Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 301: Half Black, Half White, Half Martial World
Wang Zhouzhi spoke calmly and clearly: “First, Jin Kingdom must now be stationed with troops in the north, surely not fewer than a million soldiers. Once the order is given, they can relieve Your Excellency’s troubles in an instant.”
Relieve troubles… Hearing these words with multiple implied meanings, Kong Donglai’s mouth twitched. This was an unmasked threat: you can only side with our Jin Kingdom. If you dare side with Qi State, we will immediately flatten Nanyang County. The current Nanyang County is already unstable and wavering; it absolutely cannot withstand Jin Kingdom’s million-strong army.
Wang Zhouzhi paused briefly, then continued: “Second, as the saying goes, distant water cannot quench near thirst. If you want to find enough water, the nearest water source is only with our Jin Kingdom! Third, Your Excellency does not need to truly side with us, just make a show of support.”
A show of support? Kong Donglai, being a politician, immediately saw the trap within this so-called “show of support.” There were too many traps here.
First, even just showing support means Nanyang County “sides with the enemy.”
Anyang defeated Jin Kingdom and no matter what, earned much honor for the land of Great Xia; thus many people went to develop there. But if your Nanyang County sides with Jin Kingdom, isn’t that shameful?
Moreover, just a few days ago, Nanyang County publicly declared loyalty to the First Prince and supported him as emperor of Great Xia; yet within days, Nanyang County sides with Jin Kingdom— this cannot be allowed.
Second, once Nanyang County shows support, Jin Kingdom’s tentacles officially reach into Nanyang County, officially into Great Xia; gradually swallowing Nanyang County becomes inevitable.
Third, since support is shown, all prisoners must be released; Jin Kingdom, freshly defeated, can use Nanyang County as a “lucky charm” to turn fortunes.
Seeing Kong Donglai still hesitating, Wang Zhouzhi pressed harder, “Lord Kong, although you hold 250,000 prisoners, Jin Kingdom has prepared a million troops. You are fighting on two fronts — can Lord Kong truly withstand a full-scale attack from Jin Kingdom?
Once Jin Kingdom launches a full attack, seizing Nanyang County’s prisoners, Your Excellency will have no advantage left.
In my opinion, now is the best time for Your Excellency to side with Jin Kingdom. Delay, and it will truly be too late. If you side now, just show support and claim nominal allegiance — Nanyang County will still belong to the Kong family.
How about it?”
It sounded quite good. Although there were inevitable traps inside, Kong Donglai was tempted!
“I’ll think about it…”
Wang Zhouzhi finally breathed a sigh of relief, knowing Kong Donglai was fooled. But he still pushed harder: “There’s no time to delay! The situation might change next moment — for example, Jin Kingdom might suddenly deploy troops…”
Indeed, this possibility was real! Jin Kingdom, recently defeated, must quickly secure a victory; if it suddenly sends troops to attack Nanyang County now, it is very likely.
After a moment of contemplation, Kong Donglai finally made up his mind: “Someone, remove General Wang’s restraints and return his seal and signet.
Please have General Wang come with me.”
Wang Zhouzhi felt his internal vital energy begin to recover and rejoiced greatly; of course, his greatest joy was having turned Nanyang County— this was a great achievement, at least enough to offset the serious consequences of his defeat and capture.
Finally, citing safety reasons, Wang Zhouzhi asked Kong Donglai to release a hundred of his personal guards and head south.
When Wang Zhouzhi left, Kong Yingzhi was leading fifty thousand elite troops northwest, preparing to support Nangong Zhi. Kong Donglai did not call these elite soldiers back but made two plans.
However, at this moment Kong Donglai’s expression suddenly filled with exhaustion; continuous scheming and wavering had gradually pushed Nanyang County and the Kong family to a desperate situation.
Once, Nanyang County was the strongest within Great Xia, rivaling even the power of Northwest Governor Xiao Liming; yet now, Nanyang County would be the first separatist regime in Great Xia to surrender externally. How wonderfully strange, and helpless, the changes of the world truly are.
“Wait, what if we surrender to Anyang?” Suddenly, this idea popped into Kong Donglai’s mind.
Although Li Xian had killed Kong Donglai’s younger brother Kong Donghua, he could no longer dwell on it now. Hesitating a moment, Kong Donglai slapped his thigh, “Who cares? Send someone to contact Li Xian first! Kong Yingcai, come here.”
Half an hour later, Kong Yingcai departed by plane.
…
In Anyang, Li Xian was discussing a very important matter with others — not about Xiao Liming soon coming to “get beaten,” which Li Xian and the others were unconcerned about; besides, Beichen Yuqing had personally stationed at the border, so there was basically no danger.
What truly occupied Li Xian and the others was the “Adventurers and Mercenaries Association.” After several days of discussion, they finally defined the nature of this association — Anyang only controlled it secretly and did not interfere openly. From now on, the “Adventurers and Mercenaries Association” would be Anyang’s shadow.
