Chapter 290

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Protagonist:

Chen Yi

The small two-story building where Muse stayed was the supporting hotel of the square, "Xijiang Restaurant." Its main structure was made of large timber requiring three people to embrace, combined with volcanic ash produced on the West Continent. By the standards of this world, it was truly clean and tidy, generous and practical.

Of course, since Xijiang Restaurant bore the name "Xijiang," its consumption could not be considered low. Especially from the perspective of outsiders, it was practically price-gouging. If not for the better view of this building and Muse having earned some money selling Good Citizen Certificates, he would not have chosen this place.

If it had been the previous two days, spending five times the price to sit by the window, Muse would have repeatedly drunk the free "tea leaf" beverage until he felt he had broken even.

But today he dared not drink tea. Because he worried that if he couldn't resist going to the restroom, he would miss this wonderful ceremony—or perhaps it could not be called wonderful, but should be called shocking.

At the venue, Chen Yi first awarded the "West River Defense Battle First Participation Commemorative Medal" to all native soldiers and clerks who had participated in the fighting. He not only shook hands with every student and native soldier who received a medal, but also always whispered a few encouraging words. During this process, whenever his hand got tired, he would temporarily leave the venue, then take out the previously prepared "Phantom Wand," using a red crystal to summon a few minutes of an avatar to shake hands in his place. Repeating this, he finally distributed all 865 medals.

Although the process was tedious, the movements stiff, and the procedures old-fashioned, both the soldiers who received medals and the onlookers had a strange feeling.

Ma La-State would never be the same from now on.

Exquisite metal medals that only Knights could receive in the past were now actually awarded to Commoners. In some people's eyes, this represented the rise of Commoner power; in others' eyes, it meant that a large number of Commoners would rely on the rise of West River City-State to become Knights—if they could truly be recognized by the Temple and become a new city-state.

This was very possible, because the Temple valued only strength. Whoever could provide war supplies and war strength to the Temple would be the favorite of the Temple's High Priest, without exception.

Even the native residents who disliked thinking the most were overjoyed to receive a medal. The metal medal made from over twenty types of metal materials was sturdy and hard, beautiful and eye-catching. In a world where an inch of gold could buy a wife, the material value of such a medal was no less than its honor.

At least for now.

Muse sighed lightly, thinking: What a waste.

Compared to the "West River Defense Battle First Participation Commemorative Medal," far fewer people received the other four medals. The "West River Defense Battle Outstanding Medal" was given to soldiers who risked their lives, inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy or protected their own forces. Its actual meaning was awarding those who exceeded tactical requirements and had a decisive impact on the battle. Qin Dajiang was one of the outstanding ones. Others who received medals included the native gunner squad's Lie Shiba and "Elephant" who conducted guerrilla warfare in the jungle, and the main machine gunner "Xia Yun Ba" who always set up the heavy machine gun at the very front line. The latter was the only person from Xia Village qualified to operate the heavy machine gun.

The recipient of the "West River Defense Battle Distinguished Medal" was only one person: Lie Feng of Shanglie Village.

When Chen Yi stood on the stage announcing that this was the most important and most formal medal, the host Li Xiaohong also began her tireless description.

With an immersive voice, accompanied by imagined actions, she described how Lie Feng held an Automatic Rifle, fought tenaciously to the final moment under the encirclement and interception of Ma La-State soldiers and under the energy impact of a Combat Skill Level Knight; described how he aimed and shot dead 7 Knights, 24 squad officers, and 112 Soldiers in this difficult environment; described how he hid in the tall tree canopy and shot dead an enemy army commander 625 meters away with an ordinary Automatic Rifle; described how he used the explosive power of thermal weapons to disrupt three Light Cavalry squadrons preparing to flank and attack.

The native soldiers cheered thunderously, and even the Commoners around the square were affected. They seemed to be listening to a legendary story; every time Li Xiaohong mentioned a point, they jumped up and howled.

The solemn ceremony atmosphere was thus affected a little, but no one cared. Everyone was immersed in the dangerous atmosphere of that day... From the students' perspective, Lie Feng's actions could indeed be called outstanding and excellent.

Under the cover of Machine Cannons and under the defense of Heavy Machine Guns, the Inspection Team Members only needed to prevent accidents. But Lie Feng faced a different situation. He could completely withdraw from the Tree Sentry and return to the relatively safe fortress—he was truly using his life to defend the city-state, using loyalty to prove Shanglie Village's submission, and using ability to fulfill his promise.

And when Yu Weichao, She Lei, Li Changning and other senior management of West River Water Fortress lined up neatly to salute Lie Feng, the cheers and shock instantly reached a climax, soaring to the clouds.

Chen Yi stood on the other side of the crowd, not participating. He was the symbol of West River Water Fortress, or West River City-State. It would be inappropriate for him to bow to Commoners or Knights.

In Xijiang Restaurant on the east side of the square, various discussions arose. Those who could stay here to eat and drink were either wealthy merchants from other places, or Manor Lords outside Ma La, or even semi-public minor Nobles like Muse. They had no direct stake, so they only sighed, but would not be exhilarated like the Commoners.

