This Game Is Too Real
Chapter 697: The Stormy Jinjaron Harbor

Chapter 697: Chapter 697: The Stormy Jinjaron Harbor

The first light of dawn sprinkled down from heaven, gilding that man’s shoulders with a layer of sacred golden hue.

McCullen squinted his eyes, focusing on that face.

The sharply defined contours exuded an inherent majesty, much like the imposing palace-spaceship he stood upon, yet the deep-set eyes revealed a cunning and cruelty typical of the most common hyenas in the Wasteland.

He heard his name was Witch Xi Lan.

However, to McCullen, this so-called emperor above tens of thousands didn’t seem so impressive.

Not to mention compared to His Excellency the Marshal adorned with many military honors, even compared to someone he had met in City of Dawn, this fellow was no different from a monkey—it was just that this one wore a crown.

Perhaps his father was a remarkable man.

However, the Weilante People respect the strong, not dads.

What McCullen found even more unbelievable was that the people here actually worshipped this monkey, honoring him as the supreme emperor.

Didn’t anyone ever consider whether he was worthy?

McCullen couldn’t understand why the great Marshal directed a weak and powerless civil official to manage this land. He didn’t even need help from the Eastern Legion or the Southern Legion; he could take down this so-called Tiandu with just one airship.

They were born slaves.

Conquering this place, every Weilante could have two each; that was what the Army was supposed to do.

But seeing the suggestive look from his adjutant, McCullen still patiently cleared his throat, feigning politeness as he spoke.

"Your Majesty, I bring you the friendship of Triumph City."

His forehead slightly tilted forward concealed the disdain at the corners of his mouth, unwilling to even introduce himself, he dove straight into the matter at hand.

His adjutant, not expecting this lord to cooperate all along, quickly took over the conversation, smiling politely.

"Your Majesty, this is General McCullen whom we recommend to you. He has established outstanding merits for the Army in the desert and transformed the once weakest Falcon Kingdom in Luo Xia Province into the number one power of the desert! As your military advisor, he will undoubtedly create an invincible iron Army for you!"

Looking down at the two Weilante people standing on the steps below, Witch Xi Lan right hand stroked his thick beard, his face brimming with a radiant smile.

Especially for that General McCullen; the more he looked, the more he liked him!

That man possessed all the qualities of a fierce general—proud and uncontrollable with a prominent nose, truly a born general!

Poluo Province had its fair share of tall and formidable men, but it indeed fell short compared to the battle-born Weilante People.

"May the gods bless me, West Winds!"

He joyfully exclaimed, his hands making a welcoming gesture.

"I’ve long heard of the general’s famed might, and seeing today, it is indeed extraordinary. I have prepared a banquet to refresh from the journey for you all in the palace; please, come with me!"

As his words fell, a palanquin adorned with a basket of flowers stopped at the marble-carved steps. Four robust, dark-skinned men slightly bent their knees, setting the palanquin firmly on the ground.

McCullen glanced at the four men.

"I have legs."

He certainly wouldn’t sit on that ridiculously funny rocking cart, a toy suited only for three-year-old kids.

After he had spoken, he walked towards the stairs.

The adjutant, caught between laughter and tears at this eccentric character, glanced at the sedan chair stopped beside him and eventually looked up helplessly at the emperor high above, then with a determined face, he followed McCullen up the steps.

Seeing this, Witch Xi Lan showed no displeasure on his face; instead, he was delighted to encounter a "real person from Vellante."

The group moved to the central palace in the Heavenly Palace, walked through a corridor decorated with flowers and brocade, and entered a magnificent banquet hall.

Everyone took their seats at the table.

McCullen, harboring his concerns, watched the officials and nobles slowly take their seats. He tapped on the table with his forefinger, over and again, until finally, he couldn’t contain his impatience and turned to his calm adjutant, whisperlng.

"When do we tell them about the harbor’s matter?"

The adjutant was startled and looked at him surprisingly.

"Why should we tell them?"

McCullen, taken aback, stared at him and then spread his hands since he didn’t know how to express it with words, and instead communicated through his eyes.

’Your allies, and you ask me why?’

Realizing McCullen might have misunderstood something, the adjutant softly coughed and whispered in his ear,

"When we interact with them, we should use their approach. Jinjaron Harbor is the emperor’s territory. If you want to befriend him, you cannot discover a problem before he does. He has his appointed governors and his own intelligence system; even without our reminders, he will realize the problem sooner or later."

