Rolling Out!

Just a few hours ago, the islanders of the Broken Isles could never have imagined the situation they would be in now.

These devotees of money skillfully wield the magic wand of trade and wealth, directing money-worshipping beings to dance gracefully. They seize wealth, they exploit value, and they weave a protective armor around the allure of money, becoming a significant independent force in the world.

They consider themselves believers in the goddess of wealth, and they are accustomed to solving problems through economic means. They impose embargoes, they speculate on crop prices, they cause local economies to collapse, they make kings bow down, and they make nobles submit. They have done so many remarkable things that their arrogance has grown and they have gradually become haughty.

Now, they are facing a situation that is difficult to understand and imagine.

A single person merely sailed around the Broken Isles in a warship and uttered a few words, yet the prosperous scene of the Broken Isles was shattered, unleashing an unprecedented and immense panic.

This scene will surely be remembered in history, becoming yet another disgrace to the Broken Isles.

Historians will likely name it the White Ship Incident.

After the Knight Astolfo jumped away, leaving only a trail of carnage in Pioneer Square, the silent Broken Isles finally erupted in belated panic.

Wealthy tourists from all over the world flocked to the port, demanding to leave by ship immediately. Ticket prices soared, and no one wanted to stay, because Kang De had been there.

Not long ago, this Cathayan unleashed a Forbidden Spell near the Broken Isles. Even from a great distance, Forbidden Spell tsunami it generated gave the entire Broken Isles a thorough, chilling shower. Given his history of madness, who can guarantee he won't drop it right in the very center of the Broken Isles this time?

Tourists want to leave, and businessmen want to leave too.

Chambers of commerce and offices from various countries and regions in the Broken Isles also attempted to leave, and the entire Broken Isles was shrouded in an atmosphere of panic, worse than during the Forbidden Spell incident nearly a month ago.

Crime rates soared, brawls were rampant, low-end liquor sold out, shipping tickets were incredibly hard to come by, the wealthy wanted to escape, and the common people who couldn't escape squandered their money. Those who ran out of money resorted to theft, robbery, and fraud. The Broken Isles, once known for their prosperity, freedom, and dreams, instantly transformed into a frenzied den of demons, tearing off their embellished dream mask to reveal their ugly and monstrous faces.

Chaos reigns in the commercial, civilian, and dock areas, but this godforsaken place also exhibits a bizarre duality of order and chaos. On one hand, there is increasingly chaotic public security, and on the other hand, there are well-equipped island guards with swords drawn. The latter are on high alert, exuding a murderous aura, protecting the island owners' core industries, upscale residential areas, and private islands. Anyone who dares to cross the red line will be killed without mercy.

So the island's nobles stood behind the floor-to-ceiling windows of their luxurious private villas, watching the chaotic scene of rising fireworks, and disdainfully scorned and condemned the common people.

And they arrogantly proclaimed that the noble will always be noble, while the lowly are lowly for a reason; they are born base and depraved, just like now.

Wealthy tourists were also well protected and were not subjected to any disturbances or harm.

But as is well known, Kang De was a proponent of equality for all.

Even with secure residences and elite guards, the nobles of the Broken Isles could not rest easy. In fact, they were just as fearful as the commoners, for while strong fortresses and powerful guards could withstand the onslaught and plunder of the lowly, they were not enough to withstand the ultimate Forbidden Spell that would destroy everything.

They looked down on the lowly from their high places, but Kang De looked down on them from the clouds.

The star of destruction descends, and all beings are equal.

"I told you so! This is a declaration of war!"

In the core secret council chamber of the underground shelter on the central island, the images of the twelve island lords were projected through magical means and appeared on a chair.

They are men and women, young and old, and are the representatives and controllers of twelve interest groups who control the wealth, power, and influence of the Broken Isles. Their economic power can artificially create terrible crises in a medium-sized country, bankrupt the royal family, cause the country's economy to decline, turn nobles into robbers, turn commoners into beggars, and cause terrible riots throughout the country.

