Kindred Spirits, Overjoyed!

Hong San went to the temporary embassy and explained his purpose.

The elves who served as attendants and guards were all of noble birth and had achieved early success. It was inevitable that they were arrogant and conceited. Although they adhered to diplomatic etiquette, their arrogance could not be concealed.

Especially their arrogance towards the Cathayan.

Hong San figured it out.

Through years of hard work and experience, he has already honed his ability to read people's expressions and moods. This skill will still come in handy in the future. If a servant can do the job of figuring out what someone is thinking, then a strategist can certainly do it too.

It was a kind of contempt and ridicule that extended from the nation to its citizens.

He was politely invited in, without any sign of neglect or rudeness. Hong San also maintained a proper smile, neither humble nor arrogant, pretending not to notice the subtle attitude.

The message was relayed to Elandil.

Kang De invited His Excellency the Duke to a banquet.

The elven sage's first reaction was to refuse. After all, what had happened outside the city was too shameful, even disgraceful, and he had to protest in some way.

However, he also adhered to the etiquette and rules of a subject and could not make decisions for that official.

So Elandil went to report this to Duke of Tiling.

"Kang De is inviting us to dinner?" Tagelise jumped up, his eyes lighting up. "Of course I'm going!"

Elandil's face darkened. "Your Highness, we cannot go. Not long ago, you were wailing outside the city, and Kang De and his entourage saw it all clearly. It's extremely embarrassing, for both sides. We need time to ease this awkwardness, at least one night!"

Duke of Tiling tilted his head. "Awkward? I don't think so."

"Embarrassing, extremely embarrassing! If this visit were a historic and solemn formal negotiation, I should commit suicide right now to apologize to the entire nation!"

Elandil said sternly, "I hope you won't do this again! It damages your reputation!"

Tagelise looked sorrowful, his hands clasped to his chest, his face innocent and naive, and said with deep emotion, "I am willing to face all of this, to let those despicable Goth People laugh at me. If it can bring the remains of those soldiers lying dead in the wilderness back home sooner, what does the damage to my Tagelise matter!"

The elven sage once again wore a look of utter disbelief.

He remained silent for a full three seconds, seemingly shocked by this utterly shameless statement, before finally exclaiming angrily, "You can't do this! If you're..."

"Don't worry, don't worry," Tagelise blinked, "No elf will know."

Before Elandil could speak, the Duke approached him with a beaming smile, gently patted his shoulder, and said, "You wouldn't want to be kept in the dark, would you?"

The wise man was startled.

Before he could reply, Tagelise walked towards the door with his hands behind his back, grinning, "Alright, alright, Lord Elandil, I order you to accompany me to Prince Kang De's banquet. Time to go!"

Elandil remained where he was, seemingly still hesitant, but unable to find a way to dissuade him.

Duke of Tiling had already opened the door.

A genuine smile spread across his face as he exclaimed joyfully, "This is awesome! This is the happiest and most anticipated banquet of my life! I'm not the one hosting, there are no rules, I don't have to talk, I don't have to change clothes, I don't have a bunch of people following me around, and the best part is, the host is a barbarian with absolutely no manners and who has seen me at my most pathetic! Hahahahahahahaha!"

"In other words, I don't have to pay attention to any stupid rules at all! It would be even better if there wasn't a rigid, old-fashioned, rule-bound old man around me! Lalalalalalalalala!"

Hearing this, even knowing it was a ploy to provoke him, Elandil still shuddered and rushed out, shouting, "Wait! Your Highness! You can't be so insolent!"

"Puff puff puff puff puff re re re re re re lo lo lo lo lo lo lo!"

"Please stop making faces! Please retract your tongue! The elven royal family is utterly disgraced!"

So, Tagelise came before Hong San.

Hong San bowed to him meticulously. "Greetings, Your Excellency Duke of Tiling."

Good evening, Mr. Hong.

Tagelise sized up Hong San a few times, then smiled and said, "I've heard you're His Highness Kang De's right-hand man."

Hong San's smile remained humble and proper as he bowed slightly, "You flatter me. I was merely temporarily appointed by His Highness Kang De to handle some trivial matters for him. I have no special talent, only diligence. I work with utmost care every day, fearing that I might make a mistake or betray His Highness's trust. When a truly talented person arrives, I should step down and serve His Highness from the side."

Tagelise laughed, "The Cathayan are as hypocritical as ever."

Hong San bowed slightly more deeply.

He said softly, "A person like me, who used to roll in the mud every day, is used to being humble and subservient. I was even almost killed by the elven army before. In front of an elven royal like you, it is impossible not to be humble. Of course you can say that I am hypocritical, and I dare not deny it, but not all Cathayan are hypocritical. For example, His Highness Kang De, I think you know this better than I do."

Tagelise laughed, "So you're so protective of your lord? According to you, he's very upright?"

Hong San respectfully replied, "I am merely stating the facts and dare not speak recklessly. Putting aside other matters, based on my own observation, Your Highness is not only open and honest but also a man of your word, always keeping your promises, especially to the elves—you will fulfill them no matter what..."

