Chapter 2037 So Be It

Chapter 2037 So Be It

Many were in favor of a stricter penalty, much to the dismay of the pro-Rui faction.

"I am firmly in agreement with Master Herel." Another elderly Martial Master remarked. "I think that, in addition to Master Ceeran's suggestion, we should firmly secure joining the internal corpse of the Martial Union under our chain of command."

While some of the disgruntled Martial Masters of the Martial Union were more in favor of that, the pro-Rui faction vehemently opposed it.

"That's not different from demanding his servitude." Master Vericita's elderly voice stormed with power. "Forcing a Martial Master to join the internal corpse that we command is deeply humiliating."

"Has he not humiliated us when he lied through his teeth and played us like clowns?!" Master Herel's eyes blazed with rage. "Never before have I felt as humiliated as when I realized the prince I had spoken to for three years was the notorious and infamous Silent Shadow, who played me for a fool for four years straight!"

Unfortunately, this was not a singular or even fringe opinion. Many Martial Masters who were not personally friends with Rui but had still had a good opinion and high hopes for him to ascend the throne were deeply angered when they realized all their efforts never meant anything.

It wasn't easy to forgive such deep exploitative deceit.

Only those martial artists who had a personal relationship and rapport with him and had been endeared to him over the years were able to understand why he did what he did and forgive him.

Yet, some of the rest, in addition to their resentment of him, were also driven by a bit of jealousy. Not only did the Void Prince play them for fools, but then he magically breaks through to the Master Realm and returns an extraordinary Martial Artist who shattered the record for the youngest Martial Master?

It was too much.

It was far too much for them to tolerate.

While most of the Master Council was mixed and on the fence on the matter, the pro-Rui and the anti-Rui sections continued to fight against each other throughout the meeting, reaching a deadlock that did not yield in either direction.

"Enough."

The Harbinger's voice cut through the bickering in one fell swoop.

The weight of dozens of Martial Masters' voices simply did not compare to the gravitas of the sole grade-thirty Martial Master.

"It has become entirely clear to me that this Master Council is unable to come to a consensus."

The Master Council quieted down after a lengthy session of bickering finally came to an end.

And where she was going with this.

"I propose a duel and a wager." Her dark eyes twinkled with peril. "Should he win, he will have earned the gentle plan that Master Ceeran proposed."

Master Ceeran gulped. "...And should he lose?"

Master Sera's eerie smile grew wider. "Should he lose, he will have no choice but to adhere to Master Herel's harsh penalties."

A deep silence occupied the Master Council of the Martial Union.

Regardless of how one felt about Rui, each and every single one of them was attracted to this idea.

They were Martial Artists.

One didn't need to be a Martial Supremacist to be attracted to the idea of Martial merit deciding one's fate.

If he had cultivated enough Martial power to pry victory, he would be able to secure the best fate for himself.

If he had been remiss in pursuing his Martial Path, then he would be unable to prevent the worst fate.

It was brutally Martialocratic.

Seconds passed as neither the pro-Rui faction nor the anti-Rui faction raised any objections to the powerful suggestion of the Harbinger. Raising an objection to this was no different from admitting defeat as Martial Artists, in a sense.

"All in favor?" Master Sera commenced an informal vote on the spot.

Each and every single hand rose in the air.

An icy smile emerged on her face.

"So be it."

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