Xiao Xun nodded with a smile, looking at the competitors. "All you elites of the Dragon Race, have you heard? The so-called Dragon Emperor is just a thug. If these seven elders are displeased one day, they can replace you immediately."
Walter quickly stood up. "Your Highness, you can't say that. Actually..."
Xiao Xun raised a hand. "I just want to ask, does Qigao Neishan belong to the Dragon Emperor, or to your council?"
One of the Dragon elders stood up, spread his arms, and swayed his body from side to side. "Qigao Neishan belongs to all of us dragons!"
The competitors in the audience were not fools. After hearing Xiao Xun's sharp questions, they all withdrew from the election.
Xiao Xun's objective was half achieved: for Per to successfully ascend to the throne. The other half was to clear the obstacles for her.
The Dragon elder Walter stood up and looked at everyone in the hall. "Since none of the Dragon Race have any objections, I, on behalf of the council, officially announce that our new Dragon Emperor is His Majesty Per."
Per looked at Xiao Xun, filled with gratitude. She knew that without Xiao Xun, she would definitely not have been able to become Dragon Emperor.
Xiao Xun stood up. "Since Your Highness Per is now the Dragon Emperor, we have an account to settle."
The dragons exchanged glances, unsure of what Xiao Xun meant.
Xiao Xun addressed everyone present. "Some of you know me, and some don't. I'll briefly introduce myself. My name is Swain, the Empress of Saint Roman and the close companion of Sailor Pei.
When your Dragon Emperor was still Frisius, your Dragon Race signed a contract with me. It stated that I could take your dragon treasures as I pleased. I recall Elder Walter being present at the time, is that correct?"
Walter was startled. He wanted to deny it, but he feared that the other party might actually have the contract.
He nodded. "There was indeed such a matter. It was to treat His Majesty Per's illness."
"The reason I didn't mention it earlier was that there was no one in charge. Now that you have a new Dragon Emperor, it's time for the contract to be honored."
Per didn't know Xiao Xun's intentions. "What do you want?"
"The reason I introduced myself is to tell everyone that I lack nothing. Therefore, what I want is your Qigao Neishan."
"What~"
The crowd exchanged glances. They never expected Xiao Xun to want the dragons' territory.
"You can choose not to give it, but this would be a blatant violation of the contractual spirit between the Dragon Race and the Human Race. In that case, I will definitely capture a few dragons to pull my carriage. How imposing would that be! Those Dragon Knights will control you like horses."
Per was furious. "Swain, are you trying to start a war with our Dragon Race?"
Xiao Xun smiled. "I can tear up the contract, but you have to agree to one thing."
Per looked at everyone. "What is it? We will agree to any condition that is not excessive."
Xiao Xun stood up, staring at Walter, and smiled. "Heh heh, my condition happens to be very excessive! I want to dissolve the Qigao Neishan Council and revise the Dragon Race laws!"
The anger of the nine Dragon elders had reached its limit. Walter's face was also ashen. "This is an insult to the tens of thousands of years of tradition in Qigao Neishan!"
Per instantly understood Xiao Xun's intentions. Her previously cold face instantly softened.
Xiao Xun looked at them. "If you refuse, then prepare to move!"
As he spoke, his eyes fell on Bai Yang.
Bai Yang understood implicitly and released a portion of his pressure. "Everyone must obey our lord's words!"
"This is absolutely impossible!" Walter stood up abruptly. "At worst, we will die fighting in Qigao Neishan!"
If they leave, so be it. Xiao Xun shrugged indifferently. At worst, after driving these dragons away, he would give the mountain to Per.
"Esteemed Elders, please wait!"
Per stopped the nine elders. "I have another proposal. How about we change the structure of the council?"
Walter was startled. The elders understood. So, Xiao Xun was supporting her. They sat down again. "Please, Your Majesty, tell us."
"There are many families among our Dragon Race, and most of the elders present are family patriarchs. Therefore, I suggest that Qigao Neishan abolish the council and establish a House of Representatives. Of course, this is just changing the name of the council. Your rights will remain unchanged, and you can serve for life!"
The elders' eyes lit up simultaneously. The allure of the lifelong tenure condition was too great. The elders nodded one after another.
Xiao Xun looked on curiously, wondering what Per was up to. This seemed to benefit her in no way.
Per continued, "Furthermore, your status will be inherited by your descendants, and at the same time, the number of ministers under the House of Representatives will be expanded. As for these newly added members, they will be chosen from your families."
Xiao Xun's mind conjured three words: Tui En Ling (the Imperial Decree to Extend Grace).
He hadn't expected Per's maneuver to be so brilliant!
Thinking of this, he cleared his throat. "If everyone has no objections, then let us pay homage to the new Dragon Emperor!"
After the elders paid their respects to Per, they retired contentedly.
Xiao Xun walked up to Per. "Not bad! Did you just think of this method, or had you planned it long ago?"
"My father Emperor thought of it. Unfortunately, before he could implement it..."
Xiao Xun gently patted her shoulder. "How did your father Emperor die? Could it be related to these elders?"
"Whether it's related to them or not, I don't know, but my father Emperor was killed by the King of Wrath."
Xiao Xun nodded. "The King of Wrath is the leader of the Four Demon Kings. He is indeed difficult to deal with."
Per took Xiao Xun's hand. "No matter what, thank you today."
"When you say that, it makes us strangers! Who are we to each other?"
Then Xiao Xun remembered something and said to Per, "Let me tell you the next step. Your House of Representatives has been established, but their powers haven't been delegated. However, you can transfer them."
Per looked at Xiao Xun curiously. "Transfer?"
"Exactly. As long as you take advantage of the newly added members of the House of Representatives, you can disrupt the positions of family members and their patriarchs. For example, let the family members of the elder in charge of finance manage the laws, and let those in charge of construction manage the population. This will easily sow discord among the elders! Then, as long as you win over a few more important elders, you can control the House of Representatives."
Per leaned down and kissed Xiao Xun. "You're amazing, just as I expected."
Xiao Xun sheepishly scratched his head. "Don't be like that. Since there's nothing for me to do here, I have urgent matters to return to the capital of Saint Roman. Can you send us off?"
"I'll escort you back myself!"
"You've just become the Dragon Emperor, and your position is unstable. It's better to send a couple of people who can bear the weight of our thirteen people."
"No problem, I'll arrange it."
Riding on two particularly large dragons, they flew towards the capital of Saint Roman. Due to the speed of the dragons, they even caught up to the Zeppelin airship they had departed on.
The entire sky over the capital of Saint Roman was shrouded in mist, with smoke enveloping everywhere. All that could be seen were countless chimneys.
Xiao Xun covered his mouth and nose. "I've only been gone for a few days, how did the capital become like this?"