Chapter 142: Don’t Be Afraid
Hong San had prestige.
Even if he meant that his old brothers had their own plans and even vaguely had the intention to take him down, treating him only as a flag and mascot to stabilize people’s hearts—he still had prestige.
Only he could make the people of the Cathay and Goethe faculties in the team submit to him.
He had fallen into a battle and killed his way through, taking in refugees and commoners along the way, sharing their worries and difficulties. Moreover, he continuously won. Everyone saw this. This was prestige.
Therefore, Hong San was afraid because he knew his own strength. In his opinion, his current achievements and status were only in the air. The reason why he had won consecutively was only that the opponents were only some insignificant bandits. He gathered his troops and used their strength to attack the weak. He naturally had every success. However, if he faced a well-trained and well-equipped regular army, no matter how many tricks he had, he would only lose.
As for the so-called prestige, popularity, and respect, they only needed a huge defeat to be completely wiped out.
The problem was that he knew it in his heart, but others did not. This was the most fatal thing…
However, no matter what, this prestige was still useful.
He directly introduced Kang De to everyone and said that this was his uncle-master and that he wanted to become a military advisor. The leaders were naturally unwilling. After all, this gigolo who appeared out of nowhere was definitely on the same side as the Mountain Chieftain. It was fine if he was not capable, but if he was really capable, wouldn’t it greatly increase the authority and strength of the Mountain Chieftain?
However, they could not question or refute it.
After all, Hong San had already said that he was his uncle-master. In this day and age, respecting a master was as important as filial piety. If you questioned the ability of the elders of their sect, it was equivalent to slapping the Mountain Chieftain’s face.
Who would do such an insensible thing?
Chief Song was the first to react. This was a short and fat black man with a sincere appearance. He immediately bowed and said, “Since you’re the elder of the Mountain Chieftain, you’re definitely a talent who can rule the world. With the help of the Military Advisor, our sect should prosper. I, Song Baoyi, greet the Military Advisor!”
When the remaining two leaders saw this, they cursed in their hearts and bowed.
The burly man with rough and dark skin looked at Kang De a few times. Seeing that his skin was fair and his eyes were gentle, he casually cupped his hands and said, “I’m Chen Honghu. Greetings, Military Advisor.”
Compared to Chief Chen, the last person was more composed in terms of bearing and expression. He revealed a smile and said, “Huang Jintong, I’m a boor. Please advise me.”
Kang De nodded and said indifferently, “Hello, there’s no need to be polite.”
His absent-minded response did not bow, be polite, or introduce himself. It was a little disrespectful. Therefore, the difference between the three leaders was obvious.
Chief Song was still smiling and did not mind. His expression was very kind. Chief Huang also stood with a smile, but his smile faded a little. Chief Chen’s expression became a little ugly and he even snorted.
It was still Song Baoyi who reacted. When he saw that the situation was a little cold, he immediately said, “Mountain Chieftain, Military Advisor, the three of us are here for the huge matter that just happened. The mayor closed the city gate and entered but did not leave. The official announced that the shops are closed and the commoners are returning. I’m afraid a war is about to begin. The mayor must recruit all his strength and fight the elves. Our Heaven and Earth Association is definitely in his calculations…”
What… what was going on?
Kang De had never asked Hong San what the name of this lively social group was. He guessed that these uncultured people could not think of a good name. He did not expect it to be so f*cking cool.
—D*mn, you still said that my alias is too big and can’t be suppressed. Your Heaven and Earth Association is even more arrogant, right?
—Moreover, Hong San, are you worthy of being the head of the Heaven and Earth Association?
Kang De complained in his mind, but he did not show it on his face. He only listened to Chief Song continue.
“When we arrived here, the mayor welcomed us warmly, gave us money, and served us well. From the looks of it, he probably has a plan long ago. If we want to leave now, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy. They definitely want us to help defend the city. How can they let us leave?”
