Chapter 375 - Discipline

Chapter 375: Chapter 130 DisciplineAfter sending off Qing Yuechu, the raven landed beside Lu Hong.

"Your Excellency Champion Marquess, the master is waiting for you." The raven spoke gently to the young man who had saved his life; having lived for many years, he owed Duke Nuoshan a favor and now owed one to Lu Hong as well. However, the raven was quite willing to owe him for saving his life and would accept any form of repayment in the future.

"Is it urgent?" Lu Hong hadn’t expected the raven to come find him and quickly asked, "Has there been an issue with the seal?"

The raven shook his head: "Not at all, it’s just that your recent actions have caused quite a stir. Though Duke Nuoshan handled it aptly, it still gave him quite a headache."

"Are they going to drag me back for a lecture?" Lu Hong had a strange expression. Ever since he had sealed Bai Ling, he had been living in Nuoshan’s mansion. The more they met, the deeper their relationship became.

After nearly three months of interaction, Lu Hong had almost come to regard him as his own grandfather, and Nuoshan treated Lu Hong like a beloved grandson.

Thinking of being scolded upon his return, Lu Hong quickly shook his head, "Uh, I still have stuff to deal with, Lord Raven. Please go back first and tell the Duke that I’ll return after I’m done..."

Before he could finish, the raven, as if expecting it, placed a hand on Lu Hong’s shoulder and exerted a gentle force. Without caring whether Lu Hong agreed, he turned into a streak of light and whisked Lu Hong away.

Less than forty minutes later, Lu Hong landed on the ground from high-speed flight under the raven’s deliberate protection. Though he felt no discomfort, lifting his eyes only brought him face to face with Nuoshan’s angry expression—there was no escaping what was to come.

"You know to come back?!" Nuoshan heavily stamped his cane several times.

Lu Hong pursed his lips, not really wanting to come back all. He couldn’t say it aloud, so he could only stew in silence.

"Do you have a grudge with that place? Blowing up the same site twice, do you realize how severely it has jeopardized the stability of the Seven Floating Worlds? I’m nearly buried in protests from various Earls!"

"Well, wasn’t it to rescue your alliance’s War Goddess?" Lu Hong explained, "I meant well. Qing Yuechu was deeply traumatised, yet she possesses the qualities and potential of becoming a great warrior. Helping her out of her plight is helping your alliance cultivate a strong figure, so don’t blame me." Lu Hong explained as he glanced at Nuoshan’s expression.

However, this reasonable explanation, which Lu Hong thought was flawless, gained no approval from Nuoshan.

"Do you think Chen Hui would abandon her?" Nuoshan countered.

"Isn’t that abandonment?" Lu Hong was startled, "She was poisoned severely, leaving liable risks. Isn’t that akin to strangling her?"

"You know nothing!" Duke Nuoshan pointed to a seat beside him, "Sit and listen!" Moreover, Nuoshan also told the raven to head to the kitchen and prepare some late-night snacks.

Lu Hong was puzzled and asked curiously, "What do you mean?"

Nuoshan sorted his thoughts and began to instruct, "You must remember, there are not many true fools in this world. So, don’t be too full of yourself."

Had these words been told to Lu Hong by Duke Nuoshan three months earlier, they would have been seen as mockery and belittlement.

But now, based on their close relationship, Lu Hong was more willing to accept them as guidance from an elder. After all, he was just a young man who had traveled through time, with minimal social experience. The contemplations of those in power, considerations of the bigger picture, and such, were still far beyond him. As far as planning was concerned, it all depended on fate. In the end, Lu Hong was just an ordinary internet-addicted teenager who played games well; compared to the wily old tycoons of this world, he was far from their equal.

"I understand, please continue," Lu Hong nodded, accepting Duke Nuoshan’s instruction.

At this time, the late-night meal was also served by the crow, two steaming hot servings of level eight Demon Beast stew, rich in nutrients.

"Let’s eat," Duke Nuoshan was not in a hurry; he took a sip of the hot soup before continuing, "It’s not only you who knows the value of Qing Yuechu, but Duke Chen Hui still treats her this way. His main purpose is to grind down her spirit. The power of the allied families lies completely in the loyalty of each family member. Look at Earl Xina, the strongest in our alliance, yet still loyal to the Xinlei family—this originates from the early ideological influence of the family. A defiantly strong person, no matter how powerful, will not be accepted by any family. Duke Chen Hui did not realize Qing Yuechu’s value in the past, resulting in her joining the academy. When she suddenly showed her brilliance there, Chen Hui thought of recalling her to the family, but unfortunately, the academy’s principal took the first step, something Chen Hui had already considered."

