Sabonis glared at Keller with clear displeasure, deeply averse to being dragged onto the Kael family's bandwagon like this. However, to refute Keller now and claim there was no issue would mean openly falling out with the Kael family, putting him in an even more awkward position should Qian Jin later demand a strict investigation into Luolin’s death.

Sabonis sighed, offering Qian Jin a forced smile and a nod. He reminded himself that the most crucial skill for a City Lord was not about crushing all factions, which only invited greater backlash. A wise City Lord balanced the scales, extracting benefits from every power center.

Keller, immensely proud of his quick thinking in pulling Sabonis into the situation, couldn't hide the smug satisfaction coloring his features. "Therefore, Guardian Qian Jin. Since an elder brother and sister-in-law are like parents, and since both Lu Qingqing’s mother and elder brother have returned to the embrace of the stars, then Lady Zhu Lisi indeed holds the right to make decisions for her…"

Lu Qingqing clutched Lu Jin, moving her steps delicately to settle behind Qian Jin, letting the man, who stood like a mountain shielding her from the storm, speak and decide their response.

My brother told me to trust Qian Jin completely! Lu Qingqing hugged Lu Jin a little tighter. Even if he hadn't told me, I would still trust him unconditionally.

Hiding behind Qian Jin, Lu Qingqing felt a sense of security she had never known, as if even if the heavens collapsed, the man before her could lift one hand and hold up the falling sky, ensuring not a single fragment would harm her.

"What is Zhu Lisi?" Qian Jin reached out, patting Lu Qingqing’s arm behind him as a gesture of comfort. "If that’s all this is about, then we can leave." "You…" Keller hadn't expected the City Lord’s withdrawal to only earn such a terse reply. He quickly shot a pleading look toward Sabonis.

Sabonis shot Keller a look of annoyance, cautiously taking half a step forward—not crossing the line of no return. This wasn't fear of Qian Jin, but respect for Fabredus standing nearby. The fact that Fabredus was even paying attention suggested some connection to the young man opposite. Sabonis realized he now had to resolve this issue head-on. Maintaining the City Lord's smile, Sabonis stated, "Guardian Qian Jin, that is hardly the right way to speak…"

Qian Jin tilted his head, glancing at Sabonis, and slowly stood up. His hand had already grasped the bloodless blade of his weapon, the Jidu Zhama Dao!

The ten unknown warriors behind Keller, facing Qian Jin alone, involuntarily took a step back just from his rising movement. Their hands instinctively moved to grip their swords and weapons, watching him with sharp vigilance.

"How is it not the right way? Lu Qingqing is my woman, Qian Jin’s woman. Someone comes asking for my woman, am I supposed to kneel down and hand her over?"

Qian Jin’s eyes suddenly flashed wide. His voice, moments before laced with faint sorrow, instantly transformed into a thunderous roar. He slammed the hilt of the Zhama Dao heavily onto the floor, cracking the stone tiles. The hilt buried itself into the ground, the entire blade vibrating slightly with a low hum. The funeral hall… fell silent, save for the gasps of astonishment from the gathered people. Keller stared blankly at Qian Jin, unable to fathom this sudden, explosive outburst from the young man.

Sabonis stared at Qian Jin, utterly shocked that the young man had managed to corner every potential argument with his very first statement.

Lu Qingqing, holding Lu Jin close, looked up at the man’s mountain-like back. Her eyes welled up again, happiness threatening to overflow and fill her entire heart.

Sabonis blinked, finding his measured words met with a roar. A hint of dissatisfaction crossed his brow. "Young man, you must choose your words carefully…"

"City Lord." Qian Jin responded coolly. "That is why I asked, what is Zhu Lisi? The matter of me marrying Lu Qingqing was decided by Luolin."

Keller smiled—another case of a dead man’s word against another! I brought up Zhu Lisi’s claim, and you counter with the word of the dead man, Luolin?

"Is that so?" Keller’s smile gained a touch of glee. "Regarding Zhu Lisi asking me for a betrothal, the City Lord himself was the one who presided over it. As for what you say…"

Qian Jin stepped forward. Everyone except Grand, Sabonis, and Fabredus instinctively took a step back, as if only maintaining that distance could provide a sense of security.

Qian Jin kept walking, step by measured step. The others subconsciously edged closer together; only by gathering felt safe.

"Guardian of the City, sir." Qian Jin reached into his robes and carefully retrieved Luolin’s last letter from his Dou Realm. He gently placed it into Fabredus’s hand. "Please examine this and bear witness."

Sabonis inwardly cursed: As expected! Qian Jin knows Fabredus! Few in Oakland knew he was the City Guardian. This young man not only knew his title but dared address him directly. Sabonis deeply regretted getting involved; he now needed a way to resolve this without offending either side.

