Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

Kang De looked at Hong San.

Although this fellow was very lazy, he was smart and knew how to observe people's expressions and judge the situation. Therefore, he understood a principle—no matter what his personality was, when he interacted with others as the Mountain Chieftain of the Heaven and Earth Association, he had to show the bearing and appearance that a faction leader should have.

It was not like the bootlicker who licked anyone he saw.

Therefore, be it talking to the mayor or in meetings, he kept a decent appearance.

However, when he received the mayor's order, Hong San could not hold it in anymore.

800 young militiamen and 800 reserves.

1,600 people.

This meant that all the men of the right age in the team had to fight. They even had to recruit some strong women and old people. Not to mention the difficulty of this job…

Those were all lives.

Moreover, they were his followers who interacted with Hong San day and night and trusted him greatly.

1,600 people. How many would die in the siege against the elves?

No.

How many could survive?

Kang De clearly saw that although Hong San maintained a calm expression, his hands under the table were trembling slightly.

He sighed silently and said, "City…"

"Please wait!"

At this moment, Hong San's voice sounded. His voice was a little out of control and sounded loud.

The mayor was about to assign the next mission when he heard this. He adjusted his monocle. "Mr. Hong?"

Hong San took a deep breath. "Weapons, equipment, and medicine. We lack these things. Moreover, we don't have that many young and strong people. The 800-strong reserve means that we have to recruit women and old people. They don't have any combat training and lack the ability to deal with dangerous situations…"

The mayor frowned. "The city hall will help resolve a portion of the weapons and resources. You can make a list. As for the other problems, it's what Mr. Hong should worry about. Women and the old don't have to personally go to the front line battlefield, but they have to take on jobs like battlefield transportation. This is war, regardless of gender and age."

Hong San said, "But…"

The mayor said indifferently, "President Rocker, your mission is…"

Kang De looked over from the corner of his eye. Hong San's breathing quickened. His face flushed red, and then he slowly lowered his head. His body was trembling slightly, and his fists under the table unknowingly clenched.

It was useless to argue.

This was because, in the face of war, the mayor would do anything to defend the city. How could he be reasonable?

It was useless to beg for mercy.

This was because the mayor did not even care about his life, so how could he care about the lives of others?

It was useless to say anything else.

Because he was not capable enough, it was useless no matter how loud he shouted.

Kang De retracted his gaze and sighed silently.

Hong San was a Cathayan and was used to following the flow. He had always had no desires. As long as he was safe and satiated, it did not matter if he was a slave or a maid. He had once treated all power and injustice as nothing and was willing to be despised by others. However, today, he finally knew what it felt like to be helpless.

Hong San kept his head lowered until the meeting ended.

Everyone stood up with heavy expressions. After shaking hands with the mayor, they filed out. Who could relax after encountering such a thing?

Hong San was in front, Kang De followed behind, and Leona obediently followed behind him. Then, it was the old butler. The master and servant of the Vidal family exchanged glances. Leona looked indifferent, but the old butler was aggrieved and pained. Who would not be troubled to have such a master?

"Mr. Hong."

The mayor shook hands with the distracted Hong San, but he did not say much.

Hong San, who had full social skills and could be said to be slick, actually did not speak.

"Mr. Dong."

Then, Nick shook Kang De's hand.

Kang De did not feel much, because he was still looking at what was happening from the perspective of an outsider. He did not have a direct sense of the impact of the war.

He said, "Mayor Nick, good move."

Nick shook his head. "If possible, I also want to be a benevolent and generous mayor. I also want to encourage everyone to participate in the defense of the city. However, in this world, there are still many incurable fools. Compared to words, swords are easier to move… This is my experience and conclusion."

Kang De looked interested. "Oh… what do you mean?"

Nick Valentine revealed a lonely and sighing expression, but this expression only flashed past. What was left was steel-like toughness and coldness.

He said indifferently, "For example, people would rather hate me than gain the courage to hate the elves."

As soon as these words were spoken, Leona's expression changed slightly. Even Hong San turned around.

Kang De was also silent. Then, he gave a thumbs up. "Mr. Mayor, you're really tough."

"You're flattering me," the mayor said. "However, I've always believed that the benevolent will be remembered by the world. Those who understand the world will become philosophers, but those who can succeed will always be people who understand the world and can be hard-hearted."

At this point, he revealed an even more sincere smile that was different from his usual formal smile.

Then, he patted Kang De's shoulder. "In this city, there's only me and you who have such ideals. Therefore, I sincerely hope that you can bring surprise and hope to this city."

