41: Wang Weifeng

Out of more than a hundred and fifty people on the field, nearly a hundred expressed their stance. Others, more composed, watched coldly from the sidelines; they did not believe the Imperial Court was so kindhearted, suspecting these resources were likely not even enough for the court's own people.

Meanwhile, Lu Ying was also observing the remaining individuals.

"Of course, I know some heroes are used to living as idle clouds and wild cranes. The Imperial Court has considered this. You may register your names and act freely, but you will not receive the court's monthly base salary. However, you will still earn contribution points."

"I wonder if such an arrangement satisfies you?"

Lu Xuan knew he had to state his position today, so he immediately blended into the crowd.

"I am willing to serve the Imperial Court unto death."

"Good. Commander Wang."

Lu Ying called out.

Wang Yuanhua, dressed in military uniform, stepped up from below and bowed slightly.

"Lord County Magistrate!"

"I leave these heroes to you. Register them, incorporate them into the Mountain Patrol Guard, and the Prince wants to see results in half a year."

"I shall not fail the trust of the Prince and the Lord County Magistrate."

"Mm, I'll leave it to you, Lord Wang."

Lu Ying left after speaking. Although this was a significant force, he had more important matters to attend to; those two Qi Refining families were still supposed to meet him today to discuss business.

After Lu Ying left, Wang Yuanhua gave a few simple words of encouragement before beginning to register and organize these people.

Those at the Innate Martial Artist level or above were uniformly granted the official status of a Ninth-Rank Military Officer. Those below the Xiantian level were only temporarily registered to become Squad Leaders or Decurions in the Mountain Patrol Guard.

After all, most of the Mountain Patrol Guard were just trained ordinary people... Bright Moon Pavilion.

Lu Xuan and Wang Yuanhua sat facing each other.

"The business at the restaurant and the winery has been good lately. Your son is much better than my own good-for-nothing son."

Wang Yuanhua looked at Lu Xuan with envy. It was one thing to be powerful himself, but even his descendants were impressive.

That Lu Jingan was very capable in his speech, actions, and social dealings. Moreover, he was only eleven or twelve years old; such performance was practically the perfect heir in Wang Yuanhua's heart.

Unfortunately, he was someone else's son.

"If Jing'an knew a Grandmaster praised him so, he would certainly be very happy."

Lu Xuan didn't bother with humble words toward Wang Yuanhua. Their friendship allowed Lu Xuan to accept the praise calmly, which was one of the reasons why Wang Yuanhua and Lu Xuan got along so well.

"With the Prince of Zhennan making such big moves this time, it seems a real clash is inevitable."

Wang Yuanhua's tone held not a shred of respect for the Prince of Zhennan.

"Do you know a Xiantian bailiff died a few days ago?

The County Magistrate speculated it was the mountain people's doing, and the matter was eventually dropped. However, the County Soldiers have been moving frequently these past two days; it's not a good omen."

Hearing Wang Yuanhua's words, Lu Xuan was momentarily speechless.

It turned out he had accelerated certain events, causing the Prince to misunderstand something. However, he neither regretted it nor feared it.

"These are things they've decided. You and I cannot change them; we can only think about how to seek benefits in this changing situation."

"My eldest son stays too close to those side branches of the families all day. Especially in these years since I ascended to Grandmaster, I've been intending to change my heir."

Wang Yuanhua spoke to himself, but Lu Xuan did not interrupt, just listening quietly.

"If I pass away, the Wang Family will surely decline under his leadership, or even fall victim to foul play."

"Why must Elder Brother Wang be so pessimistic?"

"Hahaha! In today's world, Grandmasters are springing up like bamboo shoots after rain. Even a few Innate Grandmasters have appeared in recent years. As for Martial Saints, they remain extremely rare with almost no increase, and I don't know why. But what I want to say is that a Grandmaster is just so-so; it cannot protect the Wang Family's glory for a hundred years."

Wang Yuanhua stared at the wine cup in his hand and drained it in one gulp as if he had made a decision, his eyes fixed on Lu Xuan.

