Chapter 36: The Servants in the Castle

Inside Shanlin Fortress, the servants in the castle were all rounded up by the searching Guards, not a single one missing.

At this moment, they knelt on the ground, shivering, with despair shrouding their minds.

They already knew what Pulinsite had done, and they also knew that the person before them was the true master of Shanlin Town.

And as servants of a traitor, perhaps only death awaited them.

"My Lord, the people have all been rounded up!"

Chahaer finished his count and reported: "Fifteen people in total, including one Steward, four in the kitchen, three maids, five manservants, and two others who are Pulinsite's lovers."

Chahaer paused for a moment and added: "According to Tangmu, Pulinsite's wife and son are in Sain Territory, not inside Shanlin Town."

Luoning raised an eyebrow; good fellow, this Pulinsite really was a good fellow. Taking advantage of his wife being away, he kept two lovers in Shanlin Town.

Luoning scanned the group; he didn't need Chahaer to introduce them, he could tell which two were that fellow's lovers.

Their figures were curvaceous and their skin was fair and tender, standing out more than a grade above the maids and kitchen staff beside them.

Chahaer noticed Luoning's gaze lingering on these two women and immediately thought of the master's past reputation; he wondered if, having stayed away from women for this period, he was unable to hold back?

Thus, he bowed and asked: "Master, should these two be kept for you?"

Luoning's gaze shifted to Chahaer, the corners of his mouth curling up, "Do you think I would want them?"

Although he was smiling, and although it was his usual questioning tone, all Chahaer felt from it was rejection and a scrutiny of himself.

"Apologies, Master, it was my loose tongue!"

Chahaer kept his head low; in fact, he had regretted it the moment he said those words.

The former eldest grandson of the Marquis was the past; the person before him now was a Transcendental who possessed sufficient confidence, courage, and decisiveness in dealing with enemies.

He warned himself that he must completely forget the impression he had of the Baron in the past!

Luoning withdrew his gaze and said to the people below in a flat tone:

"Although you are the lovers or servants of a traitor, I should have killed you, but I am merciful and willing to believe that you had nothing to do with this matter, so I am prepared to give you a chance to live."

The fifteen kneeling people all breathed a sigh of relief, thanking Luoning with uneven voices.

"Although I will not kill you, I will not employ you either."

Not killing them was because Luoning felt it didn't matter whether they lived or died, and keeping them could add a few people to the population of Shanlin Town;

but employing them involved safety issues; if they were too loyal to Pulinsite, it would be inappropriate to keep them in the castle.

"Chahaer, have this Steward take you to inventory the food, tools, and other items in the castle, and make a list for me."

"Maiken, arrange for two guards to monitor these cooks and go prepare dinner for us."

"As for the other manservants and maids, go tidy up some empty rooms; remember, everything must be replaced!"

"As for these two lovers, leave the castle now. Remember, I am only letting you leave the castle; I did not give you permission to leave Shanlin Town."

Luoning waved his hand, signaling them to carry out their tasks.

For the servants, leaving the castle meant leaving behind a superior life, but compared to saving their lives, a superior life was of no consequence.

After the guards and servants in the hall had all left, only Maiken, Aierlong, and Tangmu remained.

"My Lord!" Maiken said respectfully: "I will go arrange for the guards to stand watch."

Luoning nodded; the castle's security was very important, and he did not want just anyone to be able to enter or exit the gates.

"Have those guards who aren't injured take charge of defense; for the injured guards, have the servants clear out rooms as quickly as possible for them to rest."

Luoning looked at Tangmu, "You are more familiar with this place; show Maiken the way."

"Yes, my Lord!"

Tangmu followed Maiken out of the fortress.

"Come, Aierlong, accompany me for a good tour of this castle."

"It is my honor!"

Just like that, Luoning and the Magician Aierlong went for a thorough tour of his base.

Before long, he arrived at the top of the tower, gazing out at this small Shanlin Town.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, this small town appeared very crude and barren.

Aside from the main road leading from the castle to the outside world, which could count as a "street," other places seemed to lack even a decent road.

Pulinsite must have disdained improving the environment for the other subjects; to him, as long as he lived securely and comfortably, that was enough.

And what about Luoning?

He hoped that the environment he lived in could be close to the countryside on Earth; that, to him, was true comfort.

Improving the living environment of the subjects seemed like a thankless task to many nobles in this world.

After all, with a castle and a Transcendental present, as long as the commoners worked diligently, what did it matter to the noble whether their lives were hard or comfortable?

But Luoning did not think so.

If a Transcendental was a lord's hard power, then the lord's subjects were his soft power.

Soft power was not easily seen, touched, or felt, but it was crucial for supporting the territory.

If nothing else, just by raising the living standards of the subjects and letting them eat their fill at every meal, wouldn't more commoners like Dawei who could awaken a Battle Qi Seed appear?

In the absence of enough Knight families to follow him, these subjects were Luoning's foundation.

However, he also knew that one must eat a meal bite by bite, and walk a road step by step.

Luoning did not foolishly think about implementing measures like land redistribution; this did not fit the situation here, nor did it fit the things he should do in his status and class.

Adapting to the status of a noble, enjoying the power and responsibilities that came with this class, and then making slight changes according to his own wishes—that was what suited him.

Perhaps when one day he was strong enough, strong enough that any decision could receive the support and following of others, it would not be too late to make bigger changes then.

Luoning shielded his eyes with his hand, gazing at the setting sun, "Aierlong, what do you see?"

Aierlong looked up at the sunset and said with a smile: "I see that the light will be with you forever, my Lord!"

"Under your leadership, this small town will walk upon an unprecedented path of light. I believe that one day in the future, bathed in your radiance, this place will become a city of miracles!"

"Hahaha~"

Luoning laughed out loud, "As expected, you are the one who knows how to talk, unlike that big oaf Maiken who only knows how to say 'at your command', 'very well', or 'as you wish'!"

Aierlong smiled and said, "Knight Maiken's loyalty and steadiness are things I should learn from."

People who love to read really do speak well.

"Let's go, it's time to get to work, Magician."

Luoning walked down the tower first, "The role of the Guards is to protect and fight; their daily tasks are training and patrolling, not doing things like cleaning."

Aierlong followed behind Luoning, "You are right."

"So, help me write a recruitment notice. The castle has dismissed the original manservants, maidservants, and cooks. We need to hire a new batch to handle the daily chores."

Aierlong echoed, "You are right."

"Besides, I only strolled around the castle today. I need to find some time to inspect the entire territory so that I can make proper follow-up arrangements."

"You are right!" Aierlong added, "But I think it would be better to first spread the word that you have become the lord of Shanlin Town."

"The deterrent effect on the streets today made the territory's people fearful. Although you said a simple sentence to appease them, I feel that your appeasement might not necessarily reach everyone's ears."

"You are right, Aierlong!"

Luoning nodded and said, "Then later, have Tangmu take Dawei to every place to spread the word. Tomorrow morning, find a location and have all the territory's people meet me there."

Thank you to all the gentlemen for your votes and support, and thank you to the few gentlemen who corrected the typos~

(End of this chapter)