Monster Girl Development Master.

"..."

"And there's more..."

"Alright, Mother, stop talking, I'll practice!"

Lady Lia smiled gracefully and gently opened her hands. Zhuang Sen awkwardly reached out and grasped hers. The familiar touch of the black lace gloves and soft hands came back to him, but this time it was not just a brief touch, but a full handshake.

“Come, follow my movements…” Lady Lia stared blankly at the face so close to hers, so familiar yet so completely different, for a moment. Zhuang Sen, however, didn't notice, because his gaze was fixed on another violently shaking object. The soft, peach-like breasts, so delicate they seemed to tremble with every breath, were utterly defenseless against the intense movements of the dance. A violent wave of her breasts surged, as if they would leap from her long skirt and lash out at Zhuang Sen's face at any moment.

In this situation, Zhuang Sen's mistake was perfectly understandable.

"Zhuang Sen, where did your attention go?"

Lady Lia, whose foot had been stepped on, scolded Zhuang Sen in a tone that was more like pampering than annoyance. She remembered the past, when Zhuang Sen practiced with a professional dance teacher and she hated such clumsy mistakes.

"I'm sorry, Mother, it's just..."

"No more, let's try again!"

Lady Lia resumed her movements, the immense impact silencing Zhuang Sen and forcing him to obediently begin practicing the dance until the sun began to set. Zhuang Sen, thanks to his bloodline's physical attributes, finally mastered two standard dances and began to perform them with considerable skill. However, Lady Lia, with only an ordinary physique, was already drenched in sweat, her heavy coat long since removed, revealing Zhuang Sen's increasingly revealing and transparent figure, soaked with sweat.

The already perfectly outlined breasts and large buttocks were now almost visible through the black fabric, revealing the fair flesh beneath. The rubbing of the fabric caused the raised nipples to stand out, pressing the already restrictive fabric even deeper. Some of the fabric was so wet that it sank into the deep valley, making the fabric in these two areas taut and leaving marks on the beautiful flesh...

Zhuang Sen took a deep breath, but the air was filled with a rich, delicate fragrance, which interrupted what he was about to say.

Lady Lia herself realized something was amiss and stood up from the round stool: "Alright, it's almost time. Go take a bath and change your clothes... Hmm, let Nia help you choose. I don't trust you to choose for yourself. Anyway, you have to inform her about the banquet."

Zhuang Sen nodded, but his gaze fell on the round stool, where a heart-shaped water stain was visible on the mahogany surface.

The author says:

Author's note: I apologize for updating the wrong chapters yesterday. Yesterday's chapters should have been 28 and 29. I have now replaced yesterday's chapters. If you cannot see them, please refresh the page.

Chapter Thirty-One: At the Banquet

As night fell, the city of Starry Night was shrouded in darkness, but Count Leon's manor remained brightly lit.

A steady stream of carriages pulled through the open, wrought-iron oak gates and stopped at the stables, adorned with a dazzling array of flags. Distinguished guests alighted and, led by impeccably dressed servants, entered the bustling manor hall. Thick carpets woven from red velvet and silk stretched from the innermost part of the hall to the entrance. Long tables made of expensive wood were placed on either side, laden with roast suckling pig, steaks, honey bread, and various other delicacies. Beautiful male and female servants stood in the corners of the room, holding silver trays of beer and wine, attentively attending to the needs of each distinguished guest.

"What a grand scene! Have all the nobles come?"

With Nia's small hand in his left and Lady Lia's arm around his right, and Lydia standing behind him, Johnson let out a somewhat uncouth remark. But he was now Johnson Leon, the rising star of Leon Territory, so it became a reasonable compliment, and even Lady Lia didn't correct him.

Nia Harper, a true country bumpkin aristocrat, nodded in agreement: "This is the first time I've ever seen such a lavish banquet."

"Didn't Old Lord...Count hold banquets before? Were they different from this one?"

“My family, being of lowly noble birth, is not on the Earl’s invitation list,” Nia said frankly, showing no sign of dejection.

"That's because Jem was afraid someone would try to poach you, so he deliberately didn't give you invitations." A blue-haired, flat-chested girl walked out from the crowd. She wore a light blue dress with brown leather boots and looked very pure and innocent, full of girlish charm.

She lifted her skirt and gave a curtsy: "Goodnight, Brother Zhuang Sen, Madam Liya, and Sister-in-law Nia."

Zhuang Sen placed his right hand in front of him and bowed slightly: "Ye An, Sister Anjie, has the Earl arrived yet?"

Anjie widened her eyes, as if she were completely innocent: "How would I know? Father wouldn't inform me of his itinerary?"