But now, their prized and tried-and-tested economic magic wand has lost all its power in the face of new enemies—no, or rather, all their reliance on it has become useless.

As a trade hub in the western seas, the Broken Isles control important nodes and amass wealth from various sources, making it incredibly tempting. However, they have managed to maintain their independence amidst the encirclement of superpowers such as the Elves, the Empire, and the Council, and have even expanded their business worldwide, sometimes daring to compete with Dragon Island.

What is it that they rely on?

Connections, relationships, and networks of interests.

The Phoenix King wants to take action against the Broken Isles? The Dusk Moon Parliament will oppose it.

Because many members of the council enjoy private gifts from the Broken Isles, and are even close friends of some island lords, core VIP clients of certain islands. In addition, these members, their families, and even interest groups have many businesses, exchanges of benefits, and gold flows with the Broken Isles, and tens of thousands of people rely on these trade routes for their livelihood.

The same applies to the Arcane Council.

Through its exceptional lobbying skills, financial offensive, and skillful diplomatic maneuvering, the Broken Isles managed to win over three major powers as protectors and ensure their checks and balances, thus guaranteeing the independence and integrity of this land of wealth and reaping enormous benefits from it.

Because of the intricate web of interests, the Broken Isles often charge ahead recklessly and are unstoppable in their expansion and business ventures. Even if they engage in coercion, vicious competition, or ruthless tactics, the victims can only swallow their anger. Even if they want revenge, they are often intimidated by the incredibly complex network of interests behind the Broken Isles and decide to give up and endure it.

Having become accustomed to relying on others' power, the island lords have developed the illusion that "we are very strong."

But this tactic didn't work on Kang De.

Just kidding, who do you think you are?

--I ask all the nations of the world, which is the strongest and can rival the Twilight Moon?

I, the Dragon of Cathay, wielded Forbidden Spell to obliterate five legions, breached seven defensive lines on land, and charged in with my air cavalry, unleashing a flurry of attacks from both sides, relentlessly slapping Twilight Moon across the face. The so-called Danfeng Lucerne Elf Butcher is nothing more than this, the sheer number, ruthlessness, and efficiency with which I killed so many elves that even the Demon Lord acknowledged my expertise, and the ancient alien races were forced to admit defeat.

--Of all the races in the world, who can rival the dragon in ferocity?

It is still me, Kang, who slays dragons as easily as drinking water, shoots them to smithereens in Danfeng Lucerne, cleverly traps and kills the dragon delegation, and in the Battle of Distant Harbor, uses superior ships to bombard fallen dragons. In less than two months, thirty or forty dragons have died directly or indirectly at my hands. So terrifying, it is not an exaggeration to call him the Conan of the Dragon Clan.

This peerless and fierce man is like a protagonist in a wish-fulfillment novel, with an aura of hatred emanating from him. He causes trouble all over the world, killing elves on the Song Moon Battlefield, messing with dragons on the world stage, scolding the Council envoys in the Goth court, and making enemies with the Empire in Glittering Sand Town. He has offended all the top powers in the world.

What's even more frightening is that this was just a minor job he did within a few months of his debut.

The scariest thing is that he was still alive and kicking after doing all that.

Moreover, after the Battle of Distant Harbor, they directly captured the fleets of three countries. Facing three world powers, they still maintained a dominant position of taking the initiative and were full of energy. Before they had even settled the aftermath of the Battle of Distant Harbor, they turned around and started to deal with the Broken Isles, fighting on multiple fronts without fear.

Faced with such a formidable man, the Broken Isles' pride and joy in their connections and interests are truly worthless.

How could someone like Kang, who can chat and laugh with the world's top powers, be afraid of the mere interests of the Broken Isles? It should be the Broken Isles that are afraid, for they actually provoked such a madman.

As for their economic sanctions, they are completely ineffective.

The disastrous defeat in the grain price war has proven everything. Kang De had his own channels, and the grain was delivered instantly. The Broken Isles still don't even know who sold the grain to Kang De.