Chief Song said, “This matter is too big. The future is unknown, and the military matter is ferocious. We barbarians care about one thing and lose the other when we do things. We still have to let Brother make a decision. Fortunately, we have the help of the Military Advisor. That’s even better.”
This person’s words were really watertight.
Chief Chen said, “Should we fight or leave? Can we leave? If we dare to leave, the mayor will be the first to not let us go. Even if we disguise ourselves and walk away, when we go out and encounter the elves, we’ll definitely die. Moreover, we have more than a thousand subordinates now. The officials have us surrounded but our lives are still comfortable. Could it be that we have to sleep in the wilderness and be afraid all day? Since we can’t leave, let’s give it our all!”
He said firmly, “Why don’t we take advantage of the fact that we have troops in our hands to fight for wealth? Although that mayor has a plan, it’s his duty and he’s reasonable. If we help him defend the city and make contributions, he’ll definitely reward us heavily. If we can get an official position, we’ll be above everyone in the future!”
The two leaders expressed their opinions. Everyone’s gazes landed on Huang Jintong.
Huang Jintong revealed an honest smile. “I’ll listen to Brother Hong.”
“He’s also unhappy.”
Chen Honghu looked at Kang De and said in a rough voice, “I wonder what your opinion is, Military Advisor?”
Kang De ignored him and said to Hong San, “Call me when the mayor’s people arrive.”
With that, he went upstairs.
After being dodged, Chief Chen’s expression darkened even more. Hong San cried in his heart. After Kang De went upstairs, he whispered, “Brother Chen, my uncle-master has such a temper. Please bear with him. He doesn’t know the ways of the world…”
Chief Song patted Chen Honghu’s shoulder and said, “Since he’s the senior of the Mountain Chieftain, he must have shocking talent. It’s not strange for a so-called immortal figure to look down on ordinary people like us.”
Chief Chen snorted and turned to leave without greeting him.
“Sigh, Brother Chen!”
Song Baoyi called out a few times. Seeing that the other party did not turn around, he said, “Brother, I’ll persuade him.”
Seeing that the two of them had left, it was not good for Jin Gang to stay here. He found an excuse and bade farewell.
Only Hong San was left standing in the room. He looked at the backs of the three of them and sighed, “If there are too many people, once power is split, it will become like this…”
Kang De’s voice sounded from the second floor, “What did it become?”
Hong San did not turn around. He had been troubled these past few days and had no one to confide in. When Kang De arrived, the two of them could be said to know each other very well. There was no need for Hong San to hide or pretend in front of him.
He said, “My lord, this hierarchy and ethics are all predestined. Some people are born to dig for food in the ground, but by a freak combination of circumstances, they encountered it. It inexplicably became a thing, so they can’t recognize themselves. They’re arrogant and feel that they’re amazing, so they’re greedy and have thoughts they shouldn’t have. Then, they’ll do stupid things. They’ll be supercilious and muddle-headed. In the end, they’ll die and even implicate others… The human heart is really lamentable.”
Kang De frowned and said, “You’re talking nonsense again.”
Hong San shook his head and said, “How can this be nonsense? In the past month or two, I’ve personally seen these old brothers change step by step. In the beginning, they only wanted to protect themselves. Later on, they became the leaders and had subordinates to order around. They ate better and were served by people. Then, their ambition slowly increased and they felt that they could achieve something bigger… Once they think that way, they’re really not far from death.”
He sighed, “A person values his own self-awareness. Eat as much as you have an appetite. Don’t go over the rules and break your duty. Otherwise, you’ll only be asking for it if you die. It’s too wrong to harm others. Therefore, I want to run. I’m not cut out for that. Now that I’m forced by my old brothers and held by the City Lord to defend the city and fight the elves, I wonder how many people will die…”
He went to close the door. Kang De walked down from upstairs and said indifferently, “Your old brothers are not easy to deal with. That Chen Honghu is the easiest to understand.”
Hong San said, “Therefore, if anything happens in the future, he’ll definitely die the fastest.”
