Chapter 143: 143 The Motto of the Ironhoof Family

This was the second time Tangmu had come to Muma City.

He did not know the specific location of the Tieti Family's castle, but this was not a difficult matter.

Residents and merchants coming and going on the main street were very happy to provide information when they saw Tangmu, who was dressed as a Knight riding a tall, sturdy horse.

The Tieti Family's castle was located on the hillside in the northwest corner.

This castle was tall and majestic, sprawling across the entire hilltop like a giant beast.

After Tangmu approached, he discovered deep marks on the outer walls of the castle; the bluestone walls revealed the traces of time, making one feel the weight of history.

"Stop right there!"

On the main road leading to the castle, the Guard who saw a stranger approaching immediately stepped forward to stop him.

Tangmu dismounted and very politely took out the Visit Letter.

"Your Excellency Guard, I am a subordinate of Baron Luoning of Shanlin Town. My Baron wishes to visit the Viscount, and this is the Visit Letter."

A Baron from Shanlin Town?

The Guard did not know what kind of person this Baron was, but as someone standing guard for a Viscount's family, he possessed basic courtesy: "Mr. Knight, please wait a moment; I will go and report this."

Deep within the castle, Viscount Mawen was reviewing his cargo manifest. It listed quite a few items, including jade, crystal carvings, gemstones, and so on—all rather expensive things.

These were birthday gifts he had prepared for Lulansi.

In fact, many nobles in the Wushan Territory would bring all sorts of things to Wushan Castle today; for one, it was to offer birthday greetings to Lulansi, and for another, it was equivalent to paying tribute and taxes.

"My Lord."

The Steward outside the door called out softly.

Mawen looked up: "Aierfengsi, what do you need?"

Aierfengsi walked in and handed over a piece of parchment: "My Lord, a masked Knight has arrived outside the castle, claiming to be an attendant of Baron Luoning of Shanlin Town, and has delivered a Visit Letter from his master."

"Oh?"

Mawen was stunned for a moment, then took the parchment and opened it to look. The content written on it was very simple, only expressing the intent to visit, and the signature was Ronin Wushan.

Mawen pondered for a moment, then asked: "Where is Luogena?"

"Young Master Luogena should be at the horse farm, confirming the accompanying horses for this trip," Aierfengsi replied.

"Have Luogena go with that Knight who delivered the letter to bring Luoning over. Also, prepare a banquet, according to... hmm, according to the specifications for receiving a Viscount."

Aierfengsi was somewhat surprised; this way of elevating the reception specifications was rare.

"As you wish, my Lord!" He retreated respectfully.

At this time, Luoning had already finished his negotiations at the Snake Exchange.

For these one thousand Slaves, Andongni proposed a price of 160 gold coins per hundred people, based on the previous transaction, totaling 1600 gold coins.

Luoning initiated friendly negotiations under the pretext of Along-term partnership.

Unfortunately, the price had already been squeezed last time, and even after talking for Along time, it could not be lowered much; after all, the other party still had to escort these people to Shanlin Town, which also incurred costs.

In the end, both parties settled on a price of 1499 gold coins.

Through this transaction, Luoning also saw how generous Lulansi was to give 3000 gold coins at once.

After leaving the Snake Exchange, Luoning went to the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce to sell the Spell Scrolls produced by Aierlong.

Last time, he had purchased enough materials from Huke to make 55 Healing Spell Scrolls in total.

Over these two months, Aierlong had successfully produced exactly 50 scrolls.

Luoning kept half of them in reserve in Shanlin Town and Huitu Village, and took the remaining half to sell, earning 425 gold coins.

At the same time, he purchased the same quantity of goods as last time, spending 495 gold coins.

This meant he had only spent 70 gold coins on this trip to the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce.

If he took all the finished Healing Scrolls to sell, he could indeed make money.

But keeping so many in reserve was also in preparation for the upcoming battles; if there were too many wounded, Aierlong's Magic Power would not be able to support him in casting the Healing Spell many times.

Luoning had also thought about whether he could purchase materials for making third-tier Spell Scrolls.

After considering that the strength level of the territory's Magician increasing too quickly could easily trigger unnecessary speculation from the outside world, he abandoned this idea.

