbolize his own rebirth, but also hoped that his future journey would be as fierce and unstoppable as a Blazing Storm!

After all, now that he had become a Minor Lord in another world, who wouldn't want to become a Major Lord?

"Please tell my father that I have chosen 'Blazing Storm' as my surname. I hope Wushan Territory, as well as my own territory, will flourish like blazing flames driven by the wind."

Holwart nodded repeatedly. It was indeed a fine name.

"Rest assured, Young Master. I will convey your thoughts to the master!"

He sensed that the notorious Legitimate Grandson of the Marquis before him was no longer the same as before. Perhaps the sudden changes of the past two days had made him mature considerably.

A mature and steady family member was extremely important to the present Wushan Territory. Even if this person no longer bore the Wushan surname, his bloodline remained.

No matter where he went, the black eyes and silver hair that marked the Wushan Family would always remain.

Luo Ning blew the ink dry on the Letter of Appointment and placed it back in its box.

He glanced at the map spread across the table. Thinking that the butler before him might know more, he asked,

"I am about to become the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, yet I know nothing about it. Holwart, do you know anything about Mountain Forest Town?"

As a butler, Holwart was far more knowledgeable than ordinary servants.

Moreover, having served at Wiggins's side for many years, he had access to certain information.

"Young Master Luo Ning, I do know a little about Mountain Forest Town."

He explained, "Mountain Forest Town lies north of Wushan Territory. To the west, it borders the tail end of the Wushan Magical Beast Mountain Range. Its eastern and northern sides are surrounded by vast woodlands and hills. It is said that beyond them lies the sea. Only its southern side connects to the outside world, but even there, rolling hills block the way. Transportation is not very convenient."

Luo Ning frowned slightly. This place truly was remote, and it sounded somewhat dangerous as well.

"The Demon Beasts in the Wushan Magical Beast Mountain Range won't attack Mountain Forest Town, will they?" he asked worriedly.

"That is possible, Young Master."

The butler said, "I remember that over the years, the master arranged for Barons or Pioneer Knights to manage Mountain Forest Town. However, they seemed to have died during winter while fighting Demon Beasts."

Luo Ning's face paled. Damn, wasn't this a cursed deathtrap?

No wonder Wiggins had said that those who had rendered meritorious service did not have much objection to Luo Ning being made Baron of Mountain Forest Town.

It was dangerous, inconveniently located, and probably had little profit to offer. No one wanted such a fief.

Seeing Luo Ning's expression change, Holwart knew his introduction had frightened him and hurriedly reassured him.

"Actually, Young Master, there is no need to worry. Demon Beasts usually come down the mountain in winter, when snow makes food scarce. At that time, you only need to stay inside the castle and avoid going out."

Luo Ning forced a bitter smile. "Thank you for your advice. I think it is very useful."

"Thank you for your praise."

Holwart continued, "Besides Demon Beasts, there are also some barbarian tribes in the mountains north of Mountain Forest Town. They pose a certain threat."

"More than twenty years ago, the Marquis sent people to suppress those barbarian tribes. Although we lost some guards and knights, we dealt them such a heavy blow that they no longer amounted to much."

"What!" Luo Ning was shocked. "There are barbarian tribes too?"

Demon Beasts were one thing, but what were these barbarians? Humanoid creatures covered in long hair?

After Holwart's explanation, Luo Ning gained a rough understanding of the barbarian tribes in the forests north of Mountain Forest Town.

The barbarian tribes were not actually barbarians. They were remnants of defeated forces who had fled into the mountains after being pursued by the Marquis more than twenty years ago.

At first, the suppression forces entered and exited the mountains many times, slaughtering them until they could no longer amount to much.

Later, because Mountain Forest Town was remote and supplies were insufficient, the operation was set aside and never fully completed.

Over time, those remnants absorbed bandits, robbers, refugees, and others who had fled into the deep mountains, gradually forming the barbarian tribes of today.

It sounded frightening, but their actual combat strength was not very high. Otherwise, Mountain Forest Town, which had no lord, would have long since been swallowed by the barbarian tribes.

Yet Luo Ning was still deeply worried. He had to make some preparations to ensure his own safety.

"Mr. Butler, has the Count arranged guards or family Elite Soldiers for me?"

In theory, when a child left home to build something of his own, the family would provide at least some resource support.

But Wiggins was hard to predict.

"Uh..."

