"At the time, I wasn't the only one who saw this scene! Many others saw it clearly as well!"
The bookstall owner was filled with anger, as though he was about to denounce the injustice of the world.
Yu Xie could appreciate this kind of spirit.
"Do you have any rebuttal for these claims?" Judge Neuvillette turned his gaze to Yu Xie.
Everyone in the courtroom turned their attention to him, eager to see how the former Champion Duelist would respond.
In the back, both Arlecchino and Clervie were waiting as well.
"Pepe, do you think Yu Xie really took the money?" Clervie whispered.
"If it were the Yu Xie we knew before, I don't think he would, but the Yu Xie now... maybe we don't know him as well," Arlecchino replied softly. "Still, I want to believe him."
Furina sat high above, and Clorinde stood beside her.
Both of them were also waiting for Yu Xie's next move.
"This gentleman." Yu Xie looked at the impassioned bookstall owner. "I must first make a point. Bribery refers to public officials using the convenience of their position to solicit or illegally receive gifts or money from others in exchange for favors. But I have not done anything to benefit anyone."
"Wasn't it the case that you were about to do something for that wealthy merchant?" the bookstall owner questioned.
"That's where you are wrong," Yu Xie replied. "Just because I received a gift doesn't mean I accepted the bribe."
"What kind of twisted logic is that?!"
This reasoning was indeed a bit twisted, and Yu Xie knew it himself. He wasn't really trying to justify his actions.
Darduf's reputation was far from good, and any normal person would think that Yu Xie had taken the ten million Mora from Darduf in order to collaborate with him in shady dealings, which naturally would lead to resentment.
The reason Yu Xie had said what he did earlier was to amplify that very resentment towards him.
Of course, the bookstall owner couldn't see through Yu Xie's thoughts. He took a deep breath and continued:
"Lord Neuvillette, just now, the former Champion Duelist Yu Xie has indirectly admitted that he indeed accepted Darduf's money. Although he hasn't yet done anything for Darduf, if this is left unchecked, it will only be a matter of time. I ask for your fair judgment!"
"There's no need to complicate things. Let's be straightforward." Yu Xie paused, then looked up at Neuvillette. "I request a duel to defend my honor."
This statement caused an uproar.
It wasn't uncommon for someone to request a duel during a trial, as the audience had seen it happen countless times before, but this time was different.
The former "strongest" Champion Duelist was now requesting a duel, and the obvious target was none other than the current Champion Duelist standing beside the Hydro Archon—Clorinde.
Previously, the title of "strongest" was somewhat controversial in certain circles.
Yu Xie had never been defeated in a duel, and Clorinde was the same.
Some people believed that the title of "strongest" Champion Duelist should actually belong to Clorinde.
It seemed that after today, that debate would finally be put to rest.
Whispers and discussions spread throughout the crowd, and Neuvillette looked down at Yu Xie with an expression full of implication.
He pondered for a moment, then stood up and struck the ground with his cane.
"Silence—according to the regulations, the request is approved. Champion Duelist Clorinde and the defendant Yu Xie, please proceed to the center of the stage."
Yu Xie looked up at Clorinde, their eyes met.
Without hesitation, Yu Xie leaped down.
Clorinde hesitated for a moment.
But in the end, she still descended to the stage.
The audience began to stir with excitement. This duel was undoubtedly going to be more thrilling than any that had come before it.
"Clorinde, don't hold back." Yu Xie said softly to her.
"It seems I wasn't wrong about what you wanted to do." Clorinde replied.
Yu Xie smiled but didn't respond.
It seemed Clorinde really did understand him.
From the very beginning, he had wanted to provoke public discontent, push himself to the center of controversy, and then, once someone accused him, it would all fall into place.
Whether he had accepted bribes was never the point; the real focus was always going to be the duel that followed.
He had to win the duel. Only then could he prompt the public to rethink the system.
Perhaps Yu Xie didn't need to go this far, or perhaps he was just being overly cautious.
But the law should not have any loopholes, no matter how difficult it might be for those with ill intentions to exploit them.
So, Yu Xie had initiated this.
A flash of light, and Cloud Cutter was in his hand.
At the back of the audience, both Arlecchino and Clervie saw Cloud Cutter and their expressions immediately changed.
"Pepe, that sword is…"
"We didn't mistake it." Arlecchino said firmly.
"Clorinde, draw your blade." Yu Xie drew Cloud Cutter, the blade slicing through the scabbard with a sharp, buzzing sound.
Every cell in his body responded in perfect sync, the flow of his breath was smooth.
Was there something wrong with this?
There was no time for further thought—sword and blade collided.
The clash was sharp and ear-piercing, with their figures constantly brushing against each other, moving at an incredible speed.
To the audience below, this was a visual feast, though they couldn't clearly catch the movements of the two.
At the start of the duel, Clorinde did not use elemental power.
But as the battle intensified, lightning finally flashed.
The audience's eyes widened in response.
Clorinde knew well that if she was to help Yu Xie, she would have to use all of her strength. Even if she was simply fulfilling the duties of a Champion Duelist, she still had to go all out.
There was no second option.
Purple lightning crackled and danced across the stage like a phantom, drawing exclamations from the crowd.
Everyone knew that Yu Xie had no Vision, so he couldn't use elemental power to fight back.
However, the title of "strongest" that Yu Xie once held was not given without reason.
Everyone was waiting to see how Yu Xie would respond.
Under the gazes of the crowd, Yu Xie used the long blade in his hand to block the lightning elemental force. After a fierce clash, he and Clorinde separated slightly, and Yu Xie sheathed his sword.
The anticipation of the crowd intensified.
Those who had witnessed Yu Xie in battle knew that this was the precursor to the devastatingly swift blow that was as fast as thunder.
That strike, seemingly capable of splitting stars, had made many doubt whether Yu Xie was truly human.
Could a mortal body really accomplish such impossible feats?
It was as if his body had become a blade, merging with the long sword in his hand.
Even if the mountain stood in his path, he would cleave it open with his sharp edge.
End of chapter
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