Blame Me for Not Knowing You, Daoist Friend!

Things were looking rather bleak for Candle Dragon. All he could do was hope he might manage to fool Haotian.

After mulling it over for a moment, Candle Dragon spoke. "Daoist Friend Haotian!

I concede defeat in this match!

Now please let me go."

As he spoke, Candle Dragon turned his gaze toward Haotian,

hoping to see some chance of escape in his expression.

Unfortunately!

He had underestimated Haotian's judgment.

At that moment, Haotian was looking at him with a mocking smile.

The smile on his face might have been scorn at Candle Dragon for walking right into a trap,

or perhaps the joy of winning their contest.

But after waiting a while, Candle Dragon still didn't hear Haotian reply.

By now, Candle Dragon understood that mockery made up most of Haotian's smile.

Haotian was laughing at how blind he was to the situation.

Candle Dragon couldn't help recalling what Haotian had said to Kunpeng earlier:

"After you die, your spiritual treasures will be mine!"

Those words applied to him now, too. That was more or less the idea.

Candle Dragon was like a piece of fatty meat in a pot, and Haotian could do with him as he pleased.

Did Candle Dragon think Haotian would simply let him go?

Impossible!

If Haotian had even a little ambition, he wouldn't do that.

Winning people over with virtue depended on who you were dealing with.

Would old fossils like them submit after being shown kindness a few times?

Even Candle Dragon himself thought that was impossible, let alone Haotian.

With that in mind, Candle Dragon spoke again. "Daoist Friend Haotian!

The Dragon Race is willing to submit to the Heavenly Court. From now on, we'll follow your orders."

Hearing him out, Haotian replied coolly, "Daoist Friend Candle Dragon!

At this point, do you really think the Dragon Race can stay outside the Heavenly Court?

As I see it,

the Dragon Race isn't what we need to discuss now.

The Dragon Race?

Whether they submit isn't up to them.

In the past, Dijun and Taiyi could burn the heavens and boil the seas.

I don't think I lack that kind of strength myself.

But if things come to that, it's hard to say whether the Dragon Race will still be the Dragon Race we know.

That makes no difference to me, though.

What we need to discuss now is you, Daoist Friend Candle Dragon.

How do you intend to settle this matter?

I already told you.

If I have to step in, the price will be very steep.

So, what do you have to say?"

With that, Haotian stared fixedly at Candle Dragon.

Hearing Haotian's words, Candle Dragon's heart sank.

This was bad!

From the look of it, he either had to offer something that would move Haotian,

or follow Kunpeng's example.

He'd have to put on the hat of a traitor who had served three masters, and from then on, Candle Dragon would be a stranger to the world.

Of course,

he could also refuse to submit, even if it meant death.

But if he did that, Candle Dragon would certainly die.

Haotian would merely put on an act, wring his hands, and sigh,

then shed a few crocodile tears,

praising Candle Dragon for his integrity.

But that wasn't what Candle Dragon wanted!

If he'd really cared about integrity, he would have been done for long ago, back when he faced Dijun and Taiyi.

Besides, he'd agreed to pay a price earlier without thinking it through.

He hadn't even asked what he'd have to give up.

He'd just carelessly assumed they could settle things easily.

After pondering for a while, Candle Dragon decided it was best to start with spiritual treasures.

After all, what if Haotian was moved by his spiritual treasures?

Was that wishful thinking?

No!

It was the proper way to begin negotiations.

With that in mind,

Candle Dragon said, "Then what spiritual treasure would I need to offer for you to put this contest behind us, Daoist Friend?"

Haotian looked at Candle Dragon deeply.

Only then did he say slowly, "Daoist Friend Candle Dragon, that's a rather childish thing to say.

Daoist Friend Kunpeng planned to use my own possessions to bargain with me.

But I saw through his scheme.

Do you think I'll make concessions to you?

Or do you think

the spiritual treasure you offer could surpass the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square?"

At those words, half of Candle Dragon's heart went cold.

Could he offer a spiritual treasure better than the River Diagram and Lo Shu Square?

Impossible!

If the Dragon Race had possessed such a treasure, how could it have fallen into its current state?

As for Haotian making concessions to him?

That was even more absurd!

So, looking at the situation now,

there weren't many options left.

Either he died and his Dao vanished, then hoped Ancestor Dragon would avenge him.

Or he followed Kunpeng's example

and bowed his head in submission.

Faced with those two choices,

Candle Dragon quickly made the sensible decision.

He'd better follow Kunpeng's lead!

Better to live badly than die well.

If he wasn't afraid of death, what was there to fear about living?

Besides,

Daoist Friend Kunpeng had set the example. If Candle Dragon did the same, it wouldn't be that shameful for a dragon.

With that, Candle Dragon said, "I am willing to submit to the Great Heavenly Venerate!

I hope the Great Heavenly Venerate will take me in!"

Hearing him, Haotian didn't agree right away.

They were all old hands. Who didn't know how this worked?

Words alone meant nothing. Who would dare accept such an offer?

Kunpeng had once given a wisp of his soul to Dijun and Taiyi.

Even then, he'd been able to stab them in the back at a crucial moment.

Did Candle Dragon think Haotian could trust him?

It wasn't that Haotian was too suspicious. That fellow Kunpeng had destroyed trust for everyone.

If Candle Dragon wanted to blame someone, he could blame Kunpeng.

Seeing that Haotian didn't respond, Candle Dragon immediately realized the problem, too.

Once he understood why, he cursed Kunpeng so thoroughly in his heart that no insult was spared.

That fellow had shut off every path for the rest of the cultivators.

While silently cursing Kunpeng, Candle Dragon continued aloud, "I know the rules!

I'll swear the oath right now!"

Then Candle Dragon repeated the oath Kunpeng had sworn not long ago.

The same oath came from different cultivators,

and Candle Dragon's feelings as he spoke it now were naturally very different.

When he'd heard Kunpeng recite it, Candle Dragon had thought Kunpeng was a joke.

But now that the words came from his own mouth, Candle Dragon felt an urge to curse.

After finishing the oath, Candle Dragon took out a wisp of his soul and offered it to Haotian.

"Your Majesty, please accept my sincerity!"

Haotian glanced at the wisp of soul, then raised his eyes slightly to look at Candle Dragon.

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Candle Dragon, for coming to the Heavenly Court and working with us to preserve the stability of the Primordial World!"

With that,

Haotian reached out and patted Candle Dragon on the shoulder.

Only then did he take the wisp of soul and place it in the Investiture of the Gods.

Hearing Haotian's words, Candle Dragon's mouth twitched.

Oh, thank you so much for thanking me!

If I had a choice, I'd rather not have your thanks.

With just one thank-you, I'd paid an enormous price.

Not only had I lost all face, I'd also been saddled with the label of a traitor who had served three masters.

Worse still, I'd lost my freedom for good.

Steadying himself, Candle Dragon forced a smile.

"This is only my duty!

As a cultivator of the Primordial World, it's my responsibility to safeguard its peace and stability!"

Haotian replied, "Good!

If I'd known sooner that you had such a kind heart,

I would have invited you to the Heavenly Court long ago to plan great things together.

Ah!

Blame me for not knowing you, Daoist Friend!

But it's not too late now.

I hope you'll join hands with me from now on

and help make the Primordial World even better!"