Kang De's Layers of Schemes

Kang De's mind raced.

The fog gradually lifted, and the truth was revealed.

Nixiyasi visits the prisoners in the Broken Isles every day. Considering his reputation as a heartthrob who is renowned Kang De the continent, most outsiders would assume that he and Nixiyasi are having an affair.

Just as the Azure Fleet's offensive was stalled and Nixiyasi was passively disobeying orders, the Council was already extremely dissatisfied. The Starry Sky Council's plan was to use the Azure Fleet's raiding activities to attract Kang De's attention, so that the submarine could secretly complete its excavation and rescue operation. However, the admiral refused to obey, which obviously affected the council members' grand plan. It was only natural that she would be sidelined and alienated.

But no matter how much they distance themselves from or exclude her, the core decision-making body of the Council should know the value of talent and Nixiyasi's loyalty... Perhaps some council members don't care, but the Grand Speaker certainly does.

--The reason why Kang De was so certain was that after hearing about his falling out with the Council, Dairila spent forty minutes telling him a lot about the Arcane Council. The intelligence gathering and strategic analysis of the Dusk Moon Dynasty's top think tank were enough to get a clear understanding of the powerful figures in the Council.

Given the Grand Speaker's temperament and wisdom, he certainly wouldn't arbitrarily punish or even imprison Nixiyasi, a rare naval admiral. After all, this not only involves the stability and combat power of this main fleet that can stand against the Elf Navy, but it could also easily shake the morale of the entire navy.

So it's quite strange that Anthony came here.

The one who could command him to go to the Azure Fleet, or even come to find him, Kang De, must be the high and mighty Starry Sky Council. And the meaning revealed by Anthony was clearly that he wanted to exchange Nixiyasi for the relics of Yilan-Tai'er.

This isn't right.

Trading a living person for a dead one is ultimately a losing proposition. Besides, why would the councilors be willing to hand over Admiral Nixiyasi, who is intimately familiar with their nation's naval system, tactics, and equipment, to Kang De?

Moreover, the timing was wrong.

After all, the Azure Fleet's offensive was just a smokescreen. The Council's real intention was the ruins of Yilan-Tai'er. Even if they wanted to sell Nixiyasi, they would have to wait until the submarine finished digging up the grave, right? Otherwise, they would have just sold a few hundred kilograms of the Admiral 'Yilan-Tai'er legacy, only to find a few hundred tons in the ruins later. That would be too much of a loss.

Moreover, if the deal goes through, the Azure Fleet will have no reason to continue its harassment offensive, which would prevent them from diverting Kang De's attention, thus contradicting the established strategy.

Anything that seems out of place is suspicious, and there must be a deeper logic behind such unusual phenomena.

The Council trying to make a losing deal at an inopportune time only shows that they think it's worthwhile—and that they're in a hurry, eager, and desperate.

There's only one answer then.

Unsealing or excavating the Yilan-Tai'er Ruins requires a considerable number of artifacts from the Civilization.

The Azure Fleet's operations yielded few results. The Council Kang De's Forbidden Spell, dared not launch a large-scale raid. Helpless, they could only push out Nixiyasi, who "had a secret affair with Kang De" and whose "loyalty might waver," in an attempt to exchange or swindle enough extraterrestrial material from Kang De.

Kang De looked at Anthony, whose face was "sighing heavily," and sneered inwardly.

Damn it, watch how I torture you to death.

He hurriedly stepped forward, waved for the warriors who were still suppressing and guarding Anthony to step back, and personally helped the man up, saying apologetically, "Uncle, I was rude just now, please forgive me. After all, as you know, my relationship with the Council is not good, and the current situation is quite delicate."

The word "Uncle" sent Anthony's body going weak.

He repeatedly said, "It's alright, it's alright, I understand your position."

Kang De smiled at him, then called out, "Someone, bring me a seat and some tea to calm my uncle's nerves!"

Anthony politely replied, "No need, no need..."

His mind was now filled with ecstasy and excitement, because he had sensed the signs of success in Kang De's words—without him needing to hint at it further, Kang De already had the idea of exchanging extraterrestrial matter for Nixiyasi!

May the gods protect you!

I've carefully nurtured, taught, and guided her since she was a child, spending a lot of money and effort, and now she's finally put to good use!

He was so overjoyed at the thought of the reward and return promised by the Council, which was ten times better than the previous conditions, that he almost fainted. As for Kang De's previous rudeness and disrespect, he had long since forgotten it all—praise be to the gods, praise be Council the council, praise be to the Cathayan!

The next step is to find a way to persuade Kang De to agree to the deal...

