To Folly and Madness

I wish we had met sooner.

Overjoyed.

It is also a company with a strong business sense, Furunzi.

Thus, Kang De became friends with the Dragon Emperor.

The obstructive small Round Table was pushed aside, as was the obstructive Lily. People's Nuclear Weapon and Dragon Emperor put their arms around each other's shoulders, looking very affectionate.

His Majesty the Dragon Emperor suddenly laughed three times, then sighed three times.

Kang De asked, "Brother, what does this mean?"

"My brother," the Dragon Emperor replied, "I am both happy and sad."

Why am I happy, and why am I sad?

The Dragon Emperor patted Kang De on the shoulder and sighed repeatedly.

"I don't know your situation, but for me, it's been tough! My clan is full of arrogant idiots. They all say dragons are the best in the world, even the elves are riding on their faces, and they still have the nerve to call dragons the best."

"Arrogant, conservative, or just plain stupid, spouting nonsense like 'This doesn't conform to the ancient laws.' If the ancient laws really worked, we'd still be eating buffets all over the continent!"

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, the laws that prevent everyone from earning a living must be changed!"

"Right? See, you understand this principle. That's why I wish we'd met sooner."

The Dragon Emperor sighed heavily, "You have no idea, to get around those old, immortal elders, I started a company, figured out ways, expanded the business, planned training, and established processes—all done by myself, a dragon. I even had to use shapeshifting to disguise myself as a female dragon to negotiate business at the very beginning!"

"Whatever new tricks I come up with, not a single one in the clan can understand them. Take the household registration, for example. You know its benefits, right? Not a single dragon understands. I don't know how much effort I had to put into registering these dragons, and it wasn't until twenty years later that they realized how brilliant His Majesty was. I'm speechless..."

Kang De patted his older brother on the shoulder. "We're on different levels, don't bother arguing with an idiot."

"Or you in Cathay might say, 'True friends are hard to find.'" The Dragon Emperor sighed deeply, then smiled broadly, "So today's meeting shows you understand me! I'm so happy! Extremely happy!"

Kang De nodded and said, "I understand, I understand. We Cathay say, 'The higher you climb, the colder it gets!' We, the pragmatic and insightful people, are destined to be misunderstood!"

"My dear brother, it makes me so happy to talk to you."

Do you know why? Because our hearts are pure!

Yes, we didn't have ourselves in our hearts!

"Only money!"

"Right!"

The two high-fived again in celebration, Lily had already hidden in a corner, her eyes filled with utter disgust.

"Brother," Kang De laughed for a while, then said, "I understand the happy part, but what does the sadness mean? Translate it for me."

"This is a bit difficult to say."

"No, no, no, your sadness is my sadness, and I have to resolve it."

The Dragon Emperor put his arm around Kang De's shoulder and wiped away a tear of bitterness. "Well, my little brother, you're so well-behaved, clever, and quick-witted. I'm afraid I won't be able to take advantage of you in business in the future."

Kang De's eyes flickered slightly, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

They've arrived.

"Hi!"

He shook his head upon hearing this.

"I wondered what it was about. It's simple, dear brother. Let's just say this: anyone who tries to take advantage of me, Kang, will be ruined! But you and I are kindred spirits! Others may not be allowed to take advantage of their younger brother, but you can!"

Kang De took out a tablet computer from a bag beside him. It was a cheap, domestically made product, and its operating system was completely locked by Horus, so it could only play a limited number of videos.

Then demonstrate it to the Dragon Emperor.

How to start, how to play, how to pause, how to replay.

In the scene, the mutated dragon roars and howls, the dying dragon accuses Trisis of Cuixisi, and the green dragon is corrupted and kills its companions. The various crimes are too numerous to list.

Then Kang De pushed the tablet toward the Dragon Emperor: "This is for you, brother! May you use this to sweep away the opposition, restore order, and gain full power!"

The Dragon Emperor, moved, grasped Kang De's hand and said, "The gift is weighty, but the sentiment is even greater!"

