Hong San the Butcher
In recent days, undercurrents have been surging and the situation in Danfeng Lucerne has been volatile.
The protracted Goth-Moon War dealt a devastating blow to this declining nation. The massive casualties and losses were secondary; more importantly, the brutal nature of the war instilled a profound fear in the not-so-courageous vested interest groups, especially since they had already brushed with death.
Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, almost all the Goth nobles abandoned their illusions and were determined to fight to the death. However, bravery and fearlessness have their limits. Especially when the city fell and all hope was lost, Kang De turned the tide. The survivors of the war had already lost the courage to experience a second war.
Only by experiencing death can one truly understand the preciousness of life.
Only then will they realize how precious and how reluctant they are to give up everything they enjoy in their daily lives: abundance, peace, prosperity, power, delicious food, women...
That's not enough. I want so much more. I want to fully enjoy this second life so as not to waste it.
Therefore, after the war ended, Danfeng Lucerne was plunged into revelry and feasting.
The nobles indulged in retaliatory extravagance and debauchery, while the common people sang and drank merrily. Sometimes, war does not temper the courage of a nation; instead, it makes them more cowardly and decadent, because the bravest among them have long since become the first victims of the war.
The survivors indulged in even more pleasure, living a life of extravagance and revelry, fully experiencing the joys of life. As a result, they grew to despise further risks and war, and became even more timid.
After Kang De provoked a conflict with the dragons, they were already quite critical, but due to the intimidation of the Forbidden Spells of the Cathayan and his status as a peacekeeper, these were just private complaints.
But when the Paradox Element attracted the world's attention and greed, and triggered oppression and threats from major powers, this discontent finally erupted completely.
Fearing the destruction and disaster of war, most of the Goth nobles and rulers did not realize that this was an opportunity to quickly restore and enhance Germany. Their hearts were filled not with ecstasy, but with fear. The idiom "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime" may not exist in another world, but it has a similar meaning in both the East and the West—because the outward manifestation of Civilization is the exploitation and plunder of the backward by the advanced.
They panicked, discussed, and advocated compromise, suggesting that they exchange this new and mysterious substance for the protection and preferential treatment of a major power. After all, they were already wealthy and didn't need to risk anything.
As pressure from other countries gradually increased, these protests slowly transformed into radical stances.
Ultimately, the reason was that Kang De remained out of contact during this turbulent period.
Whether due to lobbying and bribery from external forces, or stemming from their own narrow-mindedness and folly, nobles and citizens alike were venting their fear and hostility, rallying the majority of fools to fight for them. They quickly forgot the kindness Kang De had bestowed upon this city and this country, and completely forgot that not long ago they were still praising the achievements of the Dragon of Cathay, and began to criticize their former heroes.
They spread rumors, insulted and denounced, claiming that this ill-intentioned Cathay was trying to approach Princess Tina and Goth with indescribable evil intentions. His main purpose was to seize the divine treasure beneath the Azure Waves Province, to plunder the mysterious substance, and then leave Goth facing the wrath of the nations.
The escalating demonstrations, unrest, petitions, and protests led to a bloody massacre.
Princess Tina's ruthless order to suppress the rebellion stunned these "patriots" and the conspirators in the shadows. They began to suspect that Kang De was behind it, since everyone's impression of this little princess of Goth was still limited to the stage of the learned, elegant, beautiful and gentle Pearl of Goth.
But the violent repression only brought about a brief period of peace.
Despite further pressure from various countries, Kang De still did not appear.
The fleet is approaching the Distant Harbor waters, the imperial army on the eastern border is frequently being mobilized, spies and lobbyists from various countries are secretly moving around Danfeng Lucerne, and the great nobles and merchants in the north of the empire who lent money to Princess Tina during the Goth-Moon War have also issued statements demanding repayment of their debts.
The conspirators sensed a bluff.
A second test and coercion followed.
The traitors who had received the promises, the patriots who were dissatisfied with Tina's military actions, and the Goth's representatives of the Empire and the Council, tacitly joined forces and collectively went to see the Maple Leaf Palace.
They attacked Princess Tina, accusing this member of the Taidariel Family of betraying the country's interests for her lover, and condemning her for undermining the benevolent and just governing tradition of Goth's archdukes, attempting to maintain her rule and suppress dissent through bloodshed and violence.
According to the attendees, the beautiful and noble Princess Tina, whom everyone remembered, was "possessed" and glared at them with a cold, angry expression. She was "like a crazy shrew" and engaged in a verbal battle with the gentlemen. She made no attempt to hide her increasingly erratic and violent tendencies and openly threatened the personal safety of several nobles.
The audience hall that day was filled with chaotic rebukes and roars, among which Princess Tina's voice was sharp as a sword, unyielding, and eloquent.
