"What’s the point of having Dou Qi? It’s useless when facing a big sword." Liu Zhenhan snorted coldly. He had often seen martial arts defeated by brute force, and aura destroyed by a single knife. These seemingly spectacular things could be intimidating to others, but not to him.
The Feilengcui militiamen sensed the hostility of the Swan Knightess and surrounded her with a roar, each eager to be the first to engage.
"If you want to fight, fight me!" Korina, holding a giant ivory machete, boldly stepped forward.
"What are you trying to do? Start a rebellion, huh?" Liu Zhenhan cursed out loud, "Have you lost your mind? Gortani the Knight is a follower of Lady Helen!"
"As a lord, Lord Richard, I demand that you apologize for the sacrilege against the temple you made earlier!" Gortani appeared to be a stickler for rules, disregarding the hostile crowd in front of her and remained steadfast. She was critical of Liu Zhenhan and had her hand on the hilt of her cross-sword on her waist.
Her words stirred disturbances among the Feilengcui militiamen. Gude squinted his eyes, fists clenched with a consistent snapping sound.
"I can apologize easily. If you can lift this club here, I will apologize." Liu Zhenhan fetched the dense array and tossed it to the Swan Knightess.
The Swan Knightess coldly glanced at him. Her silver Dou Qi aura intensified, and despite her struggle, she managed to pick up the wolf fang club that was embedded in the ground. Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveIＦire.net
Guoguo and the piglets circled in front of her, their small eyes rolling and staring at Liu Zhenhan, attempting mischief. Ning Yu quickly came over and carried them away.
"Very impressive!" Liu Zhenhan exclaimed, "Obischillaci, this is the bonus effect of Dou Qi, right? Amazing! I apologize!"
"As Helen’s personal guard, I am responsible for her every need, specifically approved by the temple." Gortani exclaimed, revealing a parchment scroll, "Even the Feilengcui Lord has no power to interfere or constrain me."
Done for, thought Liu Zhenhan despondent.
"Who does she think she is? Just because she is a noble? Obischillaci!" Avril was not amused.
Gortani examined the crystal crown on Avril’s head, and scrutinized the mermaid, but said nothing. She huffed and turned away from Avril.
"Heh, met a mad one." Liu Zhenhan said.
Encouraged by Gortani’s urging, Helen returned to the cave dwelling before everyone else, casting a glance back every step of the way.
Liu Zhenhan stared at the silhouette of the two disappearing women.
Everyone felt somewhat dispirited. It was a once happy moment ruined by the abrupt occurrence, leaving everyone in a low mood.
With a "clang" sound, Gude slammed a large mug carved out of bamboo root and stood up angrily, heading to the bamboo grove. He stared at it for a long time and then forcefully knocked down the thickest Buddha belly bamboo, stripping off the leaves and branches.
"General Pan, what are you doing?" Ning Yu looked at Gude.
"I’ll assault that little girl into concussion." Without even looking back, Gude stormed off towards Red Earth Highland, dragging a bamboo stick on the ground and leaving a long scratch mark.
Ning Yu attempted to stop him but was held back by Liu Zhenhan.
Shortly after, a grunt echoed from the cave on top of Red Earth Highland, followed by a large figure flying straight out from the cave entrance, crashing into the slat banana trees on Red Earth Square, breaking several branches and then thudding hard into the ground.
Dust rose in the area, and Gude was on the ground, face-down with a handful of leaves behind his head.
He had fallen on a rock, splitting it into three parts as he struck his face against it.
A broken bamboo stick flew out from the cave hole, making a loud noise as it broke on landing.
Korina quickly stood up, and so did Bellamy.
"Stop!" Cui Beixi coldly glanced at them.
Gude climbed up from the ground, rubbed his nose, smelled it, thankfully, there was no blood.
"Continue drinking." Liu Zhenhan patted Gude’s shoulder and beckoned around him.
"Richard, as a sacrifice, would it be better if we drink less?" said Cui Beixi to a little girl who brought her "ice-cream", she turned to Liu Zhenhan with a playful smile.
"Yes, yes..." Liu Zhenhan felt as if his single head had turned into two.
This is banned, that is not allowed. What’s the point of being alive? Liu Zhenhan murmured to himself.
Bellamy noticed the unhappiness of his lord, and hurried the slaves to eat faster. They quickly gulped down their meal and were herded back to the cave.
"This is what I obtained for you from the temple." The snake tutor took out a shinny silver Medusa Badge from her pocket and handed it to a bored Liu Zhenhan, "Once the war against the desert people begins on the Northwest Front, the Northeast Province might face a shortage of troops. Feilengcui’s jurisdiction, being the frontier of the Northeast Province, will be a barrier to protect the civilians north of the Sanggan River. Richard, you will bear a significant responsibility. This badge is for you. I hope you will soon be able to gain another giant magical pet."
"Didn’t the temple send any gold coins along?" Liu Zhenhan took the badge. The silver badge reflected beautiful rays of light when tilted at certain angles.
"Gold Coins?" The snake tutor smirked, "War has its costs, and the noble upper house might end up collecting military expenses from you, after all, you are a noble too."
Whoever collects taxes can expect a fight. A wry smile formed on Liu Zhenhan as he nodded, thinking of cashing in the silver badge as well.
"Every year, at this time, human traders from the Northeast Province return home. You can set up a ferry crossing and charge accordingly." The snake tutor stood up, "That’s all I can teach you. As a tutor, I should not be teaching you how to seize wealth, which can be devilishly distracting."
Liu Zhenhan watched as the snake tutor headed up the Red Earth Highland path towards the caves of the little fox and Swan Knightess, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
"Tomorrow, are we still continuing with the raids on the Razor Hill Goblin tribe and the White Crow Wildman Tribe?" Bellamy fearfully asked his lord.
"No more." Liu Zhenhan picked up his wine cup, thought for a while, and put it back. Tearing off a large chunk of Larza Beast leg, he stuffed it into his mouth and chewed heartily.
"Why are we not going any more?" Korina felt choked up. He had just listened to Gude’s wild boasts and was eager to test his skill the next day.
"In order to exterminate the enemy outside, we must first pacify the enemies within!" Liu Zhenhan laughed heartily.
Feilengcui’s first feast came to an awkward end.
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