Of course, all of this was based on him being just an ordinary civil official. But with his own sky‑piercing cultivation, if he wanted, not just Hugh Harris—even Bruce Summers could be completely under his control.
But this also showed that General Hugh Harris was a man of considerable cunning.
Before long, the carriage arrived at an inn.
They booked three top rooms: one for the married couple, one for Uncle Gen, and one for Lily and the Black Heaven Cult Saintess, Cindy Li. After witnessing Ian Song’s sky‑piercing abilities, Cindy Li had completely given up any thought of escape.
She even suspected that, even if her cult master showed up, he might not be a match for Ian Song. Not yet fourteen, already serving as a fifth‑rank vice‑prefect, and with such terrifying martial cultivation—he was simply a monster.
That night.
Frostmarch Garrison Town, inside the general’s camp.
As the frontier general, Hugh Harris sat at the head seat, flanked by his officers on both sides. In the center of the tent, a group of women danced.
Just then, someone came to report that Leon Lane had returned.
Hugh Harris waved his hand, and the dancers withdrew from the tent. Now in his early forties, Hugh had served as frontier general for eight years. He was still fairly robust, his skin bronze‑colored, his whole presence radiating an extraordinary air of authority.
"Let Leon Lane in!"
Hugh Harris barked out, his voice deep and commanding.
Moments later, Leon Lane entered the tent and knelt before Hugh Harris. "Sir, I messed up. That Ian Song didn’t accept the mansion deed!"
"Hmph! Doesn’t know what’s good for him!"
A young officer sneered.
"That’s right! A snot‑nosed kid dares refuse the general’s kindness!" Another officer immediately chimed in.
"Enough!"
Hugh Harris barked, cutting off the commotion. "After all, Ian Song is Lord Cai’s disciple. We have to give Lord Cai this much respect. No need to discuss this further. Leon Lane, go back to the city and tell him the general invites him to dinner at Wild Goose Pavilion!"
"Yes, sir!" Leon Lane replied.
"You’ve worked hard. Go pick a dancing girl to warm your bed tonight!" Hugh Harris waved him off.
Hearing this, Leon Lane was overjoyed, while the other officers all looked envious.
"You brats can pick one to take with you too!"
Seeing right through them, Hugh Harris laughed and scolded.
"Thank you, sir, for your generosity!"
The officers quickly thanked him.
Women weren’t supposed to be kept in the barracks, but Frostmarch was a border region, and after years of running things here, Hugh Harris had shaped the camp into an iron fortress. Even if he kept women, nobody dared say a word.
As for Bruce Summers, Hugh didn’t give him a second thought—a bookworm, nothing more.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next day.
Before Ian Song could even start looking for a house, the broker woman from the tooth‑shop came to the inn to meet him.
Her name was Granny Yu, the senior broker at Frostmarch’s largest tooth‑shop.
Besides renting and selling houses, the tooth‑shop also traded in people—maids, manservants, even slaves.
It’s worth mentioning that buying and selling people was perfectly legal in Valeguard. Once purchased, the owner had full power over their lives—even if they beat a slave to death, the authorities wouldn’t intervene.
After viewing a few properties, Ian Song and Sylvia Cai both liked a mansion in the eastern part of the city.
But when they asked the price, it was only one hundred taels of silver.
Even for a border city, such a large mansion selling for just one hundred taels was way too low. Based on Frostmarch’s prices, a place like that should go for at least five hundred taels.
Even more unbelievable, buying the house came with four maids and four manservants included.
"Who’s your boss?"
Ian Song narrowed his eyes, staring at Granny Yu.
"I wouldn’t dare hide it from you, sir—General Hugh is the boss of our tooth‑shop!" Granny Yu hurriedly replied.
"Heh."
Ian Song couldn’t help but chuckle. Hugh Harris really was relentless—he’d just refused the gifted mansion last night, and today Hugh was already playing a new trick.
"At market price, how much would this mansion cost?"
Ian Song asked again.
"Five hundred sixty taels," Granny Yu replied.
"Add the four maids and four manservants—I’ll pay six hundred taels. Bring me the contract!"
"Please spare me, sir!"
Suddenly, Granny Yu knelt and pleaded, "Before I came, I was strictly ordered—the mansion must be listed below one hundred taels. If it goes even a tael higher, I’ll be punished. Please have mercy on a poor old woman!"
"Junior brother."
Sylvia Cai tugged Ian Song’s sleeve.
Ian Song gestured for Sylvia not to worry, then said to Granny Yu, "How about this—go call whoever’s really in charge."
"Thank you, sir! I’ll go right away!" the old woman said.
"Brother‑in‑law, that Hugh Harris is so annoying. He just keeps trying to win you over!" Lily grumbled.
Ian Song just smiled and said nothing.
Less than half a quarter later, a scrawny, rat‑faced man in brocade robes arrived.
"Vince Lang greets the vice‑prefect, sir!"
He bowed respectfully to Ian Song. Arriving so quickly, he must have been waiting nearby.
"And you are... what to General Hugh?"
Ian Song asked.
"General Hugh is my brother‑in‑law, sir!"
"In that case, get up and answer!"
"Thank you, sir!"
"I intend to buy this mansion, but I want to pay the real price!" Ian Song said to Vince Lang.
"Whatever you say, sir—here’s the contract!"
As they spoke, Vince Lang produced a prepared contract. Ian Song looked it over—it was still listed at one hundred taels. He handed it back: "Change it to six hundred!"
But Vince Lang pretended to be confused: "Sir, this mansion really is worth only one hundred taels. Why change it to six hundred?"
"Don’t play dumb with me—change it, now!"
Vince Lang was unfazed: "Sir, the price was set by my brother-in-law. I can’t change it. Why not give him some face?"
"In that case, I won’t buy it. Let’s go!"
Ian Song waved his hand and prepared to leave.
"Please wait, sir!" Vince Lang called after Ian Song. "All the vacant houses in Frostmarch city either belong to our tooth-shop or are sold through us. If you leave now, you might not be able to buy a suitable mansion."
"Is that a threat?" Ian Song turned to look at him.
"I wouldn’t dare threaten you, sir!"
Vince Lang gave a fake smile, his expression somewhat disdainful. He thought to himself, This kid really doesn’t know what’s good for him. Why does my brother-in-law want to win him over?
"Let’s go!"
Ian Song withdrew his gaze and left with Sylvia Cai and the others.
"Sir, should I teach that scoundrel a lesson?" Cindy Li asked indignantly.
"No need."
Ian Song waved her off, but looked thoughtful. Hugh Harris wouldn’t rest until he dragged him into the mud. Clearly, there’s something fishy going on in Frostmarch city.