Knight Lord: Start with Daily Intelligence.

Chapter 491 A Surprising Farming Opportunity: The Super Fishing Grounds and Extraordinary Fish of Black Forest Territory
Having finalized the production plan for the Amethyst Ironclad Army, Su Li felt greatly relieved. With ample resources, capable craftsmen, and a clear goal, all that remained was to wait. This feeling of everything being ready, and that they would continue to grow stronger with time, filled him with immense joy.

For the next period of time, he thoroughly enjoyed the carefree life of a lord, and his "Moonlight Cultivation" with Lady Bayonetta was undoubtedly the most exquisite and intoxicating part of it. After all, this was Su Li's greatest opportunity; her body, with its Moon Priestess bloodline, was not only alluring but also greatly aided Su Li's cultivation, causing his strength to advance by leaps and bounds!
Under the cover of night, the Amethyst Palace is filled with an intoxicating and pleasant atmosphere.

Lady Bayonetta, this mature and beautiful woman of priestly blood, had long since shed her usual elegance and nobility, resembling a moonlit orchid blooming entirely for Su Li.

Every inch of her skin seemed to radiate a soft moonlight, so delicate and smooth it was breathtaking.

Su Li could clearly feel that during the relaxed and enjoyable knight training, not only was his strength rapidly advancing under the nourishment of Lady Bayonetta's pure moonlight power, but each breath technique he performed also further enhanced his bloodline abilities.

It was an ultimate experience, as if soaring through the clouds or diving deep into a warm ocean.

As Lady Bayonetta was overcome with passion, the pure moonlight that flowed out almost enveloped the two of them. Su Li was bathed in it, and felt as if every cell in his body was cheering and jumping for joy. His soul seemed to be gently cleansed and soothed by the most tender hand. The comfort and satisfaction he felt far surpassed any pleasure in the world.

Often, after a thoroughly enjoyable "cultivation" session, Lady Bayonetta would be languid and exhausted, her starry eyes glazed over, sprawled softly on the luxurious couch covered with goose down, not wanting to move a single finger.

Her snow-white skin was flushed with a captivating blush, and her sweat-dampened hair clung to her smooth forehead and cheeks, adding to her breathtaking allure.

Su Li remained energetic, his bloodline power surging, and his strength rapidly increasing. Even though he already possessed the powerful strength of a chosen one, his strength continued to advance by leaps and bounds.

He felt the path to legendary status was already beneath his feet. He didn't need to waste any opportunities; as long as his territory was stable and he could enjoy the life of a lord in peace, he would inevitably break through to the legendary level.

It's important to understand that even with Hilde's extraordinary talent, which had been blessed by divine grace, she was stuck at the Chosen-level for a long time, unable to break through. Her breakthrough to the Legendary level was not only due to the divine grace brought to her by various battles, but primarily because of the opportunity given to her by Su Li.

Therefore, it is conceivable how much help Lady Bayonetta provided to Su Li.

More importantly, all of this goes far beyond the legendary stage. As long as Lady Bayonetta exists, reaching the Saint-level will be a natural progression for Su Li.

With his now enhanced physique and abundant energy, if it weren't for his pity for Lady Bayonetta and his fear that she wouldn't be able to withstand the battles, he would have loved to train with this beautiful chosen one of the moon goddess day and night.

Before this, he never imagined that he would be so diligent and persevering in his cultivation.

Of course, as a considerate lord who understands sustainable development, Su Li also knows the importance of striking a balance. To allow Lady Bayonetta enough time to recover her strength, Su Li generously shared her favors with the other equally outstanding female courtiers.

My voluptuous and alluring distant cousin, Suna, is one of the best choices. She is passionate and outgoing, with a full and voluptuous figure, and every hug feels like being enveloped in a warm cloud.

Unlike Lady Bayonetta's spiritual path, which was imbued with divinity, being with Suna was a pure and passionate physical pleasure, full of vitality and passion, leaving one feeling thoroughly refreshed and relaxed.

The aloof and noble green dragon beauty, Ariria, offers a completely different experience. Her human form is flawless, possessing an inhuman refinement and cold beauty. Conquering such a proud being, watching her icy blue eyes gradually melt, tinged with passionate allure, listening to the suppressed, dragon-roar-like breaths that escape her throat, brings an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and conquest. Her body is cool yet supple, bringing a unique stimulation and novelty.

