Chapter 30: Shadow of the King
Beichen was frightened by Xiaoying.
He said to be king? Was he talking about her? When did she...become the one who was going to be king?
What kind of existence is a king?
The supreme ruler of a territory possesses the highest power in this territory and has endless wealth and glory. A single word can determine the fate of thousands of people and influence the lives of others in the blink of an eye. He holds everything in his hands and carries everything on his shoulders.
──A person like this, no matter how you look at it, has nothing to do with me.
She moistened her throat, which had suddenly become dry, with saliva.
"Xiao Ping, stop joking. How could I possibly..."
"Why not?"
A cold smile appeared on Xiao Ping's lips.
"I won't do something that's impossible. Now that I've made this plan, I can definitely do it."
Beichen shook his head: "I know myself well."
"You only know your past and present self, but I can see your future self."
He stretched out a finger and waved it in front of Beichen.
"Just tell me if you're really against this. If you'd rather die than become the king of a country, I won't force you. I have a backup plan anyway."
Beichen was silent for a while and looked at Xiaoying with a cold expression.
"Why?"
"Answer me first, do you reject it?"
"I reject it, but not to the point where I'd rather die than be one."
"Then let's continue with this plan. Let me answer your question."
Xiao Ping pulled Beichen to sit at the table, and the three warriors and Atlas also came over silently, but because of the type of topic, no one interrupted this time.
"First, what do you think you lack most right now?"
"……strength?"
"Yes, it is strength, but it does not refer to your own strength. No matter how strong you are, what good can it do against the encirclement of an entire country's army? You lack the military forces around you that can directly command and deploy group operations.
Think about it yourself, from the time you came into this world until now, have many of your actions been too inefficient and passively dependent on the power of others?
Take this ruins investigation for example. If you had enough manpower, you could have your subordinates spread out a network and investigate several ruins at the same time—isn't that what my lord, Su Mo, did? Efficiency isn't important right now when it comes to investigating ruins, but if you have to fight an intelligence war in the future, how can you possibly be a match for the enemy without manpower?
"... This... I have Yagad's 'Night-Treading Iron Cavalry'."
"The relationship between you and the Night Cavalry is like this, right? The Night Cavalry belongs to Yagad, and Yagad belongs to you. Although I believe he will never betray you, the presence of an army controlled by someone between them always creates a sense of distance. Don't forget, Mayor Hott, the instigator of the Jafa Divine Order, was a traitor to the Night Cavalry, wasn't he?"
"...Yes, that's indeed a problem. Agard's methods of cultivating power are too ruthless. I always feel that the army formed by this method is more powerful than loyal."
"That's good to know. Secondly, are you prepared for any eventuality?"
"…to deal with all situations?"
"If your identity as a witch is exposed one day, where will you hide? Which territory do you think will accept and protect you? Even if it's the two princes of Heyang Kingdom who are so friendly to you, do you think the outcome of you seeking refuge with them will be temporary safety for you, or will they be implicated because of you?"
"Well, I've thought about it. If all else fails, I could take refuge in Feinheim—but didn't Rui use public opinion to seduce the public?"
"Yes, Prince Rui's move has bought us some time. The recent news of the appearance of the Red Moon Priestess has gradually reduced people's fear of the Priestess, but have you forgotten?
There have been quite a few major events recently: that strange beast that fires golden star cannons, the incited war machines, and the sudden public release of the cure for Moon Poison. When a series of turmoil occurs, people's hearts are most easily unstable. So if someone insists that you are the Red Moon Priestess, our situation will be extremely dangerous."
"So, Xiao Ping, what you're saying is that, in the time Rui has bought us, instead of looking for a reliable shelter, why not create a stronghold where we can safely defend ourselves?"
"That's right."
"I've certainly thought about that, but my primary goal right now is—"
"Whether it's the Martial Arts Tournament or the Jafa Divine Group, we can't just leave them alone, but going out on a special trip to deal with them would be a waste. So, treat the Martial Arts Tournament as the best opportunity to build your reputation and expand your network. Of course, it would be even better if you could get Xia Blood. Even if you don't sign, you can transfer the contract rights to Gu Yinyue.
