Chapter Summaries

Luo Ning and the nobles watched Rulans duel Orson at the Abandoned Pasture, where Orson demonstrated that he had reached Meteor Rank. The fight continued with both men trading powerful attacks, leaving the spectators shaken by the destruction.

• Luo Ning arrived with Blanche and the others to find thousands of spectators gathered for the duel.
• Rulans rode the Thunder Chasing Wind Beast into the pasture, then dismounted and prepared to fight without its help.
• Rulans and Orson exchanged a powerful opening clash that sent a shockwave through the crowd.
• Cabir explained that Orson’s strength confirmed his promotion to Meteor Rank as the duelists traded more blows.
• Orson used Heavy Water Burst, and Rulans countered with Fire Flash, splitting the attack and sending Orson flying.

Rulans defeated Orson in their long-awaited duel, using strange black energy to force him to surrender. Rulans survived but was badly weakened, while Jesus and Ramsey were left questioning the energy’s nature.

• Orson attacked Rulans with Water Wave Palms, but Rulans countered with fire and lightning and drove him back.
• Orson shattered his Ice Armor at close range, injuring Rulans and making the spectators think the Marquis was losing.
• Rulans seized Orson’s sword arm and stabbed him with a Thunder Blade infused with strange black energy, forcing Orson to surrender.
• Ramsey prevented Luo Ning’s group from interfering until Orson surrendered, then let them approach the battlefield.
• Rulans refused healing magic and left to recover, while Diane, Brayden, and the knights tended to the unconscious Orson.
• Jesus asked Ramsey about the black energy, and Ramsey said they would have to wait for Orson to wake to learn more.

Rulans explained to Luo Ning that Soul Devouring Surge had slowly crippled him and revealed that he had infected Orson with the same spell during their clash. Orson’s attempts to suppress it intensified his pain, leaving him facing a life of avoiding battle like Rulans.

• Rulans’s clash with Orson showed the nobles that he could still fight at Meteor Rank, though his old injuries limited him.
• Orson sensed black energy spread through his body and suffered intense pain when he tried to suppress it with Battle Qi.
• Miloslav gave Rulans a Magic Potion that eased his pain and warned him against fighting again.
• Rulans summoned Luo Ning and explained how Soul Devouring Surge grew stronger when met with Battle Qi.
• Rulans told Luo Ning that he had passed the spell to Orson, who would now suffer the same torment if he fought.

Rulans crippled Orson and formally made Luo Ning Viscount of Wubei Territory, restoring Wushan Territory’s balance of power. Luo Ning gained new system rewards and territory resources, then agreed to consider a possible marriage alliance with Blanche.

• Rulans explained that Orson would recover enough to move but would no longer be able to use Battle Qi in combat, weakening the Hyde Family.
• Rulans told Luo Ning that he might live another seven or eight years naturally and said he wanted to see the younger generation stand on their own.
• Rulans formally appointed Luo Ning Viscount of Wubei Territory and gave him the northern lands beyond Sain Territory.
• Luo Ning received 200 Attribute Points, 400 Energy Essence, and a higher Monthly Check-in reward multiplier for completing the Viscount achievement.
• Rulans gave Luo Ning Resen’s territory resources as a reward and told him to take over Sain Territory after Blanche departed.
• Rulans raised the possibility of a marriage alliance with Blanche, and Luo Ning said he would consider it seriously.

After Rulans was injured by Soul Devouring Surge, Luo Ning secured Wushan Castle and asked Miloslav whether the magic could be treated. Miloslav said a Level 8 Light Attribute Grand Magus might be able to save Rulans, leaving Luo Ning determined to find a cure.

• Luo Ning reassured the nobles that Rulans was recovering and asked Toru to strengthen security around Wushan Castle.
• Cabir and McKinney agreed to remain at the castle and help protect Rulans.
• Luo Ning asked Marvin to send a Knight Squad to guard Swamp Town before Resen's people could move their assets, and Marvin agreed.
• Luo Ning told the nobles he would welcome laborers and talented people to help develop Mountain Forest Town and Sain Territory.
• Luo Ning asked Miloslav how to treat Rulans's injuries, and Miloslav explained that Soul Devouring Surge was likely Level 8 magic that might be dispelled by a sufficiently powerful Light Attribute mage.
• Luo Ning asked Miloslav to seek out a cure and promised to pay for it, while Miloslav agreed to watch for the necessary magic.