Hearing that, McCullen could not help but laugh, realizing how much more patient and better-tempered he had become and managed to ask,

"So, do we just wait like this?"

The adjutant shook his head softly.

"You don’t have to wait; what is there to wait for? Do I look anxious to you? We can simply pretend the problem doesn’t exist. Besides, letting them suffer is beneficial; only when they hurt will they depend on us, and trade their resources for our rifles... You’ll get used to it after staying here a while. When dealing with them, you can’t be more anxious than they are, especially not."

McCullen, rendered speechless by this fellow, ultimately gave up on arguing and took a sip from the teacup on the table.

Deep down, he longed for redemption, but here, he saw no hope—only a torturous feeling that both time and patience were being eroded.

He suddenly regretted coming here...

...

While the empire’s Tiandu was still in celebration, the garrison of Jinjaron Harbor was getting beaten into crying out for their parents by the Burning Corps, huddling in the slums and daring not to come out.

They discovered that as long as they stayed with the civilians, the guys at the harbor wouldn’t bomb them, though they only fired when the soldiers attacked first.

Of course, there was no guarantee in that.

For instance, when they tried to mount cannons in the slums’ yard to fire at the docks, they were still met with mortar fire and targeted by drones.

The survivors living in the slums had learned their lesson. Seeing that following the soldiers meant being bombed, they naturally refused to stay with them and even retreated far away to excitedly watch the spectacle.

A similar incident had occurred a month ago when these armed men were chased all over the place by a White Bear.

This time seemed even more ruthless.

The guy in the exoskeleton went straight to the Governor’s Mansion, not only causing the governor’s private soldiers to flee in terror but even tearing down the Double Knife Flag hanging from the mansion’s roof.

Just outside the Governor’s Mansion’s courtyard wall, nearby residents walked curiously onto the streets, watching the commotion in the distance.

"How strange."

"I wonder which noble Mr. Nihak has offended."

"Who knows which god is protecting those Iron Men, they can fight so well that even General Abinan is no match for them!"

"Could it be the Weilante People?!"

"Impossible, the Army has always been our old friend, how could they act against us!"

"Could it be the people from Silver Moon Bay?"

"Even less likely! All of Silver Moon Bay combined doesn’t amount to much, those guys might look decent but they are just dogs dependent on our Emperor’s breath."

"Makes sense, they still have to do business with us, it wouldn’t make sense to offend us."

"...Could it be the Alliance? Those lunatics from a month ago seemed to be from the Alliance."

The survivors whispered among themselves, pushing each other to go take a look, until a thin, short boy from the Mouse Tribe, dressed in tattered clothes, was pushed forward.

Just then, a few men wearing breastplates and exoskeletons, rifles hanging on their breastplates, pushed open the iron gate of the backyard and walked out.

The survivors crowding by the muddy road scattered in all directions, hiding in nearby alleyways, leaving only the thin, short boy standing in the middle of the road.

He decided to show friendliness before acting tough and, by some mistake, unlocked his helmet’s visor, smiling and half-squatting as he waved.

"Come here."

The boy stared nervously at him, but mustered the courage to walk over.

By some mistake, looked at him.

"What’s your name?"

"...Ah Xin."

"Good, Ah Xin, which house is yours?"

The boy glanced back and pointed at the house with the red curtains, then looked at the man in the exoskeleton in front of him.

Continuing with a smile, By some mistake said.

"How much would a house like yours cost?"

"One Double-headed Cow, or two pigs..." seemingly understanding his intent, the boy continued, "But you can’t buy it, sir. My grandparents, parents, and my four brothers and three sisters all live there, if you buy it, we’ll have nowhere to live."

The bystanders without family hesitated and subconsciously took up binoculars for a better look, but no matter how they looked, it was just a small house of twenty-some square meters, even if it had two floors.

My god.

How could so many people cram into that corner?!

Seeing the pitiful child in front of him, By some mistake felt somewhat troubled, it seemed the mission wasn’t as fun as he had imagined.

After all, it was someone else’s home.

Even if they were NPCs.

After thinking for a while, he squatted down and continued eyeing the boy.

