Chapter 382

Chapter 382: The Outcome

The high priest and the six Vice Councilors all felt a headache.

They realized that the negotiation and discussion could not continue.

Right from the beginning, it had gone off track, turning into a competition between the Demon Race and the Shadow Clan, leading to two important issues.

“How about this? Vice Councilor Zhong Ren can go to ask His Majesty, and we can continue our conversation afterward?”

The high priest passed the responsibility to Zhong Ren.

Zhong Ren felt like he might choke.

This old man doesn’t dare to see His Majesty; how could I?

It would be better if we went together.

The high-ranking leaders of the three races all nodded in agreement.

There was no choice; in front of the leaders from the three races, Zhong Ren could not voice any more objections. He could only get up and seek out Yi Chen.

The conference room suddenly fell silent.

The Political Council was busy considering the matter of contribution value.

The high-ranking leaders of the three races each had their own thoughts.

On the Demon Race side, they remained calm, plotting their strategy.

However, due to the swamp crocodile’s reputation, no one dared to mock or boast.

The seven Shadow Kings felt a sense of apprehension.

The leading Shadow King quietly took out a communication stone to privately contact the Shadow King for discussion.

The Shadow King was busy monitoring the powerful being from the Tree-Dwelling Tribe, Morris, and the Federal Parliament, leaving all matters of the Shadow Clan to a Shadow King named Xi Sha.

However, the Shadow King deemed the matter too significant and needed to consult the Shadow King.

The other six Shadow Kings maintained their usual expressions, but their moods were tense.

They did not expect that before the Great Flame Kingdom even rose, the Shadow Clan would face such a strong enemy.

In terms of strength and contributions to the Great Flame Empire, the Shadow Clan was confident they could outpace the Demon Race by a long shot.

But they couldn’t ignore that the Demon Race held a trump card!

As the Demon Emperor and high-ranking leaders of the Demon Race, none of those individuals cared about the interests and future of their race.

Currently, their contributions and value might not be as high as that of the Shadow Clan.

However, this attitude, combined with the fact that they were a race personally created by Yi Chen, would certainly lead to focused cultivation in the future.

Their strength would soar, and their contributions and value would naturally rise as well.

Chief Nika and the leaders of the Black Tiger Tribe were utterly bewildered.

They still could not understand what was happening.

They couldn’t comprehend what kind of madness had overcome the Demon Race and Shadow Clan.

The Shadow Clan seemed crazily eager to please the Great Flame Empire, even to the extent of selling everything they had to do so.

This was already puzzling enough for them.

The Demon Race was even crazier, wanting nothing more than to be second-class citizens of the Great Flame Empire.

It made them feel a bit embarrassed, as if they had committed a mistake by fighting for their own interests.

Was it wrong to try to gain benefits as a subordinate?

Should they instead desperately flatter their leader?

…

“Let him in!”

Inside the flying treasure, upon receiving a report from the guard, Yi Chen paused his training and appeared on the Throne.

Zhong Ren entered the grand hall carefully.

“What is it?”

Although Yi Chen’s divine consciousness could cover most of the blood-colored planet, he had only activated the lowest level of usage and hadn’t gathered much information.

He knew nothing about the meetings of the Political Council or the three races.

Zhong Ren quickly explained the situation regarding the Shadow Clan and the Demon Race.

“As for the Shadow Clan, agree to their proposal!”

As the Shadow Kings had expected, Yi Chen readily agreed to the proposal from the Shadow Clan.

He trusted them completely.

He believed the Shadow Clan would not dare to have any ulterior motives.

If they did harbor any ill intentions, given their strength, they wouldn’t need to target infants but could directly come for him instead.

At his current level of strength, even a Shadow Captain wouldn’t be able to escape.

“As for servants, let’s skip that. At the rise of the Great Flame Empire, everyone should strive for their goals, not indulge in comfort and seek convenience.”

Yi Chen considered for a moment and added another comment.

“What about the tribe members the Black Tiger Tribe is supposed to watch over?”

Zhong Ren inquired.

“Have them withdraw to the Nika Tribe.”

Yi Chen replied without hesitation.

“Doing this might upset the Nika Tribe…”

Zhong Ren cautiously reminded him.

“Inform the Intelligence Organization to send people to monitor the Nika Tribe. No matter the reasons, dissatisfaction and grievances are tolerable. After all, different interests lead to different positions; this is human nature.”

