All Are People of the East

As the footsteps drew near, the Cathay Master Mei Xizhu raised his protective short staff.

But a familiar surge of magical energy came from ahead, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, Cathay mage tapped his wand lightly, Mars flying. A voice came from ahead. "It's me, you're safe."

The cloaked figure lowered his hood, revealing brown curly hair and a pale face with a high nose and deep-set eyes. This was his friend Ailike. Eric was carrying a small package. He put away his staff, came to Mei Xizhu's side, placed the package on the tattered blanket on the ground, and opened it.

He grumbled, "Prices have increased tenfold overnight! I can't believe this is the Broken Isles, and all we have are salted fish, dried meat, flatbread, and stale fruit..."

Mei Xizhu put away his staff and sat down cross-legged. This was a dilapidated alley, a dark and damp dead corner, where a shed made of wooden planks had been their shelter since yesterday.

The events of the past two days are complicated and hard to explain in a few words.

After his contract expired, the second-generation Cathay Master originally wanted to join Kang De, but he was harassed by his superiors and was almost arrested, tortured, and imprisoned yesterday.

At the critical moment, Kang De's flagship leaped in and issued a war ultimatum to the Broken Isles. Although he was unaware that there was a fellow countryman from Cathay who wanted to join him, Mei Xizhu cleverly used the name of the Dragon of Cathay to intimidate him and then left with his abducted friend in a grand manner.

He has already bought his ticket and can set sail today, arriving at the Distant Harbor by tomorrow evening.

But plans can't keep up with changes.

As they boarded their ships to prepare for departure, a joint order from the island lords was conveyed to every port: the rulers of the Broken Isles demanded that the docks be sealed off and all ships be prohibited from leaving.

The shadow of war and a flurry of rumors spread.

Mei Xizhu noticed the captain and sailors' strange looks and spying. He found an excuse, pulled Ailike along, and forcibly disembarked. The two mages' arcs of magic were very intimidating, and the crew dared not stop them. But soon, a small team appeared in the dock area.

"I heard that, obviously," Ailike picked up a piece of jerky, "They're checking on the situation of the Cathay on the island, checking on everyone..."

Mei Xizhu hesitated for a moment as she picked up the pear, then took a deep breath. "These bastards! They're afraid of His Highness Kang De's Forbidden Spell, so they want to capture the Cathayan as hostages!"

"It's not just them."

As spellcasters, their knowledge, experience, and intelligence far surpass those of ordinary people. In this world of isolation and limited information, mages are the most learned intellectuals. Ailike guessed the island lords' plans after just one trip.

"Everyone is prohibited from leaving the island. I've checked, without exception. Even those important figures who came here for pleasure are restricted from leaving. The island owners have lost everything; they're going to gamble big."

The brown-haired monk said, "All the island's residents, all the merchants from various places, and a large number of tourists from all over the world have become their hostages... It's an easy score to settle. Offending various countries can be remedied slowly, but if they lose this time, everything will be over."

Mei Xizhu remained silent for a moment, then sighed heavily.

"I'm sorry," he said, "Ailike, I've dragged you into this."

He had initially thought this was a sure-fire deal, and he and his friends were seeking refuge with Prince Kang De, who was in dire need of Kang De. With his companions' abilities, they could have received far better treatment than they had in the Distant Harbor. But now, they were unable to leave the island and were not even completely out of danger.

That bastard boss is probably looking for me everywhere right now.

Now that the entire island is under lockdown, and the island's rulers intend to hold all the descendants of Cathay, capturing me now is perfectly justified—it's both official business and a way to settle personal scores.

The brown-haired monk pursed his lips. "Alright, now's not the time for this. You'd better remember what you owe me, and you'll have to pay me back properly later."

Mei Xizhu hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "If—and I mean if—the situation becomes critical, then you should attack and subdue me, and hand me over..."

Ailike raised an eyebrow and abruptly stood up. "What, do you doubt me?"

"... No, that's not true, Ailike. I know you're trustworthy; you're my only friend." Mei Xizhu also stood up, somewhat apologetically. "But now... that Kedun is definitely looking for me everywhere, which will put you in danger. I feel really bad about it..."

The brown-haired mage shouted, "So what? I'll capture you, hand Kedun over to that bastard Cotton or some other guy, in exchange for some reward and credit, and then wait for your Prince Kang De to raze this place to the ground, capture me, skin me alive, cut all the muscle out of my body, and then hang me on a pole to howl for three days before I die?"

