As our group entered the massive room, the door slammed shut with a boom. Why make it so dramatic? Totally impractical—extra work for no reason.
"Your Majesty Makino, I know why you're here. But we dragons live carefree on Dragon Island. We see no need to join your war with the demons," the Second Elder said, shutting me down right off the bat. No wonder he's only number two—zero vision. How'd the dragons pick this guy? The gorgeous Fourth Elder watched me with interest, curious how I'd handle this. I'd planned for this. Smirking at her, I said, "Whether Dragon Island is affected by the human-demon war, you elders know better than me. Since you know my purpose, you're not cut off from the world. How can a connected realm avoid impact? If humans lose, Dragon Island's next."
"Is Your Majesty exaggerating?" Old Two (no need to be polite to shortsighted fools) pressed. "No need for me to say—the situation's clear. Back in the God-Demon War, it didn't involve human tribes at first, right? But then the whole human realm got dragged in. Even peace-loving elves joined, retreating to the Dream Forest, and dragons to Dragon Island. Distance didn't save you—only the Creator God's intervention did. Am I wrong?" I stared at Old Two.
"The human-demon war's at a stalemate. Demons are blocked outside the Eastern Continent. Humans won't lose, so we don't need dragon help," the Fourth Elder said, her voice dripping with charm. I shot her a glare. Stirring trouble for no reason? Just wait—I'll spank that little butt later.
"On the surface, sure. I'll be straight: I'm confident we can beat the demons, but only if we solve our army's population issue. Human tribes, after mainland chaos and demon invasions, lost over half our numbers. If we hadn't held demons back these three years, gaining strength, we'd be extinct. If that happens, dragons will be affected. Your reproduction relies on human-supplied energy blocks. No humans, plus your slow birth rate? You'd wipe yourselves out—no demons needed."
"We've thrived thousands of years and can match demons. They wouldn't dare attack," the Third Elder said. The First Elder nodded in agreement. "Third Elder, can you guarantee demons won't attack Dragon Island if they unify humans?" I asked. "They probably would, but we're no pushovers," he said, fumbling. "Third Elder's a reasonable man," I said, buttering him up. "If demons unify humans, they'll hit Dragon Island next. They can't risk an unstable factor with the gods looming, especially since dragons sided with gods in the God-Demon War. Better we team up now and hit demons first than face them alone later."
"If we ally and demons turn on Dragon Island, won't we lose more?" Old Two chimed in. Ugh, I'm done with this guy. "We all want to minimize losses. You might think I'm here to send dragons to die. Wrong. As I said, humans have strength but not longevity. I'm here to reduce casualties on both sides, hitting demons from all angles." The First and Sixth Elders nodded.
"But, but—" Old Two started. I cut him off. "Demons are here, and gods won't be far behind. Per ancient treaties, dragons will have to fight anyway. We're tougher than gods and demons in some ways—you know it. Otherwise, we'd have the higher body count. But since I've led humans, our losses are far lower than demons'. In the God-Demon War, casualties were even, right?"
Seeing them waver, I dropped the bombshell: "Truth is, I and my people are from another planet." The elders gasped. Staring at the Fourth Elder's cherry-red lips, I continued, "No need to worry. We've brought no harm, only built a better world with you. Your kin among humans must've told you about our changes—two planets' cultures fused. If I wasn't worried about wrecking this planet, I wouldn't need help. Our population and weapon power dwarf this world's."
"Then you don't need to worry about population," Old Two said, infuriatingly dumb. "If it were that easy, I wouldn't be here. We can bring people, but too many risks conflict. Fewer is better—easier to control. Immigration's gradual. My goal? Unify this planet." The room fell silent, shocked.
"Your Majesty, you said demons unifying would lead to war with us. Now you want to unify and fight us? Why not wait till you're done and pick up the scraps?" the First Elder said.
"Unification brings losses, but our goal differs. Our unification's an unstoppable trend—to protect our people and explore the cosmos. Demons are stuck in feudalism, enslaving others. In our society, everyone's equal. I'm emperor, but I can't kill freely. Ever seen a human emperor come to Dragon Island alone for peace?" I said, making the Fourth Elder's eyes glisten.
I explained Earth's situation—why mass immigration's a no-go. "Elders, my homeland on Earth is the dragon's nation. We call ourselves dragon descendants, worshiping the dragon spirit. You're truer dragons, so you get it. We're strong but influence through humility and hard work. My unification won't bring disaster but greater benefits and happiness for all tribes. If other Earth tribes found this place, it'd be worse. Only peace-loving us, united, can stop that."
"What a silver tongue, Your Majesty. Hard to resist. Our dragon clan's like your China's late Qing—closed off, we'll get crushed. Allied, we'll be true dragons, soaring the cosmos, not just one planet," the First Elder said, shaking my hand.
"For our future, let's drink!" I pulled red wine from my storage ring, pouring a glass for each to toast. "Is this your custom?" the Sixth Elder asked. "Yep." "I love this custom. This wine's damn tasty," the Fifth Elder, a silent booze hound, finally spoke up. These dragon elders are weird.
