"What kind of deal?" Bu Tian asked curiously.
"Demigods can absorb the power of faith. You know that, right, Master?" Dany asked.
"You want the faith of Yi Lands?" Bu Tian's expression changed, his face darkened. "We only worship our ancestral gods."
"Oh, come off it," Dany waved her hand dismissively and gave a slightly mocking smile. "I'm good friends with Kuixi—I know all about the Yi Lands. Countless cults of dark gods operate openly in Yidu, your capital. Why not allow one more benevolent deity?"
"In theory, those cults are illegal, it's just that..." Bu Tian's elegant white brows furrowed into a bow.
"Normally, we wouldn't air our dirty laundry, but before the Dragon Queen, I don't care about shame anymore. The Bu Clan's Azure Dynasty is weak and can't control the Yi government."
He let out a bitter laugh and continued, "To be frank, don't laugh, but the Yi Lands are nearly at the point of another dynastic change. We'd like to crack down on those cults, but we simply can't."
"In that case, why not let it all fall apart and have my Big Black become the national priest of the Azure Dynasty?" Dany said cheerfully, completely lacking sympathy and even planning to take advantage of the chaos.
"That would be outrageous. It could provoke nationwide revolt—the lords are just waiting for an excuse! The Bu Clan's Azure Dynasty might still have had fifty years left, but this would end it in five," Kuixi interjected.
"That's probably not wrong," the old Yi mage said awkwardly and helplessly.
"This time it's different. In less than half a month, December will be over, and then comes a generation-long winter. Master Bu Tian, the Long Night is coming!" Dany exaggerated her tone dramatically.
"Hmm..." Kuixi hesitated, then turned to the old mage, who looked doubtful. "Perhaps this is an opportunity for your Bu Clan."
"You're sure the Long Night is coming?" Bu Tian asked in shock and suspicion.
"You know the Asshai prophecy—it won't be wrong," Kuixi said firmly.
"You're the Child of Prophecy?" Bu Tian looked at Dany with anticipation.
"If it helps you sleep at night, I don't mind having one more title," Dany replied calmly.
"Gah—" The old man choked, his face flushing red.
"Let me help plan for your emperor," Dany said as she paced back and forth by the pool, stopping after a few turns and raising a finger with a smile.
"First, while my Big Black is treating your disaster-stricken people, the court should loudly promote the great deeds of the mighty Heavenly Dragon of the West.
Then, once the common folk understand why they are still alive, announce that the Long Night is approaching, that the Heavenly Dragon is the savior, and that faith in the Seven Gods will drive back the cold.
Finally, once public opinion is prepared, establish the Church of the Seven-Dragon Faith as the state religion.
During the interim before the Long Night officially begins, there will certainly be rebellions. But that's fine—they've already lost loyalty and would revolt sooner or later.
Better now than later.
You can claim the Long Night is divine punishment for the lords' rebellion against order.
When I end the Long Night and become the savior, no one will oppose the Seven-Dragon Faith again. Your Bu Clan might even extend its rule by another five hundred years."
"'Mighty Heavenly Dragon'? 'Seven-Dragon Faith'? What even are those names?" Bu Tian's cheek twitched in embarrassment over the awkward titles.
"I have absolute faith in the Seven Gods. Big Black has always been the Dragon Guardian under the Seven," Dany replied solemnly.
Since she had already decided that Big Black would usurp the Seven Gods' place, she had to see it through. There couldn't be a second church creating schism in faith and clergy.
Besides, the Seven Gods Church in Yi Lands was just a marginal pawn. Westeros, land of the Andals, was the real central diocese.
"Of course, if the customs of Yi Lands aren't suited to 'Mighty Heavenly Dragon' or 'Seven-Dragon Faith,' you can change the names. Social reform, I get it. Just make sure the doctrine follows what I say.
The names can be discussed later. First, tell me—doesn't my plan sound brilliant?" Dany asked.
"What you say sounds nice, but…" the Yi mage shook his head.
But I'm not stupid. Just because you say so doesn't mean it will happen. Do you really think the world bends to your will?
You already said it yourself—you're not the Child of Prophecy, not the savior.
"It's worth a try. Otherwise, the Bu Clan definitely won't survive the Long Night," Kuixi cut in.
Bu Tian still shook his head and sighed. "Even if the Long Night is real, even if the Dragon Queen can end it, this plan can't be executed."
"Why not?" Dany asked in confusion.
"It's simple. No matter how good the plan is, someone has to carry it out, right?" Bu Tian asked in return.
"You doubt my ability?" Dany raised an eyebrow.
"It's not about you. But this kind of plan, one that gambles an entire dynasty, can only be enacted by a wise and resolute ruler. Unfortunately, our emperor is a fool—the most incompetent monarch the Yi Lands have seen in a thousand years!" Bu Tian declared righteously.
"Uh…" Dany's mouth twitched. "Are you joking?"
"If Bu Hao weren't a fool, how could he have ruined my Azure Dynasty to this point?" Bu Tian replied.
Well… that actually makes a lot of sense!
"No worries. I'm highly capable—I can carry your Emperor Bu to glory," Dany said, patting her chest confidently.
Kuixi sighed, regretting his misjudgment. "You won't be able to. Bu Hao is greedy for women, indecisive, cowardly, weak… he has all the flaws of a bad ruler and none of the strengths of a good one."
"Can't you just have Emperor Bu abdicate?" Dany asked.
"Then why didn't your father retire early and give the throne to Rhaegar?" Kuixi retorted.
Dany scowled. "So there's no way? I'm not even asking for much—I just want the Seven-Dragon Faith to be a mainstream religion in Yi Lands, like the Church of R'hllor."
"Ah, perfect timing! You haven't left yet!"