"You're always going on and on about how 'Lord Kang De hated traitors,' and 'it's all those imperialists' fault. Well, I am an imperialist! If he knew about this, I'd be in big trouble. He'd probably hang me on a flagpole, saying something like 'imperialists are unreliable,' and then he'd stab me..."

Mei Xizhu said with difficulty, "I will explain... Alas, Kang De Highness Kant is unlikely to listen to my explanation. This... perhaps we should split up..."

"--Alright!"

Ailike said impatiently, "Kedun and the Ruisi Defenders all saw me defect with you. What's the point of splitting up? Sigh, I've been paying off the mortgage on my house for ten years now. You better remember this well; you'd better pay back the favor you owe me! Now, let's eat!"

"... oh."

The Cathayan then sat down, broke the bread into small pieces, put them in his mouth, and chewed them slowly.

The two quickly replenished their food and regained their strength.

"In short, let's hide like rats in the Shadow for now and see where we can find a safer hiding place... and then pray that your so-called new king will have enough patience to unleash a Forbidden Spell that will turn us and this shitty island to ashes."

"Um."

After they ate for a while, Ailike, growing impatient, spoke up again, "Mei, now that you've arrived at the Distant Harbor and sought refuge with Prince Kang De, what are your plans?"

Mei Xizhu thought for a moment and said, "Obey orders, gain trust, achieve merit and success, acquire rewards, build up land, then marry a member of the same clan, have many children, expand the family line, and continue the bloodline. If there is an opportunity, I will follow Your Highness back to the East."

"... You Cathayan are remarkably similar," Ailike said, shaking his head. "I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about that daydream you've been having, the one you're planning to sell to your new king?"

Mei Xizhu asked in surprise, "What?"

"It's that performance you always put on, the one that always makes your colleagues in the Arcane Garrison Corps burst into laughter." Ailike cleared his throat, mimicking the accent of the Cathayan, and said in a deep voice, "I believe that spellcasters should fight like heavy cavalry!"

Mei Xizhu frowned and said, "I've explained this many times; it doesn't mean we have to put on heavy armor and ride horses..."

"Oh yes, my friend, if that were all there was to it, no one would be laughing," Ailike clicked his tongue. "You want us to sit in a magic-powered iron carriage, casting spells from a vertically stabilizing platform, preferably equipped with small magical devices—poof, is that a circus?"

This isn't a circus! It's the future of warfare!

Mei Xizhu blushed. "The mage corps' role on the battlefield is already superfluous! Deploying arcane defenses, casting spells in unison, and launching ranged attacks under the protection of infantry formations and flank cavalry—the magic arrays and alchemy troops are already doing this better than us. Moreover, with continuous improvements and refinements, their firepower will become stronger and their endurance longer!"

"Where does the mage corps have an advantage over magical artifacts? It's mobility! We can launch joint attacks with advancing infantry formations and even cavalry units! Why cower in the rear? As for protection, we can combine alchemy troops with enchanted armor..."

"... Ah, okay, okay."

Ailike clutched his head. "You've told me this dozens of times. Even if I admit you're right, what's the point? You should save those kinds of words for your Prince Kang De."

Mei Xizhu was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Yes, I think His Highness Kang De will understand."

As a former casual observer who became a fan of Kang and a proponent of Kang, this Master Cathay knows Master Kang's achievements and experiences like the back of his hand.

The Battle of Valentan demonstrated its formidable Forbidden Spell strikes, the Battle to Relieve Danfeng Lucerne showcased its high-speed breakthrough capabilities that traversed thousands of miles with unstoppable momentum, the Battle for the Defense of Danfeng Lucerne made the world aware of the heroic prowess of the so-called Sky Overlord, and the Battle of Distant Harbor saw the divine warship leap out, making all the world's naval behemoths pale in comparison.

Sea, land, air, and strategic strikes.

The information and hidden stories behind this made the young Buddhist monk Cathay extremely fearful upon careful consideration.

But what concerned him most were the alchemical war chariots that rushed forward with lightning speed and fierce firepower when they came to the aid of Battle of Danfeng Lucerne.

He felt that His Highness Kang De would understand his ideas and viewpoints.

Mei Xizhu whispered, "At that time, I..."

Just then, Ailike's expression suddenly changed. He quickly swallowed the jerky he had chewed a few times, stood up abruptly, and drew his staff, from which Shadow flashed.

In the distance, the voice they loathed most rang out. "We've got you!"

Meanwhile, off the coast of the Broken Isles.

"Unidentified fleet detected!"