"I thought he liked having you lead the way."

"Maybe it's because he's anxious to find you, Brother Zhuang Sen. Remember not to scare me like that next time."

Hehe~

Hehe~

The brother and sister exchanged friendly smiles, their tense demeanor effectively shutting out the other nobles who tried to curry favor. However, news that Johnson Leon had a wife spread rapidly. In fact, the news had already begun circulating yesterday; it was simply being confirmed now, which was the main reason Johnson had brought Nia along.

Nia naturally overheard their not-so-secret conversation, and her small hand, held by Zhuang Sen, tightened its grip on his fingers. She was grateful to have met Zhuang Sen, who treated her so formally. Even though she also possessed a level three bloodline, her bloodline was entirely dependent on Zhuang Sen's, making her practically a vassal. Zhuang Sen had no reason to value her so much, yet he did it anyway, which naturally moved and pleased her greatly.

Zhuang Sen, of course, also heard those conversations. However, unlike Nia, who was focused on being recognized, he found it hard to ignore Nia's sarcastic remarks. So, while considering whether he was being too hasty, he also made a note of those gossiping people.

Dare to talk back to my wife? You'd better wait and see!

Despite their inner turmoil, both Johnson and Nia maintained polite smiles and appeared very proper on the surface.

After exchanging pleasantries with Ange, Zhuang Sen glanced at everyone present and, unfortunately, didn't find any new monster girls. He then focused his attention back on Dantalian, whom he had already spotted earlier.

As Lady Lydia had previously stated, church members were also invited to the banquet.

Is Count Cross really going to decide on an heir?

……

"Johnson, is Earl Cross really going to decide on an heir?"

“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you, Your Excellency.”

Zhuang Sen said helplessly, and then the group sighed together.

“It seems we can only wait for Count Cross to announce it himself.” Bishop Rosa put on a smile again. “Anyway, it won’t be long. You young people can chat.”

Seeing the bishop abandon his post and run away after only a few words, Dantalian didn't know whether to be happy or embarrassed. Looking at Zhuang Sen, she felt her palms sticky and hot, and she felt a little... wanting to do it again.

The others didn't know what had happened, but they felt that Dantalian and Zhuang Sen were indeed very close. However, Zhuang Sen himself deeply felt the burning intensity in Dantalian's gaze and was momentarily tempted to make a move.

But a moment later, the two looked away from each other.

Dantalian: "Dantalian, oh Dantalian, what are you thinking? What will Lord Johnson think of you? What will Nia think of you?!"

Zhuang Sen: "Zhuang Sen, what are you thinking? What will Nia think of you? What will Lady Lia think of you? You only dare to use your hands?!"

After yesterday's two round trips by carriage, Zhuang Sen felt that he had completed his strategy to win over Dantalian and could try to be a little bolder. However, his conscience was still a little aching, especially when Nia looked over.

Nia looked at Zhuang Sen, who had suddenly turned around, gave him a pure smile, waved to him, and whispered in his ear, "Darling! Good luck!"

Zhuang Sen's eyes widened, and he was about to say something when a commotion interrupted him—Count Cross had entered the arena.

Just as Johnsen's entrance drew a lot of attention, Count Cross's appearance also stole that attention. Even Johnsen stopped what he was doing, ready to see what tricks Old Deng was up to—and then listened to half an hour of nonsense.

Damn, no wonder he's a minister.

Zhuang Sen, whose desires had been extinguished by the nonsense, yawned.

Half an hour later, the conversation finally got back on track.

Count Cross solemnly said, "Today, I have invited you all here to witness a trial that I will be holding."

I will grant each of my children an estate and give them a year to decide which estate will be the next Earl of Leon.

Furthermore, this trial is to select the most capable lords who are best suited to manage their territories. Therefore, apart from the manor I bestow upon you, you may only bring the prescribed supplies and manpower to begin with, and you may not rely on any external forces—I will personally oversee you.”

After Count Cross finished speaking, the lively banquet suddenly quieted down.

There's no other reason than that this matter is too important, and everyone needs to carefully consider how to handle it. Don't be fooled by Count Cross's seemingly casual words; they completely broke with convention and disrupted everyone's plans.

Does the ability to manage a manor determine the heir?

Are we not allowed to use external forces?

Was it even personally supervised by the Kingdom's Minister of Intelligence?

Many people's attention turned to Angela León, the notorious "shrewd businesswoman".

But some people are still watching Zhuang Sen, after all, his mother is Lia Farau. Even if they can't help him for no reason, they can at least act as a go-between...

