Chapter 163: The Truth: A Little Trick [VIP]

"No matter how many choices the light has, the only thing that can entangle it forever is darkness."

Xiao Yun lowered his head and looked into Yaris's eyes.

Yaris also looked at Xiao Yun.

They stared at each other intently, as if meeting for the first time, and then quickly looked away.

"Hey! It's almost dawn, you should go to bed quickly. If you get dark purple patches under your eyes from lack of sleep, Kelly and the others will look at me with resentment when they find out tomorrow."

"Then hold me tight."

Yaris gently requested: "Only in your arms can I fall asleep."

"certainly."

Xiao Yun reached out and gently put his arms around him.

"...Do you find me annoying? I get sick all the time, I'm jealous and possessive, clinging to you like a vine clinging to a tree. I'm more troublesome than any lover or wife."

"Well, by worldly standards, you're indeed a very troublesome and clingy existence. However—any actions that might provoke anger and displeasure, once I know it's you who's doing these things to me, a faint sweetness will arise in my heart—the more you cling to me, the more jealous you become, and the more you worry about me being snatched away, the more it proves that I am the only one you can't lose."

“…”

Yaris lowered his head and hid his flushed face in the blanket.

Seeing this, Xiao Yun quickly pulled off the blanket and forced him to show his face: "Your breathing is already weak, and you're covering it with a blanket-"

"But……"

"We used to sleep and bathe together, and there was no third person in the tent."

"But I... I really can't believe I can be so happy... If I were a woman, I think I would give up everything I have and insist on being with you, becoming a lover that is not allowed by the world..."

"If it makes you feel better, anything I do is worth it."

…

Under the shadows of the moss-covered stones of the ruins, amidst the dripping morning dew and the rustling of nightingales' wings, the sky gradually breaks through the darkness, ushering in the dawn.

The members of the Green Scarf Army put out the bonfire and escorted Xiao Yun and his group forward along the temporary passage created by swords and knives.

At noon, the convoy arrived at the end of the forest and met up with the anxiously waiting Kelly and his companions, and together they headed towards the Green Turban Army headquarters.

…

…

The headquarters of the Green Turban Army is a small military town hidden deep in the mountains. It is not as big as a real city, but it can accommodate 20,000 to 30,000 people.

The entire city is centered around a sturdy stone castle. The wooden houses around the castle are all inhabited by civilians who have brought their families to join the Green Turban Army. When these people took up arms, they were soldiers of the Green Turban Army. When they laid down their arms, they became farmers who cultivated land and grew crops. Occasionally, they would obtain other necessities of life, including medicines and minerals, from the market at the foot of the mountain.

Under the leadership of Johnny and Tari, the convoy Xiao successfully passed through several checkpoints set up by the Qingjin Army along the way.

Looking at the large and small farmlands hidden in the mountains and the farmers wielding farm tools and working hard in the fields, Xiao Yun couldn't help but admire the Green Scarf Army more.

(The Green Scarf Army is quite capable of coming up with this method of combining soldiers and farmers.)

(Although they could not be compared with an army that had received rigorous military training, their organizational capabilities, dispatching capabilities, and base construction capabilities far surpassed those of the peasant uprising army and had reached the threshold of a regular army.)

At the same time, the Green Scarf Army peasants on both sides of the forest road were also observing and even monitoring this strange convoy.

The soldiers' intuition made them realize that this group was neither an enemy envoy nor a volunteer to join the Green Scarf Army. However, if they simply and crudely classified these visitors as friends of the Green Scarf Army, it seemed that -

"They look like they're going to be our masters!"

"You must be kidding! You must be seeing things!"

"I hope I'm mistaken, but..."

The elderly farmer narrowed his eyes, looking in shock at the black knight in the team who was slowly marching towards the sunlight in the forest. Although his entire body was wrapped in a long black cloak with the hood hanging low, covering his face, it gave people a dazzling feeling of glittering golden light.

Who is he? Why is he here? Why does the sight of him fill me with such awe that I can't even look directly at him... It's as if... a god has reappeared on earth...

…

The gate of the fortress slowly opened, and several leaders of the Green Scarf Army, who had received the news early, went out of the city in person to greet them, accompanied by their guards.

Seeing the tall and majestic figure of the chief, the honest Johnny's eyes immediately filled with tears. He jumped off his horse and rushed forward impatiently: "Chief! Chief! I'm back! Johnny is back!"

"Johnny, you're back..."

The chief was also moved by Johnny's enthusiasm. He got off his horse and put his hands on Johnny's shoulders: "I am very relieved to see that everyone is safe."