It wasn't the Council, the empire, or the elves, nor was it Goth who opened the treasury. Perhaps it was some small nation—the powerful intelligence network of the Broken Isles —searching high and low, trying to find the scoundrel who supplied Kang De with food through the slightest clue. Whether it was a nation or an organization, a family or an individual, they vowed to find the culprit and bring them the most severe punishment and retaliation!

But that's all for the future.

An imminent threat is looming.

Kang De arrived in his warship, delivering a resounding slap to their faces and issuing a war warning: those who do not yield will perish. Time is running out for the Broken Isles.

Because they tragically discovered that their centuries of cultivation, connections, foundation, and strength were utterly ineffective against Kang De, who was essentially a single person!

"Our island is in turmoil! We're losing customers! Tourists are clamoring to leave, and merchants are fleeing the area because they believe war will rage here! They don't think we can win! That damned Kang De! He only said a few words!"

During a remote meeting of the island owners, a well-dressed middle-aged man pounded his fist on the table and shouted, "That's Forbidden Spell! Forbidden Spell! We have to do something! Or escape as soon as possible!"

Even with centuries of construction and development, numerous coastal fortifications and fortresses, impregnable defenses, underground shelters, secret escape routes, expensive life-saving scrolls, and the recruitment of experts and warriors... all these preparations and arrangements could have prevented even the most powerful elf fleet from completely conquering the Broken Isles, despite the heavy price they paid. However, the reappearance of the Forbidden Spell disrupted the course of the war.

As the de facto controllers of the Broken Isles, they immediately dispatched professionals to conduct a close-up assessment and investigation after the Forbidden Spell was cast a month ago, and the answers they received filled them with dread.

Even the most fortified Shelter on the island could not withstand the bombardment of the Forbidden Spell.

Now that death is near, they truly understand how terrifying Kang De was.

No matter how powerful, wealthy, or influential they are.

He could kill you like he would kill a dog.

It's definitely no more difficult than killing a lowly beggar on the street.

"Do something!" the middle-aged man cried out in despair, "At least let's get out of here..."

"No."

The illusory figure sitting in the master's seat opened its narrowed old eyes and glanced at the middle-aged man.

"Anyone who leaves will be considered to have relinquished their position as island lord. All their wealth and power will be divided among the remaining eleven families. We will place a permanent bounty on their entire Brotherhood, until their bloodline is wiped out... This is punishment for traitors."

The middle-aged man paused for a moment, then said sharply, "Then why not have the Brotherhood assassinate Kang De?!"

"Kang De was already on the Brotherhood's no-kill list, alongside monarchs of various nations. In Valentan, the Brotherhood's master visited him. These assassins are also natural-born businessmen and speculators; don't think of them as fools and madmen who would do anything for money or so-called professional ethics."

The old man said calmly, "They know better than you who you shouldn't mess with."

Before the middle-aged man could say anything more, the other man shouted, "Abandon your pointless illusions! This is the harshest war, and we must fight and resist it ourselves!"

"It's not a question of war, it's a question of survival."

Another illusory figure spoke; it was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen, with rosy lips, white teeth, and pure eyes. He straightened his tie. "The problem now is that we'll collapse on our own even before Kang De takes action. Merchants will start fleeing, and tourists will lose faith in us..."

"Merchants are just profit-driven dogs; they wag their tails for whoever pays them. They flee from risk and flock to profit, but as long as we win, they'll wag their tails and come running back—that's all."

The old man replied, "But precisely because of this, we don't need to be polite to them. Merchants are the least principled and dignified, so we can offend and exploit them to our heart's content. After all, even if we humiliate them further, as long as we win the war and the business opportunities remain, they will quickly forget all the unpleasantness and continue to try to do business with us with polite but hypocritical smiles... Isn't that right?"

The island owners fell silent upon hearing this.

They heard a subtext of desperation and a willingness to burn their bridges.

--If the Broken Isles lose, if their foundation is destroyed, if they perish and their clan is wiped out, what does it matter how many people they have offended?