Of course, we can't forget the self-inflicted wound of that scheming little green tea, Sylvanas. Ever since she excitedly declared that she was "willing to do anything for the lord like Freya" after obtaining the [Tears of Lilith] from Su Li, Su Li has unceremoniously "accepted" this trophy.

Often, she would be slightly bound in an artistic way with exquisite ribbons or soft leather ropes. In her complex eyes, which were a mixture of shame, humiliation and a hint of secret excitement, Su Li would leisurely and methodically let her experience the same treatment as Vice Commander Freya.

The process of conquering and adapting itself brings great pleasure.

And so, Su Li's days were fulfilling and easy, which he truly enjoyed.

During the day, he handles government affairs, inspects the progress of the army and workshops, and watches as everything in the territory is well-organized and steadily moving forward.

At night, he engages in in-depth "cultivation" and exchanges with various beauties of different styles, fully enjoying the benefits and pleasures that a lord and a powerful man should have.

This perfect state, where he can both relax and enjoy life to the fullest while maintaining control and continuously growing stronger, is what he has been pursuing since his transmigration.

Of course, Su Li's life as a lord wasn't all about endless pleasure. Besides enjoying himself, what he relied on most was the daily refreshed [Intelligence System] after he settled down. This divinely favored ability was the greatest source of his confidence, allowing him to truly "lie down" and farm, watching his territory rapidly expand.

He doesn't need to do everything himself or frantically search everywhere; all valuable information—resource points, talent, potential threats, and even the smallest efficiency issues within the territory—will be clearly presented to him through this system.

He only needed to make the decisions, and a host of capable ministers and generals, such as Hilde, Orstein, and Oliver, would carry them out efficiently. This sense of control, of strategizing and winning from afar, was far more intoxicating to him than mere physical pleasure.

Among the various intelligence reports that have recently arrived, the most noteworthy is not the discovery of any rare mineral veins, but rather a piece of intelligence that is completely different from the past – top-level intelligence concerning the territory's fishing grounds.

This fishing ground is located in the newly acquired lands of the territory, within Blue Mirror Lake. The lake lies in a very wide stretch of the Brienne River that flows through the territory of Hessen, where the river waters converge to form the clear, deep blue Mirror Lake. While the area is scenic, its fishery resources are only considered abundant, far from astonishing.

The former lord, Baron Grant, had been operating here for many years and was constantly trying to excavate the relics at the bottom of the lake.

However, his years of development efforts paled in comparison to Su Li's powerful intelligence system. Within just a few months of Su Li's development, the intelligence system revealed the greatest opportunity at the bottom of the lake! [At the edge of the ancient elven sacrificial ruins at the bottom of Blue Mirror Lake, a faint, anomalous energy fluctuation was detected, suspected to be related to the propagation of life.]

Trusting the system's prompts implicitly, Su Li immediately dispatched carefully selected sailors and a few druids skilled in underwater operations to conduct a thorough search of the lakebed. Sure enough, beneath an ancient stone altar covered in weeds and silt, they discovered a peculiar treasure—a perfectly round pearl, about the size of an infant's fist, radiating a soft blue-green glow. It was inlaid on the head of a long-corroded silver trident staff and named [The Heart of Mannan's Tides].

After it was removed, everyone realized that it was not a pearl at all, but rather a shape about the size of an adult man's fist, not a perfect sphere. It resembled more of a still-beating heart, covered with layers of nacre that looked like the finest ocean waves. It was a deep blue-green color, and inside, liquid light and flocculent energy seemed to flow and surge slowly. If you listened carefully, you could even faintly hear the sound of the ebb and flow of the tide and the low rumble of a storm.

According to the accompanying druid's intuition and historical fragments, this was not an elven relic, but a sacred object possessed by a high priest of Mannan, a fanatical human follower from ancient times. Perhaps during a great naval battle against Chaos, this priest perished, and his sacred object sank to the bottom of the lake, where it remained buried in silt for countless years. Because of the Mannan divine power it contained, which was intimately connected to aquatic life, its power did not completely dissipate even in freshwater; instead, it subtly influenced the lake until it was discovered by Su Li's intelligence system and brought back to light.

Therefore, this precious jewel contains the ancient Mannana blessing power, 【Grace of the Angry Sea (Abundant Aquatic Life)】, which is its core and first manifested ability. It continuously releases gentle life energy and pheromones, greatly accelerating and attracting the reproduction, growth, and aggregation of all aquatic life within its range.

As a result, the fish spawning rate, hatching success rate, and fry survival rate in the entire lake have all increased significantly.

