Chapter Summaries

Luo Ning returned to Wushan Castle after conquering three savage tribes, hoping to secure the land north of Mountain Forest Town while keeping his growing potential hidden. Rulans was impressed by Luo Ning’s actions and summoned him for a private meeting before the family dinner.

• Luo Ning traveled to Wushan Castle with Macken, Walton, and George, intending to discuss his new territory and visit his family.
• Holwart welcomed Luo Ning and told him that Wiggins had recovered from his injury but had lost a leg; Luo Ning asked to visit him and Rulans after bathing.
• Holwart informed Wiggins that Luo Ning had returned, and Wiggins ordered preparations for a dinner banquet.
• Holwart told Most that Luo Ning had arrived, and Rulans reflected on Luo Ning’s conquest of three savage tribes with new respect.
• Rulans ordered someone to tell Luo Ning to meet him before the dinner banquet.

Luo Ning met with Rulans at Wushan Castle and asked to manage the lands and people of the savage tribes he had conquered. Rulans agreed to let him manage three tribes for an annual fee, but revealed that Baron Leysen had already conquered the Black Collar Tribe.

• Most escorted Luo Ning to the back mountain, where he met Rulans and recounted how he had conquered three savage tribes.
• Luo Ning credited Macken with much of the fighting and explained that he had taken in 1,051 people from the tribes, killing those supernatural beings who resisted and making the others swear loyalty.
• Luo Ning asked Rulans to grant him the tribes' lands and the Black Collar Tribe, but Rulans said he could not award more territory without sufficient military merit.
• Rulans agreed that Luo Ning could manage the three conquered tribes for thirty gold coins a year, and Luo Ning offered to pay forty if he could also manage the Black Collar Tribe.
• Rulans told Luo Ning that Baron Leysen had already conquered the Black Collar Tribe and handed him the letter announcing it.

Luo Ning learned that Baron Leysen’s claim over the Black Collar Tribe prevented him from attacking it, while Rulans granted him operating rights to three other tribes. He discussed the Skull Society and a possible war against the Black Gold Brotherhood with Rulans, who then offered him the Thunder Chasing Wind Beast.

• Rulans explained that attacking the Black Collar Tribe would amount to declaring war on Sain Territory, and temporarily assigned its operating rights to Leysen for five hundred gold coins a year.
• Luo Ning asked about Wiggins’s assassination, and Rulans identified the Skull Society as a branch of the Black Gold Brotherhood, which he believed had support from the Vera Duchy.
• Rulans told Luo Ning that Wiggins and Brayden wanted to launch a campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood next spring, and Luo Ning advised against a large-scale war before spring plowing.
• Rulans summoned his Level 5 Thunder Chasing Wind Beast and offered it to Luo Ning.

Luo Ning visited Rulans, who discussed magical beast mounts, offered support for Luo Ning’s knights and mages, and learned about useful innovations from Mountain Forest Town. As they went to dinner, Rulans arranged to inspect Luo Ning’s equipment and urged him to reconcile with Wiggins.

• Rulans joked that he would give Luo Ning the Thunder Chasing Wind Beast, then explained that he had found it in the Mist Mountains when he was young.
• Rulans advised Luo Ning to consider giving his Cloud Steed to a subordinate, unaware that Luo Ning was already an Advanced Knight.
• Luo Ning asked Rulans for Battle Skills and Water Magic Books, and Rulans agreed to send support while suggesting Luo Ning restore the Wushan surname.
• As Rulans and Luo Ning headed to dinner, Luo Ning told him about Black Iron Tree equipment and improved farming plows, so Rulans arranged for Toru to inspect them the next day.
• Rulans told Luo Ning that Wiggins still cared about the family and urged him to talk properly with his father.

Luo Ning attended a tense family dinner at Wushan Castle, where Brayden and Wiggins urged him to lead a campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood next spring. He agreed in principle but privately planned to avoid the command, noting that the campaign had not been confirmed and that he would be in Mountain Forest Town.

• Luo Ning greeted Brayden, then welcomed Wiggins and Diane as they joined the family dinner.
• Rulans toasted Wushan and left early, after which the atmosphere at the table eased.
• Brayden praised Luo Ning for conquering three barbarian tribes, and Diane congratulated him on becoming a Beginner Knight.
• Wiggins praised Luo Ning’s victories and said they had helped resolve one of his lingering concerns.
• Brayden said the Skull Society had arranged Wiggins’s assassination and asked Luo Ning to represent the family as Commander in a campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood next spring.
• Luo Ning agreed not to refuse if the campaign was confirmed, while privately deciding he could avoid taking command.

