“Alright! My knight, I shall grant you a fief! Before that, you must decide on your family name and crest, and submit them to my herald!”
Count Blue Mountain affectionately linked arms with Wu Ming. “And there’s your knighthood ceremony, so much preparation… You’ll get used to it eventually, of course… but all of that can wait. Now, let’s celebrate heartily!”
He immediately announced, “I’ve arranged a banquet at the castle! Let us all celebrate together for Sir William!”
Knights, as the lowest rank of nobility, although not as formal as barons, still possessed hereditary land, thus they could be addressed as “Sir” and considered part of the nobility in a broad sense.
In Wu Ming’s view, it was akin to the difference between ancient “xiucai” and “juren” degrees.
“Congratulations!”
Viscount Garcia and the Archbishop approached first.
“Thank you!”
Wu Ming carefully observed this greatest rival of Count Blue Mountain, Viscount Garcia, whose face was amiable, golden hair shimmering under the sunlight like a golden lion.
“Viscount Garcia comes from the Highland’s Lion family, while Count Blue Mountain is the legitimate Blue Blood leader who loves tigers dearly. So this war will be a battle between lion and tiger, huh?”
He thought amusedly to himself, greeting each guest as they approached.
“I heard that the holy oil at Howling Castle is nearly depleted. If Sir William wishes to undergo the knighthood ceremony soon, our church is willing to assist!”
The Archbishop’s attitude was vastly different from before.
“Apologies…”
Seeing Count Blue Mountain’s somewhat displeased expression, Wu Ming immediately declined.
After all, he had just earned his knighthood through the tournament, clearly belonging to Count Blue Mountain’s faction. Even though the count and the church currently maintained decent relations, he couldn’t betray them so openly.
“I think you misunderstood…”
The Archbishop’s voice was ethereal. “I merely meant that the church would only provide the holy oil. The seven-day ceremony can still take place at the count’s castle!”
This condition was extremely generous, causing even Garcia to show a trace of deep interest.
He stared at Wu Ming, eyes gleaming strangely. “Sir William already possesses such strength before his knighthood ceremony; he must be exceptionally gifted. From what I know, the more gifted one is, the greater benefits they gain during the ceremony. Why not proceed immediately?”
“Apologies… This decision rests with my lord!”
Wu Ming politely replied, effectively declining.
Sure enough, the next moment Count Blue Mountain stepped forward. “Sir William, many of your friends have come!”
“In that case, we won’t disturb you further!”
The three most powerful men in Windfly Plains exchanged glances, each bearing an indescribable, ambiguous flavor.
“Hey, William! Simply unbelievable!”
Baron Terry approached in formal attire. “You’re the first noble to rise from commoner status in my territory!”
Perhaps thinking there was genuine blood relation between them, the baron now wore a very strange expression.
“Congratulations, Sir William!”
Takur offered sincere congratulations as well.
Now, William had risen to the same level as him, an outcome that seemed utterly incredible.
As for Fei De? He could only respectfully bow.
The gap between him and William had now widened infinitely, with practically no chance of catching up for the rest of his life.
Therefore, he could only display his humility and earnestly hope that Wu Ming would forget their past unpleasantness.
In reality, he overthought. Wu Ming’s gaze always fixed on the entire world and even the universe. For someone like Fei De who hadn’t blocked his path, he simply couldn’t be bothered.
“Alright, let’s head to Howling Castle for the banquet!”
Baron Terry invited enthusiastically. “There, many nobles will wish to meet you!… Enjoy yourself!”
For some reason, upon hearing his heavily implied words and seeing the secretly passionate glances from the noble ladies around, Wu Ming suddenly thought of ancient Roman gladiators.
Those Roman noblewomen similarly watched gladiators’ bloody battles by day and engaged in affairs with them at night, even quite openly and wantonly.
“Has the decadent lifestyle of nobility already beckoned toward me?”
Wu Ming mused inwardly but didn’t refuse, causing several noble ladies to fan themselves even faster…
…
The banquet at Howling Castle was naturally extremely luxurious. In a grand hall adorned with fountains and flowers, golden chandeliers sparkled with dazzling brilliance. Wandering minstrels and jesters continuously performed, while handsome and beautiful male and female servants moved like butterflies among the crowd, carrying trays of exquisite wines and delicacies served on silver platters.
Numerous elegant, fashionably dressed ladies and noblemen danced and flirted enthusiastically.
As the newly knighted and recently prominent “Commoner Sword Saint,” Wu Ming naturally received extremely enthusiastic hospitality.
Although some old nobles regarded him merely as a nouveau riche commoner, many noblewomen were genuinely attracted by his handsome appearance and formidable strength.