"Your Majesty, care to visit my home?" the stunning Fourth Elder invited. Did she fall for me already? Too handsome's a curse. "How could I refuse a lady's invite?" (Per the classics: I scorn someone for saying one thing, doing another. Feitian: Boss, don't blame me—it's your fault for writing me as dashing as you, a pear blossom crushing the begonia. Classics: Ugh, my oversight let you make my mistake. Should've written you uglier. Feitian: No, boss! Chased by women's tough, but at least I've got a buddy. If I'm gone, you'll be lonelier! Classics: Snot and tears flow in excitement.)
"Sister, you're not treating us to energy blocks, right?" I teased. "Get lost! I haven't eaten those in three thousand years," she said, scaring me stiff. "Little Moth, guests! Prep the place!" Fourth Elder Kapo called into the house. "Coming!" A vibrant beauty bounced out, eyeing me and Kitty with big eyes. "When my soul was dim, I met my goddess," I'd later say when Kapo and Little Moth lay in my arms. Little Moth said I told her mom the same. I shrugged—both of you are.
Kapo's sensual figure was a wildfire in my heart. Why so sexy? A grown daughter, yet she stirs my pure soul. Her tight clothes flaunted her curves, that perky butt… Oh no, my nosebleed gushed like a storm.
"Brother Tian, what's wrong?" Kitty shook me. Kitty, use your brain—I'm bleeding, and you're shaking me? Want me to bleed out? "What's up?" Kapo touched my forehead, her hand warm and soft. I must win you, darling Kapo. "Elder, Brother Tian's bleeding worse!" Kitty cried. Kapo glanced at my pitched tent, smirked, and said, "No problem. Take him to a room inside." She whispered to Kitty, who blushed. "Bad Brother Tian, always thinking dirty!" she said, smacking my little soldier. Ouch, you little minx—my Xue'er's way gentler.
Time to deploy The Four Secrets to Chasing Girls for a mother-daughter conquest.
Secret One: Scout
Not that kind of touching—gather intel. Sun Tzu says: Know yourself and your enemy, win every battle. (After bribing the Fifth Elder with six bottles of 50-year XO, I learned: Kapo's husband died long ago, leaving her with daughter Little Moth.)
Secret Two: Infiltrate
Before battle, secure supplies. Love's a rollercoaster—one word can spark a storm. Bribe the beauty's circle first. (Little Moth's Kapo's only kin. Starting with her, I used girls' snack obsession, offering my storage ring's treats. She was so touched, she swore to follow me. Sweat—I'm after your mom. Gotta stay cool, not piss her off.)
Secret Three: Cling
Stick to her like glue. (After handing Kitty to Little Moth, I trailed Kapo, helping with chores, sharing my tragic childhood. When she teared up, I nestled in her arms, crying together, triggering her maternal instincts. She later saw my scheme, but too late—my arms were around her waist, lips on her long-dreamed-of red lips. Goddess, I praise you for this Qiong Yao romance.)
Secret Four: Assess
Optional. Check if you two match—or you'll regret catching her. It's your call: if you say you match, you do. If she says you don't, lock her up, feed her twenty pounds of lard daily for five years, then see who's unworthy!
"Feitian, we're not right. You and Little Moth are a better match. She likes you. Forget me, okay?" Kapo sighed in my arms.
"No way I'm letting you go. I love you! If age is an issue, Little Moth's old enough to be my grandma too. I don't care about a few years—I'm marrying you, having a ton of kids," I said, kissing her luscious lips.
"What about Little Moth?" "I'll marry her too, so you won't worry." My hands roamed her peaks. "You're so bad, wanting mother and daughter." "Not greed—it's love. I love you both, no matter what." My stamina's strong—I've got time to love you. "Pervert, always thinking dirty!" she said, pounding me.
"If you and Little Moth have kids, what'll they call you—big mommy or grandma?" I teased, nibbling her crystal earlobe. "I'm done with you, you're awful!" Kapo pouted like a girl in my arms, hard to believe she's a thousands-year-old dragon babe. In their eons-long lives, she's still young. Tonight, she's mine, her jade rabbits shifting in my hands, laced with her shyness and passion.
Today, we wrap up the dragon journey. Kapo, as the dragon rep to humans (just an excuse), joins me, along with Little Moth. Both mother and daughter surrendered to me—can't leave them here. Having devoted women is different. Kapo's composed, but her flushed face betrays her. Kitty and Little Moth cling to my shoulders, munching spicy fish with gusto.
"Feitian, didn't you say your Earth hometown worships dragons as ancestors? I checked your data—your ancient dragons sound like our Dragon Clan's Ancient Dragon tribe, the strongest of us, summoning storms without spells. They were the mightiest known race, but vanished. Turns out they migrated to your Earth. We don't even know what the cosmos looks like," the Fifth Elder sighed. He's the dragon "scientist," always tinkering with something.
"Any discoveries, Elder? You took my blood last time," I grumbled. To verify if we Chinese are dragon descendants, he sliced my vein, leaving me recovering for two days. Still pissed. He better have a reason, or… well, you know.
"Of course! It could unlock your potential. I suspect it might let you shapeshift too," he said seriously. Yeah, right—you just want to tag along. Hooked on my XO. "Fine, come back with me. We've got a research institute," I played along. "How'll you thank me?" I whispered. "Thank? I helped you snag our clan's old and young beauties!" he said, rolling his eyes. "We're brothers for life—talking thanks is cheap." I nearly fainted—he's stealing my catchphrase like a pro.