Negotiations

The following morning, a Hongqi sedan departed from the Sound of the Tide Manor and drove through the main road of Distant Harbor City.

Pedestrians along the way either hurriedly made way or bowed in greeting.

They watched the magnificent black magic vehicle drive along the street, and saw eight heavily armored warriors running behind it.

The enormous armor was not the armor of any country in the world, but an unprecedented standard. The heavy metal, gleaming with a cold, sharp light, exuded a dangerous aura. The eye area of the helmet flashed a terrifying red light, and every step was accompanied by an awe-inspiring metallic clang.

Everyone knows what kind of designation the warriors equipped with this armor have.

"... Doom Warriors."

Just last night, they had listened to a radio special about Doom Warriors.

Originating from the Valentan Guards Regiment, the most outstanding and valiant were granted powerful power armor. They received the banner of destruction from His Highness Kang De and swore an oath of lifelong loyalty to devour all enemies of the Dragon of Cathay with the fire of destruction, forging their glory amidst endless corpses.

This morning, they also saw posters about Doom Warriors that had been plastered all over the streets overnight. It was the first time that people from the other world had ever seen such propaganda and art forms.

--The background is a blurred, raging inferno, and in the center of this fierce flame is the figure of a heavily armored Doom Warriors, outlined in a stark contrast of cool colors.

The blazing flames of destruction contrasted sharply with the cold Man of Steel, highlighting the calmness, courage, determination, and strength of this steel-like warrior. His power armor, gleaming with a cold light, was scarred, covered in traces of gunpowder and messy scratches—the warrior's finest badges. Three deep claw marks on his chest still burned with embers, seemingly indicating that he had just finished a fierce life-or-death battle.

Born from decades of experience in CG technology and the modern entertainment industry, this work is a magnificent and impactful painting unlike anything seen before by people from another world, instantly captivating the hearts of all viewers.

Paintings are an excellent form of publicity.

Simple, direct, extremely effective, and with a very low barrier to entry—no literacy is required, only eyesight and the most basic observational skills to make one exclaim, "Wow, that's awesome!"

Like radio, television, and film, it is an extremely convenient propaganda tool.

It's even more exciting than those individuals and newspapers.

No need for lengthy explanations or patient listening; it simply and brutally hits you in the face, subjecting you to shock and baptism within seconds.

Based on current observations and feedback, this promotional approach has been a great success.

So much so that now, people recognize the Doom Warriors at a glance, and their eyes are filled not with fear or dread of the unknown, but with curiosity, admiration, and envy.

The deluxe Doom Warriors posters, which were placed at various Friendship Store trial operation points this morning, were snapped up by workers and soldiers who were overjoyed.

Especially those workers who had just had a full meal and were extremely careful with their work points, surprisingly paid for this painting without hesitation, even though it was neither edible nor wearable...

"This is also part of the publicity."

Inside the Hongqi sedan, an electronic screen displayed real-time data and visual feedback. Kang De glanced at it a few times, then turned and said, "The focus of our upcoming propaganda campaign, or rather, our long-term propaganda focus, is twofold: first, 'Labor is glorious,' and second, 'Joining the army is glorious'..."

He held up two fingers. "Guiding these two trends of thought is both difficult and simple. In my humble opinion, it boils down to two points: first, glorify their spirit; second, reward them materially. That is to say, we must not only cultivate public opinion and ideals that promote and praise labor and military service, but also ensure that laborers and soldiers receive the greatest preferential treatment in real life..."

Tina sat beside him, a smile on her lips, listening quietly.

Even though the back seat of the car could seat three people and was quite spacious, the princess still sat very close to him, their shoulders touching. Kang De could feel the tactile feedback of her buttocks as she pushed against him, and he could also smell the lingering fragrance of her golden hair—of course, it was purely the smell of shampoo, but it still smelled very nice.

Kang De felt the intense breath so close to his face and said helplessly, "Are you listening?"

"Yes, I am," Tina said with a smile. "Do I need to repeat what you said?"

As she said this, the princess skillfully and naturally took his hand, their fingers intertwined. "I remember every word Kang De said to me."

She tilted her head and smiled, "Continue."

"... In short," Kang De said, "The radio program and poster advertising successfully established the concept of 'warband' as extremely prestigious. Doom Chapter and forming future warbands will not only become the ultimate pursuit and motivation for advancement for soldiers, but also shape the public's perception of soldiers. Young people will eagerly join the army, a seed will be planted in the hearts of children, and..."

