Chapter 173: Preparing to Set Sail

"Alright," the Red Count nodded, saying little, as he wasn't one for many words.

"Let's head back and celebrate Led's visit for a spar with a grand feast!" Li Yuan declared.

Originally, the Red Count had no intention of staying, feeling embarrassed after his loss. However, he couldn't refuse Li Yuan's insistence, so he joined him back at his territory for a celebratory feast.

The Red Count typically disliked noisy, bustling environments, but feasts were an exception. The excitement around him, from people brimming with happiness, uplifted his naturally empathic mood, thanks to his ability to sense others' emotions.

"Captain, about this spar..." Barrett and the others, fueled by the alcohol, sought to learn about the outcome. Though they had observed, neither Li Yuan nor the Red Count had fallen, and while the Red Count seemed at a disadvantage, they weren't qualified to judge the duel between such titans.

"Led and I were just sparring; it wasn't about winning or losing!" Li Yuan explained, dismissing the need to declare victory. He wasn't chasing fame from defeating Led.

"Led, why did you come all the way here alone? Come, have a drink!" Li Yuan called, bringing over two jugs of wine to the Red Count.

"Let's see who can drink more!" Li Yuan challenged.

Ledfield, without hesitation, uncovered his jug and started drinking.

"Alright, let's see who has the better tolerance!" Li Yuan joined in, downing his jug.

The two continued drinking, jug after jug, with helpers constantly bringing more.

By now, it was late night. The feast had ended, and everyone was inebriated, sprawled across the ground, snoring.

Only the servants remained, quietly cleaning the venue.

Of everyone, only Li Yuan and the Red Count were still standing.

"Led, are you still good? If not, just say it!" Li Yuan, unsure how many jugs he'd had, felt dizzy.

"Who says I can't handle it? It's you who's done. Admit it if you're beat!" The Red Count, equally tipsy, saw double of the jug before him but refused to concede.

"No way, I'm the world's greatest swordsman. I won't quit. More!" Li Yuan slurred, grabbing another jug.

"Bring it on!" Ledfield, not to be outdone, grabbed another jug.

"Ugh!!!"

"Clang!!!"

However, midway through their drinks, both dropped their jugs and began to vomit.

Perhaps feeling better after purging, they both lay back and fell asleep.

The next morning, the soft sunlight wasn't too hot or glaring as it touched Li Yuan's face.

He merely frowned, covering his eyes with his arm to continue sleeping.

By noon, the scorching sun and thirst woke him.

"Hahaha, Led, you were the first to pass out last night!" Li Yuan laughed, sitting up and seeing the Red Count awake nearby.

"Impossible. I clearly remember you dropping the jug first and passing out after vomiting. I was still up then!" Ledfield protested, unwilling to admit defeat.

"You must be drunk and mistaken. You were the first to collapse."

"Stop making things up. You were down first."

"You fell asleep first."

"You..."

The two, freshly awake, debated who had passed out first.

"Forget it, I'm not arguing with you. Anyway, it wasn't me," Ledfield said, standing and retrieving his umbrella-sword to leave.

He preferred solitude, rarely staying in one place for long.

"Hahaha, Led, remember your words. I'm looking forward to our next spar!" Li Yuan laughed, eager for future challenges with the Red Count, whose strength and potential intrigued him.

As he grew stronger, sparring partners became scarce, leaving him with unspent energy.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford:

Many high-ranking marines returned to Marineford, not due to an impending threat but for Admiral Black Arm Zephyr's wedding. Though the ceremony was low-key, inviting only close friends and family, being an admiral meant it couldn't be too discreet.

All available marine brass attended, barring emergencies, to witness Zephyr's nuptials.

"Hahaha, Zephyr, congratulations! I hope you have a son as excellent as my son, Dragon!" Garp laughed, presenting a large, messily written envelope—undoubtedly his handwriting.

"Congratulations, Zephyr, wishing you a happy marriage and many children!" Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru added their well-wishes.

"Thank you all, please be seated," Zephyr beamed with happiness, grateful for his colleagues' support.

Even Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong officiated the ceremony, making it a joyous occasion in Marineford.

After sobering up, Li Yuan returned to his quarters, reviewing recent intelligence.

The New World's major pirate crews were quiet, focusing on recovery and growth.

"Oh? Admiral Zephyr got married!" Li Yuan noted, surprised and thoughtful.

"Such a shame, it's a tragedy," he mused.

"Since there's nothing pressing in the New World, let's explore the Four Seas and collect those treasures," Li Yuan decided, recalling valuable items he hadn't had time to claim.

Acting swiftly, Li Yuan ordered preparations for the journey.

"Yadina, take a break from work. Let's go on a trip," Li Yuan said, finding her busy in the office, pulling her close.

"Where are we going, husband?" Yadina asked, delighted, sitting on Li Yuan's lap, her eyes sparkling.

"We'll tour the Four Seas," Li Yuan said, drawing her into a passionate kiss.

"Mmm!!" Yadina blushed, her face flushed with emotion.

"Daddy, Mommy, are you kissing? I want to too!" a young, innocent voice interrupted.

"Ah!!!" Yadina quickly got off Li Yuan's lap, giving him a chiding look.

She'd never kissed in front of their child and didn't want to set a bad example.

"Faraday, do you want to go on a trip with Mommy and Daddy?" Li Yuan asked, unfazed, lifting the approaching child and ruffling his hair.

"Yes!!" Faraday replied eagerly.

"Then go tell your brothers and sisters we're going on a trip," Li Yuan instructed.

"Okay, Daddy!" Faraday ran off excitedly.

At the edge of the Infinity Pirates' territory, a modified ship, the size of a Vice Admiral's, quietly sailed out.

The ship, retrofitted by skilled shipwrights, was equipped with Sea Prism Stone and a revamped propulsion system.

Though it couldn't navigate the Calm Belt independently, it could move with human-powered propulsion.

Using a small-to-large gear design, it required minimal effort to achieve high speed.

Li Yuan staffed the ship with 500 laborers for contingencies.

He also brought Barrett and Karu along.

Dressed in beach shorts, Li Yuan basked under the sun, occasionally fed grapes by Yadina.

Meanwhile, young ones like Esdeath played joyfully on deck, enjoying the family outing.

"Li Yuan, the intelligence network is reaching its limit in the New World. I'd like to expand it to the Four Seas," Shakky proposed, approaching in a revealing purple bikini.

Her flawless skin and perfect figure were accentuated by the minimal fabric, leaving little to the imagination.

The intelligence network, known as "Luo Wang," implied an all-encompassing web.

"If you want to expand, go ahead. We planned to extend our network to the Four Seas eventually," Li Yuan agreed, admiring Shakky's form.

"To do that, we'll need substantial funding," Shakky said, feeding him a grape hesitantly.

Aware of the Infinity Pirates' finances, Shakky knew they had seized territories and partnered in trade, yet much remained undeveloped.

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