Cars, Guns, and Balls

Why didn't you come when I asked you to go to the port together?

As Kang De asked this question, a satisfied sigh escaped him at the end of his statement.

Just as he had gradually become more skilled over the past few months, his right hand stubbornly slipped into the princess's collar, parted her smooth inner garment, traced her delicate collarbone, and traveled downwards, probing into her deep cleavage, finally gathering the fullness on her left side, which was too large for one hand to grasp.

His nimble fingers touched the edge of the lace-trimmed bra, playfully slipping inside. His palm pressed against the budding flower, gently cupping it. His hand was sandwiched between the full breasts and the bra, his fingers sinking deep, the exquisite sensation squeezing every inch of his right hand's skin.

The sense of fulfillment made him sigh again.

Men's happiness is nothing more than cars, guns, and sports—this saying is truly insightful the more you think about it.

Tina didn't answer immediately. Her slightly cool hands roamed over her soft skin, caressing her chest, and her neckline slipped almost halfway into her forearm, making her slightly uncomfortable.

So she reached up and unbuttoned the two buttons on her chest, adjusted her posture, leaned back, straightened her chest, and then wrapped her arms around Kang De's outstretched arm—this embrace also pushed her breasts together from the sides, as if to bring them closer together; she knew what Kang De liked.

The two maintained this intimate posture, clearly indicating they were already quite familiar with each other. So much had happened in the past three months, in many ways... just like now.

There's no worry about anyone suddenly barging in... the maid is keeping watch outside.

Moreover, not many people will come in—initially there were many, because Tina took over the Ministry of Unity and held great power. She was very busy, and many people would come to report on their work and submit documents, which annoyed Kang De so much that he often had to hide.

Then what?

He then spearheaded the revolution in remote and information-based office work.

Damn it, all of you go back and email me!

The princess pressed her cheek against her lover's right arm, letting his hands wander freely across her chest, a breathtaking smile playing on her lips, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"The Cathay delegation has arrived, heading east." Kang De gently clenched his fist. "At least show your face."

Tina smiled and said, "Why not? It would be awkward if I went."

"Um?"

"Cathay sent an envoy eastward, bringing so many talented people. This wasn't a free gift; it's a political transaction. And what they undoubtedly want is your rescue and assistance."

Tina's exquisite profile gently rubbed against Kang De's arm. She yawned slightly and continued, "Cathay made such a heavy bet, they must know your abilities. Besides Mr. Dong's intelligence channels, I think Her Majesty Dairila must have also played a significant role."

--Kant 'Kang De gentle, slow movements paused abruptly.

Tina seemed oblivious. "Now that you understand, the Cathayan should also realize that meaningless official positions and fiefdoms cannot recruit or retain you. The most convenient, effective, and fastest way to win you over and build trust is definitely through marriage."

"Was this what His Majesty the Phoenix King, the wise and shrewd ruler who never missed a beat, planned after the Battle of Valentan? To arrange your marriage to the Empress of Cathay, and then send you back to the East... Haha, I wonder how Her Majesty Dairila, now that time has passed, views her past self?"

Tina chuckled twice at this point, "However, Cathay is a major power in the world, and it cares about its reputation. It won't bring it up on its own initiative, but there will definitely be people in the delegation who are here to assess the situation. If I go with you to greet them at this time, it would obviously look like a show of force—so, let's forget about it."

Upon hearing this, Kang De's massive arm was frozen in place.

He chuckled twice, then launched into a tirade against the Cathayan.

"People these days are full of bad ideas, always thinking about using marriage alliances to solidify their alliances, not realizing that such alliances are incredibly fragile. Alas, their vision is too limited. A truly unbreakable alliance is forged with shared ideals!"

"That's not entirely true."

Tina hugged herself tightly, gently swaying her upper body as she stroked Kang De's right hand. Her face flushed slightly, and she chuckled, "Throughout history, marriage has been an important way to form alliances. This method of contracting can quickly establish the most basic trust and consensus, so it's not surprising that Cathay has this idea."

