Chapter 1430: Chapter 1430
1430: Chapter 1426 New Kingdom 1430: Chapter 1426 New Kingdom It was an isolated island in the midst of the vast ocean, a place that had historically been a prison, but now it was recognized by the world as a sea pearl.
The City of Radiance was its earliest name, but with the influx of more ethnicities and people, and the establishment of one artificial island after another on the fringes, it was now known as the Mingxi Archipelago.
This wasn’t transliteration, it was just the Eastern Country’s script and moniker, as the world had been deeply influenced by Eastern culture.
Although there are still about seventeen ethnic languages circulating among civilians, the first official language has always been Eastern.
“Indeed, a beautiful city…”
Lu Ping’an set foot on an outer artificial island where his ship was scheduled for restocking and corrections, and most of the crew members would spend their time here.
The main island of the Mingxi Archipelago was already overcrowded, and entry during the period of ceremonies required audits and passing through checks.
Lu Ping’an planned to go there in a couple of days.
“…Could this really just be some vacation beach?”
Large hotels were not far behind him, while endless beaches sprawled before his eyes, with bikini-clad beauties frolicking in the sea and young waiters serving the people near them.
Children chased each other on the sand, young people played volleyball, and the elderly dozed off under parasols.
Everyone had their own way of having fun, but the constant factor was the smiles on their faces.
Not far away, vendors were barbecuing, and next to them, with noisy lights and speakers, it seemed like some music festival was taking place.
This scene took Lu Ping’an back to the holiday resorts in his hometown.
“This place has always been a vacation spot for many wealthy merchants and lords…”
On a nearby beach, Lulu, also dressed in light attire, applied sunscreen on herself while speaking irritably.
Her presence here already posed many problems…
As the Grand Marshal and a candidate vying for the highest military commander’s position, her ability to entertain foreign guests at this crucial time said it all.
“Tsk, knows how to enjoy life.”
Lu Ping’an took a watermelon juice from a waiter, savored a sip, then lay back under the shade of the umbrella on his lounger.
He felt the recent life-or-death fight was like a dream…
This juxtaposition of fighting on the frontline before relaxing on vacation felt too real, giving him an odd sensation.
Even stranger, the consumers here were mostly indigenous residents like the Long Hand Clan and Fishmen, and of course, from the way they were dressed, most of them were not ordinary folks.
“…Sorry, this is a private area.”
Sure enough, people did try to strike up conversations, only to be blocked by the waiters.
As a human like Lu, he was in the minority here…
Easterners who could relax here on vacation naturally became desirable acquaintances for the local merchants, officials, and military high-level officers.
“How about the main island?”
“You think I would know?”
Answering a question with another question wasn’t a good habit, but Lu Ping’an could surmise from the tone that Marshal Lulu’s situation was indeed not good; she must have been squeezed out of the core circle.
He smiled, saying nothing…
If Lulu had not pursued the reigns of power within the military high command, all would be well naturally, but clearly, she did not want to remain idle.
“Then, those people from Lin Nu’s Church have already gone to the main island…”
In fact, it’s something everyone won’t forget, they are a bit….”
When answering, Lulu’s face showed helplessness.
Already in an awkward and semi-marginalized position, she was proactively informed of the Easterners’ “excesses,” which naturally had its reasons.
“Right, even though they are very thorough with courtesy, that condition…
can you, teacher, try to convince them a bit?”
Certainly what she referred to must have been “dual nationality” and “a hundred years tax exemption.”
“Five Quasi-Gods, with seventeen eighth-tier signing together, are you sure a seventh-tier like me could stop them?”
Lu Ping’an smiled, pleased to see that Lulu indeed showed a frustrated look…
Lu Ping’an left unsaid that he himself was among those who signed, his name listed among the eighth-tier.
“Teacher!!” Lulu sounded a bit desperate, her voice carrying a plea.
“Even dad can’t do anything.”
Another round of back-and-forth began, and no matter how much Lulu pleaded, Lu Ping’an would not agree to intervene on her behalf.
At this time, personal likes and dislikes were actually not important…
When a group was fighting for everyone’s interests, if you did not move forward or retreat with them, you would likely sever yourself from your benefit group.
This was somewhat akin to union organized strikes in certain countries, even if you have no complaints about your current position or compensation, you couldn’t possibly come forward to stop the strike…
unless you planned to change industries or were prepared to endure collective ostracism and malice.
And Lulu could not just give up…
She moved closer, shaking vigorously, trying to sway Lu Ping’an’s determination.
Others might not know, but Lulu was well aware that her “mentor” was one of the very few top-tier characters who genuinely had “compassion” for this world.
“Right, how are the talks going on about the Guardian God thing?” At last, Lu Ping’an found an opportunity and awkwardly changed the subject.
“…It’s impossible to reach an agreement; there are too many Deities now, there’s no way a Quasi-God…
Uncle Guan is just seventh-tier now, right?
This matter can’t even make it to the table.”
Lu Ping’an hoped to add more “rules” to Guan Xinxian’s Divine Position.
And now, the best candidate to serve as a “focal point” would be the Guardian God of the New Kingdom or the Long Hand Clan.
Since Guan Xinxian would be short-to-mid term bound to this world, Lu Ping’an naturally wanted the best terms for him.
But now, under the quarreling interests of various parties, many Deities were interested in the New Kingdom, and their joint contest meant that someone like Guan Xinxian couldn’t even make it to the negotiating table.
“Probably, only by becoming a Deity first…
at least by displaying a Miracle, would there be a chance to compete.”
Guardian God of the New Kingdom, that was what Lu Ping’an most wanted to vie for.
If it were a Guardian God of a certain Ethnic group, Guan Xinxian, born an Easterner, would have a very difficult time competing.
“The God of the Fishmen, perhaps that could be attempted…”
His subordinates, the “theological experts,” provided a very astonishing option, but after verification, the success rate was incredibly high.
The local Fishman Ethnic group was actually mostly made up of renegades from the Octopus Tribe…
What they feared most was their own household, becoming slaves to the Octopus again.
And within their Bloodline, factors continuously needed to resist the “master’s” call…
If there were a Deity who could help them on this front, resisting the lures of the Octopus, they would naturally offer their faith.
“And if it meant annoying the Octopus, Brother Guan would probably not refuse…”
Of course, given the choice, the Guardian God of the Long Hand Clan, or the national religion’s God of the New Kingdom, would be far better than the Fishmen’s God of Betrayal.
While Lu Ping’an hadn’t gone to the main island, in fact, he was already, in his own way, communicating, understanding, and influencing the country…
He tried to keep clear of the vortex, or at least not to get too close to the gambling table before placing his stakes.
But as he tried to stay clear of trouble, trouble found him first.