After becoming Viscount of Wubei Territory, Luo Ning cared for the weakened Orson and shared a walk with Princess Blanche, who kissed him before leaving for the Royal Capital. He planned purchases for his return to the territories and received two Attribute Points at midnight.

• Luo Ning learned that Orson had collapsed after suppressing Soul Devouring Surge and visited him in the Small Courtyard.
• Luo Ning walked with Blanche, agreed to visit her in the Royal Capital, and Blanche kissed him before running off.
• Luo Ning asked Macken and Tom to buy magical beast leather, spell ink, and books for his return to the territory.
• Luo Ning received two Attribute Points when his midnight check-in succeeded.

Marvin and Rognar discussed Luo Ning’s growing influence, and Rognar chose to follow him as his lord. Meanwhile, Diane told Brayden that Orson was in a dire state and urged him to build both his knowledge and strength.

• Marvin told Rognar that Luo Ning’s new title and the Marquis’s support could make Wubei Territory a major power, then asked whether Rognar would follow Luo Ning.
• Rognar reconsidered Luo Ning’s strength and accomplishments and declared that he was willing to follow him.
• Marvin predicted that Lord Rulans would support Luo Ning and noted that Princess Blanche’s visit likely meant more than offering birthday wishes.
• Diane returned late and found Brayden reading political books; she told him Orson would return the next day and seemed mentally broken after Rulans’s display of power.
• Diane urged Brayden to keep training and learn from Luo Ning, and Brayden vowed to work hard to catch up to him.

After the nobles left Wushan Castle, Jesus abandoned plans to challenge Rulans directly and prepared to target Boulder Territory instead. Five days later, Luo Ning returned to Mountain Forest Town with Galil’s squad to retrieve witnesses and Resen’s relatives and subordinates for trial.

• Blanche, Jesus, and the other nobles departed Wushan Castle, leaving Luo Ning to bid farewell to them.
• Jesus told Ramsey to prepare supplies for a coming battle and begin an operation against Boulder Territory.
• Luo Ning spent several relaxed days training and visiting Rulans before setting out for Mountain Forest Town on January 7.
• Luo Ning sent Galil to escort him, bring the captured assassin Shadow to Wushan Castle, and collect Resen’s family members and close subordinates for trial.
• Luo Ning considered questioning Philiton, Resen’s trusted knight and a prisoner of Rydal, for information about Resen and the Skull Society.

Luo Ning arrived in Sain Territory and began taking over Swamp Town and Swamp Castle with help from Galil and the disciplined troops of Pasture City. He learned that Resen’s son Moravi was missing and entered the well-defended castle to begin his new rule.

• At the crossroads, Luo Ning ordered Tom to summon Rydal, the captured Sain Territory knights, Chahar, Wilson, and the others to Swamp Town.
• Luo Ning brought Galil to Swamp Town and asked him to oversee the takeover after arriving.
• Farias Snow welcomed Luo Ning, and Mas Ironhoof and Baron Taren Snow explained that Pasture City’s troops had taken Swamp Castle and only guarded the territory’s roads.
• Mas told Luo Ning that Resen’s wife and daughter were detained, but his son Moravi had not returned; Galil thought Moravi might still be in Wushan Town, while Luo Ning suspected he had fled.
• Mas led Luo Ning to Swamp Castle, and Luo Ning entered the fortified castle built amid the marshes.

Luo Ning took control of Swamp Castle, questioned Resen’s family and knights, and learned about Swamp Town’s population, production, and finances. He considered how to reorganize the territory and whether raising Swamp Town’s population above ten thousand might fulfill an achievement.

• Luo Ning questioned Fenris and learned that Philiton might know about Resen’s connection to the Skull Society.
• Luo Ning decided to bring Philiton in for questioning and considered absorbing Sain Territory’s weaker knights, guards, and archers into his forces.
• Luo Ning questioned Serin, who agreed to serve him and described Swamp Town’s buffalo herds, fisheries, population, and annual income.
• Luo Ning learned that Swamp Town had about 9,800 residents and considered using slaves to raise its population above ten thousand and complete an achievement.

Tom returned to Mountain Forest Town with news that Luo Ning had become Viscount of Wubei Territory, and the household prepared to take over Swamp Town. Luo Ning reassured Swamp Town’s residents and began organizing its administration and assets.

