Half an hour later, the shift was over. Tear Stain led almost a million Burning City players into Sunset City while everyone else returned to Burning City. Tear Stain wasn't sure if Breeze and God of War and Cyan Earth City would try to take advantage of the situation. If they did, then Burning City might not be able to hold on for long.
As for the Chinese server, close to two million players surrounded the city and set up White Marsh Chariots and Blood Fiend War Drums. They could attack the city if they advanced and defend against attacks from the periphery if they retreated. Fans loved to read:
… …
The Ancient Divine Dragon was coiled in the middle of a giant tree. I was sitting on its tail with Coldness of the Nine States in my arms. I was staring at the direction of Chariot City and Hero City. The Americans were busy attacking Seven Star City, so it was unlikely that they would send reinforcements to Sunset City. Chariot City, on the other hand, was a motley crew. There was no way the China players would be able to stop the Americans' main force.
He Yi checked the time and said, "There are 27 hours until the Nation War is over, but it doesn't look like there will be any more battles after this. Hot Sand City belongs to China, and Sunset City belongs to Korea."
Gui Guzi pursed his lips and said, "It's a shame that they gave up a Rank 1 city like Sunset City to the Koreans." Lin Yixin smiled.
Lin Yixin chuckled. "Don't worry, there aren't many Korean players out there. Sunset City is huge, so it won't be easy for them to occupy it. The English will definitely take revenge. Lu Chen giving up the city is a way to divert the hatred from the English and Korean sides. This is the situation we want to see."
Gui Guzi nodded. "Yes, I'm not good at the big picture. Boss Broken Halberd should be the judge."
… …
A rider and almost a thousand cavalrymen rode toward us from the distance. It was none other than the chief commander of the China frontline, the last CGL Hall of Famer and the chairman of the organizing committee, Hot and Sour Noodles.
Zhang Chun leaped off his horse and looked at me on the tree. Then, he looked at He Yi, Stranger of Three Lifetimes, Lin Yixin and the other guild leaders. Suddenly, he clasped his fists together and said, "First of all, I would like to thank all of you on behalf of the China server for your magnificent feat of capturing two cities in a row. This is something that has never happened in the history of China's virtual world."
He Yi giggled. "You're too kind, Chairman Zhang …"
Zhang Chun grinned. "That's such a harsh way to address me. Let's just call him uncle …"
Stranger of Three Lifetimes couldn't help but laugh. "In China, which politician doesn't enjoy the title behind their name?
Uncle is really a weirdo … "
Zhang Chun took a deep breath and said, "I used to be an official member of the CGL, but because I was disgusted by the bureaucracy, I left the CGL and founded the Righteous Among Men guild. But this time, as you can see, China's virtual projects department needs one or two people with a clean background. Otherwise, it'll really be a nest of black people. Fans of the book like to read the novel."
Still perched on a tree, I lowered my head and smiled. "Uncle, we've successfully reclaimed Wind City, seized two super cities, Hot Sand City and Sunset City, and split up the Northern Alliance's interests. No matter how you look at it, it's a great achievement. As an important official of the game, it's only natural for you to fight for some benefits for us players."
Zhang Chun nodded strongly. "Don't worry, the CGL officials will reward the players who rank in the Top 1000 Nation War Contribution Points. Moreover, Minister Tang Feng has already decided that the CGL officials will become the official organization of the virtual projects department, and I'll be in charge of the merger. Therefore, I'll do my best to fight for the rewards. I won't let anyone suffer a loss."
I smiled. "Mn."
… …
It was at this moment Beiming Xue appeared on the plains on her Dragonlight Armored Horse. She was panting heavily and blushing, "Big bro, there's a huge group of people coming from the north. I can tell that they're heading straight for Sunset City. What should we do?"
"Did you see who they are?"
"More than 95% of them are Chariot City's cavalry, and a small number of them seem to be English players who used to live in Sunset City."
"Hehe, the English really did ask the German server to help them take over a major city. Interesting, this alliance is pretty reliable …"
Zhang Chun's eyes lit up as he smiled. "So … should we help them defend the city, or …?"
I jumped down from the tree and landed gracefully on the ground. Still holding Coldness of the Nine States, I replied with a smile, "We have to help Tear Stain defend the city. Tear Stain is Candlelight Shadow's beautiful junior, and Candlelight Shadow is the Martial God of the China server. Even if we don't give him face, we still have to protect Sunset City. All main forces, retreat to the north and prepare to face our friends from Chariot City.
… …
Below the city, the Dragonlight Cavalry, the Hissing Wind Cavalry, the Kui Dragon Cavalry, and the rest of China's heavily-armored cavalry were lined up in formation and waiting for the visitors.
