Chapter 14 - Achievements Complete Return to the Academy

The following days became extremely monotonous.

The old man, spurred by Lu Hong, practiced the Fatal Strike day and night without rest, while Lu Hong busied himself hunting monsters and leveling up throughout the Engels Mountain Range.

As for Miaomiao, she just stayed in her room at the inn, her thoughts a mystery.

“Master, here are the recent financial statements and various reports for the Engels Mountain Range.” At this moment, in the detached residence of a luxurious mansion in the imperial capital of Rejinsk, a butler presented a thick stack of reports to his master.

The languid middle-aged master flipped through them casually, then suddenly sat up sharply, “Why have so many Demon Beasts died recently?!”

“The deceased Demon Beasts were all killed by a young man named Tugulu,” the butler replied.

“Who is he?

Why would someone with a high-level profession come to my territory to slaughter Demon Beasts?

Is he from the Blue Crystal Society?” The middle-aged master was somewhat angry.

At this rate, no matter how many Demon Beasts he bred in the Engels Mountain Range, there could come a time when they’d all be wiped out.

“Master, this man is not an underling of the Blue Crystal Society, but someone from the Prolusius family, an elder by the side of Lord Prolusius.

According to reliable information, Lord Prolusius has been calling him ‘young master’ all along.” The butler continued, “But when we tried to investigate Tugulu’s background further, we found it impossible to trace, likely deliberately erased by someone.”

“To be called ‘young master’ by Lord Prolusius?

But there is no such person in the Prolusius family,” said the middle-aged master, obviously very familiar with the Prolusius family.

“It seems that this person has a private relationship with Lord Prolusius.”

“Master, you are right.

Lord Prolusius has also clarified this matter in front of Prince Lupton,” said the butler, flattering appropriately.

“Since he’s the ‘young master’ of Lord Prolusius, let this matter go.

Although it pains me to lose so many Demon Beasts, it’s an honor to have Lord Prolusius visit one of my industries.

I’ll buy more Demon Beasts later and put them back in,” the middle-aged master decided.

“Very well, Master.”

“Oh, by the way, have you all treated Lord Prolusius well?” The middle-aged master seemed to remember something, “Nevermind that you didn’t inform me in advance, it’s just one of my businesses after all.

If I had to run over every time someone with a significant background visited, wouldn’t that be the death of me?

An Ze should have made proper arrangements, right?”

“Master, An Ze carefully arranged everything, and moreover, Lord Prolusius also took the elf girl Miaomiao from An Ze,” the butler reported.

“Not bad, not bad at all.

This can certainly be considered a favor owed by Lord Prolusius, a favor from the military!

Reward An Ze generously later, he has done very well!” The middle-aged master laughed, “This pawn has finally proved useful!”

“In addition, keep investigating this Tugulu’s background.

The Empire’s successor elections are not far off, and his appearance cannot be a coincidence,” the middle-aged master continued with his instructions.

The butler listened silently, waiting until the middle-aged master had finished before asking, “Do you have any further orders, Master?”

“Last thing, send the information on Lord Prolusius and this Tugulu to the Crown Prince, Anthony.”

After the middle-aged master had finished all his instructions, the butler bowed and left.

Meanwhile, Lu Hong and his two companions had already boarded the carriage returning to the academy.

“Young master, how was the haul today?” the little old man asked with a beaming smile.

“Keep it down, I’ve just casually advanced to a level seven warrior,” Lu Hong replied calmly while enjoying the thrill of showing off.

“You really are a genius, young master!” Miaomiao praised in a soft voice, her face flushing red.

She had grown more familiar with Lu Hong over the past few days and would occasionally join in the conversation.

“Wait a moment!” Lu Hong suddenly looked at Miaomiao with a stern expression, “Repeat what you just said.”

Miaomiao, who had never seen Lu Hong’s sudden change of demeanor, was nearly terrified and stammered, “You…

you really are a genius, young master.”

“Hahaha, exactly, I am a genius,” Lu Hong laughed heartily after hearing the compliment for the second time, satisfied.

“But young master, aren’t we supposed to stay low-key?” the little old man complained somewhat dissatisfied.

It was clear that Miaomiao had stolen his opportunity to flatter.

How had he not realized earlier that this elf girl was so cunning, already competing for favor!

“It’s all the same, I’m happy either way.

But in truth, this training session wasn’t Complete, a pity but that’s as far as it goes for now,” Lu Hong sighed.

“Why the heck not?” The old man had never ventured into the demon beast-breeding mountains, so naturally, he hadn’t a clue what Lu Hong had been through these past few days.