Kang De exclaimed, "This righteousness is stronger than gold!"

After expressing his gratitude, the Dragon Emperor picked up the tablet on the table. His dragon eyes narrowed, a flash of light appeared, and he exclaimed in surprise, "Brother, what excellent skills! Amazing!"

Kang De smiled modestly and said, "It's nothing. It's a skill passed down through nine generations of single-son lineages, only to daughters. It's enough to make a living."

A glint flashed in the Dragon Emperor's eyes.

He paused for a moment, then lowered his voice and pressed down on the black screen of the tablet. "Besides these images, can this thing play anything else?"

Kang De explained earnestly, "Yes! If you can film it, you can broadcast it! Anything is possible!"

"Excellent craftsmanship!" the Dragon Emperor exclaimed. "So, are you selling this?"

Kang De waved his hand and said, "If you like it, I'll give you a whole box!"

"Hey, hey, hey, no, no, it's okay to take advantage of each other once, it's not right to do it more than once." The Dragon Emperor shook his head repeatedly, "I don't want it, I want to buy it, I'll sell it later, or we can sell them together."

Kang De clapped his hands and said, "Excellent! This is a great idea! I've long heard that your company is thriving, with business spanning the entire continent. You know everyone from royalty and nobility to generals and sorcerers! With you here, we won't have to worry about sales!"

The Dragon Emperor chuckled, "Judging from your tone, my dear brother, you have quite a lot of this stuff, don't you?"

Kang De blinked. "Well, brother, you don't need to worry about that, but I can guarantee that not many of these will end up on the market."

The dragon's sovereign stared at him. "What if I want more?"

Kang De's expression shifted slightly, and he immediately replied, "Then there would be many, and they would be cheap."

The Dragon Emperor shook his head. "No, we can't offer everything at a discount. Can the king's things be priced the same as a peasant's? That would disrupt the order of rank and the distinction between superiors and inferiors."

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, you're right. I was wrong."

"Well, brother, if I want it to have more, it can have more. But what if I want it to be bigger?"

"It can be big!"

Kang De pointed into the distance. "The city hall that can be hung on the wall over there can also be seen from here!"

"Great!" Dragon Emperor clapped. "I think Mr. Han Zezheng definitely wants his Cathay furniture, screens, and porcelain to appear on the walls of the city hall! Many other businessmen must want that too!"

"Yes! Brother is brilliant!"

"What if I want it to be smaller?"

"It can be so small! Small that I can hold it in my palm and look at it while hiding under the covers!"

"Can you hold it with one hand?"

"You can hold it in one hand!"

"You can watch it while walking, in the car, before bed, at the dinner table, anywhere!"

Yes, you can watch it anywhere.

"Excellent stuff!" the Dragon Emperor exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table. "But there's still one problem!"

What's the problem?

"This thing!" The Dragon Emperor picked up the tablet. "It can change size, and it can display things. I'll sell it to someone who can see what's on it. The problem is, can I make sure this person can see whatever new things I want them to see anytime, anywhere?"

Kang De raised an eyebrow. "Theoretically, yes..."

"Theoretically, yes," the Dragon Emperor emphasized, "But in practice, what about?"

"Actually."

Kang De repeated, "In reality, it takes time, it takes things, it takes a brain."

"How much time, what things, whose brain?"

"Elastic time, material resources, my brain."

Your brain?

"Yes, my brain," Kang De said. "A brilliant brain, a brain brimming with brilliant ideas, the most valuable, most sensitive, and most delicate brain in the world. Only my brain can turn theory into practice, and only my brain can allow the person who buys this to see new things we want them to see anytime, anywhere."

"I understand."

The Dragon Emperor asked, "What does your brain need to turn theory into practice more quickly?"

My mind is delicate and sensitive, unable to withstand the slightest shock. It's like the most beautiful flower in a greenhouse, trembling at the slightest breeze. It exhausts itself over far too many things: the humiliation of outsiders, the betrayal of those within, the heavy responsibilities of the future, the burdens of the past...

