Chapter 181: Chapter 180: Unexpected

Just how strong was Lurans?

It was common knowledge that thirty years ago, at the age of forty-five, he was already a Meteor Knight.

Back then, Lurans had been a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield—high-spirited and in his prime. The Knights and nobles who followed him were all in awe of his strength.

But the Battle of Mist City thirty years ago changed everything.

Lurans was severely wounded in that battle. Although he seemed to have recovered, whenever he used his Fighting Qi, his body would be plunged into a state of agony—inflicting a thousand wounds on the enemy at the cost of two thousand to himself.

Thus, for the last thirty years, no one had witnessed Lurans’s true power.

Upon hearing Earl Jesus’s words, the crowd’s expressions were mixed.

While they were eager to see if Lurans still possessed his former glory, most could sense the trickery behind the situation.

Jesus’s words seemed like a provocation, but in reality, he had likely conspired with Ossen.

After all, the outside world didn’t know that Ossen’s strength had improved. How could Jesus have known?

Just as everyone was waiting to see how Lurans would respond, Ronin, who had been sitting silently in his chair, stood up.

“Ossen Count is right.”

Ronin said, “The Marquis has already done enough by enfeoffing me as a Viscount and granting me Mountain Forest Town, the four Wilderness Tribes, and Swamp Town as my territory.”

This statement immediately stunned the other nobles. They hadn’t expected such words to come from Ronin.

In truth, Ronin wasn’t speaking recklessly. He had thought this through.

For him, at this moment, the Noble Title of Viscount, Swamp Town, and the territory of the four Wilderness Tribes north of Mountain Forest Town were the three things he needed.

With these, he would have a much more solid foundation for his development.

Furthermore, ever since becoming the master of Mountain Forest Town, Ronin had planned to follow the strategy of “building high walls, stockpiling grain, and taking time to claim the throne.”

To follow this path, he needed a relatively stable external environment.

And for the external environment to remain stable, Lurans’s safety was of the utmost importance.

As long as the old man was alive and well, the current situation in the Wushan Territory could be maintained, barring any major upheavals.

Such a situation was crucial for his development.

Now, Jesus was provoking Lurans and Ossen into a duel. If Lurans agreed, what would be the outcome?

Although Ronin didn’t know the exact nature of Lurans’s ailment, he knew that Lurans couldn’t fight casually, as doing so would worsen his condition.

So even if Lurans defeated Ossen, the price would be immense.

Taking a step back, if he lost, or even suffered a fatal injury during the duel, the Wushan Territory would face an even greater period of turmoil.

Ronin didn’t want to see the Wushan Territory fall into chaos, and he certainly didn’t want to see Lurans’s condition worsen over a matter concerning him.

That’s why he seized on Ossen’s point of disapproval, temporarily forgoing the newly designated “Wubei Territory” to avoid this conflict.

’Besides, apart from Mountain Forest Town, the Wilderness Tribe lands, and Swamp Town, the rest of the Wubei Territory is just uninhabited mountain forests. Once I’ve developed the lands I already have, there will be plenty of opportunities to swallow the entire Wubei Territory in the future.’

“Heh, as soon as a duel is mentioned, the Wushan Clan starts showing weakness?”

Jesus said in a sarcastic tone, “Could it be that Marquis Lurans, as the rumors say, can truly never use his martial power again in this lifetime?”

Ronin was extremely disgusted by this tone, but due to the gap in their seniority and status, he couldn’t easily express his displeasure.

Wiggin, however, was different. As Lurans’s son, he was just as furious with Jesus.

“Earl Jesus, I suggest you watch your mouth. If it weren’t for the Royal Family and for Blanche’s sake, I would have thrown you out of Wushan Castle long ago!”

“Haha, the broken-legged Count is as domineering as ever,” Jesus laughed loudly.

Wiggin absolutely exploded with rage. He immediately broke off his wheelchair’s armrest and hurled the piece of wood. “Get out!”

Jesus snorted coldly. With a single wave of his hand, a surge of Fighting Qi sent the piece of wood flying.

“Wiggin!”

Lurans slammed his cane heavily on the floor, stopping Wiggin. “Mind your etiquette.”

Wiggin’s heavy breathing betrayed his displeasure, but he still reined in his anger.

“Uncle Jesus, please don’t be like this,” Blanche said weakly.

Jesus didn’t answer her, instead continuing, “I am merely stating a fact.”

“If Ossen Count really wants a duel, I, Toru, can oblige.”

“Kabil can as well!”

“It’s just a pity my father, Melonika, isn’t here. Otherwise, he would have certainly been willing to oblige as well.”

Toru, Kabil, and Melonika were the Leaders of Wushan Castle’s First, Second, and Third Knight Orders. Aside from Kabil, the other two possessed true Golden Level strength.

Even Kabil’s combat prowess was comparable to that of a Golden Knight.

Ossen smiled faintly and shook his head, his attitude one of clear disdain for the three men.

“Although Golden Level and Meteor Level are only one Level apart, the leap in combat power is qualitative. You wouldn’t understand.”

He looked at Lurans. “Marquis, please don’t mind it. Earl Jesus was just talking out of boredom. I wasn’t…”

“Let’s do it, Ossen.”

Lurans cut Ossen off. He recalled the words Ronin had spoken the night before, when that Mengsong Territory Knight had challenged him.

He smiled faintly and also said, “The Wushan Clan never shies away from any challenge.”

“Father!” Wiggin said in disbelief.

Ronin felt the same way. He had already taken the initiative to agree with Ossen’s proposal, yet he never expected Lurans to accept the challenge himself.

Marvin, Kabil, Toru, and the others all frowned deeply. This was going to be difficult. Now that the Marquis had personally agreed, there was nothing they could do to help.

Jesus, however, laughed heartily. “As expected of Marquis Lurans! Your courage has my admiration!”

Lurans shot him a glance. “Jesus, do you know why you became the Count of Moonlight Valley?”

The smile on Jesus’s face visibly stiffened, and his expression darkened, as if Lurans had just exposed a sore spot.

Ossen was first astonished, then a flash of delight crossed his face, which finally settled into incredulous doubt. “Marquis, are you truly willing?”

“I haven’t had a good stretch in thirty years. Might as well move these old bones a bit before they fall apart.”

He slowly raised the cane in his hand. With a sudden grip of his right hand, a streak of Thunderbolt flashed across the cane. With a CRACK, its wooden exterior shattered, revealing a Longsword.

CRACKLE~

Sparks of electricity arced across the blade, emitting a faint, oppressive aura.

Seeing this, Ronin immediately thought of his own Flowing Flame Sword. It seemed Lurans’s sword was also an Enchanted Extraordinary Weapon.

“If you win this battle, we’ll go with Ronin’s earlier proposal.”

Lurans pointed his sword at Ossen. “If I win, we’ll go with my proposal.”

Ossen was momentarily dazed. After more than thirty years, to be at the point of Lurans’s sword once again, he felt an immense pressure and discomfort.

’No, Ossen, you’re different now!’

He roared in his heart: ’You’re a Meteor Knight now, just like Lurans! And your body is much stronger than his! You can’t possibly fail again!’

He took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and his eyes no longer showed fear. “Alright, I agree to your proposal!”

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