Moreover, if he were to buy them, he would not buy them here; after all, slightly larger cities all had similar chambers of commerce.

Under Huke's enthusiastic farewell, Luoning exited the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce and came to the tavern where he had eaten last time, waiting for Tangmu to arrive.

This wait lasted an hour, and Luoning did not expect that someone would be following Tangmu.

"Luoning, long time no see!"

"Long time no see, Luogena."

Luoning smiled and shook hands with him: "Why did you come with Tangmu?"

"My father asked me to come and welcome you."

Luogena issued an enthusiastic invitation: "Let's go, let's go, Tieti Castle is already preparing a banquet; let's have a good drink tonight!"

"Alright!"

Luoning also smiled.

Mawen Tieti had been personally introduced to Luoning by Lulansi, saying that the other party could sell the armor and weapons produced by the Ironwood Workshop for him.

Therefore, besides purchasing the horses needed to form a Knight Squad, Luoning also wanted to see if he could discuss a partnership.

After all, in the future, not only the things produced by the Ironwood Workshop, but also Silk and porcelain would need to be sold externally.

Luoning's territory did not have a Caravan, while the Tieti Family's horse-selling industry was spread throughout the Wushan Territory and many cities within the Kingdom, possessing a mature commercial system.

He could completely utilize the Tieti Family's channels for sales.

It was just unexpected that Viscount Mawen was even more enthusiastic than he had imagined, actually letting Luogena come to welcome him personally.

The one who sent the Tayunjv to Shanlin Town last time was also Luogena, and the one who came to welcome him this time was still Luogena. Could it be that Viscount Mawen kept sending Luogena because he felt the starting sounds of their names were somewhat similar?

Led by the other party, Luoning took a tour around Muma City.

Compared to the barren Shanlin Town, there were many more places for entertainment here; gambling dens, brothels, circuses, dance halls, horse racing tracks, Colosseums, Gladiator Arenas, and so on—everything one could ask for was available.

Facing Luogena's enthusiastic invitation, Luoning only gave a verbal agreement.

To tell the truth, these things did not hold much attraction for him; if he were truly bored, he could go take a look at the latter few places.

Before long, the group entered Tieti Castle.

Compared to Wushan Castle, this castle felt rather old to Luoning; he believed the Tieti Family certainly had enough funds to renovate it, and the reason they had not done so was likely a reflection of their family history.

However, after entering the Inner Castle, the environment inside was much more Advanced.

"Luoning, please wait a moment, I will go notify my father right away."

After bringing everyone to the reception hall, Luogena went to the backyard to find Viscount Mawen.

Luoning looked around; compared to the antiquity outside, this reception hall was not dilapidated in the slightest. On the contrary, similar to Wushan Castle, there were quite a few Magic crystal lamps.

The backyard, Viscount Mawen's study.

"Father, I have already settled Luoning in the reception hall."

Mawen put down the stack of documents in his hands, "Seeing him this time, how do you feel?"

"Similar to the feeling from last time, he is not like the rumors say. I specifically took him past the entrance of a brothel and emphasized several beauties, but he did not seem interested at all."

Luogena replied, "However, there are also differences; compared to last time, I feel that Luoning seems to have become more robust?"

"Haha, he is still growing, after all."

Mawen laughed and teased, "According to intelligence from Sain Territory, Leisen lost to another Knight under Luoning named Ruidar in the savage tribe this time; is he here today?"

"No, his guard is still that one named Maiken, and I have also seen that masked Knight, whose name is Tangmu."

"That is a pity; I had wanted to witness Ruidar's strength and see just how powerful this Advanced Knight who could defeat a Bronze Knight really is."

Mawen looked regretful, then turned his gaze toward his second son, "Luogena, what is our family motto?"

Luogena was startled, not knowing why his father suddenly asked him this question, but he still answered earnestly: "Choice is sometimes more important than strength."

Mawen nodded, "Our family has weathered many storms and even once faced the crisis of extinction, but we still exist today; many times, it was by relying on this motto that we made the right choices."

He looked at his son, "How about I have you follow Luoning?"

(End of chapter)