North America 1849, from Gold Rush to Warlord

Chapter 173 I only want you...!
Azu rejected Lilith Campbell's outrageous proposal very decisively.

What a joke! If all my women learned this trick, would I even want to keep my kidneys?

Even if you eat goji berries as your main meal, they won't provide the necessary nutrients!

Ah Zu, on the other hand, brought up another matter.

"Lilith, my sole purpose in letting Sean destroy the Angel Island arsenal was to cover for you!"

Sure enough!

A sweet feeling she had never experienced before welled up in Lilith Campbell's heart.

This damn feeling of being protected is just so wonderful!

What's more, being protected at all costs by such a young, handsome, and powerful man—that feeling is truly captivating!
Unbeknownst to her, Lilith Campbell's gaze towards Azu began to soften!
Ignoring Lilith Campbell's alluring gaze, Azu went straight to the point: "You are my trump card now, and I cannot allow you to be suspected in even the slightest way."

"The arsenal was destroyed, and I was also seriously injured by your assassination attempt."

"Now, you should be able to say that you have completed most of your mission and have given a satisfactory explanation."

"You should take this opportunity to return to the Freemason headquarters as soon as possible."

"Only there can you realize your greatest value."

"Once you return to Philadelphia, I will arrange for the best spies to contact you directly."

"Of course, to better protect you, we will not contact you unless absolutely necessary, in order to minimize the risk of your exposure."

"However, when I give you a task, it will definitely be an important task that must be completed."

"I said this, do you understand?"

Lilith sat in Azu's lap, her slender fingers constantly playing with Azu's hair: "Of course, my master! Your will is my mission!"

"I am not a Freemason, I will not completely drain you or use you to death."

"Besides the routine intelligence gathering, you only need to complete a maximum of three tasks for me!"

"After three tasks, you can retire successfully."

"After you complete these three tasks for me, I will arrange everything for you, no matter where you want to go or what kind of life you want to live!"

Lilith was overjoyed and exclaimed excitedly, "Really? My master? I'll be completely free after completing just three tasks for you?"

"Of course! I always keep my word and repay my debts!"

“Pop…!” Lilith cupped Azu’s face and gave him another passionate kiss.

“Hmm…!”

After a long while, Lilith released Azu and, still wanting more, licked her red lips with her sweet little tongue.

“My master, I will of course return to your side after completing the mission.”

"I betrayed the Freemasons, and even if they turn the whole world upside down, they will still hunt me down to death."

"I only feel safe when I'm with you!"

"Only a strong man like you can protect me from the Freemasons' pursuit."

At this point, Lilith began to feel anxious again.

Lilith cupped Azu's face in her hands, staring into the eyes of the man so close to her.

After a long eye contact, she asked, her breath sweet and fragrant, "My master, when I have lost my usefulness, I wonder if you will still accept me?"

“Of course!” Azu answered frankly, “Do you think I’m the kind of heartless, treacherous person who turns their back on someone after they’ve been dumped?”

"I will never be stingy in giving everything to those who have made contributions!"

"Including Lilith, as long as you make enough contributions, I will not be stingy with anything you want!"

"Eat...!" Lilith, her face flushed, chuckled passionately, "Then right now, I want you...!"

"Don't rush!" Azu patted her round, perky buttocks and said in a deep voice, "The first task I'm giving you is...!"

……

By the time Lilith returned to the "Ohara Cotton Merchant Guild," it was already evening.

After a thorough search of San Francisco was completed, the temporary curfew on the streets has been lifted.

But Tony O'Hara, who had been waiting for news, became increasingly restless.

If he had any faith in the Hidden Knight's loyalty, he certainly had no faith in his "sister."

If Susan were captured by the Huamei Company, she would not be able to withstand any torture and would definitely reveal her entire plan.

Tony O'Hara, who had been waiting all day, was about to run away when Susan O'Hara, whom he had been looking forward to all day, finally returned!

"Susan, why did you stay out all day? What were you doing? Do you know how worried I was about you?"

As soon as Susan O'Hara entered the room, Tony O'Hara couldn't wait to bombard her with a series of questions.

"Heh!" Susan O'Hara sneered. "My dear brother, it was you who sent me to the Huamei headquarters to gather information. Now, you're starting to worry about me?"

Susan O'Hara took off her coat and kicked off her high heels, lounging lazily on the sofa as she watched her "brother" try his best to act out his worry for her.

The more Susan looked at this "branch master" whom she once looked up to, the more disgusted she felt!

Especially when compared to that young and handsome governor, Susan felt that the Freemasons, including this cleric, were so hypocritical, so repulsive, and so disgusting!

How have I managed to put up with these despicable and hypocritical men for the past ten years or so?

