Chapter 417: Allegiance

Luoning looked at the young man kneeling on one knee before him; the other party had not only not fled but had taken the initiative to come before him to offer his allegiance, which was a matter that required a great deal of courage.

Because the other party had no way of knowing whether the new lord would accept this allegiance or hand over a sword instead.

"You have a lot of courage."

Luoning looked at the guards who had also knelt down around them, "Are these the soldiers of the Reed Family?"

"Yes, my lord!"

Saimen maintained his one-knee-kneeling posture, "For the sake of the city's stability over these past two days, I led men to pacify the situation, suppressed some troublemakers, and also stopped quite a few people from fleeing the Zilei Territory."

"Oh?"

Luoning raised an eyebrow; he recalled the scene he had just seen from the sky—the entire Zilei Territory indeed appeared relatively calm and had not fallen into a state of chaos and disorder.

"How did you do it?"

Saimen was still very nervous; even now, he did not know what the other party's attitude was, so he could only answer earnestly.

"For those who caused trouble, I had them arrested. To those who wanted to flee, I told them that even if they went to the Vila Principality, without land, without houses, having nothing, they would very likely end up as serfs, or even worse! Rather than that, it would be better to stay in the Zilei Territory. After all, there is a large amount of farmland and livestock here that needs people to look after it, and even if the Marquis reclaims the Earl Haide territory, he will not wantonly slaughter the people here."

In short, it meant that fleeing one's homeland had a high probability of leading to a bad life, while staying in one's homeland still offered a glimmer of survival.

Luoning nodded slightly; although it is easy for people on the land of a defeated lord to end up as slaves, this is not always the case.

Moreover, the population of the Earl Haide territory is so large that it would be difficult to handle hundreds of thousands of slaves appearing all at once.

Saimen was able to realize this point and had also done two key things; although it was a bit presumptuous, it was enough to demonstrate his ability and decisiveness, proving his own value.

This could also be considered the "letter of intent" he was submitting to the new lord of the Zilei Territory.

"I have not heard of the Reed Family or you; introduce yourself."

Hearing this, Saimen's tense heartstrings relaxed a fraction; when someone wants to know about you, things usually won't turn out too badly.

Under the other party's introduction, Luoning gained a certain understanding of the Reed Family.

This family was the only Baron family under Viscount Taini; because Saimen's father, Baron Nige, possessed the strength of a Silver Peak Knight, when the territory was originally granted, Taini had carved out the northeast corner of the Zilei Territory for the Reed Family, letting them guard the foot of the mountains to prevent Magic Beasts from coming down and endangering the safety of the territory.

Although Baron Nige died in this battle, Saimen's strength was decent—an Advanced Peak Knight and an Intermediate Mage, and his mother was also an Advanced Mage.

If Viscount Taini had not been defeated and killed, and Saimen had inherited the title of Baron, the Reed Family would not have declined.

Luoning was quite satisfied with Saimen and the other party's mother, Julia.

Especially the former; having him assist Maiken in managing the Zilei Territory should yield twice the result with half the effort.

It is just that, speaking of which, Luoning is the man who killed Saimen's father; will the latter serve him with all his heart and soul?

Luoning pondered for Along while before speaking: "I can accept your allegiance, but you must accept my conditions."

Saimen raised his head, "Please speak, my lord!"

"First, I will confiscate the territory of the Reed Family."

Luoning has so many followers under his command; even people like Ruidar and Maiken are only Governors and have not been granted land or titles.

He could not let a defeated man who had surrendered to him become the first Baron of the Wubei Territory.

Saimen's eyes flickered; he had known it would be like this.

It was just that thinking of the territory that belonged to his family suddenly being gone, he still felt very sad in his heart.

However, he knew even better that he had no qualifications to refuse.

"However, as your family are Transcendental beings following me, according to the Wubei Territory's talent introduction policy, I will leave you a portion of land according to the rules."

Hearing this, Saimen felt a little more comfortable.

"Second, I value your ability. My subordinate, the Silver Moon Knight Maiken, will become the Governor of the Zilei Territory, and I will arrange for you to assist him in handling the affairs of the Zilei Territory."