A sturdy merchant sat in the middle of the second floor and asked the person beside him in a low voice: "The Automatic Rifle they speak of, is it really that powerful?"

"It's said killing a Mang Niu takes no effort at all. That's what they say."

"What about Saber-toothed Beasts?"

"Saber-toothed Beasts won't do, unless you hit the eyes. It's said to be quite difficult."

"Is that so." The sturdy merchant was a bit disappointed. He had traveled south and north and encountered many monsters. Mang Niu could only be considered food, while Saber-toothed Beasts posed a relatively greater threat. But if one had to hit the eyes, what difference was there from his own archers?

"I heard there are weapons that can kill Saber-toothed Beasts, but they seem very large, requiring two or three people to operate, and take time."

"Called Heavy Machine Guns, they can only defend, require advance preparation, and are not suitable for merchants to use."

Muse couldn't help but picture the Heavy Infantry corpses brought back to Ma La. On those thousand-wound remains, some still had shattered armor attached. If Lord Grand Knight's capture was the direct cause of Ma La's retreat, those corpses were the indirect cause.

The Heavy Infantry's defense was no worse than Saber-toothed Beasts. There were truly not many sharp weapons that could pierce them. For the narrow-minded elders, any number of failures could be covered up by poor command, but those corpses made a silent proof.

"These people will have to thank that medal in the future." A guest sitting at a window table behind Muse pointed to the front and said in an old-fashioned tone.

Muse felt it was strange and slightly turned his body, wanting to see the other person. Unfortunately, everyone's positions were the same, but he couldn't see clearly.

The gentleman at the same table replied: "Those medals are of course good things."

The old-fashioned guest then said with a slight rebuttal: "Not their current value. Sometimes, these can make a difference of two or three years, even two or three months makes a difference."

He seemed to speak with feeling: "In Dragon God Year 2525, the dogs of Ma La-State are now founding heroes. In the Temple of Dragon God Year 2524, whether boy acolytes or priests, look at what positions they have risen to. I became Lord Grand Knight Nuo'a's attendant in Dragon Victory Year 2527, just two years short. And look, in dangerous times it's always me who goes up, and when it comes to snatching credit, it's all those old dogs from 2525."

Speaking to this point, he lowered his voice: "These young people are the same. Several years later, if West River City-State successfully builds its gang—now it seems extremely possible—then at that time, heh heh, the West River Defense Battle First Participation Commemorative Medal, heh heh, that will be a name of great renown, like a gold medal for avoiding death."

"After all, you have become a Grand Knight, so you won't lose out."

Muse suddenly turned his head. He finally knew who the people at this table were. Grand Knight Silva of Ma La and the captured Knight Lu Fu!

"Hello." Silva nodded to Muse.

"Y-Your Excellency, Grand Knight." Muse stood up respectfully and saluted.

Silva nodded again, but after slightly turning his head, he continued to Lu Fu: "It won't be long before the 'West River Defense Battle First Participation Commemorative Medal' becomes proof of qualifications and bloodline. What a pity."

"A pity what?" Muse couldn't help but ask.

"A pity that the old dogs from Dragon God Year 2525 will lose their positions." Silva laughed heartily in high spirits, but his words lacked much of a Grand Knight's dignity.

Muse thought he must be extremely bored being alone in West River Water Fortress.

But thinking deeper, this place probably truly couldn't accommodate two city-states. Even Ma La was currently brewing expansion, so how could there be room for West River Water Fortress to develop?

Muse shivered again, his straw hat shaking like a ram's horn that had taken an aphrodisiac.

"You are a Noble, right?" Silva suddenly asked.

"Yes."

"To appear here at this time, your relationship with West River City should be good. I advise you: joining West River Water Fortress now is still not too late."

"You are a Grand Knight, how could... how could..." Muse was speechless. But in action, he was somewhat tempted.

Watching the "Quality Service Medal" being awarded to the Village Chief of Yun Village and Yu Weichao, and the "Merit Medal" pinned on a group of Heavy Machine Gun shooters, the ceremony slowly drew to a close. Muse followed the backstage of the venue to find Yu Weichao, or Li Changning, but heard another round of thunderous cheers from ahead.

That was the climax of the closing ceremony, also belonging to the young Lie Feng. He became the first commander of the newly formed Special Mission Platoon, the only high official of West River City-State on equal footing with Jiangning People, almost a hero in the hearts of the natives.

"Where is Yu Weichao?" Muse could wait no longer.

"Who?" The detained Level 2 Soldier immediately raised his spear

"Lord Yu."

"It's too late. Come tomorrow."

"Tomorrow will be too late." Muse recalled the Grand Knight's words, and no longer hesitated. Asking his way along, he finally found the stinking drunk Yu Weichao at the post-meeting wine banquet.

"Lord Yu, I want to defect."

"Oh... what do you want?"

"I want the medal for serving once in West Defense."

"What?"

"I want to be West Defense's rat once, West Defense's dog once." When Muse shouted it out loudly, he felt incomparable exhilaration in his heart.

That's right! That's exactly what I want.

... (Unfinished. If you want to know what happens next, please log in to www. qidian. com for more chapters. Support the author, support genuine reading!)