However, Joseph soon noticed something unusual.
The juniors before him were actually enduring his Saint Rank pressure with relative composure, even faintly revealing an intent to strike back.
Although he didn’t intend to get serious with these youngsters, this was still genuine Saint Rank pressure—and coming from a veteran Sword Saint like himself, it wasn't something that could simply be ignored.
The Grand Duke narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharp light flashing through his clouded gaze.
In the next second, the pressure on the group suddenly intensified, more than doubling in strength as it bore down on them like a heavy mountain.
The four of them were caught off guard by this sudden surge of momentum. Starlight, standing at the very front, felt a sweetness in his throat as a trace of blood unconsciously leaked from the corner of his mouth.
He struggled to glance sideways, seeing that Moen and Xia Duo were in a similar state.
Po Kong, whose injuries had not yet fully healed, was in even worse shape. Several of his wounds tore open again, and the seeping blood instantly stained his bandages red.
Seeing this, a surge of anger flared up in Starlight’s heart. Grand Duke Joseph’s heavy pressure did not make him want to retreat; instead, it ignited his will to resist.
Though the pressure was immense, Starlight felt that after his experience confronting Taros, this wasn't as terrifying as he might have imagined. He was no soft target to be pushed around at will.
Consequently, he instinctively condensed the mana within his body, creating a shield of the purest mana around himself. He continued to expand the shield’s range until it covered all four of them.
Under the fierce collision of two powerful auras, even the air in the room began to vibrate slightly from the clash.
Just as the shield and Grand Duke Joseph’s pressure reached a stalemate, a small hand quietly pressed against Starlight’s back.
In an instant, a surge of pure energy flowed into his body, injecting him with new strength.
This sudden influx of power caused Starlight’s already high-speed mana circulation to increase significantly. He actually began to gradually gain the upper hand in the confrontation with Grand Duke Joseph.
Moen’s subtle movement naturally did not escape the keen perception of a Saint Rank expert.
A disdainful cold sneer curled at the corner of Grand Duke Joseph’s mouth. He slowly took a step forward, prepared to go all out.
Just as he was about to exert his full strength to utterly crush these reckless juniors, Strange stepped in.
A gentle yet powerful surge of battle qi quietly appeared between the two parties, skillfully separating them.
“Alright, alright, Your Grace. If you keep fighting like this, I’ll have to redecorate this place. Why don’t we leave it at that? What do you say?” Strange smoothed things over with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
Seeing that Strange had intervened to mediate, Grand Duke Joseph, though unwilling, could only withdraw his impending attack.
Suddenly deprived of the force to push against, Starlight felt as if he had punched a bale of cotton. He lost his balance and tumbled onto the bed beside him, looking a bit disheveled.
“Sigh... I’m telling you, please understand the situation the Grand Duke and I are in. We have no intention of harming the two of them. This is simply a judgment based on the current circumstances. After all, these two ladies did not follow the proper registration procedures.”
Strange sighed as he spoke to Starlight and the others.
To be honest, he really didn’t want to get involved in this mess.
But with Grand Duke Joseph on one side and the rising star of the Adventurers Guild on the other, he was caught in a very difficult position.
“Since Strange has spoken up, I will not pursue your insolence just now.”
Grand Duke Joseph glanced indifferently at Strange, then turned back, his gaze burning as he looked at the four of them. “But my decision remains unchanged! Until their identities are confirmed, they are not permitted to leave!”
Upon hearing the Duke’s words, Xia Duo and Moen, though still somewhat displeased, could only accept the decision in silence.
It was clearly an unwise choice to clash with two Saint Rank experts just for the sake of temporary freedom.
Just as Grand Duke Joseph was about to turn and leave, Po Kong, who had remained silent until now, suddenly stepped forward and blocked his path.
“Your Grace, do you mean to say that as long as they have a legitimate identity, they can leave?”
Stopped in his tracks, Grand Duke Joseph frowned and looked up at the young man, who was nearly a head taller than him, his eyes flashing with curiosity.
“Correct. But the word of a Rank 6 adventurer alone won’t convince me. I’m curious to see what exactly you intend to present to me.”
“Enough! Po Kong, don’t stick your neck out for us. Since President Strange said they won’t make things hard for us, staying here for a while isn’t a problem!”
Seeing Po Kong step forward and cause the slightly relaxed atmosphere to freeze once more, Xia Duo couldn't help but feel anxious and quickly tried to call him back.
However, Po Kong only looked back with a smile and waved his hand casually, signaling that everything was under control.
“Don’t worry, Xia Duo. I just realized that solving your identity problem is actually quite simple. Your Grace, what do you think of this?”
As he spoke, Po Kong pulled an object from his pocket and held it out toward Strange and Joseph.
Starlight looked curiously at Po Kong’s palm. It was a pale gold square badge, marked with two crossed longswords.
The badge looked like it had some years on it, appearing quite ancient yet incredibly exquisite.
Although he didn’t know what material it was made of, it looked highly valuable at a glance.
In all the time he had known Po Kong, this was the first time Starlight had seen him bring this out. Could this little thing really convince the Duke?
Just as he looked up in confusion, he noticed that the expressions of both Strange and Joseph had turned subtle. For a moment, they both stood frozen in place.
Ultimately, it was Grand Duke Joseph who broke the eerie silence.
He looked up, his gaze piercing as he stared at Po Kong, as if trying to see right through him with those clouded eyes.
“Young man... what is Cang Lan to you?”
“He... is my grandfather,” Po Kong answered frankly, a hint of pride in his voice. “So, using this identity to guarantee them should be enough, right?”
Upon hearing this answer, Grand Duke Joseph’s expression became exceptionally complex.
He turned to look at Strange, who was equally stunned, and asked in a low voice, “So... you knew about this, didn't you? This is your subordinate... I truly didn't expect such a twist.”
Sensing the dissatisfaction in the Duke’s tone, Strange quickly waved his hands, indicating he had no idea either.
He then turned to Po Kong and asked in an inquiring tone, “Um... Po Kong, are you sure you want to use this identity to guarantee them? This is no joking matter.”
“Of course. Why else would I bring it out? Let’s see... just say they are partners hired by my team. That should work, right?”
Po Kong smiled, seemingly having anticipated their reactions. He spoke lightly as he tucked the badge back into his pocket.
“Sigh... fine. Since that’s the case, I must give face to Cang Lan. I’ll leave the rest to you, Strange.”
Joseph let out a long sigh. He gave Starlight and the others one last glance before turning and leaving the room, as if the confrontation that had just occurred had never happened.
Rate on N.U.
