Jiang Ning returned to House Ning's northern estate just as the sun began to dip behind the mountains. The journey from Vale had been long, and dust clung to his cloak, but his mind burned with plans.
The first thing he did after stepping through the gates was head straight to his chambers and unlock the small chest he kept hidden beneath the floorboards. Inside were several leather pouches of coin, his savings from trade profits, minor commissions, and a few small rewards from past training tournaments.
He counted the money carefully, stacking each pouch in neat rows across the table.
This should cover the children's wages for two weeks, he thought, but it's nowhere near enough to keep the orphanage funded for long.
He had promised William and Josephine steady support. He refused to break his word.
Still, using the family treasury was not an option. He had sworn to his father that he would earn his own way.
I need money fast, he told himself.
His mind wandered to his memories of the previous life. Rare treasures, objects and herbs that would one day spark fierce bidding wars, had surfaced across the empire. Most were accidents of fate: wanderers stumbling into forgotten ruins or strange glades.
But Jiang Ning remembered one story vividly.
A discovery east of Vale.
The Dragon Tail Fern.
Its name came from the way its stalks curled and tapered like a coiled dragon's tail, scales of jade-green glimmering under sunlight. A miracle herb.
It could strengthen a warrior's body, but its real value lay in how it aided mana cultivation. A Knight who consumed it would progress twice as fast. By the time the world recognized its power, the price for a single stalk rivaled a gold ingot.
And Jiang Ning knew where hundreds grew.
That single grove could finance the orphanage for years, and fill his coffers enough to start building the foundation of his future army.
The problem was the guardian that lurked there.
The place was the hunting ground of a Fatal-grade monster, a creature that not only wielded mana but possessed a rudimentary mind. Such monsters were clever, patient, and cruel. Facing one alone was suicide for an ordinary warrior. Even a team of Knights risked annihilation without preparation.
Jiang Ning sat back in his chair, exhaling slowly. I'll need a small unit. Ronan alone isn't enough if the creature's still alive.
He pulled open a map of the eastern frontier and circled a dense patch of woodland beyond Vale. The memories from his past life aligned perfectly with the terrain.
"Tomorrow," he murmured, folding the map. "We leave at dawn."
He rose and began preparing. His training armor gleamed faintly under the lantern light. It had been a gift from his father, a steel-reinforced cuirass polished to a dull shine, lined with boiled leather for mobility. From the weapon rack, he took the broad-barreled rifle he had been modifying, fitted with a bayonet shaped like a short sword.
After checking the mechanism and ammunition, he sheathed the weapon across his back.
The door opened quietly behind him.
"My lord?"
Lina stood there, her hands clutching the edge of her apron. Her eyes widened when she saw his combat attire.
"Where are you going dressed like that?" she asked, voice tinged with worry.
Jiang Ning smiled faintly. "Just out for a hunt. The kitchen's been running low on fresh meat."
He spoke lightly, though the lie tasted sour.
Lina frowned, unconvinced. She looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then stepped closer and grasped his hand. "Please be careful. The guards have been talking about a Fatal-grade monster near the border. Promise me you won't go too far."
Her hand was warm and trembling.
Jiang Ning squeezed it gently. "Don't worry. I'm not going alone. Ronan and a few others will accompany me."
That seemed to ease her slightly, though her brow remained creased.
"While I'm gone, stay with my mother," he said. "If anything happens, don't leave her side. And keep out of my uncle's sight."
Lina nodded quickly. "I understand."
He brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, then released her hand. "Good. Now go to her. I'll be back before nightfall tomorrow."
Once she left, Jiang Ning exhaled, letting the calm return to his expression. Then he made his way upstairs to the top floor of the mansion.
The study door loomed ahead, carved with the family crest, a silver phoenix spreading its wings over a rising sun. He knocked twice.
"Come in," came Baron Ren Ning's voice.
Jiang Ning pushed open the door. His father sat behind his desk, pen scratching across parchment. The old butler, Bastian, stood nearby, cataloging scrolls.
When the butler bowed and stepped aside, Ren Ning looked up. His stern features softened at the sight of his son. "Jiang Ning," he said, gesturing toward the chair opposite him. "Sit. What brings you here?"
Jiang Ning bowed slightly, then sat down.
"I heard a rumor, Father," he began. "They say a rare herb was sighted east of Vale, Dragon Tail Fern. I'd like to investigate."
Ren Ning raised an eyebrow, then chuckled. "That's what this is about? For a moment, I thought you'd gotten yourself into trouble."
He leaned back, folding his arms. "You don't need my permission to chase herbs. But that area isn't safe. There have been monster sightings recently. Be careful."
"I will," Jiang Ning said. "But I came to request permission to mobilize a few Knights for protection."
Ren Ning's amusement faded. "Knights? You already have Ronan. Isn't that enough?"
"It's just a precaution," Jiang Ning replied smoothly. "Rumors like these can spread for a reason. I'd rather not take chances if it's a trap."
Ren Ning considered this, tapping the desk with his finger. "A trap, hm? You may be right. People do strange things for profit."
After a moment, he nodded. "Very well. How many men do you need?"
"Three will do."
Ren Ning smiled faintly. "A modest number. Good. You'll command them yourself."
He set his pen aside and leaned forward, his tone turning firm but not unkind. "You just reached the Knight realm. This will be your first field operation. Whether that fern exists or not, treat this as training. Learn how to lead and how to make decisions under pressure."
"Yes, Father," Jiang Ning said, bowing his head.
"Good." The baron stood, his broad shoulders casting a long shadow across the desk. "Remember: victory isn't about strength alone. It's about foresight and restraint. Don't let greed cloud your judgment."
"I won't," Jiang Ning promised.
Ren Ning gave him a few more practical reminders, route safety, supply preparation, and how to report upon return, before dismissing him.
Outside the study, the corridors were quiet, lit by a single lantern swaying gently in the draft. Jiang Ning walked slowly, the weight of both armor and expectation pressing against him.
Ronan was waiting near the courtyard. When Jiang Ning appeared, the knight straightened. "All set, my lord?"
"Almost," Jiang Ning said. "We'll leave at dawn. Prepare rations and check the ammunition. I want everything ready before first light. I'll be taking three other knights with us."
Ronan nodded once. "I'll see to it."