Kang De said with great emotion, "It is saddened, unhappy, and troubled by this."

"What can make it free from sorrow, joy, and simplicity?"

"It's easy." Kang De snapped his fingers. "Security, money, and the most steadfast support of allies."

"Hey, what a coincidence, all of these things you mentioned..." The Dragon Emperor chuckled, "Are all found in the Dragon Clan."

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, you are indeed very powerful, but the elves have these things too."

The Dragon Emperor remained unmoved. "Do you really expect the elves to help you succeed? The Phoenix King may love you, but there's immense resistance within the elves. Don't forget, you've killed so many elven armies and defeated them twice."

Kang De said, "But I have also killed many dragons."

The Dragon Emperor shook his head and said, "No, you don't."

"Really not?"

"Yes, really not."

"Did I remember wrong?"

"Yes, you're mistaken. They all died from workplace injuries."

Kang De nodded, moved. "So that's how it is. I haven't committed any murder."

The Dragon Emperor said gently, "Yes, my dear brother, you are sensitive, delicate, and kind; you cannot bear the sight of blood."

"But then again..." Kang De said, "My elder brother said that if the elves can't help me succeed, can the dragons?"

The Dragon Emperor became even more amiable. "For the sake of your delicate, sensitive, and adorable little brain, tell me, what do you want to achieve?"

Kang De showed anticipation and naivety. "I want to become a great adult!"

The Dragon Emperor's gaze shifted to Lily: "I cannot agree to this for her, nor can I do it myself."

The Dragon Girl gritted her teeth and said, "Old man, are you planning to stop eating, drinking, sleeping, and using the toilet from now on?"

"Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Kang De said proudly, "Do I, my dear brother, look like I'm lacking in women?"

The Dragon Emperor, with a kind and benevolent expression, said, "No, I think you must be a master of flowers and a reincarnated lover, my dear brother."

"That's right, that's not what I meant by wanting to become a great adult."

What does that mean?

"What I'm saying is, I want to become a great person in this city, this country, and even this continent. A nine-story tower begins with a pile of earth, so let's start in this city."

"Oh?" the Dragon Emperor said, "Brother, you want to become a prominent figure in this city? You already are! Look at this ship, look at that person, you say one, and these people wouldn't dare say two..."

"That's different; this is just one of the city's most notorious villains."

"What does it mean to be a remarkable adult?"

"That remarkable adult is the most powerful person in this city."

If you want power, you'll have to ask your father-in-law.

"No, power isn't something you ask for, it's something you take. The power you're talking about doesn't count."

"What power do you want?"

Kang De pointed to the surrounding coastline, the Distant Harbor, and the entire city. "Look at this city, once the pearl of the Western Sea, a shipping hub, with countless sails. Tell me, in that most prosperous era, what was the most fascinating and frequent thing that happened in this city every day?"

The Dragon Emperor immediately replied, "Business."

"Yes, business."

Kang De snapped his fingers, "Businesses can be black or white, legal or illegal, monopolistic or competitive, low-profit, high-volume or exploitative."

"Trading is the blood, the vitality, the soul."

"Then tell me, dear brother, in such a dreamlike metropolis flowing with money, when countless people are competing, fighting, devouring, and going crazy for business and money, if someone could completely decide which of these countless transactions would be profitable, and could completely decide who among all these people could make more money, then what kind of person would that be?"

The Dragon Emperor replied decisively, "Then he is the most powerful person in this city. The words of the governor, the king, the emperor, and even the gods are not as effective as his."

"He is also the most remarkable adult in this city," Kang De said. "I've had a dream since I was a child, a dream of becoming like him."

"I understand."

"You really understand?"

The Dragon Emperor nodded, his expression serious and earnest. "I understand. You want to become the most outstanding person in Distant Harbor, Goth, and even this continent."

Kang De smiled innocently, "One of them."

The Dragon Emperor laughed, "I like one of them."

