Mu Zhou’s Overture

On the martial arts training field.

More than twenty knights formed a circle, their eyes bright as they scrutinized the Blackrock Panther in the center. Their gazes were akin to seeing a beautiful woman undressed.

Every knight dreams of owning a fine steed.

Though the Blackrock Panther isn’t a traditional warhorse, it can still serve as a mount.

The key point is this mount possesses the combat power of a junior knight. Isn’t it much stronger than a warhorse?
How majestic would it be to ride it!
On the battlefield, it would be invincible!

“Sir, Your Excellency, can you spare me a Blackrock Panther first?”

Jodun, full of excitement, rushed to Ke Yi and Su Nan, his voice loud enough to be heard throughout the training field.

Upon hearing this, other knights immediately expressed their dissatisfaction.

“Why should it go to you, the drunkard?”

“I am an intermediate knight; it should go to me first!”

“Bah, I’m the best horse rider, it should be mine!”

“You’re talking about riding horses, this is a panther!”

“Aren’t they similar!”

“Nonsense, I’m also good at riding women, so shouldn’t the Blackrock Panther go to me first?”

Seeing the situation was escalating into a dispute, Ke Yi rubbed his temple wearily and waved his hand, “Everyone shut up. This Blackrock Panther will go to Bured first.”

Standing quietly at the side, Bured hadn’t expected such a pleasant surprise and beamed with joy.

“Thank you, sir. Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Jodun and the others looked at each other and said nothing further, only pouting.

Among the knights, Bured held substantial prestige and was one of the top in strength. Giving him the first Blackrock Panther drew no objections.

As for Ke Yi, Su Nan had already said that he would later craft a stronger Blackrock Panther for him.

Su Nan tossed Bured a necklace and said, “This is the key to controlling the Blackrock Panther. As long as you wear it, the Blackrock Panther will obey your commands. However, it can only comprehend relatively simple orders.”

“Understood, thank you, Your Excellency!”

Bured excitedly put on the necklace and, under envious gazes, mounted the Blackrock Panther and galloped around the training field.

Ke Yi turned his head towards Su Nan and asked, “How long does it take to craft a Blackrock Panther?”

“Three to four hours should be enough.”

Seeing Ke Yi and the knights reveal signs of joy, Su Nan splashed a bit of cold water on their enthusiasm.

“The materials for the Blackrock Panther are Blackstone Iron and gems. Each one costs roughly thirty-eight gold coins.”

Upon hearing this, Ke Yi furrowed his brow but quickly relaxed.

Compared to boosting military power, the cost of thirty-eight gold coins isn’t much.

As long as the Blackstone Mine is operational, Blackstone City will have a continuous income of gold coins.

In comparison, what Blackstone City urgently lacks now is military strength.

Only with a strong army can the city safeguard the Blackstone Mine, their cash cow.

“Don’t worry about the money, I’ll handle it. In the meantime, please focus on crafting the Blackrock Panthers.”

Su Nan nodded calmly.

Currently, apart from meditating and making lesser activation potions, Su Nan spends his remaining time reading. His sleep and rest are mostly replaced by meditation, so taking a few hours to craft the Blackrock Panthers isn’t challenging.

Moreover, crafting the Blackrock Panthers also helps him increase the proficiency in Puppet Crafting. As he crafts more, his level will improve, and the time required will gradually decrease.

This task won’t consume too much of his energy.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye.

In the month of Xia Long (June), the rising temperatures curled the leaves, and the scorching sun licked the ground day after day.

Despite the intense heat, all the residents in Blackstone City wore smiles on their faces.
With the reopening of Blackstone Mine, a large number of caravans have been drawn to Blackstone City.

The prosperity in commerce has elevated the living standards of the citizens by a notch.

Although the city recently absorbed a large number of displaced people, the Blackstone Mine, the military, and the land reclamation projects have effectively digested this influx, greatly mitigating the impact of the displaced populace on Blackstone City.
Everyone can see the thriving development of Blackstone City and is filled with hope for the future.