Anyang’s official side naturally represents the world of light; while the Adventurers and Mercenaries Association will be the representative of Anyang’s dark world. More precisely, it represents a gray world. Similarly, here you can buy Anyang-related military supplies at half price — but it requires so-called mercenary points.
Association Rules:
- Groups of four or fewer are considered individuals and are classified as adventurers; each officially registered and recorded counts as one adventurer.
- Groups of five or more, registered as a “collective,” are considered armed forces. Armed forces enjoy more privileges than adventurers. The mercenary system benefits Anyang’s control.
- Adventurer and mercenary ranks are represented by “Sun, Moon, Star.” Each major rank is subdivided into five minor ranks.
- Adventurer and armed forces ranks are related to tasks and reputation, not cultivation levels. Of course, when registering armed forces, those with advanced cultivation receive some preferential treatment. This is due to the environment of the Immortal Realm — strong people must be given enough respect (disrespect and you get beaten).
At registration: Qi Refining stage counts as one star; Foundation Establishment stage is two stars; Golden Core stage three stars; Nascent Soul stage four stars.
- Liquid spiritual energy, elixirs (including Foundation Establishment elixirs, etc.), magical treasures and artifacts, refined iron and gold, and so on can all be purchased within the association — but this requires mercenary points and rank. If points are exhausted, sorry, even full price won’t get you the goods! This is to keep armed forces busy doing tasks.
For example, only “four-star” level armed forces or adventurers qualify to purchase. After registering at Nascent Soul stage, one can buy these, which is a small tactic by Li Xian to attract Nascent Soul experts. Generally, Nascent Soul experts have several descendants.
For more details, Li Xian fully entrusted everything to Li Yuanming. After finalizing all details, Li Yuanming immediately led his already selected subordinates, along with Guo Sihai — a Nascent Soul expert prepared to serve as vice president — happily to the northern part of Anyang City.
The north is a newly developing area; recently, a rough and grand building has sprung up here. It covers more than 300 square meters and houses separate branches like a “bank,” “Brilliant Star Group — Arms Dealer,” and a hospital unique to Anyang.
This building has no decorations — just exposed gray concrete. It only has three floors, and above the third floor is a high-altitude plaza.
This strange building has attracted countless people’s attention; everyone is wondering what this eerie structure is for.
Under the watchful eyes of many, Li Yuanming and Guo Sihai led a large group of people into the building; the observant noticed these people’s clothing was especially rough and simple, somewhat like military uniforms, but with a bit of rustic wildness.
Less than half an hour later, the main door opened again, and Guo Sihai came out. This Nascent Soul expert stretched out his hand and carved a couplet on the concrete pillars on both sides of the door:
“Half black half white half the martial world,
From south to north I roam at will.”
Then, Guo Sihai waved his hand again, and a horizontal banner appeared on the door lintel:
“Adventurers and Armed Forces Association.”
“What’s this?” Many people were immediately drawn in. In fact, just from the couplet and the banner, one could guess about seventy to eighty percent of the meaning.
Sure enough, Guo Sihai turned around and said, “Everyone is welcome to come inside and take a look, and to learn more. There are many benefits.”
After Guo Sihai entered, people looked around, and finally some walked in.
Xuan Tian Zhenren, also a Nascent Soul expert who liked to travel around seeking opportunities and was ultimately attracted to Anyang, followed the crowd inside. Upon entering the gate, he saw a spacious and bright hall. Unlike the rough exterior, the interior was cleverly designed and all areas were clear at a glance.
Registration area was divided into individual (adventurers) and teams (armed forces);
Task acceptance area and task release area were divided into sun, moon, and star zones;
Auction area, transaction area, bank, mortgage and pawn areas, magical treasures, artifacts, elixirs, etc. — all were clearly arranged.
Additionally, each area’s entrance had personnel in standard uniforms explaining things, with rules displayed nearby. In Anyang, influenced by the rule of law, all business groups, corporations, and so forth have their rules engraved and posted.
Xuan Tian Zhenren looked around and immediately approached Guo Sihai; as a Nascent Soul expert who also traveled extensively, Xuan Tian and Guo Sihai were somewhat acquainted.
“Hey, Old Guo, what are you guys up to here?”
Guo Sihai’s eyes lit up when he saw Xuan Tian: “Xuan Tian, I didn’t expect you’d come to Anyang too. Listen, join Anyang! The Nascent Soul experts joining now get generous rewards. You don’t know, after I joined Anyang, in just one month I broke through to mid-Nascent Soul.
It was a normal breakthrough, not forced.”
Xuan Tian Zhenren sneered, “Forget it, I can’t stand being constrained. Joining Anyang might be great, but their laws are so strict. If I really joined, I’d probably get warned and criticized every day, which would ruin my dignity.
Enough interruptions, tell me, what’s going on here?”
Many around also listened intently, waiting for Guo Sihai’s explanation.
Guo Sihai shook his head slightly, “There really is a position suitable for you now — register as a mercenary group leader and pull together your own team, then you’re half part of Anyang.
Alright, alright, don’t glare. I’ll explain bit by bit.”