An anxious and impatient Tony O'Hara plopped down next to Susan and continued to press, "Susan, this isn't the time for you to throw a tantrum!"

"Tell me quickly, what have you been doing all day? Did you see that damn Chinaman with your own eyes? How badly are his injuries? And did they capture Sean alive...?"

The more Susan looked at him, the more nauseous she felt. She simply closed her eyes lazily and replied, "I waited at the headquarters of Huamei Company for most of the day."

"That governor was indeed seriously injured."

"When I arrived, he was being resuscitated. It wasn't until recently, when he was out of danger, that I had a chance to catch a glimpse of him from afar outside the ward...!"

"Clap clap clap...!" Tony O'Hara clapped his hands excitedly: "That guy Sean has never let me or the organization down...!"

But then Tony O'Hara immediately confirmed, "Are you sure the one who's seriously injured is that damn Chinese guy? Not someone else or a stunt double? Not faking injuries...?"

Susan shook her head slightly: "I'm certain that the person lying in the hospital bed is indeed the governor, not someone else or a stand-in. Moreover, although I only saw him from afar, his extreme weakness couldn't be faked!"

"That's fantastic! Hahahaha...!"

Tony O'Hara clapped his hands in approval: "Although we didn't completely kill him, we've been able to do a lot of things while he's seriously injured...!"

“Then Sean…!” Tony O’Hara turned and asked again, “Was he really captured alive?”

Susan nodded: "I confirmed with Miss Monica that they really did capture Sean alive. And they're interrogating him as quickly as possible...!"

At this point, Susan opened her eyes and whispered, "My dear brother, Sean is still alive, which is very bad for us! For our safety, we must evacuate as soon as possible."

Tony O'Hara rested his chin on his hand and said in a deep voice, "While I have enough confidence in Sean, however...!"

After much deliberation, Tony O'Hara decided that his life was more important.

"But... as long as Sean is alive, we face the constant risk of being completely exposed!"

"Susan, you're right, we must evacuate as soon as possible!"

“We have destroyed the arsenal and seriously wounded that damned Chinaman.”

"Although this mission was not perfect, it was a great success and basically achieved its objectives."

At this point, Tony O'Hara stood up: "Susan, hurry up and pack your bags. We're leaving tonight. I've already arranged for an organized ship to be waiting for us at the dock...!"

"Leaving tonight? So soon?" Susan O'Hara asked, slightly surprised.

"Since the decision has been made to evacuate, the sooner the better...!"

Two hours later, Susan and Tony, the "siblings," boarded an inconspicuous old galleon and slowly left Clarke Pier in the night.

In the cool sea breeze, Susan O'Hara stood gracefully at the stern of the ship, her hands wrapped tightly in her white trench coat, gazing into the distance in the direction of the headquarters of Huamei Corporation.

In her heart, she silently murmured, "My young and handsome master, I don't know when I will see you again after this departure!"

"I hope I'll live to see you again someday...!"

"Although I've only met you two or three times, you are just as rumored—a cunning, treacherous, and ruthless fellow!"

"But besides that, you are such a kind and generous gentleman that even a woman like me can feel very safe with you!"

"Perhaps only a man like you could rise to become the king of all of California in such a short time!"

"You are so young, so rich, so powerful... I look forward to the day I see you again, to how powerful you will be...?"
-
Two days later, in San Diego, at the Pacific Fleet headquarters.

A very important conversation is taking place here.

The two parties in the conversation were Commodore Andrew Webber, who had just taken up his post, and Rear Admiral Paparo King, who was preparing to leave San Diego.

"Weber, I don't know what task the Freemasons have given you for this assignment, but...!"

Major General Paparo Kim said in a deep voice, "As your predecessor, I still have to advise you: for the sake of your own future and reputation, don't do that!"

Commodore Andrew Webb has just been transferred from the Africa Squadron to the Pacific Squadron.

Although both are fleet commanders, it's considered a lateral transfer.

However, the distant African detachment, in terms of both importance and the strength of the fleet under its command, is incomparable to the present day.

The Pacific Squadron, in any case, is at least located in the continental United States. In terms of both importance and fleet strength, it is second only to the mainland fleet in the East.

Being transferred from the Africa Squadron to the Pacific Squadron is considered a promotion within the U.S. Navy, no matter how you look at it.

But at this moment, there was no trace of joy on Brigadier General Andrew Webber's face.

Without directly responding to General Paparo King, Brigadier General Andrew Webber, with his thin face and gray hair, simply remained silent, gulping down his whiskey.

"Weber, what's wrong with you?"

"We both served in the Home Fleet, so we're old friends. If there's anything you need, feel free to tell me; perhaps I can help!"