"Listen, your lord has angered us, and so we stand here. My superiors might say otherwise, but I won’t falsely tell you we are here with peaceful intentions. To be honest, we are here to beat someone up, be it the Grey Wolf Army or the Grey Dog Army. We’ll knock their teeth out until they plead and pay us to leave."

"I don’t want to demolish your home, but this place is a warzone now, whether you like it or not, it will soon be reduced to rubble. You only have two choices now - take some money from us and relocate, or wait for the Empire’s troops to requisition your house and get buried there with them."

Ah Xin was silent for a while, knowing his opposition would be futile, so he straightforwardly asked.

"How much are you willing to give us?"

By some mistake calculated, the mission required clearing at least five hundred homes, more if possible.

There were barely over a thousand houses in this area, a budget of one billion could clear a large area for them, so he stated,

"One hundred thousand West Winds Dollars."

Upon hearing such a large amount, the boy’s breathing became rapid, he swallowed and then asked,

"Are you planning to buy all the houses here? All for one hundred thousand?"

By some mistake chuckled,

"That’s right, I won’t play any riddles with you. Spread the word after the deal, or it’ll be too late."

Ah Xin immediately said,

"That’s not enough."

"Not enough?" By some mistake paused, his expression turning curious.

Was this guy taking advantage of his easygoing attitude to try and swindle him?

Seemingly understanding his look, the boy nervously swallowed and explained quickly.

"One hundred thousand West Winds Dollars, would get you ten fat pigs. With this amount up front, they definitely won’t agree. Everyone would want a higher price, and there would surely be outsiders sneaking in, even some taking it twice."

Looking at this interesting boy, By some mistake said with a smile,

"We’re not here to make deals, you surely don’t think our guns are just for show?"

"Then you should just kill them, that would be fastest," Ah Xin said without hesitation, watching the astonished man in front of him, continuing, "If you’re unwilling to do the killing yourself, let me help you! I’d take ninety thousand for each house. I not only help drive people away but also dismantle those houses... dismantle those mud walls that could serve as cover for Imperial soldiers, making them shoot practice on broken bricks!"

Half a year’s wasted time couldn’t help but ask,

"Are they your compatriots?"

Ah Xin silently stared at him, glancing at the pairs of eyes peeking curiously at him from the corners, and slowly said,

"I am from the Rat Clan, they are from the Fox, Wolf, Pig, Cat tribes... many more, none of them care about my life, and I don’t care about theirs, but you care for me, I can work for you. Whether it’s killing or arson, if it’s inconvenient for you, I can do anything."

The four players exchanged glances.

Surprise was evident in the eyes of three, but only one showed delight, the one who was their leader.

By some mistake grinned broadly, reaching out to pat the boy’s head and back of his head.

"Sure, smart kid," Fang Chang said. "Let’s go by your rate of ninety thousand per building once you complete the job for us. But remember, don’t make a big scene, especially no killing or arson, we are civilized people."

A glimmer of joy flashed across Ah Xin’s face as he took a deep breath to calm himself and continued.

"I definitely can do that. Give me three days! Of course...if there are troublemakers who absolutely refuse to move, you’ll have to help me teach them a lesson."

By Some Mistake replied, "This is a bit difficult for us. We have our discipline, and we don’t fire at unarmed people. At most, we can help you scare that guy."

Ah Xin extended his hand.

"Then give me the gun! I need to protect myself and my family!"

By Some Mistake glanced at the man next to him who had no family, who immediately understood and, smiling, handed over a pistol that they had pilfered from the governor’s mansion guards to the young man in front of him.

"...Remember to chamber a round and flick off the safety before you pull the trigger, and don’t point it at us—its last owner ended up dead like that."

When the young man took the gun, a gleam of astonishment and excitement flashed in his eyes, and even his expression changed.

And it wasn’t just him.

Even the people hiding in the alleys watching him changed from an entertained expression to a hint of horror and even fear.

They didn’t know what the young man from the Rat Clan had discussed with those soldiers; they only saw him receiving a gun from their hands...

What did this mean?

Had that group who had beaten up the governor badly now become this boy’s backup?

The survivors swallowed their saliva regrettably; some regretted not being the one who had stepped forward, others just fearfully watched the gun, regretting how they had treated him and his family in the past.

Half a Year’s Wasted Time felt it was somewhat inappropriate, but then remembered this was Wasteland, not the civilized world, and said nothing.

Carefully putting away the gun, Ah Xin seriously looked at the man squatting on the ground and asked.

