When he saw the others' expressions, Chi Wen started to panic. He didn’t want to become the Dragon King at all! Wasn’t traveling the world great? Why did he have to become the ocean king? He'd have to handle endless documents and governmental affairs, and be tied down by all sorts of trifles! It’d never end!
The only regret was that his father was dead, so he didn’t have his backer anymore.
If I get out there again, no one will care that much about me anymore.
Sigh, it’d be great if second aunt became the new ruler. She has always doted on me. It was precisely second aunt who stopped father king when he was about to beat me to death.
This thought only appeared in his head briefly before he quickly refuted it. How could they possibly have a woman become the new ruler of the sea?
And yet, just a second later, Zu An pulled Shang Hongyu forward and said, “The Mermaid Queen’s wise and capable traits have long been praised by the Ocean races. Earlier, it was through her heroic and decisive actions that we were able to crush the alien monsters’ conspiracy and save the entire Ocean race territory. That further proves her ability. Currently, I believe that there is no one more suitable to become the new ocean ruler.”
Chi Wen’s eyes almost immediately popped out of his head.
Did I somehow accidentally learn how to use Soulspeak?
But while he was in a daze, the rest of the mourning hall erupted with noise.
“Absolutely preposterous!”
“We absolutely cannot permit such a thing to happen.”
“How can we let the queen become the new ruler?”
Some overly conservative officials spat saliva everywhere. They all criticized the suggestion, calling it absurd. No matter how high Zu An’s cultivation was, this was too far beyond belief. They couldn't even be bothered with the consequences anymore.
Zu An remained calm the entire time. An invisible aura blocked the shouting, and then he slowly said, “Sorry, but this isn’t for you all to discuss. Rather, I merely came to inform you all about this.”
Then, a powerful pressure descended upon the entire mourning hall. Everyone present felt that it became much harder to breathe. The noisy mourning hall immediately became quiet.
Shang Hongyu couldn't help but give him a look.
He really is handsome. No wonder I've already fallen for him even though we haven’t known each other for that long.
But there was a bit of worry in her eyes.
No wonder he didn’t say anything along the way. He was going to use this extreme method.
Just then, there was an Ocean race elder who finally couldn't take it anymore. “Regent, the election of the new king is our Ocean races’ affair. I think it’s best if an outsider like you doesn’t interfere.”
“Are you trying to teach me how to do things?” Zu An gave him an indifferent look.
The pressure from his look almost made that Ocean race elder lose his footing, but he still took a deep breath and said, “I wouldn’t dare. Who would dare to teach the regent what to do in this entire world? But even though your respected self is strong, it would be hard for you to control the masses. Even if you forcefully supported the queen onto the throne, the Ocean races still wouldn’t be convinced. She wouldn't necessarily be able to sit in that position for long.”
Chi Wen cast a sidelong glance.
During the daytime, wasn’t everyone still saying that even though Zu An was strong, he might not be a match for all of the Ocean races? Why is he suddenly changing his tone now?
You all still love to put on your usual proud and arrogant appearances.
“Are you threatening me?” Zu An gave that person a cold look.
Everyone nearby remembered that an elder of Ao Zhan’s faction had also contradicted him previously, but then his head was separated from his body. Things didn’t look good for this elder.
The elder braced himself and said, “It isn’t a threat. I am merely speaking the truth.”
Shang Hongyu said, “Elder Zhang has always been upright and outspoken. He is a person of virtue and prestige, so he is judging things as they stand right now.”
Elder Zhang gave her a look of surprise. He hadn’t expected her to actually speak up for him, even though he was opposed to her rising to the throne.
Zu An smiled and said, “Elder Zhang, you should be thanking the queen right now. Otherwise, your life might have ended right here.”
As the pressure faded, Elder Zhang gasped for breath. He could feel that his back was completely soaked in cold sweat.
The others gave Shang Hongyu a look and thought to themselves, The queen really is capable and virtuous, as expected.
Zu An then said, “I know that many people will find my proposal unimaginable, but have you considered that the Ocean races have been greatly damaged after this disaster, and that the various clans have suffered tremendous casualties? Do you think that we need someone who is ambitious in skill and strategy, or someone who is wise and virtuous, to lead the Ocean races in recovery?”
When those words were spoken, apart from the princes’ trusted aides, everyone else began to ponder the subject. It seemed that Zu An’s words made some sense.
Elder Zhang frowned. “But this matter is still too absurd. Ever since ancient times, the Ocean races have never had a female ruler.”
“There will be one from today forth.” Zu An was direct in his response.
Elder Zhang choked. “Regent, you are being unreasonable.”
The others all began to sweat for his sake.
Elder Zhang really is bold.
Whether it was his friends or political enemies, they were all full of admiration. He was probably the only person who dared to speak up right now.
“I have already explained the reasoning to all of you. The queen has always been someone whom all of you respect, second only to the Dragon King, and she also acts on behalf of the will of the Ocean races. When I first arrived at the Ocean races' territory, I heard many words of praise for her even in a roadside restaurant.”
Shang Hongyu couldn't help but look toward him as he spoke. The two met each other's gazes. When she recalled what she'd encountered in the past, she couldn't help but feel a sweet sensation.
Zu An continued, “As such, the queen’s rule is founded upon the strong feelings of the people. Additionally, as I said before, the reason why we were able to quell the disaster of the alien monsters was primarily because of the queen’s hard work. She fooled the alien monsters with her strategy, and then decisively eliminated the hidden monsters. I’m sure all of you have witnessed her ability.”
Everyone present recalled the events that had taken place a few days prior. The queen really had earned a new level of respect from them.
The second prince’s high official muttered, “That was likely because of the Dragon King and the regent’s strategies, right?”
“No, the entire plan was designed by the queen,” Zu An replied.
The others had strange looks on their faces.
The Dragon King is dead now, so can’t you just say whatever you want?
“But the Dragon King has so many heirs. It isn’t suitable to not choose from them and choose an outsider instead,” Elder Zhang said.