After the banquet, Luo Ning spoke with Wiggins about recruiting craftsmen and relocating guards’ families, then discussed the Wushan inheritance and the barbarian lands with Brayden. Brayden accepted Luo Ning’s refusal to hand the lands to Sain Territory and left hoping the brothers would work together to restore the family’s glory.

• Luo Ning asked Wiggins to let him recruit craftsmen in Wushan City and move the previous guards’ families to Mountain Forest Town, and Wiggins agreed.
• Brayden thanked Luo Ning for giving up the Right of Inheritance, and Luo Ning affirmed that Brayden was suited to lead the Wushan Family.
• Brayden asked Luo Ning to transfer the Operating Rights of the barbarian lands to Sain Territory, offering at least five hundred gold coins in compensation.
• Luo Ning refused to sell the rights and promised to solve the manpower shortage himself; Brayden admitted Baron Leysen had asked him to lobby Luo Ning.
• Brayden told Luo Ning that he hoped they would work together to restore the Wushan Family’s former glory.

Luo Ning learned that Brayden was focused on becoming stronger and largely ignorant of administration, then received a large collection of books and Battle Skills from Rulans. Meanwhile, Diane rebuked Brayden for failing to secure the northern lands and warned him that Luo Ning was his competitor, leaving Brayden confused but subdued.

• Luo Ning spoke with Brayden and learned that he believed Wushan Castle's troubles stemmed from Rulans's declining health and Wiggins's lack of strength.
• Luo Ning returned to his companions, learned Most had delivered books from Rulans, and examined the Battle Skills and manuals arranged by attribute.
• Diane asked Brayden whether Luo Ning had agreed to let Sain Territory manage the northern lands, and Brayden said Luo Ning wanted to manage them himself.
• Diane criticized Brayden for supporting Luo Ning and insisted that the northern lands had to be controlled by her people.
• Brayden asked who counted as their people, and Diane told him that only she and the Hyde Family would support him; he eventually agreed to listen.

Luo Ning learned Wind of Detection and brought Ironwood equipment and a Curved-Shaft Plow to Wushan Fortress to present them to the Knight Order. He introduced the Black Iron Tree products to Wushan’s influential officials, and Galil asked to test a shield.

• Luo Ning successfully learned Wind of Detection, using it to sense people and guards within range before meditating and going to sleep.
• The next day, Most told Luo Ning he could bring the promised items to Wushan Fortress, and Luo Ning gathered the equipment and wrapped Curved-Shaft Plow.
• At Wushan Fortress, Luo Ning met Rulans and five officials, including Torr Vinal, Galil Vinal, Dawson, Albert, and Curry.
• Luo Ning explained that Black Iron Tree wood was exceptionally hard and that he had made weapons and armor from it at his Ironwood Workshop.
• Luo Ning offered the Ironwood products to strengthen the Knight Order, and Galil asked to test one of the shields.

At Wushan Fortress, Luo Ning presented his Black Ironwood weapons and armor, and the Knight Order tested their quality and considered a purchase. After Rulans sent Luo Ning to test his Curved-Shaft Plow, Galil revealed that Macken was far stronger than Luo Ning had claimed.

• Luo Ning introduced the Ironwood Cuirass and Ironwood Lamellar Armor, then invited the assembled officers to inspect his equipment.
• Galil tested an Ironwood Shield against Macken, then unexpectedly fought him and found that Macken could nearly match him even after both used Battle Qi.
• Dawson judged the Ironwood Lamellar Armor suitable for soldiers, and Toru ordered Galil's Knight Squad to trial the equipment while Curry discussed prices with Luo Ning.
• Rulans sent Luo Ning with Administrator Albert to test the Curved-Shaft Plow, then asked Galil about Macken's strength after the others left.
• Galil told Rulans that Macken had reached the peak of Advanced Rank, contradicting Luo Ning's claim that Macken had only recently advanced from Intermediate Knight.

Luo Ning demonstrated the curved-shaft plow to Rulans and his officials, then negotiated to sell Wushan Castle its blueprints and technical support for 3,000 gold coins. He also secured an order for Ironwood equipment and an agreement to establish a messenger-bird route between Wushan Castle and Mountain Forest Town.

• Albert and Curry praised the curved-shaft plow after farmers tested it, and Rulans agreed that Wushan Castle should acquire it.
• Luo Ning offered Wushan Castle the plow blueprints and technical support for a one-time payment of 3,000 gold coins, and Curry accepted the price.
• Curry told Toru that Wushan Castle would sell him finished plows at a favorable price and asked those present to keep the technology confidential.
• Galil ordered Ironwood shields, spears, cuirasses, and lamellar armor for Wushan Castle.
• Rulans recommended that Luo Ning contact Viscount Marvin for future trade, while Curry offered to travel to Mountain Forest Town to negotiate.
• Rulans arranged for a Bird Trainer to establish a messenger-bird route between Wushan Castle and Mountain Forest Town, and Luo Ning welcomed the plan.

