The Lowborn Are the Celestial Dragons' Allies

The Elder wearing a flat cap and sporting a bushy white beard said indignantly, "What does this have to do with the lowborn? Are you trying to tell us that the supreme Celestial Dragons want the same things as the lowborn?"

Lu Ye gave him a sidelong look and curled his lip in disgust.

No wonder Imu removed you in the original story. With a brain like that, you're the Warrior God of Science and Defense?

I'd be afraid you'd sneak a taste even if I put you to work hauling shit!

"What we Celestial Dragons want is to stand at the very top of the world forever, basking in power and authority.

"To that end, we want the seas to remain calm, with no challengers like Rocks ever appearing again.

"The lowborn are simpler. They just want to live. Even when they lack clothes to cover themselves, food to fill their bellies, and don't know if they'll survive the day, they still stubbornly cling to life, like cockroaches.

"To that end, they willingly obey the rules we set, walk into their cages of their own accord, and are willing to defend them with their lives, begging only for the cages to give them the tiniest sense of security...

"Gentlemen, what a lowly wish, as simple as breathing!

"So, as you can see, we, the supreme, happen to want the same things as the lowborn, who are like ants.

"We all hate pirates, rebels, and war. As long as we show a little mercy, the lowborn will be our staunchest allies.

"Even if you despise them in your hearts, surely you can put on an act?

"That's what's called the benevolent ruler and treacherous minister scam!"

The balding Elder fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "But they're too weak. We have to spend resources protecting them instead. The costs outweigh the benefits."

Sitting on the coffee table, Lu Ye stuffed several pieces of West Blue specialty sweet cake into his mouth and mumbled,

"Haven't you heard? Governing a great nation is like cooking... bang, bang, bang, bang!"

The bald Elder frowned and brushed the crumbs Lu Ye had sprayed over his leg. "Bang, bang, bang, bang? What does that mean?"

Lu Ye wiped his mouth and said calmly, "It means governing these seas is as simple as a gang managing a street. It takes a little patience. Bang, bang, bang, bang describes gangs fighting each other.

"Don't think the longtime residents are useless. Not only do they pay you protection money, but the blacksmith can supply you with weapons, the breakfast stall can supply you with food, and their sons might become fierce fighters who charge into battle for you.

"Win them all over and make them loyal to you, and you'll be invincible on that street.

"On the other hand, if you force them to work with your rivals...

"Fools! The fat uncle at the breakfast stall only has to tell the other side how many baskets of buns you ordered that morning, and they'll know how many men you left at your headquarters.

"Surely no idiot thinks pirates just pop out of the sea?

"Surely no idiot thinks marines turn into people from seagulls?

"They were all lowborn we look down on before that!"

The short-haired blond Elder frowned. "Are you saying the supreme Celestial Dragons need to win over the lowborn?"

"You don't have to win them over, but then who are your friends?"

Lu Ye licked the corner of his mouth and flashed a sinister smile.

"Kingdom nobles? Can nobles be trusted?

"They have everything in their kingdoms. Compared to us, all they lack is the status of Celestial Dragons. So what do you think they want most? Do they want to maintain the status quo like us?

"If one day we face an opponent we can't defeat quickly, they'll go through the motions without making a real effort.

"If the opponent is stronger, they'll switch sides.

"If the sides are evenly matched, they'll watch from the sidelines and try to take over Mary Geoise in the end...

"Putting ridiculous fishbowls over their heads, just like this bunch of idiots.

"The Marines? Are the Marines our loyal dogs?

"The Marines follow justice. They appear to obey the World Government's orders and oppose the pirates who stir up the seas.

"But can we really subdue this beast that preaches justice? How do we know they aren't pretending to cooperate while plotting for true justice?

"Don't forget, gentlemen! What have our lovely compatriots done across the four seas? The Marines know better than anyone.

"If they want justice, then we are the most disgraceful stain on justice's robes..."

Bang!

The bald Elder abruptly slammed his long sword into the floor. Cold sweat ran down his temple, and a lion seemed to roar in his eyes.

"Garling, don't leave later. We'll discuss Longinus's third proposal again..."

The other Elders were silent for a while before nodding in agreement.

Garling sat with his legs crossed, one hand propping up his cheek, the corners of his mouth raised.

"Agreed. I was thinking the same thing."

He naturally knew that "discuss again" meant taking it before that lord.

"What books has this child been reading?"

The short-haired blond Elder turned to look at Homing, evidently having taken Lu Ye's advice to "read more books" to heart.

Homing jolted. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead as he forced a composed smile.

"Lord Jupiter, the metaphor about gangs and streets sounds as though it came from The Martin Family of Cook Street. I read Longinus that story when he was little, and he liked it very much."

"It sounds like a very philosophical book."

The short-haired blond Elder smiled and nodded. "Please have CP send it over later. I'd like to learn from it too."

"Huh? Y-yes!"

Sweat poured down Homing's face. He couldn't fathom where the philosophy was. The tedious, interminable Cook Street had tormented him into passing out twice.

For that reason, Homing, who had always been known for his kindness, had even assigned CP Agents to find the author in the North Blue. They had found Cook Street and the Martin Family, then wiped the Martin Family out completely.

The results were remarkable!

In the author Muscle Bat King's new book, the protagonist's territory had successfully expanded to...

Two streets!

Remarkable, my ass!

Do you even know how to write a book?!

If Lu Ye hadn't stopped asking to hear stories, Homing really would have had CP Agents wipe out the criminal forces on those two streets as well.

Later, Pucout and the other Celestial Dragons finally heard the Five Elders order them to get out, and they couldn't help weeping with joy...

In the space of just one hour, their fortunes had risen and fallen like a roller coaster, bouncing back and forth at death's door. It had been far too thrilling!

They swarmed out of the council hall and ran straight into Lu Ye and blond Pops in the corridor as they were preparing to leave, with Sullivan and the Hoffman Squad following behind them.

Lu Ye glanced at the Celestial Dragons and sneered. "Gentlemen, remember this: from now on, don't go anywhere alone, don't go out at night, and don't walk down deserted alleys..."

He was only halfway through his warning when the genius Pucout dropped to his knees.

"Lord Longinus, I know I was wrong! I'll never dare do it again..."

The other Celestial Dragons also fell to their knees, knocking their heads against the floor and crying for forgiveness.

You should've said you were crazy!

If you'd said so, who the fuck would've dared offend you?!

Homing watched the Celestial Dragons kowtowing in a disorderly heap and swallowed. For some reason, an image of dung beetles mating en masse came to mind.

Lu Ye walked up to them amicably and patted Pucout on the shoulder, speaking earnestly.

"I'm not threatening you. If I wanted to beat you up, I wouldn't bother hiding it from anyone.

"You haven't forgotten, have you?

"It was because you complained that I was brought to the Room of Authority.

"It was because I was brought to the Room of Authority that I accidentally voiced my proposal.

"It was because I voiced my proposal that the Heavenly Tribute allocated to many Celestial Dragons will be drastically reduced.

"Everyone...

"Can you take a beating?"

The Celestial Dragons lay prostrate on the ground, blinking their pitiful little eyes, their bodies trembling and their upturned faces full of sorrow...

They look even more like dung beetles mating en masse!

Lu Ye reached out and untied the horn on top of Pucout's head. His ugly, pouting face was much easier on the eyes now.

"One last friendly reminder!

"Next time you beg for mercy, don't call me lord. Call me daddy, because even a vicious tiger won't eat its cubs..."