Fellow Daoist Kunpeng, You're as Dashing as Ever!

After a moment of silence, as the Four Dragon Kings looked at Candle Dragon with eager anticipation,

Candle Dragon finally spoke.

"I already know what happened.

But the Heavenly Emperor has gone straight into seclusion.

And some of the tribute we brought isn't easy to hand over.

For now, all we can do is wait.

Once the Heavenly Emperor emerges from seclusion, we'll present the Dragon Race's tribute.

After all, the Clam Maidens we brought as tribute were meant to give the Heavenly Emperor a chance to enjoy some singing and dancing and relax.

But who knows what other people might think."

At Candle Dragon's words, a trace of awkwardness crossed the Four Dragon Kings' faces.

Enjoy "singing and dancing"?

That was just an excuse.

If this came out into the open, the Dragon Race would be nothing short of a bunch of treacherous sycophants.

Who in their right mind would send beautiful women as gifts?

And not just a few, but several hundred at once.

And they planned to offer them as tribute every ten thousand years from now on.

This was practically the textbook definition of a fawning courtier.

After a moment of silence, Ao Qin couldn't help sighing. "Hah!

What a mess!

We can't even get our gift delivered!

What do we do now?

If we don't make some kind of move, then once the Heavenly Emperor emerges from seclusion,

he'll probably come straight after the Dragon Race."

Candle Dragon thought for a moment, then said, "Here's what we'll do.

When you return, Ao Guang, contact Qiu Niu at once.

Have him come work for the Heavenly Court. Since we've brought eight hundred thousand members of the Water Clan,

we need to treat this as a serious matter.

Otherwise, I'll be isolated in the Heavenly Court, and the Dragon Race won't fare any better.

Also, have Qiu Niu bring Tao Tie along.

That fellow has roamed the Primordial World unchecked for far too long.

It's time he settled down.

Things are different now. The Heavenly Court's influence is growing by the day.

If we let him keep doing as he pleases, he might be one of the targets they wipe out next.

Also, have Xie Zhi come to the Heavenly Court.

His Innate Divine Ability is perfect for managing the Heavenly Prison.

Each of the Four Seas, send another fifty thousand members of the Water Clan.

Help Xie Zhi get the Heavenly Prison up and running.

Don't worry about how far behind us we are compared to Kunpeng. We at least need to show our attitude.

Otherwise, without value or the right attitude,

the only ones who'll suffer will be the Dragon Race."

Hearing Candle Dragon's words, Ao Guang furrowed his brow. "Old Ancestor!

I understand what you're saying.

But..."

Seeing Ao Guang hesitate, Candle Dragon asked in a low voice, "But what?

Are you unwilling to send another fifty thousand members of the Water Clan?"

Ao Guang immediately shook his head. "That's not what I mean at all!

The problem is that the three you just named all have extraordinary status.

If I go to notify them, they might not even listen to me.

Especially Tao Tie. Given his temperament,

if he gets annoyed, he might even swallow me whole."

At that, Candle Dragon's expression fell.

That was true. With Tao Tie's temperament, he was certainly capable of it.

Candle Dragon then said, "Forget it.

Go back and prepare the next batch of the Water Clan.

I'll notify Tao Tie and the others myself."

The Four Dragon Kings rose and bowed. "Yes!

We'll take our leave!"

After the Four Dragon Kings left, Candle Dragon remained seated, pondering the situation.

For the Dragon Race, this was even more frustrating than the last time they joined the Heavenly Court.

After all, the last time, Dijun and Taiyi had seemed very unfriendly toward the Dragon Race.

But after the Dragon Race declared its allegiance, they hadn't caused it much actual loss.

This time was different. Haotian seemed to have raised Candle Dragon to a high position.

But how Haotian intended to treat the Dragon Race remained a mystery.

And Candle Dragon himself was stuck in the Heavenly Court.

That left the Dragon Race in a very passive position.

He had to think about how to answer to Haotian while also keeping the Dragon Race's losses in check.

Exhausting!

After thinking it over, Candle Dragon decided to pay Kunpeng a visit.

Kunpeng had experience with this sort of thing.

He could sound him out and see if he could glean anything useful.

