Baiyu, having swiftly slain the two at light speed, remained vigilant.
Killing two useless Marquises wasn't difficult, but handling the aftermath, including the attitudes of other nobles, was crucial.
Of course.
This matter could only be resolved if Long Shanyun stepped forward.
Currently, Baiyu, with these nobles, wasn't exactly on the opposite side, but he definitely wouldn't leave a good impression.
After all.
Baiyu had personally just slain two Marquises, even if it was during a duel, he was the one who did it.
Moreover.
Baiyu came today on a Legendary Ship, showing everyone a first impression, and the aristocrats are most concerned about saving face.
So it's no surprise that they have no good expression towards him.
After killing the two, Baiyu sheathed his long knife and looked towards the VIP box in the Dueling Arena.
Long Shanyun was inside.
With the duel now over, he, as the host, should step forward.
Sure enough.
As the crowd began to chat and whisper, growing impatient.
Long Shanyun appeared at the floor-to-ceiling window on the second floor of the Dueling Arena, his voice as loud as a bell, spreading to the surroundings.
"In this duel, Baiyu is the victor."
The result was announced without suspense, but many on-site voiced dissatisfaction.
The reason was none other.
Baiyu's victory differed from everyone's imagination; no one expected that he would come with a Legendary Ship.
Not even.
Even Long Shanyun, who allowed Erza into Villiduo, didn't expect Baiyu would come to duel with the Legendary Ship.
Indeed.
It was somewhat too unexpected and audacious.
Long Shanyun observed the aristocrats' reactions, his facial expression was as stern as always but internally, he felt relieved.
Lucky.
It seems that Baiyu's ruthlessness wasn't entirely without effect.
At least this group of nobles didn't dare to confront him head-on.
"Baiyu, although you won the duel, using a Legendary Ship is considered a violation of the Rules."
Long Shanyun stated in a deep voice.
Baiyu raised an eyebrow, "Lord Shanyun, I don't recall any clause in the Dueling Technique stating that a Duelist can't use a Legendary Ship?
These two even hired a Grandmaster to deal with me.
Should I just sit and wait for death?
Moreover.
This Legendary Ship is my own possession, am I not allowed to use it?"
Long Shanyun was momentarily speechless.
He couldn't find fault with Baiyu.
However, Long Shanyun questioned Baiyu not to trouble him but to silence the nobles.
Now, he was to appear to punish Baiyu externally.
To shut the mouths of these people.
If not, letting them harp on this issue afterward would add many troubles, affecting Baiyu's future work.
So.
Upon seeing Baiyu answer this way, Long Shanyun immediately spoke: "Baiyu, don't argue.
Even if the Dueling Technique doesn't mention it.
This victory is not honorable.
The Marquis titles of Xue An and Shuta will be entirely inherited by their kin, and this matter ends here.
You are forbidden from continuing with strikes of revenge!"
Upon hearing Long Shanyun say this, Baiyu snorted twice, not responding, but his face was full of resentment.
"Still dissatisfied?"
Long Shanyun raised an eyebrow, cutting off Baiyu's desire to speak: "Even if you are dissatisfied, keep it to yourself, this matter ends here; whoever continues to be persistent would be questioning my decision."
After saying that.
He turned coldly, leaving the window and disappearing from sight.
The nobles followed suit and kept silent.
Long Shanyun had spoken; if they intended to continue, they would truly be ungrateful.
Baiyu coldly glanced around, turned, boarded the Legendary Ship, and left the Dueling Arena.
Everyone could sense the grievance and anger within Baiyu.
Of course.
If they were in such a situation, having painstakingly won a duel, the thought of not being able to claim their spoils.
They would likely explode mentally as well.
Baiyu, not directly splitting open, showed considerable respect towards Long Shanyun.
Of course.
Despite saying so.
Seeing Baiyu being suppressed like this by Long Shanyun, the nobles, though apprehensive and annoyed.
Yet, they had little recourse.
Long Shanyun's actions effectively concluded the matter, realizing at last.
It seemed that Villiduo Government gained in this.
With two Marquises dead, their titles inheritable by kin, neither had direct heirs.
Only collateral relatives remained.
Whomever inherits, isn't it decided by Long Shanyun?
Ultimately.
The government reclaimed two titles.
Villiduo Government Office had always aimed to reduce expenses on the noble side, the sentiment was palpable.
But success hadn't been reached previously.
Today, unintentionally two noble deaths proved advantageous to Long Shanyun.
Some more sensitive nobles began to speculate whether Long Shanyun and Baiyu colluded in this setup.
Of course.
All they could do was speculate without evidence.
...
Aboard the Legendary Ship.
Aside from Baiyu, there were Clan Elders Qiong Zhen and Qiong Chuan.
Along with sisters Qiao Ying and Qiao Wan.
Except.
Only maintenance personnel arranged by the Qiong Family.
Of course.
On a Legendary Ship, naturally, the true Legendary Ship Master was present.
That is the Ship Spirit.
The long-unseen Erza by Baiyu.
Though a Ship Spirit, she had her own thoughts and feelings, essentially indistinguishable from ordinary people, another form of life.
Baiyu never regarded her as merely a Ship Spirit.
But as his kin.
After the duel, the Legendary Ship promptly left the area.
Since the duel was merely a task Baiyu handled along the way, the true purpose of the Legendary Ship was to move into the Shelter, into the Spirit Realm.
This was a tremendously difficult endeavor.
For once in the Spirit Realm, the Legendary Ship was akin to moving from a fish tank into the ocean.
East Prosperity Imperial's control over the Legendary Ships would minimize.
The likelihood of incidents involving Legendary Ships would significantly increase.
From the current state, able to see only a dozen or so out of East Prosperity's several dozen Legendary Ships remained in service.
The majority have disappeared in the Spirit Realm.
The few remaining tightly gripped by the Imperial, generally one per county.
Like Erza's case, still held by the families' Legendary Ships.
Extremely rare.
The Imperial's control on this aspect most stringent.
Baiyu obtained the privilege to bring the Legendary Ship into the Spirit Realm by exhausting resources, agreeing to numerous conditions of Long Shanyun.
Of course.
The result was satisfactory too.
No matter what, Baiyu ultimately got the ticket for the Legendary Ship to enter the Spirit Realm.
During the time he reunited with Erza.
Qiong Zhen hurriedly walked in, "Baiyu, the sisters say they want to see you."
Baiyu's eyes lit up.
It seemed.
Erza's appearance shattered the unrealistic fantasies in Qiao Ying's and Qiao Wan's minds.
Finally deciding to collaborate with him?
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