Before Kang De could speak, the princess raised her slender finger and tapped his arm.

"Is there something you need to tell me? You seem so guilty."

He'd been seen through... so he honestly replied, "The Empress of Cathay sent thirty-six female officials over."

Upon hearing this, Tina turned her head, looked up at Kang De, and smiled in surprise, "Is she very pretty?"

Kang De hummed in agreement. "I must say, it is indeed very beautiful."

He then added, with a knowing look, "Not as pretty as you."

Tina wrinkled her nose. "You actually compared me to them!?"

"Ah, this..."

"Just kidding."

The princess chuckled softly, then sighed, her tone becoming heavy. "It must have been very difficult for you. The ladies-in-waiting the Empress sent you must all be very, very good girls, leaving their homeland for their country, coming to a foreign land thousands of miles away to face an unknown future..."

Kang De's heart skipped a beat; he knew Tina had remembered him.

With the Elven invasion, Goth was in turmoil. Tina stood up for her country and went to the Holy Empire to request the human sovereign to send reinforcements to support the war. She probably had the same mindset at that time.

The country is in turmoil, fraught with crises, and the empire's attitude is ambiguous, yet she still resolutely sets out to face this unknowable future and do everything in her power to save the people and things she cherishes most.

In a daze, he heard Tina whisper, "It's so good to have met you."

Kang De was taken aback, then slowly smiled. He tried to pull his hand away, but Tina held him tightly. So he raised his left hand and stroked the princess's soft hair. "Hmm... I think it's very nice too."

Tina giggled.

"Thinking about it, I've suffered a lot too... but in the end, I'm with you. Since I'm already so happy, let's not set up hardships and tests for these equally brave girls."

She smiled slightly, "Let's bring them into the manor and see what they can do—but to have you describe them as 'very beautiful,' even if they can't do anything, just having them around is pleasing to the eye... thinking about it that way, I'm quite interested in them."

"But..."

At this point, the princess's girlishly tender words ceased, and a deep light flashed in her eyes. "We must conduct thorough investigations and surveillance."

Kang De nodded and said, "That's natural; after all, people's hearts are unpredictable, so we must be careful."

In their shared trait of "suspicion," Kang De and Tina were perfectly in sync.

"Hmm, they haven't lost their vigilance yet, good job!"

Tina gracefully twisted her body in a rather difficult pose, stretched out her arms, patted Kang De's head, and teased, "I thought you were already captivated by them and were planning to do something to them."

But the head-patting motion quickly stopped.

Because Tina noticed the slight change in Kang De's expression.

She was startled. "What's wrong?"

Kang De hesitated for a moment, then withdrew his hand, sat down against the edge of the table, and met Tina's eyes. "I feel like something's been off with me lately."

"Huh?" Tina nodded, glancing down. "You've been very energetic."

"... Perhaps I was just too energetic." Kang De pondered for a moment before replying, "When I greeted them just now, seeing those thirty-six elegant and graceful palace beauties in white robes bowing down to me, after the initial amazement, a strange thought arose in me."

He said slowly, "... Power, I have truly realized the power of authority. It can easily obtain them, coerce them, and even make them willingly offer themselves, their lives, and their destinies. When I realized this, a strong desire began to surge and burn."

At this point, Kang De's face showed a self-deprecating expression. "Then I suddenly realized my own shallowness and weakness; it turned out that my self-proclaimed noble and proud character might simply be due to a lack of real testing."

He can honestly say that he has no interest in money.

--The mirror replica of the White Mist World, the enormous profits from trading between the two worlds, for him, money is nothing more than a resource, or even a means of production.

And honestly, he has no interest in ruling the world.