At the same time, it can attract fish from downstream, tributaries and even distant waters connected by underground river networks, as if on a pilgrimage.

Upon arriving here, these fish, long imbued with divine power, grow larger, with firmer and more delicious flesh. Some species may even undergo slight, benign mutations, becoming top-quality ingredients. Their influence extends far beyond Blue Mirror Lake, stretching along the Brienne River for hundreds of miles, turning the entire river into a rich fishing ground.

When the precious pearl was carefully retrieved and placed on a specially constructed underwater platform in the center of Blue Mirror Lake, as instructed by Su Li, a miracle occurred.

Within just a few weeks, fishery resources in Blue Mirror Lake and the entire Brienne River basin began to surge at an almost frenzied rate! All kinds of fish flocked to Blue Mirror Lake from downstream, from tributaries, and even as if they appeared out of thin air.

Not only in terms of quantity, but also in the species and size of the fish, there have been astonishing changes. The once common silverfish has almost doubled in size, its scales shimmering with a dazzling silver light in the sunlight; schools of delicate and delicious bluefin trout have sprung up in such large numbers that they seem to form a blue carpet underwater; and even some rare fish species that were originally found only in downstream rivers or in legends, with flesh containing faint magical energy, have appeared, such as the golden sun catfish and the translucent ice crystal shrimp.

The fishing methods became unbelievably simple and brutal. Fishermen didn't even need complicated nets; they simply lowered wicker baskets tied with stones into the lake, waited a moment, and pulled them up—invariably full of lively, shimmering fish! Each basket haul was like an effortless harvest celebration. The catch quickly reached an astonishing level, surpassing even some of the Empire's famous coastal fishing grounds, instantly becoming one of the top freshwater fishing grounds in the entire Old World!

The news caused an explosive increase in food reserves and the catering industry in the Hessian Territory. The abundance of inexpensive and high-quality fish greatly enriched the lives and health of the residents, attracting fishmongers and merchants from surrounding territories and even further afield. The "Silverscale," "Bluefin," and "Sunlight Catfish" produced at the Blue Mirror Lake fish farm quickly became synonymous with high-quality fish, bringing Hessian Territory a flood of wealth and a stellar reputation.

Of course, the [Heart of Mannan] also has some other effects, such as [Tide Control (Limited)]. If the holder is recognized by the orb or has enough willpower, he/she can influence the tides and currents of the waters where the orb is located to a certain extent (although it is a freshwater lake, divine power can simulate this effect).

It can also regulate water levels, raising or lowering the lake level within a small area, which can be used for irrigation, defense, or to facilitate fishing.

It can also manipulate water flow, creating whirlpools, calming waves (on a small scale), or accelerating water currents. Militarily, it can be used to hinder enemy ferries or assist friendly vessels.

【Mist Summoning】Consumes energy to summon dense sea fog on and around the lake, used to obscure vision, cover military operations, or conduct strategic deception.

He also possesses Mann's divine power—[Storm Call (Mann's Wrath)], a sacred relic of Mann, the god of storms, containing the power of storms. However, this requires immense energy and a strong will from the wielder, and cannot be used frequently.

The ability to [Summon a Storm] summons a violent storm centered on the orb within a certain area (initially possibly the lake surface and surrounding shoreline), accompanied by gales, torrential rain, and lightning. This would be devastating for enemy fleets or coastal forces.

The cost is that after each use, the jewel's brilliance will temporarily dim, requiring time to draw energy from the water to restore it (during which the abundance effect will be weakened). Overuse may even displease Mannan and bring unpredictable disasters.

However, these effects are insignificant to Su Li. With the territory's current military strength, including three giant dragons stationed there, there is no fear of external invasion. The greatest effect of this treasure is undoubtedly the top-notch fishing ground it creates.

This greatly increased the territory's food production, providing a near-unlimited source of high-quality protein, which was bound to bring more people to his territory.

So after it gradually took shape, Su Li left the gentle paradise with a lot of officials, priests and knights to inspect it.

Su Li stood on the newly built wooden pier by Blue Mirror Lake, the lake breeze carrying moist air towards her. Before her was a bustling yet orderly scene, with boats of all sizes shuttling back and forth, the fishermen's powerful shouts mingling with the dull thuds of fish being poured into the hold, and the air filled with a rich, yet bountiful, fishy smell.

