Chapter 7: LuoFugude Mountain Villa

Following the main road northward, they gradually left Aimidod Town behind, and Luo Shan was greeted by a leisurely countryside scene of fields, which made his mood unexpectedly calm. Qin Yan, on the other hand, walked at an easy pace, humming an unknown little tune, completely unaware of the countless thoughts swirling in Luo Shan's mind.

Among the wildflowers, a few birds occasionally flashed by, circling the two of them several times before flying away; Luo Shan at that moment simply set his own life and death aside, unafraid even if someone from the Spirit Temple were to appear before him in the next instant. So he looked at the scenery, listened to Qin Yan's singing, and felt carefree. Somehow a thought suddenly flashed through Luo Shan's mind, wishing that this road would continue forever, never ending.

"If we go a little farther, we'll be at my home," Qin Yan's voice was as crisp and moving as a hundred‑song bird, reaching his ears amid the fragrance. "Everyone around here knows the LuoFugude Mountain Villa; our family has lived here for over a hundred years. When you meet Father later, don't be afraid—his appearance is somewhat fierce, but you'll soon see that he's actually kind‑hearted, especially good to the younger ones—though, of course, to me he's quite strict."

"Uncle… a magician?" Luo Shan recalled what Qin Yan had said not long ago. "Then your family must be a great magical clan, right?"

"I suppose so… don't ask me about magic and such, I don't know," Qin Yan smiled faintly. "I've disliked fighting and killing since I was a child, so Father never taught me. As for the uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters in the villa who study and use magic, I just treat it like watching fireworks. So, Luo Shan, why did you suddenly ask me this… do you also know magic?"

"Um… I can," Luo Shan answered honestly. "It's just not strong enough yet." "Why need it to be that strong?" Qin Yan frowned. "In my view, everyone should just avoid learning magic and live peacefully—doesn't that sound good? With magic, there are bad people who use it to do evil, bully the kind; that's terrible… Luo Shan, why not be like me and stop learning any magic?"

"Qin Yan…" Luo Shan's voice suddenly turned icy. "Those people from the Spirit Temple took my parents; to this day their fate is unknown. Cultivating magic to become stronger is the only way I can rescue them. If I don't learn magic, what's the point of me being alive?"

"Oh dear…" Qin Yan only then realized she had said the wrong thing and became flustered. "I didn't mean it like that; don't take it to heart…"

"How could I take it to heart?" Yet Luo Shan's expression lasted only a moment before returning to normal. "It's my fault… I was too serious just now, I'm really sorry…"

"I should be the one apologizing," Qin Yan sighed. "Luo Shan, you don't have to be so cautious in front of me… we're friends, after all."

"Okay." This was the third time Qin Yan emphasized the word "friend," and Luo Shan felt a sweet warmth in his heart, replying softly. Qin Yan's smile then blossomed. "That's more like it." She turned her head. "When we reach my home, I'll treat you to fine honey wine, all brewed by Father himself—it's delicious."

"Uncle truly bears a heavy burden as the capable one."

"Exactly. Father not only excels in magic, his swordsmanship is also top‑notch in this region. In the ten‑plus years since I was born, I've never seen anyone beat him at the annual Tamara Province fencing tournament. Luo Shan, if you wish to learn swordsmanship and magic, I can have Father teach you; if you later must… must go find your parents, it will give you a better chance."

"Qin Yan…" Luo Shan lowered his head and said nothing more.

The LuoFugude Mountain Villa spanned 3,200 mu, encompassing orchards, fish ponds, and vast forestland. Qin Yan and Luo Shan walked along a path forward until they finally saw the villa's towering outer wall. In Luo Shan's view, merely constructing such a high wall was already awe‑inspiring.

"Father said that just along this outer wall there are over three hundred guard posts to prevent outside invasion. Because our family isn't very populous, the guards are hired mercenaries. I often say mercenaries care only about money and are the least reliable, but Father says that for a villa this large, without mercenaries we couldn't defend it with only our family's three hundred people."

"But it's fine, perhaps because of Father's reputation, or maybe because our family has avoided conflict for nearly a hundred years; the villa has never faced serious trouble. Occasionally a few bandits appear, and the mercenaries easily deal with them."

