Forge a path to success

“It’s an escape driven by ugly selfish motives,” Slaine nodded. “But what’s wrong with running away if it means fewer family and friends die?”

He finished his drink, stood up, and said, "Young lady, there are still spots available on the ships at the port. Things are about to get chaotic in Jingsha, so you should leave as soon as possible."

"You're so kind to me!"

"People tend to be more friendly to young people as they get older, just like children are often friendly to the elderly."

The elderly independence advocate left, and the redhead waited another half hour, during which she ordered all the drinks she hadn't seen yet. Half an hour later, a new customer sat down next to her.

"What are your impressions of the city-state of Jingsha?" Chu Hengkong asked.

“Grandpa’s hometown is full of overly naive people!” Qingxia laughed.

"While you're here eating, drinking, and having fun, Mr. Chu and I are exhausted."

"Are they killing heretics?"

With his other hand, he stole Qingxia's wine glass, leaned against her back, and took a big gulp, saying listlessly, "If only that were true. It's a civil war, a civil war!"

·

With the passage of the Independence Act, the situation in Jing Sha became critical, and various forces naturally took action. Small and medium-sized forces, such as Dustless Land represented by Violet, had already arrived, and large forces like Dragon Spring Township were not far behind.

Huilong City, serving as a transit hub, was operating at near overcapacity, with people from all over the world flocking there, waiting for the situation to improve before heading to the city-state. Reliable teammates like Qingye and Qingxia, with their extensive combat experience, were among the first reinforcements to set foot on Jingsha's homeland, carrying a mission personally entrusted to them by the city lord.

Stop the civil war in Jingsha!

"I wouldn't have dared to imagine this before. This is the Jing Sha City-State! The most united place in the entire Submerged Realm! And now, because of a bill, it's like our Shura Island!" Qing Ye complained bitterly.

"Oh, Xiaoye, do you Shura Island often have internal conflicts too?" Qingxia asked curiously.

“What they call internal strife is a local war. A dozen famous generals occupy cities and establish their own states. People from different states fight each other to the death, and it’s common for people to die one or two times,” Vande said. “Compared to Shura Island, this civil war in the thorns is child’s play. Neither side even used inhumane and destructive weapons. Their moral standards are too high.”

Qingxia was filled with awe: "So there are such stupid places. Suddenly I understand why Commander Chongming didn't want to go home for hundreds of years."

Qingye clutched her head and screamed, "Please, please stop! I really want to send all those bastards from my hometown to the front lines to help them!"

"Although it's called a civil war, after actually taking a tour of the military camp, I felt that the situation was quite good. There didn't seem to be any large-scale bloodshed."

Qingye's eyes were lifeless: "Why do you think Mr. Chu and I arrived so late..."

"...Am I too late?"

Vande rolled his eyes: "Four days! Do you know how we spent those four days? The three of us ran all over the military camp, and we beat up every single officer with a rank except for the second captain! Yesterday, a few assassins were still trying to pull that fake loyalty trick, and if I hadn't reacted quickly enough, we almost had a real fight."

Qingxia exclaimed in surprise, "What?! The civil war has been suppressed, so where is my place to use my talents?"

Chu Hengkong patted her head: "The situation is still not optimistic. Right now, the second line of command depends entirely on us here to keep things in check. If we don't come up with a way to guide the people's hearts, the situation will not change in essence."

Qingxia rekindled her spirit: "Let's infect them all with a virus and force them to vote."

“Alright, go for it. When Jing Sha punishes you, I’ll be munching on potato chips and clapping with Mr. Chu on the sidelines,” Qing Ye said.

"Ugh, so annoying... We clearly have more fighting power..."

“Combat power and influence are different. A thousand words from outsiders are no match for a single word from the local leader.” Vand explained the local situation. “Right now, there are two people in the Second Line who are most popular with the people: one is the veteran of the independence faction, Silay, and the other is the Second Captain who maintains neutrality and does not express his opinion.”

“Slein is a level 4 Skywing, not particularly strong in combat but very experienced. Like the shopkeeper and the others, he is a veteran who has experienced major battles. The current officers of the second line of command have all been trained by him to some extent, so even if they disagree, they can’t openly oppose him.”

Qingxia exclaimed "Ah!" and questioned, "He's fought so many wars over the years, how could he not see reality clearly?"

“Because Grandpa Silayne and his whole family died heroically,” Vande said dryly. “The old man fought for too many years, and most of his family and comrades died on the battlefield, leaving only his most beloved grandson. He originally kept his grandson locked up in Mansa Star Castle and refused to let the child go to the battlefield again, but the boy rebelled and went to the battlefield without telling the old man. In his last battle 20 years ago, his body was never found.”

"Ugh..."