Kang De asked again, “The battle is about to begin. What are your plans for the City Lord’s recruitment?”
Hong San said without hesitation, “I want to run.”
“…”
Kang De did not know whether to laugh or cry, “Didn’t you hear Chen Honghu’s analysis just now? Although this person is stupid, this matter is not wrong. You have such prestige and are respected and convinced by everyone. Don’t you want to take this opportunity to take a gamble and get an official position so that you can become superior and not serve others?”
Hong San replied firmly, “No.”
“…”
Kang De pretended to hit him, but Hong San shrank his head and argued, “My lord, is being an official a turning point? If I want to obtain an official position under the mayor, I still have to serve him. Even if I become the mayor, I have to serve my superior. So what if I’m the Grand Duke of this country? The elves can beat you up if they want. The Empire can scheme against you if they want. Even the Empress of Twilight and the ruler of the Empire have the gods suppressed above. To put it bluntly, even if it’s the gods, how can we know that there’s no one controlling them?”
“Moreover, even if I become an official, I’ll be living under someone else’s roof. I’m from Cathay. This is Goethe. How can the mayor be completely at ease with me? He’ll definitely be wary of me every day. I’m so afraid that the mayor will send me to die one day, afraid that I’ll lose my life for no reason. What do I want? I’m also serving him. I might as well be a servant at his house. At least I’ll have peace.”
Kang De covered his face and sighed, “You’re f*cking hopeless…”
Hong San did not care at all. He could treat others’ insults and ridicule as a breeze. Moreover, Kang De’s words did not have any malice at all. He said, “Master, I’m not you. You’re a genius and capable. You’re born to do great things—I’m just a small figure. Of course, I’ll live as comfortably as I can.”
This person spoke nonsense, but his logic was self-consistent and closed, making people speechless.
However, Kang De had learned it from the Internet after all. He immediately retorted very viciously, “However, a small figure like you has been chosen by the mayor and can be controlled by him. Even if you don’t have an official position, you have to work for him and help him fight a war. What can you do?”
Hong San’s expression stiffened and he slowly sighed, “That’s right, I don’t mind. I just have to run when I see that the situation is bad. However, there are so many people following me along the way. They only want a stable life. It wasn’t easy for them to come here and live in a house and eat hot food. I didn’t expect to have to go to the city to move rocks…”
“They’re all pitiful people. They can’t help themselves and their lives are not theirs. When it’s chaotic times, human lives are like grass. They didn’t do anything wrong at all. They work hard all day and pay a lot of taxes. In the end, not only can’t the country protect them, but they also have to fight wars…”
When Kang De heard him say this, anticipation appeared in his eyes. All resistance in this world had a source. It was not to sit at home and think about it to ask for help from the people. It was to really see, experience, and feel before the seed of resistance appeared and explain it better to the world.
Immediately after, he heard Hong San sigh, “This is all fate. reincarnate well in your next life.”
D*mn.
Hong San was still Hong San.
Kang De did not know whether to laugh or cry, but he was angry at her for not arguing. “Don’t you want to change all this?”
Hong San revealed a blank expression, “Change? How? I’m an incompetent and aspiring small figure. I only came to this step by accident. I don’t have your ability or master’s talent. How can I change the fate of these people? How can I save them from their misery?”
“Even if they survive this, even if the elves retreat, these people still have to farm and pay taxes. When the war comes, they will still be displaced. This is the life of a commoner. Be it here or in Cathay, now or in ancient times, it has always been like this…”
He turned around and asked Kang De in a daze, “What should I do? What can I do?”
Kang De was stumped by his question.
Yes, what could he do? China had 5,000 years of civilization, a long history of human strife, and the suffering of the commoners. It had always been a destined cycle. In the long history books, who had changed all of this?
“Even if there’s a way, it’s not something a small figure like me can do. You’re the one who can do great things.” Hong San asked in a daze, “Master, do you have a way? Can you change all of this?”
