The initial landing of the Earth Elemental was known only to the highest echelons of the island nation and to wealthy families and conglomerates. For their own safety, these individuals chose to evacuate early. After the Earth Elemental landed, the vast majority of ordinary citizens were also escorted to safety zones by the Self-Defense Forces. However, a few, distrustful of the government, believed it to be a conspiracy and chose to remain or find their own escape routes.
Later, due to the Earth Elemental and the impending eruption of Mount Fushi, many who had chosen to stay realized they would not survive. They decided to face death with peace, as their homes, workplaces, and everything they knew were located there.
The scorching lava would consume it all.
The people who had lost everything had no hope of survival. Many had gathered at the foot of Mount Fushi, preparing for a grand collective suicide.
But then they saw Bai Qi descend from the sky and fly into the volcano. In less than a few minutes, the highly unstable volcano, on the verge of erupting, inexplicably calmed down.
"Are we… not going to die?"
Watching the volcano gradually subside, an island nation otaku muttered.
Then, more and more people reacted.
Especially when they saw Bai Qi emerge from the stable volcano, these survivors erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
In their eyes, Bai Qi had not only prevented the volcanic eruption but also saved their assets, properties, jobs, and everything familiar to them. Calling him their reborn parent would not be an exaggeration.
The cheers of the populace were quite unexpected. Su Dan Novel Network.
Bai Qi's plan this time was to use the Earth Elemental to control the island nation and simultaneously harvest the fire energy from the volcano. He hadn't expected to gain the people's support in the end.
This was a pleasant surprise. Perhaps when he truly took over the island nation in the future, today's events would lend him some support.
Leaving the island nation, Bai Qi swiftly returned to his palace in Kutor via the Shadow Kingdom.
In the grand hall, five people—four men and one woman—had been waiting for a long time. Standing before them was Bai Qi's eldest son, Yong Huo.
Among these five, three were core members of the legal department of the Umbrella Corporation, and the other two held high positions in the Kingdom of Kutor. Suddenly summoned, they were all uneasy, wondering if the Holy Lord had discovered some past misdeed and was about to deal with them.
Despite their outwardly respectable appearances, these individuals had committed many dark and sordid deeds in secret.
Though filled with confusion, they dared not voice their doubts, standing before Yong Huo.
Soon, Bai Qi appeared.
He materialized almost instantly before the throne, glanced at the assembled group, and then took his seat on the throne.
Upon seeing Bai Qi, Yong Huo immediately knelt down without hesitation. The five behind him, unsure of what was happening, followed suit.
Bai Qi gestured and said, "Rise, all of you."
After they stood up, Bai Qi continued, "I met with the Prime Minister of the island nation two days ago. He has agreed to cede the island of Kouzhi to our country. What are your thoughts on this matter?"
The five exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.
After all, the cession of national territory was a rare occurrence in this era. Even those seasoned in battle had never encountered such a situation.
Yong Huo turned to the five, his gaze fierce, and said, "His Majesty is asking you a question."
Startled by Yong Huo, the five trembled. As the saying goes, accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger; they were currently accompanying a genuine dragon.
For the sake of their lives, one of the older men stammered, "Your Majesty, may I ask if there is any proof for what you speak of? Video or written documentation would suffice."
Bai Qi shook his head. "No. This discussion involved only myself, the Prime Minister of the island nation, and his assistant. There is no written or video record."
"Your Majesty, this might be difficult. After all, it is the cession of territory. If they deny it outright, and we have no evidence, then we are likely unable to..."
"Useless!"
Before the man could finish, Yong Huo, not waiting for Bai Qi to speak, turned and snarled, "If you can't even handle this small matter, are you people useless burdens His Majesty keeps for free meals?!"
"Yong Huo."
Bai Qi's voice was soft but carried immense authority.
Hearing Bai Qi call his name, Yong Huo immediately fell silent and stood respectfully.
"Your temper is becoming increasingly impetuous."
With that, he turned away from Yong Huo and addressed the five, "There are no videos or documents, but I have this."
Saying so, Bai Qi reached into the darkness beside him and, upon withdrawing his hand, held a voice recorder.
He activated the voice recorder and tossed it to the group.
Bai Qi's conversation with the island nation's Prime Minister echoed through the hall.
As they listened, the group grew increasingly uneasy. Upon hearing the final words, they broke out in a cold sweat of terror.
Handing the voice recorder to Yong Huo, the man wiped the sweat from his brow and said, "Your... Your Majesty, you know that the cession of territory is not something the Prime Minister can decide alone. It is a matter of great importance. This recording alone may not be sufficient..."
Bai Qi raised his hand. "I am aware of the difficulties involved. That is precisely why I have entrusted this task to the five of you."
The five attempted to demur, but Bai Qi gave them no chance to speak, continuing, "If you succeed in this endeavor, promotions and wealth will be the least of your rewards. Immortality itself may even be within reach."
Upon hearing "immortality," the eyes of the five blazed with renewed fervor.
"Of course," Bai Qi's tone shifted, "if you fail, you can ponder the consequences yourselves."
With a wave of his hand, darkness enveloped the five.
When the darkness receded, they were gone, having been expelled from the palace.
Back in the grand hall, Yong Huo watched as Bai Qi sent the five away. He then bowed slightly to Bai Qi and said, "Father, with just these five humans, I fear..."
Yong Huo trailed off, but his meaning was clear: he doubted these five humans could accomplish the task his father had set for them.
Bai Qi did not answer Yong Huo's question. Instead, he said, "Yong Huo, your temper has been growing of late. This is not a good thing."
As Bai Qi finished speaking, Yong Huo immediately fell to his knees.
"I... I apologize, Father. I, I, I..."
Bai Qi waved his hand. "I am not reprimanding you. I know you harbor hatred towards humans, but at times, you must control the anger within your heart, or you will eventually be consumed by it. Do you understand what I mean?"
"Yes, Father."
"Good." Bai Qi nodded. "As for whether those humans can complete the task I have given them, it is not important. You will now go find Hei Yu and provide him with your full support. He will tell you what needs to be done."
"Yes, Father."