Chapter 016: Each Strikes Their Own Blow

Duke Green’s words once again left Duke Wade speechless. What Duke Green meant was that his son was still so young, like a child. If Duke Wade took his son’s words seriously, wouldn’t that mean he was treating his son, a child, with the same level of seriousness?
“Haha! Good, good, Duke Green. I never thought the Green family were all talkers! Right, how could I possibly treat a child with the same seriousness?” Hearing Duke Green’s words, Duke Wade laughed angrily. “Duke Green, by your logic, does our Prince Fischer also have the mindset of a child? To appoint the so-called child you mentioned as a duke and grant him control over an entire province! Duke Green, tell me, in your opinion, does the prince also have a childlike temperament?” As he spoke, Duke Wade suddenly shouted loudly.
Upon hearing Duke Wade’s words, Duke Green frowned slightly. He had already said that Du Fan was a child who didn’t understand things, and now that word was out—there was no way to take it back. Moreover, it was well-known throughout the country that Prince Fischer had appointed Du Fan as a duke and governor of the south, in charge of an entire province. This made it difficult for Duke Green to respond.
Suddenly, Duke Green laughed heartily. “Duke Wade, as you know, my child is quite lively. The prince liked him and granted him rewards—there’s nothing strange about that. But with your words…” Here, Duke Green’s tone grew serious. “Duke Wade, by saying this, are you doubting the prince’s wisdom? Do you dare question the prince’s decisions?” he said sternly.
Duke Green’s words were quite clever. Since Prince Fischer had already made the appointment, it was a fact. If Duke Wade asked such questions, wasn’t it implying that there was something wrong with the prince’s decision?
Of course, Duke Wade couldn’t say that Prince Fischer’s decision was flawed.
“You! Very well. The Green family is indeed full of sharp tongues. I admire that.” Duke Wade simply sat down, closed his eyes to rest, and stopped paying attention to Duke Green and Du Fan.
Meanwhile, Duke Wade’s nephew still insisted firmly on dueling Du Fan.
“Are you sure you can defeat me?” Du Fan asked, smiling at A Tai.
This A Tai also held a high military position, in charge of the entire empire’s military logistics—essentially the head of logistics for the imperial army, and a powerful figure within the military.

“You’re so young—how advanced can your cultivation be?” Atai said disdainfully, looking at Du Fan.
Atai had just returned from outside and was unaware of the deaths of the Ice and Fire Duo. So when he saw Du Fan insulting Duke Wade repeatedly, he couldn’t help but challenge him. Atai himself had reached the ninth level of cultivation, a rank that placed him among the top in the Lionheart Family.
“Don’t you know that the Ice and Fire Duo of your Lionheart Family have already died at my hands?” Du Fan said with a smile as he looked at Atai.
“What! You killed the Ice and Fire Duo?” Atai’s face showed disbelief as he stared at Du Fan.
“Haha, that’s right. I killed them. So what? Do you still want to duel me?” Du Fan said, looking at Atai with interest.
Hearing this, Atai began to sweat.
Someone who could kill the Ice and Fire Duo must be a master at the domain level. Facing such a powerful opponent, Atai would be at their mercy.
Back then, Francis alone, thanks to his formidable domain mastery, had almost turned the tide. The strength of a domain master is beyond ordinary imagination.
If he agreed to duel Du Fan, it would be suicide. If he backed out, it would be hard for him to hold his head high in front of so many officials.
Just as Atai was torn between choices, a loud voice came from outside: “It’s time for court!”
At that sound, the ministers of the Gavin Empire began to tidy their clothes and prepare for the court session.
With a melodious bell, the ministers started to leave one after another. Du Fan followed Duke Green into the palace as well.
After waiting nearly ten minutes, Fisher entered the hall. Looking down from above, he appeared extremely majestic.
Since he was still in mourning, Fisher wore the clothes he had worn as a prince.
After some polite formalities, Fisher immediately said, “Duke Du Fan, this major victory over the Lanny Empire is undoubtedly the most inspiring event for the empire’s people recently. For this, I decide to award you the Imperial Honor Medal and a reward of one million gold coins! Also, as per our previous agreement, the nine major cities you recovered, along with their surrounding lands, will become part of your territory. Are you satisfied?”

“I am quite satisfied, Your Highness. I’m just worried that Odinburg is in the hands of the Southern Legion. If war breaks out again, I wonder if they will be defeated in just one battle.” Du Fan glanced at Duke Wade as he spoke.

Sure enough, upon hearing Du Fan’s words, Duke Wade’s eyes twitched slightly.

