A Beacon Illuminating Humanity

If we were to use a line from a game to describe Kang De's current state...

"I'm the fucking lighthouse of humanity; people should line up to shake my hand."

That's about it.

Priests, nobles, officers, merchants—warm and sincere faces kept appearing before my eyes.

Their compliments and praises were genuine... or at least they seemed so.

"These are the most beautiful and magnificent words I have ever heard in my life, Your Highness Kang De."

An elderly nobleman with white hair grasped Kang De's hand tightly and said sincerely, "Your impeccable character and noble personality will move all Goth People."

Kang De didn't know him, but he could tell from the attitude of those around him that the old man was of extraordinary status. He smiled and said, "You flatter me, but it certainly wasn't a completely unsuccessful speech."

The old man smiled, "You're right. From your perspective of personal gain, this speech can't be considered a complete success. You could have used the glorious victory and miraculous triumph of the Battle of Valentan to create a magnificent myth for yourself, leading people to fervent worship and devotion, making yourself a deity in their eyes. You could have done that, and it would have brought you immense and enviable benefits..."

But you didn't do that.

He gazed at the dark mass of people in the distance, regardless of class or status, all calling out the same words; at least for this moment, they stood here with the same identity.

They were all Goth People.

Tears welled up in the old man's eyes.

As people age, their hearts tend to soften. Moreover, this intense and exhilarating emotion stems from a deep love for one's country, home, and nation, making it something that evokes the strongest empathy.

Because he was also born and raised here, he was also Goth People.

His voice choked with emotion. "I admit I never expected that you would abandon the readily available fanaticism and support, and instead call on everyone to remember the heroic warriors who sacrificed their lives, to imprint the concept of 'Goth' in the hearts of those who are lost, to let people remember their homeland and native soil, rather than placing themselves on a pedestal..."

At this point, the old man bowed deeply to Kang De: "Your selfless character and noble morality are like those of a saint, making us Goth People have wasted our lives feel the utmost respect and shame."

Regardless, such praise was far too much, especially coming from such a distinguished-looking elderly man. Even Kang De, with his thick skin, would have found it hard to bear.

He could only speak his true thoughts honestly.

"This was Nick's last wish. I wanted to make their sacrifice more meaningful, and I also wanted to make these apathetic people understand something... something they deserve to understand."

Kang De stated, "Moreover, I have little interest in people's adoration and fanaticism."

"If that's the case, then we should express our sincerest gratitude to you. We don't even know how to repay what you've done for Goth. If there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to ask."

The old man was helped up, but his expression remained sincere. "Your Highness Kang De, please allow me to apologize for my previous worries and doubts. Although you have the blood of the Cathayan flowing in your veins, from now on, you will always be Goth's friend. We will always regard you as one of us, our closest brother, sister, relative, and partner. It is Goth's greatest honor that you can marry Princess Tina."

A Xing, who had been standing by Kang De's side as his bodyguard, immediately showed his displeasure.

Even the Platinum Ape understood that this was not the time to discuss such matters, so she held back and simply stared intently at Kang De.

This is so hard for me...

Kang De maintained his elegant and humble smile, but inwardly he was already cursing.

Damn it, why did you have to bring that up...?

But then again...

After the Glittering Sand incident, Tina raised her banner in the north, shaking the world. She announced her marriage, which also brought Kang De to the world stage and made him the focus of attention. However, Battle of Valentan, this wonderful marriage, which had been talked about all over the world for more than a month, had undergone a fundamental change.

He went from being "a pretty boy from Aurora who Cathay fell in love with Princess Goth" to "an invincible man who defied the Dusk Moon Dynasty for love." He could have stayed out of it, but he brazenly became an enemy of the world's overlord and wiped out five Elf Dragon Banner Warband in one fell swoop. To outsiders, all of this was done for Tina.

Actually, that's not the case.

It's less about Tina and more about Nick... Ugh, that makes it even stranger.

In short, it's very troublesome.

Whether he explains or not, his relationship with Tina will only become more complicated... With the battle having reached this point, their reunion is imminent. How should he deal with Tina then?

