Chapter 286: Asking for Too Little

The dragon folded its wings and landed on the back mountain of Wushan Castle.

The Thunder Chasing Beast seemed somewhat accustomed to this scene; it was no longer trembling with fear, merely hiding in its lair, blinking its large eyes as it secretly watched every move outside.

"This is the Marquis's castle?"

Ailin looked around, her eyes full of confusion.

This was clearly just mountain forest; apart from the house in front of them that could barely pass for a building, there was nothing else.

"What are you thinking? This is just the back mountain of the castle."

Luoning pointed at the Magic Beast in the house and said, "This is the Marquis's mount; it is a Level 5 Magical Beast."

Ailin could not help but shrink into Luoning's arms, sighing inwardly that it was indeed a Marquis's castle—this mount was far stronger than a black tiger.

However, thinking of the giant dragon beneath her, she suddenly felt this was nothing special.

But her shrinking movement made Luoning touch his nose in some embarrassment.

Because it was Ailin's first time seeing and riding a dragon, she was very afraid, and she had spent most of the journey in his arms.

At first, he hadn't felt much, able to point things out to Ailin and introduce the cities and locations below.

But when he stopped talking, he was holding a woman in his arms, his nose filled with the faint scent of her body, and looking down, he saw another beautiful profile.

Luoning was a normal man, and he couldn't help but let his thoughts wander.

It must be said that staying composed while holding a beauty really takes some skill.

In fact, it was the same for Ailin.

Initially, when she first saw Kaierluosi, she was indeed frightened.

Coupled with the fact that this was her first time flying at such a high altitude and she had a fear of heights, she had hidden in Luoning's arms to seek a sense of security.

However, after Along time, once she adapted to the feeling of flying at high altitude, feeling the warmth of his embrace, her mind became chaotic.

At her age, she already knew quite a bit about romance, and in some knight novels, the hero and heroine would have exchanges like kissing at this moment.

Thinking of this, she felt her body go a bit soft and her breathing grew hot.

"Let's go, we're going down."

Luoning jumped off the dragon's back, straightened his clothes, and opened his arms to signal that he would catch her when she jumped down.

"I..."

Ailin stammered, bracing herself against the cold dragon back to look down, and said weakly, "I'm afraid."

In truth, she wasn't afraid; when climbing trees on the mountain, she dared to jump from places higher than this.

Right now, her body was simply a bit soft, and she couldn't muster any strength.

Luoning smiled helplessly and had no choice but to go up and carry her down, "Let's go, if we go down now, we can just make it in time for a meal."

Now that Kaierluosi had mastered Curved Light Refraction Magic, there was no need to sneak over under the cover of night anymore.

Supported by Luoning, the two slowly descended the mountain, and before long, they arrived at Lulansi's residence.

"You fellow, I thought you would come over as soon as the war ended; I didn't expect so much time to have passed!"

Lulansi had always wanted to ask Luoning some things in person, but he never had the chance.

"If you hadn't come, I'm afraid I would have had someone write a letter to urge you over."

Luoning explained, "The Wubei Territory just finished the autumn harvest; I was in a rush to go back and check on the harvest situation, and there were other urgent matters to attend to, so I didn't come."

Lulansi nodded slightly; matters of the territory were indeed important.

He glanced at the girl beside Luoning, "Who is she?"

"Her name is Ailin; she is the same age as Buleidun, and her cultivation aptitude is also quite good. A while ago, she broke through to become an Intermediate Mage."

Luoning smiled and pulled Ailin over, introducing her, "I have high hopes for her future, so I brought her out to see the world."

Ailin had been taught etiquette by Jennie since she was young, so she immediately bowed to Lulansi; although she was nervous inside, her performance was not flustered.

Lulansi looked at the two of them suspiciously; he hadn't forgotten Luoning's various deeds back then—could it be that he was keeping many women in the Wubei Territory?

"Such talent is indeed good; practice hard, little girl."

Lulansi smiled kindly, "Moste, I remember there seems to be a rather exquisite magic robe stored in the warehouse. Take Ailin to try it on; if it fits, consider it a gift from me."

"There is indeed such a robe."

Moste smiled and bowed, "Miss Ailin, please come with me."