After leaving the meeting room and walking out of the main building of the city hall, Kang De's expression was still subtle.

What did he mean by that?

—That's right, why does this mayor look at me in a different light, including that white-haired woman? Hong San also bowed—could it be that I have some hidden domineering aura?

After leaving, Hong San turned to look at him, and extreme helplessness and confusion flashed through his eyes.

Kang De said, "Let's go back and talk."

He and Hong San quickly walked towards the door. Behind him, Leona shouted, "Wait! Wait!"

Kang De waved his hand. "Your husband is not here."

"…"

Leona was first stunned, then said inexplicably, "When did I get a husband… Hey!"

Hong San was a martial artist, and Kang De's physique was extremely strong. The two of them left the front garden of the council hall in a hurry. Leona called out a few times, but they did not look back.

The girl stomped her feet in anger, but she did not dare to shout Kang De's real name. After all, in the past two months, this name had appeared very frequently in Goethe. This was because Princess Tina's ferocious operation in the north had not only greatly raised Goethe's morale, but it had also made countless Goethe people remember the name of a person from Cathay.

Kang De.

The guy who took away Tedrell's most beautiful and pure pearl.

After all, he was dead.

Many Goethe men felt that it was a pity for the princess, but they also felt that it was not bad that their love rival from Cathay had died.

On the other hand, Kang De had killed a group of the Eldest Prince's lackeys in the Empire. There was no secret in the world. This news would be leaked sooner or later. Moreover, in the current passive situation, the Eldest Prince must be very eager to capture Kang De and deal with Tina… His identity had to be kept a secret.

With this in mind, Leona could only raise her skirt and chase wildly. She ran out of the door and was so tired that she was out of breath. She turned around and saw that Kang De and Hong San had already stepped into an alley.

The silver-haired girl chased after him. "Hey, follow me."

The old butler said warily, "Miss, be careful of a trap."

"What trap? We came here to find him in the first place. Aren't we going to see him?" Leona said angrily. "Besides, I wrote Tina's name on his back. The reason why he doesn't object is that he understands my identity and meaning. He must be waiting for me ahead…"

The girl chased after him in a hurry until the entrance of the alley was empty. She chased for a few steps and suddenly heard the wind in the sky. She looked up and saw Kang De descending from the sky.

He shouted, "Hong San!"

Battle aura surged and the sound of the wind was sharp. Hong San and the old butler exchanged a punch. The two of them retreated at the same time and their backs collided with the wall, emitting a muffled sound.

Before Leona could speak, she felt a huge force push her toward the wall. The Kang De in front of her pressed down like a mountain. Only when she faced him could she feel the terrifying deterrence and killing intent.

How should he put it? Although there was no such thing as a kabedon in the other world, this action existed. Moreover, it often appeared in plays and poems. A certain knight forced a certain young lady into a corner. His tall body completely enveloped that petite body, and his strong arms were pressed against the wall, and so on.

In the past, Leona had felt that such a scene was really nonsense. What was wrong with those women? Why did they soften instantly? It was really too fake. If any man dared to do such a thing to her, she would definitely raise her leg and knee him in the balls.

However, now, she was really feeling it.

This extremely aggressive action, the male aura that assaulted her face, and the killing intent that she did not release made her feel that the situation was completely controlled by the other party, including her.

Her heart was beating faster.

There was even a numb feeling in his body that slowly crawled out.

She even involuntarily recalled the content of those dramas and poems. After the male lead did this, he would slowly approach until their cheeks were close and his breath would spray on the other party's face—to this extent. Then, she wondered what it would feel like if the other party did this. Ah, right, his arm had yet to extend…

The standard action posture was for him to use his arm to support himself against the wall and approach. As for her, she would turn her head and look weak and irresistible. That was right.

—Pfft, pfft, pfft, pfft. What am I thinking?

Leona was in heat for a moment before she suddenly reacted. Only then did she realize how useless she had been thinking. This guy must have used some method to infatuate her. It was probably some evil martial art from Cathay—Tina had most likely been possessed too.

However, she was indeed looking forward to how it would feel if Kang De really pressed her against the wall.

Therefore, why was his arm not here yet?

However, in the next moment, the girl's dream shattered.

With a muffled bang, Leona felt fine dregs hit her soft face. Then, she discovered that there was a long thing on the wall to the right of her head.

It was not Kang De's arm.

She turned around in a daze and saw an axe embedded in the wall. The handle was very, very long, very close to her head. Kang De's hand pressed on the handle.

"You people of the Vidal family are haunting me. Tell me, do you know me?"

…