Boisterous laughter echoed through the bustling streets as Xino Dragon, hands on his hips, attracted countless bizarre-looking demons to the spectacle.

Among them were Hell Half-centaurs with four legs, soft-bodied creatures with many tentacles, and Golden Slimes that, though not resembling humans, were smarter than humans.

Observing the swaggering Fear Demon, a group of demons murmured quietly among themselves.

"Is that... someone from the Dragon family?!"

"Why would those High-level Demons come here?"

"Wait, I just realized... that coat of arms on the carriage, could it be the Padric family?!"

"You just realized? I noticed it long ago!"

"What are they doing here?"

"Abducting a human?"

"That's outrageous."

It wasn't just the onlooking demons who were stunned; Luo Yan, the person involved, was also shocked.

Good grief—

After all this commotion, they weren't here for Mia but for him?!

However, this fellow seemed more than just crazy; not only did he pull out his weapons right away, he also demanded a duel with him.

"Xino Dragon, have you lost your mind?!"

Before Luo Yan could speak, Mia had already exclaimed.

A pair of murderous eyes glared fiercely at this unreasonable person, flames practically shooting from her peach-shaped pupils.

"You, a silver-ranked demon, challenging a bronze-ranked human to a duel? Have you no shame?!"

Intimidated by her fierce gaze, Xino instinctively recoiled a bit but did not back down.

Clearly, he came prepared.

This fellow held his head high and said arrogantly,

"This has nothing to do with rank but is a challenge for the right of succession! Since this fellow knows his own weakness, he should even more so spit out the territory of the Demon King that doesn't belong to him! Not even the cabinet can stop a lord's heir from asserting justice. Defending our right of succession is a power granted to us by Lord Bayele! Besides, you, eldest daughter of the Padric family, what the hell does this have to do with you?"

This guy obviously had guidance from someone more knowledgeable.

Normally eloquent Mia was suddenly at a loss for words, unable to speak.

Indeed.

She didn't represent the Padric family.

That was something only the current Family Head had the authority to do.

However, Luo Yan wasn't going to be intimidated by this brawny man; he smiled lightly and said,

"And I can refuse, right?"

"Correct!"

Glancing at the cheat sheet in his palm, Xino held his head high, looking down on him with disdain as he continued,

"You can run off with your tail between your legs, but Demon City will no longer be a place for you! All demons will see your cowardice, know you are an illegitimate lord! And I will keep declaring my rightful claim until the cabinet changes its mind!"

"Understood."

Luo Yan nodded in comprehension.

That meant, if he didn't shut this guy up here and now, Xino and his backers from the Dragon family would keep stabbing him in the back.

By the time it came to that, the cabinet might settle matters through an ancient and sacred duel for the sake of peace.

Moreover, chances were it would happen under circumstances this opponent had long been plotting.

Luo Yan hated trouble, but that didn't mean he was scared.

Since this landmine was going to explode sooner or later, he might as well deal with it sooner.

With that thought, he drew his wand from his sleeve.

Mia, alarmed, hurriedly tried to dissuade him,

"Hey... Luo Yan, calm down! There's no need to take his bait. Demon City isn't the Dragon family's backyard! For him, a silver-ranked Horror Demon, to issue a duel challenge to a bronze-ranked mage, even if you refuse, no one will think less of you—"

"Calm down, Miss Mia."

Seeing Mia more agitated than himself, Luo Yan soothed her in a gentle tone.

"I'm not accepting this duel because I'm worried about losing face, but rather to get rid of this not-so-troublesome trouble early."

"But—"

"Besides..." Luo Yan extended his wand, its tip flickered with a cold glint, "let's teach this senselessly troublesome bull a lesson."

A ghastly green light flickered.

Accompanied by a creaking sound, a skeletal hand sprung from the ground like a stalagmite, its finger bones gently pinching the glove on the ground.

Seeing his thrown glove picked up, Xino clenched his fists in excitement, a confident smile spreading across his face.

"Good! I, Xino Dragon, respect your courage! If I win, I'll let you keep some dignity, won't make you lose too disgracefully, hahaha."

"Heh, let's save that talk until after you've won."

Facing the brash Xino and a shocked Mia, Luo Yan just smiled faintly, lightly waving his wand to toss the glove pinched between two skeletal fingers onto a suitcase next to the carriage.

As if he were discarding a dirty rag.

"Tell me how you want to compete, then."

Xino lifted his chin haughtily,

"Of course, by the most ancient and direct method—in Demon City's arena, decided under the watchful eyes of all Demon City's demons!"

Just as Luo Yan was about to agree, Mia suddenly spoke up,

"Hold on! That's not fair. Luo Yan just returned to Demon City and hasn't acclimated to the climate here. For you, a silver-ranked warrior, to challenge a bronze-ranked mage is one thing, but to also exploit the opponent's unfamiliarity with the local conditions and a warrior's advantage at close range—that's not only shameless, it's obnoxious, Dragon family..."

As she spoke, arms crossed, Mia wore a look of disgust, as though she were looking at an insect.

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