Chapter 489: Deliberations in the Dragon Hall

Three days later, in the Dragon Hall.

Ai Mili Si sat high upon the Iron Throne, looking down at the ministers below.

Today she wore an exquisite, intricate silver‑white robe, its sleeves and collar embroidered with gold trim, exuding an unspeakable nobility. Her silver‑gold hair was coiled, and a simple dragon‑shaped crown rested on her head, giving her modestly sized, delicate frame the bearing of a majestic ruler.

Although she had not yet formally ascended the throne, the people of Kangjiatuo already knew the kingdom was about to welcome a new queen!

In the past three days, the Dragonborn army marched north.

Ai Mili Si led a force centered on centaurs and lance‑wing knights, together with half of the Wizard Corps and Extreme Warriors, straight for the Duchy of Ai Ti Si and the Duchy of Bu Lande. Lei En opened a Void Gate to transport troops, and in just half an hour seized Ai Ti Si's capital, Fei Ying Cheng.

The vassal lords of the Ai Ti Si Duchy, seeing the tide, descended in droves and pledged allegiance to the Dragonborn sovereign.

Then, over the next two days, the army captured the Bu Lande capital, Yong Dong Cheng, and several major cities of the Bu Lande family. When the Dragonborn forces arrived at Yong Dong Cheng, the Bu Lande clan had not even received news that Ma Er Ke was dead.

Ding Laji also led a Transcendent Army westward, smoothly seizing the leaderless Duchy of Dan Si.

With that, the Dragonborn had conquered all of Kangjiatuo.

"Everyone," Ai Mili Si's gaze swept over those in the Dragon Hall, lingering on Lei En for half a second, a faint smile curling her lips as she said confidently, "Now is the time to discuss how to deal with the captives and the future governance of the entire kingdom."

Below the Iron Throne sat a dozen or so individuals, all key figures in the Dragonborn camp.

Upon hearing Ai Mili Si's words, everyone's spirits lifted, realizing the moment for dividing spoils had arrived. Especially the dukes, princes of Kangjiatuo's great families, and the legendary transcendent ones—some eager, some uneasy—showed a range of expressions.

However, after a few seconds of waiting, no one responded.

She furrowed her brow slightly, knowing that aside from Lei En, these people were likely gauging her thoughts; if she did not speak, they would not step forward.

Even Wa Luogen, who had followed her for years with unwavering loyalty, remained silent.

"First, the handling of the captives," Ai Mili Si named, "Wa Luogen, present the list of those captives for everyone to hear."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Wa Luogen rose, bowed respectfully to the queen on the throne, then turned and began reciting the names one by one.

The list was long; at its head were Title: Duke Bu Lande and Ke Si Te of the Dan Si family, followed by vassal lords under Ma Er Ke, most of whom had been heroes in the overthrow of the Zhuo Geng Bao dynasty—though from Ai Mili Si's perspective they were traitors and enemies.

Each name on the list was a prominent figure in the kingdom, and many more had been slain in the past few days of war.

Wa Luogen did not consult the record; relying on memory, he reported each person's name, family, and past deeds, taking a full half hour to finish.

After he finished, he sat down again.

Silence fell again in the Dragon Hall; the lords quietly looked up at the queen on the throne, noticing her displeased expression, as the names seemed to stir unpleasant memories.

Everyone glanced at each other, none daring to be the first to speak.

Ding Laji could no longer hold back, rose and asked, "Your Majesty, how should these captives be dealt with? Please instruct us."

"All cut down."

Ai Mili Si's answer was simple, yet made everyone's hearts leap as she continued, "Anyone who took part in the past usurping war shall be beheaded and displayed, stripped of their fiefs and surnames, their families included—none may be spared."

"Your Majesty!" Ding Laji paled, "That would kill at least two thousand people; is it too much?"

"Hm…" Ai Mili Si's gaze was icy, she said calmly, "In the usurping war, the enemy's blades never showed mercy. Anyone with even a trace of Dragonborn blood in their veins scarcely survived, and the vassal lords and subjects loyal to the Zhuo Geng Bao family—how many do you think they killed?"

Ding Laji could not answer, but he estimated in his mind the number must exceed fifty thousand.

Back then, to eradicate the Dragonborn influence completely and prevent the Zhuo Geng Bao clan from striking back, Ma Er Ke's forces carried out a half‑month purge, rivers of blood flowing, leaving a horrifying record in the royal domain that still makes people turn pale when mentioned.

Ding Laji dared not answer the question.

Because the one who decided to strike down and execute the massacre was his father, Title: Duke Dan Si. Now that Title: Duke Dan Si is dead, he fears the queen might redirect her wrath onto the Dan Si family.

"Should Title: Duke Bu Lande also be executed?" Ding Laji shifted the topic and asked.

Ai Mili Si nodded without hesitation.

The dukes and princes present felt a chill in their hearts; although they had long anticipated this outcome, the moment it became certain still brought some dread.

Executing a duke, or even a Legendary High-rank transcendent, is unprecedented in Kangjiatuo's history.

Before the usurping war, aristocratic disputes were always contests without destruction; the seven great families kept a tacit understanding, usually only ceding land and paying reparations, rarely involving a lord's life, let alone a duke's.

The usurping war shattered this unwritten rule, like releasing a demon from the Abyss, with no turning back.

When Title: Duke Bu Lande dies, the blood feud between the two families deepens further.

In the future, unless one family perishes, this hatred will never be resolved, but it was Ma Er Ke and his allies who first broke the rules, so the queen's revenge is beyond reproach.

