Chapter 514
Chapter 514 - 494: The Light and Floating Chips
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8 min read
All this time, the old lord had given people the impression of being rather incompetent.
But as a feudal lord, if you’re truly incompetent, you probably wouldn’t make it to this point.
He had been waiting, patiently waiting... Sitting in this position, what he did wasn’t important, what mattered was making a "decision" at a crucial moment.
Would he choose to trust the outlander? Trust the Shepherd Silver people on that arduous journey through the planes?
The other party’s sincerity made him choose to refuse without hesitation... Even then, he had no chance of obtaining a "boat ticket".
This was not because he was too picky, but as a person in power, he didn’t trust the "Shepherd Silver people" at heart... not their character, but their ability.
"How did these naive creatures survive to this day? Following them on an unknown journey is bound to be a disaster."
The old lord, who had spent his whole life calculating the minds of others, secretly ridiculed the Shepherd Silver people’s naivety and was even less likely to entrust his future to these naive creatures.
If he was destined to die miserably after a turbulent journey, he would rather go down with his family heritage.
He knew that Doomsday was imminent, but he never showed any urgency... he knew that his own urgency was useless!
Those with boat tickets might not come to his territory, and the scouts he sent out to search for outlanders mostly never responded. He could only wait for the opportunity, waiting for the most likely path to survival.
At this moment, the opportunity came, and he went all in.
"... What bargaining chips do you have?"
"I can make my eldest son your adopted son."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ping’an was momentarily stunned. What did that mean? He had seen the other party’s eldest son, who looked old enough to be his own father.
But the next moment, he understood.
"... He is my heir, and once you become his adoptive father, you essentially become the lord’s family. Thus, it’s only natural for the other knights to pledge loyalty to you."
At this point, Lu Ping’an was somewhat surprised by the other party’s generosity and willingness to let go.
There were many ways to become a family, including marriage, and the most direct and seemingly reliable way was for Lu Ping’an to acknowledge the old lord as his adoptive father... but there were two problems.
First, the other party couldn’t figure out Lu Ping’an’s temper and was afraid that Lu Ping’an wouldn’t agree. Second, Lu Ping’an would be considered a lower generation than the other party, so there would naturally be many unwilling to submit... mainly the lord’s other children and relatives, who might have some ideas. They might not know the truth, but they would only think that there was another person plotting for the family property.
If the middle-aged man became Lu Ping’an’s "adoptive son" and the old lord stepped down and passed on his position, Lu Ping’an would become the "Supreme Lord" here... Then it would be completely justified for Lu Ping’an to utilize the resources in the territory and demand the knights’ loyalty.
Perhaps, in the face of a crisis, many people don’t care about these "empty" things, but without these "empty" things to constrain them, many knights would make up their minds even faster.
Once Lu Ping’an gets this "title", many things will become easy and justified.
For example, if his team needed to search for a hidden treasure on someone else’s private land, normally they would either use force or make a purchase. Now... it seems that bringing a tax officer would be enough.
"You’re really willing to let go..."
"... If I can’t hold on to it or protect it, it’s not mine, so I’ve nothing to lose. Now, I just want to be a rich man. Don’t worry, my eldest son is a waste, he won’t cause any waves. Poor child, his health isn’t good too. After he takes the throne, I’ll let him rest and heal for half a year."
For the first time, Lu Ping’an thought of reevaluating the traditional concept of "wastes, foolish nobles" from an early age. This old fellow was not only cunning, but also ruthless.
Others would sell their country, but he would directly give away everything and then ask Lu Ping’an for some leftovers.
But he was right, as time goes by, some things cannot be held onto.
If Lu Ping’an were to take his belongings back, the old lord’s family would naturally stand out. Even some knights who had pledged allegiance to Lu Ping’an would probably have their doubts once they saw the old lord’s family... Even Lu Ping’an himself had to guard against them forming secret alliances and make certain precautions.
With precautions here and there, those with a quick temper would simply make them "die accidentally".
But if he so blatantly betrayed his country and then harmed his heir? His reputation would be ruined, and he would become a traitor in the minds of all the knights.
So, as long as his other talented children didn’t board the ship, and he still maintained control of the situation, Lu Ping’an really didn’t need to be too wary of him.
"...I see, indeed, the old ginger is still the spiciest."
Lu Ping’an’s compliment was genuine.
This clear understanding of the situation and decisive judgment was really not something that could be easily summarized.
Since he had already made up his mind to defect, he didn’t hesitate to cut off his own legs, offering everything and even willing to destroy his own reputation to eliminate threats.
What’s most outrageous is that among all these "bargaining chips," he actually gave up nothing... only his reputation, which was destined to be worthless in a few months.
After thinking it over, Lu Ping’an didn’t refuse. There was no reason to refuse. This could greatly accelerate his work progress and allow him to justifiably plunder...search for good things in the Schlei Domain. There was no reason to refuse.
The old man’s cunning and deceitfulness served as a wake-up call for Lu Ping’an... don’t take the Otherworldly people for fools. No one is a fool these days; they just have different perspectives and environments.
Lu Ping’an asked himself, if the positions were truly reversed, that he would be the one seeking help... he definitely couldn’t reach this level, and even bowing his head might not be possible.
"Uh, perhaps, we can cooperate more deeply. I’ll hire you as an advisor, an expert on politics and local affairs, with extra remuneration. Are you interested?"
What Lu Ping’an said was, to the old lord’s knight guard, truly insulting, but the result was...
"Of course, of course, if you don’t mind my foolishness, it’s truly my great honor."
The old lord instantly felt twenty years younger and more energetic.
True to his word, Lu Ping’an signed the contract immediately, with a 20-year service term... the other party didn’t even hesitate to sign it, shocking Lu Ping’an.
If the old lord held the ticket now and with his personality, he would definitely die as a hidden threat to the "lord"... but Lu Ping’an not only gave him the ticket but also a long-term cooperation contract, which ensured his survival and left him overjoyed.
This was the best outcome in his dozens of scenarios, and he immediately buried the ones that could cause "misunderstandings" deep in his heart.
When he left, the old lord was extremely grateful, making it seem like Lu Ping’an was some kind of great benefactor.
On the way home, the two accompanying knight commanders had ugly expressions but couldn’t say anything. Xia Qin, on Lu Ping’an’s side, also had a subtle expression, seemingly deeply affected.
"Isn’t this a bit... he’s a lord, the hope of everyone in the territory, and just like that..."
"That’s why, he can be the lord, and you can only be the captain of the Special Service Team... Uh, can you not slap me in the face, please?"
After the commotion, Lu Ping’an patted his wallet, remembering something.
"Ah, shoot, I didn’t tell him I found those two family heirlooms. Look at my memory. Seriously, he didn’t even remind me, and this can’t be blamed on me... "
Yes, the key point on this way, the reason the other party came was the "Truth-level items" that served as bargaining chips. Neither Lu Ping’an nor the old lord mentioned it, acting as if the transaction did not exist at all.
Looking at Lu Ping’an’s pretentious act, Xia Qin glared at him.
"Can you be even more fake?! Speak properly, don’t imitate that disgusting guy... "
"Uh, sorry, I forgot my hat."
The old lord who just entered the room laughed heartily, and at that moment, Lu Ping’an also laughed happily.
Only Miss Xia Qin had her mouth wide open, her face flushed red, not knowing what to say.
"Tsk, can’t even handle this? Your Cultivation still needs improvement... Ah, I said don’t hit my head!"
— End of Chapter 514 —