"Heh heh...!" Brigadier General Andrew Webber's laughter carried an indescribable sense of desolation.

"Paparo, you're such a lucky guy!"

"You made the right choice not to join the Freemasons!"

"If I had known this day would come, I would never have joined this shitty organization."

Andrew Webber continued to gulp down his drinks, his face already showing signs of intoxication.

Paparo King snatched his glass, frowning. "What happened? Tell me! I'm a Rear Admiral now, one of the highest-ranking officers in the entire Navy. I really can help you...!"

Andrew Webber shook his head: "No, Paparo, you can't help me... Haha, nobody can help me!"

“Those damned bastards threatened me with my family. I have to find a reason to start a war with that Chinaman…!”

Andrew Webber raised his bloodshot eyes and said with a desolate smile, "Paparo, you and I both understand what it really means to wage war against that Chinese governor without authorization from the president and Congress!"

“That idiot George Phillips is a cautionary tale.”

"Back then, that Chinese guy wasn't even a governor elected by the people, and he already ended up like that."

"Now that he's the governor of California, he's forcing me to wage war against him. My fate might be even worse than that of George Phillips...!"

"But my family has fallen into the hands of the Freemasons. If I don't do what they say...!"

Upon hearing this, General Paparo King fell into a long silence.

"Hahaha...!" Andrew Webber laughed bitterly, "If I had known this day would come, I wouldn't have taken any shortcuts and joined this damn Freemasonry...!"

Andrew Webber looked at Paparo King and said, "Old man, tell me, how can you help me?"

"In this situation, do I have any other options?"

After a moment of contemplation, General Paparo King replied, “Weber, don’t rush into action! I will get to Washington as soon as possible and personally report your situation to the President and Vice President.”

“It’s too late…!” Andrew Webber shook his head and said, “They only gave me a month. By the time the White House’s order came through, my family would have already died at their hands.”

Now, even Paparo Kingye was at a loss, and could only mutter under his breath, "Damn Freemasons... How have they become so despicable, so shameless, so vile...!"

"They're even shamelessly persecuting their own people. Is this still the Freemasons I know?"

“This has always been the Freemasons you know!” Andrew Webber said. “They’ll do anything to achieve their goals! That’s always been their motto.”

"However, they hid it very well before. In the shadows, they did countless dirty deeds!"

Andrew Webber continued, "This time, they've met their most formidable and challenging opponent ever. They're determined to take down that Chinaman and his Huamei Company."

The two fell silent again.

General Paparo King couldn't help but ask in a deep voice, "Weber, what are you planning to do?"

“Heh!” Andrew Webber shook his head. “Paparo, in my eyes you are an upright man. I advise you to stay away from these dirty dealings.”

General Paparo King pondered for a long time before finally rising and saying, "I understand! Weber, in this situation, I have nothing more to say. I can only wish you good luck…!"

Andrew Webber looked up and stared into Paparo King's eyes: "Old man, I need to ask you for a favor!"

"Just tell me if you need any help!"

“Tell the White House that this was not my intention; I was coerced into doing this!”

"Yes, I will personally convey these words to the President and Vice President!"

“And one more thing…!” Andrew Webber added, “Take care of my family…!”

General Paparo King's face darkened completely.

He knew that no matter how this matter turned out, Andrew Webber could not continue to live.

He was giving himself his last words!

"No problem, if you really... I'll take good care of your family!"

"Tell my two sons, whatever you do, whatever you do, absolutely never let them join the Freemasons!"

"Oh, don't worry, I'll pass on the message to them...!"
-
After General Paparo King left, someone else pushed open the door to Brigadier General Andrew Webber's office.

"Well, General, we have made all the necessary preparations for you!"

"Now, all you need to do is give the order, and we can find a reason to blockade the California coast, or even to go to war with California!"

Andrew Webber looked up and said in a deep voice, "Klaus, are you in such a hurry? Aren't you even going to give me time to fully take control of the Pacific Fleet?"

The person who entered was none other than Klaus, another hidden knight of Solomon's Temple!

Klaus said coldly, "General, I have just received reliable information that Huamei Industrial's arsenal has been severely damaged."

"And that damned Chinaman was also assassinated and seriously wounded!"

"Now is the perfect opportunity for us to take action!"

"As for taking control of the Pacific Fleet... General, rest assured, we will assist you with all our efforts. In three days at most, your Pacific Fleet will be completely under your control and at your command."

"The sooner it ends, the better for your family! Isn't that right, General?"

Faced with Klaus's relentless pressure, Andrew Webber remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"In that case, Klaus, proceed according to your plan!"

(End of this chapter)