Negotiation

Luo Ning led Phileton into the main hall of Mountain Forest Castle's keep. This was actually a relatively formal gesture.

"My apologies, Sir Phileton, but due to Prinster's betrayal, my castle is temporarily short-staffed and I cannot offer you drinks or other services!"

Luo Ning took the lead in sitting down, speaking courteously while gesturing for the other party to also sit.

The Mountain Forest Castle keep was very simple. The hall, constructed of large stones, had small windows in the surrounding walls, and even with sunlight streaming in, the brightness was limited.

Macken could only instruct the guards to light the candles in the hall.

Phileton had some reservations about Luo Ning's lack of sufficient etiquette in his reception, but he naturally wouldn't voice them. He simply chuckled and flattered, "Baron, you work very efficiently, quite similar to your father's style!"

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow. Was the other party praising him or mocking him?

"May I know what important matter brings Your Excellency here today?" Luo Ning didn't want to beat around the bush and chose to directly ask the purpose of his visit.

Phileton didn't answer immediately, but instead asked, "Lord Luo Ning, I wonder what the letter you had the guards send to Wushan Castle was about?"

He was still trying to find out the contents of the letter sent by Bob and Marseille.

Nobles valued face greatly. Even if they had conflicts, they would still smile and laugh when meeting on ordinary occasions, saving the backstabbing for behind the scenes.

So, during the time he had been with Phileton, Luo Ning had also been careful to maintain the posture of a hospitable host.

However, when he heard Phileton's question, after two seconds of thought, his expression turned cold.

"Your Excellency should know what the Sain Territory has gained from my Mountain Forest Town over the years!"

If he were to be timid now, it would be a disservice to his excellent performance yesterday. Luo Ning had to show the other party that he was not afraid of offending the Sain Territory.

Phileton's expression became more serious, and at the same time, he was grateful that he had intercepted the two messengers on the road. Otherwise, the Sain Territory would be in trouble this time.

He also inwardly complained about how Luo Ning was acting so hastily, not giving either side any room for relief?

Indeed, just as the rumors said, Wiggins and Luo Ning were truly similar father and son from Wushan Castle.

"What Your Excellency said, I know a little."

Phileton brought out his prepared lines, "Your Excellency may not know, the public order in Mountain Forest Town is not good. To the west, there is the Wushan Magical Beast Mountain Range harassing the town, and to the north and east, there are remnants of the Savage Tribe in the woodlands. Prinster, as the Administrator, wanted to maintain order here and ensure that it could serve Wushan Castle, so he could only seek help from the Sain Territory, which is closest to Mountain Forest Town."

Luo Ning deliberately questioned, "So, you extorted so much wealth from Mountain Forest Town? This act of embezzlement, I will report it to Wushan Castle and have my father and grandfather issue a judgment against Baron Leysen!"

"What Your Excellency said is incorrect!"

Phileton stood up, performed a knight's salute, and began to argue, "Your Excellency, my master, Baron Leysen, fulfilled his responsibility as a vassal of Wushan Castle, sending troops and effort to protect Mountain Forest Town for Wushan Castle. The things Prinster gave were merely payment for our services. How can this be called embezzling Wushan Castle's wealth?"

Luo Ning scoffed, "As a vassal, helping your liege suppress rebellion is a duty that should be fulfilled. Baron Leysen still wants payment?"

"You are right, but that is only when Wushan Castle orders the Sain Territory to act."

Phileton argued again, "However, we acted at the request and promise of Prinster, and Wushan Castle did not issue an order. If this matter is to be pursued, the biggest culprit is also Prinster!"

"Who is more at fault, who is less at fault, I don't want to know, nor do I want to inquire."

Luo Ning said indifferently, "I only need to tell my father about your matter. I believe, given his character, he will definitely make Baron Leysen pay the price!"

Phileton knew that talking to Luo Ning like this wouldn't work, so he stopped rambling and began to reveal Baron Leysen's plan.

"Your Excellency, if you report this matter to Wushan Castle, in the end, the Sain Territory might compensate Wushan Castle with a certain amount of money or resources."

As he spoke, he sat down again, his tone quite seductive, "That money will be given to Wushan Castle, and you won't get a single cent."

Luo Ning's heart stirred. Here it comes, the other party's true intention.