He stopped talking abruptly and fell silent.

Tina's entire being was focused on Kang De, and she immediately noticed the change in her beloved's emotions. She asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"

Kang De hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "Habitual sentimentality... Suddenly realizing again that I'm trying my best to persuade ordinary people to join the army, my feelings are somewhat complicated."

He rubbed his temples, a helpless smile tinged with self-mockery, "This isn't deception. I gave them a better life, and with the Star Palace invasion imminent, everyone has a responsibility to step forward—I understand the logic, but I still feel a little uneasy..."

The princess sighed softly.

Her lover possessed a kind and compassionate nature by mainland standards, and his moral standards were exceptionally high. This was part of his personal charm, but at times, it became a burden on his conscience.

This kind of thing cannot be explained by words, because he understands the reasoning behind it.

However... it cannot be resolved through direct emotional intervention, but it can be redirected.

She glanced at the front row; the driver's seat was empty, but the steering wheel was turning slightly. The one driving this car was not a flesh-and-blood being, but a strange life form enlightened by alchemy.

Tina hesitated for only a fraction of a second before softly saying, "Lord Horus, would you mind giving us some privacy? Also, please drive slowly."

"No problem, Your Highness."

Iron Son's voice was calm and composed. "I will slow down; the wheels won't run anyone over."

As it spoke, a physical partition door descended between the front and rear seats, separating the rear seats into a small space. A barrier also rose outside the car windows, blocking any prying eyes.

The princess's alluring body coiled around her like a snake, her cherry lips moist, her exquisite face meeting hers.

The speed wasn't fast, and Kang De wasn't careless, but he still didn't dodge.

He simply said, "You..."

The rest of the words were silenced by a tender, lingering kiss.

The car circled the Distant Harbor before finally passing through the front square and stopping in front of the city hall. The area had been cleared, and several officials were waiting in front of the hall. The one in the lead had black hair and yellow skin, a typical Cathayan.

Everyone in Distant Harbor knows that this acting mayor Hong San is His Highness Kang De's most trusted right-hand man, the future Shogunate, and the leader of the Cathay faction under His Highness Kang De.

His legendary friendship with Prince Kang De originated in Glittering Sand Town, where a sworn oath of loyalty was forged after the Battle of Valentan. To this day, the story of these two Cathayan has been passed down through poems written by bards and theatrical performances, and more and more Distant Harbor are beginning to learn about the story.

When Hong San saw the Doom Warriors escorting the car to its arrival, a look of joy appeared on his face. He was about to go up and open the door to greet them when he noticed that the outer pane of the car window was slowly rolling down.

The acting mayor frowned, realizing that things were not so simple, and stopped in his tracks.

Then he noticed that one of the car doors was open.

His lord stepped down from the carriage, his every move exuding majesty. He surveyed the surroundings with an air of dominance, like a dragon surveying his territory, or an emperor overlooking his country.

The officials waiting there, the soldiers responsible for security, and even the Doom Warriors who followed—all bowed their heads humbly under the sweeping gaze of the Dragon of Cathay, showing their utmost respect and awe.

Apart from Hong San.

The acting mayor's eye twitched.

Everyone else thought that Prince Kang De's gaze, sharp as a sword, was an innate aura of power and majesty, but Hong San saw through his lord's true intentions with a single glance.

--Let me see if anyone has discovered my little secret.

Then it's easy to figure out what just happened inside the car.

Upon realizing this, Hong San noticed his master's gaze turn towards him. Their eyes met in mid-air, and after a moment, Kang De grinned, revealing a silly smile, while simultaneously giving him a "see through it but don't say it" signal.

Hong San smiled and bowed, indicating that he understood, while gently shaking his head as if helpless.

Kang De walked around to the other side of the car, opened the door, and led Tina out of the car by the hand.

Princess Goth was stunningly beautiful, her eyes sparkling and gentle as water. She smiled at Kang De, and in that instant, her charm made those who were secretly glancing over gasp for breath, and they immediately lowered their heads, unable to look directly at her.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

Tina softly thanked the Doom Warriors, the guards clearing the area, and the officials, then looked at Hong San, curtsied, and said, "Mr. Hong, thank you for waiting. We will need your guidance in the upcoming negotiations."

Hong San bowed politely but distantly. "It's my duty, Madam."

"Alright, that's all for now. The battle that follows is up to you all."

