The Li State was the strongest state beneath the Six States...
I stood as an equal beside the Son of Heaven of the Hegemon State...
How was the Li State not a Hegemon State?!
The Snowfield Emperor's abacus beads came flying at people, right over their heads.
Others could treat it as idle amusement, but River-Subduing True Lord, as the referee of this Yellow River Assembly... could not "dodge."
Every abacus bead struck upon his Dao.
He had to receive each one with the utmost care and treat it with earnest seriousness.
"Given Your Majesty's exalted standing, your part in the dawn of this era, your establishment of the state system, and your twice founding of great states... within the bounds of the six directions, there is naturally no seat you may not take!"
Having delivered the pleasantries, Jiang Wang was about to say "but."
"However, the Long River Dragon Lord's ceremonial seat was established solely for the Aquatic Race. It bears the will of the Human Emperor of the Middle Ages, carries on the virtue of sun and moon existing together, and opens an age where land and water shine alike, for the peace of all generations."
"Now that the Dragon Palace has no master and the Aquatic Race has no lord, this seat remains vacant, awaiting a worthy successor. This is truly the wish for everlasting friendship between the two races, unchanging even through ten thousand ages."
"If Your Majesty were to be honored in this seat, what hope would the aquatic beings of the world have left? With Your Majesty's virtue, how could you be at ease? Surely, Your Majesty would never undertake such a course!"
Jiang Wang bowed deeply, his etiquette impeccably respectful.
Though in private they had long since become "big brother" and "little brother,"