A large group made its way toward the palace.
Along both sides of the streets they had to pass through, only a sparse few people knelt. Almost all of them were slaves.
Ordinary civilians and pirates merely watched from the sidelines.
Before the Cultivation Era, far more people would have knelt.
But with the explosive rise of the Cultivation Era, even civilians had gained a measure of strength. The royal army no longer dared force them to kneel. If things got out of hand, the Liquor Kingdom could end up declaring itself a kingdom no more.
That would only benefit whoever took power next.
In other words,
strength had given many civilians self-respect, courage, and the power to fight back.
Everything had changed.
Their lives of oppression were gone for good. Even if things hadn't improved for everyone, life was still so, so much better than before.
At that moment, the palace was decked out in festive decorations.
To welcome the Celestial Dragons, the king and his ministers had racked their brains and spared no expense, throwing manpower and money at the job so they could get everything ready in a single night.
Red carpets stretched from the streets all the way to the palace.
Inside the palace,
the first thing that caught the eye was the extravagance.
Long banquet tables were laden with all kinds of delicacies.
Maidservants in maid outfits, high heels, and garter stockings waited respectfully to greet the guests.
"Excellent!"
Saint Jegenos was very pleased. The arrangements were exactly to his liking.
"Saint Jegenos, please take the seat in the very center."
The king led the group into the banquet hall. A raised platform stood at the far end, clearly meant for performances.
Naturally, only Saint Jegenos could take the center seat.
More than a dozen