Chapter 344: The Baron of Torrent Island

"Snap!"

The exquisite crystal glass was thrown to the ground with great force, shattering into pieces.

Mailun Fulaiming's expression was gloomy. "This Luoning has ruined my plans again!"

He currently had little interest in cultivation; his favorite thing to do was to expand the territory of the Fleming Family.

Even if that piece of land did not nominally belong to Screaming Island, he still liked to either support or manage a force loyal to him to bring him profit.

Jiliu Island, a place with development potential but rarely paid attention to by His Majesty the King, was a place Mailun had recently taken a fancy to.

To clear himself of suspicion, he arranged for the Blood Sail Pirate Group to infiltrate Jiliu Island. Over the past two years, the results had been quite good.

Last month, the leader of the Blood Sail Pirate Group even reported to him that the third leader had basically gained control of the White Flower Society, the largest force on Jiliu Island.

Yet in the blink of an eye, the so-called third leader and the White Flower Society were all wiped out in one fell swoop.

If he wanted to enter Jiliu Island again, it would likely be difficult.

"Hesusu from Yueguang Valley previously told me that Luoning was an unstable factor. At the time, I thought that for an eighteen-year-old young man to ruin my plans, he would at least need another ten years or so. I didn't expect it to happen so quickly!"

Luoning first tricked his son Fakunduo, then destroyed the base on Baijing Island, and subsequently uprooted his forces on Jiliu Island.

The more Mailun thought about it, the angrier he became. He let out a cold snort: "This Luoning has successfully angered me."

"My Lord, should we then...?"

Beside him, Knight Qiaosi made a throat-slitting gesture.

Mailun pondered for Along while before finally shaking his head. "Doesn't Hesusu love to fight with Wushan Territory? This kind of matter can be left to him. My Screaming Island doesn't have much of a dispute with Wushan Castle or Luoning's Wubei Territory, so it's not worth it to deal with Luoning."

The failed assassination by the White Whale Pirate Group had caused him losses, but these could be recovered from Hesusu.

As for Baijing Island being unusable, there were plenty of similar islands on the Screaming Sea; he could just find another one.

The loss on Jiliu Island did make his heart ache a little, but it was still not enough to send someone to assassinate the other party.

Furthermore, the other party was accompanied by a Knight Squad from Jianjiao City and that Meilongnika, whose strength had reached the peak of the Golden Grade.

Assassination was not such an easy task.

Luoning's exploits fermented for a few days in both Golden Feather City and Niujiao Bay, and gradually spread to the territories of other nobles.

Two days later, Luoning arrived outside the Golden Fish Palace.

As soon as he got out of the carriage, he saw Blanche waiting ahead with the Guards.

"Welcome back in triumph, heroic Flame Knight!"

Luoning walked forward, bowed respectfully, and then followed Blanche toward Auduin Hall.

"I didn't expect a Princess like you to come out to welcome me."

The two chatted as they walked.

"You not only eradicated the White Whale Pirate Group but also quelled the unrest on Jiliu Island for the Kingdom. Isn't it perfectly reasonable for me to come and welcome you?"

Luoning curled his lips. "You know the difficulty of this operation, so why are you exaggerating it just like the people outside?"

Blanche laughed. She no longer had that melancholy air from before and had become more cheerful and bright.

"When many people say something, it becomes the truth."

Before long, the two arrived at Auduin Hall.

At this moment, besides King Bruno, the hall also contained Deputy Commander of the Griffin Knights Buluoer, Commander of the Royal Knights Philemon, several Kingdom ministers, and Knight Mixi, who represented the royal family in this operation.

"Luoning pays his respects to His Majesty the King!"

Luoning first greeted Bruno, then nodded to the others present.

"I have already heard the main details of this operation from Mixi."

Bruno smiled and praised: "Luoning, your performance this time was excellent!"

Luoning bowed slightly. "Your Majesty is too kind. I was able to complete this operation so smoothly thanks to the assistance of Mixi and the other knights, as well as your care."

A look of satisfaction flashed in Bruno's eyes; this kid certainly knew how to speak well.

"You don't need to be modest."

