Chapter 18: Cer County City
In the desolate wilderness.
The dozens of people from the convoy lay fallen on the ground, their black blood making the scene even more eerie. Holmer had been crushed into a pulp by Blackrush. Jenny and Keen, the siblings watching this unfold, were truly shocked.
"Brother Lei." Keen exclaimed, while Jenny’s face turned pale.
Linley was about to speak, but the old servant Lambert on the carriage stared in shock at the dead Holmer: "It’s him, Cer County City’s most dangerous assassin, Holmer, that old freak who calls himself an apothecary."
"Holmer? Grandpa Lambert, who are you talking about?" Keen looked at Lambert.
Lambert took a deep breath and explained: "Young master, young miss, Holmer was a very dangerous figure in Cer County City. Back when I was with your mother, the second madam, in Cer County City, I saw this Holmer. At the time, Count Weide even talked to your mother about him. Holmer is an old freak highly skilled in using poison. Though he’s only a level-six warrior, he once killed a level-nine expert."
Jenny and Keen understood in their hearts.
Linley nodded beside them.
"This Holmer values money above all else. This time he made a move, it must have been the first madam who hired him." Lambert’s expression was very serious. "This time, the first madam truly intends to kill you both."
"With Brother Lei here, what’s there to fear!" Keen was full of confidence, and Jenny also looked at Linley with trust.
"Alright. Let’s set off immediately and reach Cer County City as soon as possible." Linley said directly. Then Linley and the others sped toward Cer County City, leaving a trail of dust on the desolate road.
Cer County City. It was a city with two to three hundred thousand people. The dark red city walls stretched into the distance, but in terms of architecture, Cer County City leaned toward elegance and beauty.
Keen lifted the carriage curtain, looking at the magnificent and imposing city before him. His heart swelled with ambition, and his eyes lit up: "From now on, I will be the master of this county city."
At the city gate.
"Black Panther?" The city gate guard saw Linley’s mount and widened his eyes from afar. He immediately instructed the guard beside him: "Go quickly and report to the city lord’s wife. The person she mentioned has arrived."
"Yes."
That guard immediately ran toward the hotel very close to the city gate, rushing straight up to the second floor. At the stairway on the second floor, warriors were guarding it. Seeing that the newcomer was a city gate guard, they let him pass.
"Countess." The guard knelt on one knee from a distance, respectfully.
"Countess, the expert riding the black panther beast you mentioned has appeared. Behind him is a carriage."
"What?" The Countess Weide hadn’t reacted yet, but her two brothers exclaimed in shock.
The Countess Weide frowned: "You may leave."
"Yes." The guard withdrew respectfully.
At this moment, the Countess Weide’s two brothers were panicking. Her eldest brother quickly said: "Sister, they actually arrived alive at Cer County City. Did that old bastard Holmer fail?"
"Hard to say."
The Countess Weide frowned. "Perhaps that country brother and sister and the black panther expert didn’t come from Red Sand City to here via the main road. They might have deliberately taken a detour, making Holmer and his men come up empty-handed."
Her two brothers nodded upon hearing this.
Indeed, it was very possible that the other party had cunningly taken a detour from Red Sand City to Cer County City.
"So what do we do now?" The two brothers looked at the Countess Weide.
"Go down. Welcome them." The Countess Weide had a smile on her face. "My two poor children have suffered for so many years and have finally returned. As their stepmother, how could I not welcome them?"
With that, the Countess Weide walked downstairs.
Just as she stepped out of the hotel, the Countess Weide saw the burly man carrying a heavy sword riding the handsome black panther, and also saw the Lambert she recognized.
"Oh, Lambert, long time no see." The Countess Weide immediately called out loudly.
Linley, Jenny, Keen, and Lambert all turned to look. Lambert was startled, then respectfully said: "Greetings, First Madam."
The Countess Weide smiled warmly: "These two children must be Jenny and Keen, right? Jenny is even more beautiful than before, looking more like her mother. Keen is no longer that little kid from before; he’s become more handsome too."
Jenny and Keen still recognized the Countess Weide.
Although nearly eight years had passed, the Countess Weide’s appearance hadn’t changed much, only a few more crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes.
"Greetings, Stepmother." Jenny and Keen both bowed.
"Good, good. No need to be so formal." The Countess Weide said cheerfully, then looked at Linley. "And this is?"
"That’s Brother Lei." Keen answered first.
"Lei?" The Countess Weide raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Oh, Mr. Lei. You must have escorted them all the way to Cer County City. I will definitely thank Mr. Lei on behalf of Jenny and Keen. Come, everyone, let’s return to the castle first. Tonight, I will hold a grand banquet for my two poor children."
The city lord’s castle was square-shaped, with extremely strict security.
"What a useless old man." After the Countess Weide dismissed the messenger knight with a scolding, she felt even more furious in her heart.
Holmer was a key piece the Countess Weide had heavily relied on.
But now that Holmer had failed, the Countess Weide felt a surge of irritation in her heart.
"With that Mr. Lei around, it’s very difficult for me to kill Keen." The Countess Weide was troubled. "Using poison—ordinary poison experts can’t avoid detection methods. And hiring assassins—how many can deal with this Mr. Lei?"
The Countess Weide’s gaze gradually sharpened.