"Luo Shan, if you're willing, you can live in our villa and become part of our family. You should know I have no biological brothers or sisters; my cousins either vie for the heir position of the villa and constantly flatter me, or are busy training and cultivating magic, and most of my female cousins are distant. Over the years I've had very few playmates. If you come, you can keep me company, just like a real brother."

As they spoke, the two arrived at the villa's main gate, where a few warriors in finely‑crafted iron armor and two plain‑clothed, hat‑wearing mages with long staffs stood guard. Seeing Qin Yan and Luo Shan arrive, one of the mages stepped forward a few paces and said respectfully.

"Miss, where are you going? The Viscount is very anxious and has sent over a hundred people to look for you everywhere… and this is…" His gaze fell on Luo Shan. "Miss, didn't the Viscount say not to bring those chaotic outsiders into the villa…"

"He's not a chaotic outsider!" Qin Yan's tone held an unmistakable anger. "Uncle Rabik, his name is Luo Shan, he's my friend, I'm taking him to see Father." "Miss." The mage called Rabik replied slowly. "I dare not disobey the Viscount's order, or perhaps, Miss, you may first enter the villa to see the Viscount; this… ahem… young brother can rest here with me for a moment, and once the Viscount approves, I'll bring him in. Does that sound appropriate?" He, accustomed to courtly affairs, had already sensed Qin Yan's special regard for Luo Shan, yet he could not openly defy the Viscount's command, so he offered a diplomatic solution that offended neither party. He felt a quiet pride inside.

"No, I'll go with him to see Father." Yet Qin Yan's reaction surprised him. As a long‑servant of the LuoFugude Mountain Villa, Rabik knew Qin Yan‑LuoFugude's gentle demeanor; although favored by Viscount Rafi‑LuoFugude, she was not as spoiled as other noble ladies and always respected a low‑ranking servant like him. This time, however, she refused his conciliatory suggestion. Rabik was at a loss, unable to oppose the Miss yet unwilling to defy the Viscount's unbreakable order. "Miss…" he could only smile wryly and lower his head. "My duties bind me; please do not put me in a difficult position."

"Uncle Rabik, if you still won't let us in, I'll file a complaint against you with Father." Qin Yan stared at the staff‑wielding mage, a stubborn resolve rising within her. "Luo Shan." She grabbed the boy's hand. "Come with me; they won't stop you. I'll ask Father to teach you magic… Hey, just go." She turned, glaring at the motionless Luo Shan. "Why aren't you moving?" "Qin Yan." Yet Luo Shan merely replied calmly, "I'll just wait here a while, so as not to trouble this gentleman." "You're foolish." Qin Yan stamped her foot anxiously. "The villa is huge, there's no carriage at the gate; if I go inside to find Father and pick you up, it'll be dark before I return. Are you going to spend the night at the gate?" "I'm fine." Luo Shan shook his head softly. "You go ahead; pick me up tomorrow. Don't blame anyone for me, otherwise Uncle will be displeased, right?" "Miss." Rabik spoke then. "This young brother understands reason; Miss, rest assured, I'll look after him tonight. If by morning a single hair is missing, feel free to punish me."

"Luo Shan…" Qin Yan's gaze shifted to him as he nodded vigorously. "Alright." She sighed. "Uncle Rabik, please arrange lodging and food for Luo Shan tonight; after I see Father, I'll send a carriage to fetch him. Take good care of him, don't let him freeze." "You can rest assured, Miss." Rabik forced a laugh. "It's on me."

"Okay." Qin Yan lingered a moment, then turned and left, two guards following her. Luo Shan stood at the majestic villa gate, watching Qin Yan's petite figure recede, feeling an unexpected pang of loss.

After Qin Yan vanished from sight, he turned to speak a few courteous words to Rabik, but the mage who had been standing behind him suddenly disappeared. A vague sense of something being wrong rose in him; before he could react, a staff pressed against his throat, chilling him.

"Speak." Rabik's voice turned dark in an instant. "Your power surges so strongly; your magical strength must already be at the 'Master' level, right? What does a master like you want by approaching our villa?"