Luo Ning received the three thousand gold coins from Finance Officer Curry, completed two Prosperous Fortune achievements, and agreed to guide Wushan Castle's craftsmen in making Curved-Shaft Plows. After Walton and George reported that few craftsmen had agreed to move to Mountain Forest Town, Luo Ning raised his relocation offer and ordered them to keep recruiting.

• Luo Ning rested, studied magic, and sparred with Macken while waiting for Curry to deliver the payment and official order list.
• Curry brought Luo Ning three thousand gold coins and asked him to advise Wushan Castle's craftsmen on making Curved-Shaft Plows; Luo Ning agreed to help the following morning.
• Luo Ning completed two Prosperous Fortune achievements, gaining 150 Attribute Points and 300 Energy Essence, and considered how he might strengthen Rydal or Macken.
• Walton and George returned from Wushan City with a list of apprentices willing to relocate, prompting Luo Ning to tell them to recruit more people.
• Luo Ning offered relocation expenses of one gold coin to apprentices and five gold coins to full-fledged craftsmen, with greater rewards for Master Craftsmen and Grand Craftsmen.

Luo Ning visited Rulans before leaving Wushan Castle, and Rulans praised his growth and asked whether he wanted the Right of Inheritance restored. Luo Ning declined, then accepted a box of powerful Spell Scrolls as a parting gift and left after promising to visit again.

• Luo Ning told Rulans that the Curved-Shaft Plow was ready to be made and that he would return to Mountain Forest Town.
• Rulans said Luo Ning had changed greatly and offered to restore his Right of Inheritance, but Luo Ning declined because Brayden had already become the heir and restoring it could cause conflict.
• Rulans gave Luo Ning five valuable Spell Scrolls, including Level Six magic and the only Potent Healing Spell scroll in Wushan Castle.
• Rulans warned Luo Ning that using the scrolls could drain his life and told him to let Macken use them instead.
• Luo Ning thanked Rulans, promised to use the gifts well, and said he would visit again at the end of December.

Luo Ning left Wushan Castle for Mountain Forest Town with a large group of craftsmen, including Master Craftsman Darn, and an escort of knights. After he departed, Diane sent Brayden back to the Supernatural Academy with a letter and an escort, urging him to learn about governing.

• Luo Ning recruited thirty-six craftsmen and apprentices, including the renowned Master Craftsman Darn, who joined after hearing Luo Ning explain the Curved-Shaft Plow.
• Luo Ning promised Darn generous pay and future design work, then set out for Mountain Forest Town with the craftsmen and twelve knights led by Galil.
• Diane told Brayden that Luo Ning had left under Galil's escort and gave him a letter for Moravi to deliver to his father.
• Diane ordered Laurent Nolan to escort Brayden back to the Supernatural Academy and urged Brayden to study government affairs as well as cultivation.

Elrond investigated a Demon Beast that had been stealing sheep near Mountain Forest Town, and it wounded David when the guards found it. Luo Ning was nearing town on his return journey, unaware of the danger awaiting him there.

• Elrond questioned three shepherds after more sheep disappeared and concluded that a stealthy Demon Beast might be responsible.
• Tomas and other guards brought back a badly wounded David, while Dandy reported that a large, fast, grayish-black Demon Beast had attacked him near Wushan Lake.
• Elrond healed David, ordered townspeople to avoid the area, and planned to lure the Demon Beast with sheep and either trap it or retreat for help.
• Luo Ning camped in the mountains with Galil's Knight Squad and agreed that Galil would return with his knights after escorting him to Mountain Forest Town.
• Luo Ning considered his growing strength and concluded that Sain Territory no longer posed much of a threat to him.

Luo Ning returned to Mountain Forest Town and learned that a powerful Demon Beast had injured David and threatened the territory. After Elrond’s group found the beast’s newborn cub, Luo Ning decided to take it home, but sensed danger as he reached for it.

• Luo Ning arrived at the castle, learned from Aileen that a Demon Beast had injured David, and rode out with her to find it.
• Elrond’s group encountered a giant wolf-like Demon Beast, which broke free of Elrond’s Light Binding Spell and fled into the forest.
• Elrond and the others found the Demon Beast’s newborn cub and debated what to do with it.
• Luo Ning arrived, learned about the cub, and decided to take it home and raise it.
• Luo Ning reached to pick up the cub, then suddenly sensed danger.