Fabredus read the letter. His expression shifted from neutral to a growing solemnity. He stared intently at Luolin’s final wishes, refusing to look elsewhere. Upon finishing, he let out a long breath and handed the letter back to Qian Jin, saying with grave sincerity, "Indeed, as you say. Luolin did confirm in this letter that he was a good brother, and a good man."

"Hmph!" Grand let out his second cold snort. "A single letter, seen only by you. You can claim anything. Why not just say the Lu family gave him everything?"

Fabredus's sword-like eyebrows shot up, his face darkening, the entire man resembling a volcano about to erupt from its slumber.

Sabonis quickly inserted himself between the two. "I trust in the character of Fabredus. This matter can be guaranteed by our City Guardian."

Grand issued his third cold snort of the day, and Sabonis’s expression began to cloud over. "What? Mr. Grand, you look down on this City Lord as well? I have always acted impartially, but that doesn't mean I fear anyone or any faction!"

Keller saw Sabonis’s temper flare and thought darkly, This Grand, relying on being a Demon-Slayer Warrior, respects no one. His first snort showed strength and dissatisfaction, but these last two are pure stupidity! Pushing Sabonis toward Fabredus will guarantee that the Lu family cannot be brought down today.

"City Lord, Mr. Grand did not mean that," Keller quickly interjected. "Your integrity is known throughout the Eternal Flow Province. Since things have come to this, perhaps the City Lord could help us decide? After all, Lady Zhu Lisi has already accepted the betrothal gifts from our Kael family. If the Lu family cancels the engagement, our Kael family may not be able to accept that setback."

Sabonis glared at Keller; Zhu Lisi was already dead, so Keller could claim anything he wished. However, a canceled engagement was a serious matter for a noble family, touching upon their honor.

Fabredus cleared his throat. "City Lord, Zhu Lisi was merely Luolin’s woman. The word of the family should naturally fall to Luolin. If the decisions made by a woman married to Luolin can be overturned—if word of this gets out… people will surely laugh at us…"

Sabonis felt an urge to kill both men beside him. If he validated Zhu Lisi’s authority to overturn the Family Head Luolin’s decision, the one laughed at would be the Oakland City Lord.

"Hmph!" Grand snorted his fourth cold blast through flared nostrils, clearly displeased. "Why make it so complicated? Doesn't the True Strategy Dynasty have a precedent for this? When similar situations arose where two men fought over one woman, didn't they simply fight, and the victor married the woman?"

Sabonis looked at the Demon-Slayer Warrior, whose nostrils were pointed skyward as he emitted periodic snorts. Perhaps this man wasn't so irritating after all. This method, at least on the surface, appeared fair to both sides. Qian Jin was a warrior, and Keller’s predecessor, Kael, was also a warrior. A duel it would be. If anyone dared claim unfairness, it would mark them as cowardly, tantamount to forfeiting. Keller or Fabredus would have little ground to protest. "That method is quite good," Sabonis nodded thoughtfully. "Both sides agree?"

Keller looked at Qian Jin, a faint worry stirring within him. That strike earlier was truly shocking, and the aura Qian Jin carried while wielding the great saber was unexpectedly terrifying. Although Kael Qi was also a Level Ten Warrior, whether he could win against Qian Jin in a direct fight was uncertain…

Keller paused for a moment before speaking. "That method is indeed good, but this is not just an issue between two men. Broadly speaking, it involves two families. If it’s settled with just one match, it seems hasty. My personal suggestion is three rounds.

One duel between the warriors, one duel between the mages. The final round will be a doubles match, pairing a mage and a warrior."

Seeing Fabredus about to speak, Keller quickly added, "Since this concerns two families, it seems only right we show adequate strength. Of course, if Qian Jin feels capable enough to fight all three rounds alone, our Kael family has no objection. However, in that case, the Lu family's foundational strength seems rather thin… I sincerely hope Qian Jin can also find a mage to participate. That would be a sign of respect toward our Kael family, wouldn't it?"

"That method is excellent," Sabonis agreed, nodding with a serious expression. "This will also show the sincerity of both parties. What does Qian Jin think?"

A duel? Qian Jin frowned. The Kael family was connected to Luolin's death; did he owe them respect? He was seeking revenge for his fatty friend; killing Kael family members without evidence might only result in him being exiled to the Human-Demon Battlefield, which would bring ruin upon the Lu family. This duel, however, seemed like an excellent alternative—a legitimate way to kill.

In front of the City Lord, he could slaughter every member of the Kael family without violating the Empire's laws! What did it matter if he fought all three rounds?!