Kang De opened his mouth, but he was silent.
It was not that there was no way, not that he could, but he wanted to.
When the elves arrived and the city was on guard, he thought about how to leave the city and was even prepared to have a conflict with the mayor. How could he have thought about how many people would die after this city was broken through? How could he have thought about the situation Hong San and the others would face after being forced to participate in the defense?
Kang De was about to speak when he heard a knock on the door, “Mountain Chieftain, the mayor is holding a military meeting. He wants you to participate in the council hall. The envoy is waiting outside.”
Hong San rubbed his face and said to Kang De, “Master, let’s leave now. If you think that the mayor is alright, show your identity and let him let you out of the city. The elf army is not a joke. No matter how powerful you are, you can’t fight an entire army. It’s more important to save your life. Later on…”
Kang De said nothing.
Hong San pushed open the door. There were a few people standing in the courtyard outside. There were three leaders he had just seen and others he did not know. All their gazes landed on Hong San.
They said in unison, “Mountain Chieftain.”
Kang De watched from behind.
He knew about the meeting just now and even what he had seen. Hong San had a lot of prestige, but the brothers below also had their own ideas and plans. Hong San could not control him, or he did not want to, so the leader became powerful. In fact, Chen Honghu no longer had much respect for Hong San.
However, now, everyone was looking at Hong San. Even Chen Honghu’s expression was solemn, and there was a trace of… trust and dependence in his eyes that he might not have noticed.
In the end, this team was raised by Hong San. He led everyone until today.
Hong San cupped his hands and said, “Greetings, brothers.”
He walked towards the main door.
Kang De followed him.
The few people in the courtyard followed until they left.
The street was filled with people. On the edge of the wall in the room, pairs of eyes were also looking. In the crowd, there were old and young, men and women, Cathayans, and Goethe people. Everyone’s gazes landed on Hong San. There was trust and dependence in their eyes, but also fear and panic.
The news of the elf’s attack spread very quickly and could not be suppressed.
These displaced people who had just seen hope discovered that danger was approaching again.
They were all helpless mortals. Their personal strength was so small in this chaotic world. They could only passively trust people they could trust, even if it was only a life-saving straw.
This was because they could not do anything other than pray.
They could only pray that Lord Hong San could lead them again and guide them in the direction so that everyone could survive.
Kang De followed behind Hong San, but he discovered that at this moment, Hong San was the only focus. Everyone’s eyes were on him, and no one cared about a stranger like Kang De.
Those hopeful and trusting gazes were all pressed on Hong San.
No one knew that the leader they trusted and followed extremely much was actually a timid person who lived by himself and was willing to be humble. An unprecedented burden was placed on the person who should not endure all this. How ironic and cruel was this?
Be it to these people or Hong San.
Kang De stood behind Hong San and clearly saw the sweat on his neck.
He was afraid. He was very afraid.
It was not because he was afraid that war was coming, but because he was afraid of so much trust and hope… He had never thought of bearing these, but countless lives were pressed on him, on the shoulders of a person without ambition, goals, or even dignity.
Suddenly, someone shouted, “Mountain Chieftain!”
This was a young man from Cathay.
Someone shouted again, “Lord Hong San!”
This was a middle-aged Goethe man.
The shouts connected. The voices rose and fell, and there were even the shouts of young children. The voices contained more emotions. The helplessness, fear, and dependence of the people turned into a surging tide that surged towards Hong San from all directions and swept this small figure in the center.
Suddenly, Hong San missed a step and fell forward.
With his martial arts, it was simply unimaginable for him to lose his footing and trip… unless his mood was agitated and shaken to the extreme, causing his mind to be in a daze, and fear and uneasiness swept through his mind and heart.
At this moment, Kang De took a step forward as if nothing had happened. He reached out and hooked Hong San’s shoulder, stabilizing him. His voice was low and calm, and it reached Hong San’s ears.
“Don’t be afraid.”
…
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