Kang De nodded. "I like it too; one should be sociable."

The Dragon Emperor stretched out his hand. "Being a dragon is the same."

The two shook hands.

Kang De smiled and said, "Good brother, right now I want to become the most remarkable person in this city. Would you be willing to help me achieve my wish step by step?"

The Dragon Emperor laughed, "There's still one more step?"

Kang De nodded and said, "Yes, that's no easy task. I want to become the most powerful person in this dream city, and the first step is to make it a dream."

"How do we make it dreamy?"

"We need to make other places less dreamlike."

"Where?"

"The Broken Isles."

"Hiss..."

The Dragon Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Brother, look at you, you didn't even blink before bringing out so many good things. Look at this ship, how big and how nice it is. And the things you took out in Danfeng Lucerne, those are the things my dragon saw by chance before he died in a workplace accident... Do you really need my help with this?"

Kang De waved his hand. "Hey, that's just scaremongering, nothing to brag about. Brother, look at that ship, you've seen it, you've heard of it, now that you see it, are you scared or not?"

The Dragon Emperor squinted at A Fu: "Don't be afraid."

Why aren't you afraid?

"Because..." the dragon lord replied, "I feel like I could punch a hole in it."

"Be confident, remove the 'seems' part." Kang De clapped his hands and said, "Brother saw it coming, this is an alchemical weapon, it's really powerful, but it's also really fragile."

The Dragon Emperor nodded. "Like an assassin, a stab hurts a lot, but one punch kills."

"Yes, one punch and he's dead."

Kang De said, "But dragons, dragons are different. Dragons are tall and strong. Brother, have you heard what those henchmen said about last night? I think I have some ideas."

What are your thoughts?

"Then let me ask first, brother, does the dragon use weapons?"

"Need not."

Why not use it?

"Because the dragon's divinely bestowed body is the best weapon; our roar, claws, teeth, physique, and magic are the strongest weapons."

No, you're wrong.

Where did I go wrong?

Kang De pointed to the guards at the manor gate. "Look at him, with a sword. He can kill enemies with a sword. I saw him last night; he killed five people with his sword! One strike, and they were cut in two. With this sword, he is unstoppable, his combat power greatly increased. So, what use is his sword to a dragon?"

"No need."

"Yes, there's no need for a sword. Long Yi's claw strike is more powerful than a sword, so it doesn't need one. But this person can make a child cry with one punch, but he can't kill a fully armed enemy with a sword, so he needs a sword. A sword makes his attacks more powerful. The dragon doesn't use a sword, not because it's useless, but because there aren't enough swords!"

The Dragon Emperor pondered for a moment, "What are you trying to say?"

"I want to say, I can forge swords!" Kang De said. "My alchemical weapons are fragile yet powerful, your dragons are tough and resilient. My sword plus your dragon race, and we're set!"

The Dragon Emperor stroked his chin. "Sounds promising..."

Kang De enthusiastically replied, "Of course! I'll forge the sword, you create the dragon. Your dragon combined with my sword will be more competitive in the international market. You need the sword, I need the dragon—that's a win-win situation!"

The older brother asked, "When will I see my dragon wielding your sword?"

Kang De's smile remained innocent, "Of course, it was when I was enjoying the sweet sea breeze of the Broken Isles, which brought immense joy to my delicate, sensitive, and lovely little mind."

"I understand everything now."

The Dragon Emperor nodded and said, "Use my dragon, sell your sword, gain safety, money, and allies, and become a remarkable figure in this city and even this country..."

Kang De nodded like a chick pecking at rice, his eyes clear as a spring.

"There's something I don't understand..."

"You said."

The Dragon Emperor pointed to the distant municipal square, where cheers seemed to be coming from.

"What does all this have to do with these lowly peasants?"

Is it alright?

"I don't think it matters," the Dragon Emperor said. "You wanted to become a great figure, so that if you just said it, these nobles would become your dogs and agree to any of your demands. But you didn't. You killed people, you seduced them, and instead you cared about those commoners... Why?"

