"That's right, Yinglek. I thought about it all night last night, but I still couldn't figure it out. You should also know that your temperament is not that of a competitive person. Instead, you muddle along as long as you can preserve your old life. To put it bluntly, you're a coward. That's why I'm puzzled. How did you become a Great Swordsman? What kind of treasure did you eat? "
Early in the morning, Laurist sent someone to summon Ingelek. It was mainly because he remembered that the Flying Fish from the Kingdom of Dawn would take more than ten days to deliver the herbs and pharmacists to Cilovas Island. He was very unhappy that he had allowed the old swordsman to roam freely during this period of time. So, he found another job for the old man, and at the same time, he wanted to figure out the problem that he had been puzzling over.
Yinglek smiled bitterly. "My lord, I really don't know either. To be honest, when I surrendered to you, I was already a 3-star Gold rank, but I stagnated at that stage for a few years. No matter how hard I trained, I couldn't make any progress. I thought that this would be the end of my life, so I didn't have much hope.
After following the convoy north, I suddenly felt very relaxed. After a long time, I realized that it was because my lord had destroyed the slave hunters. I no longer had to go against my conscience and do immoral things for others. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my body, and even the circulation of my fighting energy felt smoother and smoother.
After arriving at my family's territory, my lord didn't assign me any tasks and let me go home to accompany my granddaughter who had just given birth. Seeing the little girl become a mother for the first time and the baby in her arms, I thought about my life's experiences and realized many things. I didn't ask for anything else. I just wanted to stay with the girl and her baby and watch them live a peaceful and peaceful life. That was enough for me.
Two years ago, the baby was very mischievous and ran around, so I made a wooden sword for him as a toy. It was very interesting to watch him chase butterflies in the garden and hack at them. I suddenly thought that this kind of life was really blissful … Then, I didn't know what happened, but I suddenly felt like I understood something. I felt that the sky was especially blue, and the flowers and plants were especially fragrant. Everything around me was clearly reflected in my senses, and I felt that the world within a ten-meter radius was in my hands …
Fortunately, my granddaughter was more knowledgeable and knew that I was enlightened. She sealed the entire back garden and didn't let the servants in. She personally brought me tea and food every day. At that time, I didn't feel anything. I ate when I was hungry, drank when I was thirsty, and slept when I was tired. It was as if I had become the world in the back garden, and I had no awareness of my own body.
Later, my granddaughter told me that I seemed to have lost my soul. My body was stiff, and I was sitting on the ground motionless. I didn. I was either gesturing or sitting on the ground. I didn't answer. I didn't move. I asked, I didn's. She. She. I. She. I. She's....
. and.... She.... Out............ Sh.. Two...... Two............................ The girl was very happy. She wanted to write to Sh. and tell him that I stopped her. I didn't want to create a storm in the city and have everyone come to see me … "
Laurist understood. The old man didn't become a Great Swordsman because of his breakthrough and understanding of swordsmanship. Instead, it was the perfection of his state of mind that allowed him to naturally become a Great Swordsman. Thus, after becoming a Great Swordsman, his control, accuracy, and stability of his swordsmanship were very meticulous and stable. It was like a calm pool of water. Once it tilted, it would seep through every pore. He wasn't like other Great Swordsman who had a breakthrough in swordsmanship and formed a sword technique with the characteristics of his Dou Qi. Just like when I fought with Laurist, I felt a cold and sharp blizzard …
"I didn't expect that you would become a Great Swordsman when I told you to go home and play with your grandchildren." Laurist sighed. He didn't even blush. He shamelessly took all the credit for the old man becoming a Great Swordsman. "You have to thank me, Frederick. It was me who destroyed the slave hunters, forced you to become a servant, and brought you to the North. If you didn't experience this and understand that happiness isn't easy to come by, you would still be a three-star Gold rank … "
"Yes, yes, yes. It's all thanks to Sir. Thank you, Sir …" Frederick's face was filled with helplessness. Even though he had become a Great Swordmaster, he still felt like he was treading on thin ice when facing Laurist. The old man himself felt that it was strange and incomprehensible. It seemed like his fear of this lord had reached deep into his bones.
"Alright, come and take this." Laurist took out a small box from the drawer. After opening it, there was a gold Furious Bear Badge. Unlike the gold badges of Gold Knights, this gold badge had a small star diamond embedded in it. It reflected and shone with dazzling starlight.
"Old man, you're lucky. My grandfather and great-grandfather wished so much for the family to have a Great Swordsman. Although they couldn't afford it, they still made a family badge that represented the identity of a Great Swordsman. They hoped that it would motivate the family to train hard and one day become a Great Swordsman. Hmm, at least they knew their limits and made a first-rank Great Swordsman badge. Otherwise, I would have to dig out a star diamond from it … "
Although his mouth was full of nonsense, Laurist's actions were unusually serious. He carefully placed the box in Frederick's hands. Frederick naturally wouldn't take Laurist's nonsense seriously. From Laurist's actions, he knew that from this moment on, he had become the first Great Swordsman of the Norton Family. His fate was already linked to the rise and fall of the Norton Family.
