Armipotent
chapter-1612

"Congratulations on your advancement to the God Rank, Your Majesty!" Kang Jiayi knelt as he and his son, Kang Zian entered the throne room.

The old man immediately felt the big difference when his gaze fell on his son-in-law.

"This is a private meeting, let's skip the formality, Father. Do you have something you want to discuss with me?" Tang Shaoyang was sitting on his throne and had a slight smile. He did not know how the others saw him when he sat here, but deep inside, he still felt awkward. Zhang Mengyao and Kang Xue were standing on his side.

"This old man will take Your Majesty's generosity," Kang Zian smiled. Despite his hair turning fully white, he had regained the vigor of youth. He managed to rank up to Ancient Rank despite his age. He was much slower than his son who was at Primordial Rank because he focused more on his work than on getting stronger for himself.

Tang Shaoyang's smile slowly faded and turned into a frown when he listened to Kang Jiayi's personal request. Yep, it was his personal request as Kang Jiayi, not The Chief of TEIS. It was not like it mattered in Tang Shaoyang's eyes because he did not like it.

"You don't have to be so considerate with me. Don't let me cloud your judgment," Kang Xue spoke first before Tang Shaoyang responded to Kang Jiayi, "For your information, I also don't agree with him, but he insists on bringing this to you."

Tang Shaoyang rubbed the space between his eyes. What his father-in-law asked of him was ridiculous.

In short, there was a group of people, a faction that formed outside The Tang Empire's jurisdiction. They were the people who did not agree with his reign, the former Tang Empire's members. They planned to form their own faction and government, but they asked for the Tang Empire to concede four territories for them.

Not only did they oppose his rule, but they also asked for four territories. However, Kang Jiayi managed to reduce it to one territory. He negotiated down to one territory. The reason? It was because they were his fellow countrymen. They came from the same roots, and Kang Jiayi wished to support them just because they previously came from the same country.

As the former General, Kang Jiayi wished this group to do well just because they were his fellow countrymen. Despite this group's desire to get separated from the Tang Empire.

"Father! I am not going to kill them or put them into the dungeon because they disagree with my government. But isn't it ridiculous that they just ask me to hand over the territory that I have fought with my life at stake?"

Tang Shaoyang was not talking about the zombie, how he took the territory from the zombie. He was talking about the attack from the Divine Church. How he almost died, getting his head pulled off by the Divine Dragon, Eol.

"It's just one territory, and we have many of them unoccupied," That was Kang Jiayi's reasoning. Because the Tang Empire had many territories, hence it should be fine to give this group one of the unoccupied territories.

"Even if those territories are unoccupied, they are still more useful to us than giving it to those people. You know right that we train our soldiers and trainees to fight the zombies and monsters that grow in those unoccupied territories?" Tang Shaoyang tried his best not to lash out at his father-in-law, showing respect for the elder. He tried to use a reason as to why he would never hand over his territory.

"But we have more options now. There are dungeons and dimensional towers. And one territory will not affect us that much." Kang Jiayi insisted.

"But we have more options now. There are dungeons and dimensional towers. And one territory will not affect us that much." Kang Jiayi insisted.

"Okay, giving out one territory is not a big deal for us, but what if more groups like them appear and demand the same thing? Will you also try to convince me to give them my territory just like what you do now?"

Before Kang Jiayi could respond, Tang Shaoyang continued.

"I don't care if they disagree with my rule, then they can leave the Tang Empire. This is one of the main reasons why I stop expanding our territories. I am giving those people who disagree with my rule to live outside the Tang Empire! So my answer is no."

"I don't want to hear anything else, Kang Jiayi. My decision is final, you can never convince me to hand over my territory to anyone! I also have to remind you that you are working for the Tang Empire. This will be a warning for you, the first and the last you make a request like this. If you can't work for the Tang Empire's interest, then I have to replace you with someone who puts The Tang Empire's interest above their personal feelings!"

Tang Shaoyang was upset at his father-in-law. He was going here and there, risking his life just to ensure the Tang Empire's safety. As he returned, one of his high-ranking officers wanted him to give up territory for ungrateful people.

Kang Xue let out a sigh. She knew the meeting would not end well after she heard what Tang Shaoyang had gone through. An independent faction inside The Tang Empire should not be allowed, but she could not convince her father. The others did not have the heart to speak with Kang Xue's father. Mostly afraid they would offend Kang Xue.

Kang Jiayi wanted to argue, but his son held him back. Kang Zian was aware that his father would lose The Emperor's favor if his father continued. The worst part was that his father's stubbornness might put his sister in a tough spot.

He was about to leave the throne room with his father when Origin's voice rang. His father's feet stuck to the ground. Even if he tried to force his father out with him, he could not. He could pull his father, but it would make an ugly scene in front of The Emperor. The Emperor's expressionless visage scared him the most, he did not know what to expect as he was not able to read The Emperor's expression.

[Zheng Geming, the leader of The Zheng Kingdom along with his two vice leaders are asking for an audience, Your Majesty.]

That was why Kang Jiayi suddenly refused to leave the throne room. He shook off his son's hand and turned around, "Can you give them a chance, Your Majesty? Can you listen to them before you make the decision?"

"That's enough, Father!" Kang Xue was thoroughly embarrassed by her father. The reason her father was still standing, not inside the dungeon was because of Tang Shaoyang. Asking Tang Shaoyang to give up territory was the same as treason, even worse than selling the empire's territory.