The soft-life corruption method

Everyone looked at Lin Ke.

The first wife, Antova, and Steward Billy had already guessed, and his mother, Furon, had some idea too.

Most of the servants, however, were still rather bewildered.

It was the middle of the afternoon, and everyone was preparing dinner. What had brought them all together?

Lin Ke spread his little mouth in a grin, showing neat white teeth, and announced clearly, "Today, my most loyal servant, John, my follower, Nix, and I awakened our bloodlines!"

He had to mention John before Nix when he spoke, or John would get jealous.

As for John... when Lin Ke said the words "most loyal," he proudly puffed out his chest.

Nix, meanwhile, had been imitating Steward Billy all along. His two large, furry, pink ears drooped behind him as he bowed politely.

Anticipation gradually rose among the crowd. No matter how dim they were, they understood what their young master meant now.

He must have awakened an excellent bloodline!

"All three of our bloodline ranks are good. Or rather, very good!"

Lin Ke's voice was full of excitement, with an inspiring quality to it.

Ever since awakening his Leadership bloodline today, he had felt particularly adept at inspiring others.

Perhaps it was the natural affinity his bloodline gave him.

"Very good?"

"Andrew's Leg! Just what we'd expect from our young master of Azan."

"Of course. The master's bloodline couldn't possibly be poor."

"Boohoo, I'm so jealous of that boy John."

The servants began murmuring among themselves, while Lin Ke's mother, Furon, cheered outright in excitement. "That's wonderful, little Lin Ke!"

She never bothered with appearances away from the dining table. She did whatever felt free and made her happy.

"Madam, Young Master Lin Ke has been bright since infancy. He will surely become the kingdom's most dazzling jewel."

At her side, Steward Billy employed his practiced command of hyperbole and metaphor to flatter her.

That made Furon even happier, but as her joy grew, she began to cry. "Boohoo, I'm so happy! Thank goodness my little Lin Ke didn't inherit my bloodline, boohoo..."

There was self-reproach, relief, and a little gratitude for his good fortune.

The first wife, Antova, had also wanted to say something to Lin Ke, but when she saw her fellow wife crying, she hurried over to comfort her.

Lin Ke felt rather helpless at the sight. Such good news, and it had turned into this.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Ke tried another approach. "Mother, you're right to cry tears of joy, because my bloodline ranks among the very best in the entire kingdom, and even in many other planes!"

There was no phrase for "tears of joy" here, but he expressed something close to it.

"...And Nix's bloodline is very good too. John's bloodline also ranks quite highly!"

He briefly explained the bloodline ranks, mentioning the ranks of all three of them along the way.

Then he explained that the pillar of light earlier had appeared because Ove could not believe their bloodlines were so good, lost control of his power, and blew up the Crystal Ball.

His main reason for announcing all this now was, of course, to consolidate his rule and reassure the people whose livelihoods depended on Azan Castle.

Another reason was to conceal his overwhelming talent by letting the people of Azan know in advance that his talent was outstanding.

These people had probably never left Azan in their lives. Knowing that their young master was outstanding was already plenty; they would never dare imagine anything beyond that.

Even if someone with an ulterior motive investigated in the future, their suspicions would point toward Ove rather than them.

"Little Lin Ke... little Lin Ke is amazing... boohoo... it's all my fault... thank goodness, thank goodness..."

Hearing Lin Ke's words did not stop Furon's tears. Instead, she cried even louder, her words becoming incoherent.

John stood nearby in a daze. He had had no idea he was actually at the sixth rank, the "somewhat interesting" level.

He was stupefied with happiness. Even in what he considered his long life of six years, now that he was already an adult, he had never learned what expression to wear in the face of something like this.

Then he thought of Nix beside him and could not help looking over enviously. He felt a little sour, but there was no jealousy.

Nix had more talent than he did, but they both served the young master. He would only be happy for his young master.

And Nix...

At that moment, Nix's white fur was soaked with tears. Two clear streams flowed down his face as he murmured, "Lady Furon is so moved... boohoo... I miss my mom... boohoo..."

He was not the only one. Many servants were secretly shedding tears, especially some of the elderly ones.

They were very fond of Furon because she put on no airs and treated people well. After all, she had been born into a commoner's family.

Compared with the lofty first wife, Furon was much more down-to-earth.

"Boohoo, this is wonderful. Madam has always been afraid she'd hold the young master back."

"Yes, yes, boohoo. Madam was talking to me about it just a few days ago. This is wonderful."

"Wonderful, just wonderful."

"The ancestors are watching over Azan."

Caught up in Furon's emotions, the servants all stood there secretly wiping away tears.

For a while, everyone was crying together.

Good grief.

Lin Ke had never expected this reaction to his announcement. He had thought the whole room would erupt in cheers!

"Lin Ke, hurry and take your mother back to her room. Have a good talk with her."

The first wife, Antova, supported Furon as she called to Lin Ke.

Lin Ke had not wanted to take orders from the woman who wanted to kill him, but his mother was crying so hard that he worried such intense emotions would affect her health.

After all, she had only recently suffered a fright. More extreme swings between joy and sorrow would not be good for her.

Lin Ke hurried over to comfort her, soothing her as they walked. Eventually, he managed to get Furon back to her room, had the servants help her wash up briefly, and let her fall into a deep sleep.

The next day, in the study.

Lin Ke had arranged lodgings for Ove, but Ove evidently disliked being around people so much that no one knew where he had gone to sleep.

This morning, however, after they had finished breakfast, Ove had already sent them a voice transmission telling them to come to the study.

The study was still brightly lit, and Ove had simply hidden behind a bookshelf.

He could not see Lin Ke and the others, and they could not see him. This seemed to ease Ove's anxiety around people.

Lin Ke realized that Ove did not have social anxiety. He was outright afraid of people.

"Children, you're here." Ove's voice came from where he stood behind the bookshelf.

"Teacher Ove."

"Lord Ove."

"Lord Ove."

All three bowed in greeting.

As instructed, Nix and John called Ove "Lord Ove" to emphasize the special significance of Lin Ke calling him "Teacher."

First, he would plant enough suggestions in Ove's mind. That would make formally becoming his apprentice easier later.

"Hmm... let's begin the lesson."

Ove spoke very little today and even seemed subdued, unlike his excitement yesterday.

"One moment, Teacher."

Lin Ke gently stopped Ove, then gave John a meaningful look.

John nodded and immediately clapped softly toward the doorway.

At once, four or five people entered, carrying an assortment of fine morning refreshments, comfortable chairs, and ice that had been stored in the cellar for a long time.

"Teacher, it's already very kind of you to come here to teach us. We can't let you teach in poor conditions. That would be discourteous of Azan."

Lin Ke explained in his childish little voice.

Let the social anxiety treatment begin!

The soft-life corruption method would proceed at the same time!