Holding the box, Ingelek carefully took out the badge and pinned it to his chest. He stuffed the box into his pocket and took two steps back. He bowed deeply to Lollister. "My lord, I swear my life for the Norton Family …"
Laurist waved his hand. "Alright, don't talk about dying so early in the morning. Don't you think it's bad luck? It's fine as long as you have the heart. I still want to see if you can advance to the next level and become a second-rank Great Swordsman, or even a third-rank Great Swordsman. Perhaps you can even become a Sword Saint. "
"Sir, you're even better at dreaming than I am! I only hope to advance to the next level, but I never dreamed of becoming a Sword Saint … "After receiving the family's Great Swordsman badge, the old man finally spoke more freely.
"Well, it's hard to say. You're very lucky. Maybe one day you'll step on dog shit and fall, and suddenly become a Sword Saint …" Frederick laughed bitterly.
His Excellency was talking nonsense again. If someone really became a Sword Saint, there would be people looking for dog shit to step on every day.
"Alright, I'll stop teasing you. By the way, since you've become a Great Swordsman, your annual stipend is 5,000 gold coins. You can get it from Steward Spear anytime. If you become a second-rank Great Swordsman, you'll get 8,000 gold coins a year, and a third-rank Great Swordsman will get 10,000 gold coins. Now you're regretting telling me that you'd become a Great Swordsman a year earlier, and you'd have an extra 5,000 gold coins now. "
Frederick shook his head. "I don't regret it, Sir."
"Really?" Laurist made a big fuss out of nothing. "Back then, when I confiscated your private stash of money from the slave hunters, you were in so much pain that you almost wanted to hang yourself. Now that you're missing five thousand gold coins, you're acting so indifferent? Oh, right, are you complaining that the stipend is too little? Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I set the standard, and I can't change it now. "
"Sir, you've already given me a lot of stipend. I know that a normal Great Swordsman only gets 3,000 gold coins. However, I've been at home for the past few years, and I feel that a peaceful life is what I want. It's fine as long as I have enough money to spend. It's not that the more you have, the happier you will be. I'm satisfied as long as I can accompany my family. It's a pity that I don't have money, or else I'd rather give you 5,000 gold coins to let me stay with my children for another year … "Frederick sighed.
"Forget it, Elik. You're just a donkey that won't budge unless you whip it …" Laurist said, "However, you have a good attitude. It's this kind of calmness that allowed you to reach the level of a Great Swordmaster. Now, I'll give you a mission. Before you go out to sea for more than ten days, teach Redi two hours of swordsmanship every morning. Forget it, just one and a half hours. Give them more pointers on their basic stances. Last night, I saw you practice your swordsmanship. Your foundation is very solid, and your swordsmanship is very exquisite. Give them more pointers on this aspect … "
"Yes, my lord." Angelek nodded.
"Also, come back here after you finish practicing. I'll have someone prepare a room for you to use as an office today. You also need to understand the family's strategic goals and development plans. I'll pass some matters to you in the future. Now, I'll ask Schwald to take you to the training field at the back of the mountain. When you come back, you can come here and take a look at the information regarding Cirvas Island. Oh, it's all over there, "Loriste said as he pointed to a large stack of leather folders at the side.
Ingrek was helplessly brought out by Shihuard. Laurist looked at the old man's back and muttered, "This old man still wants to slack off? No way."
… …
Count Kenneth arrived at Monolith Castle in the evening with a large group of attendants and servants. Of course, when he got off the carriage, he had two new maids in his arms who were dressed to the nines.
Laurist glanced at them, "Changed again?"
Count Kenneth replied, "Yes, those two are pregnant, so I had no choice but to marry them. I even provided a large dowry for them."
Laurist silently paid his respects to the two unknown men, "Since they're pregnant with your children, why don't you keep them by your side as concubines?"
"No," Count Kenneth said. "If I keep them by my side, when they have children, they'll become arrogant and have bad intentions. I won't be at peace if that happens, and it won't be good for them either. So, it's better for them to get married. I'll give them a sum of alimony every year, and when the children grow up, I'll bring them back and nurture them. That's good for everyone … "
Damn, this guy's really calculative. As expected of someone from a merchant family. Laurist smiled and invited him into the castle while cursing in his heart.
The two entered the study, and Count Kenneth opened the door to the wine cabinet with familiarity. He found a bottle of good wine and opened it. Turning from guest to host, he invited Laurist, "Come, this wine is not bad. Cheers."
"Damn!" Laurist cursed, "I went out at the end of last year, and when I came back, I found that half of the good wine in the cabinet was gone. So it's all your fault."
"Brother, good wine is meant for people to drink. How would you know if it's good if you don't drink it?" Count Kenneth quibbled, then asked curiously, "Oh yes, brother, where did you go last year? Your butler and Boddfinger were tight-lipped, and refused to reveal where you went. They only said that you weren't in the north. I'm puzzled. You didn't use the iron bridge in my family's territory, nor did you use the Filim family's bridge. Moreover, the lower reaches of the Mitrobro River were sealed by the Madras Family. How did you leave the north? Did you grow wings and fly over? "
Laurist smiled, "I went to the Andinac Kingdom and sent the second prince there. The third prince died on the 29th of December last year, and the second prince chopped off his head and placed it in front of his father's coffin … "
Count Kenneth shuddered, "What did you say? The second prince died? I only heard that the third prince died, but I didn't hear that the second prince was buried with him … "
Laurist nodded, "Shredder went to the capital on my behalf. He saw the second prince's head placed in front of the third prince's coffin, on a large silver plate. He died with his eyes wide open."
