Chapter 179: 179 Opposition

A single sentence, and the entire hall was shocked.

All the nobles in the hall turned their gazes toward the dissenter; it was none other than Aosen Haide, the Border Count of Wushan Territory.

For a moment, the sound of discussion rose and fell.

Viscount Mawen sneered, "Aosen, your territory neither shares any border with Wubei Territory, nor does it have any business dealings or conflicts with it. On what grounds do you object?"

"Indeed, if anyone were to object, it would be Mawen, since Ironhoof Territory is right next to Wubei Territory."

"No, no, no!" Mawen waved his hands repeatedly. "German, don't talk nonsense. I have no objections to the Marquis's conferral."

German spread his hands. "Neither do I."

The territories closest to Wubei Territory were those of Mawen and German; since they both expressed no opinion, anyone else wishing to object naturally had to provide a reasonable justification.

Lulansi remained calm. "Aosen, state your reasons."

Everyone looked at Aosen.

"Marquis, as you said, Luoning indeed made a significant contribution in rescuing Princess Blanche, but the key to repelling that Golden Grade assassin was not Luoning himself, but the Level 6 Spell Scroll you gave him."

Aosen slowly stated the reason for his objection: "Luoning has merit, but this merit is not yet great enough for him to become the master of the entire Wubei Territory."

"Earl Aosen's words are incorrect."

The speaker was Luoning's brother-in-law, Kabier. "Although the power of a Spell Scroll is strong, it still requires the user to seize the opportunity to use it. There are plenty of people in this world who, even holding a powerful Spell Scroll in their hands, die without ever having the chance to use it."

"Kabier is right."

Weijinsi had his own views on this matter. "When I was assassinated last time, the opponent's speed was too fast and their actions too decisive, to the point that I didn't even have time to use my defensive Spell Scroll."

Aosen could not help but glance at his son-in-law.

If it were anyone else, he might think the person was biased toward Luoning, but Weijinsi was different; one didn't need to interpret Weijinsi's words too deeply, as he only saw what was right in front of him.

However, these words from Weijinsi drew agreement from other nobles.

A Spell Scroll is, after all, just a tool; how much effect it can exert depends specifically on the person using the tool.

Blanche watched the nobles in the hall expressing their opinions one after another. She also wanted to say a few words for Luoning, but since it involved territory and titles, such an occasion was not suitable for her to speak.

However, from her perspective, stating certain facts was not a problem.

"Everyone's eyes are focused on the Golden Grade assassin, but before he made his move, there were two other assassins who nearly put me to death. If it weren't for Luoning, I fear I would have already fallen in a pool of blood before that Golden Grade assassin even acted."

She took a deep breath. She rarely participated in such occasions, and years of rumors had made her personality somewhat timid; being able to appear composed and say so much was already quite an achievement.

Aosen nodded slightly toward the Princess. "Perhaps I did not express my meaning clearly just now. Luoning's merit in rescuing Princess Blanche is beyond doubt, but this merit is not yet enough to let him take over the entire Wubei Territory."

He still insisted on his view.

"Wushan Territory is currently suffering from the threats of the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Bolante Bandit Group. In order to eradicate these two forces on the border, many nobles and Knights have spilled their blood and lives on the battlefield."

"Many Knights and Barons have battle merits that are not low; in fact, accumulated over several years, their achievements are comparable to Luoning's merit this time."

Aosen's tone shifted. "Their achievements have not yet been rewarded, yet the conferral for Luoning is so grand; this seems inappropriate."

"That's not right, Aosen. I remember that for every campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood, those nobles who performed well received fiefs or rewards."

Viscount Mawen's tone was unkind. "As far as I know, the ones who receive the most rewards every time are your people. We haven't even raised any objections, yet you are the first to do so?"

Aosen sneered. "If we don't reward those with great merit, should we reward someone like you who never puts in any effort?"

"Bullshit! Who doesn't put in effort? Which time have the Knights of my Ironhoof Territory not been charging on the front lines?"

At the beginning, they could discuss things properly, but later the atmosphere became wrong, and someone with a hot temper like Mawen started cursing directly.

