After a few days in Chishan Town, Ronin didn’t return directly to Wubei Territory, instead choosing to head south to Shore City.

Previously, he hadn’t dared come here, fearing Jesus would send assassins after him.

However, now that he was a Dual Attribute, Seventh-level Transcendent, assassinating him was almost impossible.

Beyond that, Ronin was the Leader of the Fifth Knight Order, personally appointed by Lurans.

Although he had left the Fifth Knight Order under Ridder’s command for a long time and paid it little attention, he still needed to make an appearance every now and then.

Thanks to Carlos’s speed, Ronin soon landed inside Shore Fort.

Since the city had no Lord, the officials assigned by Wushan Castle, as well as many Knights from the Knight Order, were using the fort as their residence.

Fortunately, Shore Fort was quite large and could easily accommodate them all.

Ronin found Ridder and the others on the fort’s training grounds. They were both surprised and delighted by their Lord’s arrival.

He learned from Ridder that three of the Knight Order’s Knight Squads had been stationed around the fort. The remaining five were scattered throughout the city, with a particular focus on the West Street, which was the most crowded and chaotic area.

The final two squads were positioned in the southernmost village, which lay on the main route between Moonlight Valley and Shore City.

"Since we took over Shore City, there have been several large-scale conflicts. After careful investigation, they were all families or factions that had worked closely with the Polante Thief Gang. Fortunately, we have enough men, so they couldn’t stir up too much trouble."

As Ridder and Ronin talked in the main hall, Ronin got a better understanding of the city’s recent situation.

’After being occupied by the Thief Gang for so many years, the public order was bound to be terrible. Only by fighting fire with fire could a superficial peace be achieved so quickly.’

"Any movement from Moonlight Valley?"

Ridder shook his head. "Not really. However, from what I’ve observed, there’s still a great deal of trade between Shore City and Moonlight Valley. This is especially true for grain. Shore City’s production can’t keep up with consumption, so it relies heavily on them. The officials from Wushan Castle have no intention of cutting off the trade routes."

Ronin nodded. ’Shore City isn’t my territory, so it’s not my place to worry about it too much.’

Still, this was Wushan Castle’s territory. To prevent potential chaos, Ronin offered a warning. "Remember to remind those officials to handle the grain supply. If something happens over in Moonlight Valley, they’ll need a contingency plan to avoid riots from a food shortage."

"I’ve actually already reminded them," Ridder said with a smile. "Civil Servant Sangzhuo said he would report the situation to Wushan Castle and stockpile grain in advance. He’s also actively promoting farming in Shore City."

Shore City is a city on the plains, with abundant pastures.

During the Polante Thief Gang’s rule, their focus was on animal husbandry, so there are many cattle and sheep here.

Amicus mainly relied on animal husbandry for trade with Moonlight Valley.

’Of course, Ronin suspected this was an arrangement orchestrated by Jesus, meant to use Shore City to compensate for Moonlight Valley’s deficiencies.’

"You’re very meticulous. I feel completely at ease leaving matters here in your hands."

’Ridder was a Commander-in-Chief, after all. His abilities were beyond doubt.’

Ronin summoned Ridder’s Attribute Panel. Through his own Cultivation, Ridder’s progress was now Golden Level (87/2500).

’Ridder’s progress was much faster than Elron’s and Macken’s.’

After the check-ins from the past few days, Ronin’s Energy Essence had reached 6,550. After setting aside the 4,500 points Elron would need, he used the entire surplus of 2,050 Energy Essence on Ridder.

"My Lord, this is...?"

Ridder felt his Cultivation surge. After a moment of surprise, he understood.

’But didn’t they agree to boost Elron’s power first?’

"Is Elron a Magic Master already?"

He looked at Ronin in surprise, only then noticing a faint pressure emanating from him.

Ridder’s heart jolted. ’It’s obvious... My Lord has broken through!’

"Soon."