“Anyone who harbors hatred towards the Great Flame Empire must be killed. If Chief Nika shares such thoughts, choose a replacement chief before carrying out the execution.”

Yi Chen spoke lightly.

Those who followed him would prosper, while those who opposed him would perish.

He would never hesitate to provide every benefit to his loyal subordinates.

If someone disobeys or even attempts to rebel, his answer is always the same: strong suppression.

“Okay, okay…”

Zhong Ren couldn’t help but swallow hard.

As expected, His Majesty’s style of handling matters is just as simple and brutal as it was on the exile planet.

“As for the Demon Race, refuse the swamp crocodile’s proposal. Increase the conditions for second-class citizens, and allow the Demon Race, as well as the Shadow Clan and Black Tiger Tribe members, to apply for second-class citizen status in the Great Flame Empire after making certain contributions.”

Yi Chen thought for a moment and made the final decision.

In his plan, the Demon Race has a large population.

If they were allowed to merge into the Great Flame Empire, it could easily lead to a situation where the population of the Demon Race exceeds that of humanity.

Thus, Yi Chen positioned the Demon Race from the beginning as vassal races with a degree of autonomy but no territory.

He even considered how to reduce the population of the Demon Race and decrease resource consumption when the Great Flame Empire reaches its peak.

In Yi Chen’s vision, the Demon Race would live within the Great Flame Empire’s territory, possessing limited rights, protected by the Empire’s laws, but having no official status.

They would be one level below second-class citizens and above those who would eventually surrender to the Empire or be designated as slaves.

The specific classifications would be left for the Political Council to reform when the Great Flame Empire reaches the appropriate height.

The swamp crocodile wanted to bring the Demon Race into the Great Flame Empire, which was commendable for its loyalty, but their qualifications were insufficient.

In the Great Flame Empire, humanity is supreme.

However, if other races are truly eager to join, there are still pathways for advancement.

A portion of various tribes that make achievements for the Great Flame Empire can apply to become second-class citizens, or even be promoted to first-class citizens or nobles.

“Understood!”

Zhong Ren responded.

“Go!”

Yi Chen waved his hand and used the Teleportation Technique to return to the flying treasure for training.

Zhong Ren immediately left the palace and returned to the conference room of the Political Council to announce Yi Chen’s decision.

The three races all displayed varying expressions.

The Black Tiger Tribe felt somewhat dissatisfied, particularly because they were unhappy that the Shadow Clan had taken over the role of caring for the young children.

The Great Flame Empire had compensated the Nika Tribe with a large amount of resource materials each month, sending fifty thousand carefully selected caregivers from the Black Tiger Tribe.

This was a long-term benefit for the Nika Tribe, so they were understandably very unhappy with the Shadow Clan, who tried to gain this business by flatteries.

The swamp crocodile and full-level fierce beasts felt a bit disappointed.

Yet, it was only a slight disappointment.

They had not expected that the final outcome would not only mean they couldn’t fully join the Great Flame Empire but also led Yi Chen to decide to raise the conditions for second-class citizens.

Previously, members of the fierce beast army could directly obtain this status.

Future members of the Demon Race would have to achieve military accomplishments to apply for it.

Fortunately, this decision did not greatly affect their own interests.

The swamp crocodile only wanted to show Yi Chen his stance, making sure the Shadow Clan knew how far he could go.

The stance was what mattered; the outcome was less important.

The seven Shadow Kings all secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as the Demon Race did not directly join the Great Flame Empire, the Shadow Clan would still hold an advantage in competing for the top sidekick position due to their immense strength.

With these two major issues resolved, the entire negotiation quickly entered the right track.

The Demon Race and Shadow Clan were indifferent, and the Black Tiger Tribe felt hesitant to argue further.

Moreover, the Political Council clearly understood Yi Chen’s attitude toward ally and sidekick relationships.

As long as these allies and sidekicks contributed to the Great Flame Empire, they would surely receive satisfactory benefits in return.

Put simply, as long as each tribe tried their best to create a contribution of one hundred for the Great Flame Empire, the Empire would not mind giving ninety-nine back as compensation.

Therefore, the High-ranking Leaders of the Political Council did not intend to exploit the various tribes regarding contribution values, and they quickly negotiated an acceptable calculation and consumption method for all sides.