Luoning, as the person involved, did not express an opinion; he just watched these people's statements quietly.

In fact, most nobles acknowledged his merit, but there were some disputes regarding the specific distribution of titles and lands.

For instance, Baron Keruien Hesen of Jushi City in the Southeast Territory felt that Aosen's point of view was not without reason.

The nobles in the Southeast Territory had been resisting the Bolante Bandit Group for many years, but not many Knights and nobles had been enfeoffed or rewarded.

Even Keruien Hesen himself was still only a Baron to this day.

"Enough."

The argument had gone on too long, and Lulansi finally spoke to calm the noise in the hall. "I have listened to your opinions, but I do not agree with your viewpoints."

"In recent years, I have lived in seclusion and have not paid much attention to the affairs of the territory, but I do understand both the Black Gold Brotherhood in the Southeast Territory and the Bolante Bandit Group in the Southwest Territory."

Lulansi's gaze fell on Baron Keruien Hesen. "Keruien, what did I tell you back then?"

Keruien's expression became serious. "My Lord instructed me that I must eliminate the Bolante Bandit Group as soon as possible."

"And has it been eliminated now?"

"No... it has not."

Lulansi chuckled. "Over these years, Wushan Castle has provided quite a lot of grain and horses to support Jushi City and the surrounding nobles. Not only have you failed to eliminate the enemy, you haven't even reclaimed two pieces of territory. With such a record, how can you talk about rewards?"

Keruien lowered his head. "The Lord is right."

"As for the Black Gold Brotherhood in the Southeast Territory."

Lulansi looked at Aosen. "The same logic applies. The enemy has not been eliminated, so there cannot be major rewards. However, considering that the nobles and Knights have reclaimed some land, Wushan Castle has already rewarded those nobles and Knights with great merit; that is sufficient."

"Now, back to Luoning."

Lulansi paused, drawing everyone's attention back. "His merit lies not only in saving Princess Blanche, but also in resolving a huge disaster for Wushan Territory."

If Blanche had been killed, someone would definitely have taken the opportunity to stir up conflict between the royal family and Wushan Territory, and at that time, Wushan Territory would certainly have been in turmoil, which would have benefited no one.

Therefore, Lulansi was correct in saying that Luoning had resolved a huge disaster for Wushan Territory.

"What you say makes sense."

Aosen agreed with part of Lulansi's remarks. "But I still feel that conferring the title of Viscount upon Luoning and assigning him the Sain Territory is enough."

He emphasized: "Wubei Territory is too large; assigning it all to Luoning seems inappropriate."

Lulansi shook his head. "Although Wubei Territory is large, most of it is barren land, fraught with crises. Back when Shanlin Town was still ownerless land, those Pioneer Knights would rather choose manors elsewhere than become the master of Shanlin Town."

"Very well."

Aosen looked helpless. "The Marquis is still the same as before; it is very difficult for us to change your decision."

"Then why don't you two have a contest?"

Count Hesusu, who had been silent since he entered while sitting next to Blanche, unexpectedly spoke up at this moment.

A playful smile hung on his face, and his gaze swept back and forth between Lulansi and Aosen.

"Aosen, didn't you lose to Lulansi in a sparring match back when you first started following him? And I heard that whenever you had disagreements later on, you settled them through contests—whoever won, the other listened to."

Count Hesusu laughed: "After all these years, it's rare to have such an opportunity; I think you should have a contest. Besides, Aosen, I heard your strength has improved again recently?"

Everyone was startled.

Aosen had already been a Golden Grade Knight for Along time; if his strength had improved further, wouldn't that mean he had advanced to the Meteor Grade?

Many people secretly frowned; this was not a good thing.

Luoning's expression was also quite grave at this moment; it was obvious that Count Hesusu was here to stir up trouble.

It was common knowledge that Lulansi had lived in seclusion for many years and had not publicly used force due to his injuries and illness.

Asking him to spar with Aosen now was clearly meant to put him in a difficult position.

This sparring match could not be accepted.

(End of this chapter)