Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

269 Close Friend, Overjoyed!
Hong San arrived at the temporary embassy and explained his intentions.

The elves who were the attendants and guards were all from famous families and were young and successful. Their eyes were high and they were inevitably proud. Although they adhered to diplomatic etiquette, that arrogance could not be hidden.

Especially their arrogance towards the Cathayan.

Hong San could tell.

He had long cultivated the ability to observe people’s expressions in the past few years. This ability could still be used in the future. If the servants could do it, the planners could naturally do it.

It was a kind of contempt and mockery that extended from the country to its citizens.

He was politely invited in. There was no cold treatment or disrespect in terms of etiquette. Hong San also maintained a decent smile, neither humble nor arrogant, and pretended not to notice that obscure attitude.

The news was spread to Elandir.

Kang De invited the Duke to the banquet.

The Elven Sage’s first reaction was to reject. After all, what had happened outside the city was really too embarrassing. It could even be said to be a humiliation. He had to protest slightly.

However, he also adhered to the etiquette rules of a subject and could not make decisions for that lord.

Therefore, Elandir went to report this to Duke Tiling.

“Kang De is treating us to a meal?” Tagris jumped up and his eyes lit up, “Of course, we have to go!”

Elandir’s expression darkened. “Your Highness, you can’t go. Not long ago, you were wailing outside the city and were seen clearly by Kang De and his attendants. This matter is very awkward, for both sides. We need time to dilute this awkwardness. We need at least a night!”

Duke Tilling tilted his head. “Is it awkward? I don’t think so.”

“Awkward, very awkward. If this visit is a grand official visit negotiation that will be recorded in history, I should commit suicide now to apologize to the entire country!”

Elandir said sternly, “I hope you won’t do such a thing in the future! This will damage your reputation!”

Tagris revealed a sad expression and held his hands in front of his chest with an innocent and pure expression. He said affectionately, “I’m willing to face all of this head-on and let the detestable Goethe people mock me. If I can make the remains of those soldiers in the wilderness return to the country a day earlier, what’s the reputation I, Tagris, have damaged?!”

The Elven Sage revealed a f*cking amazing expression again.

He was silent for a full three seconds as if he was shocked by this extremely shameless statement. Then, he said in exasperation, “You can’t do this! If you’re…”

“Don’t worry, don’t worry.” Tagris blinked. “No elves will know.”

Elandir still wanted to speak, but the Duke approached the other party with a smile and gently patted his shoulder. He smiled and said, “You don’t want to be unknown, right?”

The Sage was shocked.

Before he could answer, he saw Tagris walk towards the door with his hands behind his back. He smiled and said, “Alright, alright. Elandir, I order you to attend Prince Kang De’s banquet with me. Let’s go out!”

Elandir stayed where he was. He still looked hesitant, but he could not find a way to dissuade him.

Duke Tiling had already pulled open the door.

A sincere smile appeared on his face and he said happily, “This is too satisfying! This is the happiest and most anticipated banquet in my life! It’s not my treat, nor are there any rules. There’s no need to speak, change clothes, or have a group of people follow me. The most beautiful thing is that the owner of the banquet is a barbarian who doesn’t have any manners or rules and has seen me in the sorriest state! Hahahahahahaha!”

“In other words, I don’t have to pay attention to any lousy rules at all! It would be even better if there was no old-fashioned stubborn person around me who followed the old rules!”

Hearing this, even if he knew that this was a plan to goad him, Elandir still shivered and quickly rushed out, “Please wait! Your Highness! You can’t be so impudent!”

“Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!”

“Please don’t make a face! Please retract your tongue! The Elven royal family is about to lose all their face!”

Therefore, Tagris came to Hong San.

Hong San bowed to him meticulously, “Greetings, the honorable Duke Tiling.”

“Good evening, Mr. Hong.”

Tagris sized up Hong San a few times, then smiled and said, “I heard that you’re His Highness Kang De’s right-hand man.”

Hong San’s smile was still respectful and appropriate. He bowed slightly, “You’re flattering me. I was only temporarily appointed by His Highness Kang De to deal with some insignificant matters for him. I don’t have any talent. I’m only diligent. I do things in fear every day, afraid that something will go wrong and disappoint His Highness’ trust. When the truly talented person arrives, I should abdicate and let him serve me.”

Tagris smiled and said, “The Cathayan is still as hypocritical as ever.”

Hong San bowed slightly.

He said gently, “People like me used to roll in the soil every day and are used to bowing and scraping. Previously, I was almost killed by the elf army. In front of an elf royal like you, it’s impossible not to be humble. Of course, you can say that I’m hypocritical, and I don’t dare to deny it, but not all Cathayans are hypocritical. For example, Prince Kang De, I think you know this better than me.”

Tagris smiled and said, “Are you so protective of your lord? According to you, he’s very upright?”

