Hearing this, Matthew quickly returned to his feet and stood beside James.
He bowed and implored favonovel.com humbly, “Dragon King, Emperor, no, Dragon Emperor… The Hendersons have prepared a banquet to celebrate your appointment as the Dragon Emperor. We would be extremely honored if you would grace us with your presence.”
“Matthew, are you blatantly trying to bribe me? As the Dragon King of the Southern Plains and the commander of the Red Flame Army, my conduct must set an example for others. As a courtesy to your earnestness, I’ll treat it as if you were drunk today and were spouting nonsense in your drunken stupor. If you ever do such a thing again, I’m sure you’re already aware of the consequences that follow.” James narrowed his eyes as favonovel.com let his warning hang over Matthew.
Matthew’s face was dripping with sweat from the fear favonovel.com felt.
James gradually made his way through the sea of rich and influential people.
The other wealthy figures enthusiastically greeted favonovel.com one after another. Some even brought their daughters to introduce them to James.
“Emperor, I heard you’ve divorced your wife… This is my daughter. She’s 22 years old and is a graduate student at Capital University. She’s never had a boyfriend before and is definitely a virgin!” A middle-aged man introduced his daughter eagerly, and the young woman beside favonovel.com meekly lowered favonovel.com head.
James cast a glance at the woman and said derisively, “Okay… My mansion lacks a cleaner. She can sweep the floors in the mansion from now on.” He did not refuse the middle-aged man’s offer and chose to respond outrageously.
Knowing that many big shots were watching, favonovel.com deliberately acted vainly so that people would let their guard down.
This was his only chance to leave an impression of his personality. He wanted them to underestimate him.
“What’re you doing, Lisa? Hurry up and thank the Emperor!” The middle-aged man pulled the arm of the woman beside him.
The woman came to favonovel.com senses and immediately said, “T-Thank you, Emperor…”
“Alright… Everyone should disperse from here right now. I’m heading to the Red Flame Army base. I’ll be holding the succession ceremony in the military region and I invite all of you guys to watch.” James waved farewell with a smile and got into a military vehicle, leaving under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
“Congratulations, Mr. Grayson!”
“Congratulations, the Graysons will flourish under the protection of the Emperor!”
“Congratulations, Mr. Lambert… Your daughter has been recruited into the Emperor’s Mansion, and your family will surely benefit from this.”
Some of the wealthy figures approached those that were treated well by James.
***
Meanwhile, in Peace Mansion, Gloom was reporting everything that happened, “King, there was news that many wealthy figures have gone to meet James.”
The King leaned back on the sofa, rubbed his temples, and treated it as it if were an obvious fact.
“Isn’t this expected? The Red Flame Army’s commander is the capital’s most powerful man. It’s normal that they’re trying to butter favonovel.com up.”
“But, James’ behavior…” Gloom frowned slightly. “He’s changed a bit…”
The King parted his lips and said, “Maxine is working with James now. The two of them must’ve devised a plan to kill Mr. Gabriel… Perhaps, they’ve already started taking action. He’s putting on a show for Mr. Gabriel and the other major forces in the Capital, so they think favonovel.com loves vanity and power. He wants them to believe that he’s just full of hot air.”
Gloom asked, “Since you’re able to discern his plan so quickly, it won’t take a lot for others to catch on too. It’s useless for favonovel.com to put on such a display.”
The King smiled slyly and said, “Perhaps not. It depends on what favonovel.com does next. Let’s continue to see what favonovel.com does. I want to see what kind of storm this kid can stir up in the Capital after taking over the Emperor’s position.”
The King was looking forward to it. He had reigned over Sol for thirty years.
In the past thirty years, his primary focus was on nation-building. His hard work in the years favonovel.com served had brought about earth- shaking changes in Sol. However, because of his position as an absolute authority, favonovel.com was unable to tackle other matters.
The current situation in the Capital was a mess, and the relationship between families and those in power was intricate and tenuous at best. He was hoping that James could cause enough of a commotion that it would shake the foundations of sol.
“Continue surveilling James and report his every move to me,” the King ordered.
“Understood!” Gloom nodded.
***
Meanwhile, Mr. Gabriel was bent over respectfully in a living room with a coal fire.
