Legacy of a Benevolent Lord
Chapter 32: Another Good Crit Chance!

Chapter 32: Another Good Crit Chance!

"Matriarch, your Highness," he said, "the Lockwood family’s restaurant, thirteen inns, and over a thousand acres of land are all recorded here."

The accountant opened the box, checking the documents carefully.

These would become part of the new foundation of the Duke of Sundawn’s Residence.

Satisfied, the accountant nodded discreetly.

The Old Lady smiled faintly.

"City Lord, you’ve been thorough. Thank you."

City lord hesitated, then added, "There’s more. The Lockwood family secretly owns eight pleasure boats and three gambling halls."

The Old Lady’s smile faded.

"We have no interest in immoral businesses," she said, voice cool.

"If the government wants them, take them. If not, sell them off cleanly."

City Lord bowed deeply. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Riven glance at him once.

City lord instantly knew the meaning of the glance. The ’immoral businesses’ will be handled by none other than Riven.

After a few more courtesies, he left with the officials.

The hall quieted.

The Old Lady turned to Riven, her eyes calm and expectant.

"Riven," she said, "these properties... I want you to manage them."

Around them, the servants stirred slightly.

The meaning was clear.

The Old Lady was preparing to hand the entire household over to Riven’s care.

But Riven smiled politely.

"Grandma, thank you, but... You should continue overseeing things for now. I wish to leave soon."

"This soon?" The Old Lady frowned. "What if something happens again? Why not wait until things cool down?"

Riven’s smile didn’t waver.

"Grandma, don’t forget... I’m no mortal now. I’ve ascended and now am an Innate Life. Not the same child from before."

His words were calm but carried undeniable weight.

The Old Lady stared at him a moment longer, then finally exhaled.

"Alright," she said. "If you must go, then go."

"But remember!" her voice sharpened slightly, "This world is no cleaner than the court. If someone dares cross you, strike. Strike and kill. Don’t hesitate."

"I will, Grandma," Riven said warmly. She truly was a woman from a Military family.

A rare smile crossed her face.

"And if you meet any good girls along the way," she added teasingly, "bring one or two home. Otherwise... I’ll pick a few from Sundawn city for you myself."

Riven chuckled awkwardly.

Was she trying to marry him off before he even left?

.....

Escaping the Old Lady’s matchmaking schemes, Riven returned to Pavilion.

Inside, golden afternoon light bathed the room.

Selene was guiding Azhula through the fundamentals of the Minor Phaseless Skill.

Their figures, one elegant, one lively but unsteady, moved adorably in the open area by the stream.

Azhula learned quickly. Her internal energy began to shift and transform smoothly.

As she taught, Selene subtly sensed the faint trace of Pure Yang divine essence lingering inside Azhula’s dantian.

She noticed it.

But she said nothing, her expression calm, as if she hadn’t seen a thing.

By the time Azhula finished her practice, the sun had already dipped below the mountains.

Riven glanced over at her.

Just like Selene Virelyn before her, Azhula had officially broken through to the Fetal Breathing Stage of the Acquired Realm and had stabilized her foundation, qualifying her as a Peak Martial Warrior in the ’visible’ martial world.

Under his gaze, Azhula’s cheeks flushed bright red.

Whenever Riven looked at her, she felt completely exposed, as if she had no secrets left to hide.

Riven spoke calmly.

"Since Selene gave you the Minor Phaseless Skill, then I’ll add one more."

He tossed a booklet toward her casually while mentioning its name.

"The Star-Shifting Technique."

Azhula caught the manual with trembling hands.

"Ah?" she gasped, staring wide-eyed at him.

Her hands waved frantically, her voice stammering.

"M-my Lord... th-this is... It’s far too precious!"

Riven raised an eyebrow. "What’s so precious about it?"

Azhula almost panicked.

"This is the Star-Shifting Technique!