"Big Chief——"

Johnny's eyes filled with hot tears.

at this time,

The chief glanced around, his eyes falling on——"

"Yes, I

, took off his hood, revealing a radiant face.

People were immediately stunned by his handsomeness and stood in awe of him.

The chief also looked at him in amazement: "As expected... there is no doubt, this is absolutely... I have no doubt..."

He then took the initiative to step forward and lead Xiao Yun's horse. "Lord Claude's arrival is a message of victory bestowed upon us by the gods. Not only us, but all the people who have suffered under the tyranny of the tyrant should rejoice now, for we have finally welcomed the dawn of victory!"

"Thank you for your high praise of me, but—"

Xiao Yun smiled and took back the reins from the chieftain: "I have more important things to accomplish than being your victory flag."

"Is there anything more important in the world than overthrowing the rule of a tyrant?"

The chief asked in confusion.

Xiao Yun smiled and didn't explain.

…

The team entered the castle surrounded by the crowd.

After the simple welcome banquet, the Green Scarf Army immediately held a military meeting and invited Xiao Yun to attend.

At the beginning of the meeting, the leader immediately introduced Xiao Yun to everyone.

"The greatest hero for the smooth and successful completion of the Imperial Capital Operation is Lord Claude! He miraculously awakened the golden dragon sleeping beneath the Grand Palace, shattering the tyrant's carefully crafted lie that 'the Emperor is a descendant of the Golden Dragon'!"

“Oh my God!”

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Xiao Yun in unison, unable to believe that the handsome and elegant young man in front of them was actually the legendary "True Dragon Messenger"!

“This is an unprecedented victory!”

The great chief continued, "We must spread our achievements as much as possible, letting more and more people know that the tyrant is not a descendant of the Golden Dragon and is unworthy of being worshipped by us who have lived on this land for generations!"

"That's right! We're going to spread this nationwide!"

Johnny agreed loudly, clenching his fists.

Tari also stood up at this time and said sinisterly, "The tyrant is unwilling to lose his status as a descendant of the Golden Dragon. He will do everything he can to eliminate those who know the truth and those of us who are actively spreading it. We must act quickly, such as cultivating more farmland in the mountains and purchasing enough seeds and livestock from surrounding villages to ensure we can survive even if the tyrant blocks us off."

"This question is indeed—"

The chief looked at Tari with admiration: "Thank you, Military Advisor Tari. You are so smart that you always think of problems that we don't think of in advance."

"It's my duty as a military advisor to plan the next dozen or so steps before the operation is fully launched."

Tari said with a smug look on his face.

He enjoys being admired.

"...In addition to establishing more bases, it would be best if we could join forces with other rebel forces. After all, we only number 20,000 or 30,000, while the enemy owns the entire empire. If we hadn't chosen to hide in the mountains and disguise ourselves as farmers, we would have been strangled by Him long ago."

"So what should we do now? Continue hiding in the mountains and forests and slowly grow stronger?! Wait for an opportunity that may come at any time!"

"I doubt we'll ever get our chance even if we wait until we die! Everyone knows that He possesses a lifespan that's nearly divine!"

"Captain! What exactly do you stand for? Are you truly prepared to lead us to victory?"

“…”

There was a small commotion at the meeting.

Many small leaders stood up and slammed the table to vent their dissatisfaction.

"temporary--"

The big chief tried to calm the chaos, but the small chiefs had already lost their patience.

"I admit that we are few in number and no match for the tyrant! But if we stay in the mountains for a long time, what will the volunteers who bring their families to join the Green Scarf Army think of us?"

"There are voices outside saying that you, Great Leader, are a capitulator. Everything you do is to maintain your position as leader of the Green Scarf Army! You want to be the emperor on the Green Scarf Army's territory!"

"I--"

The chief was suffocated by the crowd's attack and looked at Xiao Yun for help: "Lord Claude——"

"Oh, I've heard that, too."

Xiao Yun said leisurely.

Not only had he heard of this statement, he even knew that it was spread by Him through spies within the Green Turban Army.

"Captain, Lord Claude heard this rumor on his first day in our territory. Can you give us a reasonable explanation?"

Several small leaders who had different opinions took advantage of the situation to pursue the big leader, and they were so aggressive that they seemed to want to eat him alive on the spot.

"Lord Claude, what do you think should be done now that things have come to this point?"

"I think..."

Xiao Yun said expressionlessly: "Those who doubt can take their teams to live in better and more fertile land."

"Why?"

The chief was stunned: "Master Claude, what do you mean——"

"He allowed you to establish a base in this mountainous area because He despises you, and because this area of ​​land is unprofitable to Him, and leaving it alone won't cause much loss. If any of you feel it's unfair to stay here, then go to a better place and seek so-called development."

