Reputation is Fermenting

It was only when Ye Wei'an went to the countryside to deliver the pensions that he truly felt his prestige in the territory.

As soon as they heard that Ye Weian's carriage had appeared at the village entrance, the farmers who had been hiding in their houses would spontaneously rush out. They no longer scattered and fled as if they were avoiding tax collectors, but instead bowed respectfully and earnestly to the young monk.

Of course, their respect for Ye Weian was not without expectation of reward.

"Mr. Ye Wei'an, please be the judge! Someone from the next village has taken over my family's irrigation ditch..."

"Sir, the miller overcharged me by 20% for the flour. Please uphold justice!"

Whenever Ye Wei'an encountered people blocking his way to "petition the emperor," he never showed any annoyance.

He would open the car door, patiently listen to all the trivial family matters, and then give his verdict.

During the sentencing process, he would not resort to violence directly, but would make judgments based on the most basic logic and legal common sense, so that every party involved would feel convinced of the verdict.

This attitude, which combined gentleness and authority, greatly pleased every subject who met him.

Compared to the simple worship in the countryside, the rumors circulating in Firefall Fortress take on a completely different tone.

Although the negotiations at the restaurant that night were strictly kept secret by Lady Serena, and only her confidants were involved, nothing stays hidden forever.

Based solely on the commotion and snippets of conversation among their confidants, the castle guards and maids deduced the truth—Lady Serena had suffered a great loss because of her illegitimate son.

Young Master Lucas's miserable state is the best evidence.

The second young master, who usually acted arrogantly, didn't dare to step out of the door for three whole days. Even his daily meals had to be delivered to him by his personal servant.

On the fourth day, Lady Serena, under the pretext of "praying for her father," hurriedly sent him to the nearby Temple of the Lord of Dawn—everyone knew in their hearts that it was not a prayer for blessings, but rather an attempt to avoid disaster and incidentally treat his hair, which had been burned white.

From this point on, the entire castle's attitude towards Ye Weian changed.

The passing maids would blush and bow deeply, not even daring to look him in the eye;

The clanging of the guards' armor was more precise than ever as he passed by.

The servants who used to avoid him like the plague now all wore humble, fawning expressions on their faces.

As his closest confidantes, Ellen and Lina instantly became the envy of the entire castle.

Lina felt this most deeply.

The maids who had worked with her spoke to her in a different tone now, their voices tinged with bitterness yet tinged with undisguised longing.

"Lina is truly blessed by the goddess Wojnarowski; she saw the young master's potential at a glance."

"Lina's judgment was truly sharp; who could have imagined that the taciturn young master would have such a fortunate destiny?"

"Yes, when you go with the young master to be the head maid, don't forget your sisters."

Ye Wei'an was not surprised by this. In his opinion, it would be best to have a few more days like this, so that he would have enough time to win over the hearts of the people in his territory. In this way, he could also take more talented people with him when recruiting his subjects.

Unfortunately, this period of peace and quiet only lasted until the seventh day after he returned home.

-----------------

That morning, Ye Wei'an was reading the sorceress's notes when he occasionally heard the clear chirping of birds outside the window.

"Knock knock knock!"

The tranquility of the study was broken by urgent knocking on the door.

A servant, panting, pushed open the door, not even bothering to bow: "Young Master Ye Wei'an! Quick! The Baron is in critical condition... He specifically requests that all of you come over!"

Ye Wei'an closed the book, his fingertips trembling slightly.

He knew this moment would come sooner or later, ever since he first used Lesser Restoration on the Baron.

When he arrived at the Baron's bedroom, the door was already crowded with people. The air in the corridor was so thick it was hard to breathe, and every now and then a sob could be heard.

Lady Serena wore a dignified deep purple dress, her hand tightly clutching a lace handkerchief. Behind her stood Lucas, who had been missing for several days.

The once arrogant young master was now wearing a soft hat, covering his hairless head. Upon seeing Ye Wei'an, he seemed to see some kind of extremely terrifying monster, and almost instinctively shrank behind his mother.

Guarding the door were two knights clad in iron armor—the same two who had carried the baron before.

Ye Wei'an already knew their names: Morse and Hilt.

These two old knights, who had followed the baron in many battles, were now solemnly guarding the gate, standing their last watch for their lord.

Ye Wei'an nodded slightly to them as a greeting.

He then stood opposite Lady Serena.

Neither of them spoke.

Time ticked by, and the air felt heavy, as if it were filled with lead.

About five minutes later, the bedroom door slowly opened.

Bishop Orion of Losanda, clad in a gold and red holy robe, emerged with a sorrowful expression.

He glanced at the crowd and let out a long sigh:

"The Baron's life has come to an end... Go in and see him one last time. The Lord of Dawn will guide his soul to rest."

The crowd filed in and gathered around the Baron's bed.