"Oh my God, the second prince is dead just like that?" Count Kenneth exclaimed.
Laurist nodded.
Count Kenneth downed the wine in his silver cup in one gulp, then shook his head as he pondered, "The second prince is my superior lord. I should feel sad, or reprimand you for disobeying my superior and arresting him, or go home and declare war on the Norton family to avenge the second prince. But why do I feel a sense of joy and even relief when I heard the news of the second prince's death? "
Laurist laughed, "You b * stard, you should be thanking me for helping the Kenneth family take a heavy burden off your shoulders. Without a superior lord, you can live freely in the future. Isn't it good that there is no one to control you? If you allow the second prince to sit on your head and suppress you, there will come a day when the Gummis Family will rebel. He is an insatiable and greedy man who eats people up without spitting out the bones.
As for saying that the Norton family disobeyed our superior, that is nonsense. He is not our superior lord, and anyone who dares to touch the Norton family should be prepared to have their hands chopped off. Besides, it was not us who killed him. The second prince represented the former Chrison royal family to clean up the mess. Killing him is a legitimate matter, and it has nothing to do with the Norton family. "
Count Kenneth gave him a thumbs up. "When did you become so sly? Isn't sending the second prince to the Andinac Kingdom the same as sending him to his death? Right, you almost fooled me. The second prince's death is not a big deal. You have to tell me how you went to the Andinac Kingdom. That is the most important thing. "
Laurist pointed at a map of the family's territory on the wall, "Look at it yourself. Didn't I tell you before? The second prince represented the former Chrison royal family to confer me the title of Count and gave the Island of Sirovas to the Norton family. A few years ago, our family finally developed a port by the sea. I asked someone to build a ship and went there. I even made a trip to Morent City. "
"Oh my god!" This time, Count Kenneth had learned Laurist's catchphrase. He rushed over and stared at the map for a long time, "Loke, your family is rich! You have opened up this sea trade route. Even if you lie down and sleep every day, you will still have gold rolling in! The transportation costs will be enough for your family to live a comfortable life. Higwa above, who knows how much time and cost it will save to transport goods from the north to the north? Big Brother Loke, Mister Loke, let me join in and hug your thick thighs … "
"Scram!" Laurist scolded jokingly, "Is there such a good thing? You always think about it, but don't you think about the fact that our family still has to build ships, recruit people, and bear the risks of the sea. I just got back and received news that our Island of Sirovas was attacked by pirates and suffered heavy losses. So, I have to make another trip in ten days. I don't even know if I will be back for the new year, so I called you all here for a small gathering. Of course, I have some good news to announce. "
"Yes, that's true. The sea is very dangerous, especially the newly opened sea route. Large waves, storms, pirates, and getting lost can cause heavy losses." Count Kenneth added, "But I still want to go to Morent City through this sea route. I've heard of your name for a long time, but I have never been there. It's embarrassing …"
"Next year. After I clear this sea route and ensure its safety, I will bring you to Morent City next year."
"Alright, it's settled then. But Loke, what did you say you have good news to announce? "Count Kenneth asked.
Laurist said, "I'll tell you when the other two arrive. I can't be bothered to say it a few times."
"Tsk, nonsense."
Baron Shaheen and Baron Phelim arrived together a day later. As expected, Baron Phelim brought his precious daughter with him. Laurist then gave Shihuard three days off, allowing him to take his fiancée out for a stroll and improve the relationship between the two youths.
In the study, Laurist announced his so-called good news. He ordered the servants to bring up the gold-engraved glass tea set, magnifying glasses, and bound white paper. He gave each of his three allies a copy, then announced that this was their family's new product and would be sold by the Snow Salt Chamber of Commerce. He also told Count Kenneth that the Norton family could now produce their own glass, and that the Kenneth family would no longer need to buy glass for them in the future.
Compared to Baron Shaheen and Baron Phelim's elation, Count Kenneth was dejected. It wasn't easy for the Terberian Kingdom to go to war this year and stop the production of glass. The Kenneth family bought a large batch of glass from secondary dealers at a high price and wanted to sell it to the Norton family at a few times the price, but now it all went down the drain …
However, Laurist told Baron Shaheen and Baron Phelim that they had to strengthen their armaments. He then reported to the three allies about the second prince sweeping through the Redelis Kingdom. He didn't know when the second prince would attack the Iberian Kingdom, and when the time came, 300,000 troops would come to the north. Although he was a noble of the Andenac Kingdom, there was no guarantee that the second prince wouldn't attack the three families. After all, they were the nobles of the Iberian Kingdom conferred by the second prince …
So, it was better to strengthen their armaments just in case. Without the backing of a powerful family, even if they surrendered to the second prince, it wouldn't end well … Laurist said.
…
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