Su Yaoyao waited outside the royal council chamber, restless and burning with anxiety.

This meeting was of the utmost importance. All of the Empire’s most influential ministers were in attendance, and the topic of discussion would determine the future of the Empire—whether or not to attack Snake Scale City.

Reg’s heart ached seeing Su Yaoyao’s furrowed brow, and he comforted her softly, "Yaoyao, don’t worry too much."

Pani chimed in, "That’s right. Admiral Bai Lian is wise and resourceful. He’ll do everything he can to persuade them. Besides, His Majesty has already approved of your proposal to reform the laws. After all, the people of Snake Scale City are His Majesty’s subjects too."

"I hope so," Su Yaoyao sighed, her brow still knitted tightly. Her eyes were filled with worry, as she knew the outcome of this meeting would directly affect the fate of countless people in Snake Scale City.

Inside the council chamber, the atmosphere was solemn and tense.

Augustine sat at the head of the table, radiating the innate authority of an Emperor.

Bai Lian and Roland sat on the left and right sides of the long table, respectively, followed by the rest of the ministers.

One minister was the first to break the silence, his tone stubborn. "The Empire’s laws have been passed down and maintained for thousands of years, tempered by the passage of time. How can we change them on a whim? They are the very foundation of the Empire!"

Augustine frowned slightly, a glint of unquestionable authority flashing in his eyes. In the majestic tone unique to an Emperor, he said, "The world is in a constant state of change. It’s like rowing a boat upstream; to not advance is to fall behind. The law, naturally, must also be updated to keep pace with the times. Our current laws are already too archaic to adapt to the new situation."

The minister, seemingly unconvinced, was about to argue further.

In that instant, Augustine released a faint pressure from his Level 3S dragon’s breath. The air in the council chamber seemed to freeze as an immense, invisible force spread throughout the room.

"Enough!" Augustine’s voice boomed like a great bell, reverberating through the chamber. "It is precisely because the laws are set in stone that so many males have suffered domestic abuse with no legal recourse, ultimately forcing them to unite in rebellion against the Empire. We can no longer turn a blind eye to these problems!"

Outside the chamber, Su Yaoyao keenly sensed the overwhelming wave of powerful energy. Although it was fleeting, it still made her heart tighten.

Pani’s expression shifted. "That must be an energy fluctuation from His Majesty," she said in a low voice. "It seems the debate inside is getting intense."

Burning with anxiety, Su Yaoyao muttered to herself, ’I wonder what’s happening in there.’

Seeing her so anxious, Reg’s heart ached. He gently took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it softly, trying to soothe her. "It will be alright," he said gently. "Have faith in Bai Lian, and trust that His Majesty will make the right decision."

Su Yaoyao nodded slightly, but the worry in her eyes did not lessen in the slightest.

At that moment, inside the council chamber, Augustine slowly took a notebook from within his robes. The book looked somewhat old, its corners slightly curled, a clear sign that it had been frequently read.

He motioned for the ministers to pass it around.

This was the very notebook in which Su Yaoyao had tirelessly recorded the testimonies of the male domestic abuse victims in Snake Scale City.

By day, she had worked tirelessly to comfort the injured males. By night, she recorded their heartfelt words and tragic experiences, page by page. Every entry was filled with their pain and helplessness.

One by one, the ministers read through the notebook. The room fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the rustling of pages sounding unnaturally loud in the silence.

As they read the contents of the notebook, the faces of the ministers grew increasingly grave. They knew some females could be spoiled and willful, but none had imagined they would commit such cruel acts as torturing and even murdering males.

The notebook detailed the entire process of the domestic abuse the males had suffered. The words were like sharp blades, stabbing at everyone’s hearts.

Seeing that the time was right, Bai Lian seized the opportunity to speak.

"Everyone, amending the laws to grant males the legal protection they deserve is not only a safeguard for their rights, but also the key to quelling the unrest in Snake Scale City. If we can resolve this problem peacefully, our people will not have to suffer the ravages of war, and the Empire can return to its former peace and prosperity."

After finishing Su Yaoyao’s notebook, Roland felt an irrepressible rage well up inside him. At the same time, his heart ached for the tragic plight of those males.

His previous unwillingness to let Snake Scale City go and his desire to crush it completely vanished without a trace after seeing these records.

He stood up, his gaze firm, and said, "I agree with Admiral Bai Lian. As soldiers of the Empire, if we cannot even protect our own people, what meaning do dignity and honor have?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers all nodded in agreement, and the proposal to amend the laws passed unanimously.

However, another minister raised a new concern. "What if, even after the laws are amended, Snake Scale City still refuses to submit and openly rebels against the Empire? What should we do then?"

Augustine’s expression turned stern, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes. "The majesty of the Empire will not be challenged. If they still refuse to submit, they will all be treated as rebels. There will be no mercy. Kill them all!"

Bai Lian’s brow furrowed slightly. He worried inwardly.

’The Lord of Snake Scale City, Mingye, was rumored to be ruthless and merciless, his methods mysterious and unpredictable. I truly hope he prioritizes the safety of the Beastmen in his city, submits to the Empire, and avoids a devastating war,’ Bai Lian thought.

Just then, Roland suddenly spoke up. "Your Majesty, there is one other matter I must report to you."

Augustine nodded slightly. "Speak."

Roland operated the Light Computer in his hand, projecting a video.

On the screen, soldiers from Snake Scale City and the Empire were locked in fierce combat, the roar of battle deafening.

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, Su Yaoyao suddenly appeared on the battlefield. An apocalyptic surge of powerful energy erupted from her body, and a golden, holy light illuminated the entire land, as if the sun itself had descended upon the earth.

All the Beastmen on the battlefield, whether they were Imperial soldiers or warriors from Snake Scale City, were suppressed by this immense power, unable to move, left to only struggle as they knelt on the ground.

Even through the video, one could clearly feel how terrifyingly powerful this spiritual power was.

All the ministers shot up from their seats, their eyes wide and round, staring at the screen in utter shock as if they had just witnessed the impossible.

Augustine was equally stunned. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes glued to the screen, filled with a mixture of astonishment and contemplation.

Bai Lian, however, frowned deeply, cursing his luck internally.

He knew all too well that Su Yaoyao’s overwhelming power could attract unwanted attention and had wanted to keep the matter quiet. He never expected Roland’s Light Computer to have recorded the entire battle.

"Th-th-this... Could she be the legendary Holy Female?!" one minister exclaimed, the first to snap out of his stupor.