Kang De, holding Tina's hand, addressed Hong San and his officials. "The envoys of the Arcane Council have arrived. The battle has shifted from the Broken Sea a thousand miles away to the city hall of the Distant Harbor. Your Excellencies, the warriors of the Distant Harbor have gained an unprecedented and outstanding advantage for us with their fearless spirit and valiant fighting. And for more of the spoils of victory, I need you at the negotiating table to bring them to us!"

This concise mobilization order had an extremely remarkable effect. In the eyes of the Distant Harbor of Kang De was a god on earth. They responded with a roar, shouting for war, and did not look like diplomats at all.

Kang De looked at Tina again, then paused slightly.

Her Highness's expression was deep and solemn; the gentle elegance and graceful beauty she had displayed while greeting and thanking everyone had vanished completely.

She was tall, even close to Kang De's height, and now standing shoulder to shoulder with him, she was no longer a dependent little bird, but a warrior ready for battle.

Except for the tender affection in her eyes when she looked at Kang De, she seemed like a completely different person.

The tenderness and charm I felt in the car just now seemed like an illusion.

Kang De was startled.

That night in Glittering Sand forever changed everyone's fate. The two survivors of the mission went completely insane that night. Even Kang De, now, is still occasionally haunted by nightmares of the past. His principles of conduct and philosophy of life have been forever overturned and changed.

Tina is probably the same.

The cruel methods and actions she displayed when recruiting and wooing mercenaries in the northern part of the empire, even if only unsubstantiated rumors circulated afterward, were enough to send chills down one's spine. Even though she concealed it well, never revealing much to Kang De, but...

"I am ready."

Amidst his surging emotions, he heard Tina's words. "Please use me as you see fit."

... Um?

The LSP radar activates instinctively.

Kang De looked over in surprise, only to see a smile hidden beneath Tina's serious expression, and a tenderness flowing deep in her eyes. It was clear that she had deliberately uttered that suggestive double entendre.

In any case, we should always be the same as when we first met.

Suddenly, Kang De laughed.

He took Tina's hand and said to Hong San, "Come on, I'll take you up."

Hong San was taken aback. "I doubt that someone like him, a core councilor, is worthy of being personally... by you..."

"It's alright. When guests come, it's only natural for the host to extend greetings," Kang De said with a smile. "Consider it an early expression of goodwill."

In the Distant Harbor, Kang De's words were like divine pronouncements, and such a trivial matter was indeed harmless and not worth the trouble of speaking out against him. So Hong San nodded in agreement. He followed Kang De one step behind and went up to the third floor of the city hall with his lord and princess. Under the guard of the diplomats, they arrived at the door of the negotiation room.

The guard immediately saluted, then forcefully pushed open the door to the room.

Inside the room, Congressman Aokexindun, with a pipe in his mouth, frowned and looked up. Then he saw a Cathayan enter the room like a constellation of stars surrounding the moon. A stunningly beautiful woman and another Cathayan stood on either side of him. The intruder was imposing and had a dragon-like presence. Almost instantly, the congressman recognized the newcomer's identity.

Damn it... why did he come in person!

He hurriedly stood up and pulled out his pipe—he had originally intended to give the officials from the Distant Harbor a hard time, but he hadn't expected the Dragon of Cathay to arrive in person, which disrupted his negotiation plans.

"Hello, guest of the Council, I am Kang De."

The two clasped hands, and Congressman Aokexindun nodded obsequiously.

As a core councilor, a member of the Starry Sky Council, and one of the most powerful people in the Arcane Council, his family is one of the most renowned Arcane lineages in the Council and even the world. His power and status are comparable to that of a king or monarch of a small or medium-sized country. However, when faced with the legendary Dragon of Cathay, he suddenly realized that everything he was so proud of seemed to be insignificant, and fear and unease followed.

He said, "It is my honor to meet you, Your Dragon of Cathay. I am Core Councilor Oak..."

Hello, hello, nice to meet you.

Before he could finish speaking, Kang De nodded repeatedly, his perfunctory attitude visibly obvious.

Congressman Aokexindun was speechless.

He had never been treated so disrespectfully before, and anger surged within him. Just as he was about to utter a sarcastic remark, Kang De said, "Since your side wishes to sue for peace, then I believe you must have prepared sufficient compensation and sincerity. So we..."

Aokexindun raised an eyebrow and said, "We're seeking peace? No, no, no, if I may be so bold, Kang De Highness, isn't it you who are seeking peace?"

Kang De exclaimed in surprise, "We don't have any."