In truth, summarizing Lu Hong’s experiences boiled down to nothing more than cold shoulders and scuffles, given that he was slaughtering the beasts too quickly.

Initially, in areas inhabited by lesser demon beasts, it was fine as there weren’t many people around.

But as soon as he entered the higher-level demon beast areas, it suddenly became crowded.

To Lu Hong, this was poaching!

Without a word, Lu Hong took on anyone he encountered, which led to trouble since those scions of wealth weren’t without their own retinues, often consisting of higher-level friends or bodyguards.

And so, in the second-level demon beast territories, he made enemies all over, eventually leading to a unified front by the hunters to oust him.

That forced Lu Hong to abandon his leveling up through combat.

Even though Lu Hong had filed complaints with the administrators of the Engels Mountain Range, they went unhandled.

When he was the one throwing punches, the administrators didn’t intervene, so naturally, they stayed out of it when the blows returned–as long as it wasn’t fatal, of course.

“It wasn’t much, just beat up a few people and couldn’t hang in the second-level demon beast area anymore.” Lu Hong couldn’t help but chuckle thinking about those he’d beaten, regardless of who they were–he didn’t recognize any of them.

“Who dares to make the young master unable to hang around there, you just say the word, and I, Prolusius, will teach them a lesson!” It was time for the old man to show his loyalty.

“Not many, apparently they’re some sons of some royal relatives, some daughters of some Cabinet Ministers, and such and such.”

As Lu Hong listed them, the old man’s face began to show signs of strain.

What on earth did this young master do?

He managed to offend almost half of the imperial families in one go!

“That’s about it,” Lu Hong concluded, counting.

“Almost two dozen or so, old man, can you handle it?”

“Well, young master…” Even as an elder of the Prolusius family, one couldn’t simply offend so many families at once: “Are you hurt?”

“Of course not!

I run so fast.

As soon as someone two levels above me turns up, I’m outta there.”

“Since the young master hasn’t suffered any loss, let’s just let them off for now!” the old man said gravely.

“Hehehe!” Lu Hong scoffed three times, while Miaomiao beside him covered her mouth, desperately trying to hold back her laughter.

After stepping off the carriage and returning to the familiar Warrior Temple, just when he had sorted out a place for Miaomiao to stay, Nonos furious roar could be heard from outside.

“Tukur, where the hell have you been these past few days?”

“Nono?

It’s been a long time…” Upon hearing Nono’s voice, Lu Hong quickly walked out of the old man’s courtyard, only to be greeted by Nonos tender little fist knocking him against the wall.

“Lord Prolusius, someone’s trying to assassinate the young master!” Miaomiao shrieked in alarm.

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing; just playing around.” The old man was not worried at all, and Miaomiao finally calmed down upon hearing this.

Ah, it seems this elf slave was quite protective.

Not bad at all, the old man nodded in satisfaction.

Being an elder, it certainly didn’t look good to constantly scuttle after the young master, so having this elf girl as an attendant would indeed be impressive.

“How could you leave for so many days without a word?

Do you have any idea how worried I was?” Nono, not placated, threw another punch.

After winning the duel the next day, Nono had cheerfully gone looking for Lu Hong only to turn the whole academy upside down without finding him.

Inquiries revealed that Lu Hong had left the academy.

Having been brought into the imperial capital by others, Nono was unfamiliar with the outside world, and although she heard that Lord Prolusius was with him, she was worried, especially since she had nursed Lu Hong back to health for three months.

“Hey, hey, one punch should be enough.

Don’t go overboard,” Lu Hong dodged, sidestepping Nonos attack.

Still on a tear, Nono bellowed, “You dare dodge?!” Without another word, she drew her shield and sword and went straight for Lu Hong.

“Nono, stop!” Fidel shouted in alarm from behind.

On the third day after her victorious duel, Nono had successfully advanced to an eighth-level Knight.

With such strength, how could Tukur, a mere first-level warrior, withstand her assault?

This was life-threatening!

“You think I’m afraid of you?!” Lu Hong bellowed back and dodged Nonos strike.

He waved towards the courtyard, and the old man, catching on quickly, drew a giant sword and tossed it to Lu Hong.

Still resisting, are you?!

Can’t you just cajole me a bit?

Don’t you know how worried I’ve been these past days?!

The more Nono thought about it, the more infuriated she became!

“Nono, don’t be rash!” Fidel continued to plead.

“Don’t bother with that, Fidel.

At times like these, a good thrashing will calm her down.” Lu Hong, as an inexperienced old bachelor, had no real clue and managed to stoke the flames of Nono’s utterly uncontainable rage.