Hong San said respectfully, “I’m only explaining the truth and don’t dare to say anything rash. Not to mention anything else, according to my personal observation, not only is His Highness honest, but she also keeps her word. She means what she says, especially what she promised the elves. She’ll do it no matter what…”

Elandir and Tagris’ expressions changed.

This was because the former commander of the Dusk Legion, Therlandron, had once told him everything related to Kang De in detail. Kang De had indeed promised him something, and he had quickly done it.

Duke Tiling took a step forward and said coldly, “What do you mean?”

An invisible and huge pressure instantly pressed down. Hong San’s shoulder sank, then he forcefully raised it again and said calmly, “What I mean is that the Duke can negotiate without worry. If His Highness agrees, he won’t go back on her word.”

That terrifying pressure only lasted for an instant before disappearing, as if it was only an illusion.

However, Hong San’s hand hidden in his sleeve clenched gently.

“Impressive, really impressive.”

Tagris’ voice returned to being warm. He said, “However, I’m very curious. Why did the heroes of Cathay cross the sea to the continent?”

Hong San did not speak.

The Duke looked at him meaningfully. “Is it inconvenient to answer?”

“I don’t know how to answer,” Hong San replied, “because I don’t know which Cathayan heroes have crossed the sea. The only Cathayan hero I know is my Highness, but I don’t dare to ask why he came.”

Tagris laughed, “Mr. Hong, Elandir is a good friend of your master.”

Hong San said with an ashamed expression, “Don’t say that. If I say that I’m ashamed to kill, I’m useless. I’ve long been expelled from the sect and am not worthy of talking about him. I don’t know anything.”

Elandir, who had been listening, looked even darker.

—How shameless. When you tried to build a relationship with me, you mentioned your master in all kinds of tears and sighs. You even asked me to write a letter and tell your master that you’ve already learned to be a good person. Now, you’re actually saying this.

“You’re better than me.”

“What did the Duke say?”

“It’s nothing.” Tagris’ sigh was extremely soft. Even with Hong San’s martial arts, he did not hear it clearly. He immediately laughed, “Alright, when will His Highness Kang De’s banquet begin? Who will participate?”

Seeing that the other party did not pester him anymore, Hong San smiled and said, “You can start at any time. There won’t be outsiders attending. It’s only a private banquet with no irrelevant people. His Highness said that you’re travel-worn and exhausted and definitely don’t want to see outsiders, so you might as well skip the complicated rules and banquet etiquette…”

The Duke’s eyes lit up. “Then what are we waiting for?”

Elandir said, “Your Highness, should we wait for half an hour or so? The necessary etiquette…”

Tagris looked at Hong San.

Hong San said, “The carriage is ready.”

“Elandir, look at him!”

The smile on Duke Tiling’s face became even brighter. He casually patted Hong San’s shoulder and said regretfully, “Why don’t I have someone like you by my side?”

Hong San lowered his head to show his respect, but when he recalled the touch on his shoulder and the strength of the other party’s slap, his expression became a little meaningful. Lowering his head was only a cover.

Elandir was helpless and could only follow Tagris out, not forgetting to glare at Hong San.

After sending the Duke to the carriage, the Duke turned around and said, “Mr. Hong.”

Hong San stood with his hands by his side. “Yes.”

Tagris looked down at Hong San below. Some of the bearing and tone that he naturally revealed could not be hidden or even realized by the person involved or even the people around him.

Duke Tiling asked, “Why don’t you return to Cathay? Cathay seems to need you more.”

Hong San was silent for a moment before lowering his head and saying, “I followed my master previously, and now I’m following His Highness. I’ll go wherever His Highness goes.”

“Oh, I see.”

The elf got into the carriage and did not say anything else.

Hong San composed himself before returning to his carriage and slowly breathing out.

His back was already soaked in a cold sweat.

Two carriages set off one after another, passing through the streets and alleys and arriving at the Vidal Chamber of Commerce.

This had already become the core of the entire Valentine.

After the two elves got out of the car, they saw Kang De waiting at the door with a few humans.

Hong San led them over and looked at Kang De.

Kang De also looked at Hong San.

Their gazes met.

The Cathayan nodded slightly.

Then, Kang De let out a hearty laugh. He strode forward and stretched out his hand.

Tagris smiled and reached out as if the awkward thing that had happened had not happened. The elves and humans held hands and smiled at each other, like a pair of old friends.

However, in the next moment, Kang De pulled slightly and hugged the other party’s thin body tightly. He gave him a huge bear hug, “Brother, why are you late?!”

The smile on Tagris’s face froze, and even his body was stiff.

At this moment, Elandir also revealed an expression as if the end of the world had arrived.

Although it was only for a short moment.

Kang De did not seem to notice anything. He only took the opportunity to hug the other party’s shoulder and walk towards the door with him, “According to the rules of Cathay, we’re called friends after a fight. Now, we should resolve our enmity and become good friends and close friends. We’ll be drunk and sleep in the same bed. We’ll be overjoyed!”

…

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