Besides, they'd all be serving the Heavenly Court from now on. It would be good to build a relationship,

so he wouldn't get screwed over later.

He wasn't expecting Kunpeng to help him. At the very least, he hoped Kunpeng wouldn't make things worse.

Especially now, when most of the Divine Positions in the Heavenly Court belonged to the Demon Race.

They might not dare disobey Haotian's orders, but that didn't mean they couldn't trip Candle Dragon up.

With that thought,

Candle Dragon vanished from where he stood.

A moment later,

Candle Dragon arrived at the palace where Kunpeng lived.

"Fellow Daoist Kunpeng!

Candle Dragon is here to pay you a visit!"

Hearing Candle Dragon's voice, Kunpeng suppressed his doubts.

Then he slowly said, "Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon, come in!"

Once inside the hall, Candle Dragon gave a slight bow.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng!

It's been years, yet you're as dashing as ever!"

At Candle Dragon's words, a surge of resentment welled up inside Kunpeng.

Why the hell would you bring that up?

I've ended up in this sorry state, and you're telling me I'm as dashing as ever?

Are you mocking me for getting captured again?

With that thought, Kunpeng replied, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon!

You're looking as fine as ever, too!

Please, have a seat!"

Kunpeng's words were a subtle counterattack.

Hadn't Candle Dragon also been captured and brought to the Heavenly Court?

Kunpeng might be having a rough time, but Candle Dragon wasn't doing much better.

Once Candle Dragon had taken his seat, Kunpeng waved a cup of tea over to him.

Then he asked, "May I ask what brings you here, Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon?"

Candle Dragon shook his head. "I wouldn't presume to offer advice.

It's just that we'll both be serving in the Heavenly Court from now on, so I came to pay you a visit."

At that, Kunpeng wasn't sure what Candle Dragon was after.

Had he come all this way just to mock him?

Candle Dragon didn't seem that idle.

Had he come to build a relationship?

That would be a good thing!

Though it wouldn't be worth a damn!

Their lives were all in Haotian's hands.

Start trouble?

They might not survive the night!

For now, Kunpeng would assume Candle Dragon was sincerely offering goodwill. There was no need to reject him in a hurry.

After all, Candle Dragon's cultivation was a level above his own.

Kunpeng replied, "I wholeheartedly agree, Fellow Daoist!

Since we'll both be serving in the Heavenly Court from now on, let's communicate beforehand whenever something comes up.

That way, we can avoid a lot of misunderstandings and do our best to carry out Your Majesty's instructions."

The meaning was clear: Kunpeng had accepted Candle Dragon's goodwill.

And he was willing to get along peacefully with Candle Dragon.

As long as they didn't go against the Heavenly Emperor's will.

Hearing that answer, Candle Dragon felt reassured.

It seemed Kunpeng was willing to coexist peacefully as well.

That made it less likely he'd kick Candle Dragon while he was down.

Although Haotian loomed over them, so they couldn't exactly stand together through thick and thin,

this was still a decent start for the Dragon Race and Candle Dragon.

Candle Dragon then said, "Well said, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng!

We certainly can't botch the task Your Majesty has given us.

But the Dragon Race didn't contribute very much this time, and I fear Your Majesty may be displeased.

Could you give me some advice?"

At Candle Dragon's words, Kunpeng immediately felt a little displeased.

Had Candle Dragon come to express goodwill, or to pick a fight?

Why bring that up for no reason?

Everyone in the Primordial World knew that Kunpeng had thrown the Demon Race under the bus to save his own hide.

When Candle Dragon said the Dragon Race hadn't contributed much,

wasn't he saying that Kunpeng had been ruthless toward the Demon Race?

Was he taking a jab at him?

Or mocking him?

Kunpeng had just thought Candle Dragon had come to offer goodwill.

It seemed he'd jumped to that conclusion too soon.

He'd wait and see.

Let's see what you have to say next.

Kunpeng replied coolly, "Fellow Daoist Candle Dragon!

I can't really say.

Besides, haven't you already prepared a generous gift?

Why ask me?"

When Kunpeng mentioned the generous gift, a trace of awkwardness crossed Candle Dragon's face.

He'd thought he'd kept it discreet, but apparently everyone had seen through him.

But why did you have to call it out?

Can't we have a pleasant conversation?