After just one round of greetings, he already had seven or eight handkerchiefs and other tokens of affection in his arms, causing Count Blue Mountain to cast a knowing glance when Wu Ming excused himself early.
…
He arrived at the castle’s back garden, where a noblewoman in her mid-twenties with bright eyes and peach-like cheeks eagerly approached. Her face flushed with a rosy hue. “Sir William, I watched every match of yours. You truly embody bravery; I never imagined… that a warrior could be so powerful…”
“Sir, would you be willing to grant my sister and me a small favor?”
From behind the flowers, another noblewoman in court attire suddenly appeared, bearing a six or seven-tenths resemblance to the first, giggling seductively. “Let us witness your other sword techniques?”
“Of course, it would be my honor!”
Seeing the gleam in these women’s eyes, Wu Ming immediately felt a dark flame rise within him…
…
Late at night.
Wu Ming leisurely exited Howling Castle.
He was a man of integrity, keeping promises without fail, so naturally attended every arranged rendezvous.
Undoubtedly, by tomorrow, rumors about the “Commoner Sword Saint” being invincible, winning battle after battle, and routing enemies so thoroughly they discarded armor and fled would spread secretly among noblewomen.
He exited now, not to seek more encounters, but merely to collect his rewards for the day.
The Wild Wolf Mercenary Company’s headquarters.
Tana had just returned to her room when she suddenly tensed, but upon recognizing the shadow, her body relaxed again, and she coquettishly smiled. “Respected Sir William, could you please avoid startling me like this every time you appear?”
She intentionally or unintentionally infused her voice with a hint of laziness and temptation.
Unfortunately, Wu Ming had already indulged too much and held little interest for this black widow.
“I’ve fulfilled my promise. What about yours?”
His voice was low.
“Of course, I won’t forget!”
Tana’s expression turned solemn as she led Wu Ming to another room.
There, Alfred’s corpse lay quietly, beside it the Dragonheart Sword and several chests.
“Alfred’s complete body, the Dragonheart Greatsword, and his private treasures are all here…”
Tana spoke calmly, showing no intention of deception.
After all, she clearly knew that Alfred had twice attempted to ambush this man, only to have his trusted elite forces decimated and even his own life claimed by him.
Otherwise, her power grab wouldn’t have proceeded so smoothly.
Now, a noble title beckoned her, so naturally she didn’t wish for any complications.
“But… why do you need his body, and in one piece?”
Tana asked curiously.
“You don’t need to know!”
Wu Ming naturally refused to answer, his icy coldness almost immediately conjuring images in Tana’s mind of terrifying legends like “necromancers,” “sorcerers,” and “soul thieves,” even prompting thoughts of reporting him to the church.
But recalling Wu Ming’s abilities and their secret conspiracy, she quickly calmed herself.
“Well then… a pleasant transaction!”
Wu Ming carefully checked his belongings, casting a glance at this woman still dreaming of nobility, smiled, and took his leave.
Count Blue Mountain had his eyes on the Wild Wolf Mercenary Company led by Knight Alfred. Now that its main force had suffered such losses, even if there had been prior promises, whether he would honor them remained uncertain.
Unless Tana could prove her worth to him or demonstrate some value.
Of course, all of this no longer concerned him in the slightest.
…
Outside Howling City.
“My lord!”
Seeing Wu Ming return, Beatrice exclaimed joyfully.
“Mm… you’ve worked hard!”
Wu Ming handed Beatrice a basket filled with roasted meat and white bread.
This blue-blooded descendant hadn’t attempted to escape during this time, slightly unexpected, although he had long placed a mark on her, not fearing her escape in the least.
Watching Beatrice cheerfully head off to enjoy her meal, Wu Ming inwardly nodded. “Actually quite a clever little girl!”
This was his small base outside Howling City. Initially needing to cure Beatrice’s illness and explore the mysteries of holy oil, after a winter’s efforts, the most basic tools were now available.
After inspecting Alfred’s belongings, he first selected the Dragonheart Greatsword and a scroll of parchment.
Among the possessions of this mercenary leader, aside from a collection of golden coins and property deeds, only these two items held value.
Or rather, in Wu Ming’s eyes, these two items surpassed even the wealth in value!
Because both were enveloped in a supernatural glow indicating their extraordinary nature!
“This is…”
Beatrice had just finished her hearty meal when she saw Wu Ming spread out the leather, revealing a corpse, causing her to immediately feel nauseated.
“Alfred…”
Wu Ming began examining the body.
This was a blue-blood like Beatrice, yet resistant to consumption, damage, and exploitation. Some hypotheses that couldn’t be tested on Beatrice could now be verified one by one.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage