"No problem, Your Majesty!"
"I'll bring Yixiao up for you right away!"
The casino owner stood up excitedly and turned to run downstairs.
"Yes, please. Do you understand, Katsu-Shin. Shengxin?"
"Yes, yes, I will certainly be polite in inviting Mr. Yixiao up!"
The casino owner was startled by Wang Shi's serious tone and immediately bowed and smiled obsequiously.
He never expected that Wang Shi would value a blind bodyguard so much.
He admitted that the blind man was quite capable, able to defeat several of the gangsters and bodyguards guarding the place.
But he's definitely not worth 1 billion Belly, or even 200 million Belly.
After all, if Yixiao were that powerful, how could he possibly be willing to sell himself into working as a bodyguard at the casino?
With that kind of strength, wouldn't it be better to go out to sea and live a carefree life as a pirate?
Even with the strength to offer a bounty of 200 million, one could still do quite well in the West Blue.
Even if they enter the New World, a bounty of 200 million is considered an elite pirate, qualified to be recruited by one of the Four Emperors.
The Whitebeard Pirates, the World's Strongest pirate crew, have many captains whose bounties are mostly between two and three hundred million.
However, the casino owner did not voice these thoughts.
As long as Wang Shi is happy, that's all that matters.
···
The bodyguard, who was standing silently downstairs at the casino, chuckled as he heard his boss rush down and call him up.
A sense of foreboding crept into his heart.
"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go up! This is a great opportunity for you!"
"Yes, yes, His Wang Shi instructed me to invite you up."
The casino owner quickly grabbed Yixiao's arm and led him upstairs to the VIP room with a smile.
With a smile, he held a sword, hesitated for a moment, and, being used to going with the flow, could only let the boss lead him up.
After all, the boss treated him quite well; he had enough to eat and wear, and he could even gamble at the tables occasionally.
Yi Xiao didn't understand why Wang Shi had specifically asked to see him.
Did Wang Shi know him?
Yi Xiao pondered for a moment, and he was certain that he had never encountered Wang Shi in all these years.
Even people from the East Blue don't recognize many of them.
Soon.
With a smile, she was immediately "dragged" into the VIP room by the casino owner.
"Your Majesty, I have brought Mr. Yixiao here for you."
The casino owner, like a brothel madam, smiled and presented this 'flower queen'—no, she should be called the casino's top bodyguard—to Wang Shi.
"Mr. Yixiao, His Majesty the Wang Shi spent 1 billion Belly to redeem you."
The casino owner's eyes lit up as he looked at the 1 billion Belly in cash on the table. Although 800 million Belly were his own money, he was already quite happy that Wang Shi could have fun.
"1 billion Belly? To buy out his freedom?"
Even Yixiao was incredibly surprised to hear this enormous figure.
Wang Shi actually spent so much money on this blind man?
Keep in mind that he only lost a little over 20 million Belly at the casino back then.
How could this boss be so heartless and greedy?
Or is His Majesty the Wang Shi a super sucker, with money to burn?
"Boss, I'm not worth this ransom..."
Yi Xiao quickly reminded the casino owner that taking money one shouldn't have could easily lead to one's death and the extermination of one's entire family.
He was doing it for the boss's own good.
If Wang Shi finds out about the money he lost, he'll rip off this outrageous boss in no time.
"This..."
The casino owner became anxious upon hearing Xiao's words; this was all money.
But suddenly he felt a chill down his spine; he seemed to have been blinded by greed.
He actually dared to take all the ransom offered by Wang Shi; he must have a death wish.
"No, Mr. Yixiao, you are worth that price in my heart!"
"Boss Katsu-Shin, there's no need for further words. This is all the ransom for Yixiao, not a penny less."
Wang Shi stood up from his chair, waved to the casino owner who was about to speak, and his tone left no room for argument.
"From now on, Yixiao, you'll be my bodyguard. Please protect me."
Wang Shi slowly walked towards Yi Xiao and smiled gently.
"Yes, yes, Yixiao, from now on you must protect His Majesty Wang Shi. Even if you die, you must not let His Majesty suffer any harm."
The casino owner hurriedly spoke to Yi Xiao, half-commanding and half-pleading, his face extremely tense.
He didn't want to offend the Wang Shi, nor did he want to give up these green Belly.
Yi Xiao could hear the domineering tone in Wang Shi's voice, as well as the anxious tone in her boss's voice.
"I am but a fugitive; how could I possibly deserve His Majesty to spend ten billion Belly to redeem me?"
"Since Your Majesty values me so highly, I will do everything in my power to protect Your Majesty's safety."
After a long silence, he could only smile and acknowledge Wang Shi's redemption deal with the boss.
He has now gone from being a casino bodyguard to being Wang Shi's bodyguard.
Coincidentally, he also wanted to go to the Goa Empire in the East Blue to check on the situation.
"Excellent! Congratulations, Your Majesty, on acquiring such a capable general!"
"Congratulations to Mr. Yixiao for gaining the appreciation of a wise ruler. May you achieve great success in the future. Please do not forget your friends."
The casino owner breathed a deep sigh of relief and immediately burst into laughter, offering his congratulations.
This matter has finally been perfectly resolved.
"Welcome, Mr. Yixiao. My safety is now in your hands."
Wang Shi grinned, feeling quite excited. He had only spent 200 million Belly to get a bodyguard of the rank of Admiral, who also came with a priceless Supreme Grade Swords.
This is an incredible windfall!
"To the best of my ability."
Yixiao spoke very modestly, saying that he wanted to see the peace of the Goa Empire and the way Emperor Wang Shi acted.
If it conforms to the world in his heart, he will dedicate his strength to the Goa Empire and the Wang Shi.
If that doesn't work, then he'll try to earn back the 1 billion Belly to return to Wang Shi and continue his life of wandering.
If he was determined to leave, even Wang Shi couldn't stop him.
"Good!"
"Eric, bring up a set of Imperial military uniform for Yixiao."
"As my personal bodyguard, Mr. Yixiao should no longer bear the identity of a war criminal who caused the downfall of his country. From now on, you are Baron of our Goa Empire!"
"Don't refuse, just smile. This is for your legitimate status, and also for my face."
"If you achieve great merit, you can be further promoted!"
Wang Shi knew that Yi Xiao wasn't as obsessed with a high position as Aramaki, but in order to completely bind and subdue Yi Xiao, he had to show his domineering side.
Yi Xiao wanted to refuse when she heard Wang Shi's words, but Wang Shi interrupted her directly.
He hadn't expected Wang Shi to be so decisive; he had just spent money to redeem him from prison, and now, to help him escape his status as a fugitive, he had bestowed upon him a title.
May he be able to live in the sunlight again in the future, and never need to run away and wander again.
This series of actions truly moved Yixiao, who had been lost for many years.
"That smile is thanks to Your Majesty."
Yi Xiao didn't know what to say, so she simply bowed deeply to Wang Shi.
With the emperor of the Goa Empire vouching for him, his status as a criminal who lost his country will most likely be truly revoked.
After all, some powerful Affiliated Nation can revoke and change bounty orders, wielding power no less than that of the Shichibukai.
"You are also Baron recognized by His Majesty. You are very strong. Would you like to spar sometime?"
"My name is Aramaki. You can call me Baron Aramaki. In a few days, you might call me Marquess Aramaki."
With Wang Shi accepting Yi Xiao as his new bodyguard, Aramaki finally had the opportunity to communicate with this monster who possessed immense power.
"Baron Aramaki, you are also very strong. Sparring is fine, but I must prioritize His Majesty's safety."
Yi Xiao sensed that Aramaki's aura was comparable to his own, and responded with an extremely serious expression.