The magical signal rose and was detected by the nearest mage tower. The signal was transmitted to the tactical control center, where the mages on duty activated the Atmospheric Perspective mirror to observe the target sea area. The eagle-eye stations on each island also quickly scanned the sea area. The island lords received the news immediately and were on high alert, filled with fear.

The identity of the unidentified fleet was quickly confirmed.

"Report! Naval ensigns of the Dusk Moon Dynasty, the Holy Empire, and the Arcane Council! Comparing the target warships with catalogs, we've discovered Arcane Council's Azure Fleet..."

In the remote conference room on the central island, the island lords quickly logged on to confirm and listen to the intelligence. One island lord frowned and said, "The Azure Fleet!? Isn't that the Council Fleet that participated in the Battle of Distant Harbor and was captured by Kang De? Why are they here? Could it be that Kang De has already...?"

The island lord's face showed displeasure. "Does he want to blockade the shipping lanes? Does he want to start a war directly? This..."

The elder, the leader of the alliance, waved his hand. "No... If they are acting on Kang De's orders, they should be under the banner of so-called Suppressors of Rebellion, not flying their own country's flag. Send a patrol fleet to negotiate, activate the mage tower array, lock onto the coastal fortress's magic cannons, and order them to stop immediately and explain their purpose."

The order was given, and in the distant seas, white sails rose, and the Combined Fleet of various nations appeared on the horizon. Several warships of the Broken Isles' Coastal Defense Fleet turned their rudders and raised their sails, heading at full speed to meet them. The mage tower array hummed as it activated, and elemental beams swept across the sea, signaling the Broken Isles' powerful defense system was beginning to operate!

"Warn!"

The Broken Isles' Coastal Defense Fleet, the Cold Winter Wind, carried its captain's voice afar on the surging sea winds, proclaimed by the ship's mage. "Your forces have entered the Broken Isles' waters! This territory belongs to the Broken Isles according to international conventions. Please halt immediately, state your purpose, and identify yourselves..."

Moments later, a declaration came from across the sea.

"I am Commodore Kavisalon, Commander of the Expeditionary Fleet of the Twilight Moon Dynasty Royal Navy. Given the high probability of a massive annihilation war breaking out in the Broken Isles, this fleet has come here on behalf of the Phoenix King and the Silvermoon Council to evacuate Her Majesty the Queen's people, keeping them away from the shadow of war and the heart of destruction..."

"I am the commander of the Azure Fleet belonging to the Arcane Council..."

"I am the interim commander of the Holy Empire's Fourth Subfleet..."

The sound carried far and wide, causing an uproar among the soldiers on the Broken Isles ships. Almost everyone showed astonishment, followed by fear—the Elven Queen, the Human Emperor, the Grand Chancellor of the Arcane Council, these high and mighty monarchs had all ordered the evacuation of their own citizens? Didn't this mean...?

The received ultimatum was broadcast live to the island owners' private channels.

The noble rulers fell silent in astonishment. Then, as if a pot had been boiled over, the solemn and sacred conference room turned into a bustling marketplace. Even the usually calm and composed old man suddenly opened his eyes.

"Shameless!"

The middle-aged man who spoke first yesterday jumped up and shouted, "They want to take all the tourists and distinguished guests we've appeased away! They want to undermine our foundation! We can't allow them to do that! It's outrageous! How could such a thing happen!"

The elegant woman said in a deep voice, "They are clearly prisoners of war from the Battle of Distant Harbor. This must be a trick by Kang De! We absolutely cannot agree to this! Otherwise, we will..."

"Then how do we stop these fleets?" A shadow of gloom and frustration flashed in the eyes of the fair-skinned young man.

The middle-aged man blurted out, "Of course, we must strictly forbid them from taking another step! Otherwise, we should sink them..."

"No!"

Three or four people spoke up at the same time, one of them scoffing, "Sink them? You've got some nerve. Look closely, they're not flying the flags of some Inquisition, they're flying the ensigns of the three nations' navies! That means they're now elite warships in their respective navies! They're acting on the orders of their own monarchs to evacuate their citizens, and you want to sink them? Isn't offending Kang De enough? Do you want to offend the world's three greatest powers as well?"

In the midst of the argument, the captain of the Cold Winter Wind reluctantly issued a warning: this is the defense right of every nation, prohibiting threatening or hostile targets from entering territorial waters. If the other party persists after the warning, then our side reserves all rights to launch an attack, and the other party will bear the consequences.

But... in the international arena, fairness is an absurd joke.

After the warning was issued, deafening laughter erupted from the other side.