Hearing this, Saimen's eyes shrank sharply.

"Silver... Silver Moon level?"

He had never seen a Silver Moon Knight from the time he was born until now, and yet he was now being asked to assist such a powerhouse?

The corners of Luoning's mouth curled up; letting the other party know Maiken's strength was a form of deterrence.

In the face of absolute strength, even if the other party is a local snake or has any ulterior motives, they must restrain themselves.

"There is also a third point. The Zhaoze Town in the Wubei Territory is my Magic base. I value your mother's strength; if she is willing, I hope she can go to the Zhaoze Town to live and work."

Luoning said: "In the Zhaoze Town, she can come into contact with more Magic knowledge, master the production methods of Magic Potion, and at the same time, she will have the opportunity to receive guidance from the Archmage Aierlong in her cultivation."

"This..."

Saimen was stunned.

Had he heard correctly? It was already heaven-defying enough for Luoning to have a Silver Moon Knight under his command, and now there was also an Archmage?

Two Level 8 Transcendental beings!

"No, more than that!"

Saimen glanced at Luoning, then looked at Kaierluosi, who was exerting immense pressure on him in the courtyard; he understood that this man and beast before him were equally powerful!

This Earl Luoning is truly extraordinary.

Perhaps following him is a very good choice.

It was just that Luoning's request for Julia to go to the Wubei Territory put Saimen in a difficult position.

Although he roughly understood what Luoning meant, the Wubei Territory was, after all, too far away, and he didn't know how long it would be before he could see her again once she went there.

He asked cautiously: "My lord, can I go to the Wubei Territory to visit my mother?"

Luoning smiled slightly, "Of course you can. Not only can you go to the Wubei Territory, but your mother can also return to the Zilei Territory; I have not restricted your freedom."

Saimen breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as he had thought before, he actually had no room for any other choice.

Agreeing could preserve his family's normal life, at least better than that of an ordinary Free Citizen.

And as for what the result would be if he refused, he did not know, but it certainly wouldn't be a good one.

"My lord, I can accept your first two points, and I will accept the third requirement on behalf of my mother, but please allow me to go home and inform her before coming back to give you an answer."

Luoning nodded slightly; it was evident that the other party was someone who cared for his family.

"I think your mother will agree."

He took an Advanced Enhancement Potion from his Space Ring and handed it to Saimen: "Drink it."

Saimen took the potion bottle; he did not understand that what was inside was an Enhancement Potion, and subconsciously associated it with poison used to control people.

Using poison to force his mother to agree?

Could it be that people of the Wushan Family would use such despicable means?

This was a thought that flashed through his mind, but he dared not say it out loud.

Matters having reached this point, Saimen had no other choice; he quickly unscrewed the cap and then drank the potion in one gulp.

As a feeling of intense heat surged through his body and the Battle Qi within him began to churn, he subconsciously assumed the poison was taking effect.

Yet this feeling lasted only for a moment, and it did not bring him the slightest bit of pain.

Moreover, just as the medicinal power was about to fade, a flash of cyan light swept across his body.

"I've broken through!"

Saimen felt his increased strength in disbelief, and then looked at Luoning in confusion: "My lord, your potion?"

Luoning had heard that the other party was an Advanced Peak Knight, so he thought he would try using an Enhancement Potion; he had not expected it to actually succeed in helping the other party break through.

He said with a smile: "This is the Magic Potion that I need your mother to help produce, one that can enhance a Knight's cultivation."

Saimen was shocked at first, not expecting there to be a Magic Potion with such heaven-defying capabilities.

Following that, he blushed.

He had first assumed that asking his mother to produce Magic Potions was a lie, and then later assumed that the other party had given him poison.

Now, the facts proved that Luoning had not deceived him; on the contrary, he had been the one using the heart of a petty person to judge a gentleman.

Saimen performed a Knight Salute sincerely: "Thank you for your gift, my lord. From today on, your orders shall be the direction I advance toward!" (End of this chapter)