Luo Ning and his companions fought a powerful, injured Demon Beast, and Luo Ning killed it with Explosion Spell after discovering its wound and ability to conceal itself. He gained the “King of Slaughter” achievement and learned the beast had been Level 4 just as Macken arrived.

• Luo Ning sensed a hidden threat, exposed the Demon Beast in the grass, and intercepted its charge.
• Luo Ning battled the beast, which broke Elrond’s restraints and knocked him and the others back before Luo Ning found a wound on its abdomen.
• Elrond restrained the exhausted beast while Luo Ning completed Explosion Spell, but the beast concealed itself before he could attack.
• Luo Ning spotted the beast’s blood, struck its hidden body with Explosion Spell, and killed it.
• Luo Ning received 200 Attribute Points and 400 Energy Essence for the achievement, realized the beast had been Level 4, and Macken arrived.

Luo Ning’s knights killed an injured Level 4 Demon Beast, and Browning identified it as a mutant Storm Direwolf. He learned that the wolf cub could be tamed, while the possibility of a dangerous rival beast near Mountain Forest Town remained uncertain.

• Luo Ning inspected the dead beast, found it had healed and healing wounds, and ordered it brought back with its cub.
• Aileen held the whimpering cub, and Luo Ning and Aileen fed it warm milk at the castle.
• Luo Ning summoned Browning, who identified the cub as a Level 3 Storm Direwolf and the mother as a rare Level 4 mutant.
• Browning explained that the female Storm Direwolf may have lost its pack and migrated from territory as far as three months away, prompting Luo Ning to order Macken to guard the Ironwood Workshop area.
• Browning agreed that the cub’s unopened eyes would make it easier to tame and offered to help Luo Ning.

Luo Ning arranged care for the Storm Direwolf cub, named Black Tiger, and reviewed Mountain Forest Town’s crafts, agriculture, and staffing with Wilson. He approved five Administrator Assistants and promised Wilson a future promotion to Chief Administrator as the town’s administration expanded.

• Browning advised Luo Ning to bond with the Storm Direwolf cub before it opened its eyes, and Luo Ning and Aileen named it Black Tiger.
• Luo Ning assigned housing and work for the newly arrived craftsmen, then called for a meeting at Mountain Forest Fortress.
• Wilson and Chahar reported on the cabbage fields, fertilizer, and experimental wheat fields, and Luo Ning scheduled inspections for the next day.
• Wilson asked for an assistant because he could no longer manage the town’s growing workload alone.
• Luo Ning approved five Administrator Assistants and said Wilson could become Chief Administrator if he trained them well.

Baron Leysen learned that Luo Ning had conquered the barbarian tribes and gained their Operating Rights, then ordered his men to provoke the Gray Earth Tribe and expand Sain Territory northward. Back in Mountain Forest Castle, Luo Ning reviewed his progress and considered annexation as the fastest way to grow his population and strength.

• Baron Leysen read that Luo Ning had conquered the three barbarian tribes, secured their Operating Rights, and earned three thousand gold coins.
• Philiton warned Baron Leysen that Luo Ning could become a threat, but Leysen dismissed him as dependent on Macken and noted Sain Territory's superior knightly strength.
• Baron Leysen ordered Fenris and Joffrey to expand toward the Gray Earth Tribe and provoke Luo Ning if his side intervened.
• Luo Ning checked his Achievement Quests and found he needed to kill five Level 5 Supernatural Units to complete King of Slaughter.
• Luo Ning spent all 201 Attribute Points, bringing both his Advanced Knight and Advanced Mage progress closer to Level 4.
• Luo Ning decided that annexation would grow his population faster than buying slaves and considered Sain Territory his remaining rival.

Luo Ning inspected the cabbage fields and organized fertilizer and farming improvements for Mountain Forest Town, then appointed Aileen to teach literacy at the castle. After receiving the Storm Direwolf’s magic core, he discovered three spells within it and began studying Swift Speed.

• Luo Ning praised Advance Village’s ridge-planted cabbage, ordered the fields watered, and showed Wilson how to apply decomposed fertilizer in furrows.
• Luo Ning told Chahar and the village leaders to build more toilets and teach residents how to use manure safely as fertilizer.
• Luo Ning arranged for villages to receive curved-shaft plows and fertilizer for next year’s spring planting.
• Luo Ning appointed Aileen to teach David and the others to read and write, and told Bella to study as well.
• Gallon delivered the Storm Direwolf’s magic core to Luo Ning, who ordered extra meat for the fighters and an additional share for David.
• Luo Ning sensed Concealment, Swift Speed, and Rend in the core, then began studying the Swift Speed spell.