"What do I call you?"

By Some Mistake hadn’t spoken when the man with no family next to him reached out, clapped him on the shoulder, and spoke with a smile.

"He’s Tuning Fork, I’m Family Man, and those two back there are Step Into the Sky and Half a Year’s Wasted Time. Just come to us two if you need anything."

By Some Mistake, who was giving himself a cooler nickname, rolled his eyes at the man who grinned cheekily.

Too lazy to argue about the nickname, he looked at the young man and said.

"We’ll be around here lately. If we’re not, you can ask others, and they’ll help you find us."

Ah Xin paused, then nodded his head thoughtfully and said seriously.

"Tuning Fork, Family Man, Step Into the Sky, Half a Year’s Wasted Time... I’ll remember that."

After that, he tucked the handgun into his waistband, turned, and ran towards the slum, looking like a completely different person compared to his previously timid self.

Half a Year’s Wasted Time spoke as he watched the boy disappear.

"I don’t think this is a good idea; perhaps there’s a better way."

Family Man, with a playful smile, tapped him on the shoulder.

"But don’t you find it interesting?"

A guy who lived at the lowest level of the pyramid, bullied by everyone, suddenly tasted power one day, overthrowing everyone’s dominance over him.

He was curious to see how far the young man could go.

As someone who took pleasure from observing others, this might become an interesting case study.

Step Into the Sky, who had been silent until then, nodded deeply in agreement.

"+1"

...

Elsewhere, at the harborside guard station’s holding cell, Governor Ni Hak, handcuffed, was pushed and stumbled onto the cold concrete floor of his new cell.

"Starting today, this is your new home, Mr. Ni Hak," said the man in an exoskeleton sarcastically at the doorway, then looked towards Chief Bahari and two guards standing by.

"Keep an eye on him."

Having thoroughly adapted to his new role, Chief Bahari immediately saluted with his right fist pressed against his chest, standing rigidly.

"Understood, Sir!"

Fang Chang said nothing, simply nodded, and walked away.

He was busy.

Not only handling the harbor affairs but also tallying the spoils of war.

There were not only nobles from the West Winds Empire at the port but also merchants who had come to stock up from other regions.

Their goods and ships were stuck at the docks and couldn’t leave. Some of these were livestock, spices, dyes, linen, and other goods, while some were specialties from Poluo Province—slaves.

Now that the Alliance had arrived, they naturally wouldn’t allow ships dealing in slaves to depart from this port, and soon they would dismantle a few concentration camps in the settlement and declare the implementation of Alliance law during the temporary control period.

Besides these, other nobles from the Empire attempting to escape disguised as merchants also needed careful screening.

These individuals were both hostages and bargaining chips in negotiations with the Empire, and they couldn’t simply let them slip away.

In summary, Fang Chang had a load of things to worry about; he had no time to bother with this man for now.

As the man left, the cell quieted down.

Seeing three pairs of eyes staring straight at him, Governor Ni Hak felt cold sweat break out on his forehead and squeezed out a forced smile.

"Chief Bahari... what exactly is going on?"

"What’s going on?" Chief Bahari narrowed his eyes slightly, scrutinized the governor who had become a prisoner, and spoke with a teasing tone.

"You’re already squatting here; do I really need to remind you?"

"Chief Bahari! Watch your tone!" Ni Hak glared at the man looking down at him, trying to pull rank, but realized it no longer had any effect.

The man who usually fawned over and pleased himself, now looked like a completely different person, his expression fierce and terrifying as he stared at himself.

No—

He was not even human!

He was clearly a snarling, grimacing bulldog!

He directed his stinking gums at his former master, desperately shaking his short, pathetic tail in an attempt to please his new master.

Arrogantly lifting his head, Chief Bahari looked down at the pitiful figure slumped in the cell and said bluntly,

"You’re the one who should watch your tone! Nihak! Standing before you now is the Chief of Police from Jinjaron Harbor! Here, besides the Alliance people and Alliance law, I am the greatest! If you don’t want to suffer, you better keep your tail tucked and behave!"

Nihak stared at the man in disbelief.

"Are you insane? Aren’t you worried about me settling the score with you once I get out?"

Hearing this, Chief Bahari burst out laughing.

"Ha ha, even if I were a bit nicer to you, would you spare me once you’re out? Even if you’re willing, would the others be? Besides, whether you can get out of here still depends on the moods of those higher-ups."

