Chapter 128

"My lord, there's a stone bridge ahead!"

"Go take a look!"

At dusk, a small knightly detachment galloped along the road between Baron Cain’s territory and Viscount Beckert’s territory.

Of this group, only two horses were decent warhorses; the rest were draft mares.

Such a configuration perfectly matched the resources of a minor noble.

If anyone from Stormhold passed by, they’d recognize: aren’t these our lord and his knights?

Where are our lord’s Flamehorses?

The Flamehorses are, of course, back at the castle.

Gervas came this time for the iron mine auction at Viscount Beckert’s castle.

He knew well that his previous plundering of Beckert’s treasures had drawn the viscount’s ire—those Flamehorses were surely on his radar.

Though Gervas had acquired those treasures through his own merit, and they came from the third batch, they weren’t Beckert’s property to begin with.

But nobles don’t care about reason.

So to avoid being expelled from the castle and losing the iron mine worth five thousand gold coins, Gervas chose to keep a low profile.

He selected the mounts and draft mares seized earlier from the Scorpion Boss.

Before heading to Viscount Beckert’s castle, he had to prepare the auction funds—so first, Gervas arrived at the stone bridge mentioned in his intelligence network.

Along this stretch of trade road near the border, there was only this one stone bridge—making the target unmistakable.

When they reached the bridge and looked down, the river was narrow—only twenty meters across—a straight current, and more importantly, the water was crystal clear.

"My lord, is there really a treasure chest down there?"

"Correct. Zhuiyue overheard two of Viscount Beckert’s guards talking two days ago—they admitted they once disguised themselves as bandits to rob a merchant caravan!"

"The steward barely escaped here and threw a treasure chest into the river. The two guards have kept this secret, planning to retrieve it themselves later!"

"Since it’s Zhuiyue’s intelligence, it must be true. My lord, we’ll dive down and retrieve it right away!" Upon hearing this, Mi Gen and the others immediately ceased their doubts.

Who is Zhuiyue?

He’s the divine steed of Stormhold… no, the divine mount of the gods!

Immediately, Mi Gen and the others paired off, diving into the river.

Because the water was transparent, their movements underwater were clearly visible from the bridge—making embezzlement impossible.

Soon, Gervas saw Mi Gen move—he lifted a dull, gray object resembling a large pebble.

"My lord, I found it!" Mi Gen surfaced excitedly and shouted at once.

Finding it so quickly surprised Gervas—had Beckert’s guards merely swum around the spot twice, they’d have found it long ago.

But considering Gervas knew the exact location thanks to his intelligence network, while those guards had no idea the steward had passed through here—or that the chest lay in the river—it was only natural they hadn’t found it.

Soon, Mi Gen and the other knights brought the iron chest ashore.

The chest was small—over thirty centimeters long, twenty centimeters high—its surface covered in rust and silt.

Fortunately, it was locked—the contents inside were likely intact.

Gervas did not open it in front of Mi Gen and the others; the wealth inside—four hundred gold coins—was far too tempting.

Though his subordinates were curious, they understood propriety well: if their lord didn’t speak, they didn’t ask—and even deliberately kept their distance to avoid suspicion.

Only after Gervas transferred the gold coins and jewels from the iron chest into his own wooden treasure chest did they gather around again.

"I know you’re all curious about what’s inside. I’ll tell you tonight when we return!"

"Yes, my lord!"

…

That night!

Viscount Beckert’s castle was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

A red carpet stretched from the castle gate all the way to the inner gate.

The steward personally led servants to greet guests with smiling faces at the gate.

Noble carriages lined up at the castle entrance, each escorted by servants to the banquet hall.

Due to the iron mine’s importance, even though its location was in the dangerous borderlands, nobles who received the news flocked eagerly.

So far, twenty nobles had arrived.

Though most were likely just here for the spectacle, lacking the means to bid, Viscount Beckert’s castle welcomed them all.

More competitors meant higher prices!

At that moment, two mounted knights approached the steward. He was about to tell them knights must dismount to enter, when he saw one rider seated on a warhorse—wearing a silk ceremonial robe.

Tonight, every noble, great or small, had arrived by carriage—this was the first to ride in.

After all, this was a banquet; nobles valued appearances.

"It’s an honor to meet you, sir. May I ask your name?"

"I am Gervas Gail, Lord of Stormhold."

"Lord of Stormhold?" The steward froze—hadn’t they omitted inviting the Lord of Stormhold?

That impoverished place? Inviting him would only bring another freeloader. He’d already consulted Viscount Beckert, who clearly said: no invitation needed.

"What’s wrong? Does Viscount Beckert not welcome my arrival? I came for the auction—I’m genuinely interested in the iron mine, and I’ve brought ample funds!"

Gervas had anticipated this reaction—he signaled with his eyes to Lei Meng, who held the wooden treasure chest.

The steward saw the chest in Lei Meng’s arms, gasped, then immediately smiled: "My lord, you jest! Your presence graces Viscount Beckert’s castle with glory. Our lord welcomes every guest—please, come in!"

Then servants led Gervas and his men into the castle.

Watching Gervas’s back, the steward muttered, "Coming here to hand over money? How foolish!"

…

Viscount Beckert’s castle was, as its reputation claimed, truly lavish.

Compared to it, Gervas’s baronial castle looked like a beggar’s hovel.

Of course, that was because it hadn’t been decorated yet.

Once he had the funds to decorate—or even expand—it would be no less grand than Viscount Beckert’s castle.

Inside the banquet hall, crowds thronged. Amidst the elegant music, nobles gathered in small groups, drinking and chatting.

Gervas, a stranger to them, received polite nods when noticed—but no one paid him further attention.

Gervas didn’t mind—he simply sampled the food on the table.

But after one bite, he found the flavor vastly inferior to Rose the chef’s cooking—he stopped eating entirely.

Fortunately, Viscount Beckert was eager to find "fools," so he didn’t delay long.

"Viscount Beckert arrives!"

A cry rang out as Viscount Beckert entered through the banquet hall doors.

Nobles stepped aside, bowing and greeting him as he passed.

Viscount Beckert responded with equal humility, bowing repeatedly—appearing so courteous and amiable.

Only Gervas knew just how black-hearted this man truly was.