After all, with the world's most powerful destructive force at his disposal, vast territories and countless subjects meant nothing to him. Moreover, Kang De firmly believed in the Pareto principle, thinking that 80% of the world's population were idiots and fools, and ruling and managing these people would be asking for trouble.

He could even say that he regards women as dirt.

--This is true to some extent. He has seen plenty of temptations, from Distant Harbor to Tula Xiaye, he has been hinted at countless times, and the same is true on the other side of Earth. The world's elites are lining up to send him women, but Kang De loses interest after just one glance, because he already has the most perfect treasures in the Mortal World by his side, and there is no need for him to give them to those ordinary beauties.

Before today, Kang De could proudly say that he was a noble person, detached from vulgar interests, but today, he suddenly realized that perhaps the temptation was simply not strong enough.

"I don't know what's wrong with this sudden, intense possessiveness," Kang De said, perplexed. "Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this..."

"--Isn't this great?"

Tina's answer took him by surprise.

Looking up, I saw the princess with her hands clasped together, a smile on her face, and even a hint of... surprise?

She laughed, "It seems that bringing them into the manor was the right decision... Should we have more?"

Kang De was filled with doubt and even fear. With his level of expertise, he couldn't tell whether Tina was telling the truth or being sarcastic... Well, she was probably being sarcastic!

He gave a wry smile and said, "Don't be silly, what if you actually do something..."

"Isn't that perfect?"

"Tina!"

The princess smiled sweetly, "Because this is the first time Kang De has expressed his desires."

Kang De was taken aback.

"Saving a nation without seeking anything in return, glancing at lavish gifts of gold and jewels and setting them aside without a second thought, collecting Magic Creature and magical artifacts only as tools to be used, not as collectibles, harboring no political ambition, and for whom seizing power is merely a means to an end, since I met you, you have either been saving people or preparing to save people, never doing anything for yourself..."

Tina stood up, stood in front of Kang De, put her arms around his neck, kissed his lips, and said softly, "To those who don't know you, you seem quite frightening."

Kang De defended himself, saying, "I..."

Tina reached out and pressed her hand to his lips, shaking her head. "I've explained this to you more than once... You say you're protecting Goth for Cleveland, without needing any reward, but if that's the case, not only will Father and the Goth People be uneasy, but I will be too."

"Sacred acts performed out of promise and moral integrity cannot last... Even if your resolve remains unwavering, Goth People are not saints. As time goes by, they will gradually reveal the baser side of their humanity, eventually leading you to slowly lose hope and leave..."

Kang De remained silent upon hearing this.

That's absolutely true.

Tina pinched his cheek and laughed, "So, if you clearly express your desire to seize control of the three of us sisters and to usurp Goth's authority, everyone will feel at ease being ruled by you."

"... Hello!"

"That's true. Because foolish people don't believe in saints, and wise people don't think saints can survive in this filthy and despicable world. So, frankly expressing ordinary desires and ambitions is the only way to maintain stability and long-term success, just like your reputation, Kang De..."

The princess tilted her head and smiled, "Everyone believes you're a lecherous wretch, and they'll interpret your many good deeds and acts of kindness as conspiracy theories. Otherwise, your perfection would cause a lot of problems."

Kang De pinched the bridge of his nose.

He came to Tina for life advice, but he didn't expect to be fed so many fallacies.

"So, hearing this today, I'm both surprised and relieved," Tina exclaimed dramatically, feigning tears. "Kang De finally had desires... it's like seeing your own child finally grow up."

"... Hello!"

Gazing at Tina's captivatingly beautiful face and her tall, curvaceous figure, not much shorter than his, with her disheveled clothes revealing her alluring body hidden beneath her dress, he knew only how beautiful and alluring she was. It made him understand for a time what it meant for a monarch to neglect his morning court duties.

Tina doted on him and indulged his every whim.

Since their reunion in Danfeng Lucerne, they have grown increasingly close. After Tina arrived at the Distant Harbor, without the Grand Duke and Hilmeria's surveillance, the two became even bolder. Over the past three months, they have gradually become inseparable, especially after their private office was completed, they have gradually let loose.

