Chapter 319: The King's Disposition

Luoning's rhetoric contained a certain amount of sophistry, but there was no helping that.

After all, he was isolated and weak within the vast Jinyu Palace, and he was facing the children of the Kingdom's top noble families; if he didn't borrow the tiger's skin to wave the banner, he might end up suffering in this matter.

Fortunately, he knew His Majesty the King intended to facilitate his marriage with Blanche, and in such a situation, the other party would be biased toward him, at least a little bit.

However, this sentence from King Bruno caused the Auduin Hall to fall into a sudden silence.

The Legal Minister, Texas, was even plunged into astonishment; his brain raced, constantly guessing His Majesty the King's intentions.

At the same time, he frantically searched the legal codes in his mind, finally stammering, "Your Majesty, this... if it truly results in the serious consequences Luoning mentioned and endangers national security, the maximum penalty could be... hanging."

Hanging?

Fakunduo, who was kneeling on the ground, widened his eyes abruptly, then collapsed onto the floor like a deflated ball. Among their group, he was the only one without the bloodline of the Auduin Family; would he end up being the one to bear all the blame?

"Lord Texas, did you misspeak?"

Cross's expression also changed, though he managed to remain composed, "Just because of one sentence, plus Luoning's wild analysis, you want to sentence us to hanging?"

"That's right, you are the Legal Minister, you can't just say whatever you want!"

The siblings Greg from Feilunsibao and Sally from Yueguang Valley also raised protests.

Although the charges wouldn't be finalized before a trial, that was only in normal circumstances.

At this moment, they were facing the King and the Kingdom's Legal Minister. If these two made a preliminary determination of guilt, it would greatly influence the subsequent trial process and results.

"No, no, no!"

Texas waved his hands hurriedly, interrupting everyone's protests.

"You all misunderstood; I did not say I was going to sentence you to hanging. I only said that if your remarks truly endangered the security of the Kingdom and caused serious consequences, the maximum penalty could be hanging."

Only then did Fakunduo react, and as if grabbing a life-saving straw, he immediately said, "But there haven't been any harmful consequences yet, have there?"

"Yes."

Texas nodded, then looked toward the King.

In his view, this was an ordinary brawl; how could His Majesty push the matter in such a serious direction?

Bruno laughed, easing the tense atmosphere in the hall.

"Don't be nervous, children. I just wanted you to know that speaking recklessly can sometimes bring extremely serious consequences; it hasn't reached the point where I must kill you over this matter."

If he really did that, wouldn't his aunts, sisters, and brothers run to the Jinyu Palace to cause him trouble?

He didn't want to have no peaceful days in the future.

However, the smile on his face faded slightly.

"Fakunduo, have you realized your mistake?"

Fakunduo had just been frightened, and now that he knew his life was saved, how could he dare to quibble further in the face of such questioning?

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!"

He hurriedly raised his hand to touch his chest and bowed his head: "The Seven Gods are above, I will absolutely never say such things again."

"And you all?" Bruno looked at Cross and the others.

Since Fakunduo had already confessed, they had no way to continue being stubborn, so one by one they lowered their heads, saying similar words of apology.

Bruno chuckled to himself; these twenty-something-year-olds were easier to handle—just scaring them was enough.

If it had been their fathers or any elders who had come, they would probably still be in the middle of a spit-flying argument.

"Although I will not sentence you severely, you have slandered the fairness of my father Auduin IV's ennoblement, disparaged the merits the Wushan Family has established for Auduin over generations, and deliberately smeared and spread rumors about Luoning. For these improper words and deeds, I must still impose a punishment."

Luoning's heart stirred.

Bruno had already calmly characterized the things Cross and the others said about him as deliberate smearing and rumor-mongering.

He saw the expressions of Fakunduo, Cross, and the others; they seemed to be focused on what punishment they would receive, and didn't care about the characterization of the remarks related to Luoning.

Indeed, compared to smearing Luoning, the rumor-mongering about Auduin IV was far more important.

"Fines or imprisonment—you may choose either one," Bruno said.

Fakunduo breathed a sigh of relief, stood up, and whispered with Cross and the others.

They certainly wouldn't choose imprisonment; their discussion now was to ensure that each party would contribute a little.

"Your Majesty, we are willing to pay the fine. However, we hope Your Majesty will consider that we are first-time offenders, and please do not set the amount too high."

"Rest assured, I am not like that Mailun of yours who loves doing business."

Bruno smiled softly and stated his plan.

"I intend to hold a Martial Arts Tournament four days from now on Blanche's birthday. All Professional Knights and Magicians aged twenty-five and under who attend the banquet may participate. For this tournament, the first-place champion will be awarded 50,000 gold coins, the second place 20,000 gold coins, and the third place 10,000 gold coins."

A gleam flashed in Luoning's eyes.

Transcendentalists at the age of twenty-five, even those with high talent, would at most have just entered the Silver rank or become a Great Mage. With such strength, as long as Luoning performed normally, the championship would definitely be in his pocket.

By setting such entry conditions and rewards, Bruno was clearly funneling money to him in secret.

At this time, His Majesty the King added: "For the sake of your reputation, I will have your three families be responsible for providing this 80,000 gold coin reward. When the time comes, I won't call it a fine, but rather a generous sponsorship from Feilunsibao, Yueguang Valley, and Screaming Island. How does that sound?"

80,000 gold coins.

Fakunduo, Cross, and the others looked at each other.

They had originally thought they would be fined hundreds of thousands of gold coins; they didn't expect it to only be 80,000. Split up, it was less than 30,000 gold coins per family.

They could completely accept such a fine amount.

"As you wish, Your Majesty!"

All five agreed.

Bruno looked at Luoning again: "Do you have any objections to the handling of this matter?"

Everyone looked over in unison; Cross and the others clearly remembered that Luoning had previously demanded a total of 70,000 gold coins from them for medical expenses and mental distress.

They could accept Bruno's punishment, but they were still very resistant to Luoning's demands.

Looking at His Majesty the King's smiling expression, Luoning would not be foolish enough to continue demanding compensation.

"Luoning, on behalf of myself and the Wushan Family, expresses sincere gratitude to His Majesty!"

Luoning bowed and said: "Your handling of this is very fair; Luoning has no objections whatsoever."

He did not even think about making the other party offer a verbal apology.

Sally cursed in a low voice: "Good thing you know your place!"

The others also snorted coldly, clearly still unconvinced by Luoning and his group.

Bruno nodded slightly; he had already taken things to this point, and if Luoning were to continue demanding so-called medical expenses and compensation for loss of reputation, it would be rather unwise.

"Alright, since the dispute is resolved, let this matter end here."

Bruno stood up from the throne: "It is getting late, and I have already had the kitchen prepare a banquet; everyone shall attend together, as a way to celebrate you all returning to harmony with one another!" (End of this chapter)