Under the Eagle Eye of the mages, sailors from the Combined Fleet climbed onto the masts and even the bows, frantically giving the middle finger to the enemy. Some even took off their pants, waving their penises and buttocks, making various provocative gestures, and spewing out all sorts of vulgarities.

The Azure Fleet's magical manipulation skills were exceptionally high. The sorcerers used Arcane to propel sound waves, their shouts accompanied by thunderous roars, "Cowards! We've lowered our sails and are letting you attack us! If you have the guts, send us to meet the Sea God! If we don't fight you, we're sea dogs!"

As naval personnel, they were usually extremely arrogant and domineering, always looking for fights with the army as soon as they landed. This time, they were defeated by Kang De, not only becoming prisoners but also being tamed for more than half a month. They even fought several battles under the command of the Dragon of Cathay. For some reason, their spirits were not dampened, but they actually developed an even greater sense of superiority.

Now, on a field mission, facing the chicks of the Broken Isles, he couldn't help but unleash his wild side, even more arrogant than before.

Despite the stern warnings from the Broken Isles and even the elemental blasts from their long-range heavy artillery, they didn't hesitate at all and rushed towards the Broken Isles at full speed without stopping for a moment.

"Give Way!"

As they advanced, they shouted, "By the Queen's decree, all who obstruct us are Enemy of Twilight Moon!"

The Imperial Navy and the Council's navy also shouted out their own powerful pronouncements.

Sweat streamed down the captain's face as he frantically signaled to the Cold Winter Wind's mage to request orders from their superiors. The island lords did not reply for a long time, while the enemy fleet brazenly sailed straight in.

But he dared not launch an attack.

Because he knew the consequences of doing so.

As he hesitated, the captain's pupils suddenly contracted. The Combined Fleet approached from afar, and he heard a tremendous roar, like the howl of a sea beast. Looking out, amidst the blue sea and sky, surrounded by warships from the three nations, several white ships of varying sizes were cutting through the waves.

At Silver Pearl Bay on Ajinsi Island, cries of alarm rose and explosions continued. Two figures fled in disarray through the smoke and dust, their movements shrouded in Arcane light, as a series of figures pursued them relentlessly.

"Mei Xizhu! Ailike! You two traitors!" Kedun roared, "Surrender! Or die! Where do you think you're going? Nobody's coming to save you!"

The dock guards ahead came with swords, attacking from both sides. Ailike and Mei Xizhu stood back to back, looking disheveled. Their magic power was almost exhausted. The high-intensity battle and the use of shields to block the crossbow bolts had consumed a lot of energy. Now, surrounded by powerful enemies, they were at their wits' end.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that since Ailike accidentally exposed his whereabouts and became a target, the current situation is already set in stone... After all, this is the Broken Isles.

Mei Xizhu whispered, "Ailike..."

"Shut up." The brown-haired mage brandished his staff, repeatedly pointing it at the approaching people. "What do we do?"

"I can't let you die with me," Mei Xizhu said. "Let's surrender..."

Surrounded by his shield guards Kedun gazed at the two trapped beasts, a cruel pleasure gleaming in his eyes. Then he remembered his uncle's instructions: do not kill the Cathayan... The thought filled him with great displeasure.

Resist! Keep resisting! Breaking his arms and legs shouldn't be a problem, right?

We can't kill him; we have to make him suffer more... wait a minute.

Kedun saw the crowd gathering around him.

Those who want to escape the Broken Isles but are trapped here because they have no money or means are ignored by the island owners. Prices are soaring, food is scarce, and they are all full of resentment. The crime rate is high, and fights can break out at any time.

Now... it seems like quite a bit of fun.

Kedun suddenly shouted, "See those two mages? They're traitors of the Broken Isles! They're Kang De's lackeys! They've been passing intelligence to Kang De! The reason Kang De killed the citizens of the Broken Isles and even wanted to wage war to kill us all is because of their slander!"

"What are you waiting for? You've wandered here, hungry and exhausted, all thanks to them! Now I'm giving you a chance to vent your anger! Their magic is almost gone! They can't even defeat you! Let them see your fury! Yes! Punish them!"

People are most easily incited when they are in a state of madness and despair, because resentment needs to be vented, and there always needs to be a victim. Kedun, dressed in the robes of a law enforcement officer and leading an army, undoubtedly has great authority. Whoever he says is a criminal is always right, and then he can punish the traitors to his heart's content.

After a brief commotion, increasingly hostile gazes were cast upon the two spellcasters surrounded in the middle.

Yes, it wasn't me who did it; it was these mobs who killed the Cathayan.

It has nothing to do with me.