“Duke Du Fan, I understand what you mean. You have indeed made great contributions to bringing Odinburg back under the empire’s control. But Odinburg’s return was the result of negotiations, not your conquest. Of course, if it were your conquest, I would naturally include Odinburg in your territory,” Fischer said with a smile after hearing Du Fan’s words.

Although Du Fan felt uncomfortable hearing Fischer’s words, he had nothing to argue against. After all, Fischer was the supreme ruler of the empire, and nominally, all of the empire’s territories belonged to him.

Moreover, what sense was there in arguing with the emperor, especially over one’s own interests?

“Hehe, I actually don’t want Odinburg. I’m just worried whether the Southern Legion has the strength to protect it,” Du Fan said with a laugh after hearing Fischer’s words.

“Since we are all subjects of the empire, we should be able to trust and help each other. I believe that if Odinburg is attacked again, our Duke Du Fan won’t just stand by, right?” Fischer replied.

Fischer’s words carried a hint of sarcasm, especially when he said that Du Fan surely wouldn’t stand by if Odinburg were attacked again. It was clearly a way of telling Du Fan that if Odinburg fell again, he, as the duke living nearby, would likely be accused of failing to help.

“If the empire invades the territory of my Gavin Empire again, I will make sure they never return!” Du Fan declared resolutely upon hearing Fischer’s words.

“Good! I knew it. Duke Du Fan is the most outstanding young hero of our Gavin Empire,” Fischer laughed heartily after hearing Du Fan’s promise.

For a moment, Du Fan couldn’t figure out what the supreme ruler who held control of the entire Gavin Empire was thinking.

“Your Majesty, please stand up for your loyal servant!” Duke Wade said loudly as he knelt down.

“Oh, Duke Wade, is there anything else you need me to help with?” Fischer asked, looking at Duke Wade.

“Go on, then. Hmph, is this finally the serious thing you’ve been waiting for?” Du Fan thought with a cold sneer.
“Your Majesty, Duke Du Fan killed over thirty knights from our family in the imperial capital. He also killed the Ice and Fire Duo we hired at great expense. Moreover, he severed one of Randy’s arms. Your Majesty, you must take action on these matters for me,” Duke Wade said loudly.
“Oh, Duke Du Fan, is that really true?” Fischer glanced at Du Fan and asked coldly.
“Your Majesty, Duke Wade is speaking nonsense. It’s obvious they sent so many experts just to ambush me. I was lucky enough not only to survive but also to defeat them. Your Majesty, it’s already fortunate we haven’t accused Duke Wade of attempted murder. Instead, he’s the one who filed false charges against me. Ah, thinking about it makes me feel so heartbroken!” Du Fan said in a pitiful tone.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Just think—the Lionheart Family sent over thirty knights, two experts at the peak of the Holy rank, and a top-tier expert like Randy. It’s clear they wanted to ambush my youngest son right in the streets! Your Majesty, to attempt to murder a duke, a pillar of the nation, in public like this is absolutely despicable! If it weren’t for the Queen of the Elves being with my son at the time, I doubt Your Majesty would have seen this poor child alive today.” Duke Green added fuel to the fire after Du Fan finished speaking.
“Oh, is that so, Duke Wade?” Hearing what Du Fan and Duke Green had said, Fischer immediately turned to Duke Wade again.
“Your Majesty! We received news that two of our family’s knights were killed on the street. To find the murderer, we sent such a strong force. But who would have thought that the one who killed those two knights was none other than Duke Du Fan!” Duke Wade shouted.
“Duke Du Fan, is what Duke Wade is saying true?” Fischer asked Du Fan again.

“Your Majesty, you see clearly! That day, I was walking on the street with Naixiu when suddenly a group of knights rushed at us. They charged recklessly, and indeed, one of them accidentally bumped into me. But that knight was so incompetent that, despite hitting me, he ended up flying away himself. What’s more, when those behind him saw this, some of them, without any reason, drew their swords and tried to kill me. Out of self-defense, I had no choice but to kill those who wanted to harm me. Then, when I tried to leave, another knight tried to attack me. Again, out of self-defense, I had to kill another one. Your Majesty, you must understand that I only acted in self-defense! It’s not my fault! Besides, there were many people on the street that day who could serve as witnesses!” Du Fan said loudly.

“Duke Wade, is that really what happened?” Fischer asked Duke Wade.

“Your Majesty, even if that’s the case, Duke Du Fan shouldn’t have gone to such extreme measures! Those were two innocent lives!” Duke Wade said loudly.

“Enough! I basically already know everything! Both of your families are at fault! One behaves arrogantly in the capital, while the other shows no regard for human life! Hmph, just because they think they’re nobles, do they think they can do whatever they want?” At these words, Fischer became furious.