The inner lounge of this office holds countless beautiful memories. The locked wardrobe is filled with all sorts of clothes, almost all of which Tina has worn. On that large bed, Kang De admired, played with, kissed, and licked them. The sheets have been changed countless times... It can be said that, except for the last step, he has tried almost everything he could think of.

With Tina's stunning beauty and her unwavering devotion to Kang De, she was deeply in love with Kang De without any shame or hesitation. How could anyone resist such a situation? Kang De once felt that this was wrong and too decadent, and that he should have self-respect. However, he always made up his mind and eventually followed in Hu Shi's footsteps.

And now...

"Go go go!"

She waved her little fist. "Do what you want—among the female officials of Cathay, who is the prettiest?"

Kang De thought for a moment, "It must be Wei Yunyuan."

"Alright!" the princess urged, "Let's bewitch her completely first!"

"... Hey," Kang De sighed, "This isn't a good idea."

"What's wrong with that?" Tina looked at him. "They came for you—what else? What do you plan to do with them? Give them to meritorious officials as wives, or let them choose their own partners and give them away?"

Upon hearing this, Kang De's expression shifted. He felt the fierce Flame that had been burning before reignite, and almost without thinking, he said in a deep voice, "No."

This was his most honest answer, and only after he finished did he realize with a start that he was uneasy.

"... Don't be afraid, and there's no need to explain."

Tina hugged him and whispered in his ear, "Do whatever you want. You're not a saint, and no one expects you to be one. If it's just this kind of desire, then it's utterly harmless. Mother said that men need desires. Only by maintaining those desires can men strive, explore, fight, seize, and forge ahead... Why not give it a try?"

Kang De whispered, "You..."

"It's okay," Tina whispered in his ear, "Who do you think I am?"

Kang De, breathing rapidly, placed his hands on Tina's waist, moving her up and down.

The princess pressed his hand down and chuckled softly, "Not now... at least not to help you."

Kang De looked at her, Tina returned a light kiss. "Now that I've helped you with that, tonight you'll be speaking to the ladies-in-waiting with a stern, ascetic face, making them cry all night in fear."

They stood there for a moment, then Kang De stared at her intently and exclaimed, "Hungry."

Tina blushed and chuckled, "You rascal."

With a gentle push, Kang De sat down on the chair. Tina lifted her skirt and straddled Kang De. Kang De put one arm around her waist and slipped the other hand under her skirt, reaching upwards. The princess's long skirt covered her ankles, and no one knew what lay beneath. But Kang De knew.

The smooth, wonderful touch of his palm, the beautiful shape of her legs, the warm warmth, and the hazy, gauze-like feel of the fabric, all caressed his hand.

Kang De stared longingly at the scenery before him. Tina tapped his head helplessly, then reached behind her back and unbuttoned her clothes through the fabric. Her perfect breasts opened up even more, towering high. Her slender fingers returned to her chest and unbuttoned each button one by one.

Thirty minutes later.

There was a knock on the door, and after receiving a response, the maid, who was already extremely adept at this and had run outside to keep watch, peeked in and whispered, "Miss Leona... Miss Leona is here."

The white-haired young lady burst in, shouting, "The Cathayan sent Kang De a woman!"

Tina remained expressionless, her clothes neatly arranged. She was looking at the tables and data on the screen, then wrote a few lines on the tablet beside her, casually saying, "Oh."

Leona huffed, "Aren't you worried at all?"

"That's a good thing."

"What good news?! The Empress of Cathay has indeed set her sights on Kang De!" the white-haired man complained. "Does this bastard really only have eyes for women of high status?"

"Not necessarily."

"Hey, aren't you being a little too calm?"

Leona complained, "We need to be aware of the danger! Rumors say the Phoenix King is always coming here, and that the Council's female general has an affair with Kang De..."

