Nine Star Hegemon Body Art

“Baiting a fox? What do you mean?” asked Mo Ying.

Long Chen replied, “I’m going to use the resonant dragon race and the bone dragon race to draw out the faction behind them. It’s time to settle this once and for all.”

Another race leader frowned. “The Dragon Domain is already in this state. Facing the Brahma Pill Valley head-on is too dangerous, don’t you think?”

Xie Qianzhong slammed the table. “Are your guts that small? What’s there to fear? Even if we have to drag them down with us, so be it! They’re the ones who reduced the Dragon Domain to this state. We’re already on the verge of collapse, and you’re telling me we can’t take revenge?”

The cautious race leader shook his head defensively. “That’s not what I mean, nor am I afraid. But considering our current situation, fighting Brahma Pill Valley outright isn’t wise. We need to weigh the pros and cons carefully.”

Another leader chimed in, nodding. “He’s right. This grudge must be avenged, but not recklessly. We need to wait until the Dragon Domain stabilizes and raises a new generation of experts. With more time, we’ll have a better chance of success.”

Hearing that, Xie Qianzhong relaxed slightly, but he still looked frustrated. After all, he was not a patient person. At this moment, everyone looked at each other before turning toward Long Chen.

Mo Ying asked, “Long Chen, what do you think?”

Long Chen chuckled. “What do I think? I think while standing, but you think while sitting, which is why your perspective is so short. Perhaps the Dragon Domain’s internal strife has lasted so long that it’s dulled your vision and blunted your sharpness.”

Had Long Chen made such a statement earlier, it would have sparked outrage. But now, the leaders merely waited for him to continue.

Xie Qianzhong raised a hand, smirking. “Let me interrupt for a moment. My sharpness hasn’t dulled. The evil dragon race remains tough and sharp as ever.”

Long Chen nodded. “Big brother Qianzhong’s temper is explosive, and he acts according to his gut feeling. While it looks brash, that’s what the Dragon Domain needs at the moment. The Dragon Domain has been reduced to this state because the disease lies deep in its soul. What it needs isn’t just strength—it needs a spiritual rebirth.

“To stand again, the Dragon Domain must regain its resolve. It’s not about how strong you are or how many enemies you face; it’s about having the courage to bare your fangs and raise your blade against anyone who threatens you. Don’t delude yourselves into thinking that time is on our side. Your enemies won’t wait. We have to strike first and seize the initiative, or wait to be forced into a corner.

“I’m sure you all understand this reasoning. If you lack the will to fight now, believe me, that courage won’t magically appear later. A prolonged rest will only grind away your fighting spirit. If the dragon race wants to rise again, it must first stand mentally. Let your great dragon souls fill your bodies once more. We have to reclaim our lost dignity with blood. The pain the enemies inflicted upon us will be repaid a hundredfold!”

“That’s right! We’ll fight here and now! Dragon race warriors can be killed, but they cannot be cowed!” declared the scarlet dragon race leader.

“Exactly! What’s there to fear? Even if our entire race perishes in battle, we’ll leave behind an eternal legend. But if we cower, we’ll be branded as cowards. Survival like that would be worse than death,” Xie Qianzhong said fiercely.

Long Chen’s impassioned words ignited the blood of the gathered leaders. The innate warlike nature of the dragon race surged to the surface, all thanks to Long Chen.

Seeing the moment was ripe, Long Chen pressed on. “You are correct. In the primal chaos era, did the dragon race ever hold back its grudges? Never. Revenge was swift and decisive. The human race has a saying: ‘Revenge is best served cold.’ But that’s just a weak consolation for the powerless. If you had the strength, who would wait ten years?

“Win people over through character? That’s nonsense made up by people who couldn’t beat their opponent. This is the dragon race! Some humans have come to our door to wipe shit over our heads. How can we just let them do as they please? If we endure now, not only will others look down on us, but how will our descendants view us? The Dragon Domain’s chaos is the greatest humiliation in the dragon race’s history. If we don’t settle this in our generation, we’ll be nailed to the cross of shame for eternity. Worse, are we to leave this burden for our descendants to shoulder? If we’re too afraid to fight, should we send our children to die in our place?”

Long Chen’s words grew heavier and heavier, until they were like hammers striking them in the soft part of their hearts. Let alone Xie Qianzhong, Chi Yue, and the others, even the white dragon race leader felt his blood boil with the urge to charge into battle.

“Long Chen is right. This is the result of our foolishness. The grudges of this generation should be settled by us,” admitted the race leader who had proposed buying more time.

Mo Yin kept her composure and asked the important question. “Long Chen, do you have a strategy? How should we proceed? Just give the word.”

If they were to fight now, they definitely couldn’t do it randomly. They had to have a plan. That was the only way to reduce the casualties.

Planning strategies was definitely the dragon race’s greatest weakness. Since they were like a plate of sand, it would be extremely difficult to make them work together. But if they didn’t even try, it would be worse. They might even accidentally start attacking and killing each other.

“There’s no need to worry about this. My Dragonblood Legion has a fellow called Guo Ran who specializes in battle formations. I’ll have him draft one for you immediately,” Long Chen assured them.

Though Long Chen could manage it himself, he preferred to delegate this to Guo Ran. He could save energy this way.

Most importantly, as their general commander, Guo Ran was more experienced than Long Chen in this regard. He liked flashy things the most, so he would go all-out for this.

Long Chen said, “Also, when you leave here, act outraged and indignant, as if you stormed out in anger. We don’t want to alarm the snake hiding in the grass. The act must be convincing.”

They all nodded to show that they understood. After all, planning would at least take a little time.

The palace gates opened, and the leaders walked out with somber expressions. Countless dragon experts watched anxiously, their hearts sinking at the sight of the leaders’ gloomy faces.

The tension was palpable, especially after witnessing the bone dragon race leader storm out earlier, his face dark with fury. Most alarming of all was the visible, unmistakable handprint on his cheek. It didn’t take sharp eyes to notice he had been slapped—but by whom remained a mystery.

As the leaders walked away in silence, their followers trailed behind them cautiously, their unease mirrored in every step.

When Long Chen came out, the Dragonblood Legion immediately surrounded him.

“Boss really is the boss! That slap was absolutely legendary!” Guo Ran declared, his voice carrying far enough for even the retreating dragon experts to hear.

The murmurs started instantly. Those who overheard froze in shock, their gazes darting between each other as the realization dawned.

“It was him?” someone whispered incredulously, the words rippling through the crowd like wildfire.

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