"The old man was basically obsessed after that battle. If it weren't for the Paleman Doctrine to calm him down, he probably would have passed away with his family by now," Van der commented. "Well, there's not much we can do. He's already lived a miserable life, we're not qualified to lecture him."

Qingxia felt dizzy listening to this: "Let's skip this for now! What about the second captain?"

“The second captain hasn’t shown up, hasn’t spoken, and hasn’t expressed his opinion,” Chu Hengkong said. “His choice has directly led to the current situation. If the second captain had expressed his stance, whether supporting independence or the Allies, the situation in the Second Pulse would have become clear. But he’s determined to remain neutral to the end. If the leader doesn’t speak up, the people below can only continue to be in chaos.”

Qingye's first thought was the worst possible scenario: "Could he also be an accomplice of that speaker? Is he tacitly approving the actions of the independence faction under the guise of neutrality?"

“I think that’s unlikely…” Van der’s eyes were subtle. “His intellect is on par with yours; he shouldn’t have such a ulterior motive…”

"This squid doesn't seem to be of much use, is it okay if I eat it first?"

"How dare you eat your comrade, you vicious horse! Hypnosis!"

"Ouch, my eyes hurt so much—that's because I have goggles."

Qingxia pulled down her goggles, looking smug. Qingye ignored the two heartless people and said to Chu Hengkong, "What should we do now? If we continue to suppress the independence faction with violence, the number of petitions won't increase."

"The intelligence says the second captain will make a move tonight. Let's see what he plans."

The source of the information seemed reliable, because not long after they sat in the bar, they heard a booming broadcast. The voice rang out throughout the Second Lineage, the speaker's tone particularly exaggerated: "Citizens of the Second Lineage, listen up! The Second Team has a major announcement today! Turn your attention to the nearest water curtain, and those who are nearby, come to the Plaza of Honor!"

Chapter 372 War and Turmoil (2)

The current second captain of the city-state of Jingsha is a renowned and legendary figure. His legend lies not only in his combat prowess but also in his experiences.

Legend has it that this captain was born into a weak race, naturally immune to combat, and should have lived a peaceful life. But the second captain was born with a pure heart, and from a young age admired the warriors who protected their homeland, determined to become a glorious soldier.

He sought guidance from renowned masters throughout the thorny shroud, but due to his congenital deficiency, he made little progress. Undeterred, however, the captain heard that the Dragon Township Boxing Technique treated all races equally, so he risked everything to sail alone to Dragon Spring Township to learn the true essence of martial arts!

—Then, due to a shipwreck, they drifted to Shura Island.

It's hard to say whether this captain was unlucky or lucky; he survived a near-death experience and ended up in a foreign land, unfortunately on a hellish island. But a determined person can find a way anywhere. This captain managed to find a way to support himself through his own efforts. He used his unusual appearance to get into a local theater troupe and, through tireless hard work, became a renowned Noh performer!

The second captain toured Shura Island for three years, drawing huge crowds wherever he went. It is said that even the Martial Venerable had seen his performance. After his final performance, the local general personally dispatched a fleet to escort him to Longquan Township, fulfilling his dream of becoming a disciple and seeking enlightenment.

He then entered the Chenjun Palace in Longquan Township and finally mastered all his skills. When he returned to the city-state of Jingsha, he was already a well-known legend, but he declined the offers from the parliament and the nobles and resolutely joined the army.

He was a decorated commander on the front lines, considerate of his subordinates, and always ready to fight bravely. Everyone in the army spoke highly of him. It could be said that the Second Captain held one of the highest prestige positions in the city-state's military system; a single word from him could influence the entire army!

"He's a very famous figure; I admired him greatly back in my hometown!" Qingye exclaimed excitedly. "What kind of solution will such a legend come up with? It's truly something to look forward to!"

“You’d better lower your expectations a little…” Van der said, squinting.

"Hey? Why?"

"The difference will be huge."

When the three of them arrived leisurely, Glory Square was already packed with veterans. The square was surrounded by bronze statues of heroes who had made great contributions in history, but in the center there was an oddly shaped wooden stage with exaggerated paintings that looked like they were from a festival, making Qingye almost think she had arrived in her hometown.

The stage was guarded by several burly guards, each wearing a blue-faced, fanged demon mask—the elite of the second squad. The masked soldiers drew back the curtain, releasing a thick, atmospheric cloud of smoke… and then, from the depths of the smoke, came a mysterious chant!

Withered grass swaying in the wind

Brothers fighting each other

My heart is at peace!

This is none other than the ancient art of "haiku" passed down from Shura Island! In the modern Shura Island where etiquette has collapsed, people who can recite haiku are extremely rare, so Qingye quickly took notes!