"Master Claude, what did you say?"

Everyone looked at Xiao Yun with strange eyes. "From what Johnny said, you and your brother are not from the East Continent. You just came here not long ago for some reason. Why do you speak as if you know Him and this land better than any of us?"

"We brothers are indeed not from the East Continent, but the feud between us and Him began eight years ago, and He always took the initiative to contact us. It's no exaggeration to say that we brothers are the people who understand Him best in this world. If there is anything inappropriate in my words, please let me know."

"No! No! You are quite right."

The chieftain echoed, "He truly has no interest in the land we occupy. That's why we've been able to successfully gather our forces and frequently clash with His army through small guerrilla warfare."

“When you don’t have enough power, guerrilla warfare is the best tactic.”

Xiao Yun said slowly, "However, not every volunteer who joins your team can accept this depressing and austere life. So, if they want to leave and join a team they believe has a better future, you might as well let them go to avoid a major split within the team."

"I agree!"

Tari raised his hand.

"The news that the Golden Dragon is not his ancestor has begun to spread among a small number of people, and the momentum against him is quietly growing. If someone raises a banner at this time, many people will surely respond, and he will immediately send troops to suppress it. Although we don't have the strength to face his army head-on, we are a force that cannot be underestimated among the many rebels. We can wait until those eager rebels have almost depleted his power before taking action! By the way, we can absorb the remnants of the rebels that he defeated to strengthen ourselves!"

“…”

The military meeting fell into silence for a moment.

Tari's suggestion makes sense, but—

"Isn't this a bit vicious..."

"Yes, the Green Scarf Army was the first uprising army to raise its flag. How could they do such a thing?"

"Master Tari, I cannot accept your suggestion, even though it may be correct!"

“…”

The discussions of the crowd made Tari's already ugly face even uglier. His triangular eyes glared fiercely at everyone who refuted him.

At this time, Xiao Yun opened his mouth again: "I think that Military Advisor Tari's suggestion is partially reasonable. I don't mean to support using the power of other rebel forces to consume His army, and I don't want to take advantage of other rebel forces to rob them. Although the Green Scarf Army is not strong enough to face His army head-on and cannot take drastic action in the short term, but - if there is a conflict between the rebel army and His army within the range of the Green Scarf Army, the Green Scarf Army should support the friendly forces as much as possible!"

"That's right! We are the first to rise up! Even if our strength is limited and we can't fight head-on for the time being, we will not watch our allies get besieged and wiped out!"

"We won't miss any opportunity to defeat Him!"

"Lord Claude, you are right! We will obey you!"

Everyone was moved by Xiao Yun's suggestions for improvement and raised their hands in agreement.

In the subsequent more detailed discussion and analysis of military strategies, these rebel generals who came from humble backgrounds were all deeply impressed by Xiao Yun's broad vision, profound knowledge, and professional military skills, and their hearts were ignited with enthusiasm.

"If I hadn't witnessed it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that someone in the world could analyze so much useful information just by looking at a map. It's incredible."

"The 'True Dragon Messenger' is indeed the most outstanding and outstanding person in the world, just as the Great Leader said!"

"Every word Lord Claude says makes me doubt myself like a brainless savage!"

"Compared to Lord Claude, we are just a bunch of idiots put together on the spur of the moment!"

"If Lord Claude is willing to stay and lead us, I will definitely be more loyal than a dog and braver than a horse and charge for Lord Claude!"

“…”

"...I'm sorry, but if my brother and I accept the invitation and stay to become one of the leaders of the Green Scarf Army, it will bring real disaster to the Green Scarf Army."

Xiao Yun said calmly, "When we were in the Western Continent, He mobilized a hundred thousand troops to capture us brothers."

"One hundred thousand troops!"

Everyone gasped,

"Yes, a full 100,000 troops, including those three-meter-tall lizard monsters you call 'Dragon Teeth Soldiers.' So—as much as I want to stay and lead you to victory, I don't want to send you to your deaths before you have the power to confront Him head-on."

“…”

The atmosphere at the meeting was a little depressing for a moment.

Xiao Yun stood up: "I still have some things to deal with."

After saying this, Xiao Yun walked out of the conference hall without waiting for everyone's response.

Tari ran out right after him and caught up with Xiao Yun at the corner of the corridor, whispering, "Lord Claude, it was actually Lord Yaris who told me to suggest that the Green Scarf Army temporarily stand aside and wait for an opportunity to recruit the remaining rebel forces."

"What?"

Xiao Yun stopped and looked at Tari in shock.

Tari grinned, revealing a sinister smirk. "Lord Yaris asked me to deliberately propose a proposal at the meeting that is appealing but seriously violates moral standards, so that after hearing my proposal, you can come up with an improved plan that everyone can accept."