He said: "I heard from Mixi that Clifford, the third leader of the Blood Sail Pirate Group, was dealt with by you alone. Haha, to be able to defeat a Golden Knight single-handedly, it seems your strength was not fully displayed during the Martial Arts Tournament."

"Your Majesty has excellent judgment; I indeed did not use my full strength during the Martial Arts Tournament."

"Hahaha..."

Bruno did not expect Luoning to admit it so directly, and he couldn't help but laugh.

He stood up, drew the longsword held by a knight at his side, and strode down the steps. "Come, Luoning, kneel."

The crowd had varied expressions.

Those who knew the inside story, such as Buluoer and Philemon, had natural expressions.

Those who did not, such as Minister of Finance Lude and others, were clearly quite surprised.

His Majesty the King's posture clearly indicated a conferment.

Conferring what upon Luoning?

Honorary Knight?

Or a title of nobility?

Luoning knelt respectfully on one knee, keeping his head lowered.

Bruno placed the longsword on Luoning's shoulder: "Piracy is rampant on the Screaming Sea; first there was the White Whale Pirate Group assassinating nobles, and now there is the Blood Sail Pirate Group encroaching on the Kingdom's property. In view of your heroic performance on the Screaming Sea, Flame Knight Ronin Wushan."

He paused, his tone becoming a degree more solemn: "I, Auduin V, Bruno Auduin, formally confer upon you, Flame Knight Ronin Wushan, the title of Torrent Island Baron!"

"I hope you will use your great strength and heroic courage to forge a peaceful Screaming Sea for the Auduin Kingdom!"

Luoning firmly patted his chest with his hand.

"I, Ronin Wushan, hereby solemnly swear that I shall, as the Torrent Island Baron, defend the peace of the Screaming Sea and uphold the interests of the Auduin Kingdom with my strength and courage!"

Several of the uninformed Kingdom ministers felt a jolt in their hearts; they had not expected His Majesty the King to directly confer the title of Torrent Island Baron upon Luoning.

Although it is only a small island, from now on, besides the Earl of Screaming Island, there is a second noble on the Screaming Sea.

Everyone could not help but speculate on the intentions of His Majesty the King.

Using Luoning to keep the Fleming Family in check?

In recent years, the industries of the Fleming Family have indeed grown quite a bit, and they have been close with several great nobles such as those in Yueguang Valley; they truly need to be kept in check.

But will introducing this greenhorn have any effect?

Although the person behind him is the Thunder Marquis of the Marquis Territory, how can a Marquis Territory on the verge of collapse contend with a thriving Earl?

Under the mask, Knight Mixi could not help but sigh.

Luoning, who was already an Earl in the Marquis Territory, has now been enfeoffed as a Baron of the Kingdom after so little time has passed.

As expected, for someone with connections and a background, becoming a noble is such a simple matter.

It is nothing like Kalada; such an excellent person, let alone becoming a landed noble, even becoming an Honorary Knight involved so many setbacks and difficulties, and even now, he has not succeeded.

Blanche also felt some emotion.

When she first heard that the one intended for a marriage alliance was a Baron from the deep mountains and old forests, she felt some resistance in her heart.

However, after meeting Luoning and experiencing some things, that resistance disappeared.

And now, he has not only shed the status of a deep-mountain Baron but has also become an Earl of the Marquis Territory and a Baron of the Kingdom.

In terms of status and position alone, although Luoning is still lacking a bit, if the two sides were to marry, no one would be able to make an issue of their status to oppose it anymore.

But in reality, Blanche felt that she was somewhat unworthy of him; after all, her reputation had not been cleared.

"Rise, Baron Luoning."

Bruno handed the longsword back to the knight beside him and patted Luoning's shoulder heavily.

An attendant nearby held an exquisite box, which contained the golden medal of a Kingdom Baron and a beautifully sealed letter of appointment.

"Many thanks, Your Majesty!"

Luoning stood up and took the box into his hands.

From now on, he possessed two identities.

He was both the Earl of Wubei Territory loyal to Wushan Castle, and the Torrent Island Baron loyal to Bruno.

As long as Wushan Castle does not become an enemy of the royal family, these two identities of his will not conflict. (End of chapter)