Chapter 9: Chapter Nine: Viscount Lafeinuogude

Luo Shan had imagined countless times what the viscount looked like before arriving at Luofugude Manor. He had thought that a lord who made both his subordinates and his own biological daughter so fearful must be extraordinarily mighty. Even if he didn't have a beard full of whiskers, he should at least be eight chi tall and tiger‑like in vigor. But when the carriage curtain was lifted and Viscount Novogurod appeared before him, all his imaginings were instantly overturned.

Before him stood a handsome man; perhaps because of magical power, although he was over fifty, his face looked no different from that of a youth under thirty. As soon as he stepped down from the carriage, Luo Shan could feel an extremely powerful magical aura surrounding him—a power he had never heard of.

"This must be Luo Shan, right? Qinyan told me about you."

In the boundless silence, Viscount Novogurod spoke slowly.

"Yes." Luo Shan hurriedly replied. "Un... Viscount, are you well?"

"Hmm." However, Viscount Luofugude merely nodded lightly, his gaze shifting to Labike, who lay collapsed on the ground. "I sensed the aura of dark magic early on and hurried over, yet I am still a step late. In that earlier battle, were you badly wounded?" "Viscount... Viscount... cough cough." Labike coughed violently, lowering his head. "No trouble for the Viscount, just a minor injury... cough cough, not worth mentioning." "Nuochong, take him for treatment." Viscount Novogurod sighed softly, turning to his subordinate who stood ready with weapon in hand. At once two people rushed forward, helping Labike onto another carriage.

"See to the proper burial of the fallen guards, grant forty gold coins to their families. Additionally, award each night‑watch guard ten silver coins."

After arranging all this, he turned his head again, looking with interest at Luo Shan standing to the side.

"Your power is strong, but since it is clearly a light‑attribute spell, why does it carry a dark aura?"

The viscount's tone turned icy in an instant; Luo Shan felt a power like lightning, stone, thunder, and fire envelop his whole body in a flash, suppressing his strength, leaving him limp and unable to exert even a bit of force. A deep fear suddenly rose in his heart. Apart from the Mingguang of the Spirit God Hall he had once fought, no one else possessed such power!

"Viscount... Viscount..." he tried with all his might to speak, but found his voice blocked at his throat, unable to utter even half a word. Yet the viscount's voice sounded like wind, blowing from his ears straight into his heart, as if it had completely discerned his inner thoughts.

"Afraid? You fallen angel!"

Those words were like a blade, piercing straight into Luo Shan's heart.

"You... you know everything?" Luo Shan felt only utter helplessness. Before this man, he could not hide even a single secret.

"Quite right. I know everything."

"Then are you going to hand me over to the Spirit God Hall?" Luo Shan sighed in his heart. He had anticipated this outcome from the start, but he never expected it to come so quickly.

"Spirit God Hall?" However, Viscount Luofugude merely gave a cold smile.

"What are they? A gang of utterly evil locusts, winning only by numbers, bullying the weak with strength. Tonight a few bandits even dared to come to my Novogurod Manor. Hmph, the next time I see that Mingguang fellow, I'll settle this score with him!"

"Those three men tonight were from the Spirit God Hall?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Luo Shan realized he could speak again.

"Exactly!" Viscount Novogurod sneered. "The Spirit God Hall has been expanding its power this year, recruiting mages and warriors from all quarters, letting them loot everywhere. These fellows all bear the imprint personally given by Mingguang—undeniable proof. Tomorrow I will write to Mingguang to see how he replies. For now, send these two bandits back to the dungeon, change the front‑guard shift early, and let everyone rest. Luo Shan, come with me."

The words had not yet faded when he flicked his sleeve, turned, and boarded the carriage. Luo Shan watched his retreating back; that voice echoed once more in his heart.

"Kid, the Spirit God Hall is currently hunting down the remaining angels across the continent. Stay at my Luofugude Manor for a while, and we'll talk later."

No sooner had the words fallen than a gentle breeze seemed to come alive, lifting Luo Shan's waist and swaying him toward the carriage. The scented silk curtain was drawn back, a lamp on the carriage ceiling illuminated the splendid interior within. Viscount Luofugude sat inside, his handsome visage half‑smiling, a stark contrast to his earlier icy demeanor.

"Viscount... Viscount..." Luo Shan's voice stammered.

"Don't be nervous, don't be so formal. Since you are Qinyan's friend, you may call me Uncle." Viscount Luofugude smiled, this time not using magical voice transmission. "Just now, in front of all those subordinates, I had no choice but to use magic to hear your voice, which may have startled you."

"No... nothing of the sort."

"Luo Shan, I said, in my Luofugude Manor you may treat it as your own home. Were your parents taken by the Spirit God Hall? I have some acquaintance with Mingguang of the Spirit God Hall; I will do my best to help you in this matter. However..." Viscount Luofugude continued slowly. "Luo Shan, I still have a few doubts in my heart. If you do not explain them clearly to me, then I cannot help you... you should understand this."

"Uncle... as long as I know, I will surely tell you." Upon hearing the promise of help to rescue his parents, Luo Shan's heart surged with sudden joy.

"Then I will get straight to the point." Viscount Luofugude looked into his eyes. "You say Qinyan saved your life, yet Qinyan knows neither magic nor swordsmanship—that is strange. First, you are clearly under twenty, yet you already possess power approaching that of a Person Master—that is second. Third, you are clearly a member of the angel race, yet your whole body exudes a dark aura—that is third. I have pondered these three points on my way here and still cannot figure them out; I hope you can now give me an answer. What exactly is going on?"

"Uncle, actually the secret here is something even I do not fully understand." Luo Shan sighed. "This power was given to me by a grandfather who sacrificed himself for me. I myself cannot explain the dark aura on my body; others say it is innate, some say I have a 'bloodthirsty' soul, and I truly do not know what is happening. As for Qinyan—before I met her, a voice kept speaking to me, urging me to offer my soul and body, promising to give me power. I was almost swallowed by that endless darkness and helplessness. Then Qinyan called out, and the voice vanished. Without that call from Qinyan, I would not be who I am today. So saying she saved my life is absolutely no exaggeration."

"A bloodthirsty soul..." Viscount Novogurod lowered his head, muttering to himself. "Bloodthirsty soul... you said a voice was speaking to you—was that voice like mine just now, transmitted to your heart via magic?"

"I don't know. But that voice seemed to call itself the Dark God Makasi." Luo Shan recalled. "Uncle, what exactly is Makasi?"

Yet he saw Viscount Luofugude's expression clearly change.

"Dark God Makasi... Makasi... he actually chose you?" The viscount's face suddenly turned grave. "Luo Shan." He raised his voice. "Listen to me: from now on, no matter what that voice tells you, you must not heed it, nor act according to it—do you understand?"

"Otherwise, not only will your life be in danger, but this entire continent may suffer catastrophe because of it!"

"Bloodthirsty soul... bloodthirsty soul... now I see... Makasi this fellow, is he really plotting something like that?" He muttered to himself, completely ignoring Luo Shan's puzzled look.

"Luo Shan..." After a long while, he turned his gaze back to Luo Shan. "This is a matter of utmost importance; you must not tell anyone about Makasi. Understood?" "Yes." Luo Shan nodded solemnly. "Very well." Viscount Luofugude smiled again. "Now go rest; I have arranged a room for you on the third floor of the main building, close to our quarters. If you need anything, just press the bell on the bedside table; a servant will come to attend to you—just give your orders."

"Tomorrow, everything will be discussed then."