Both Elandil and Tagelise's expressions changed.

Because Selendron, the former legion commander of the Dusk Warband, had told him everything about Kang De in great detail— Kang De had indeed made a promise to him, and had quickly fulfilled it.

Duke of Tiling stepped forward and said coldly, "What do you mean?"

An invisible yet immense pressure instantly pressed down on him. Hong San's shoulders slumped, then he forced them back up and calmly said, "What I mean is, Your Grace, go ahead and negotiate. Once His Highness agrees, he won't go back on his word."

The terrifying sense of oppression lasted only a moment before vanishing without a trace, as if it were just an illusion.

But Hong San's hand, hidden in his sleeve, clenched slightly.

"That's amazing, truly amazing."

Tagelise's voice regained its warmth as he said, "But I do find it strange that all the Cathay people of China have crossed the ocean to come to the mainland."

Hong San remained silent.

The duke looked at him meaningfully. "Is it inconvenient for you to answer?"

"I don't know how to answer," Hong San replied. "Because I don't know which Cathayan have crossed the sea to the East. The only Cathayan from China that I know of are my princes, but I dare not ask why he came."

Tagelise chuckled, "Mr. Hong, Lord Elandil is a good friend of your master."

Hong San said with a face full of shame, "Don't say it, it's too embarrassing to talk about. I'm useless, I was expelled from the sect long ago, I'm not worthy to talk about him, I know nothing about him."

Elandil, who had been listening in the background, looked even darker.

--How shameless! When she was trying to curry favor with me, she brought up her master, shed tears and sighed, and even asked me to write a letter to her master saying that she had become a good person. And now she's still saying this.

You're even better than me!

"What did His Excellency the Duke say?"

"It's nothing." Tagelise's sigh was so soft that even Hong San, with his martial arts skills, couldn't hear it. He then chuckled and said, "Alright, when does Prince Kang De's banquet begin? Who will be attending?"

Seeing that the other party was no longer pressing the issue, Hong San smiled and said, "We can start anytime. There will be no outsiders attending; it's a private dinner party. No unrelated people will be present. His Highness said you've come a long way and are exhausted, so you probably don't want to see outsiders. Let's skip the tedious rules and banquet etiquette..."

The Duke's eyes lit up. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Elandil spoke up, "Your Highness, shall we wait about half an hour? It's a matter of proper etiquette..."

Tagelise looked at Hong San.

Hong San said, "The carriage is ready."

"Lord Elandil, look at what others are like!"

Duke of Tiling's smile grew even brighter. He patted Hong San on the shoulder in a casual manner and said regretfully, "Why don't I have someone like you by my side?"

Hong San lowered his head to show respect, but recalling the sensation on his shoulder and the force of the other person's pat, his expression became somewhat meaningful; lowering his head was merely a cover-up.

Helpless, Elandil had no choice but to follow his prince out, not forgetting to glare fiercely at Hong San.

After seeing His Excellency the Duke off to his carriage, the Duke turned back and said, "Mr. Hong."

Hong San stood with his hands at his sides. "Here."

Tagelise looked down at Hong San from his elevated position. His natural demeanor and tone were impossible to hide, and even those around him were unaware of it.

Duke of Tiling asked, "Why not return to Cathay? Cathay seems to need you more."

Hong San remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head and said, "I followed my master before, and now I follow you. Wherever Your Highness goes, I will go."

"Oh, I see."

The elf turned and got back on the vehicle, saying no more.

Hong San composed himself before returning to his carriage and slowly exhaling.

My back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Two carriages, one in front and one behind, set off, passing through streets and alleys, and arrived at the Vidal Chamber of Commerce.

This place has become the heart of the entire Valentan.

After the two elves got off the carriage, they saw Kang De waiting at the door with several humans.

Hong San led them over, then looked at Kang De.

Kang De also looked at Hong San.

Their eyes met.

The Cathayan nodded slightly.

Immediately, Kang De let out a hearty laugh, strode forward, and extended his hand.

Tagelise smiled and extended his hand, as if the awkwardness that had just occurred had never happened. The elf and the human clasped hands, smiled at each other, and looked at each other like old friends.

But the next moment, Kang De pulled the other man's thin body tightly into his arms, giving him a big bear hug. "Brother, why are you so late!"

Tagelise's smile froze, and even his body stiffened.

In that instant, Elandil also revealed an expression as if it were the end of the world.

--Although it was only for a brief moment.

Kang De seemed oblivious to everything, simply putting his arm around the other man's shoulder and leading him towards the door. "According to the customs of Cathay, this is called 'no fight, no friendship.' Now let's resolve our grudges, become friends, bosom buddies, drink until we drop, sleep in the same bed, and be overjoyed!"

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PS1: Second update, 3000 words. Goodnight.

PS2: While I was writing this, I suddenly realized that the phrase "you are XXX's right and left hands" was a bit too much to bear... No matter how I look at it, it's all your fault that I've become like this.