With this in mind, he said, "No need to be so polite, really. There's no need for tea or snacks, Kang De Highness. The most important thing now is to help Nixiyasi. We should discuss this immediately..."

"--Lord Anthony."

He heard the slightly cold words from the Cathayan.

The man was startled and almost stood up. "Your Highness?"

He saw the Cathayan turn to look at him, their eyes deep and their tone calm, but in that instant, he felt as if a giant dragon was watching him, neither pleased nor angry, yet its power was undeniable.

The elation and joy that had filled my mind dissipated like a receding tide.

He then remembered something he should have always remembered, something the Council and the special envoy had repeatedly warned him about: you are about to face the most dangerous and powerful person in the world.

"Your Excellency, I am glad that Nixiyasi has a father like you, who is willing to work for her and alleviate her suffering. I am also willing to work with you to rescue this lovely girl from the thorny cage of the Council and bring her joy and happiness. But there is one thing you must understand."

He spoke slowly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table.

Anthony listened intently, his heart pounding with anxiety and uncertainty, wondering what he had done wrong.

"... Rescuing Nixiyasi is essentially a gamble, a gamble between me and the Arcane Council. This requires ample patience, unwavering will, and precise judgment. No one understands the tricks of dealing with the great powers of the time better than I do; that's how I dealt with the Empire and the Elves."

Kang De looked at Anthony and nodded slightly.

"Therefore, I think that since you believe I have the ability to rescue Nixiyasi and have asked me for help, you should understand that the relevant plan is entirely under my control. I decide what should and should not be done now. As for you, if I have not consulted you, you should respect my judgment and decision and listen to me. Unless you consider yourself a wise person who can offer advice in international conflicts between great powers, I am not used to hearing the presumptuous questioning of laymen."

The Cathayan's voice was elegant and calm. "Have I made myself clear enough?"

The more amiable he became, the more uneasy Anthony grew. The man's record was countless: the Elf Butcher, the Destroyer of the Broken Isles, the Noble Slayer... his reputation was built on piles of bones.

Anthony said in a hoarse voice, "I... I just think we should discuss how to rescue them as soon as possible..."

"You see, this is what I just mentioned to you—I have full authority over this, that is, I will analyze the intelligence, consider the gains and losses, and make a judgment on what means to take to rescue Nixiyasi, whether it is by force, strategic deterrence, or diplomatic exchange."

"And if I may be so bold, the ones qualified to discuss and decide with me which plans to take are my confidante Phoenix King, my sworn brother Dragon Emperor, and the Imperial Mr. Dong of Cathay, Mr. Dong, not you."

"I respect you because you are Nixiyasi's father, and I am willing to consider your opinions on certain issues, but this should be decided by me. And you, Uncle, I hope you will respect my judgment, listen rather than question, speak up when you should, and obey when you should..."

He raised his hand gently, his tone unhurried.

"If you disagree with my views and decisions, and feel insulted, then I regret to inform you that you must leave. I will still try my best to help Nixiyasi. Next time we meet, you will still be Uncle, and I will still be Kang De, and we will..."

Oh no no no no no no!

Upon hearing this, Anthony tried his best to hide it, but he was deeply shocked.

Damn it, his plan was to persuade Kang De to exchange those extraterrestrial materials for Nixiyasi, but this Cathayan simply wouldn't listen to his advice—if the Dragon of Cathay decided to seize Nixiyasi by force, or use Forbidden Spell to intimidate the other side into releasing her, then the whole plan would be ruined!

He will not only fail to receive the generous rewards Council by the council, but he will also be held accountable!

At this thought, all the shame and resentment that had just arisen vanished. He pleaded, "Your Highness, I was wrong. Please don't send me away. I... I..."

Kang De smiled inwardly as he looked at Anthony, whose expression had changed drastically and who was now flustered and at a loss.

Very good.

The matter is already somewhat clear.

"Please don't worry, I was only trying to rescue Nixiyasi. Please forgive my rudeness just now; sometimes I speak too bluntly, without malice, but it can still hurt people."

Hearing Kang De's sincere apology, Anthony breathed a long sigh of relief. He felt grateful that Kang De was no longer aggressive and even apologized.

He said, "You don't need to apologize. I'm not angry. Being straightforward and honest is also an important quality..."

"Please don't try to comfort me; I've learned my lesson too." Kang De sighed as he said this, "During the Battle of the Broken Isles, when the ferocious beasts approached the Distant Harbor, His Majesty the Emperor of the Holy Empire sent word to me that if I was willing to marry his daughter, he would send his royal guards to my aid and grant me the right to rule as king..."

Anthony's eyes widened—was this for real?!