As the smoke dissipated with the chanting of the haiku, a masked, burly man carrying a strange bundle appeared on the stage. Even the members of the Third Lineage probably didn't expect this, did they? This mysterious masked figure, Huan Ge, is none other than the captain of the Second Divine Guard of the Thorn Robe!

He clapped his hands, which were as big as palm leaves, and said in a long voice, "Hehehe, I'm sorry to have kept you all waiting. The second captain's special speech is about to begin! Let's first review the glorious history of the military camp..."

The old man who had been chatting with Qingxia earlier stood at the front of the crowd and shouted sternly, "Spit it out!"

"Don't be so impatient..."

Huan Ge said, feeling wronged, "Then let's get straight to the point! Everyone has seen the friction between the bill's supporters and opponents. The recent escalation of the conflict has made me realize that if we don't quell the controversy quickly, steadily, and safely, our honor and beliefs will be eroded in the infighting! Therefore, as the captain of the Second Divine Guard of the Thorn Robe, I hereby propose an emergency response plan for this extraordinary period!"

Qingye clenched her fists, filled with excitement. A considerable number of soldiers throughout the Second Line were waiting for their brilliant and capable captain's plan, just like her!

"Let's have a duel!"

For a full half second, the second pulse sequence was completely silent. Qingye unconsciously uttered, "...Huh?"

"Let's have a duel!" Huan Ge repeated smugly. "We, the Second Lineage, are a military camp that reveres strength and bravery, and we should settle disputes in the manner of warriors. So let's have a duel! Independents and conservatives, each side selects its bravest warrior to fight to the death on this stage. Whoever wins in the end, the Second Team will support that side!"

The soldiers in the second tier took nearly twenty seconds to process their captain's suggestion. They smiled, composed themselves, and spoke with calm and collected demeanor.

"Are you kidding me?!" "Do you think this is a comic book?!" "Captain, have you lost your mind?" "I told you this idiot doesn't understand politics!" "Did you call everyone out just to talk about this?!" "Captain, don't get involved in this mess, let's go back to headquarters!" "I actually felt like an idiot for actually looking forward to this..."

A tidal wave of jeers and shouts erupted, enough to knock anyone with a weaker constitution off the stage! But Huan Ge, relying on his mask and thick skin, stubbornly stood on the stage, arms crossed, and shouted, "Silence!"

A booming shout silenced everyone. Huan Ge sneered, "You all think this method is childish? Then I'd like to ask, what is a proper and mature solution? Is it like the 'Poetry and Prose Umbrella' method, letting politicians spout eloquent rhetoric in the streets, believing whoever has the best eloquence? Or is it like Mansa Starburg, endlessly arguing in parliament, letting those who don't understand warriors decide the future? Or is it..."

"Is it as some of you are planning, to wage a civil war in this military camp and play that 'winner takes all' trick?"

Upon hearing this, several people in the arena immediately lowered their heads, not daring to meet Huan Ge's gaze. The captain, however, was still laughing loudly: "That method is excellent! Our Second Lineage has its own dueling rules anyway. If a real fight breaks out, I'll personally take to the field. I'll fight one by one, defeat one army at a time. Even if everyone in this camp were to come at me together, they wouldn't be a match for me!"

These words were incredibly arrogant, yet not a single person in the audience objected. They were all soldiers, most of them veterans, and they all knew how formidable their captain was!

"At that time, the Second Lineage will be my absolute authority. You will all have to do whatever I say, or you will be breaking the law and going to jail!" Huan Ge roared. "Do you think this method is good? Answer me!"

The sergeants simultaneously stood at attention and replied, "No, Captain!"

"Of course not! We are soldiers! Our duty is to protect our country!" Huan Ge said in a deep voice. "It's already foolish for soldiers to waver on political matters, but to want to fight among ourselves is utterly absurd. Not only will the allied forces on Yuchen Island laugh at us, but we will also have no face to face our fallen comrades in the afterlife!"

"Whether the bill is supported or not is nothing to us but whether this front goes or stays. Let's solve this problem using military methods! It's always better for both sides to have a showdown than to fight amongst themselves every day in their own base camp."

He looked around and called out, "Any other questions?"

"Have!"

Silian stepped out of the crowd and said in a deep voice, "An internal war cannot and should not break out in the military camp, but your method of this arena battle is hardly fair. Huan Ge, you are the highest-ranking officer in the military camp, a comrade-in-arms to many soldiers, and the strongest among us in the second lineage. You have clearly stated your position, so how can others dare to stand against you? Who dares to say they can defeat you? In the end, it will still be decided by your word, and the others will not accept that!"

Huan Ge laughed after hearing this, "Hehehe, old general, please calm down. First of all, this arena will be divided into three rounds, with each of the three points (3, 4, and 5) competing once. Only by winning all three rounds can one side be considered the victor!"

