Chapter 320
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
Chapter 320: The Key Reasons for Different Punishments
At the palace gates,
Zhong Ren, Feng Yue, and six other vice presidents were gathered together to discuss strategies.
While facing punishment, they had also received a mission assigned by Yi Chen.
Their task was to come up with a plan to inform the unexposed fake heavy criminals about the situation and encourage them to make a choice.
"Although the Country Lord hasn’t mentioned it, the premise must be that the truth cannot be revealed to avoid causing a greater impact," Feng Yue began. "This can be handled easily. Just like when Bai Ruo Xin had her title stripped, we can announce that this punishment is due to those who have secretly learned the new skills that the Country Lord has not yet taught."
"And we can issue a public notice encouraging anyone who has secretly learned the new skills to come forward and confess; otherwise, they will face the consequences."
"The unidentifiable fake heavy criminals will naturally piece together the cause and effect. They must know the Country Lord’s temperament; no one would dare to keep hiding, or they will surely meet their doom."
"Bai Ruo Xin’s Intelligence Organization is also not so easily deceived; any slight clue will be investigated."
He couldn’t help but sigh, "What I really don’t understand is what the Country Lord is thinking. By leaving, they are actually facing even harsher punishment. Isn’t this forcing many who originally wanted to stay to choose to leave?"
"Once these people leave, the operation of the Political Council will surely encounter many troubles."
"Yes!"
Everyone was equally puzzled.
"There’s something you all haven’t considered," Zhong Ren suddenly spoke up.
The others looked at him in confusion.
"Once they leave, they will no longer be citizens of the Great Flame Kingdom. That is the greatest punishment for those who choose to leave."
Zhong Ren replied calmly, "Have you thought about how the Country Lord will treat the human federation once he knows the truth? Those who leave essentially become part of the human federation."
Feng Yue and the others were stunned.
Then, they finally understood.
With their intellect, it was easy for them to grasp the key point.
Based on their understanding of Yi Chen, they could confirm that Yi Chen would not let the human federation off the hook.
The departing fake heavy criminals would naturally also be counted among the human federation.
Unlike them, who, after receiving severe punishment, gained Yi Chen’s forgiveness and truly integrated into the Great Flame Kingdom.
The reason they hadn’t thought of this before was simply that they subconsciously believed that even if Yi Chen knew the truth, he would not be able to take action against the human federation.
In fact, they even thought that he might be controlled by the human federation.
The human federation could still obtain various new skills from Yi Chen without any influence.
However, with Zhong Ren’s reminder, they realized.
The Country Lord was not someone so easily controlled.
From the content of the Country Lord’s punishment, it was clear that he would not accept the human federation’s control, nor did he have any plans for reconciliation.
"Given the Country Lord’s character and temper, he must have some confidence to suddenly make this decision. Otherwise, he would just endure for a while until he found a way to break free from the human federation’s control before making arrangements."
Zhong Ren continued, "However, regardless of the Country Lord’s confidence and plans, we are now true citizens of the Great Flame Kingdom and high-ranking leaders. We need to find a place to study how to deal with the Federal Parliament and the Military."
Feng Yue and the five others’ expressions grew serious.
"Don’t be anxious. The Great Flame Kingdom is too small; we basically have no strategies left. If the sky falls, it still falls on the Country Lord to bear the weight."
Zhong Ren smiled, "We can at most research how to deal with various situations after they happen, how to clean up afterward, quickly fill the gaps, prevent anyone from secretly spreading rumors, and how to reduce the impact of the human federation on our Great Flame Kingdom."
"Once we figure this out, it actually feels much lighter."
Feng Yue suddenly laughed.
Everyone felt similarly relieved.
Being an undercover agent was not easy.
Especially living as an undercover agent beside someone like Yi Chen, who had a top-notch mentality, was forceful, and was ruthless in his methods, was incredibly difficult.
On one hand, they had to think hard about how to approach Yi Chen and how to stand out to gain his attention.
On the other hand, they lived every day under the shadow of Yi Chen possibly discovering the truth and then subjecting them to a fate of a thousand cuts.
Fortunately, Yi Chen was also a person who rewarded merits.
Considering their hard work for the development of the Great Flame Kingdom, not only did he give them a way out, but he also provided them the opportunity to stay.
Although the punishment was a bit severe, it did not strip them of their positions.
With their identities and power, being able to maintain the stable development of the Great Flame Kingdom was already a significant accomplishment, and in just a few years, they could be elevated to first-class citizens again.
With a bit more effort, they could regain their titles.
The truly difficult ones were those fake heavy criminals with low status who chose to stay.
They had not contributed anything to the Great Flame Kingdom in the past but still wanted to stay; it was natural that this would be challenging.
Of course, each of them, regardless of their talent or intelligence, would be elite among the human federation.
Although the challenge was great, there was still hope.
"Let me be clear, Xi Yi is the one I selected for the Political Council. If anyone dares to compete with me for her, I won’t be merciful," Feng Yue suddenly glared at everyone.
The others were taken aback but quickly realized what he meant.
Feng Yue was trying to win over the Vice Councilor’s wife.
"Let’s rely on our own abilities! Are you really thinking about forcing Xi Yi to marry you?" Zhong Ren scoffed.
"Exactly!"
"I believe Xi Yi would prefer someone with my character."
Feng Yue wanting to pursue the Vice Councilor’s wife was something they all wanted.
In the past, they had lived in constant fear, uncertain of their fates, and had not dared to form too many connections with the natives of the Great Flame Kingdom.
They certainly did not dare to marry or have children, for the sake of both others and themselves.
Now that the pressure had subsided, one by one, they felt their hearts ablaze with desire.
Xi Yi was the girl Feng Yue had chosen to join the Political Council to handle some chores.
She was gentle, beautiful, and caring.
Normally, she was pleasing to the eyes, easy to look at.
Now…
She suddenly transformed in their eyes into the most suitable candidate for the Vice Councilor’s wife.
There was no way around it; there were just too few stunning beauties in the Great Flame Kingdom.
Although with the nationwide cultivation movement, the citizens of the Great Flame Kingdom had greatly increased in strength, leading to no worries about food and clothing, their sense of aesthetics was gradually changing as well.
However, the speed of this change was slow because there were no higher-ups to lead and guide it.
In the Great Flame Kingdom, the ideals of beauty still revolved around being rugged, strong, and dark-skinned.
Gorgeous, strong stunning beauties were rare; fair skin, lovely features, and a gentle, composed nature were even more scarce.
Occasionally, a few would try hard to tan themselves, indulge in lavish feasts, and refine their skins to become beauties in the eyes of the public.
Up to now, Zhong Ren and the others had only seen Xi Yi as the absolute ugly woman.
Naturally, they were unwilling to let Feng Yue take the lead.
Of course, Bai Ruo Xin was not included in this discussion.
That woman was too formidable, and staying close to Yi Chen meant she was out of their league.
The six prominent figures of the Political Council argued for a while but could only temporarily set aside their differences and rely on their own abilities.
As they left the palace, they discussed the various details of the announcement.