After a moment's thought, the old man made a decision. "Send men to detain the merchants, requisition all their goods, forbid them from leaving, and conscript their guards. Those who disobey or resist should be tortured and killed by mobs and bandits to deter discontented opponents. You know what to do."

The island owners nodded slowly.

Instructing the guards to leave an opening, giving a hint to the mob, or even sending people disguised as robbers—these kinds of small tricks are practically normal competitive tactics in the Broken Isles.

Everyone is very skilled at it.

The boy then asked, "What about the tourists?"

The old man's eyes flashed, and he said resolutely, "We can't let the tourists go either, including those important figures!"

Everyone was now deeply moved, their faces showing surprise.

The boy frowned and said, "They're not like businessmen; many of them are powerful and influential..."

"That's precisely why we can't let them go," the old man said. "The more important figures like them there are, the less likely Kang De is to directly cast Forbidden Spell."

"This is tantamount to kidnapping," the boy questioned. "It will make these big shots and their friends have a bad impression of the Broken Isles, causing us to lose many valuable clients."

"No, you're wrong. We will never lack such valuable clients."

Two glints of light flashed in the old man's frail eyes. "Tell me, where in the world is there still a paradise like the Broken Isles? A private island of heaven, a place that caters to the most primal desires of living beings, a place of unconventional, wicked, soul-searching, supreme, joyful, and decadent pleasure..."

"Our paradise is built upon the desires of the human heart. As long as that evil darkness persists, we will never lack customers, because only the Broken Isles can offer them this kind of private, unparalleled service, forever unknown to outsiders, allowing the powerful and influential to cast aside moral constraints and worldly scrutiny, and indulge in the supreme pleasures brought by money and power!"

"--So, you all need to figure out what's important and what's urgent."

The old man's voice sharpened. "This is a matter of life and death. We must use every means at our disposal. Open all services to important guests and do everything we can to make them feel at ease staying on the island. As for those who insist on leaving, let them leave. And then..."

He calmly stated, "Arrange for Kang De's navy to sink them."

The room fell silent, and then the island owners slowly nodded.

"Do your utmost to appease and lobby those powerful figures, to get them to pressure their countries, to persuade interest groups, and to convince other nations to intervene in Kang De's atrocities. Now that you know what time it is, do your best to save yourselves, gentlemen. Even if you can't get these blustering but cowardly powers to intervene directly, at least get them to put pressure on you to ensure that Kang De will not use the Forbidden Spell under any circumstances."

"Do you understand?"

"As long as Kang De doesn't resort to Forbidden Spell, we have a chance of winning. Our fortresses, coastal defenses, and defensive systems, built up over hundreds of years, can definitely stop Kang De's half-baked, ineffective army! The longer we hold him off, the more flexible our maneuvering will be, and the more obvious the turning point will become!"

"So, use all your connections, methods, and resources."

"Seek external assistance and intervention, while simultaneously reassuring our key clients and business partners that Twilight Moon, the Empire, and the Council are on our side! The situation is very stable; various nations are extremely dissatisfied with Kang De's atrocities, and intervention and condemnation are imminent—make sure they understand this!"

"Maintain stability! Stability!"

The old man emphasized that the islanders were united in their determination to protect their homeland.

Goth West Coast, Distant Harbor Sound of the Tide Manor, third-floor conference room.

"Your Highness!" Hong San led the commanders of the three kingdoms through the door, "All three kingdoms have responded!"

Kang De slammed his fist on the table. "Move the chariot!"

He looked up and asked, "Are the fleets ready?"

"Standing at your command, Your Highness!"

The generals and commanders of the Three Kingdoms received clear instructions and answered without hesitation.

The Dragon of Cathay pointed to the map. "Then let's set off for the Broken Isles!"

"Yes!"

Despite their doubts, the soldiers agreed without hesitation. Kavisalong asked, "Your Highness, what is our mission? Is it to attack or blockade the sea lanes?"

"None of those."

"Then what are you going to do?"

Kang De gave a cold laugh, "--Go evacuate the citizens!"

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥

PS1: Update... It finally rained, and it's a bit cooler now.