It is worth mentioning that Su Nan’s birthday also falls in the month of Summer Luminous Moon.

Although Su Nan expressed that it was unnecessary, Brother Ke Yi insisted on holding a 17th birthday banquet for him.

All knights of Blackstone City, as well as several closely cooperating commerce associations, sent representatives to attend the banquet.

Mu Zhuo, the president of the Fire Fox Commerce Association, personally attended, presenting Su Nan with a precious gift—a full dozen rubies!
Perhaps he has heard that Blackstone City is currently purchasing gems.

In any case, this gift, worth hundreds of gold coins, stood unmatched among all the guests’ presents; its extravagance drew many to secretly marvel.

Su Nan was also somewhat surprised.

He could sense Mu Zhuo’s intention to establish good relations with him, yet he was puzzled why the other party would act so.

Could it be that Mu Zhuo has discerned his identity as a wizard apprentice?

And furthermore, understands the significance of the wizard apprentice identity?

Though unsure, Su Nan did not reject Mu Zhuo’s goodwill and conversed warmly with him during the banquet.

‘I heard Mu Zhuo, that sly old fox, likes to invest in young talent. He likely already knows you’re a wizard apprentice, and probably understands the prowess of one, hence the generous gift,’

After the banquet, Brother Ke Yi and Su Nan returned to the study and discussed Mu Zhuo’s actions that night after sitting down.

‘However, the Fire Fox Commerce Association’s influence spreads across the Duchy of Brambleflower and cooperates with many associations in the Duchy of Starlit Stars. Getting on his good side will facilitate your collection of wizard tomes and materials.’

‘Indeed,’ Su Nan nodded, glancing at Brother Ke Yi, ‘Did something happen? You seem somewhat distracted tonight.’

‘You noticed it.’

Brother Ke Yi showed a wry smile, then his expression turned serious.

‘Our spies in Shining City have received intelligence that during the Harvest Festival three months from now, Jodun, Norwood, and Devon will attend!’

Jodun, Norwood, and Devon were subordinates who followed Baron Anes-t onto the battlefield and were personally elevated to baron by him.
However, when Baron Anes-t unexpectedly died on the battlefield and Owen unscrupulously seized the barony, these three, intimidated by the power of Marquis Jin Yan, chose to keep silent.

It was precisely because of these three’s silence that Owen hesitated to eliminate the two brothers immediately.
However, Brother Ke Yi will neither be grateful nor forgive these three.

‘If not for Father back then, how would those three have received the baron title? Yet, they lack any gratitude and instead submit to that bandit, it’s truly despicable!’

Compared to Brother Ke Yi’s anger, Su Nan appeared calm and composed, speaking serenely:

‘Apart from Blackstone City, Owen now fully controls the forces of the Shining Lands. I think he will soon make a move against us.’

Brother Ke Yi restrained his anger and furrowed his brows tightly.

What Su Nan mentioned was also his most concerning matter at present.

After pondering for a while, he made a resolute decision, firmly slapping the armrest of the chair, and stood up solemnly saying:
‘We can’t delay any longer. In three days, we attack the Black-scaled Lizardmen’s lair to first eliminate the nearest threat!’

After two months of training, the cavalry regiment formed by Brother Ke Yi was beginning to take shape.

Although the number is only over sixty, there are twenty knights, and the rest are all apprentice knights.

More importantly, the entire cavalry regiment is equipped with Blackrock Panthers as mounts.

Although time is a bit tight, with this cavalry regiment in hand, Brother Ke Yi still has some confidence in eradicating the Black-scaled Lizardmen.

‘Let’s do that, I’ll join in too,’ Su Nan stood up and said.

If the battle were postponed to the month of Scrolls (August), waiting until he advanced to a second-tier wizard apprentice and then attacked the Black-scaled Lizardmen, the losses would certainly be minimized.

If they act now, even if victorious, the losses would inevitably be significant.

However, it’s uncertain; after all, he still has the trump card of spell scrolls.

With luck, perhaps they could achieve a good outcome.