An Earth-level Supreme Tier martial art... it’s a Murong family secret! Even disciples and soldiers aren’t easily allowed to practice it! How can a mere servant like me possibly-"

"So what?" Riven cut her off, sounding completely unconcerned.

"If servants of the Murong family can’t practice it, that’s their business. In my household, you can. Take it."

"My Lord..." Azhula clutched the booklet helplessly.

What was she supposed to do?!

This lord...

He was being far too kind to her.

*No. This is not just kindness. He probably has a motive. *

But... what can I even give? I have already accepted to be a double agent!

Could it be... could it be that he—?

Her face burned hotter, her heart pounding against her ribs.

No! Impossible. He wouldn’t be.

Subtly glancing at Selene, she dismissed such a thought.

My beauty may move some nobles. But his Highness has the Young Miss. Then why??!

She couldn’t understand it, no matter what.

The Star-Shifting Technique!

In the martial world, it was famous—the art of turning an enemy’s strength against themselves.

Everyone with knowledge had heard of it. Everyone feared it.

Meanwhile, Selene Virelyn sat on the side, lips pressed together.

She narrowed her eyes slightly at Riven.

This bad man...

Treating Azhula so well, handing out treasures like sweets, did he really have no intentions?

She puffed up her cheeks slightly in jealousy.

But then she caught herself.

No! She couldn’t act petty now. She and Azhula had just formed an alliance, hadn’t they?

Still... she was unhappy!

Wait.

She blinked suddenly, thoughts flashing.

He gave Azhula the Star-Shifting Technique... does that mean he realized something’s wrong with it?

Selene’s mind sharpened.

Based on her understanding of Murong Fu, there was no way he’d send the full, unaltered manual.

Maybe Riven saw through it already... and was using Azhula to test it?

But... Azhula did say she wasn’t sure whether it was genuine or not. It was all arranged by Murong Fu and Gongsun Qian.

Even so, practicing a manual of uncertain authenticity was dangerous.

Riven and Selene exchanged a quick glance, an unspoken connection.

He sighed internally.

He wasn’t intentionally trying to cover his thoughts. So she could feel them.

Yes. He wanted to test the Girl.

She can say something, but he could never be sure if those words are true.

The easiest way would be to measure her reaction.

But Riven saw that she was flustered and shocked beyond belief.

There wasn’t a single split second of hesitation that might prove that she knew the manual was incomplete.

So... is completing this manual complicated? Take years?

No, it’s not that complicated.

He simply triggered a critical hit return.

Giving the Star-Shifting Technique to Azhula would allow him to trigger the system’s critical rewards.

Even if he couldn’t trigger another bonus afterward, training Selene afterward with upgraded techniques would still help him enormously.

After all, her comprehension ability was monstrous! Higher even than his own.

......

The Star-Shifting Technique booklet lay heavy in Azhula’s hands.

Selene smiled gently and spoke, her voice soft but clear.

"Sister Azhula, take it. It’s His Highness’s sincere intention. Don’t disappoint him."

"Huh...?"

Azhula blinked at her.

Selene looked so ethereal, almost fairy-like, smiling in that kind, light way.

But was she truly encouraging her?

Or hiding jealousy beneath her smile?

Azhula couldn’t tell.

Women’s hearts... who could possibly understand them, even when women themselves couldn’t?

Her mind spun furiously.

But in the end, she swallowed her hesitation and bowed deeply, her cheeks burning.

"Thank you, My Lord!"

[Ding! You have gifted Azhula the incomplete version of the Star-Shifting Technique.]

[You have triggered a tenfold critical hit return!]

[You have obtained the Supreme Tier Earth-level Flawless version of the Star-Shifting Technique!]

’Tenfold.... but Flawless??? Again??!’ Riven closed his eyes and let out a satisfactory sigh. The sort of sigh you let out after taking a hit from your bong and finding out the weed is good shit.

But the surprise came afterwards....

[Flawless Star Shifting: A technique created to-]

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.