The conversation between the Regent and his secretaries was not hidden from everyone. They were all old foxes who had been in officialdom for many years, and from just a few words, they had already figured out the general situation.
It seemed that Klee, the little girl from the Mondstadt Delegation, had been attacked. Fortunately, Yoimiya saved him, but Yoimiya himself was seriously injured.
Everyone below the stage was stunned by the Regent's grand gesture. The fact that the Regent had killed a giant dragon and captured a live one in Mondstadt was already well-known throughout Inazuma.
The live dragon had been handed over to Sara for safekeeping, and they no longer held out much hope for the live dragon. However, the dead dragon had become a coveted prize in the eyes of many.
After all, a powerful and rare creature like a giant dragon was a treasure from head to tail. Dragon scales could be used for armor, dragon bones for weapons and medicine, and as for Dragon Meat and dragon blood, they had long been rumored by the people of Inazuma to be a delicious delicacy and a highly nourishing tonic.
There were even rumors that eating a bite of Dragon Meat could strengthen the body, and drinking a mouthful of dragon blood could restore vigor.
Most importantly, giant dragons were long-lived creatures with incredibly long lifespans. Many people thought that if they could eat more, they might be able to extend their lives, or even achieve immortality.
Countless Inazuma dignitaries wanted a piece of the pie, but so far, no one had been able to get any Dragon Meat or dragon blood from Sara.
Unexpectedly, a common civilian was now enjoying such treatment, and the Regent even said he wanted to use fresh dragon blood. Wouldn't that mean using the blood of the live dragon?
This made some high-ranking and powerful dignitaries a little restless.
Especially Takatsukasa Shin, the head of the Takatsukasa Family. He was now an old man over sixty, frail and with declining health. Since his failure in the competition for the Tenryou Commission, he had gradually retreated behind the scenes, beginning to pursue the path of health and longevity.
There was no other way; the higher one's position and power, the more one feared death in old age. Even someone as brilliant and mighty as Emperor Taizong of Tang began to pursue the elusive path to immortality in his later years.
The body of the giant dragon brought back by the Regent gave him hope. Therefore, he had repeatedly reported to Sara, requesting that the Regent, considering his many years of diligent service to Inazuma, bestow upon him some dragon blood and Dragon Meat. However, without exception, all his requests were rejected by Sara.
And now, an ordinary civilian from Inazuma, simply for saving a child from the Mondstadt Delegation, could be granted dragon blood and Dragon Meat.
This made Takatsukasa Shin believe even more that Sara was holding a grudge against him. His application had never even reached the Regent. Otherwise, with his many years of merit and hard work, how could the Regent not even bestow a little Dragon Meat upon him?
Upon thinking of this, Takatsukasa Shin felt a little parched. His longing for longevity compelled him to take this risk.
He respectfully bowed, indicating his request to speak.
It must be said that since the new Raiden government, officials had been meticulous in their manners when reporting to their superiors. After all, during that meeting, two high-ranking officials were directly beheaded due to a lack of proper etiquette.
As the saying goes, what the superiors do, the subordinates follow. If the Regent demanded his subordinates to be polite, then the local officials would treat their subordinates in the same way.
Miyashiro glanced at Takatsukasa Shin, who was attempting to speak, and said with an unreadable expression, "Takatsukasa Family Head, do you have any objection?"
Listening to the Regent's tone, Takatsukasa Shin had a bad premonition, but he was already committed and had to proceed. He respectfully said, "Reporting to the Regent, I believe that Miss Yoimiya saving a member of the Mondstadt Delegation, especially Klee, whom you specifically instructed to protect, has upheld the prestige of Inazuma, and certainly deserves commendation.
However, the scope and nature of this reward are truly too high. Currently, Inazuma City hosts delegations from Liyue and Mondstadt, totaling hundreds of people. If saving just one member of a delegation warrants a reward of dragon blood and Dragon Meat, I fear that even ten giant dragons would not be enough, let alone one.
Dragon blood and Dragon Meat are treasures of Inazuma. Even if they are to be rewarded, they should be given to those who have rendered great service to Inazuma. As for Miss Yoimiya's reward, I believe that monetary compensation would suffice. I ask the Regent to reconsider."
Takatsukasa Shin's words made everyone below the stage nod. "He has a point. We, who have toiled for Inazuma, haven't been rewarded with Dragon Meat. Yet, that commoner named Yoimiya, who merely saved a little girl, receives such a reward? It's too unfair."
If this is how one can obtain dragon blood and Dragon Meat, then we can also try to make some arrangements with those delegation members.
Miyashiro remained calm and said, "Takatsukasa Family Head, who are you referring to when you speak of 'those who have rendered great service to Inazuma'? Hmm?"
After a moment of hesitation, Takatsukasa Shin bowed his head and said, "Regent, my Takatsukasa Family has made significant contributions to the development of Inazuma. Although I am now over sixty years old, my determination to strive for Inazuma remains unchanged. I am resolute in burning my last drop of blood for Inazuma.
Unfortunately, time spares no one, and my energy is not what it used to be. I heard that the Regent recently slew a giant dragon, and rumors circulate that dragon blood and Dragon Meat can strengthen the body and restore vitality. Therefore, I boldly applied to Lady Sara for dragon blood and Dragon Meat, but for some unknown reason, my request was rejected by Lady Sara. I ask the Regent to please investigate."
As soon as Takatsukasa Shin spoke, everyone below cast gazes of both contempt and envy towards him. Not only did he express his loyalty to the Regent, but he also spun such a grand reason for his application for dragon blood and Dragon Meat, and even subtly poisoned Sara's reputation. Truly an old fox, his thick skin was admirable, and they admitted defeat.
However, Takatsukasa Shin's explanation was immediately met with Sara's rebuttal: "Takatsukasa Family Head! What do you mean? Do you think I would intentionally conceal things from the Regent like Kujou Takayuki and Hiiragi Shinsuke?
Have you forgotten something? The Regent is not only the Inazuma Regent, but also the head of the Uchiha Clan. As a member of the Uchiha Clan, would I ever act against my clan head?"
Sara's words intensified Takatsukasa Shin's bad premonition. Oh no! Was it not Sara who rejected his application? Was it... Miyashiro's unreadable face finally showed a hint of a cold smile. He slowly stood up, his gaze sharp, instantly making the atmosphere in the entire conference room even more oppressive, scaring Takatsukasa Shin into a cold sweat, trembling all over.
Miyashiro: "Takatsukasa Family Head, you mean that Yoimiya's act of risking his life to protect that little girl isn't worth me going to such great lengths, is that right?
But what I want to tell you is, if anything were to happen to that little girl in Inazuma, Inazuma would probably cease to exist. Everyone in Inazuma would have to be buried with him!"
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