Chapter 241: Daianni

After a hurried lunch, it was time for everyone's afternoon rest.

Lulansi returned to his quarters early, while Luoning was pulled into the courtyard by Buleidun for a spar.

Buleidun possessed both Thunder and Water attributes; although the level of his affinity was unknown, one could tell it was likely not low from the fact that he could master surging Thunder in just a few days.

During their sparring, the Thunder would pass through the Liuyan Sword onto him, bringing him waves of tingling numbness.

Although the intensity of Buleidun's current Thunder was not enough to affect Luoning, if it were a Thunder-attribute Silver Knight, this numbing sensation would be much stronger, and thus something to guard against.

Fortunately, defending against it was not troublesome; one only needed to use their own Battle Qi to insulate against the opponent's Thunder power, without needing to specifically wear any insulating gear.

During the half-hour-long spar, Buleidun was naturally being abused the entire time, yet his mood was not affected in the slightest; instead, he became more courageous with every setback.

Even after Luoning suggested a break, Buleidun still stood in the courtyard recalling the process of the spar, summarizing his shortcomings while considering how to respond.

"What a cultivation fanatic."

Luoning sighed, took the towel handed over by Huoerhuate to wipe his face, and signaled for him to leave the courtyard together.

"Huoerhuate, has something happened to Daianni?"

Luoning handed the towel back to the Steward. "Why do I feel like she seems different from before?"

"I also do not know what has happened to the Madam."

Huoerhuate pondered slightly, as if considering where to begin with this matter.

After Along while, he said: "I only know that after the Madam returned from Heimang City last time, she did not step out of her room for two or three days. After she came out again, her personality seemed to have changed somewhat."

Luoning nodded slowly, secretly guessing in his heart: could it be that Aosen blamed his encounter at Wushan Castle on Daianni?

That shouldn't be the case; the challenge against Lulansi was something Aosen had insisted on himself, and if he remembered correctly, Daianni had even tried to persuade him otherwise.

"Young Master, if you want to know more, perhaps you could ask the Marquis."

Huoerhuate suggested: "When the Madam set off for Heimang City, the Marquis had sought her out."

Luoning's eyes lit up. Could this be a scheme of Lulansi's?

At the same time, Daianni, having finished the luncheon, was tending to the flowers she had planted in the small courtyard's corridor.

After watering them, she sat on a chair basking in the sun, and in a half-awake, half-asleep state, she thought of the events in Heimang City that day.

As Aosen's daughter, she had returned to her former home to visit her severely injured father, but she was met with her father's avoidance and the accusations of her brother, Balindun, the heir to Heimang City.

The guess that Luoning felt was somewhat absurd was truly the excuse Balindun used to blame Daianni.

The other party even threatened that he did not want to manage Buleidun's affairs anymore, and even if Lulansi wanted to restore Luoning's inheritance rights, they would not interfere.

That argument lasted for Along time, and Daianni had defended herself for Along time, but it had no effect.

In the end, it was her uncle, Yalan Haide, who stood out to separate the two and persuade both sides.

Finally, Yalan gave his suggestion—to let Buleidun take Kalima as his wife.

This way, Buleidun would be both the grandson of Earl Aosen and the son-in-law of Balindun, making his intervention in the succession dispute more legitimate.

This seemingly good proposal was like a sword piercing Daianni's heart, leaving her in agony.

Because before she had set off, Lulansi had found her for a conversation.

Aside from having her bring a greeting of "Are you well?" to her father, the Marquis had mostly predicted the Haide Family's next moves right in front of her—

To have Buleidun marry Kalima and produce an heir, and after Lulansi died, to first kill Weijinsi, then kill Buleidun, and finally support the infant, who might still be in swaddling clothes, to become the Lord of Wushan Ridge.

When Yalan spoke those words, Daianni felt weary.

She had previously simply thought that her father and brother were supporting Buleidun because the latter was their nephew, and that their nephew's Wushan Ridge would naturally also be beneficial to the Haide Family.