However, in recent days, the brutal actions of this acting leader have been unpopular, not only making the opposition grit their teeth, but also making neutrals and even supporters feel uneasy.
After all, the rabbit mourns the fox's death.
When they saw their colleagues, friends, or even adversaries, whom they saw every day, being dragged like dead dogs to a corner by those Valentan country bumpkins or even green-skinned orcs, and hacked into unrecognizable heaps of flesh with evil alchemical weapons, even the most virtuous and respectable nobles were deeply disturbed by this fate. Even the most ardent supporters of Teldrassil were outraged – was there no law? No mercy?
Therefore, the situation is unprecedentedly passive.
As the largest beneficiary class, the nobles condemned Tina's tyranny and cruelty.
The majority of the civil service in Danfeng Lucerne came from the prime minister's faction. Given the prime minister's indifference and even hostility towards the Cathayan due to his suspension, they naturally wouldn't side with Tina.
Although the mages had a good relationship with Kang De, the Cathayan had just humiliated the envoy of the Arcane Council, and this overly arrogant behavior had aroused dissatisfaction. Moreover, Princess Tina's actions were truly excessive.
The military has not yet made a statement, which stems from a tacit balance. As long as the second son of the Grand Duke, Prince Landisidun, does not openly support his younger sister, the opposition in the army will not jump up and wave flags, or involve the soldiers' interference in the political conflict—this has always been a political taboo in any country.
But this means Tina has almost no supporters.
The situation of this coup gradually deteriorated and collapsed, making a major conflict inevitable.
At the critical moment, the ailing Grand Duke Reknos finally appeared. Upholding the just and benevolent spirit of the Teldrassil, he condemned Princess Tina's violent suppression over the past few days, stripped her of her temporary ruling power, and ordered her to immediately reflect on her actions behind closed doors.
The action against tyranny was successful, but it was not enough for those who colluded with foreign powers. A group of nobles were outraged, claiming that even the children of the Grand Duke must abide by the law. Princess Tina's orders had devastated many upright nobles and innocent people, and she had to pay the price for it.
And her cruel accomplices, Cathayan 'Kang De loyal lackey, the Oriental named Hong San, the barbarians from the Valentan countryside, and those ugly greens, all must be arrested, imprisoned, and put on trial.
Then accept the judgment of all Goth People.
Before the Grand Duke could express his opinion, "Butcher" Hong San had already let out a cold laugh.
Accompanied by his cold laugh, more than a dozen thunderous explosions rang out from all directions, and the violent tremors caused countless dust and gravel to fall from the ceiling of the audience hall—the sound of exploding grenades.
After news of the joint audience and coercion by various social classes in Danfeng Lucerne reached out, Hong San, holding Tina's order, commanded the Valentan Mechanized Brigade to stand by outside the Maple Leaf Palace and also transferred the Greenskin Musket Corps into the palace.
The first guard, composed of elites selected from the survivors of the Battle of Valentan, was undoubtedly loyal, but they were still Goth People after all, and held a natural reverence for the country and its regime. The Greenskins, however, were different.
To them, all the little shrimps in the world are the same.
Therefore, the Greenskins would not hesitate to carry out Hong San's orders, and at his command, they would fire on the gardens, squares, fountains, and even the no-man's-land outside the Maple Leaf Palace.
The booming of cannons and the towering flames shook the audience hall.
Amidst the angry roars and fearful gazes of the crowd, Hong San remained calm, gracefully bowed, and requested permission from the esteemed guests to point out a trivial matter.
That is, beneath the magnificent and heavy Moon-Long Rift Starstone Slab that you gentlemen are standing on, lies a two-thousand-pound JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition and a BLU-118B Thermobaric Bomb.
The former shone brightly in the Battle of Danfeng Lucerne, where His Highness Kang De destroyed an entire elven army with just one shot. The latter is well-suited for use in densely packed situations and possesses creative ways of inflicting damage, such as imprinting the noble and elegant postures of all the lords onto the murals of the audience hall.
A great uproar erupted, fear and anger growing together. The Butcher of Cathay revealed a mad and fearless smile, just as he had ordered the execution of the instigators and conspirators who had emptied an entire street.
He opened his arms to the knights who had drawn their swords, the mages who had raised their staffs, and the nobles who had clenched their fists, gesturing for the adults to do as they pleased, and casually asking them to guess whether the button to activate the alchemical bomb was connected to his Hong San or held in some green-skinned hand outside.
Only now did Goth's important figures truly understand the followers and advisors of the Dragon of Cathay.
A bloodthirsty butcher, a reckless madman, whose life hangs by a thread and who can still laugh heartily in the face of the nation's wrath, even as his own life hangs in the balance.