A cold light gleamed in Kedun's eyes.

Mei Xizhu took a deep breath and reached for the dagger on the outside of her thigh with her right hand.

"Ailike..."

He had already realized Kedun's malicious scheme. "I..."

"Damn it..." Ailike gritted his teeth, "I'm starting to regret it..."

The mob on the docks slowly approached. Ailike raised his staff, and Shadow Bolt flashed. "Who dares!? Come, whoever attacks will die!"

People stopped in their tracks, instinctively fearing the magical glow.

Kedun yelled from behind, "Throw stones at them!"

The group suddenly realized what was happening and began searching for stones on the ground. However, due to the mages' mysterious power, they needed their leader to give them courage. Kedun picked up a stone from the ground, a gleeful smile spreading across his face. He gestured to the captain beside him, "Let your men have some fun too, we'll all..."

But then he noticed that the captain of the Shield Guard looked a little off.

The crowd on the perimeter shouted, "What's that?"

Everyone turned to look, and in the distance, sails were billowing, layer upon layer, as warships set sail in this direction. Through the crowd, Mei Xizhu looked out and activated his Eagle Eye.

He immediately revealed an expression of incredulous surprise.

"That is..."

Kedun saw it too, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Attack! Grab them both! Get them..."

The next moment, Master Cathay's magical power surged. He channeled his depleted magical power, and a stream of light shone from his staff, shooting into the sky and exploding into a dazzling display of fire, as brilliant and dazzling as fireworks.

Kedun roared, "Attack!"

A deafening roar came from afar.

Several black dots rose into the air, cutting through the waves and winds at incredible speed, rapidly heading towards Ajinsi Island. Kedun roared, "Attack! Throw a stone, get a piece of bread!"

But in an instant, a low hum came from the sky, flashes of light like lightning, streaks of light whistled in, the wind was fierce, and the sound of air being torn apart was incessant. Centered on the two mages, the ground exploded and shattered. The Vulcan machine gun swept in a circle, drawing a circle of death, and the mob that had gathered retreated in fear!

The hurricane billowed the robes of the two mages. Mei Xizhu and Ailike looked up and saw several drones whizzing overhead and circling in the sky.

The mounted rotary machine gun rotated and hovered, the camera kept rotating, and sound came from the loudspeaker.

"All those with yellow skin and black hair, who speak the language of Cathay, and who are diligent and upright, are people of the East. Now, by order of His Highness Kang De, we open the gates of our Distant Harbor to welcome our compatriots from all corners of the world. Anyone who obstructs us will be killed without mercy!"

The drone hovered in the air, the Vulcan machine gun whirring as the man roared, "Get the hell out of my way!"

The fleet in the distance had already launched several small boats, which cut through the white waves and sped towards this direction.

Mei Xizhu and Ailike remained standing side by side, their staffs still in their hands, but they both knew they were safe.

Master Cathay took a few breaths. "Now do you know why I'm leaving?"

Ailike hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "I don't regret it now."

The Cathayan Aurora burst into laughter.

The speedboats were already approaching.

Mei Xizhu turned to look. The ship was like His Highness Kang De's flagship, without sails or oars, with a trail of white waves behind it. The underwater source of power must be the ship. Each ship carried four or five people, and there was also a person standing at the bow. The lower half of the person was below the cabin door, while the upper half was exposed. The person held a strange magical device with a long tube pointing towards the shore. It was obviously not just for show.

As they approached, two boats circled around the dock, while another boat was moored at the edge of the dock. Someone stood up and waved to them.

The crowd automatically separated.

Everyone was avoiding their gaze.

But that doesn't matter.

Mei Xizhu turned to look at Kedun behind him.

The former boss's eyes gleamed with resentment and regret.

"Kedun." The Cathayan raised his hand, gesturing below his neck, "Next time we meet, I'll kill you myself."

Then he and Ailike went up to the dock.

The person who had waved to him had already jumped ashore with a smile on his face. Mei Xizhu glanced over and saw that the people on the boat were all Goth People, while the person who greeted him had black hair and yellow skin and was a fellow countryman from Cathay.

The young man bowed respectfully to him. "Han Guangcheng from Distant Harbor, I would like to hear your name, sir."

Master Cathay was taken aback for a moment, then answered with a cupped-hand salute, a gesture taught by his father.

Under the sun's rays, between the sea and the sky, the two bowed to each other.

He smiled slightly, "My name is Mei Sui, courtesy name Xizhu."

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PS1: 7,000 words!

PS1: Damn... I'm running out of time. This chapter could be expanded a bit more.