Slayne frowned: "Three wins out of three? I've never heard of such a tough match."

“If neither side has an overwhelming advantage, this duel will be as good as nothing, and the loser will not be convinced,” Huan Ge said leisurely. “Secondly… in this duel, I, Huan Ge, will personally represent the Independent Faction!”

Silane's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets: "What did you say?!"

Not only was the old general shocked, but the entire camp was in an uproar. Even the personal guards of the second squad couldn't take it anymore: "Captain, you fucking defected?!"

"How dare you speak like that!" Huan Ge turned and angrily rebuked. "This independence bill has already been voted on and is now the official policy of the city-state. As the second captain, what crime have I committed in supporting the city-state's decision?"

He bent down and said to the old general with a smile, "Now, you separatists have nothing to say, right?"

Silayn, a woman of decisiveness, immediately made the decision: "Good! Everyone in the camp has seen your character, Huan Ge. You said you would fight for my Independent Faction, so you would never resort to any tricks or deception. We have no objections!"

The independence soldiers were greatly encouraged, chanting praises of their captain's righteousness. The conservatives, however, were displeased: "It's unfair!" "Who can beat the captain?" "What will we do if a real fight breaks out?!"

Hearing this, Qing Ye finally understood. Chu Hengkong pushed through the crowd and stood on the stage, his aura sweeping across the arena like a fan, instantly silencing the entire hall. He said loudly, "Captain Huan Ge, this struggle for independence involves many things, and we outsiders also have some questions we would like to ask."

Huan Ge smiled and said, "Go ahead and tell me."

"Whether the Independence Act passes or not is essentially a contest between Du'ai and the Allies. Everyone in the military is a comrade-in-arms who fought side by side, so we, the Allies, should naturally do our part as well!"

Chu Hengkong, with his hands behind his back, said, "Chu Hengkong of Huilong City is willing to fight for our allied comrades. What do you think, Captain?"

Huan Ge laughed loudly: "My comrades are willing to share the burdens of my city-state, so what reason do I have to object? I just wonder what the conservatives think?"

Chu Hengkong coldly swept his gaze across the audience. Immediately, regardless of rank or political affiliation, everyone who dared to speak rushed to declare their support: "Master Chu, no problem, Master Chu!" "Great Hero Chu, you are truly righteous!" "Thank you so much!" "We absolutely support you, absolutely support you!"

What a joke! In the past three days, everyone in the military with a reputation has been personally beaten up by this Master Chu. He single-handedly drove back a near-civil war! Who dares to oppose his involvement? He'll probably show us this afternoon what it means to overcome all obstacles with sheer force!

Huan Ge said solemnly, "Good! In that case, let us both make our preparations, and settle the score in two days!"

Chapter 373 War and Turmoil (3)

Night fell, the rain gradually stopped, and the Second Pulse was unusually quiet. The cicadas whispered among themselves about the impending outcome of the battle. The little guys hoped that the Allied forces would prove their reliability, but they also worried that if the Allied forces were to win, the camp would look like a bunch of incompetent fools.

People no longer dueled in private; most citizens thought less than cicadas. Because after two more days, once a victor was decided, the higher-ups would make a decision… and no matter how absurd the decision-making process, the decision itself was significant. Once the important figures spoke, people would know how to act… if independence was advocated, they would follow suit; if opposition was firmly stated, they would oppose.

More or less, they all mocked this herd mentality, but were those who actively advocated for it truly acting out of their own "opinions"? Were their beliefs their own, or were they what others wanted them to believe?

No one knows the answer... So, it's best to follow a soldier's duty and obey orders. Once the outcome is decided, this matter can finally be over.

In a bar in a narrow alley, a tall, thin man stared blankly at the dirty glass. He wasn't wearing his usual white coat and looked like any other disillusioned middle-aged man, yet the bartender treated him with extreme respect.

"Your wine, sir."

He paused for a moment before recovering, then took the glass and laughed, "I'm no longer your superior..."

“That was an unfair trial,” the bartender said. “That’s what everyone thinks.”

"That's fair. People always have to pay the price for their actions."

“That’s unfair,” the bartender kept repeating, the tall, thin man scratching his head helplessly. Just then, a new customer squeezed into the small bar, waving his large hand in greeting: “It’s a perfect evening for chatting with old friends! Can we have a little space?”

"Yes, Captain!"

The bartender stood at attention, saluted, and jogged out. Huan Ge poured himself a small glass of fruit wine and sat down at the bar.

"Did you hear that? Call me 'Captain,' while you're the 'Commander.'"

“It’s just a habit… You don’t like being called ‘commander,’ do you? That’s just how it is.” The tall, thin man, Just Trek, chuckled. “Being a military leader isn’t easy, is it?”