The Hong San before them was completely different from the Cathayan always lagged half a step behind Prince Kang De and had a clear, reserved smile.
Amidst the shock, anger, fear, and shouts of condemnation, Hong San's smile remained unchanged, without the slightest ripple.
He drew his gun with lightning speed, using the oversized sniper rifle Kang De had given him, and blasted the upper body of the loudest-shouting nobleman to pieces. Amidst the spreading flesh and gushing blood, the Cathayan calmly blew away the smoke from the gun barrel and asked the gentlemen to remain silent for the time being.
He said he had no intention of causing a massacre; his mission was to ensure the absolute safety of the mistress. Goth's laws had no right to judge Prince Kang De's followers, so his proposal was for all of Prince Kang De's followers to leave the city and escort Princess Tina away from Danfeng Lucerne.
The bomb will never detonate unless there is an obstruction.
Otherwise...
"Otherwise, Maple Leaf Palace will become a bloody execution ground, you will all be shattered to pieces, and blood will rain down from the sky. We will arrive in the underworld with our boundless loyalty to His Highness Kang De. The only regret is that our brief loyalty ends on this day, but today will also be Goth's end. The thunderous roar that shakes Danfeng Lucerne will be the first death knell for this nation! But my noble lords! Do not feel lonely, nor regret not witnessing this nation's funeral, for soon your grieving and desperate families will find that the vengeful dragon from Cathay has appeared before them, and the merciful His Highness Kang De will send them back to you, telling you, who left too soon, a cruel and bloody epilogue!"
Many people's expressions changed; the fearless declaration of the Cathayan struck at their greatest concerns and vulnerabilities.
Despite their lobbyists' assurances that Kang De was beyond return and that the powerful figures of the nations would ensure his continued absence—but what if things didn't work out?
Out of worry and fear, they placed their hopes on the Grand Duke, hoping that the benevolent Grand Duke would take responsibility as a ruler and resolve this shameless extortion and threat.
At the very least, Princess Tina must be kept here! Even if it's just house arrest at the Maple Leaf Palace, that's acceptable!
Once his subordinates and wife have all fled, and Kang De has successfully returned, he will have no hindrance in taking revenge on Danfeng Lucerne —what? His father-in-law is still in the city?
Noble gentlemen, putting themselves in others' shoes, would surely make a painful yet resolute decision to kill both the evil demon and their innocent father-in-law if their father-in-law were held hostage by a demon. They would not give the demon any opportunity to use its power to bewitch people. Even if they had to bear this heavy burden alone, they would wipe away their tears, help their grieving wives to be strong, and handle the inheritance matters properly.
So they were willing to compromise, allowing Hong San to leave with his men and promising not to pursue his actions of the previous days. However, Princess Tina had to stay at the Maple Leaf Palace, and the reason was quite plausible: after all, she and Prince Kang De were not yet married, Hong San had no right to take her away.
Hong San, of course, insisted on not allowing it, and the negotiations reached a stalemate. The core conflict was about Princess Tina's fate. Hong San wanted to take the mistress away, while the Goth People wanted to leave the princess behind as a buffer in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
After all, not all Goth People were bought off by external forces; many in the audience hall were simply due to differences in political views and ideologies, or were simply foolish.
They were unwilling to let their good relationship with Kang De deteriorate completely, and Tina, as the Goth princess, still had to fulfill her duty to preserve Kang De's goodwill and affection for the Goth nation, as a way of repaying the Goth People for supporting her with a life of luxury and ease for more than a decade through their taxes and labor.
Hong San still hadn't expected that things would go wrong with Princess Tina.
The Grand Duke said nothing, even leaning towards letting his daughter leave. The Sword Saint Cascading Snow also said nothing, only sighing silently. Prince Landisidun said nothing either, even glaring fiercely at the few bastards who were shouting, "Princess Tina must fulfill her duties."
But the more her family showed their goodwill, the more the princess's delicate and gentle heart felt guilty and wavered.
Ultimately, she announced that she would voluntarily remain at the Maple Leaf Palace and accept house arrest.
However, in exchange, the safety of Hong San and his group must be guaranteed, no member may be arrested, tried, or attacked, and they must retain full autonomy and the right to act.
She swore to the ministers and nobles present that if any of Kang De's men were to face a mortal danger, she would not hesitate to blame them all and end her own life.
Everyone knows what this threat really means.
If Kang De were to return to the surface and find his men and wife dead, then clearly the wrath of the Forbidden Spell sorcerer would baptize every inch of that land.
And no country will speak a word of justice for them.
Everyone agreed, of course.
Tina merely gave Hong San an apologetic look. Although she had chosen to stand on Kang De's side, she ultimately could not completely sever ties with Goth and her family.
Hong San could also say something similar.