Ailin looked at Luoning with some hesitation, and seeing the latter smile and signal for her to go take a look, she thanked Lulansi and followed Moste away.

After the two left, Lulansi said, "I see this girl is quite attached to you; she wouldn't happen to be your woman, would she?"

The Marquis asked quite directly.

Luoning hurriedly shook his head, "Grandfather, don't talk nonsense; Ailin is still young."

"Hehe~"

Lulansi turned and sat back in his chair, "Forget it, I don't care to manage these things. However, I must remind you: since you have decided to marry Princess Blanche, it is best not to have relations with other women before then."

Having said this, he added, "Even if you do have relations, don't make it known to everyone."

From the King down to Barons and Knights, many nobles have lovers.

This is not limited to male nobles; female nobles are the same.

Especially those couples who are at odds with each other but are together because of family marriage; it is very common for each to do their own thing.

But no matter how they play, nobles will look out for each other's face; it is all done in private, and they cannot embarrass one another.

"Thank you for the reminder, Grandfather; I have noted it."

Luoning did not argue; such things only get darker the more you describe them, and there was no need to argue further.

"Alright, tell me about this war."

Lulansi changed the subject, "I heard Tolu's report; your strength is in no way inferior to Silver Knights like Mawen and Feilipu. I want to know how this came to be."

An eighteen-year-old Silver Knight—such cultivation talent is likely only comparable to the Kingdom's recognized greatest genius, Crown Prince Garrett Alduin.

The key is that Jialete has shown excellence since childhood, while Luoning has grown from a non-Knight to a Silver Knight in just over a year, which is too inconceivable.

"I cannot explain this matter clearly."

Luoning spread his hands with a helpless expression; he certainly couldn't say that he relied on a system to grow big and strong.

"If I really must explain, just assume there is a Divine Artifact hidden within my body, and it is what accelerated the speed of my strength improvement."

The corner of Lulansi's eye twitched; what Luoning said should have been absurd, yet he believed it by fifty or sixty percent.

Because he felt that this seemed to be the only reasonable explanation.

Since Luoning can discover new resources and make a dragon acknowledge him as master, finding a Divine Artifact seems plausible.

It is just that, does such a thing as a Divine Artifact really exist?

"Since you find it difficult to say, then I will not ask. But I am very curious, what is your level exactly?"

Luoning raised his left and right hands, gestured a six, and lowered his voice, saying: "Golden Knight, Magus."

Lulansi's hand, which was originally preparing to pick up his water cup, remained suspended in mid-air, "Really?"

His tone was somewhat elevated.

Luoning radiated Battle Qi, and its surging intensity indeed had the appearance of a Golden Knight.

"Hahaha, good, very good!"

Lulansi looked up to the sky and laughed; this was a rare loss of composure for him.

"With the Seven Gods above, if the Wushan Family can have a descendant like you, I can rest easy even if I die."

An eighteen-year-old Golden Knight and Magus—perhaps only the legendary First Emperor of Aoerlante could have reached such heights!

"You don't need to say such disheartening words; I am currently looking for a way to treat you, and I believe there will be results before long."

Lulansi only took it as words of comfort and did not pay it any mind.

His mood at this moment was exactly as he had said; he could indeed rest easy even if he were to die.

"This war was won under your command, and your timely discovery of Keruien's betrayal saved the Wushan Territory from a disaster; your meritorious service is outstanding!"

He said with a smile: "Speak, what reward do you want?"

Listening to his tone, it seemed that as long as Luoning asked, he would be able to give it.

Regarding what he wanted, Luoning had thought a lot about it over these past few days.

First is the noble title; with the status of Marquis Lulansi, he is capable of enfeoffing him as a Count on this land of the Wushan Territory.

It is just that compared to a Kingdom Count, the status of this kind of Count is relatively lower.

But regardless, it is still a Count, and according to the rules of the sign-in panel, the sign-in rewards he can obtain every day will be three times the base value.

Next is the territory and resources; what he wants most is that iron mine in Chishan Town.

"Grandfather, if possible, I hope to be promoted in rank again, and at the same time, I want Chishan Town as my new territory."

Lulansi nodded slightly, then seeing that Luoning did not continue, he couldn't help but frown: "That's it?"

Luoning blinked his eyes; did he seem to have asked for too little? (End of chapter)