Compared to seven days ago, Baron Harandil looked much more haggard, reminding Ye Wei'an of the undead he had seen at the War Mage Academy.

The Baron opened his eyes with difficulty, his gaze slowly moving around, his voice so soft that Ye Wei'an could only hear him if he leaned closer.

"I'm sorry I can't stay with you any longer... In my life... I haven't accomplished anything earth-shattering. When I'm gone, remember to hang my portrait in the corridor, so it can stay with our ancestors. From now on... Firefall Valley will depend on you."

He turned to look at Serena, who was sitting by the bed, and placed his withered hand on the back of her hand: "Serena, take good care of Lucas. Stop spoiling him like that, raise him to be a true nobleman. Firefall Territory... is in your hands."

Although Serena hated the Baron for twelve years and schemed against him for twelve years, their twelve years of marriage were ultimately real.

All my thoughts turned into genuine grief at this moment.

Her once exquisite makeup was now ruined by tears. Listening to her husband's final entrustment, she nodded, sobbing uncontrollably, "I know, Harandil... I know, I will protect Firefall Valley. By Sheenworth, I promise you."

The Baron then looked at the two knights standing by the door, Morse and Hilt.

"I'm sorry... I can't fight alongside you anymore." He smiled at them.

The eyes of the two tough men immediately reddened: "It's alright, Lord Harandil, we will fight side by side again in the divine kingdom of Losanda."

"Of course..." The baron nodded with difficulty, "I only have one last order for you... Protect Lucas."

"We swear to serve the Xia Xing family to the death, sir." The two lowered their heads, their voices hoarse.

Finally, the Baron's gaze fell on Ye Weian, who was standing on the outermost edge.

In that instant, a glimmer of light seemed to appear in his dim pupils, a complex emotion that mixed relief and regret.

"Ye Wei'an, come here..." the baron called his name with difficulty.

The crowd made way for Ye Wei'an so that he could squat down by the bed.

"...Father." Ye Wei'an reached out and grasped the Baron's hand, which was now just a thin layer of skin.

"Ye Wei'an, you are the greatest pride of my life." Looking at the increasingly handsome young man before him, the Baron's eyes shone even brighter. "It's a pity... I won't be able to witness the day you become an archmage. Tell your father, what are your plans for the future? Are you going back to Susar... to become a respected battle mage?"

Under that intense gaze, Ye Wei'an shook his head:

"No, Father, merely becoming a battle mage is not enough for me. I want to become a pioneering lord."

"A pioneering lord?" The baron paused for a moment, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "That's a difficult path fraught with thorns, with many dangers blocking your way... but the men of my Xia Xing family... should have that ambition."

He took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and announced, "Since you have such ambition, as your father, I cannot let you go empty-handed. I hereby announce... that 20,000 gold coins will be allocated from the treasury of the territory to support your expansionist endeavors; this is also your rightful inheritance."

After saying that, he looked at his wife beside him: "I'm sorry, Serena, for making this decision on my own. What do you think?"

The baron had expected these words to cause a fierce argument, and had even prepared himself to appease his wife and son.

However, an eerie silence fell over the room.

Lucas kept his head down, his bald head hidden under his hat, not daring to move or utter a word.

Serena's eyes twitched slightly, then she obediently lowered her gaze, tacitly accepting the arrangement—20,000 gold coins was still within her acceptable range.

She knew in her heart that Ye Wei'an had insisted that the compensation could only come from her personal property because of this.

The baron was unaware of what had happened between his eldest son and wife, but looking at the harmonious scene of "brotherly love and filial piety," he still smiled with relief.

"Good...good, if you can get along like this...Sheenworth will smile too..."

The baron turned his head with difficulty and looked at Bishop Orion, who stood solemnly by the bedside.

"Orion... my old friend, my last words..."

Bishop Orion nodded slightly and spoke in an unquestionable, solemn tone: "In the name of Lord Losanda, the Lord of the Dawn, I hereby witness that Baron Harandil Xiaxing's will is true and valid. His second son, Lucas, will inherit his title and lands, while his eldest son, Yevian, will receive 20,000 gold coins and corresponding development support. His last wishes will be protected by the Lord of the Dawn."

Upon hearing the bishop's confirmation, a childlike peace appeared on the baron's face, which was shrouded in deathly aura.

He clutched the holy emblem to his chest tightly, his chapped lips moving as he uttered a final, weak murmur: "Lossandar... cleanse me of my sins and guide me to the eternal Kingdom of Dawn..."

In the last second before his consciousness completely faded, he looked at Ye Weian, his eyes filled with an unprecedented tenderness and dazedness: "Weian... the way you smile is just like your mother... that's the most beautiful spring in Susar..."

Then, turning to the sobbing Serena, he uttered his last words: "I'm sorry."

With his last breath, the Baron's chest stopped rising and falling.

This lord, who had ruled Firefall Valley for over twenty years but accomplished nothing, has passed away.