He considered himself a subject, and since his mistress had made the decision, he had no reason to force her.
During the brief meeting, Tina did not reveal her reasons for deciding to stay, but Hong San had already sensed something. Both of them had great confidence in Kang De, but Tina still advised Hong San to immediately take his men away from Danfeng Lucerne and go to the Elf Expeditionary Force camp outside the city, taking with him a letter to deliver to the Phoenix King.
"But your safety..."
This remains Hong San's biggest worry.
In response, Tina simply offered the Eternal Tranquility's Protection, her tone gentle and calm. "This is the safest place, Mr. Hong, and I can go wherever I want to go anytime... no matter where he is."
Even in the worst-case scenario... she would return to Kang De's side.
Wherever he is.
Hong San bowed respectfully and left Maple Leaf Palace.
He immediately forgot all of Tina's instructions.
If she is unwilling to leave, then she is no longer the mistress of the house; how could the free Cathayan submit to such manipulation?
He immediately led the Valentan Mechanized Guards Brigade and the Greenskin Musket Corps away from the Maple Leaf Palace, and openly occupied an area in the direction of the south gate, plotting a vicious scheme.
Before rushing back to Valentan from the Azure Waves Province, Hong San had already made a detour to the elven camp and made contact there. In the worst-case scenario, he would launch a fierce attack on the south gate, using the alchemical weapons left to him by Kang De to completely destroy the gates of Danfeng Lucerne and bring the Elf Expeditionary Force outside the city into the city.
The unusual activities of Hong San's troops became a thorn in the side of the Goth People. He openly set up cannons and defenses near the South Gate, maintaining unimpeded communication with the Maple Leaf Palace, making the nobles uneasy.
But intimidated by Princess Tina's threat, they dared not act rashly.
However, it's still possible to use the same old tricks to incite foolish citizens to storm and protest.
Two more days passed, and the patience and apprehension had somewhat subsided. In addition, the fleets of various countries had openly intruded into the sea, and the external pressure was like a storm. Kang De was still nowhere to be found, so a new conspiracy gradually took shape. Spies and lobbyists from various countries began to stir up trouble. After all, they were not afraid of Kang De's retaliation, nor did they mind if Kang De shattered the country into pieces... So, let's make things even more interesting.
This afternoon, under the bright sunshine, Hong San leaned against the table for a short rest, his mind still replaying the events of the day. Over the past few days, the immense pressure from the Empire, the Council, and even Twilight Moon had been overwhelming, and Kang De's continued absence had fueled the conspirators' wishful thinking.
Three massive waves surrounded the small Goth. External pressure manifested as soaring prices, a blockade of commercial activities, and political isolation, igniting panic among the nobility, the middle class, and the common people. These panics coalesced into a terrifying wave that once again crashed against the Maple Leaf Palace.
On this day, the petitions of the citizens, the audiences of the nobles, the suggestions of civil officials, soldiers and mages, and even the urging and coercion of external forces all pressed down on the precarious Teldrassil.
Everyone hoped that the Grand Duke would make a decision and respond as soon as possible for Goth's sake.
Regarding the mysterious and promising substance beneath the Azure Waves Province, as a new resource bestowed by the gods, it should be shared and developed by all nations and peoples, not monopolized by any one nation, and certainly not allowed to be the domain of personal conspiracies... This is for the safety and future of the entire Goth.
The people who were incited believed that once the treaty was concluded, Goth would be able to enjoy peace forever.
As the country that produces that mysterious element, it will be protected and respected by all nations. There will be no more wars or conflicts; peace will continue, and everything will get better and better, albeit at a negligible price... After all, the happiness of every citizen is more important than the strength of the nation.
All that's needed is for the Grand Duke to make a declaration and a promise.
Then we can negotiate, discuss, and sign contracts with other countries with dignity.
From then on, all troubles disappeared, peace finally arrived, Goth became a paradise.
Such rhetoric was highly persuasive, striking a chord with everyone who had suffered from the war. The devastation of the Goth-Moon War was so profound that people longed for peace rather than revenge.
How wonderful, a gift from God.
Eternal peace, eternal prosperity.
This kind of dilemma is a perfectly legitimate and open strategy, and with the force in Hong San's hands, there is nothing more he can do.
He even worried about what to do if the gathered crowd was incited by malicious conspirators and vented their anger on the Valentan Legion...
Lost in thought and worry, the sunlight streaming through the window was quietly blocked.
Hong San froze, then looked up and smiled, "My lord, perhaps we should visit Her Highness the Princess first next time."
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PS1: 6,000 words.
PS2: Bad news... This morning, the long-absent impact drill arrived right upstairs from my apartment. And because of the old building's structure, the sound quality was even clearer and the sound was even more substantial...