Holwart hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Young Master. The master has not arranged any guards or Elite Soldiers."

Sure enough, his Previous Self's father had not given Luo Ning any pleasant surprises.

"What about money? Food? Horses?"

Holwart still shook his head. Clearly, Wiggins had provided no resources whatsoever.

"All right, I understand!"

Luo Ning looked utterly dejected as he dropped into the chair.

If he wanted to make any preparations, he had to obtain supplies or financial support from someone else. Especially money—if he had money, Luo Ning could at least go out and buy things.

He had to find a way to get some money.

"Looks like I can only shamelessly ask for it."

Having made that decision, Luo Ning prepared to put on an act.

From his memories, he knew that Wiggins and his Previous Self's mother, Fatima, had loved each other deeply. If she had not died unexpectedly, he would not have ended up with a Stepmother named Diane Hyde.

"It seems the Count does not consider me his son at all. Has he forgotten the promise he once made to my mother?"

Luo Ning wore a grief-stricken expression. "He once promised my mother that he would protect my Older Sister and me with his life. But what about now? I am about to go to a dangerous place like Mountain Forest Town, yet he will not even give me a single guard or one Gold Coin!"

"He clearly wants me to die in Mountain Forest Town!"

Luo Ning stared directly into Holwart's eyes. Only when the latter's gaze began to dart away and he no longer dared meet his eyes did Luo Ning speak in a tone of three parts tears, three parts grievance, and four parts anger.

"If something happens to me on the road or in my territory, I will surely tell my mother in heaven that the man she loved deeply was a cruel, heartless person who broke his promises!"

"I truly feel that my mother was not worth it!"

"Young Master, you... please calm down first."

Holwart became flustered. He had only come to deliver a Letter of Appointment and had never expected such a scene to suddenly unfold.

The Count's son, the Baron of Mountain Forest Town, was actually crying and complaining in front of him.

A nobleman was complaining to a mere butler. This was a first for him.

He hurriedly made up an excuse to comfort him. "Perhaps... perhaps the master has simply been too busy and forgotten. Once I return, I will remind him."

Luo Ning touched the corner of his eye, pretending to wipe away tears. In reality, his eyes were dry.

"Then I truly thank you, Mr. Butler. Please also relay my words to the Count and ask him whether he still remembers a woman named Fatima Sally."

"Y-yes, yes, of course!"

Holwart hurriedly agreed, then politely and hastily withdrew from the room.

After the butler left, Luo Ning let out a long breath.

In just half a day, he had already acted in two scenes in a row. As someone who had never been an actor, he found it rather exhausting.

Returning to the Attribute Panel, Luo Ning used the one Attribute Point he had obtained from today's login and added it to his level.

Level: Mortal (0/10) → (1/10)

In an instant, Luo Ning felt the exhaustion leave his body. At the same time, he felt his physical strength and mental state improve somewhat.

"Adding Points during the Mortal stage should be the process of freeing me from my Previous Self's frail constitution."

He looked with great satisfaction at the other four interfaces.

Login was automatic and required no action from him.

Seven-Day Login and Achievement Quests were also completed automatically, though their rewards had to be claimed manually.

He could now claim the first day's reward and obtain a Subordinate with the potential to become a level-six Golden Knight.

However, now was not the time to claim the reward.

If an unfamiliar person suddenly appeared in the Marquis's Manor, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.

Luo Ning did not want this matter exposed.

"No rush. I'll claim it when I leave. The most urgent thing now is getting money!"

Where could he get money?

Luo Ning tapped his fingers against the table.

In the entire castle, only a few people controlled wealth—his grandfather, Marquis Rulans; his father, Count Wiggins; his Stepmother, Diane; and his younger brother, Brayden.

He had already sent the butler, Holwart, to speak to Wiggins, and Diane might also be present.

So he did not need to set his sights on those two.

His younger brother Brayden was currently away at the Supernatural Academy in Wushan City, leaving only Rulans.

But having just been stripped of his Right of Inheritance and then mercifully granted a barony, was it appropriate for Luo Ning to ask Rulans for resource support again?

Those with thin skin might not want to go, but Luo Ning did not care. His skin was just a little thicker than most.

Following his memories, Luo Ning ran to the old Marquis's separate building.

He could hear Rulans coughing inside, along with the busy footsteps of several servants.

"Grandfather!"

Luo Ning called out, then walked into the room.