At this moment, Earl Cross spoke again: "Zhuang Sen, I bestow upon you Thorn Manor. You may bring no more than twenty people and supplies of no more than five hundred gold coins to the manor."

“Anjie, I bestow upon you the Baihe Manor; you may take it with you…”

After Count Cross finished speaking, he looked at Zhuang Sen more often, but the meaning of his gaze had completely changed—from flattery and expectation to regret and mockery.

The reason is simple: Thorn Manor is the worst of all the bestowed manors, and the worst of all, possibly the worst manor in the entire territory of Leon! This almost blatant discrimination is like a blatant signal that Earl Cross does not think highly of Johnson.

The reason seems readily available: Johnson killed Jem Leon right in front of him, and this act did not appear to have been tolerated or let off by Count Cross.

Even Zhuang Sen felt a bit troubled. No, not because of the manor, but because was this old man going to stay in the territory for a whole year? How was he going to kill all the other Leons?

Otherwise, we can develop his bloodline first, and then take care of this old man.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Strong Support

After much deliberation, Zhuang Sen decided to abandon this tempting idea.

Firstly, to kill Count Cross, at least three or four bloodline users who have awakened three times would be needed to guarantee absolute success. After all, while the Shadow Raven bloodline might not be strong in direct combat, their ability to escape is absolutely first-rate. And even if Zhuang Sen could persuade Bishop Rosa to commit such a treasonous act, he would still be completely lacking in strength to do so.

Secondly, Johnson also wanted a stable territory, not one where Old Deng's death would trigger a civil war. Even if he won, the territory would likely be devastated. This wasn't something that could be resolved simply by killing Earl Cross; the surrounding lords and even the king would certainly not mind coming over to divide the spoils after Cross's sudden death.

Let's think about how to reasonably eliminate the other Leons.

Zhuang Sen smiled and looked at Leon and the others. His polite expression awakened their wisdom and made them realize a problem—it seemed that Cross hadn't said that economic development was the only way.

Just as a territory cannot develop solely through economic trade without preparing an army.

Of course, such a thing cannot be brought up in the open, and even if Count Cross wanted to use this as an excuse to do something, there was no way to stop him. But if he really wanted to eliminate it, he could just say it outright, just like "no external assistance is allowed." With his intelligence capabilities, no one would be stupid enough to get angry.

But he didn't say it, and not saying it means it's okay.

However, we need to be discreet enough, and not be as careless as last time... Hmm, the plan to utilize the Church of War and the Church of Healing can still be implemented, and maybe we can even go further.

Zhuang Sen remained silent in thought, appearing to outsiders as if he had suffered a blow. Lady Lia, holding Zhuang Sen's arm, looked coldly at Earl Cross, her expression one of extreme dissatisfaction, making those around them quite tense. The Falau family's economic influence over the Leon Territory was enormous, no joke.

Dantalian bit her lip and looked at Bishop Rosa, who nodded and took the initiative to speak: "Count Cross, I think it's alright for me to open a church at Thorn Manor?"

Count Cross paused slightly, his suspicions about the Church of Vengeance deepening. The reason he orchestrated this trial wasn't to select an heir, but for his own plans, including testing Zhuang Sen. That's why he deliberately gave Zhuang Sen the worst manor, hoping this unfair start would force Zhuang Sen to seek help from someone behind the scenes—he didn't believe Zhuang Sen could escape his plot on his own.

At present, the Church of Revenge seems to be the most suspicious. It's really strange that they are still supporting Zhuang Sen even though their situation is not good.

Even if it's for the sake of bloodline knowledge, wouldn't threatening methods be the most efficient approach at this point? For example, "Zhuang Sen, you don't want to be surpassed by your brothers and sisters, do you?"

His thoughts raced, but Earl Cross showed no sign of his unease, smiling politely as he said, "Of course, Bishop Rosa, but the small chapel in the manor probably doesn't need a person with divine blood, does it? Besides, it no longer belongs to me, so I won't be paying any donations to the chapel."

The witty and humorous reply could not hide the underlying rejection, but Bishop Rosa nodded as if she did not notice: "Thank you, Earl Cross, Dantalian, it is time for you to spread the glory of the goddess independently."

"Ah... yes!"

Dantalian originally intended to ask Bishop Rosa for permission to join Johnson's team alone, but unexpectedly, she ended up being asked to go to Thorn Manor to build a church—which was even better.

After all, a church needs at least a few nuns and a few guards, right?

Moreover, she wouldn't have to be attacked for being a nun, which is clearly an external force that could easily be rejected given her status.

But Bishop Rosa is a level three bloodline user who has awakened three times, so what can she do even if she does this?

Come and bite me!