Title: Duke Bu Lande enjoyed an excellent reputation among Kangjiatuo's people—generous and impartial—but he was a main force in overthrowing the Zhuo Geng Bao dynasty. It was his support, leading the Ice Wolf Knight Order southward and jointly with Ma Er Ke's troops sandwiching the Dragonborn army, that besieged the capital, Jin Si Lan.

Among Ma Er Ke's three rebel leaders, there was also the Duke of Ai Ti Si, the strategist of the trio, but he is already dead, so all new and old grudges fall on Title: Duke Bu Lande.

Seeing Ai Mili Si's resolve, no one dared to persuade further, lest they incur her displeasure.

Ding Laji hesitated a moment, then mustered courage to ask, "Your Majesty, Ke Si Te did not take part in those events; can he be spared?"

Ai Mili Si looked toward her advisor, a hint of hesitation in her eyes.

After a few seconds she said, "Are you sure you want to plead for him?" Without waiting for Ding Laji's reply, she added, "My original intention was to have you inherit Title: Duke Dan Si's seat; if Ke Si Te lives, he will become your greatest future threat."

Ding Laji was stunned by her words.

His expression was extremely complex; as the son his father despised and even hated, expelled from the family, he had never imagined he might one day inherit a dukedom.

Throughout the Duchy of Dan Si, everyone knew Ke Si Te was the sole heir.

Even though in recent days he led troops to conquer the Dan Si Duchy, he still hoped for the family's and people's approval, for his youthful self had left a poor impression.

Perhaps in his kin's eyes, his present self is merely a petty opportunist, unworthy of the duke's title.

Ding Laji's expression wavered; inside, a voice tempted him—if he ignored Ke Si Te and let him be executed, he could become Title: Duke Dan Si, gain the queen's backing, and any familial opposition would be futile, easily suppressed.

But he also thought of Ke Si Te's concern for him; he was the only family member who truly cared for him.

Past memories flashed through Ding Laji's mind.

"No…" Ding Laji's voice was hoarse, his complexion conflicted as he said, "I do not wish to become Title: Duke Dan Si; please, Your Majesty, spare Ke Si Te's life for my sake. I have already interrogated him; he was unaware of this Dan Si family betrayal, it was my father's plan, and he was kept in the dark."

He seemed to exhaust all his strength before uttering those words.

Everyone in the Dragon Hall looked at him anew; in this world, someone truly resisted the lure of a dukedom!

It should be noted that the queen has long intended to appoint Ding Laji as Prime Minister.

With a single person, holding both the titles of Title: Duke and Prime Minister, Ding Laji's future status in Kangjiatuo is second only to His Majesty and Lei En.

Ai Mi Li Si stared at Ding Laji for a long time, then finally nodded.

"Fine." she agreed, "Ke Si Te must pay a ransom of ten million golden dragons, surrender four territories that border the Zhuo Geng Bao Principality, and…" she paused, "I want one of his hands, the right hand."

Ding Laji nearly jumped up; each of the three conditions was harsher than the last.

Compensation, ceding land, and also cutting off a hand!

Moreover, Ai Mi Li Si specifically demanded Ke Si Te's right hand, his sword‑gripping hand; once severed, his power would drop by more than thirty percent.

Ke Si Te is a Legendary High-rank Transcendent, possessing strong self‑healing, but he cannot regenerate a severed limb. Even if he went to the Empire to enlist a legendary priest of the Earth Church to cast a Restoration Technique of seven or more rings to regrow the right hand, it would be hard to regain his former strength.

This would affect Ke Si Te's cultivation; he likely could not advance for decades.

Obviously, His Majesty is still wary of the Dan Si family, seeking to crush Ke Si Te's potential.

Ding Laji subconsciously tried to object, but met Ai Mi Li Si's cold gaze; he opened his mouth, and finally uttered only one word: "Yes."

Next, Ai Mi Li Si continued to outline her plan.

The Etis Principality ceded five territories to merge into the Zhuo Geng Bao family; together with four territories of the Dan Si Principality in the west, the Zhuo Geng Bao Principality instantly became the second‑largest principality in Kangjiatuo, second only to the Bu Lan Deng Principality. Since Bu Lan Deng does not border anyone, its lands are barren and cold, almost valueless, so no land needs to be ceded, but compensation cannot be omitted.

Ai Mi Li Si only demanded five million golden dragons, and allowed payment to be spread over ten years.

The entire Bu Lan Deng Principality has just over three million people, scarce production, and cannot muster that sum. Even a yearly tribute of five hundred thousand golden dragons feels like a mountain pressing on the Bu Lan Deng family, leaving the principality gasping for breath.

This is precisely the result Ai Mi Li Si wants, ruthlessly squeezing the enemy's lands and people.

If she were not wary of the gods, she would certainly have eliminated the three families outright, never giving them a chance to breathe.

The meeting in the Dragon Hall lasted two hours; Lei En remained silent the whole time, watching coldly as Ai Mi Li Si displayed ruthless tactics from the Iron Throne.

She has already become a competent queen.

After the meeting, he stepped out of the Dragon Hall; Kai De Jia and Kelaoaosi's figures appeared before his eyes, both wearing a faint relaxed smile.

"How did it go?" Lei En asked concernedly. He had thought that the two chairmen jointly slaying the spirit wind stag would be a piece of cake, but it took three days, and he almost thought an accident had occurred.

"See for yourself."

Kai De Jia produced a Soul Stone and handed it over.

Lei En caught it and saw that within the Soul Stone was the demonic soul of a blue giant elk; more than twenty Elements surfaced, including the superlative Element "Endless Spring Breeze" he most wanted to see!

(End of Chapter)