Duke Nuoshan took another sip of hot soup to moisten his throat; staying up late and speaking was tiring for an old man.

Lu Hong did not rush him, quietly waiting on the side.

Seeing that Lu Hong remained calm, Duke Nuoshan chuckled and continued, "Do you fancy her?"

"Where did that come from?" The sudden jest caught Lu Hong off guard, "Please don’t disrespect your age."

"Yes, yes, and Anna is pretty too." Duke Nuoshan did not pursue this further and said, "Although I am not clear about the specific plans, poisoning Qing Yuechu before the finals was not a random choice. Duke Chen Hui’s family has profound resources; even the rarest poison, Voodoo Powder, could be obtained within half an hour by him. Thus, the choice of the third-ranked poison, Soul Severing Powder, was deliberate. Although this poison is extremely toxic, the Chen Hui family still has a method to completely cure it, leaving no aftereffects."

Hearing this, Lu Hong seemed to understand something, "So, Duke Chen Hui has never offered the family’s remedy to Qing Yuechu, waiting for her to bow her head?"

"Yes, and it’s not just that," Duke Nuoshan nodded and continued to enlighten Lu Hong, "Firstly, it’s to wait for Qing Yuechu to submit; as a member of the Chen Hui family, she knows Duke Chen Hui has a way to completely eliminate the danger of Soul Severing Powder. Secondly, it’s to temper Qing Yuechu’s proud nature. Just imagine, as soon as Qing Yuechu submits, she would be restored and surely Duke Chen Hui would promise her great rewards, boosting her strength from rock bottom to the peak, all within the family’s grasp. How could this not instill awe for the family?"

"But the cost," Lu Hong shook his head, "If it were up to me, freedom is the most important, even if it means living an unremarkable life."

Duke Nuoshan grinned, a strange expression possibly due to choking on a bone in the soup, "I don’t understand how the Sacred Empire teaches you."

"Well... not really, I’m free-range," Lu Hong chuckled awkwardly; his theory of inner freedom would be considered abnormal within either of the two main factions of the Human Race.

"Humph!" Duke Nuoshan said no more, finished his soup, and with Lu Hong’s assistance, stood up, "Rest early, and the preparations for the tactics after the seal release should also be finalized in the next few days. Don’t wander off; we wouldn’t want to not be able to find you."

He paced off but seemed to remember something, turned back to Lu Hong, "As for Duke Xinlei, you should still go. She has invited you three times already; it wouldn’t be polite to refuse again."

"I won’t go. Whoever wants to go can go," Lu Hong had a natural dislike for the Xinlei family. Ever since he entered the Floating World of Seven Layers, the Xinlei family had been hostile to him; visiting the Xinlei family? No chance!

"You!" Duke Nuoshan pointed at Lu Hong, somewhat annoyed, "How old are you? Three years old? Your status is special now, the four Dukes acknowledge you, making you the Champion Marquis of the alliance. If the four Dukes don’t recognize you, you’re just a spy for the Empire. Giving face to Xinlei is also making things easy for yourself. Do you still want to stay in Vanloth?"

Duke Nuoshan’s reasoning was sound; behaving stubbornly in a place entangled with power would get nothing accomplished. However, as a representative of stubbornness, Lu Hong absolutely refused to kowtow to those who had attempted to kill him!

"I don’t know how deep your grudge with the Xinlei family is," Duke Nuoshan continued to advise, "but visiting her is a courtesy to Xinlei, but it does not mean you have to grovel for reconciliation with her. If the conversation isn’t good, you can just leave. It’s much better than never going, understand?"

"Alright." What to do? With Duke Nuoshan’s words coming to this, let’s go, but don’t expect him to show any respect to Piao Miao. Thinking over Duke Nuoshan’s words, he actually hadn’t considered it; going or not, reconciliation is a separate issue, he could just go and walk away, no problem!

"Mhmm." Seeing that Lu Hong agreed, Duke Nuoshan nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave.

The crow then turned to Lu Hong, "Don’t worry, even if you tear down the Xinlei family, I can ensure your safe return without any need to worry about physical threats." Having said that, the crow followed Duke Nuoshan and disappeared into the night.