Kang De replied, "They possess hidden power; I will unleash it."

"You released them with the utmost kindness, even compassion," the Dragon Emperor asked. "Why? Do you hate the nobles? Do you pity them? Do you think the nobles shouldn't live so well?"

Kang De stood before the balcony railing, silent for a moment.

"This isn't a question of whether nobles live well or not."

He replied, "It's a problem that those people shouldn't be living such a miserable life."

The Dragon Emperor was astonished.

After a moment, he said, "These people won't understand your thoughts."

I don't ask for much; I have my own goals.

These people might forget you once they've settled into a better life.

"It doesn't matter, as long as I got my job done, that's enough."

They might even turn around and harm you.

"I have a knife, I'll kill those idiots [beep--]."

The Dragon Emperor laughed heartily.

"Interesting, very interesting," he said. "Although I don't understand, it's truly a rare and wonderful thing that the Fire Thief has compassion for all living beings. Kang De, you're quite good."

Kang De raised an eyebrow and said, "You've given up your murderous intent?"

What are you saying?

"Have your guard been lifted?"

"That's not true."

"Is it a pleasure to work with you?"

"Both before and after I saw your cute little head give me the sword and the things were delightful."

The two shook hands formally, then embraced.

Kang De patted the Dragon Emperor on the back. "Brother."

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Is this considered settled?"

"Yes, it's settled. So, are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, it feels good. I feel relaxed and happy, and I even remembered some trivial little things."

Kang De took two power banks out of his bag and said apologetically, "Brother, I forgot to tell you, those things are great, but like magic crystals, they have a consumption limit. You can use these two to tide you over. I'll show you how to use them. Once they're both used up, you'll have to come back to my place to recharge them..."

The Dragon Emperor was first taken aback, then his expression became quite interesting.

He cursed, "You motherfucker..."

He cursed three words, then burst out laughing, "Fuck."

He punched Kang De in the chest, picked up the tablet from the table, and said, "Let's go."

"You're leaving already? Aren't you going to have hot pot for lunch?"

"I'm not eating anymore, I'm going back to fight the dragon."

Keep in touch.

I need to come here often.

The Dragon Emperor glanced at Lily one last time, and the Dragon Girl made a face at him.

The king seemed about to say something, but in the end he simply smiled and said, "Don't let her cry."

Then they drifted away.

"I didn't realize that," Lily said coldly as she approached after the Dragon Emperor left. "Insidious and cunning."

At this moment, the cheers from afar grew louder and louder.

Dragon Girl asked in surprise, "What's wrong?"

Kang De leaned against the railing and said nonchalantly, "The beheadings are starting, aren't they?"

"What are they cheering for?" Lily asked, puzzled. "Did they get money?"

"No, they'll cheer as long as it's an execution," Kang De said calmly. "No matter who the person is, no matter what crime they've committed, they'll cheer."

"Tsk."

"That's normal... but things will change."

After the Dragon Emperor left, he and Lily stood on the balcony, gazing into the distance side by side.

There, executions began; nobles died in agony, while the excited masses, recovering from their fear and confusion, raised their arms and shouted. They did not understand Han Zezheng's long-winded arguments, but they could see the blood and death.

Under a clear sky and amidst the crashing waves, in a harbor beyond the brutal executions, the ancient city, and the fervent crowds, the Horizon floats on the waves, its silver hull reflecting a dazzling light.

Kang De picked up the teacup on the table, offering tea in lieu of wine, as a gesture of respect from afar.

A toast to this ignorance and madness that is about to be eradicated.

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Update! Six thousand words! Written in one go!

PS2: This chapter, written in a style I prefer, covers the game, confrontation, bargaining, exchange of benefits, dispelling suspicion, and probing between Kang De and the Dragon Emperor. Some parts are written superficially, while others are more subtle. You can do some reading comprehension in the comments. I think this kind of interaction between the reader and the author is quite interesting.