All she had to do was urge Buleidun to cultivate hard so he could become strong and not be manipulated by others.

But once Lulansi's guess had the possibility of becoming reality, she panicked.

She was just an ordinary person who couldn't even beat a Fierce Dog; in front of this group of Transcendental beings who killed at will, she couldn't change anything.

Even if she were to sacrifice her charms to win over some former suitors, the strongest among them would only be a Silver Knight, which wouldn't change anything.

But fortunately, she still had a choice.

"I should just tend to my flowers."

Daianni lay on the lounge chair, bathing in the sunlight as she fell into a deep sleep.

In the afternoon, Weijinsi returned to the castle.

After receiving the news, Luoning paid a polite visit.

However, the other party was busy pulling several officials from Wushan City to discuss the collection and transport of grain and weapons, so after briefly exchanging a few words with Luoning, he continued with his own affairs.

Looking at Weijinsi's focused and busy appearance, he didn't seem too incompetent, did he?

Luoning also exited the other party's study at the right time, and seeing the sunset about to fall, he thought about delivering a small shock to Lulansi.

On the mountain path, Lulansi summoned his Thunder Chasing Beast and rode on its back, walking slowly up the mountain.

Facing Luoning's question regarding Daianni, Lulansi did not explain in detail, but simply said:

"I just made her understand her own identity. She should first be my, Lulansi's, daughter-in-law, Weijinsi's wife, and Buleidun's mother, and only then be Aosen's daughter."

Lulansi looked down at his grandson walking by his side and changed the subject: "Do you really have a dragon?"

He had always felt it was unlikely, and even after finishing lunch, he had specifically found a few books to flip through; the dragons introduced in them were all fictional and could not withstand scrutiny, with not a single place appearing to be a true record.

But seeing Luoning's serious expression, he felt uncertain in his heart again.

The corners of Luoning's mouth curled up; seeing the old man's cautious, probing inquiry was also a bit funny.

"That is of course; Grandfather, you know that I am straightforward and never lie."

Lulansi's white beard trembled. "You have told quite a few lies."

Luoning touched his conscience and thought to himself: I really never lie, unless I have no choice.

"I have been to many places when I was young and have seen plenty of Magic Beasts."

Lulansi patted the Thunder Chasing Beast beneath him. "This fellow is said to have the bloodline of a Great Dragon. Besides this, there are some flying Magic Beasts, such as the Dragon Hawk, which are also descendants of Great Dragons."

He shook his head slightly: "But if you speak of a true Great Dragon, I have truly never seen one with my own eyes."

"You will see it soon."

Luoning had already called out to Kaierluosi in his mind beforehand; he could sense that the other party was not far away, and it would likely arrive here within ten minutes of his call.

He thought that telling Lulansi about the existence of Kaierluosi was also a very appropriate thing to do.

When he came to Wushan Castle in the future, he could land directly on this back mountain, without having to go through the trouble he did this time.

Seeing Luoning so certain, Lulansi stopped speaking, already seven or eight parts convinced in his heart.

He was not someone who had never seen the world; even if he truly saw a dragon, there would be nothing to be shocked about, as it was merely an extremely rare flying Magic Beast.

Before long, the two arrived at an open space on the mountainside.

Lulansi flipped off his mount, and the Thunder Chasing Beast paced into its exclusive shed to the side.

Suddenly, however, its movements stiffened; it turned its head sharply to look at the sky, emitting an uneasy low growl from its mouth.

"It's here," Luoning reminded him.

When Lulansi sensed the unease of his Contract Magical Beast, he looked up at the sky.

In the dim twilight, a black dot gradually grew larger and larger in the air; although the dragon's appearance could not yet be seen clearly, a faint pressure shrouded Lulansi's heart.

Being knowledgeable and experienced, he knew this was pressure stemming from the bloodline; only truly high-blooded Magic Beasts could have such an effect on people.

His eyes flickered, revealing the shock in his heart.

"Is this a dragon?" (End of chapter)