Chapter 182 - 181: Exhortation

With Lurans accepting Ossen’s challenge, the discussion in Wushan Fortress shifted to when and where the duel would take place.

The destructive power of a battle between Meteor Knights was immense, so they couldn’t possibly hold it in one of the castle’s plazas, lawns, or courtyards.

Furthermore, they needed a spacious area to accommodate the spectating nobles.

After some discussion, they chose an abandoned pasture outside the castle. The terrain was open, and they wouldn’t have to worry about destroying any buildings.

The duel was set for three in the afternoon.

In the study, Lurans was polishing his Longsword. He didn’t seem the least bit anxious; he was perfectly composed, as if this hadn’t been a spur-of-the-moment decision.

"Grandfather, why did you agree?"

Ronin asked, confused. "I had already accepted Ossen’s proposal."

"Yes, Father. Your body can’t withstand a high-intensity battle."

Wiggin chimed in with his own complaints and worries. Though hot-tempered and with few accomplishments to his name, he had respected and feared Lurans his entire life.

While Ossen was his father-in-law, he was far more concerned about his own father’s safety.

Lurans set his Longsword aside and sized up Ronin and Wiggin before his gaze finally fell upon Bretton, who had yet to speak.

"Bretton, what are you thinking?" Lurans asked.

Bretton’s eyes were red. He was in an extremely awkward position.

"I don’t understand why my grandfather challenged you. He knows you’re injured. But I still think it would have been better if you’d simply refused."

Lurans nodded. "I’m relieved that you all care for my safety, but I have my reasons for accepting this challenge."

’This isn’t the first or second time Ossen has acted this way. The only reason he’s being so brazen today is that his power has grown.’

’Whether I accept or not, the Wushan Territory now has another Meteor Powerhouse. That’s an established fact. It will inevitably weaken Wushan Castle’s influence, especially given our current dearth of talent.’

’At a time like this, giving the Wubei Territory to Ronin is a small matter. Maintaining Wushan Castle’s prestige is what has become most important.’

Lurans had his own plans.

He swept his gaze over the three men before him and said with a faint smile, "Sometimes, if you can detach yourself and look at things from the perspective of the family, you might come to a different conclusion."

"Especially you, Bretton."

He looked Bretton directly in the eyes, and his solemn expression made Bretton’s own features grow stern.

"I know you’ve always carried the family in your heart, hoping your Cultivation will make you a new powerhouse for the Wushan Clan. You’ve poured most of your energy into that, which has left you sorely lacking in your understanding of other matters."

"But no matter what, you must always remember this: your only kinsmen are the three men standing before you right now. Your only brother is Ronin. No one else!"

Bretton’s eyes flickered. He didn’t fully understand the meaning of those words, but he would commit them to memory.

"I’ll remember, Grandfather!"

Lurans nodded, then turned to Wiggin. "Think before you speak. Impotent rage just makes you look like a joke. If you can’t manage that, then pretend you’re mute and deaf."

Wiggin hung his head from his wheelchair. "I understand."

Finally, Lurans looked at Ronin and smiled, gratified. ’Who would have thought... the one I once looked down upon most, the one I had all but given up on, is now the most mature of the three.’

"Keep up with your Cultivation."

Ronin sighed. "To be honest, I don’t like this atmosphere. It feels like you’re settling your final affairs. But since the battle is unavoidable, I can only hope you come through it safely."

"Hahaha..."

Lurans couldn’t help but laugh heartily. "I just haven’t admonished you all like this in a long time. How does that sound like a final testament?"

He waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, that’s enough. All of you, leave. I need to prepare myself."

「Meanwhile, in another room.」

"Father, why did you do that?"

Dianey confronted Ossen, her voice full of confusion and doubt. "You know perfectly well that the Marquis isn’t in any condition to fight. Why did you have to challenge him?"

She shook her head in frustration. "I don’t understand. What do you possibly gain from this?"

"Dianey, you seem to be mistaken. The one who spoke of challenging the Marquis wasn’t me, but Jesus, the Count of Moonlight Valley."

Ossen leaned back in his armchair with an innocent expression. "By the Seven Gods, from the moment Jesus said that to the moment the Marquis accepted, I only said a single sentence. And it was meant to give Wushan Castle a graceful way out, to quell the arguments in the hall."

He spread his hands. "Unfortunately, before I could even finish speaking, Lurans accepted Jesus’s proposal. What would you have had me do?"

And what he said was, in fact, the truth.

"Father, do you actually believe that yourself?"

Ossen’s expression turned cold. "Dianey, you shouldn’t question your father like that. Do you still not understand why I’m doing all of this? Have you no sense of urgency?"

Dianey fell silent.

She was, of course, aware of the threat Ronin now posed to Bretton. She could also sense the shift in Lurans’s attitude toward Ronin.

"But the Marquis already said he wouldn’t change the heir so easily, didn’t he?"

In Dianey’s mind, Bretton and Ronin were different. ’As long as the Hyde Clan continues to prosper and guard the border, my son’s status as the heir will not change.’

’Ossen’s challenge was completely superfluous.’

Besides, Dianey truly did not want to see Lurans get hurt.

She had her own selfish reasons for this.

’As long as Lurans remained alive and well, Bretton would have more time and space to grow. The stronger Bretton became, the more influence he would wield in the future, and the less likely he would be to become someone else’s pawn.’

"Father, if you truly have Bretton’s best interests at heart, I suggest you take the initiative and cancel this afternoon’s duel."

Dianey said earnestly, "I don’t want to see Lurans injured, but I don’t want to see you injured, either."

Ossen slowly shook his head. "Since the Marquis has already agreed, this match is unavoidable. I have no reason to cancel it."

Dianey sighed, overcome with a sense of powerlessness.

Throughout Wushan Castle, aside from in those two rooms, the other nobles were also gathered in twos and threes to discuss the matter.

Some had even immediately used the Message Birds they kept in Wushan City to send news of the impending duel between Lurans and Ossen.

Everyone had assumed the atmosphere in Wushan Castle would quiet down after the annual celebration, but no one could have predicted this turn of events.

Ronin toyed with the Strong Healing Skill Scroll in his hands. Lurans had given it to him; it was the last one in Wushan Castle.

"Macken, if something happens this afternoon, I want you to rush in and use this Scroll."

"Yes, sir!"

Ronin handed the Magic Scroll to Macken.

’I need to make other preparations, too.’

Ronin frowned. He had to prepare for the possibility of Lurans’s defeat. If that happened, he had no intention of letting Ossen, the challenger, walk away unscathed.

Though his opponent was a Meteor Knight whose power crushed those at the Golden Level, he wasn’t invincible.

Besides Lurans and Ossen, there was one other Meteor Knight currently in Wushan Castle: Broel, who was in Blanche’s retinue.

On top of that, there were several Golden-level and Silver-level Knights present.

’I’ll have to gauge their attitudes beforehand.’