Chapter 144: Viscount Mawen's Intentions

Rognar did not quite understand why his father would suddenly say something like asking him to follow Luoning.

"Father, do you think so highly of Luoning? But he doesn't have anything particularly special about him, and defeating Baron Leisen was just something his follower accomplished."

He voiced his own opinion: "Although it is indeed a bit of a skill for Luoning to have such a strong follower, we don't know what happened between master and servant. Perhaps Luoning just gave a little money as charity when that Ruidar was at the end of his rope?"

It is a common occurrence for a powerful knight to follow an ordinary noble out of a desire to repay a debt of gratitude.

To Rognar, the development of Shanlin Town was indeed somewhat surprising; he had not expected Luoning to achieve this level.

But as for following the other party, he had little desire to do so.

Mawen tapped his fingers on the tabletop, lost in silent thought.

He had two sons: the eldest, Masi, and the second, Rognar.

According to the rules, the Tieti Family's title would be inherited by Masi.

Rognar would either have to stay home to help his brother manage the estate, or join a Knight Order, or become a squire to some great noble.

Over the last two years, Mawen had already scouted several nobles, though he had not made any formal declarations.

Now, Luoning had also entered his line of sight.

It was not that he thought highly of Luoning's personal strength or charisma; in fact, he valued Luoning's status more—the eldest grandson of the Wushan Family.

Ever since Lulansi handed the affairs of Wushan Territory over to Weijinsi, the Tieti Family began to be targeted by the Haide Family, and their caravans there were repeatedly subjected to unreasonable harassment and attacks.

At first, Mawen wanted to take the initiative to show goodwill to the other party through Weijinsi to maintain business operations there, but after hitting a wall repeatedly, he knew the other party had no intention of improving relations with him.

Now that Buleidun had obtained the right of succession, if Lulansi died one day and Weijinsi inherited the title of Marquis, to be honest, he could not count on this person.

Therefore, at that time, the Tieti Family's situation would be even worse.

The other party could even manufacture some friction to push the Tieti Family into the spotlight and then carry out a siege.

Mawen needed to prepare in advance.

He did indeed hope that Luoning would be more powerful, so that once Wushan Territory fell into chaos, as a direct bloodline of the Wushan Family, Luoning could fully stand up to contend with the other party.

By then, his Muma City could also use the excuse that "the despicable Haide Family betrayed their liege and used conspiratorial means to force the legitimate heir to abdicate" to cheer for Luoning.

This way, he would have a reason to unite with other nobles to resist the Haide Family, thereby carving out living space for the Tieti Family.

Therefore, when Mawen heard that Baron Leisen had suffered a loss at the hands of Luoning near the wild tribe, he was very happy.

However, the current situation was just as Rognar said: apart from his subordinates being a bit strong and his personality being different from the legends, Luoning had nothing else special about him.

"You are right; I will consider it further."

After Along while, Mawen said: "But you must understand, the Tieti Family will fall onto your brother's shoulders. If you are unwilling to follow those nobles, then at most I will have your brother give you a small territory, with not much wealth left for you."

"That is enough, Father."

Rognar said: "I like to travel around and see things, and so does Kelami; when the time comes, I will help my brother manage the family's industries."

Mawen nodded.

Rognar's strength was a bit stronger; at only twenty-one, he was already an Advanced Knight, and he would be very suitable for presiding over the development and maintenance of the family's trade routes in the future.

"Alright, come with me to meet Luoning."

Mawen stood up, "It is not very polite to keep a guest waiting for too long."

Soon, Viscount Mawen strode into the reception hall, saw Luoning at a glance, and laughed as he opened his arms for a warm hug.

"Haha, long time no see, Luoning! You've grown taller since the last time!"

Strong and powerful—this was Luoning's intuitive feeling from this hug; it was hard to believe that this slightly short, black-haired, flat-topped man before him was a Silver Grade knight.

"Long time no see, Mr. Viscount; you are still as warm and powerful as ever!" Luoning behaved very politely.

"Quick, sit, sit."

Mawen gestured warmly, "Calling me 'Mr. Viscount' is too distant; I am your grandfather's apprentice and have a pretty good relationship with your father, so just call me Uncle."

He said: "The Marquis's birthday is coming up soon; you should be going, right?"

When Weijinsi broke his leg last time, Mawen had invited Luoning to travel together, but the latter had dragged it out for a month before going to Wushan Castle alone; this was something he had not expected.

If he dragged it out for another month for this birthday, that would be too unreasonable.

"Yes, Uncle."

Luoning did not stand on ceremony, "I happened to pass through Muma City on my way out of the mountains, so I thought I would come to buy some things and also pay you a visit."

"Haha, just come directly next time; no need to send any visiting cards. Tieti Castle welcomes you at any time."

Mawen said: "It just so happens that my team is about to set off; this time we can travel together to Wushan Castle."

"That is my honor!"

Luoning did not refuse this time; in any case, he had nothing urgent to do by going to Wushan Castle too early, and there was nothing wrong with traveling with the Tieti Family's caravan.

The atmosphere of the conversation between the two was very harmonious.

Next, Mawen asked about Ruidar defeating Baron Leisen.

Luoning was not surprised that the other party knew about what happened at Huitu Village.

After all, Baron Leisen had brought an entire Knight Squad, over a hundred people, and after being defeated and returning to Sain Territory, it would be very difficult not to leak any news.

He did not hide it and described the situation of the battle.

"Uncle Mawen, Baron Leisen's Knight Squad brought me quite a shock, so I also want to form a Knight Squad, but the warhorses and riding horses in my territory are not enough."

Luoning stated one of the purposes of this visit, "So I would like to purchase some horses from you."

Buying horses was a very common matter; many nobles and knights would come to Muma City to buy horses, and Mawen was long used to it.

However, what surprised him was that Luoning actually wanted to form a Knight Squad.

"A qualified Baron does indeed need to arm a Knight Squad, but the core of a Knight Squad is Professional Knights. Does Shanlin Town have that many Professional Knights?"

Rognar also showed a surprised expression; Luoning had twelve knight followers by his side?

Luoning smiled and nodded.

"To tell you the truth, I already have twelve Professional Knights; as for the cavalry, infantry, and archers, they were all selected from the territory's people and are currently still in training."

In reality, he already had sixteen Transcendental under his command.

"Where did you get so many Knights?" Luogena could not help but ask.

Luoning did not hide it: "Four are Guards brought from Wushan Castle, who were fortunate enough to awaken their Battle Qi Seed in the past two months. The rest were subdued from the wild tribes."

"They are all newly awakened Knights; their strength is a bit stronger than ordinary people, but compared to the standard Knight Squad of other nobles, they are much weaker."

Luogena suddenly understood.

Generally speaking, a Primary Knight can defeat three elite soldiers at once, while a well-trained Knight in a Knight Squad can deal with two or three ordinary Primary Knights at the same time.

Using Knights who have just awakened their Battle Qi Seed to form a Knight Squad might look intimidating, but their actual combat effectiveness remains a question mark.

Viscount Mawen, however, smiled and expressed his affirmation of the future combat effectiveness of Luoning's squad.

"With Ruidar and this Knight Maiken behind you leading the team, once your Knight Squad is formed, it won't be that weak."

As he spoke, he looked at Luogena and instructed: "Tomorrow, you take Luoning to the horse farm to select warhorses. Given the relationship between the Tieti Family and Wushan, give Luoning a good discount; this can be considered a meeting gift from me, his elder, at the end of the year."

"Uncle Mawen, you are truly generous!" Luoning hurriedly stood up to bow and thank him.

The Tieti Family was truly courteous to him.

(End of this chapter)