"Sigh, I replied to him very seriously. I explained my understanding of the empire's situation: if I were to marry the princess and become a member of the royal family, I would use my influence, Forbidden Spell, and alchemical skills to completely disrupt the political balance in the capital. Given my personal grudge against the eldest prince, he would certainly not have a good end. Even if I didn't pursue him, I had to guard against him striking first. If I intended to seize the throne and support my princess wife in vying for the right of succession, the empire would fall into division and be on the verge of collapse..."

He paused, then spread his hands, saying, "In the end, His Majesty's proposal was abandoned without any follow-up."

Anthony's expression became even more interesting—"What a pity, what a pity, you're really blunt."

"Sigh, I often regret it too, because I was too blunt and missed such a good opportunity." Kang De chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Every time I sigh with regret, Dairila would often grab my ear and ask me with a smile, 'Didn't you even consider Twilight Moon at all? Or is being with me a waste for you?' and things like that..."

He said with a sigh, "Sometimes I don't know if she's joking or telling the truth."

Anthony's mouth gradually opened wider.

What the heck did I just hear?

He was about to say something when he suddenly heard a knock on the door. Kang De snapped his fingers, and the door was pushed open. Anthony turned his head and his eyes lit up.

Two rows of elves, dressed in attire similar to waiters' uniforms but far more elaborate than any servant in a noble household, filed in. They stood upright, their figures well-proportioned, unlike the burly and imposing elven soldiers. Each had a handsome face, and their white-gloved hands carried exquisite porcelain dishes. With light and delicate movements, they arranged the dishes one by one on the table, bowed slightly, and then floated away.

His expression was cool and aloof, his movements were efficient and decisive, exuding a noble elegance.

"Please try some local specialties from my hometown."

Kang De raised his hand and said, "The conditions on the Broken Isles are limited; it's just simple food and snacks. My apologies."

Anthony hadn't quite recovered from what he'd just witnessed, a hint of envy still lingering in his eyes—to the whole world, elves were the chosen ones, elegant and noble. Thus, a well-trained, intelligent, and capable elven butler was a symbol of status for nobles, and was wildly sought after by them.

That kind of lavish display was something even the Duke probably couldn't enjoy...

And Kang De...

Anthony was lost in thought when the Cathayan asked, "What are you thinking about? Did they do something rude? If so, please accept my apologies."

The man paused for a moment, then asked, "Huh?"

Kang De shook his head and said, "Conditions are limited. There are no servants or maids on the island, so we can only select from the army. However, the soldiers are too large and clumsy for these tasks, so we can only choose from the mage ranks..."

Anthony's mouth dropped open. "Mage? Mages? They're elven mages? Navy?"

Kang De nodded calmly, his expression serene, without any hint of boasting, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"This... this..."

Anthony himself was a spellcaster. Anyone who asked him to serve water or carry dishes would enrage him. Spellcasters possess a natural pride and dignity; if even a wild mage like himself acted this way, how much more so would elite soldiers, especially elves! Elves are inherently proud and self-assured, and these are spellcasters, how... how...

He recalled the expressions of those elves; there was no shame or anger, no resentment at having their dignity trampled upon. This... this must mean...

These spirits genuinely admired and respected Kang De, and were even content to do menial tasks like serving tea and water...

This...

Could it be the Phoenix King...?

Could it be that Kang De...

He stood there stunned for a long while, then slowly exhaled. "Your Highness's power and majesty are truly awe-inspiring."

Kang De shook his head and said, "It's useless. The moment I open my eyes, I have to face the scheming and malice of various countries, and I have to feed countless mouths. The affairs of the country and the livelihoods of thousands of people all await my arrangement and command. No matter how great or high my power and status are, it's meaningless. I'm busier than the emperor... I'm busier than the emperor, but I don't have the emperor's enjoyment and pleasure. Alas..."

Listening to Kang De's sigh, Anthony nodded in agreement, seemingly sympathizing with this renowned but constantly busy Dragon of Cathay China—though he vaguely sensed that something was amiss.

After all, they are from another world, and society hasn't developed to that level. Although the exploiting class is bad, they are honestly bad and don't know how to embellish or cover it up. They are not that shameless, and no one can come up with so many lewd remarks.

Seeing his envious and thoughtful expression, Kang De nodded to himself.

Very good.

The matter is already six-tenths resolved.

Anthony wanted to offer some words of comfort, but Kang De said, "Eat, eat, Uncle. I interrupted your suggestion and ideas not out of disrespect, but because I wanted to calm you down and relieve your anxiety. I need your calm thinking and wise advice, and food is the best remedy."

Anthony nodded gratefully, then picked up a piece of bread from the plate.

It has a sweet taste upon first bite, with pork floss inside, creating a wonderful flavor that fills your taste buds. It's incredibly soft and chewy, leaving a lingering aftertaste.

