Before heading to Wushan Castle, Ronin had to bring a gift.

He didn’t prepare any silk fabrics this time. It wasn’t for lack of time; rather, this year’s silk production was likely just enough to fulfill the orders from the noble ladies of the Royal Capital. Ronin didn’t dare use any extra.

This time, he brought porcelain—one hundred tall-stemmed cups decorated with a black leaf pattern.

According to Jim, this black leaf pattern was created by firing a black pigment made from iron powder.

They had originally just been experimenting, but unexpectedly, the combination of the translucent white body of the cup and the black pattern had a striking visual effect, which Ronin approved of on the spot.

At the banquet in Golden Feather City, silk had taken its first step out into the world.

At the upcoming banquet in Wushan Castle, Ronin planned to let his porcelain have its debut.

Of course, firing cups, tableware, and the like wasn’t the full extent of the porcelain’s potential. Ronin also planned to have Jim and his team fire porcelain sculptures.

For example, creating a life-sized porcelain sculpture of a Giant Dragon (which was probably too difficult). They would start with a Black Tiger instead. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Ronin had the porcelain workshop use the Storm Demon Wolf as a model to fire a new sculpture.

If it could capture even half of the creature’s spirit, it would be a collector’s item. After all, it was a rarity, something that could show off one’s status.

"My Lord, Miss Krami and the others have returned. They are waiting in the main hall with Baron Hamet of Thorn Town."

Gallon came up to report as soon as he returned to Swamp Castle.

Ronin’s eyes lit up. After nearly three months of surveying, they probably had results.

He hurried to the main hall and saw the travel-worn, exhausted group.

Krami, in particular, looked much more haggard. Despite being an Intermediate Knight, surviving in the wild for three months had taken its toll.

Hammett was paying very close attention to this matter.

For one, it was an assignment from Viscount Vitorino. If successful, Hammett would be responsible for overseeing the port’s construction on behalf of the Dennis Clan.

For another, Elron was purchasing large quantities of thorns, the specialty product of his territory, which would go a long way toward solving his financial problems.

Regardless of the reason, Hammett hoped that the construction of the Wubei Port would begin as soon as possible.

Fortunately, the survey had yielded good results this time.

According to the surveyor, Amon Dawson, there were a total of three locations in the Wubei Territory where a port could be built:

The first was slightly northeast of Swamp Town, the second was in the upper-middle part of the Wubei Territory’s coastline, and the third was in the far north of the territory.

Since the inlet in the far north had a large amount of rock that would need to be cleared, only two locations were truly suitable.

Based on this intelligence, Ronin secretly took Krami to inspect the sites in person.

Building near the swamp would be difficult, mainly because before any development, living and transportation in the area would be extremely challenging.

The location in the upper-middle part of the coastline, however, was quite good. To the west, the terrain was relatively flat, and there was even a sizeable basin in the middle, perfect for building a city.

Moreover, this location wasn’t very far from the Mysterious Valley. Using that Magic Array for fishing in the future seemed like a good option...

Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, the port’s construction site was chosen to be in the upper-middle part of the Wubei Territory’s East Coast.

With this decision made, Wilson needed to quickly dispatch a construction team to set up a temporary worksite for the workers from Wubei Territory and Sharp Horn City.

Hammett also had to return to bring over the craftsmen from Sharp Horn City.

After some delays due to hosting his guests, Ronin and Elron finally set off for Wushan Castle on the twenty-sixth.

At this time every year, Wushan Castle was filled with many guests. Even if many nobles couldn’t attend personally due to other matters, they would send their sons or subordinate Knights to deliver lavish gifts and the required taxes to Wushan Castle.

Speaking of which, in the two years Ronin had been a Lord, he had never paid taxes to Wushan Castle. It seemed Wushan Castle had never asked him for any, either. They hadn’t even sent a Tax Officer to the Wubei Territory.

Carlos descended with a roar, and Ronin and Elron dismounted on the back mountain.

"Giant Dragons are so fast!"

Elron exclaimed with great feeling. When he was first summoned, it had taken him several days just to reach Mountain Forest Town, not to mention the hardships of the journey.

And now?

In less than two hours, they had traveled from the Wubei Territory to Wushan Castle.

"My Lord, when the Griffins His Majesty the King is sending you arrive, you must give one to me!"

Ronin looked helpless.

Ever since Elron learned from him that both Ridder and Macken had Griffins, his envy had been plain to see.

"My dear Magic Master, you’ve repeated that sentence many times on our way here."

Ronin laughed. "Don’t worry. Even if His Majesty the King goes back on his word and doesn’t give them to me, I’ll snatch one for you!"

The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked down the mountain path.

Perhaps because it had just rained, the mountain air was very humid. Amidst the whistling cold wind, Elron felt a hint of a chill.

Following the familiar path, Ronin arrived in front of Lurans’s courtyard.

After the Guards announced his arrival, the old butler, Mosite, came out to greet them.

"Young Master, you’ve finally returned! The master has been asking these past few days if you’ve arrived yet!"

"Some things delayed me."

Ronin pointed to Elron beside him. "This is a Mage from my territory. I wanted to bring him to see my grandfather."

"Of course, that’s no problem."

Mosite led the two inside. "As it happens, Miss McKinney and Lord Kabil are here as well. You can chat with them."

As soon as he entered Lurans’s room, Ronin was hit by a wave of heat, like walking into an overheated room in winter. His breathing immediately felt constricted.