"Younger Brother Lu, I have a favor to ask of you."

Lu Xuan did not answer, just looking at him. At this moment, silence spoke louder than words.

"I want to send my youngest son, Wang Weifeng, to serve under you. You take him with you, how about it?"

"Your youngest son is already eighteen now..."

"Younger Brother Lu, I know it's difficult for you, but I'm begging you as an older brother."

Wang Yuanhua's eyes were bloodshot.

He knew exactly what his eldest son was doing every day. Although he intended to change things, the various branches of the Wang Family all had their own ideas. If not for his Grandmaster cultivation suppressing them, they would have rebelled long ago.

The idea of sending his youngest son, Wang Weifeng, to Lu Xuan had occurred to him a year ago. Although this youngest son was born to a concubine, he was his favorite.

"Fine. Since Elder Brother Wang trusts me, I will agree. Bring him tomorrow, and I will take him back to West Mountain Village."

"However, let me make this clear first: from now on, Wang Weifeng and the Wang Family are two separate matters. He will be a Retainer of the Lu Family, no longer the Young Lord of the Wang Family."

Lu Xuan also set the terms in advance.

Wang Yuanhua clearly hadn't expected Lu Xuan to say this; he had originally thought of having his son become Lu Xuan's disciple.

After a moment of silence.

"Good! Younger Brother Lu, from this day forward, Wang Weifeng's life and death are entirely in your hands."

Lu Xuan was secretly amazed by Wang Yuanhua's decisiveness.

"If you ever regret it, Elder Brother Wang, just take him back."

Lu Xuan added this at the end, out of consideration for their years of friendship.

"Hehehe~ Younger Brother Lu, I'm the one getting the better end of the deal. Your Lu Family will definitely rise in the future and won't be confined to a small county town. By then, Wei Feng will have a good future. Since he can't inherit the Family business at home anyway, it's better to let him go out."

"But give me a few days. I'll find him a marriage, and then the couple can go together."

Lu Xuan naturally had no objections.

The two once again enjoyed their wine and conversation as if what had just happened hadn't occurred, but the relationship between them and even their families had moved a step closer... Wang Weifeng had just finished his martial arts practice and returned to his room. Before he could finish tidying up, a servant came to inform him to go to Wang Yuanhua's study.

"Young Master, the Master is calling for you in his study."

"Understood."

Wang Weifeng was a bit puzzled. Wang Yuanhua had sought him out early this morning, and combined with the mocking smile his eldest brother—the legitimate heir—had given him a few days ago, he felt something was strange.

However, he didn't think too much about it. Although his eldest brother and his father's primary wife were hostile toward him, his father was reliable, and no incidents of wicked servants bullying their master had occurred in the manor.

"Father, you were looking for me?"

Wang Yuanhua was practicing calligraphy in the study. Who would have thought that such a rough man would choose to practice calligraphy to cultivate his character in his old age?

"Sit."

Wang Yuanhua only finished writing after the time it took to drink a cup of tea.

"Feng'er, you are already eighteen this year, a grown man. I was already married at your age."

"Father, are you going to talk to me about a marriage?"

"I've taken a liking to a girl. She's sixteen this year, pretty, and well-educated. Her father is a physician, and she has studied medicine since childhood. I want to betroth her to you. I've already spoken with your mother, and she agrees. Now it's up to you."

Wang Weifeng was startled. His future wife was the daughter of a physician.

This was completely different from what he had imagined. Shouldn't it be some daughter of the nobility?

"I... your son does not wish to marry yet."

"Nonsense! You're already eighteen, how can you not marry?

Tomorrow your mother will bring her to the manor. You go and see her. Don't even think about not going; I'll be there too. If you don't show up, I'll break your legs. Now get out!"

Seeing Wang Yuanhua angry, Wang Weifeng hurriedly left.

After leaving the room, he was completely baffled, not knowing why his father's temper was so short today.

Meanwhile, Wang Yuanhua looked at the character for "Calm" he had written; he had written it many times but was still unsatisfied.

He simply stopped writing.