The man in the master's seat was a big fellow with a furry face, impossible to make out any real feature, bearing a resemblance to Zhang Fei from the Three Kingdoms or Li Kui from the Water Margin. His voice was equally rough and coarse, nothing like the sweet melodies the Dragon Girl and the others had described.

Beside him sat a young man, handsome and dashing, whose features were an exact match for the man I had slapped that day. The Dragon Girl whispered into my ear, "Based on the information I have, the person in the center is City Lord Ye. He is a capable subordinate of Haas. The young man next to him is Kang Hui. As for whether he's a clone substitute, I can't tell. After all, if Kang Hui were to find a double, he certainly wouldn't use a pale and emaciated clone that one could identify instantly."

I shifted to give the Dragon Girl better access to the small hole in the roof. "Listen closely to what they are saying. I can't understand a single word."

Hearing this, the Dragon Girl bent down, tilting her ear to listen intently. As she listened, she quietly translated for me. Because her voice was so low and the wind was blowing through the roof, I moved closer to her. The distance between us suddenly became quite intimate. Inhaling the pleasant fragrance emanating from the Dragon Girl, I felt a touch of intoxication.

"Ye is discussing the current situation with Kang Hui. Ye believes Kang Hui should not rebel against my brother; it will only invite ridicule and contempt from everyone. Kang Hui argues that my brother is already powerless to lead the kingdom, and everyone should rise up to elect a new king rather than letting a mere figurehead occupy the empty seat and do nothing.

Kang Hui is also listing my brother's crimes, saying he manages the state poorly. After residing on Earth for so long, he still hasn't found a solution to the survival problem. If this continues, the remaining hundred thousand inhabitants will be extinct within ten years."

I murmured quietly, "Kang Hui actually has a point. The position of king should go to the capable. If someone truly isn't fit to hold the seat, clinging to it will only drag the nation and its people down."

The Dragon Girl whispered back, "Dragon Envoy speaks reasonably, but emotionally, I cannot agree with what Kang Hui says."

"It seems your Mandarin is excellent, using such complex vocabulary so fluently."

"I found nearly fifty volumes of Thomas's diaries. They are entirely filled with descriptions of your world. I don't know why he was so fanatical about your world, but it was precisely this fanaticism that allowed me to master your language so well."

I replied, "I should thank this master of prophecy; it is because of him that we can communicate."

The Dragon Girl mused, "Perhaps he foresaw this, wanting me to learn your language to serve as your translator."

"Heh heh, then you shall be my translator. I can pay you to do it. Oh, right, you don't know what money is."

"Our world does not know the concept of money, but I understand the concept of money from the world of the Dragon Envoy."

I asked in confusion, "Since you know so much about my world, why not apply the systems of my world to yours?"

The Dragon Girl explained, "I never involve myself in state affairs. Furthermore, my brother is very stubborn and won't listen to me. Besides, I only know superficial aspects of your world, mostly cultural things, and many of the things Thomas described were factually skewed. Our world has become chaotic due to sickness and turmoil; realizing what the Dragon Envoy suggests is simply unrealistic."

I nodded, and we continued eavesdropping on the conversation inside.

Kang Hui said, "It seems City Lord Ye still harbors unrealistic fantasies about the incompetent King Long Xi. Do you realize that the world is fragmented, morale is scattered, and everyone fears they won't see the next sunrise? We need a capable king to lead us out of the darkness and reclaim rule over Earth. We won't discuss who the appropriate candidate is for now; the most urgent matter is driving the Long Clan off Earth. Afterward, the nine Ship Masters can nominate a new king."

City Lord Ye replied, "I don't have the final say on this matter. Please, Kang Hui, discuss it with Ship Master Haas. Tonight, we are merely eating and enjoying ourselves; let's not discuss state affairs and ruin our camaraderie."

Kang Hui retorted, "I went to see that old fellow Haas. He actually told me he intends to remain neutral—not helping either side, nor offending either. Is there any such convenient arrangement? It's either rebel or die; there is no third path."

Ye exclaimed angrily, "What! Kang Hui, you didn't do anything to Ship Master Haas, did you?"

Kang Hui’s expression remained unchanged. "What could I do? Doesn't he have numerous guards? Would I confront him? That would just be causing myself trouble."

Ye relaxed slightly. "We have known each other for a long time. I truly hope your Gonggong Clan and the Haas Clan do not go to war; it would be detrimental to everyone."

Kang Hui argued, "But the Haas Clan has formidable military strength. If he refuses to assist us and instead aids that fellow Long Xi, wouldn't he become a major enemy for us?"

Ye assured him, "Since the Ship Master declared neutrality, he certainly won't go back on his word to help Long Xi. You must trust Ship Master Haas on this, Kang Hui."

Kang Hui admitted, "I am truly uneasy, which is why I came to discuss it with you."

Ye sighed, "What use am I? I don't have the final say." (Fastest updates http://wap.16k.cn)

Kang Hui countered, "You may not have the final say on Mount Shan, but this is the City. This is your territory, and you are in command. You control twenty UFOs and over a thousand Giant Warriors. No one can afford to ignore that strength..."

Ye cut him off. "Kang Hui, stop. I understand what you mean. Asking me to betray Ship Master Haas—I cannot do that. Our ancestors received great favor from him; I cannot commit such an act."

"Is that so? A pity you are not in control of yourself now!" Kang Hui's expression suddenly shifted dramatically. Then, both his hands elongated unnaturally, shooting forward like steel spikes straight into City Lord Ye's chest!

The Dragon Girl was startled by the sudden turn of events. Reacting instinctively, she shot her head up, pulling away from the hole in the roof. However, I was leaning in right behind her ear, listening to her translation. Her sudden movement caught me completely off guard. I didn't move, but as the Dragon Girl tilted her head and turned, our mouths met perfectly!

Heavens! I never imagined the fairy-like Dragon Girl would kiss me. Although I knew that in their world, intimacy was as casual as eating or using the toilet, this princess was still remarkably pure and innocent—a treasure rarely seen even six thousand years ago. Moreover, she carried reflections of the qualities of all my women, which had always led me to harbor impure thoughts about her.

Now, my dream had come true; the Dragon Girl was kissing me. Although more than a dozen girls had kissed me before, the Dragon Girl's kiss made my heart race abnormally, and my body trembled just as it did when Elina was stimulated. Her lips were so warm, so sweet, and so smooth.

I tentatively drew softly on the Dragon Girl's lips. She was clearly even more astonished; perhaps she hadn't anticipated the consequence of suddenly lifting her head. My gentle draw caused her body to tremble as well. She suddenly let out a soft gasp before her body slumped into my arms.

"Dragon Envoy, Kang Hui killed City Lord Ye!" Though her body went limp, it forced our lips to separate reluctantly. She half-fell into my arms and told me, "Dragon Envoy, Kang Hui killed City Lord Ye!"

I replied absently, "Is that so? Let me see."

When I said 'let me see,' my eyes remained fixed on the Dragon Girl. If only she were my wife! She possessed the many virtues of all my women. In the future, if I had to travel on business, I could take her with me—taking her would be like taking many wives at once. I just wondered if those other wives would get jealous.