Hilde stood beside him, holding the latest statistics in her hand. A rare, amazed smile appeared on her handsome face: "My lord, since the installation of [Heart of the Tides of Mannan], the catch in Blue Mirror Lake and its upstream and downstream sections has surged. The daily catch has now stabilized at over 15,000 Imperial catties, and the quality is extremely high. Silverscale fish and bluefin trout account for 70%, and the proportion of rare fish species such as sunfish and ice crystal shrimp is also steadily increasing."

She paused, then added clearly and confidently, "This alone has ensured a more than sufficient meat supply in the territory, reduced fish prices by 30%, and greatly enriched the diets of the people. It is estimated that this will generate an additional tax revenue of over 2800 gold crowns per month for the treasury, not including the trade taxes and increased market activity brought about by the caravans attracted as a result."

Su Li nodded slightly, his gaze never leaving the lake. He beckoned to a fisherman's captain who had just docked. The man had dark, shiny skin covered in fish scales. He seemed somewhat reserved upon seeing his lord, and quickly thumped his chest and bowed on the boat.

"How was your harvest today?" Su Li asked in a calm tone.

"Reporting...Reporting to the Lord!" The captain's voice boomed, filled with barely suppressed excitement. "Good! Excellent! It's like a dream! Look at this basket," he pointed to a wicker basket still thrashing about at his feet, "it's full of top-quality sun catfish, every single one plump! Before, I'd be grateful to catch one or two baskets like this a day, but now...now every basket I put in is full! It seems like the fish in the lake will never run out!"

Su Li bent down and casually picked up a struggling catfish from the basket. The fish was enormous, its scales shimmering with a dazzling golden light in the sunlight, exuding immense power. "Very good. So, we'll have fish on the dinner table now? What are the effects of this fish?"

Hilde immediately introduced the fish to Su Li, pointing to a basket of robust fish whose scales shimmered with a soft golden-red luster. "This kind of sun-shining catfish is considered a lower grade of the sun-scaled fish. Look at its scales; under the light, they shimmer with patterns resembling molten gold. Its flesh is firm, and its fat is evenly distributed. According to Fandral Oak, its effects aren't as powerful or intense as those of the sun-scaled fish, but long-term consumption can slowly nourish the body, especially helping to restore strength and enhance endurance. It's an excellent supplement for warriors who need to march in armor for long periods or undergo high-intensity training. Members of the Knights have reported that their fatigue after training has been significantly reduced."

The captain grinned, revealing his white teeth, and quickly replied respectfully, "I see them every day now, sir! The children's faces are all rounder, and they have more energy for work! My wife used to look down on me, but now I've got her all under my thumb! If I tell her to chase the dog, she wouldn't dare chase the chicken. And I've even made her pickle quite a bit, saying she's not afraid of winter anymore! It's all thanks to you, sir!"

Yurik is a cruel god of winter, and winters in the Old World were always cold and brutal. If the people have lessened their fear of such harsh winters, then they certainly have very rich reserves.

Su Li put the fish back in the basket and nodded: "This is the result of your hard work. Keep it up."

The simple encouragement made the captain nod repeatedly in excitement.

Next, Su Li walked towards the temporary trading area beside the dock. It was crowded with fishmongers and merchants from all over the country, and the air was filled not only with the smell of fish but also with the scent of money. A well-dressed merchant, clearly from a distant city, was directing his servants to load boxes of packaged ice crystal shrimp onto a carriage. Upon seeing Su Li and his party, he quickly stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Excellency, good day!" the merchant said respectfully, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. "Your Blue Mirror Lake is truly blessed by the gods! The quality of these Ice Crystal Shrimp is extremely rare, even in the high-end markets of Maleburg! And those Sun Catfish—my employer, a count, has praised them highly and specifically requested to place a long-term order!"

Hilde immediately pointed to a smaller basket of shrimp lying nearby, placed separately and even surrounded by crushed ice. It was a nearly transparent shrimp with a translucent, amethyst-like sheen only in its middle section. "My lord," she said, "this is the Ice Crystal Shrimp. Extremely rare, it requires exceptionally high water quality and environmental conditions. Currently, only a small quantity is caught in the deepest part of the lake, in the area with the most concentrated energy of the Heart of the Tide. Its flesh is not only incredibly delicious but also contains pure, icy energy. The priests of the temple believe that this energy helps calm a restless spirit and aids in rituals requiring deep meditation or communication with divine power. Occasionally, they are also used as high-quality offerings to water gods or sea gods such as Mannan or Isha, in hopes of obtaining blessings for smoother navigation or more accurate prophetic revelations."