It wasn't long before a black mass of people appeared on the horizon. The first rays of dawn pierced through the darkness and shone on the iron armor of the Chariot City players. Chariot City hadn't made a move since the start of the Nation War, but this was the first time they had mobilized their full strength. An army of nearly a million cavalry appeared on the horizon, and a Level 215 high-level warrior wielding a fiery red spear appeared at the front. He raised his spear and shouted, "Friends from China, this has nothing to do with you. Disperse! We, Chariot City, will seek justice for the Northern Alliance today!"
I pulled out Coldness of the Nine States and the Divine Dragon Armor. Then, I stepped forward with a smile and said, "Forgive me, but I can't comply. We've just come to an agreement with Tear Stain of Burning City, and China will defend Sunset City to the death. We will protect our ally even if we have to fight to the last man. Friends from Chariot City, you know that this has nothing to do with you, so why do you have to stick your neck out?"
The warrior gritted his teeth but didn't say anything.
It was at this moment a Level 212 magic knight clad in fiery red armor galloped out of the UK server's army and pointed at the city wall. He shouted, "Tear Stain on the city wall, get down here and talk to me! Sunset City has always been on the same side as Burning City, but you've joined forces with the Chinese to take our only major city! What is the meaning of this?"
Tear Stain stomped on the giant rocks on the city wall with her war boots and lowered her sword. Her long hair was messy in the cold wind, and her battle robes flapped loudly behind her. She bit her red lips and shouted, "What allies?
We just wanted to harvest some Hong Ming Wood, but we were ambushed by Sunset City's cavalry. Hmph, we don't need allies like you, but if you won't give us the Hong Ming Wood, then we, the warriors of Burning City, will come and take it ourselves! "
The English player was infuriated. "Come and get it yourself? Pfft! The Korean server's people are indeed shameless. A bunch of scum!"
Tear Stain raised her sword and shouted angrily, "What did you say?
Say it again if you have the balls! "
"The Koreans are a bunch of scum! What can you do about it?" The UK player was completely enraged.
"Hey!"
The guild leader of Chariot City was as calm as ever. He looked at the UK player and said, "Charlie, you saw it yourself. There's no way we can win this war with the help of the Chinese players. The Chinese players are very strong, and I can see many of them with Ancient Divine Skills. This kind of battle is irrational, and we'll only be wasting our levels and equipment by starting this war. I need to be responsible for my players, so I cannot participate in this war."
The UK player shivered. "What did you say?
We're allies! If we lose Sunset City, do you think Chariot City can survive on its own? "The German player smiled.
The German smiled and said, "Don't be sad, my friend. A single battle is nothing. We can take back our main city in a week if we lose it. The war they started this time was too sudden, and the participation of Ground Tiger City, Greedy Wolf City, and Proud Dragon City in the southeast was far beyond my and Vienna's expectations. So, let's wait for Hero City and Cyan Earth City to recover. By then, taking over Sunset City won't be a problem at all."
The UK player was furious, but the German player raised his spear and said, "Retreat! Continue to defend Chariot City and prevent the Northern Barbarians from invading!"
The UK player retreated like a receding tide. The result of the war was beyond anyone's expectations, because there was no war at all.
… …
Above the city walls, Tear Stain let out a sigh of relief before whispering, "The heavens are finally gone …"
Tear Stain's heart was in turmoil because she couldn't believe that the China server would start a war with the German server for her sake. Unfortunately for her, she didn't think of my thoughts. We had just conquered the three main cities of China, and we needed allies, not enemies. This was the only way I could think of to pull Burning City into our alliance. Everyone else, just watch.
It wasn't long before a rider arrived at Sunset City. It was none other than Candlelight Shadow, the man with the SSS Rank Ancient Divine Skill. He led thousands of Candle Dragon players to Sunset City and stared at the Tear Stain on the city wall. A shudder ran through Candlelight Shadow's body as he said, "Lu Chen really gave you the King's Scepter …"
Tear Stain nodded. "Candlelight Shadow, we may be friends from now on. I'm at my wit's end, you know?
It's all thanks to the Little Heavenly King of the China server … "
Candlelight Shadow clenched his fists. "Sigh, that bastard Lu Chen!"
… …
I opened my eyes and rose to my feet. "Candlelight Shadow, you should be thanking me. You won't have to worry about Tear Stain's foe anymore. You won't have to worry about losing an opportunity like this."
Candlelight Shadow gritted his teeth. "Hmph!"
… …
In the end, the Nation War went very smoothly. In fact, I didn't feel much pressure at all.
I logged off twice during the Nation War, and by the time I came back online, it was already past 8 am on the third day. The Nation War ended in about an hour, and Hot Sand City was firmly under our control. Sunset City was under Tear Stain's control, and Tear Stain hadn't logged off for 27 hours straight in order to take over the city. She was ruthless.
… …
Thud!
Gui Guzi sat on the ground and said, "Time to wait for the Nation War reward!"