• Tom told Chahar, Elrond, Aileen, David, and Wilson that Luo Ning had become Viscount of Wubei Territory and that northern Wushan Territory now belonged to him.
• Elrond explained that Rydal had moved Shadow to the Black Collar Tribe for secure detention, and David volunteered to deliver the news about the prisoners to Rydal.
• Luo Ning gathered Swamp Town’s residents, explained Resen’s crimes, promised to protect their private property, and said he would restore public order and recruit local managers.
• Tom arrived at Swamp Castle with Wilson, Chahar, and five Administrator Assistants, and Luo Ning ordered a census and an inventory of the castle’s assets.
• Luo Ning’s gold reserves reached nearly 7,600 coins after Resen’s savings and the rewards and gratuities from Wushan Castle were counted.

After Resen’s defeat, Luo Ning took charge of Swamp Town, accepted the surrender of its prisoners, and organized the next steps for governing and defending Wubei Territory. The chapter ended with plans to connect the settlements safely and clear dangerous areas around them.

• Rydal escorted Shadow, Philiton, and five of Resen’s knights to Swamp Town, where Luo Ning handed the prisoners over to Galil for trial by Wushan Castle.
• Luo Ning reviewed the Black Collar Tribe’s census of 1,270 people and ordered Joffrey to return and calm its unsettled population.
• Rydal reported three soldiers killed and twelve injured in the attack, and Luo Ning ordered pensions, tax reductions, and labor-service exemptions for the fallen soldiers’ families.
• Luo Ning assigned Macken to train guards and defend Swamp Town, while Rydal continued training recruits and considered retaining Resen’s surviving soldiers who submitted.
• Luo Ning ordered cavalry patrols between the settlements and called for Hunter Squads to clear dangerous areas around Wubei Territory’s towns and villages.

Luo Ning inspected Sain Territory, recognized that its marshes could be turned into fertile farmland, and ordered Wilson to prepare peat fertilizer before spring plowing. After Wilson reported that Swamp Town’s census had counted 9,856 people, Luo Ning unlocked two population achievements and gained attribute points and Energy Essence.

• Galil left for Wushan Castle with prisoners so Resen’s crimes could be judged, while Luo Ning warned him that proving Viscount Tainy’s involvement would be difficult.
• Mas of Pasture City and Baron Taren departed after Luo Ning’s forces took over Swamp Castle’s defenses.
• Luo Ning inspected Sain Territory and concluded that draining its nutrient-rich marshes and using peat fertilizer could improve Swamp Town’s grain production.
• Luo Ning returned to Swamp Castle and learned from Wilson that Swamp Town had 9,856 registered residents.
• Luo Ning unlocked two “Prosperous Population” achievements and received attribute points and Energy Essence.

After Swamp Town’s census pushed Wubei Territory’s population past fourteen thousand, Luo Ning organized workers and spring-plowing plans, promoted Wilson to Chief Administrator, and decided to meet with merchant caravan leader Pierson. The chapter left Luo Ning preparing to develop the territory’s farming, settlements, and trade.

• Luo Ning received 250 Attribute Points and 500 Energy Essence after the census qualified Wubei Territory for two Prosperous Population achievement tiers.
• Luo Ning ordered Wilson to assign carpenters, masons, clay workers, and blacksmiths to workshops and development projects, offering land as an incentive for those who worked diligently.
• Luo Ning laid out plans to cultivate Swamp Town’s land, replenish its fields with peat, and organize village reclamation teams with rewards for their achievements.
• Luo Ning promoted Wilson to Chief Administrator and told the five Assistants that new Administrator positions would give them opportunities to advance.
• Luo Ning asked Wilson to send Pierson, the leader of Swamp Town’s merchant caravan, to meet him the next morning about establishing Wubei Territory’s own caravan.

Luo Ning used his accumulated Attribute Points to reach the peak of Bronze Knight and trained with his newly increased strength. He then invested Energy Essence to promote Rydal to Silver Rank, while planning further exploration and development of Wubei Territory.

• Luo Ning spent all 564 Attribute Points, maxing out his Bronze Knight level and increasing his Great Mage progress.
• Luo Ning tested his enhanced strength with the Flowing Flame Sword and magic, then asked Chahar to summon Rydal.
• Rydal reported on Swamp Town patrols, including the killing of a large crocodile, and described plans to explore the forests north of the territory.
• Luo Ning invested 771 Energy Essence in Rydal, raising him from Bronze Peak to Silver Rank.
• Rydal said he could not confidently defeat a Golden Rank knight unless that opponent lacked combat skill, and Luo Ning decided there was no need to rush further improvement.