He exclaimed in surprise, "This..."

Kang De personally poured him a glass of Xiangpiaopiao a type of Chinese liquor): "Try this specialty from my hometown."

After thanking him, Anthony drank the food, his taste buds overwhelmed by the industrial seasonings and synthetic flavorings. Kang De then invited him to taste every dish, and the man ate with an eye-opening, dreamlike experience.

"This is truly..." he said sincerely, "The best meal I've ever had."

"Once you arrive at the Distant Harbor, I'll treat you to something better." Kang De smiled slightly. "It's not to show off, Uncle, but this is just food supplied to the Broken Isles garrison; it's nothing special."

Anthony's eyes widened suddenly.

He exclaimed, "This... isn't rare?"

The food, sweets, pastries, and unknown delicacies he had just eaten, based on his experience studying in Tula Xiaye, were far superior to even the many delicacies and goods of the capital of the Arcane Council —yet Kang De said that these were not particularly rare?

"Yes, theoretically speaking, hardworking Distant Harbor can use their wages to buy... delicious food. I hope more people can enjoy it and experience the joy and happiness it brings."

Kang De picked up a QQ candy and popped it into his mouth. "I'd also love to sell these delicacies all over the continent—the Empire, Twilight Moon, and the Council. We've had discussions with several major merchant guilds of the Arcane Council; mages have a great demand for sweets."

Anthony nodded.

Indeed, he could imagine the craze these delicacies would create in Tula Xiaye.

"Unfortunately, some unpleasant friction occurred between Distant Harbor and the Council, and the matter was shelved. After all, we lack trustworthy friends and partners in the country of the Arcane Council... After all, we always need a local agent, someone who can facilitate business and protect our interests."

The man nodded subconsciously.

But the next moment, his body visibly shuddered.

Then, a shiver ran through his body from the depths of his soul. Excitement, disbelief, and sudden realization brought him a sense of peace and clarity. At that moment, the fog cleared, and he finally realized something he had been neglecting: he had been too focused on the Council's promises and rewards, while overlooking the more important treasure.

The Dragon of Cathay was right beside him.

The Cathayan, who slaughtered elves, killed nobles, and intimidated the world, were sitting with him, talking eloquently in a gentle tone and with a kind attitude.

Anthony had already witnessed the other party's unparalleled alchemical skills.

They also witnessed firsthand the other party's immense power, realized his close relationship with the Elf Queen, and felt the awe-inspiring power of this person who could stand on equal footing with the leaders of various countries.

The power he wields, the authority he holds, the key to... wealth he possesses.

And most importantly...

He seems quite infatuated with Nixiyasi and has a very good impression of her.

And himself— Anthony Syracuse, a short-sighted fool—had only thought of using Nixiyasi to make a deal, get some benefits, and then use them to Council?

Not just stupid, it's downright stupid!

At that moment, he finally realized the immense value his daughter brought—that she enabled him to sit down with Kang De, reach a consensus, and even forge a positive relationship and gain some recognition.

He's so busy, so lacking in help... so what am I waiting for?

I could even receive the promised compensation from the Council while simultaneously getting in touch with Kang De!

At that moment, Anthony lowered his head, concealing the burning ambition in his eyes.

Of course, he also failed to see the meaningful gaze that the Dragon of Cathay was giving him.

Smoothly.

The matter is already nine-tenths resolved.

"Uncle."

Anthony's body trembled immediately, and he looked up as if on a pilgrimage.

The Council's instructions and the think tank's action plan were all completely ignored.

"Let's talk about Nixiyasi," Kang De said. "The situation is delicate. I have no intention of Council. It sounds like buying Nixiyasi's freedom with extraterrestrial matter is a good idea. She can no longer stay in the Azure Fleet, and personally, I cannot tolerate the Council using Nixiyasi as a bargaining chip to continuously blackmail me. Therefore, I want her to join Distant Harbor..."

All the previous groundwork and elaborate designs were for this moment of direct confrontation.

Kang De asked, "If I were to negotiate with the Council to resolve the dispute over Nixiyasi and even the entire Broken Isles, would you be willing to act as an intermediary, conveying my proposals and conditions to the Council for your daughter's sake, and to offer your views and suggestions for my benefit, Council for more favorable terms? I hereby seek your advice, and I am willing to listen to your voice."

Anthony clenched his fist.

The nails even dug into the flesh, yet there was no pain whatsoever.

He took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "It is my honor... for Nixiyasi."

Kang De reached out and shook hands with Anthony, who eagerly extended both hands. Under the gaze of the Fire Thief, the Phoenix Eyes took in all the changes, excitement, ambition, and calculations.

--very.