The commotion had attracted the patrolling security guards, who directly told the people to disperse, only asking a few to stay for clarification.
Yunyin and the young man were among them, both speaking out against the driver's behaviour. Three onlookers only described what they saw.
The security guards were initially somewhat stumped, as such small cases wouldn't warrant any punishment. But when they looked at the old donkey and somewhat damaged cart, it really looked like a case of a person intentionally causing trouble.
Which honest cart driver wouldn't buy a new donkey and cart after having earned quite a bit from selling apples here?
And to not even have the intention of apologizing, simply hiding behind onlookers who decided to step forward with a prejudicial perception.
In the end, the guards took him away under the charge of causing trouble on a public street, taking him and his cart away.
Having solved the case, Yunyin simply walked back to his carriage, when he was called by the young man riding the horse.
The young man was just about to get off the horse when Yunyin shook his hand, asking, "Is there something?"
A look of confusion appeared on the young man's face, asking in turn, "You just helped me, shouldn't I thank you?"
"Oh right, I accept." Yunyin nodded, his mind was too occupied with other matters, so he had indeed overseen this.
"Ah?" the young man was surprised on different levels, yet Yunyin really had no interest in getting to know him more. He was just helping because he happened to be here, and because the cart was also blocking his way home.
Now that the issue was resolved, there was no need to delay any longer.
The young noble man could only watch as the carriage took off, his confusion still not dispelled.
He looked to a corner on the street, where an inconspicuous person was leaning against a building.
His mouth formed the words, "Find out about him."
The person nodded imperceptibly, then disappeared among the cloud of onlookers who also disappeared from the scene.
Yunyin didn't know about this, nor would he care too deeply. He had simply helped a person; there was no need to exchange contact information and do all those things.
If this was going to happen every time he helped a person, was he supposed to keep a logbook, so that he wouldn't forget when he did an act of kindness? Wouldn't that go against the principle he stood behind, the act of helping without expecting anything in return?
Back in his carriage, he pulled forth the five skill trees.
It was time to finally choose which upgrade he would do!
'I won't upgrade my own talents for now, and unlocking the clan's bonus seems somewhat useless to my own plan. So, let's unlock a building in the county!'
The decision made, what followed was to choose the specific building to unlock. Though this question was a lot easier.
'Ignoring all the smaller ones, the most important three I am seeing currently are the Scholar Academy, Martial Arts Academy and the Yamen.
Among them… let's choose the scholar academy! I don't need martial arts currently, and the Yamen… it's better to not change anything about my official's path for now. I should test the others first.'
This choice was made and he directly clicked on the scholar's academy –
[Use 10 Influence to unlock Scholar Academy?]
'Yes!'
[Unlocking failed, requiring Yamen lvl1 to unlock!]
'…'
A moment of stunned silence ensued as Yunyin felt a sense of being trolled. So, in the end, he still had to first unlock the yamen?
'Alright, unlock the yamen!'
[Use 10 Influence to unlock Radiant Silver Counties' Yamen?]
'Yes!'
Crack
Ding
The chains on the Yamen fell, the name brightening as two lines appeared below it, and behind it, three new blocks appeared too!
[Radiant Silver County Yamen]
- The Yamen is 10% more efficient (lvl1).
- The Host has gained +10% Might! --- taking effect… the County, Clan, Faction and Family and Host also gain +10% Might!
Yunyin looked at these two lines, his mind not quite comprehending them. Efficiency, how was this calculated? How would the yamen suddenly become more efficient out of nowhere? He would have to ask his father in a letter or return one day, but as long as it worked, it was fine if he didn't understand right away.
But might… what was might?
"Master? Did I do a mistake?" Heiluan suddenly asked when he felt his master's presence suddenly become stronger, as if pressuring him.
"Hmm? Oh, no, nothing." Yunyin waved his hand, yet even when he did so, Heiluan instinctively lowered his head, as if he was about to be slapped for making a mistake.
Yunyin's brows furrowed, his mind internally focusing. The sudden increase in might, it was a bit weird, as if his words and actions held a deeper presence, something he was able to do previously by appearing more stern. Yet now it was as if he had changed his personality from the ground up…
Fortunately, after telling himself to stop it, it gradually stopped, Heiluan also visibly relaxing.
'The key of this improvement is actually the fact that I became conscious of it and can use it directly, without having to subconsciously force it!' he thought to himself that this was a great addon to his court persona, and even more so help him in everything he would do in court from now on!
Such a presence was hard to ignore, instilling respect and fear in people without them knowing why!
Looking at the last part, the effect spreading to the other four… well, this was expectable, but when it even mentioned him, he realised that the 10% increase was actually a 20% increase!
'Five skill trees, five times the effect, but this didn't mean that the initial effect wouldn't take effect too! Does this mean that in the future, whatever I upgrade, I gain effect twice?' he questioned it but had no answer, so he left it be.