Ronin chuckled. "Stationed at a border like Shore City, it’s safer to be a bit stronger." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Thank you, My Lord!"

Ridder performed a Knight’s salute. "There is one more thing I need to report."

"Go on."

Ridder smiled. "While taking stock of the major factions in Shore City, I recruited twelve Junior and Intermediate Knights and had Joffrey try to form a Knight Squad for Wubei Territory."

The Fifth Knight Order was, at the end of the day, an asset of Wushan Castle, so he would feel some hesitation in using it.

But forming a Knight Squad belonging to Wubei Territory would be far more convenient.

He added, "Also, Joffrey is quite talented. He successfully broke through and became a Bronze Knight a month ago."

Ronin’s eyes lit up. He had initially taken notice of Joffrey because of his talent, and it seemed he had not been let down.

"This is good news. Wubei Territory needs more Knight Squads."

Ronin said, thoroughly pleased, "Have Joffrey come see me when he gets back. I doubt he has a decent Fighting Qi Secret Scripture yet, right? Also, you can arrange a meeting for me with the Fifth Knight Order."

"It might take two or three days to gather them."

"That’s fine. It gives me a chance to look around Shore City anyway."

That night, Ronin summoned Joffrey. Along with some words of encouragement, he bestowed the *Wushan Fighting Qi Secret Scripture* upon him.

Over the next two days, accompanied by Civil Servant Sangzhuo, he toured the city to get a better look.

He had to admit, while Shore City was chaotic, it had a sizable population. Sangzhuo estimated it was no less than seventy thousand people.

’It’s a pity he wasn’t the Civil Servant for Wubei Territory. Otherwise, I would have certainly ordered him to conduct a census.’

The next morning, as Ridder was gathering the Fifth Knight Order, news of Ronin’s arrival in Shore City had already reached Jesus’s castle in Moonlight Valley.

He had operated in Shore City for many years, after all. Even though the Polante Thief Gang was gone, the hidden forces in the city couldn’t possibly be uprooted in such a short time.

"That Ronin actually dares to come to Shore City!"

To be honest, the series of defeats had greatly displeased the arrogant and haughty Jesus. Especially when faced with MacLaren of the Fleming Clan’s sarcastic remarks, the anger in his heart flared up, and he was eager to prove himself with a successful assassination.

"Ramsay, last time you went to Shore City you came back empty-handed, letting Ronin escape his doom. This time, he definitely won’t get away!"

As the Leader of Moonlight Valley’s First Knight Order and also Jesus’s son-in-law, Ramsay knew his father-in-law had a very stubborn personality.

He frowned slightly. "I heard Ronin is summoning the Fifth Knight Order. I’m afraid if I go, there will be many Knights gathered there."

"Are you afraid of them?"

Jesus sneered dismissively. "The Fifth Knight Order seems to only have one Golden Knight: Ridder. The other two are some unheard-of silvers, probably just some nobodies Lurans scraped together to fill the roster. Against that level of strength, you’d have no problem confronting them head-on."

Ramsay countered, "It’s not that I’m afraid of them teaming up. I’m just worried about exposing my identity and bringing trouble down on Moonlight Valley. You know that right now, Ronin is the apple of Lurans’s eye and has been personally ennobled by His Majesty the King. If something happens to him so soon, both Lurans and His Majesty will demand an investigation."

"Then wear a mask."

Jesus thought for a moment and said, "Meteor Knights are rare, but not nonexistent. If you move stealthily at night and strike decisively, the chances of them discovering you are extremely low."

Ramsay considered it for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.

"Very well. I’ll go and prepare."

A cold smile touched Jesus’s lips as he watched his son-in-law’s departing figure.

’Wushan Territory should be fractured, even descending into chaos. Yet because of Ronin’s sudden rise, it’s starting to show signs of unity.’

’If I have Ronin killed tonight, Wushan Territory will surely descend into chaos, won’t it?’