Noah explained with a serious expression, "Her Beast Husbands are all incredibly powerful, one more so than the next. I don’t have any advantage against them. I need to find an ally, someone on my side, so we can compete for her favor together."

"Ahem." Mingye coughed awkwardly, trying to hide his embarrassment.

Noah continued, "You like her too, don’t you? This way, we can team up. Isn’t it perfect?"

Mingye replied firmly, with almost no hesitation, "I won’t do that."

Noah looked completely baffled and pressed, "Why? This is a great opportunity. If you miss it, it’s gone for good."

Mingye’s expression grew increasingly grave as he spoke slowly. "Su Yaoyao is completely devoted to the well-being of the Beastmen of Snake Scale City. She went to great lengths just to get His Majesty to agree to amend the law.

Everyone in Snake Scale City should be grateful to her for everything she’s done.

If I were to propose marriage as a condition for a peace agreement, how would that be any different from threatening her?

It would be a despicable act of betrayal.

Besides, I don’t want Yaoyao to marry me because she feels forced into it.

I want her to be with me because she has genuine feelings for me, not out of a sense of duty to Snake Scale City or because she has no other choice."

As he finished, Mingye’s gaze grew even more resolute, as if he were declaring his determination to himself as much as to Noah.

Noah curled his lip and muttered, "You just overthink things.

Across the stars, might makes right. Sometimes, you have to play rough; there’s nothing wrong with that.

Besides, how do you know for sure that she wouldn’t want to? Maybe she has feelings for you, too."

Mingye frowned slightly, lost in thought.

Images of Su Yaoyao’s every smile and frown surfaced in his mind. Every little moment they had spent together replayed before his eyes like a film.

He knew full well that Su Yaoyao was a kind and determined person. Everything she did was for the sake of peace and justice.

If he really used the negotiations as leverage to make such a demand, it would only disappoint her. It might even destroy what few good memories they had together.

"No, I can’t do that," Mingye said, his voice firm again. "I will prioritize the interests of Snake Scale City in these negotiations, but I will absolutely not use such methods to coerce Su Yaoyao."

Seeing how resolute Mingye was, Noah knew it was pointless to argue. He sighed in resignation. "Fine, fine. If you’re that insistent, I won’t push you. Just don’t live to regret it."

Mingye smiled softly. "I won’t. If it’s truly meant to be, I believe Su Yaoyao and I will end up together one day."

Noah was a little moved as he looked at Mingye’s earnest expression. Although he found Mingye’s stance a bit naïve, he couldn’t help but admire his pure and steadfast devotion to his feelings.

"Alright, since your mind is made up, I’ll just wait and see how you win her over with your sincerity. But honestly, I still think you’re missing out on a huge opportunity."

Mingye didn’t respond to Noah’s teasing, sinking instead into memories of the time he had spent with Su Yaoyao.

She had acted as a therapist to improve the mental state of Snake Scale City’s Beastmen, releasing her spiritual power to soothe them.

These actions had only made his admiration and love for her grow with each passing day.

"Honestly, just being able to see her again is a blessing in itself," Mingye said slowly. "I don’t want to ruin this precious reunion because of my own selfish desires."

Seeing Mingye’s lovelorn expression, Noah couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. A teasing smile spread across his face, and his voice rose playfully. "Well, well, look at you, so full of deep affection! You’re like a completely different person from the guy who swore up and down he didn’t like Su Yaoyao!"

The tips of Mingye’s ears flushed red, and he abruptly ended the call.

During their time apart, every single second for Mingye had been filled with longing for Su Yaoyao.

The memories of his time with her were like brilliant stars, twinkling endlessly in his heart.

As the days went by, this longing only intensified. It made Mingye realize with ever-greater clarity his true feelings for Su Yaoyao. That love, it turned out, had taken deep root in his heart long ago and had only grown more fiercely in her absence.

The Flying Ship carrying Su Yaoyao descended slowly, landing at the Snake Scale City spaceport. The hatch slid open, and Su Yaoyao stepped out with firm yet elegant strides, accompanied by Bai Lian, Reg, Pani, and Noah.

The scene before her made her pause. The Lord of Snake Scale City, Mingye, was there to greet her personally. He was dressed in a stately and magnificent black robe embroidered with a silver scale pattern that shimmered mysteriously in the sunlight.

Behind him stood a dense crowd of the city’s inhabitants, their eyes filled with gratitude.

The moment Su Yaoyao came into full view, the people, as if of one mind, knelt in perfect unison. They cried out as one, "We greet the Holy Female!"

Their voices, unified and thunderous, rolled like a great wave, echoing long over the spaceport.

Su Yaoyao was genuinely taken aback. She hadn’t expected the people to greet her with such a grand ceremony.

She hurried forward, holding out her hands. "Please, all of you, rise," she urged, her voice filled with gentle concern.

Only after hearing Su Yaoyao’s words did the people rise to their feet.

They looked at Su Yaoyao, their eyes full of reverence and adoration.

Su Yaoyao knew they must have heard about the Empire’s plan to enact a law protecting males after marriage. Even though the law was still being drafted, it had already planted a seed of hope in the hearts of Snake Scale City’s people.

Mingye’s gaze was fixed on Su Yaoyao, his eyes a swirling mix of complex emotions: the joy of seeing her after so long, his admiration for her, and even more so, the deep love he kept buried in his heart.

He took a small step forward, his voice low and magnetic. "Su Yaoyao, welcome to Snake Scale City."

’So Mingye knew I was coming.’

Su Yaoyao responded with a smile as warm and gentle as the spring sun. "Mingye. It’s been a while. I come today as a representative of the Empire, hoping to reach a peaceful consensus with Snake Scale City."

Mingye nodded slightly. "I know why you’re here, and I understand the efforts you’ve made for Snake Scale City. Its people are immensely grateful to you." With that, he turned to the side, gesturing for Su Yaoyao and her party to follow him toward the castle.

On the way to the castle, the streets were lined with the people of Snake Scale City. They cast grateful looks toward Su Yaoyao, and some couldn’t help but break into cheers. Su Yaoyao’s heart swelled with emotion. She knew all her efforts had been worthwhile.

At last, they arrived at the castle. Upon entering the council hall, the two parties took their seats. Mingye looked at Su Yaoyao and was the first to speak. "Su Yaoyao, I hope we can both be candid in these peace talks. You represent the Star Shining Empire, so you must already have your own thoughts on the matter. Please, feel free to speak first."