Chapter 302 - Chapter 302: Chapter 295: Ennoblement to First-Class Nobility_1 (2/2)

The two elders of the Fang Family slightly nodded to Qin Niu as a form of acknowledgement.

Such existences, each a top expert of the Black Tiger Gang, were quite normal in their haughtiness.

Their mere nod to Qin Niu was already quite courteous.

“Young Master Fang remains radiant as ever, which strikes a particularly fond chord with onlookers.”

There was more than a hint of sycophancy in Qin Niu’s words.

In the world of adults, being sycophantic is just right.

If you can’t swallow your pride, you’ll struggle in society.

“Haha, Master Qin is a friend of our Fang Family, and I find you equally endearing. By the way, this is Deputy City Lord of the City Lord’s Mansion. Since Vice Gang Leader Bai is injured and needs to recuperate, the Gang Leader specifically asked the Deputy City Lord to come to present you with an honor and additional rewards.”

Young Master Fang introduced with a laugh.

Deputy City Lord was a somewhat stern-looking elderly man.

Appearing to be in his sixties.

His long grey eyebrows drooped at the sides of his brow bone, his eyes electric, sharper even than those of an eagle.

His cultivation seemed somewhat weaker than that of the two elders of the Fang Family, roughly equal to that of Elder Jiu Yin.

He also was a powerhouse of the Spirit Qi Realm.

All of these people were top existences within the Black Tiger Gang.

Qin Niu’s heart stirred slightly, recalling that last time Wang Furen had been very eager to marry off his daughter to the son of Black Tiger City’s City Commandant. He wondered if this man might be the City Commandant?

“Qin Niu pays his respects to Deputy City Lord!”

Qin Niu bowed deeply as a gesture of respect and reverence to a mighty figure.

“No need for formalities! Indeed, a dragon amongst men, youthful yet majestic and unassuming with hidden talents, quite remarkable!”

Deputy City Lord scrutinized Qin Niu, offering a very high evaluation.

What does “unassuming with hidden talents” mean?

Was it a veiled reference to Qin Niu preferring to conceal his skill, keeping a low profile to hide his true strength?

“Thank you for the high praise, Deputy City Lord, I am but a humble Insect Master.”

Qin Niu certainly didn’t dare to take such compliments casually.

“A humble Insect Master? One who was able to defeat decisively Elder Jiu Yin’s twelve disciples, furiously slain many. Not to mention utterly destroying Elder Jiu Yin’s own Taiyin Yaoyao. Do you think an ordinary Insect Master could do that?”

Deputy City Lord asked with a half-smile.

Having heard of Qin Niu’s glorious achievements, Young Master Fang’s gaze clearly shifted dramatically when looking at him.

“Uh… these things were not accomplished by my efforts alone, I merely assisted under the leadership of Lord Bai and Master He Shan.”

Qin Niu never thought about taking on some high official role.

He simply wished to retreat to Shuangfeng Village and cultivate in peace; any grand military achievements were to be deferred whenever possible.

“You are quite an interesting young man. While others your age chase fame and fortune like hungry ducks, you steer clear of it. It seems like the Lord of the City’s initial intent was to recruit you into the military, exceptionally promoting you as an officer. Looking at you now, it seems you’ll most likely decline.”

This Deputy City Lord was truly impressive, easily piercing through Qin Niu’s thoughts.

“Thank you, Deputy City Lord, for your discernment. I am but a simple country bumpkin by nature, not destined for officialdom. If there truly is a reward, a pill or two of Elixir, or some land, would be the best reward for me.”

Qin Niu was quite shrewd.

He seized the moment to express his disinterest in an official career.

Asking for Elixir and land, to be a landlord in the countryside, that was his dream.

“The Gang Leader really does have a wonderful foresight! Two sets of reward plans were prepared for you. Since you have no interest in officialdom, let’s go with the second one!”

After speaking, Deputy City Lord opened a commendation letter.

“Qin Niu, Insect Master of Shuangfeng Village in Jade Stream Town, has repeatedly uncovered significant military intelligence, establishing extraordinary meritorious service for our Black Tiger Gang. Following that, under the command of Vice City Lord Bai, he significantly defeated the Insect Formation set by the Nine Insect Gang, burning countless enemy ships, leading our army to a great victory, decimating over ten thousand enemies. Furthermore, he assisted Vice City Lord Bai at a critical moment to destroy Elder Jiu Yin’s foundational Taiyin Yaoyao, breaking the bee and ant swarms, aiding in killing two Spirit Qi Realm high-level enemies of the enemy army, crippling Elder Jiu Yin and forcing him to flee.

Each and every achievement constitutes an immense contribution.

Our Black Tiger Gang clearly distinguishes rewards and punishments, Qin Niu has established immense merit, promoting him over five grades to become a first-class noble of the Black Tiger Gang, enjoying all the privileges of a first-class noble.

Awarded a hundred mu of fertile land, and a bottle of Peiyuan Elixir useful for enhancing cultivation.”

This reward was too great.

A first-class noble was no ordinary honor, equivalent to being among the royalty and nobility of a country, belonging to a privileged class.