Are we just going to agree to this marriage so casually, and then get married?

Thinking of Tina's stunning beauty, her radiant blonde hair, her graceful and charming figure, her gentle and tender nature, and her noble and elegant demeanor, Kang De's heart stirred.

To say that he had no feelings for Tina or any fantasies about her would be utter nonsense. Marrying a girl like that would feel like getting a great deal... But Kang De still had a subconscious resistance to it.

--And a certain inexplicable sense of guilt.

Ugh, this is such a hassle.

"Ugh, this is such a hassle..."

Most prominent figures were trying to curry favor with Kang De, hoping to become familiar with him. Today's speech Shi Potian, and when it reached the ears of those who were interested, it shocked and frightened them even more. They realized that they had still underestimated this Cathayan, so they became even more eager and enthusiastic.

However, a small number of people remained where they were, refusing to join in the fun.

For example, Leona, and the man beside her.

He was tall and handsome, with an excellent appearance, an elegant gentleman, and his eyebrows resembled Leona's somewhat. However, his temperament and face were slightly soft and even superficial, as if he had not been tempered by blood and fire, like a playboy.

He repeated what he had just said, "Ugh, this is such a hassle..."

Leona hardened her face and said coldly, "If you're too lazy to do anything else, go back to Valentan and find a brothel to have sex with, or get the hell out there and give him a piece of your mind. Don't keep nagging me."

"..."

The handsome man's expression faltered for a moment. He glanced around instinctively, relieved that no one had heard their fragrant words, and sighed, "I was speaking for you. What a hassle."

Leona asked calmly, "What's the trouble?"

"Isn't this troublesome? Once he releases this speech, the entire Goth will go crazy. If I were a Goth People, I'd be rushing over and shoving him in the balls right now..."

The man sighed, "So, where did Princess Tina find such a person? Damn, I almost shot myself. I'd believe you if you told me he was the Emperor of Cathay."

Leona's voice grew even colder. "How should I know? What's it to me?"

"Is it really none of your business?" The man stared at Leona, as if trying to read her mind. "This resounding victory, this speech... if things continue like this, his love and marriage with Princess Tina will soon be known to everyone, even becoming a world-famous example of love."

Leona gritted her teeth and punched the man in the lower back.

In front of everyone, in this situation, he couldn't very well shout out loud. The man gasped and hissed, "Don't even think about lying. I can see right through you. I've seen plenty of women's eyes..."

Leona stomped her foot again, grinding it hard against the tip of her shoe.

"It's no use hitting me anymore..."

The man Shang-Chi, said, "You're my sister, I can't just watch you..."

"... Shut up."

Leona turned and glared at him fiercely, her teeth clenched, but anyone could see that tears were on the verge of bursting. "I'll try! I haven't lost yet!"

But her resolve and vows were drowned out by the fervent cheers and praises around her. People chanted Goth's name one moment and praised Kang De's the next. He stood in the crowd like the moon surrounded by stars. The most powerful people in the region offered their respect and loyalty in an elegant and subtle way.

The events of the past few days must have shaken Goth and shocked the world.

Leona stared blankly at Kang De was not far away.

Just a few days ago, he was a somewhat mysterious man, full of enigmas, an unromantic man who spoke with an axe, and a man who promised to protect her.

A few days later, he single-handedly defeated five powerful elven armies, his fame resounding throughout the continent. His speech, delivered amidst the attention of the masses, was truly astonishing and will surely be recorded in history, changing the destinies of countless people.

At this moment, though only a few dozen meters apart, it felt like an insurmountable chasm.

Can the daughter of a wealthy merchant family with some fortune really win over such a man?

Leona was shaken, overwhelmed with sadness, and filled with immense loss and unease.

This was the first thing she had ever wanted in her life that seemed so difficult to obtain.

This text, known as the "Valentan Speech," was passed down orally, then compiled into a written form, and spread throughout the continent by envoys and spies from various countries, peoples, and powers.

Using the highest level of delivery methods, it appeared on the desks of the tycoons at the fastest speed.