The shrewd merchant beside him couldn't help but respectfully interject, adding, "Your Excellency, please forgive my presumption. These Ice Crystal Shrimp are already hailed as the 'Amethyst Gem of the North' in the elite circles of Maleburg and Mordheim. Not only because of their rarity, but several discerning mages and high priests of the temple have privately stated that consuming them brings a slight coolness and tranquility to the spiritual realm, and is quite effective in stabilizing the mind and combating certain whispering disturbances... well, you know, it's quite effective. Therefore, their price is equivalent to the weight of gold."

"It seems it has brought you a good profit," Su Li said calmly.

"Mutual benefit, sir, mutual benefit!" the merchant hurriedly said with a smile. "It's my honor to deal with such a high-quality source of goods. But... sir, could the supply be increased a bit? The price is negotiable! Countless nobles in Maleburg, Mordheim, and even further afield, are eager to taste this delicacy from the Black Forest Territory!" The merchant's words confirmed Hilde's report on the high-end market.

Su Li neither confirmed nor denied, only saying, "The Black Forest Territory values ​​honest and stable trade relations. It prioritizes meeting the needs of its territory and existing partners." Although the merchants were slightly disappointed, hearing the word "stability" strengthened their resolve for long-term cooperation.

After parting ways with the merchants, Su Li strolled slowly along the edge of the dock, his gaze thoughtfully sweeping across the shimmering lake. Without turning his head, he asked Hilde beside him, "These catches certainly bring wealth and improve our foundation, but Hilde, besides what's already circulating, has the lake... or rather, the 'Heart of the Tide,' given birth to something more special? A harvest that belongs only to our Blackforest Territory, one that shouldn't be known to outsiders?"

Hilde's expression immediately became more focused, and she lowered her voice slightly: "My lord, you are wise. There is indeed a very special catch that we call the 'Steelback Sturgeon.' Its existence has been strictly controlled, and those who know about it are limited to the most core fishing teams, the high priests of the temple, and Lord Orstein."

She led Su Li to a heavily guarded, simple shack near the dock. Two elite soldiers wearing cloaks with the insignia of the Black Forest Territory stood at attention on either side, silently saluting and stepping aside upon seeing their lord. The shack was dimly lit, and the air was filled with a strange mixture of scents—the fishy smell of lake water, and a faint, cool fragrance reminiscent of obsidian and mint.

In the central pool, several large, imposing fish swam. Their bodies were a deep, iron-gray, and their backs were not ordinary fins, but a row of hard, protruding bony plates, like the seams of a knight's plate armor, gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen in the sunlight. Their heads were enormous, their snouts thick, and their eyes seemed to hold a wild, untamed spirit.

“This is the Steelback Sturgeon,” Hilde said with a hint of respect, as if introducing a worthy opponent. “They are extremely resilient and incredibly strong, capable of easily crushing ordinary wooden paddles when struggling. Their flesh and blood contain astonishing nutrients, especially the special fascia at the spine and the fatty chunks of meat.”

She explained in detail: "Through tastings within the Knights and observations at the temple, long-term consumption of carefully prepared steelback sturgeon meat can significantly enhance the bone density and muscle toughness of the consumer, as if undergoing a rigorous training process. It brings a real boost to physical protection and endurance. Knights reported that after consuming it, they felt more able to withstand impacts, and the fatigue after long-distance runs was greatly reduced, as if... as if their bodies were covered with an invisible, tough inner armor."

“More importantly,” Hilde added, “the process of catching and processing the steelback sturgeon was itself regarded by the knights as a trial to hone their courage and skill. Only knights who possessed both strength and skill could catch a mature steelback sturgeon on their own. And sharing its meat became a ritual within the knightly order to honor bravery and enhance cohesion.”

"Currently," she concluded, "all successfully captured Steelback Sturgeon are processed and cooked by designated personnel within the Knights Order, with priority given to the heavily armored knights, vanguards, and those who have distinguished themselves in battle. It symbolizes what the Blacksin Knights strive for—an iron physique, an unyielding will, and the power to crush any enemy head-on. Its distribution records are open and transparent, like a knight's oath; its very existence is one of the glorious symbols of the Blacksin Territory's military might."

Su Li looked at the giant, iron-gray fish that suddenly swung its tail in the water, creating a huge splash, and nodded in satisfaction.

“Excellent,” he commanded. “Maintain the priority supply of the Steelback Sturgeon and formally include its capture as part of the Knights’ daily training and assessment. I want every Blacksin Knight to be proud of the resilience forged in its flesh and blood.”

(End of this chapter)