Nathan Star took a moment to organize his words, then bowed and said, "This time, I was ordered to return to the Frostbane Dynasty's base star-region. Originally, I was just representing the Throne and going through the motions, attending the summit after Frostbane's victory."
But I never expected that, with my humble status, I would actually be invited by the Frostbane Dynasty's main cabinet and upper echelon, saying there was a major reward to be given.
But when I got there, I realized that every move seemed targeted at the Dragon-Chen Legion or Throne Chu. Of course, I was unwilling in my heart, but..."
"Get to the point." Evan Chu's voice suddenly turned cold.
"At first, the Punishment Hall Master wanted to squeeze the Dragon-Chen Legion and you, Throne Chu. Then the War God Hall moved to announce the rewards. But just as the War God Hall Master was about to announce them, a close commander of the Holy Emperor came over, saying that your merits were too great, and the rewards needed to be reconsidered."
In the end, that commander called away the Four Hall Masters and discussed for a long time. So the final reward plan was basically set by that commander alone, completely different from what the Four Hall Masters had originally decided."
When Nathan Star said this, Evan Chu finally understood.
"It wasn't just that commander making decisions. He was just following orders—the real person trying to move against me is the one behind him."
"What? Throne Chu, you mean..."
"I don't mean anything. Just keep going."
"Yes! When the new plan appeared, it was instantly clear how different it was from the previous rewards. The first version offered real, substantial benefits—plenty of treasures collected by the Jun Yang Throne, Mad-Blade Li, and others from outer-domain campaigns. They said, 'If our own brothers get fat, we can't let the Dragon-Chen Legion's brothers lose out.'"
There weren't many empty titles, and as for the so-called other rewards, not a single one showed up. On the surface, things looked simple, but they were genuinely heartfelt.
But the later reward plan looked impressive, yet had no real benefits—instead, its intentions were deeply thought-provoking.
First, the main cabinet declared that from now on, the Dragon-Chen Legion would exist as the Frostbane Dynasty's direct ace legion, answerable to no one's orders except the Holy Emperor himself.
Second, Dragon-Chen Legion soldiers would wear the exclusive Golden Aegis Armor of the Frostbane Dynasty's palace guards, and be equipped with superior weapons. Nathan Yates was appointed Throne of the Dragon-Chen Legion, Lance Li as vice Throne, while the original Throne, Evan Chu, would act as Dragon-Chen's commander but only hold the honorary Hall Master title, equal in rank to the Four Hall Masters.
In other words, a new institution would be set above the Dragon-Chen Legion—Dragon-Chen Hall. From now on, the legion would be directly commanded by Nathan Yates and Lance Li. They said Throne Chu was a heaven-defying talent and should devote himself to cultivation, not get caught up in endless killing.
On top of that, the main cabinet arranged for 'talents' from each of the Seven Great Legions to come over, supposedly to assist with other affairs.
At first, the Jun Yang Throne and Mad-Blade Li refused, but in the end, the Four Hall Masters' orders couldn't be disobeyed, so they just symbolically sent a few people over."
After listening, Evan Chu pretty much understood.
All these moves—that must be Holden Hong's doing. What he's really after is to hollow out my power! On paper, I'm made Honorary Hall Master of Dragon-Chen Hall, but in reality, I've already lost all actual authority. That so-called 'focus on cultivation'—he's just afraid I'll keep getting stronger!
He'd long felt something was off about the Frostbane Holy Emperor—now the fox's tail was finally showing.
Evan Chu sneered, "How many came in total? How many from each of the Seven Thrones, and who's really pulling the strings?"
"From the Seven Thrones, the Jun Yang Throne sent two people, who made excuses to leave halfway. Mad-Blade Li sent five, but they also left before arriving. The rest sent only a few, just for show. However, a handful seem genuinely eager to join the Throne.
The others are all palace guards from the imperial capital—strong, and of high status in the Dynasty."
"People loyal to me?" Evan Chu was surprised.
"That's right. Do you remember? Back when some joined the Frostbane Dynasty together with Throne Chu, they were assigned to other dynasties. Now, they're using this chance to seek out the Throne.
Word is, their leader is a peak late Saint Lord Realm expert named Black Haze."
"Who? Black Haze? Hahaha! I can't believe that guy's now peak late Saint Lord Realm! Not bad at all—so many years have passed, and he still remembers me as his big brother."
Evan Chu suddenly smiled, his previous coldness vanishing, which let Nathan Star breathe a sigh of relief.
"Throne, what should your subordinate do now..."
"It's fine. You may withdraw—just do what you need to do."
"But what about those people?"
"Bring them back to the Pearl-Mountain Star-Region. Tell Frostbane that I've accepted the honorary Hall Master title for Dragon-Chen Hall, but the Hall's headquarters won't be in the Frostbane base star-region—it's in the Pearl-Mountain Star-Region, at the Dragon-Chen Legion's main camp.
Also, tell the palace guards who came that it's up to them to set up Dragon-Chen Hall. And keep the Seven Thrones' people away from the palace guards—if any of them spot promising talent, let me know so I can train them myself.
Finally, spread my message to all our brothers—so they remember who they're really following, and what name they bear."
"Don't worry, Throne! I'll make sure every brother knows—we'll always bear the name Chu!"
"Don't just talk—do it well. I only care about results."
"Yes, Throne!"
Nathan Star shouted, then left the Chaos Trial World with Evan Chu.
When Evan Chu appeared before Manfred Dust again, Manfred grinned, "Congratulations on your promotion—good news!"
"You already know?"
"Of course—anyone could guess. It was bound to happen, perfectly reasonable."
"Oh? Since you know, I don't need to worry about the mess. Actually, the palace guard commander was right—I've got extraordinary talent, and it'd be a waste not to cultivate. So, starting today, you'll be the Vice Hall Master of Dragon-Chen Hall, Manfred Dust. Any trouble—it's your job to handle it. Don't make me come after you."
Alright, it's settled then."
Evan Chu nearly burst out laughing at his own cleverness, especially seeing Manfred Dust's frustrated expression.
"Evan Chu! You really know how to stick it to me! You think I'm scared? Bring it on! If you've got a thousand troubles, what's one more? I'll handle it!" Manfred Dust retorted, stubborn as ever, determined to prove himself.
"Alright, it's about time to head out. This time, the entire Dragon-Chen Legion will mobilize—everyone's gathering to strike straight at the Flowing-Light Dynasty's base star-region.
Oh, and this was your idea—so if anything goes wrong, it's all on you."
Evan Chu patted Manfred Dust on the shoulder, then boarded a luxurious starship war vessel. Manfred Dust suddenly realized he'd been made military advisor just to take the blame! The glory goes to Evan Chu, but all the dirty work falls on him!