"he……"

"Lord Yaris truly loves everything about you. He doesn't mind getting tainted with dirt, but he wants to protect your brightness and nobility."

"...Thank you for telling me this!"

Xiao Yun wanted to kill this vile and vicious guy with his eyes: "I hope that next time we meet, you can behave like a basic human being!"

"Lord Claude—"

Tari reluctantly tried to move closer again, but was hit by Xiao Yun's cloak, and most of his face was burning with pain.

…

Xiao Yun returned to the temporary residence arranged for them by the Green Scarf Army. Just as he was about to get angry, he discovered that Yaris was sitting in front of the stone window in thin clothes, as quiet as a beautiful statue.

"Where's Kyleil?"

Xiao Yun spoke hurriedly, picked up Yaris from the window, put him on the sofa, and covered him with a blanket: "You are too weak, a little cold wind may cause a high fever."

"But I want to take a closer look outside before I go completely blind...see this vibrant world..."

Yaris looked up, his deep black eyes fixed on Xiao Yun, his soft head resting on Xiao Yun's arm: "Did the meeting go well?"

"It went very smoothly."

"Were you very angry just now?"

"Um?"

"Given Tari's scheming, he'll definitely tell you everything I told him to do right after the meeting... You'll probably be very angry after you find out."

"Yes, I'm angry, but—"

Xiao Yun whispered, "Seeing you sitting alone by the window like an unwanted child waiting for me to come back, no matter how much anger I have in my heart..."

"You don't even want to suspect that I'm pretending to be pitiful to get your sympathy."

Yaris said in an almost joking tone.

"certainly."

Xiao Yun reached out and gently stroked the shimmering black hair. "I know you've never been a good child. You've always plotted evil schemes to kill time... and I only ask that you don't do anything to worry me just because I've temporarily taken my eyes off you."

"What worries you? Instigating Tari, or..."

"Just now, when I saw you sitting by the windowsill, I was so worried that I almost went crazy."

Xiao Yun spoke gently, hugging this arrogant and willful man tightly: "The wind is poisonous to you, and I have no doubt that you will deliberately jump off the windowsill just to scare me."

"I don't plan to die yet, and besides—"

Yaris slowly raised his head and stared at Xiao Yun with sad eyes: "If I were to commit suicide, I would never choose such an ugly way of death as jumping out of the window. I hope that I will be as beautiful in the coffin as I was in life, and everyone who sees my corpse will mistakenly think that I am just asleep."

"Yaris..."

Xiao Yun held him quietly, holding this man who looked noble and elegant but was anxious and twisted inside, with strong self-destructive tendencies.

…

…

After bidding farewell to the Green Scarf Army town hidden in the mountains, Xiao Yun and others met up with Luke, who was working with members of the "Assassin's Order". They crossed the rolling mountains and dense forests and came to the outskirts of the barrier of the mysterious city hidden deep in the mountains - the "Golden City".

"Before you officially enter the Golden City, I hope you can abandon your traditional and inherent cognition."

The Assassin's Order's messenger solemnly declared, "The Golden City isn't just a city for the Assassin's Order; it's also a city where aliens and humans live side by side. Within the Golden City, all intelligent life is equal, regardless of whether or not it possesses a form that conforms to human common sense and aesthetics."

"In other words, we will see all kinds of non-human creatures in the Golden City. Some of them are descendants of long-extinct ancient demons, some are the products of demonic experiments of previous generations, and some are children from the stars like you?"

Yaris asked with interest.

He obviously had some understanding of the situation in the Golden City.

"Yes, so we belong to the 'Assassin's Order', but the Golden City belongs to the 'Star Cult'."

The messenger smiled and led everyone through the barrier into a mysterious city in the sky that always maintained the tranquility and splendor of dusk.

…

"...The Golden City has approximately 500,000 residents, most of whom are non-human. Love often unites people of different races, though over 90% of interracial marriages fail to produce offspring naturally."

Following the messenger's introduction, houses and pedestrians gradually appeared on both sides of the street. Some were humanoid creatures with obvious animal features, such as white ears, fluffy tails, and soft fur. Others were pure aliens, possessing incredible non-human forms, yet able to speak human language fluently...

All life is so full of charm that one is completely unaware of its alien form.

The messenger also untied the black bandages covering her face and hands, revealing smooth blue-green skin - she was a woman with a snake-like slender body and a thin face like a Siamese cat.

"You are very beautiful."

Xiao Yun said.

"Thank you for the compliment."

The messenger nodded with emotion and led everyone through the vibrant suburbs into the prosperous and bustling city.