Wilson began his work as Wubei Territory’s Chief Administrator while Luo Ning considered how to preserve Swamp Town’s income from trade. After hearing Pierson’s experience and sales records, Luo Ning agreed to keep him and his caravan, though he still needed a knight to protect valuable shipments.

• Wilson met Serin, who congratulated him on becoming Chief Administrator, and encouraged Serin to work hard for a chance to become Swamp Town’s Administrator again.
• Luo Ning declined Chahar’s offer to summon Gallon and Bella, saying he would return to Mountain Forest Town in a few days to inspect Callus’s ironmaking and Jim’s kiln.
• Luo Ning received Pierson and asked about his experience leading Swamp Town’s trade caravan.
• Pierson explained that he sold aquatic goods through established merchant partnerships, bringing Swamp Town three to four hundred gold coins a year, and offered to keep serving Luo Ning.
• Luo Ning agreed to retain Pierson and his caravan, and considered appointing a Professional Knight as a Transport Officer to protect valuable goods.

Luo Ning arranged fixed pay and responsibilities for Pierson’s caravan and planned purchases of iron, seeds, and grain to support his expanding territory. As Tom returned with horses from Pasture City, Rognar and Krami arrived at Swamp Castle, where Rognar prepared to put his plans into action.

• Luo Ning agreed to provide caravan supplies while Pierson and his deputies handled trade, and he raised their daily wages.
• Pierson left the castle to begin purchasing wrought iron and seeds and to establish channels for future grain purchases.
• Luo Ning calculated that Swamp Town faced a grain shortage of at least three hundred thousand jin and resolved to expand cultivation and build grain reserves.
• Tom returned from Pasture City with the horses Luo Ning had previously bought from the Iron Hoof Family’s ranch.
• Rognar and Krami arrived at Swamp Castle, and Rognar prepared to carry out his plans.

Tom returned with the horses from Pasture City and brought Rognar, Krami, and Glado to Swamp Town, where the three unexpectedly offered Luo Ning their allegiance. Luo Ning agreed in principle but told them they would have to obey his orders and accept that he would not grant them territory for at least ten or twenty years.

• Tom told Luo Ning that Rognar and Krami had escorted him back from Pasture City, and Luo Ning went to welcome them.
• Rognar introduced Glado Hartel and brought his and Krami's retainers and servants to meet Luo Ning.
• Rognar, Krami, and Glado knelt and asked to become Luo Ning's knights, so Luo Ning invited them into the castle to discuss their intentions.
• Luo Ning learned that Rognar was Viscount Marvin's second son, Krami was Baron Taren's eldest daughter and Rognar's fiancée, and Glado was Sir Soli's second son.
• Luo Ning accepted their allegiance in principle, on the condition that they follow his orders and understand that he would not readily grant them territory for at least ten or twenty years.

Luo Ning formally welcomed Rognar, Krami, and Grado into Wubei Territory, arranged their compensation and duties, and set plans in motion to bring in slaves for spring farming. After a welcoming banquet, Rognar and Krami reflected on the strength of Luo Ning’s knights and their new responsibilities.

• Rognar, Krami, and Grado pledged allegiance, and Luo Ning formally welcomed them to Wubei Territory.
• Luo Ning set their wages and accommodations, then ordered Tom to arrange the delivery of four hundred slaves to Swamp Town and send the remaining six hundred to Mountain Forest Town.
• Luo Ning held a welcoming banquet where Rydal sparred with Rognar and decisively defeated him.
• Rognar and Krami discussed Rydal’s strength and the potential of Luo Ning’s knights before preparing to join the Purge Mission.
• Rognar and Krami accepted their new duties escorting valuable trade caravans and supporting the territory’s work.

Luo Ning used his Flame Pillar spell to dry swamp land for mining and received Anthony, who delivered slaves and gifts. Luo Ning ordered two thousand more slaves and proposed a separate deal directly with Anthony.

• Rydal organized residents' reports of dangerous locations and led three teams of knights to clear them, earning the castle meat and goodwill.
• Luo Ning cast Flame Pillar to evaporate surface water from a wetland and judged the method highly efficient.
• A cavalryman told Luo Ning that Anthony had arrived from Pasture City with the slaves.
• Anthony gave Luo Ning Crystal Carvings, books, stationery, bows, and arrows to celebrate his new title as Viscount of Wubei Territory.
• Luo Ning ordered two thousand slaves and told Anthony he wanted to discuss another deal with him personally, not with the Viper Slave Exchange.