Aokexindun snorted. "Your Highness, bowing to the Council is nothing to be ashamed of, but if you insist, we can temporarily set aside this dispute..."

"That won't do." Kang De turned to the officials at the Distant Harbor and said, "Since the Council unwilling to admit defeat, then let's disperse, let's stop talking, and go back to fight again..."

This is ridiculous! What kind of negotiation is this?!

Upon hearing this, Aokexindun became extremely anxious.

Within the Starry Sky Council, he was a hawk, given that his family's business mainly focused on the export of various military magical artifacts and alchemical weapons, so his hostility towards Kang De was understandable.

He was the one who facilitated this negotiation—it was he who suggested selling Nixiyasi to Kang De to see if they could extract some benefits from the Cathayan.

But while facilitating the process was possible, it was not his wish for the negotiating minister to make a trip to the Distant Harbor.

Ultimately, negotiations are still necessary. Losing face and facing difficulties from the Distant Harbor would be even more of a thankless task if things turned out badly. Aokexindun's plan was shrewd. He intended to send that bastard Fermat's arch-enemy to Distant Harbor. Anyway, that old guy was always talking about trading with Kang De, so why not? He had already decided to stay out of it.

Unfortunately, the idea was good, but that old codger Fermat beat him to it. What's even more infuriating is that the Grand Speaker actually took the initiative to support Fermat's proposal—sending Aokexindun to Distant Harbor to take full charge of the negotiations.

Aokexindun saw it clearly: that old bastard Speaker hated him for using Nixiyasi as a bargaining chip—damn it, she wasn't even one of your direct subordinates, so what if he sold her? Wouldn't it be a better deal to use her to exchange for the remnants of the Yilan-Tai'er people?"

Despite his inner grumbling, the Starry Sky Council's resolution, personally pushed forward by the Grand Speaker, left him no choice but to go to the Distant Harbor. This was a difficult task—if the negotiations went well, it would be a great achievement; but what if they failed?

It's easy to imagine that the Grand Speaker will seize the opportunity to make a scene, and that son of a bitch Fermat will kick him while he's down.

Therefore, when Senator Aokexindun saw that Kang De was not playing by the rules, he immediately panicked.

As a seasoned politician, he could engage in fierce political battles with any member of parliament, but he had never encountered Kang De's unreasonable and unpredictable attacks before.

The councilor shouted, "Your Highness... Kang De!"

"... Don't worry, Your Excellency, the lord was just joking."

Hong San smiled and said, "Let's lighten the mood before the negotiations begin. Now, please take a seat. For the sake of peace between Distant Harbor and the Council, and for the innocent soldiers to return home, let's begin negotiations for a peaceful and friendly future..."

The councilor's spirits had been dampened, and his carefully prepared negotiation plan had been thrown into disarray. He looked around blankly, unaware that the figure of the Dragon of Cathay had vanished without a trace. In the seat opposite him sat a stunningly beautiful woman with bright eyes, white teeth, and flowing golden hair, with the acting mayor Hong San, standing behind her.

Is Princess Tina leading the negotiations? That's good. According to intelligence, although she is learned, she...

"We had intended to invite Your Excellency to visit and explore the Distant Harbor for two days before considering the negotiations, but since Your Excellency and the Council in such a hurry, then we have come."

Princess Tina's first words sent a jolt through Aokexindun's heart.

Negotiations have officially begun.

Meanwhile, the councilors' entourage used top-tier instant messaging to send real-time messages back to Tula Xiaye, reporting the progress of the negotiations to the Starry Sky Council and conveying the highest instructions from the Tower of All-Seeing.

"Tell Aokexindun to be extremely careful. It's better to slow things down a bit than to let the Distant Harbor think we desperately need those three substances... Don't blow things out."

At the same time, Kang De appeared at the entrance of a military tent in the direction of the new city.

Push open the curtain.

The two branches of the Ministry of Peace consisted of generals, from Horus and A Fu down.

The Council was merely a ruse; they actually wanted to obtain three types of relic materials for deep-sea operations, but Kang De's plan was the same.

Taking advantage of the Council's eagerness, they used three substances to extract sufficient benefits, and then, just as the Council's submarine was about to succeed, they stalked the mantis while unaware of the oriole behind.

To catch this mantis, certain preparations are required.

We must also be wary of a furious counterattack from a swarm of mantises.

Let's get ready.

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PS1: This is amazing! I'm so sleepy from writer's block. Ah, maybe it's because I've been holding back for too long. Any good smut? Let's take a break from the comments.