"It seems there’s only that way left." The worry in the Countess Weide’s eyes vanished completely, replaced only by confidence and ruthlessness.
In the castle’s grand hall, the huge chandelier reflected enchanting light under the candle glow. Nobles from all over Cer County City gathered here.
"I heard the Count Weide’s son has returned. I wonder how the Countess Weide will handle this."
"Who knows? But one thing’s for sure—the Countess Weide won’t give up her power."
"The Countess Weide’s methods are too ruthless. It’s her bad luck that her precious son died on a woman’s belly. How laughable." The nobles whispered among themselves.
Every noble in Cer County City knew that the Countess Weide was a domineering and overbearing strongwoman. But living in Cer County City, they could at most mutter behind her back, not daring to offend her openly.
"The Countess Weide is here."
The nobles who had been discussing immediately stopped and turned to look at the Countess Weide descending the stairs. Her attire was still as luxurious, her posture still as proud.
The Countess Weide enjoyed the attention of the crowd, holding her head high as she walked down the stairs.
"Everyone." The Countess Weide said with a smile. "Today is a day of great joy. My two poor children, after eight years of hardship, have finally returned today."
At that moment, two people suddenly appeared on the stairs.
A young man in a sharp black gentleman’s suit and a blonde woman in a white dress walked out together. Many nobles’ eyes lit up.
Though Jenny’s clothing was simple and plain, combined with her appearance, figure, and gentle, pure temperament, she made everyone’s heart skip a beat. Many young noblemen decided they would inquire about this young lady later.
"Jenny, Keen, come here." The Countess Weide called out warmly.
Jenny and Keen walked down the stairs and stood beside the Countess Weide. The Countess Weide enthusiastically introduced them: "This is Jenny. Look, what a beautiful young lady. And this handsome young man is Keen." The Countess Weide sighed emotionally. "Jenny and Keen have finally gotten through those difficult days. But their mother, my dear sister..." The Countess Weide’s eyes reddened, as if she were about to cry.
"First Madam, if the Second Madam knew how much you care for them, she would surely be deeply moved." An old voice sounded as Lambert and Linley walked out from the side.
The Countess Weide glanced at Lambert.
Lambert was the most loyal servant of the Second Madam. Even when the Second Madam fell from grace, Lambert still followed her without complaint or regret.
Jenny and Keen felt indignant in their hearts.
They knew that their mother’s death and their eight years of suffering were all caused by the stepmother before them. Jenny knew to endure, but Keen, only fourteen, couldn’t help but sarcastically say: "Stepmother, why did you never come to visit us in these eight years? We’ve always missed you."
The Countess Weide’s expression didn’t change. She sighed and said: "All these years, I’ve been busy with the affairs of Cer County City and never had the time. Every time I think of this matter, I feel I owe you two too much."
Linley, however, smiled and said directly: "Countess Weide, the Count Weide has passed away, and Keen is his heir. This time, Keen has returned to inherit the position of city lord. May I ask when the Countess Weide plans to let Keen take over as city lord?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
All the nobles present understood—the main event had arrived.
At the same time, the nobles looked at Linley with confusion. They didn’t know where this reckless young man had come from, speaking so directly.
"Mr. Lei." The Countess Weide’s face stiffened, and she said coldly, "You protected Keen and Jenny on their way to Cer County City. As their stepmother, I am grateful to you. But letting Keen inherit the city lord position is a matter of our family’s internal affairs. It’s not appropriate for an outsider like you to interfere."
Keen immediately retorted: "Who said Brother Lei is an outsider?"
"If he’s not an outsider, what is he?" The Countess Weide’s expression was very cold.
Keen was taken aback, glanced at Linley, then raised his head and said: "Brother Lei is—he is my sister’s fiancé. How could he be an outsider?"
"Fiancé?" The Countess Weide was stunned.
Jenny was stunned.
Linley was also stunned.
"Fiancé?" Linley immediately looked at Keen, but Keen winked at him. Linley instantly understood Keen’s intention.
At that moment, Jenny’s face also turned red.
"So?" Keen proudly raised his head. "My future brother-in-law has the right to speak on this matter, doesn’t he? Stepmother, Father is dead, and my elder brother is also dead. I am now the first heir."
The Countess Weide fell silent.
Everyone in the hall looked at the Countess Weide. Keen inheriting the city lord position was only natural, protected by imperial law. They were eager to see what the Countess Weide would do.
"Haha, Keen, why are you in such a hurry?" The Countess Weide said cheerfully. "Your father is dead, and you are his only son, naturally the first heir. The city lord position is definitely yours. No one will take it from you."
Linley looked at the Countess Weide with suspicion.
Not just Linley—almost everyone was puzzled. Was the Countess Weide giving up so easily?
"Thank you, Stepmother." Keen said with a smile. "When will I take over the city lord position?" The Countess Weide smiled warmly and said: "No rush, no rush. Keen, you haven’t come of age yet. How about this—wait two more years, after you’ve passed your coming-of-age ceremony, then you can take over as city lord."
"Two years later?" Keen’s eyes widened.
But the Countess Weide was all smiles: "Keen, good child, you’re not yet an adult and don’t yet have the ability to manage a city. Don’t worry—in two years, you will definitely become the city lord of Cer County City." (Two chapters updated. Whew, the second chapter took so long to write. Embarrassing, embarrassing.)