"Oh..." Tina put down her digital pen, "Let me clarify, it's not a rumor."

Leona slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "That womanizer! He ran off the moment a woman flirted with him!"

"No way."

"You call that not running away?" the young lady said angrily. "He's practically been devoured by that Nixiyasi! I've met that woman once before; she's incredibly arrogant, she even provoked you!"

Tina's gaze shifted, and a cold smile gradually appeared on her lips.

Her Highness traced her signature and reviewed the documents again, saying calmly, "That country bumpkin woman Council the council is like a cat that has caught a whiff of fish. She thinks she's the only one who discovered it, so it's normal for her to be a little smug. Considering she did discover something remarkable and is loyal enough to Kang De, it's not a big deal to let her benefit a little and be a little smug."

"She's practically devoured Kang De... Wait!"

Leona looked at Princess Goth, her gaze filled with shock, doubt, and disappointment.

"That calm tone..." Even she herself didn't realize the confusion in her voice, "You did it?"

Tina glanced at her. "No."

Leona breathed a sigh of relief, then complained, "You're the one who's getting carried away! Be careful someone beats Kang De to it, then you'll have nowhere to cry!"

"I don't care about the order," the princess replied casually. "Leona, if you want to be with Kang De, you can take the initiative."

The silver-haired girl blushed and retorted angrily, "Who wants to sleep with him! What nonsense are you talking about!"

"It's not nonsense." Tina turned to look at her, and said seriously, "If you successfully seduce Kang De and get him to do 'that' with you, many people, including myself and the Phoenix King, will be grateful to you."

Leona snapped out of her subconscious tsundere mood, "... What are you talking about?"

"Nixiyasi won't succeed, I didn't succeed, and you probably won't succeed either... Although Kang De showed strong materialism for the first time today, the Cathayan won't succeed either."

"Why?"

"Because Kang De doesn't want to," Tina sighed, "Even if all the most beautiful women in the world stood naked before him, throwing themselves at him, he still wouldn't..."

Leona's interface said, "Do nothing?"

"No," Tina replied, "He'll pretend he can't refuse, that he's forced into it, but actually he'll happily take advantage of every opportunity he can, stopping at the very last hurdle."

"Pah, shameless! But... it really does seem like something he's capable of doing."

The silver-haired girl asked in confusion, "Why is this... wait!"

She suddenly looked up at Tina, who was so close to her. "You mean... this world?"

Tina watched her quietly, without saying a word.

Every few days, they would disappear overnight, bringing a constant stream of astonishingly large quantities of goods and items of unknown origin and never seen before... Leona wasn't stupid; she controlled the West Goth Company and had seen much more.

In the eerie silence, she managed to speak with difficulty, "... Who is it?"

"This question is meaningless."

"So that's why you..."

"Yes... I'm waiting for Kang De to come to his senses, but I'm also afraid and don't want to wait any longer," Tina said blankly. "So if Nixiyasi can win over Kang De, I won't be angry; I'll be very grateful to her."

"I think I understand what you're thinking," Leona whispered, "But even if Kang De decides to choose this... he won't belong to you alone here anymore."

She looked at her best friend, who was also, in some ways, a competitor or even an enemy.

Are you willing to accept this?

"How could I be content with that?" Tina gently stroked the Eternal Tranquility's Protection on her chest, and whispered, "Who wouldn't want to be with their lover forever? Without the Phoenix King, without the Empress, without dragons, without all those strange creatures, without even you... You think so too, don't you?"

Leona remained silent.

"But if we force Kang De to choose only one..."

For the first time, tears welled up in Tina's eyes, along with unease, and even... extreme fear.

She understands the pain of loss; she has experienced it before, and at one point she thought she had lost everything.

The princess lay silently on the table, whispering.

"I'll be scared."

Because it's not just about choosing people.

Instead, it's about choosing... which world.