He paused, then continued,

"And they’ve even promised me to make me a Chief of Police in the Empire. Face the reality, the Empire is finished! Ha ha ha!"

Ignoring Governor Nihak’s murderous gaze, Chief Bahari laughed loudly, swaggering out of the prison, leaving only two lackeys standing by the door.

"That bastard!"

Nihak threw himself at the cell’s barred door, gripping the bars tightly and yelling at the guards at the door,

"Let me out! You treacherous bastards, do you know who I am? I am the Governor here! The Governor of Jinjaron Harbor, personally appointed by His Imperial Majesty!"

The two guards stood motionless, as if they hadn’t heard a thing.

"Stop shouting, it’s no use. Do you see them listening to you?" A sigh came from the opposite cell, cutting off the barking-like shouting.

Nihak, gasping for air, now noticed a person lying in the opposite cell, someone he knew.

His pupils shrank slightly, and he said with a trembling voice,

"Di Rang..."

"Long time no see, Governor," Di Rang said, looking at Nihak with wide eyes and offering a self-deprecating smile.

Nihak’s adam’s apple bobbed as he managed to squeeze out a question with difficulty,

"What on earth happened? Weren’t you supposed to be in Potato Harbor? Why are you here?"

"What happened... ha ha, I’d like to know myself," Di Rang said, his expression complex as he looked at the sliver of sunlight trickling through the iron window, feeling as if the past few days had been a dream.

He was supposed to be on the beaches of Potato Harbor with his men, enjoying the sea breeze and fruits, and having fun at the expense of the Empire’s traitors. But before he even saw the shadow of the docks, mutants and the Alliance took turns hammering them down, and now he’s thrown into the Jinjaron Harbor jail.

This was the most absurd part.

He had never thought he’d be locked up here; at most, he thought he’d be sent to the City of Dawn to be used as a bargaining chip for Duke Garava.

The Alliance not only captured people on their land but even tried them there, a humiliation that made him feel death might be better.

"How many of them came..." Nihak asked anxiously.

Di Rang responded casually,

"Probably not a thousand, I saw maybe five or six hundred."

Nihak sighed in relief, a faint gleam of schadenfreude on his face.

"Just five or six hundred... they won’t last long! Jinjaron Harbor’s defense army has a full two thousand men, with nearly ten thousand reservists available. I even bought cannons a month ago. General Abinan will teach them a harsh lesson!"

Watching the deluded man, Di Rang smirked self-deprecatingly,

"Forget it, your men are no match for them."

The expression on Nihak’s face froze, and he laughed dryly, saying,

"Mr. Di Rang, aren’t you being too pessimistic? They only have five or six hundred men..."

"Do you know how many captured us?"

Without waiting for the Governor to guess, Di Rang, as if sure he wouldn’t guess, continued,

"Thirty... Just thirty men captured us, I found out later. And those men weren’t even their elite."

At that time, they had at least two hundred men landing, yet they were beaten by the group on shore, having no chance to even retaliate.

The worst was yet to come.

The mutants that had them running scared were slaughtered cleanly by another group armed to the teeth with steel weapons.

The two sides were simply not on the same level.

From the beginning, they shouldn’t have provoked this monster, much less gotten involved when this monster and another beast started fighting.

Hearing Di Rang’s account, a hint of despair appeared on Nihak’s face, and his voice trembled slightly as he spoke,

"Is there really no chance for us at all?"

"I don’t know."

Di Rang shook his head and sighed before continuing,

"Maybe His Majesty can come up with a brilliant idea, but for you and me stuck in here, there’s nothing we can do now."

The Grey Wolf Army stationed at the Everflow River might save them.

But the problem now was, only His Imperial Majesty could command those armies, and His Imperial Majesty might not even know what had happened.

As Governor Nihak and Di Rang sat in silence facing the iron bed, the quarantine area of the harbor was crowded with people.

Some were merchants from Jinjaron Harbor, others were merchants from other places, and some were owners, captains, and sailors of the cargo ships at the docks.

Last night, the emperor was still the master here, but by dawn the Double Knife Flag hanging in the port was taken down without a new one being raised.

Their livelihoods were all tied up at the docks.

Anxiously watching the soldiers armed to the teeth, everyone was waiting for an explanation...