Among those present, there might indeed be individuals opposed to abolishing the slave system.
After all, nearly every kingdom's representative had attended this meeting. Among so many people, abolishing slavery was bound to infringe upon certain interests.
However, even if they truly had objections, they absolutely dared not voice them now. Doing so would clearly mean offending Lin Xuan—it would be nothing short of seeking their own demise.
As for the public judgment of the Celestial Dragons, it didn't cause much of a stir.
The assembly was not lacking in those who harbored hatred for the Celestial Dragons. Take Empress Boa Hancock of Amazon Lily, or the fish-men of Fish-Man Island, for example. They naturally raised both hands in approval of executing the Celestial Dragons.
As for the fate of the others...
For those who previously had little interaction with the Celestial Dragons, or even had cooperated with them... well, the World Government that once protected the Celestial Dragons had fallen. Even the eight founding Celestial Dragons were all dead. The Celestial Dragons had long since fallen from their divine pedestal, stripped of their former noble status!
At this moment, Lin Xuan's gaze fell upon Kong, the former Fleet Admiral. "The matter of the public execution of the Celestial Dragons," he stated, "will be entrusted to your Navy."
After a moment's thought, he added, "You have three days to investigate. After three days, any Celestial Dragon deemed irredeemably guilty shall be executed! Those whose crimes do not warrant death shall be imprisoned! Those found innocent shall be stripped of their noble status!" With just a few sentences, he decided the fate of those who were once the highest nobles in this world.
Lin Xuan had half a mind to let those vile Celestial Dragons taste the bitterness of becoming slaves themselves. However, having just abolished the slave system, he could only shelve that idea.
Those Celestial Dragons—execute the ones who deserve it, imprison the ones who should be caught, and let the rest become ordinary people!
Hearing this, Kong's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.
He hadn't expected Lin Xuan to entrust him, the former Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, and them, the ones who once protected the Celestial Dragons, with the task of handling the Celestial Dragons.
Soon, however, Kong understood Lin Xuan's intention.
This was a pledge of allegiance!
Not just to the new world government, but to the entire world!
It was to force those of them who were once closely tied to the Celestial Dragons to sever all connections completely. Otherwise, in the future, as the Navy maintaining order on the seas, it would be difficult to command public trust.
With this pledge, they, as defeated former World Government personnel, could be more easily accepted by the people.
Understanding this, Kong bowed respectfully to Lin Xuan and said earnestly, "Understood. I will not fail your expectations."
Lin Xuan then swept his gaze across the assembled crowd, finally settling on Whitebeard. "The position of Guild Master for the Adventurers' Guild is still vacant," he announced. "I've decided it will be you."
"Me?" Whitebeard couldn't help but be taken aback.
Lin Xuan nodded. "That's right. No one is more suitable than you."
Gol D. Roger certainly had the prestige and the strength to intimidate other pirates. But he could be a bit scatterbrained at times, and frankly, a bit of a goofball!
Shanks, the Red-Haired Pirate, was similar to Roger. As an Emperor of the Sea, his strength and prestige were also sufficient to deter others, but he wasn't exactly the most reliable either!
Garp had the strength too, but he was a stubborn old mule, and Lin Xuan doubted he'd be willing to handle such administrative matters.
So, in the end, only Whitebeard remained as the most suitable candidate.
Whitebeard let out a soft sigh and looked at Lin Xuan with a resigned expression. "I knew it," he said. "Once you board this pirate ship of yours, you can forget about an easy life. But let me ask, if I become this Guild Master, can I still join the Trans-Dimensional Guild?"
"You wish to join the Trans-Dimensional Guild?" Lin Xuan looked at him with interest.
"That's right, that's the plan," Whitebeard nodded.
Shanks was also looking at Lin Xuan, his face showing clear interest. He had just heard from Roger about some of the things in the Dragon Ball world.
A satisfied smile touched Lin Xuan's lips. "No conflict there," he said. "As I stated before, individuals of exceptional ability, as long as they pass the guild's review and meet the conditions, are all welcome to join the Trans-Dimensional Guild."
"Additionally," Lin Xuan added as a reminder, "for the main affairs of the Adventurers' Guild, you can delegate to some trustworthy people. Your primary role will be to serve as the deterrent."
Since Whitebeard was being so agreeable, how could Lin Xuan let such a powerful asset slip away? Of course, he intended to squeeze out every bit of his value!
"Very well then, I accept!" Whitebeard grinned, readily agreeing to Lin Xuan's proposal.
Simultaneously, his thoughts turned to Marco. It's time for my sons to shoulder heavy responsibilities and face pressure, he mused. They can't stay sheltered under my wings forever.
Of course, had he known what Lin Xuan was really thinking, he would have surely exclaimed that he had truly boarded a pirate ship.
"Alright, all matters have been discussed. Today's meeting ends here. Everyone is dismissed!" Lin Xuan waved his hand, preparing to leave the hall directly.
"Wait a moment!"
Just as Lin Xuan was about to depart, a voice suddenly rang out from a corner. The speaker was none other than Rocks D. Xebec.
Instantly, all eyes turned towards Rocks, gazing upon this former overlord who once shook the world.
Rocks' expression remained calm. He smiled slightly and continued, "Guild Master Lin Xuan, then might I ask... how do you intend to deal with us?"
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T/N:
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