Chapter 180: Unexpected

How is Lulansi's strength?

It is well known that thirty years ago, at the age of forty-five, he was already a Meteor-level Knight.

At that time, Lulansi galloped across the battlefield, high-spirited and infinitely glorious; the knights and nobles who followed him were all conquered by his strength.

But the Battle of Mist City thirty years ago changed all of that.

In that battle, Lulansi was severely wounded; although he seemed to have recovered later, whenever he used his Battle Qi, his entire body would fall into a state of torment—inflicting one thousand damage on the enemy while suffering two thousand himself.

Therefore, for the past thirty years, no one has witnessed Lulansi's strength.

After hearing Hesusu's remarks, the crowd wore various expressions.

Although they very much wanted to see if Lulansi still possessed his former style, the vast majority of people saw the trickery behind this matter.

Hesusu appeared to be inciting conflict, but in reality, he likely had an understanding with Aosen.

After all, the outside world did not know that Aosen's strength had improved; how would Hesusu have known?

Just as everyone was waiting to see how Lulansi would respond, Luoning, who had been sitting in his chair without saying a word, stood up.

"Earl Aosen is right."

Luoning said, "The Marquis has enfeoffed me as a Viscount and designated Shanlin Town, the four wild tribes, and Zhaoze Town as my territory; that is already enough."

This statement immediately drew astonishment from the other nobles; they did not expect such words to come from Luoning.

In fact, Luoning was not speaking recklessly; he had thought about it.

For him now, the title of Viscount, Zhaoze Town, and the territory of the four wild tribes north of Shanlin Town—these three things were what he needed.

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

On the other hand, from the moment he became the master of Shanlin Town, Luoning had prepared to follow the path of building high walls, storing grain widely, and delaying the claim to the throne.

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

And if one wants a relatively stable external environment, Lulansi's safety is of the utmost importance.

As long as the old man lives safely and soundly, unless a huge change occurs, the current situation in Wushan Territory can barely be maintained.

Such a situation is very important for his development.

Now that Hesusu is inciting Lulansi and Aosen to spar, what would be the outcome if Lulansi agreed?

Although Luoning did not know exactly what illness Lulansi had, he knew that Lulansi could not act at will, as doing so would worsen his condition.

Therefore, even if Lulansi defeated Aosen, the price would surely be very high.

Taking a step back, if he lost, or even suffered fatal injuries during the spar, then Wushan Territory would face a moment of even greater turmoil.

Luoning did not want to see Wushan Territory in turmoil, and he especially did not want to see Lulansi's condition worsen because of his own affairs.

So he seized upon the point Aosen disagreed with, temporarily declining the newly divided "Wubei Territory" to avoid this dispute.

In any case, apart from Shanlin Town, the wild tribes, and Zhaoze Town, the rest of Wubei Territory was just desolate, uninhabited mountain forest.

Once Luoning managed the territory he already had, there would be plenty of opportunities to swallow the entire Wubei Territory later.

"Heh, why does the Wushan Family start showing weakness as soon as a spar is mentioned?"

Hesusu said sarcastically, "Could it be that Marquis Lulansi is truly as the outside world says, unable to use force for the rest of his life?"

Luoning felt very repulsed by this tone, but due to the gap in seniority and status, he could not easily express his displeasure.

However, Weijinsi was different; as Lulansi's son, he was also very unhappy with Hesusu.

"Earl Hesusu, please watch your mouth. If it weren't for the sake of the royal family and Blanche, I would have invited you to leave Wushan Castle long ago!"

"Haha, the Crippled Earl's speech is as overbearing as ever," Hesusu laughed loudly.

Weijinsi was instantly enraged; he immediately snapped off the armrest of his wheelchair and threw the piece of wood fiercely, "Get out!"

Hesusu snorted coldly, waving one hand, and with a surge of Battle Qi, he knocked the wood away.

"Weijinsi!"

Lulansi's cane slammed heavily onto the floor, stopping Weijinsi, "Mind your etiquette."

Weijinsi breathed heavily to express his displeasure, but he still restrained his anger.

"Uncle Hesusu, please don't be like this," Blanche said weakly.

Hesusu did not respond, but continued, "I am merely stating a fact."

"If Earl Aosen really wants to spar, I, Tolu, can accompany you."

"Kabier can too!"

"It's just a pity my father Meilongnika didn't come; otherwise, he would certainly be willing to accompany you as well."

Tolu, Kabier, and Meilongnika were the commanders of the first, second, and third Knight Orders of Wushan Castle; except for Kabier, the other two were genuine Golden Grade in strength.

Even Kabier's combat power was comparable to a Golden Knight.

Aosen smiled slightly and couldn't help but shake his head; his attitude seemed to be looking down on these three people.

"Although there is only one grade difference between Golden Grade and Meteor-level, there is a qualitative leap in combat power; you don't understand."

He looked at Lulansi, "Marquis, do not mind; Earl Hesusu is just talking out of boredom, I am not..."

"Come, Aosen."

Lulansi interrupted Aosen's words; he thought of what Luoning had said when the knight from Mengsong Ling challenged Luoning last night.

He smiled slightly and also said, "The Wushan Family never fears any challenge."

"Father!" Weijinsi could not believe it.

Luoning was the same; he had taken the initiative to agree with Aosen's proposal, but he did not expect Lulansi to agree on his own.

Mawen, Kabier, Tolu, and the others also frowned; this was not easy to handle now—with the Marquis having agreed personally, there was no way they could help.

Hesusu, however, laughed heartily, "As expected of Marquis Lulansi, your spirit makes me admire you!"

Lulansi glanced at him, "Hesusu, do you know why you became the Earl of Moonlight Valley?"

Hesusu's smile stiffened visibly, and the expression on his face turned gloomy, as if some sore spot had been exposed by Lulansi.

Aosen was surprised at first, then a flash of joy crossed his face, and finally it turned into skeptical confusion: "Lord Marquis, are you truly willing?"

"I haven't moved properly in thirty years; while these old bones haven't fallen apart yet, I might as well have a good workout."

He slowly raised the cane in his hand and gripped it tightly with his right hand; a bolt of Thunder flashed across the cane, and accompanied by a crackling sound of shattering, it shed its wooden exterior and transformed into Along sword.

Sizzle~

Electric arcs flickered on the blade, emitting a faint pressure.

Seeing this scene, Luoning immediately thought of his own Liuyan Sword; it seemed that this sword of Lulansi was also an enchanted extraordinary weapon.

"If you win this battle, then we shall follow Luoning's proposal from just now."

Lulansi pointed his sword at Aosen, "If I win, then we shall follow my proposal."

Aosen was in a trance; after more than thirty years, he was being pointed at by Lulansi's sword again, and he was surprised to feel immense pressure and discomfort.

"No, Aosen, you are different now!"

He roared in his heart: "You are now the same as Lulansi, both are Meteor Knights, and your body is even more robust than his; you cannot fail again!"

He took a deep breath to calm his emotions, his eyes no longer fearful, "Fine, I agree to your proposal!"

(End of this chapter)