In the sacred heart of the Human Empire, in the unparalleled imperial capital, within a magnificent palace, the vigorous and powerful human sovereign put down the scroll in his hand. He had read it five times, and even copied it twice, before calming his agitated emotions. Then, he sighed softly at the deep and dark palace.

"Such a remarkable person... such a remarkable person... why isn't he in the Empire? Why did he have to be encountered by a young girl from the Taidariel Family? I have three daughters, three..."

Then, the emperor shook his head and gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Then, he addressed the void before him. "All members of the Imperial Sacred Selection Academy and the Lumeng Club, all princes and princesses and heirs of the duchies, immediately convey my order to them: thoroughly read and memorize the 'Valentan Speech,' copy it ten times without a single mistake, and carefully study it. I will personally examine their work."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Crown Prince Alex, have him copy this speech a thousand times, and write the sentence ' Kang De of Cathayan is nothing but Joker with some strength, easily dealt with by a squad of assassins, posing no threat to the Empire' a hundred thousand times. I will personally check it; if even a single letter is carelessly written, I will break his legs and strip him of his right to the throne."

The emperor's orders were carried out to the letter.

Across the sea, where the Twilight Moon rises, at the center of the world, lies the royal city of the elves, a place steeped in history, where every vine and brick is etched with the echoes of legend. The Luen Forbidden Palace, more magnificent and profound than the imperial capital, has been holding a closed-door council meeting for two full days.

"He is a huge threat, an unstable factor, and must be eliminated!"

"It's unbelievable..."

"The executioner..."

"You cruel and cold-blooded thugs, do you still want to continue the war?"

"You are responsible for the annihilation of the six Dragon Banner Legion!"

"Besides assassination and violence, don't you have any other ways to solve the problem? If the plan fails and you incur relentless retaliation, can you bear the responsibility?"

"National dignity is paramount! We must respond!"

"But their response is that even more elves are dying! You only care about your own interests, but you don't care how many elves have died, how many elves are crying behind the scenes!"

Arguments, insults, accusations, shifting blame, speeches, roars.

And the speaker's shouts, "Order! Order! Order!"

A country is never monolithic. Politics is divided into factions, with hawks and doves, and the parliament echoing with the arguments of the two forces. They are not concerned with the dignity of the country or the lives of soldiers; these are merely their rhetoric. Their positions serve their own real interests, nothing more.

The complete annihilation of the six Dragon Banner Legion was an unprecedented defeat and setback for the Dusk Moon Dynasty since its founding, and it also gave the pro-peace faction an opportunity to attack and seize power.

This argument has been going on for a very long time.

Just then, the royal gates, covered in intricate patterns and vines, burst open with a roar. The elves slowly fell silent, turned around, and a beautiful attendant, holding a royal decree aloft, stepped in, her melodious voice echoing throughout the hall.

"The Queen believes that Your Excellencies need to hear this speech before discussing how to decide the course of the war and how to deal with the threat and challenge from Kang De of Cathayan."

This speech, along with Kang De's victory in Valentan, also pierced through the layers of barriers and blockades of the Elven navy, sailed across the ocean, and drifted to another continent, to a regime that was suffering repeated defeats and barely clinging to life.

It even spread throughout Goth's territory.

"Aunt..."

The army had remained stationary for two days, but its morale remained unshaken. Supplies and support continued to arrive steadily. The usually cautious and prudent wealthy merchants and nobles of the empire spared no expense and intensified their efforts, even personally entering Goth and braving the flames of war to catch up with this volunteer force and request an audience with Princess Tina.

But Tina hasn't appeared in public for two days.

Teldrassil's Flower was hiding in her tent, with only Sword Saint Cascading Snow by her side. Tina's eyes were red and swollen from crying. Upon hearing the good news, she was in disbelief. After great sorrow came great joy, and after great joy came heavy sorrow. Even Sword Saint Cascading Snow, who had always been by her side, could not understand her feelings.

She whispered, "I want to see him now, but I'm also afraid to see him..."

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PS1: Damn, I got so carried away writing yesterday that I'm stuck today... Time for bed.