He waved his hand and leaned back in his chair, "I have no interest in money. I only hope Wushan Castle can teach Baron Leysen a lesson and let him know that he shouldn't overreach!"

Knight Phileton cursed Luo Ning a hundred times in his heart, thinking that the other party had no sense at all. He had said so much, and he still didn't understand?

"Your Excellency, Baron Leysen hopes to compensate you!"

He stopped the nonsense and got straight to the point, "As long as you no longer pursue the mistakes the Sain Territory has made over the years by falling into Prinster's trap, Lord Leysen is willing to compensate you."

Perhaps fearing that Luo Ning still didn't understand, Phileton continued to explain, "If you report to Wushan Castle, the Sain Territory will pay compensation to Wushan Castle. But if you don't pursue it, our compensation will go into your pocket!"

Luo Ning was overjoyed in his heart. He had just been thinking about not having enough money, and he didn't expect the Sain Territory to come and deliver it.

"Compensate me?"

He pretended to be very interested, "How does Baron Leysen say he will compensate?"

Phileton held up two fingers: "Lord Leysen is willing to pay Mountain Forest Town two hundred gold coins in one lump sum!"

Two hundred gold coins to dismiss someone?

Luo Ning shook his head repeatedly, "I am of the Wushan Family bloodline. How could I deceive Wushan Castle with him?"

He looked disdainful, "Sir Phileton, please return. Also, please do not obstruct my messengers again, otherwise, I don't mind having Knight Macken keep you for a long stay in Mountain Forest Castle!"

Phileton was disgusted by Luo Ning's words. He had just seen that Luo Ning's attitude clearly showed interest, and now he was refusing so resolutely, which was nothing more than being dissatisfied with the small amount of money.

At such a young age, he was actually so much like a greedy merchant.

"Three hundred!"

Phileton held up three fingers, "Three hundred gold coins, I hope Your Excellency can change your mind!"

Luo Ning questioned coldly, "Fairness and justice are my tenets. Is Lord Leysen testing me?"

"Four hundred, Your Excellency, isn't four hundred enough?"

Knight Phileton felt like he was negotiating with a repulsive merchant. "Mountain Forest Town only provides Sain Territory with some grain each year. Even adding up all these years, it probably wouldn't reach four hundred gold coins!"

Luo Ning chuckled. Although he didn't know exactly how much Prinster had given Sain Territory, it was definitely more than four hundred gold coins.

"Knight Phileton, you must understand, Baron Leysen is committing a crime! Once Wushan Castle finds out, the punishment will be considerable."

While cursing Luo Ning for clearly wanting more but pretending to be upright, Knight Phileton showed a look of difficulty. "Your Excellency, four hundred gold coins is truly a lot!"

Luo Ning held up a finger. "I won't make things difficult for you. One thousand gold coins. As long as Baron Leysen compensates me with one thousand gold coins, I can pretend not to have discovered the matter between Prinster and you."

Knight Phileton's mouth fell open, as if he thought he had misheard.

Good heavens, directly demanding one thousand gold coins! This was simply boundless greed!

Did the other party even know what one thousand gold coins represented?

Knight Phileton calmed his fluctuating breathing. If he hadn't seen the tall and sturdy Macken standing nearby all along, he would have really wanted to rush over and strangle this greedy fellow.

"Your Excellency, although Baron Leysen has some savings, it's impossible for him to produce one thousand gold coins all at once!"

Knight Phileton shook his head. "Even if you report it to Wushan Castle, the Marquis's final judgment probably won't reach this amount. In that case, you might as well go ahead and report it!"

Can't they really produce one thousand gold coins?

Luo Ning smiled. "It's fine if you don't have one thousand gold coins. Baron Leysen can use cattle as compensation. I heard there are quite a few Black Water Buffalo in Swamp Town. I like to eat beef, just give me thirty or forty heads."

Knight Phileton's mouth twitched. That's right, Sain Territory has many swamps, suitable for Black Water Buffalo to live in.

In recent years, Baron Leysen had indeed made a lot of money by domesticating Black Water Buffalo, but Luo Ning was demanding thirty or forty heads right off the bat. This was complete nonsense!

To be honest, if Baron Leysen hadn't repeatedly insisted on first achieving a relaxed situation, he probably would have immediately gotten up and left.

But the negotiation had to continue. "Your Excellency, there really aren't that many!"