Just as they were speaking, Tyrion climbed up from the stairs holding a rolled-up banner.
The little imp had lost a lot of weight. His eye sockets were sunken, cheekbones protruding, and his cheeks were covered in just a thin layer of skin. In the sunlight, you could even faintly see his tongue and teeth moving through it.
He looked like a living skeleton.
"Sorry, I've been busy with work and came late."
After recovering from greyscale, he had returned to the wildfire production workshop, continuing his duties as the Wildfire General.
He hadn't even finished work yet, but had rushed back to the Great Pyramid to bid farewell to his savior.
He owed Kuixi his life!
Although he had suffered from severe diarrhea before the medicine had fully matured—Kuixi's words, as no other patients had that issue—it was cured before the infection spread to his upper legs. That alone saved his future happiness.
Hmm, it was unclear whether it was psychological or a side effect of having been petrified, but Aegon, though still young, seemed as weak and weary as a man in his forties.
"Da-da-da-dang!" Tyrion jumped to stand beside Kuixi, unfurling a rolled-up blue banner. On it, written in the script of Yidi, were the words: 'Number One Young Mage of the East.'
"Master Kuixi, I learned these characters from Master Bu Tian. I practiced for half a month—it's not perfect, but at least it's neat. The banner may not be worth much, but it represents my heartfelt gratitude!" he said sincerely.
Kuixi stared at Tyrion's skull-like head for a long moment before speaking slowly, word by word: "Very good, Tyrion. That was thoughtful of you."
She suppressed her urge to kill the dwarf after staying a few more days and turned to Dany, saying, "As soon as I finish sealing the crypts, I'll come back to help you."
To help you kill this little skeleton man.
"Mhm." Dany nodded emotionlessly.
"Here, Master, please take this." Tyrion handed the silk banner to Kuixi.
Staring at the line of characters on the banner, Kuixi was filled with resentment and suddenly thought of the instigator—Bu Cheng!
The Dragon Queen had told her that it was Bu Cheng who first spread the title of "Number One Young Man of the East and West" in Volantis, referring to her and Lisbon.
In truth, it was Tam...
"Master Bu Tian, I have an idea," Kuixi said.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
"The Dragon Queen's plan, overall, presents an opportunity for the Bu family—either seize it or face ruin within a few years.
"I can already foresee that when the Long Night truly descends, the lords will definitely blame it on the Bu family's wrongdoing," Kuixi said.
Bu Tian's expression changed, his face becoming more serious than ever before.
Kuixi was right. Under normal circumstances, the Azure Dynasty could survive for decades. But if the Long Night comes...
How powerful was the Kingdom of Dawn?
A mortal nation founded by divine descendants, the first dynasty of Yidi, with a history spanning tens of thousands of years—yet even they didn't survive the Long Night.
The Azure Dynasty certainly couldn't compare to the Kingdom of Dawn.
Watching the old mage fall into deep thought, Kuixi continued, "Why not split the Bu family in two, to prepare for both outcomes?
"The main family, led by Bu Hao, can maintain the current regime, while Bu Cheng, as the head of the branch family, establishes the Church of the Seven.
"All resulting public pressure will fall on Bu Cheng.
"If the Long Night comes and the Dragon Queen ends it, Bu Cheng will be hailed as a trusted lieutenant of the savior, and the Azure Dynasty can continue.
"If the Long Night doesn't come, or if other lords apply too much pressure before it does and Bu Hao cannot withstand it, then Bu Cheng can be sacrificed to appease public anger."
Damn, that's brutal!
Dany could hardly maintain her blank expression.
Bu Tian was deep in thought. Currently, Yidi was divided into three powers, and wasn't the Yellow Dynasty, recently restored in Kakosa, founded by a branch of the Chai family?
He asked curiously, "Why Bu Cheng?"
"Bu Cheng is the top young talent of the Bu family and has an old acquaintance with the Dragon Queen. The Queen once saved Bu Cheng's life, and in return, he defied the Necromancer Guild's prohibitions and secretly taught her the Complete Compendium of Basic Spells," Kuixi said.
Dany was dumbfounded. What was this witch trying to do?
"What? That unfilial brat—" Bu Tian was furious, but he immediately suppressed his rage.
The Dragon Queen was right beside him!
The old man furrowed his brows and gritted his teeth. "Fine, let Bu Cheng take the fall!"
Once Big Black's silhouette disappeared into the eastern sky, the little imp retracted his gaze and asked in confusion, "Your Grace, you told me Master Kuixi would like the banner and the praise on it, but she didn't seem happy at all!"
"No, she actually liked it very much," Dany replied earnestly. "She was just too shy to show it in front of everyone."
Uh... It was her idea to have him gift the banner.
Originally, General Wildfire had intended to buy a magical gemstone to thank the doctor who saved his life, but he'd had six months' pay docked as punishment and couldn't afford it.
So, he went to the Dragon Queen and asked for a year's salary in advance.
Upon learning the purpose, the Queen told him, "According to Eastern custom, when a patient is grateful to their doctor, they give a silk banner!"
"Next time you see her, you can bring a divine robe embroidered with 'Number One Under Heaven.' If you ever get seriously ill again, I guarantee she'll cure you right away."
"Really?"
The little imp had his doubts. Kuixi was silent and inscrutable—he couldn't read her. But he was sure the Dragon Queen would never treat him so well without a reason.
"Oooo—"
From the direction of the western docks came a long, low horn blast.
Curious, Dany stepped forward to the chest-high wall and looked out over the green-carpet-like sea, where dozens of ships with white sails and black hulls were slowly approaching.
The Titan's banner billowed in the wind!
Tyrion jumped up and down by the wall, then finally grabbed a stool and climbed up.
"It's the Iron Bank!"
(End of chapter)
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