Chapter 448

Luoning summoned Kaierluosi to transport a batch of iron ore prepared in Chishan Town back to Wubei Port.

This was wrought iron refined by Fengsi and the others, which could be used for shipbuilding after further processing by Ximeng and Kaierluosi using their Battle Qi.

Transporting this ore via dragon was incomparably faster than using horse-drawn carriages on land.

Kaierluosi dropped Luoning off when passing by Wushan Castle, then continued on its journey.

Although the transport work required no technical skill, it never tired of it; after all, who wouldn't be happy to follow such a formidable master?

"Young Master, you're back!"

Upon seeing Luoning appear, Moste respectfully welcomed him: "The Master is not in the castle right now; he likely won't be back until evening."

"What has Grandfather been busy with?"

"Work has begun on the large iron mine behind Wushan City, and since the person in charge sent by the royal family arrived today, the Master went along to take a look."

Luoning nodded.

This royal family—cooperating to mine on one hand while trying to cause him trouble on the other; is this what they call wanting to cooperate while simultaneously suppressing?

"Notify me when Grandfather returns."

Having nothing better to do, Luoning went to the front courtyard to visit Weijinsi.

Come to think of it, Luoning hadn't given the other party their share of the Chishan Iron Mine profits at the end of last year, and the latter didn't seem to be asking for it anymore.

Weijinsi was quite content with his leisure now.

He didn't need to manage castle affairs, he didn't need to worry about Wushan Territory matters, and he didn't even need to consider the future of Wushan Territory.

Although he had lost a leg, he was living a carefree life again and was happy to be at ease, no longer needing to force himself to push forward like before.

As for Luoning, his attitude had gone through quite a winding journey: from initial disdain to familiarity and understanding, then to high regard, and finally to his current admiration and pride.

Occasionally, when drinking with friends outside, Weijinsi couldn't help but boast about having a good son.

No, he had two.

Although the future Buleidun was not as powerful as Luoning, he was definitely stronger than those young masters from any principality.

In the evening, the castle held a banquet to welcome the Kingdom's Minister of Finance, Lude Kaokesi.

That night, after the dinner for the three generations of the family concluded, Luoning went to Lulansi's study and told him everything that had happened at Anbian City.

This included how he and Suofeiya had wiped out tens of thousands of Witch Soul Knights, and the subsequent attempt by Jialete and the others to take Suofeiya away.

Old Master Lulansi listened quietly, his eyes deep and bright, as if he could see through everything.

"You seem to have become powerful again, Luoning!"

He sighed: "To be able to slay two Meteor Knights and over twenty thousand Witch Soul Knights with the strength of one person, what level has your Knight strength reached?"

"I have reached Silver Moon Peak."

Luoning said: "If things proceed as planned, in another fourteen months, I will be able to become a Blazing Sun Knight and a Great Archmage."

Hearing this, the light in Lulansi's eyes grew even more brilliant, and he laughed heartily: "It seems the era belonging to our Wushan Family is coming!"

He took a deep breath and said slowly: "Luoning, the shadow of war has already shrouded the land beneath our feet. From the moment His Majesty let Hesusu go and disguised him, we have been the target of both cooperation and precaution."

Luoning understood what Lulansi meant.

From the moment his own strength, as well as the strength of Lulansi, Meilongnika, and Kaierluosi were exposed, it would invite suspicion and precaution from others.

And now, Luoning had two more Level 8 Transcendental beings by his side, Suofeiya and Ruidar; their top-tier strength was too great.

"So, Grandfather, do you think they will take the initiative to attack us?" Luoning asked.

"They will."

Lulansi said affirmatively: "The Vila Principality, Yueguang Valley, and Screaming Island will all take action. But they will not openly carry the banner of the nobility."

Luoning understood, "So, the Black Gold Brotherhood, the Bolante Bandit Group, and the pirate groups on the sea are going to take advantage of the situation again?"

"Haha, that is exactly it."

Lulansi took a deep breath, "It is just a pity that the location of Wushan Territory is not good; despite our history, we are always feared, which leads to us having no allies and having to rely on ourselves for everything."

He pondered for a moment, "I have already had Meilongnika lead a team to Black Python City in advance, along with the Eighth Knight Order led by Hema, plus your troops in Zilei Territory, to guard the east. Once the war starts, Kabier will also arrive in time to provide support."

"As for the remaining two Knight Orders, I will have Tolu go to Jianjiao City and Sanduoluo go to your Wubei Port."

"Wubei Port is not important."

Luoning said: "If they attack from the sea, it is more likely they will raid Jiliu Island. I will have Kaierluosi defend it. Let Sanduoluo's Knight Order go to Zilei Territory; it would be perfect to strike first and completely eradicate the Black Gold Brotherhood that has retreated to the Heisong Mountain Range."

"This is effectively a war of attrition. The Knights of Wushan Territory are limited, and the three parties combined have a deeper foundation than we do. If they bleed us a little at a time, eventually we will die."

Lulansi said: "So if this war starts, we must win with the strongest posture and the fastest speed, so that when they come to bleed us again in the future, they will have to carefully evaluate their own strength."

When one shows strength to a certain degree, even if the royal family wants to move against Wushan Territory, they have to weigh the price they would have to pay.

"So Yueguang Valley..." Luoning looked at Lulansi.

The latter held up two fingers: "Two months of mobilization time. Once the time is up, we can take the initiative to attack, and I will go over to help then."

Luoning laughed: "One Blazing Sun, two Silver Moons, one Archmage, plus three Meteor Knights—with such combat power, we will surely be unstoppable in the battle of Yueguang Valley!"

Late night at the Golden Feather Palace.

After returning to Wangdu, Buluoer reported everything that happened at Anbian City to Buluono.

As a Knight loyal to the royal family, Buluoer was faithful.

Although his relationship with Luoning and Lulansi was quite good, he did not deliberately conceal anything.

"One Archmage is not enough, and now there is another Silver Moon Knight..."

"How did so many strong people suddenly appear?"

Buluono rubbed his brow; his intuition told him that the current Wushan Territory was very powerful, and wanting to restrict it was not an easy matter.

"I am not sure either."

Buluoer shook his head, "Your Majesty, how do you intend to deal with Luoning? After all, he openly disobeyed your orders."

"Disobeyed, then so be it. What else can I do to deal with him?"

Bruno smiled bitterly and said, "The Wangong is currently preparing for the grand wedding of Blanche and Luoning, so I cannot suddenly announce that Luoning has betrayed the Kingdom, can I?"

He pondered slightly, and then he had an idea.

"I originally wanted to cooperate with the Wushan Territory to curb the ambitions of Screaming Island, Yueguang Valley, and the Vila Principality, but I did not expect the situation to be reversed now."

Bruno looked at the bright moon outside the window and thought to himself, "This is fine too; let them fight among themselves, and the royal family will focus on the battles at the border and will not get involved."

"Buluoer, go write a letter to Jialete and tell him that he does not need to worry about the matters here."

He thought for a moment and added, "Right, also write a letter to Luoning at the same time. Since he guarantees that this matter was not done by Suofeiya, then I choose to believe him; the friendship between the royal family and the Wushan Family should not be affected by this small matter." (End of chapter)