As for the Jafa Clan—since they're so elusive and difficult to eradicate, chasing them down would be too boring. We should just wait for them to appear before us."
"Let them appear on their own? How is it possible..."
"What do you think is the most important thing about a religion?"
"The gods and doctrines worshipped by religion?"
"No, it's believers. What they need most is believers and land that can accommodate their missions. So, what could be easier for them to regain their footing than a newly established nation? If they haven't been eradicated by the time we establish our influence, they'll definitely come to negotiate with us with very lucrative terms."
"So that's how it is..." Beichen nodded in sudden realization.
"So, thirdly, what do you think is the king's most important talent?"
"A vision that takes the overall situation into consideration?"
"That's certainly important, but it can be cultivated slowly. However, there's one skill that's incredibly difficult to cultivate, yet incredibly crucial—the charisma that attracts talent. A king may have his own shortcomings, but he must possess the aura to attract talent, a deep understanding of how to fully utilize and harness the talents of others, and a magnetic force that draws loyalty. As for the reasons, I don't need to elaborate."
"Well, of course I understand that. But what you mean, Xiao Ping, is... do I have such ability?"
"Don't you realize what kind of people are gathered around you now?"
Xiao Ping raised his eyebrows at Beichen with some amusement.
"Silver Moon of Hooked Life, the Witch of Frost and Flame, the Vampire Scythe of Darkness, the Scarlet Moon Knight with great power over an entire nation, the two princes, the Chief of the Tu Lingzhun Clan, the Seven-Scarred Star Vein Seed—"
Even my Lord Su Mo, after hearing what he did to me, you should know how cruel he is, right? But he is just interested in you and wants to win you over, not because he thinks you are dangerous and wants to get rid of you. Doesn't this make the problem clear?
"But, the relationship between them and me is friendship... This is different from the relationship between a king and his subordinates, right?"
"Of course, but that doesn't mean they won't recruit subordinates, nor does it mean you can't use the same method to attract people who are willing to work hard for you."
Beichen frowned slightly in disapproval, but said nothing.
Xiao Ping reached out and touched the wrinkles between her eyebrows with his middle finger.
"Take me for example. Initially, I wanted to use you as a new refuge to turn against Su Mo. As for what happened next, while I wouldn't turn the tables, I didn't have any grand plans to turn things upside down. But after knowing you for so many days, my plans kept changing, becoming increasingly crazy. Now... if you just say you trust me, I'll risk everything to build a country for you."
As he spoke, he looked at the three warriors and Atlas standing silently behind Beichen.
"Honestly, it's so pleasant to be able to gather and chat with so many people, especially when there's a mix of humans, War Machines, and possessed Moon Envoys... yet there's such a relaxed atmosphere without any sense of distance or gap between them. For a War Machine, this kind of familial feeling is hard to let go once you've tasted it. ...And you, the center of this family."
"Family? ...But family and country are different, Xiaoping."
"Why not? Just think of it as a giant family."
Xiao Ping's words were like a small hammer, knocking open a corner in Beichen's heart.
Beichen began to think seriously about this possibility.
Not talking about herself, but considering the perspective of the people around her.
Yagad is still a fugitive from the Heyang Kingdom. Although the power he has is great, it has many unstable factors.
Will the Heyang Kingdom where Redis and Rui are located be implicated because of her identity?
Since we have decided to take in and protect Xiao Ping, we must have the awareness and courage to go against Su Mo, whose power spans the entire You Yu Kingdom.
Furthermore, as a shrine maiden, her reputation alone was not enough to protect Xiang Ying and the twins from the chaotic world situation;
As the possessed Moon-Knight, Atlas would be in even greater danger if exposed;
The worries that had been quietly piling up in my heart were now strung together into a thread.
The solution was exactly as Xiao Ying had said—she needed a large group that she could control, and a place where she and her companions could feel at ease as a base.
—That is… the country.
She gritted her teeth, closed her eyes tightly, and then opened them.
Turning around, Xiang Ying, Hei Huo, Su Jie and Atlas were looking at her intently.
"Xiang Ying, do you think I can do it?"
Xiang Ying smiled and nodded at her:
"Master, you can be more confident. If you feel this is necessary, then go ahead and do it. I will fully support you no matter what. Besides, I also think that having a stable foothold and a strong military defense will only benefit your status."