"Ronin, you’re here!"

McKinney hurried over and gave him a warm hug.

Kabil also came forward. "I heard you’re now the Kingdom’s Baron of Rapids Island. Congratulations!"

Ronin smiled and greeted them both before walking further into the room.

Lurans was propped up in bed, his expression even more haggard than the last time they had met.

The colder it got in winter, the stronger the corrosion became, and the weaker his body grew.

This was why the room was kept so warm.

"Grandfather, how are you feeling?" Ronin asked.

Lurans slowly opened his eyes. He hadn’t slept much since the beginning of December.

The invasion of the cold air, coupled with the physical torment, had already left him utterly exhausted. Perhaps his earlier estimate of living for another seven or eight years had been a bit too optimistic.

"The same as always. Don’t worry about me."

Lurans forced a smile, then glanced at Kabil and McKinney in the room.

"You two should leave us for now. I have some things I’d like to discuss with Ronin alone."

Kabil and McKinney exchanged a look, then nodded and left the room.

Only then did Lurans speak. "Tell me about it. The matter of the two Griffins in Shore City? What did Moonlight Valley do to you?"

Ronin wasn’t surprised at all that the old man knew about the Griffins.

After all, the Civil Servant of Shore City, Sangzhuo, was one of Wushan Castle’s men. He could report any situation there back to Wushan Castle.

"It was a small matter."

Ronin sat on the edge of the bed. "Compared to Moonlight Valley, I have something much more important to do right now!"

He pointed at Elron and said, "This is my follower, Elron Faao, a Mage with the Light Attribute."

Lurans nodded. "I remember him being a Senior Mage, wasn’t he?"

He was a little confused as to why Ronin was making a special introduction for a Senior Mage.

"No, he isn’t a Senior Mage."

Ronin gave a mysterious smile. "Allow me to formally introduce him. He is the first Eighth-level Mage of my Wubei Territory!"

Lurans’s pupils shrank, and a look of shock appeared on his placid face.

"Are you sure he’s a Magic Master?"

A Magic Master... such individuals were as rare as a phoenix feather in the entire Oduin Kingdom. The few that existed were all extraordinary nobles or great figures.

How could such a person follow Ronin and condescend to be in the Wubei Territory?

"May the Light protect you, esteemed Marquis!"

Elron bowed respectfully. "Lord Ronin brought me here this time precisely for your condition."

BOOM!

Those words struck Lurans like a clap of thunder, leaving him stunned.

He had been tormented by the Soul-Devouring Surge for half his life. He had tried countless methods, but none had ever cured him.

’Just as my life is about to end, hope has unexpectedly appeared?’

He found it hard to believe; after all, even Silva had been helpless.

But then it suddenly occurred to him. ’A Magic Master with the Light Attribute... Could it really be possible?’

"Is this real?"

Lurans’s voice couldn’t help but tremble. If one could live a proper life, who would be willing to die in such a wretched way?

"Of course!"

Ronin signaled for Elron to begin.

The Bright Mage raised his hands. Under the influence of his Spiritual Power and Magic Power, his entire body began to radiate a sacred light.

Complex, profound Magic Patterns coalesced in the air before his fingertips. As the Magic Patterns neared completion, the light in the room grew richer.

Lurans’s pupils trembled slightly. He felt a comforting aura.

As the Magic Patterns were successfully formed, the light flared intensely.

In an instant, a pillar of milky-white light enveloped Lurans. As he was bathed in it, black wisps of energy actually began to rise from his body.

This was the effect of the Eighth-level Magic, "Evil Purification."

"It’s really dissipating!"

Lurans’s heart trembled. He could feel the Dark Energy that was rooted in every corner of his body rapidly dissipating.

He had tried Healing Skills and Purification Skills of the Light Attribute before, but none had ever had an effect like this.

This meant that Elron’s Magic was effective!

Lurans’s eyes grew moist. He had dreamed of this moment, never imagining that his dream would one day become reality.

The pillar of light lasted for a long time. Only when not a single wisp of black energy emanated from Lurans’s body anymore did Elron stop casting the spell.

"How is it?" Ronin asked.

Lurans’s eyes were currently closed, as he carefully perceived the changes within his body.

Flesh, meridians, bones—every part appeared within his senses, and every part was completely free of Dark Energy.

The Soul-Devouring Surge was gone!

"HAHAHA!"

Lurans burst into hearty laughter. The sound left the people outside the door completely baffled.

In all these years, they had never heard the Marquis laugh.

McKinney glanced back at the room. "It seems only my little brother can bring Grandfather a moment of happiness these days."

Kabil agreed.

"The Ronin of today is truly extraordinary. I already feel that his experiences and accomplishments are beyond my own."

He thought of his own son. "If Martin were as old as Rogner, Reis, or Yusuf, I would also send him to Ronin’s side to gain some experience."

McKinney shot him a look. "Martin is only five! And I’m Ronin’s older sister. With that relationship, could Martin’s experience really be the same as Rogner’s and the others’?"

Kabil laughed. "That’s true."

Inside the room, Ronin could feel the aura around Lurans rising steadily. Soon, the man before him was no longer a decrepit old man at death’s door, but a powerful Meteor Knight!

Suddenly, Lurans’s whole body shuddered. The Fighting Qi around him dissipated, and a look of stunned horror appeared on his face.

"What’s wrong, Grandfather?"

Ronin’s heart tightened. ’Don’t tell me there’s a complication?’