Beichen turned his attention to Heihuo and Sujie again:
"Black Disaster, Su Jie, what do you think?"
"What do you think, little loach? Do you think we would choose an incompetent master? Although you are indeed timid and useless in front of us, aren't you the one who has the courage to fight such a huge new species of behemoth in close combat? Be more confident! Show your aura in the ring. I don't believe you can't tame it!"
"Yeah, yeah! I'd love to see you treat your little loach like a queen with such a haughty air. Or rather, even if such a little loach faces us, we'll still bully it—that kind of sense of accomplishment would be incredible, wouldn't it, brother?"
"...Su Jie..." Beichen twitched his lips. "Then, what about Atlas? Do you think someone like me can really be a successful king?"
“…”
Atlas blinked and paused for a moment:
"Don't worry, Beichen. I have over 200 volumes of reference materials on political tactics here. I will kill anyone who refuses to listen to you."
“…”
The room was quiet for a few minutes.
Finally, Beichen raised his head and stared at Xiaoying with his eyes.
"Laughing Poppy."
She slowly took off her helmet and then pulled off her blonde wig.
"I trust you... help me create a country."
Xiao Ping looked at Beichen's true face and was a little stunned.
The girl with black hair and black eyes smiled at him.
She was not tall, with a delicate and beautiful face. After removing her golden wig, she looked less luxurious and dazzling, but more calm and gentle - and had an aloofness that was so well hidden that it was almost impossible to detect it between her eyebrows.
There was no longer any confusion in her black pupils. Her firm gaze contained rock-hard determination, a small but real confidence, and perhaps something she herself hadn't noticed—a spark-like, burning excitement and wildness.
For less than a second, Xiao Ping did have the illusion of looking into the eyes of the Queen.
Although she had a petite frame, her nearly perfect warrior-like curves continuously conveyed a sense of strength. Although she had a gentle and innocent appearance, the strange smile on her lips and the clear and resolute gaze were like an invisible net that had already wrapped you tightly before you even noticed. You couldn't retreat, and you longed to move forward, but you couldn't reach her side. Although she looked up at others, her aura was pulling them in instead.
Xiao Peng couldn't help but burst out laughing. His smile was as bright and dazzling as the sun shining through the clouds.
Just a little bit.
Just a little bit, really, but he saw a glimpse of the future.
Closing my eyes, the image of a woman with long black hair standing on the high platform of the castle, looking down at the people below with a gentle smile, loomed in my mind.
If this girl were left alone, she might want to become a wandering warrior according to her wishes. However, if she was guided carefully, it is indeed possible for her to become an unprecedentedly powerful king.
He was indeed not wrong and did not bet wrong.
There's a lot of room for growth—no problem.
There's a lot to prepare—no problem.
There are many issues that need to be resolved - there are no problems.
If the most important rough stone starts to shine, everything else will fall into place.
"Okay." He nodded. "If you're prepared, then go for it. You've already unintentionally gathered the talent you need around you."
"Hmm... My first 'family' is now by my side. So when I think about it, I'm starting to feel less scared and worried."
She walked to the bed and looked at the beautiful sunset glow outside the window.
"I'll try to create the country that I want."
The girl's profile was covered with a resolute smile, and her pupils contained a profound gentleness and an imperceptible coldness and determination.
Want to survive.
——I want everyone around me to live safely.
She knew that at this point, her heart was almost full.
Xiang Ying, Gemini Claw, Ya Ye, Rui, Gu Yinyue, Atlas, Ling Shuang, Xifeng, Yagad, Xiao Ping, and Redis—these people had already left their mark on her heart.
So, while enjoying their warm support, tolerance and care, it is only natural to give to them.
She admitted that she had almost no time to share her feelings with anyone other than them.
──So, I can already demonstrate the ruthlessness that a king must possess.
There is no need to make excuses anymore. No matter how heavy the burden is, use your shoulders to support them and create a world that belongs completely to them.
A place that can always maintain this family atmosphere, where people can laugh and talk freely, must be defended by a barrier composed of the strongest army!
Even as a king, he is destined to face inevitable sacrifices and choices, slaughter and killing!
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