[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-231":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269877,4431,"Chapter 231: Historical Turning Point","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-231",231,"\u003Cp>Only Hela, Deneia, Sallyman, and a few of the Queen’s own people in the side hall knew of Li En’s “transformation”; all had pledged to keep it secret, and Li En was confident the information would not leak widely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even indulged in a brief fantasy, believing the crisis had passed and everything could return to peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the black night, countless fireworks burst open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They celebrated victory, celebrated the survivors of the night of disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they also, like tales of old, used fireworks to drive away the demons lurking in the dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En walked down the streets, everywhere thick with the scent of fireworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fireworks exploded in an unending cascade, even the wealthy districts, noble quarters, and church zones reeked of smoke and fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether useful or not, it’s better to try. Even if brief, those invisible, formless birds of the night had inflicted terrible wounds upon the locals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In times of crisis, the strong respond first, and the Xiao  targeted high-value objectives first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the elite and powerful of various organizations seemed to die fastest—perhaps not many in number, but several key figures of the city were lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In contrast, ordinary citizens, perhaps seen as reserve rations, suffered relatively few deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Demon King, I challenge you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, it’s the Heroine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Children chased each other along the road, but whether they shouted “Heroine” or “Demon King,” all wore the familiar Heroine mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never worn one in real history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, the Heroine actually wore one. Is this reversing cause and effect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the throngs and the smiles on people’s faces, Li En felt profound sorrow. He finally understood what he had overlooked—what was gone forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the despairing night, shadows of demons filled every corner—this was the omen of the Dragon Calamity, the precursor to another destruction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In despair, the fearless Heroine returned again; the legend of heroic souls became reality—he became the rising sun, scattering darkness, chasing the endless nightmare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, the Heroine’s soul eternally protects Athelin in disaster—we shall rise again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the square, a minstrel sang, though his newly composed lyrics were off-key; still, too many citizens gathered around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some hummed along, others wrote down the words. Citizens who were usually stingy with minstrels now seemed unusually generous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day of victory, they spontaneously organized celebrations; hiring minstrels to compose songs was just one part—Li En even saw free pies and beer, luxuries unseen in Huicheng for many years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems I underestimated the impact of the Heroine’s return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Li En, the crisis lasted only a moment, but for many of them, it was a life-or-death turning point—the most unforgettable moment of their lives. Especially since they were saved by the Heroine!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heroine moved too fast—if those beasts had been allowed to rampage for another half-hour, deaths might have reached tens of thousands. Even so, hundreds still died or went missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But given the city’s scale and the disaster’s severity, this was already a miracle; most ordinary citizens had merely glimpsed the crisis before it ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they had all seen the blazing sword aura that could tear the city apart—they had witnessed what a Continent Heroine truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their eyes, even though brief, this was a glorious victory, a historic feat worthy of passing down to future generations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Huicheng, the city where the sun has risen again—great heroic souls guard this land; the dynasty shall rise here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En fell silent. He didn’t care how the minstrels rewrote history—but he cared deeply about the citizens who thrilled and rejoiced at these shoddy songs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sensed it: something had quietly changed. Public sentiment was burning. People began to look forward to the “future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kingdom had once been glorious, but all saw only its decline and collapse—for a ship sinking, everyone thought only of how to jump overboard; those without the means to escape naturally grew more pessimistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the kingdom’s symbol of glory—the former Heroine—returned as a heroic soul. Though all knew this was a miracle, not to be expected again, it was still a sign that “heaven” still favored the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps the kingdom truly can rise again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the kingdom faces another catastrophe, will he return once more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the celebrants’ eyes now gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To use an imperfect analogy: it was like a once-glorious team whose core members retired or were injured, losing game after game until fans lost all hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, the legendary ace who built the dynasty returned and stood forth, delivering a glorious victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, many regained their faith and hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heroine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En sighed. His opinion of the Heroine had sunk further, now at the level of a scumbag mixed with a fool—and now he had to carry the blame himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to ordinary citizens and subjects, he remained the brightest banner, the symbol of the kingdom’s zenith, the living embodiment of invincibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Distance made everything seem too beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En had long heard many say, “If the Heroine were still here, our lives would be...” “If the Heroine were here, we wouldn’t be bullied by foreign nations.” Such hopes were so common that the younger generation had grown up hearing them. Now, he had truly returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And upon returning, he saved the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps he never left the kingdom—he has always protected us in times of crisis.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When people believe things can only get worse, morality and law lose meaning; they focus only on immediate gain—this is often the start of decay. Li En had completely underestimated the impact of “Heroine Laina” on the kingdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance, in the people’s eyes, meant the kingdom still had hope—that their lives might return to past glory. And hope, like prophecy, can become self-fulfilling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This will be a historic event.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En confirmed this reality. Though absurd, this family dispute had seemingly become the kingdom’s turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the widest royal avenue, the royal procession received cheers from the crowds; some even threw flowers—unlike their usual eggs and stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weaker the kingdom, the harder life became, the more the people longed for the dead Heroine. Now, the Heroine had truly returned to save them! Their lives would improve again!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heroine’s and the royal family’s reputations were now partially linked. When the Queen arrived in the city under crisis and the Heroine reappeared to save them, all rumors could be swept away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En didn’t know whether this was purely spontaneous public sentiment or orchestrated by noble factions loyal to the throne—most likely both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were merely a single event, its impact might fade. But if turned into a festival, forming a collective memory, it would become a lasting historical event.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I received a proposal—they suggest I relocate the capital. What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En himself was suddenly summoned urgently by Deneia, who asked him a question far too difficult upon meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? Wait—why are you asking me about state affairs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t fully trust the others—they all have their own agendas. Sallyman, aren’t you being a bit too much?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha, is it a problem that I’m with my fiancé?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, even her superior, Sallyman, let out a loud laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En was somewhat helpless. His right side was now permanently attached to the serpent woman; ever since she found him at noon, she had become unusually clingy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this also eased Li En’s mind—seeing Sallyman’s mood and spirit were good, he felt much more at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a certain guilt toward Sallyman. Well, quite a bit of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really, why is it always Laina’s problems that leave me to clean up the mess?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sallyman! As my chief advisor, give me your advice!” Finally, Deneia couldn’t take it anymore—seeing Sallyman so clingy to Li En made her feel utterly uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She couldn’t even identify the complex emotion—she just felt intensely annoyed, extremely annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, do you even need advice? Relocating the capital has been discussed countless times—only a fool wouldn’t seize this chance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new capital is too close to the old one—it carries too many risks and lacks resources or economic value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of the kingdom’s advisors had long recommended relocating the capital to a region with greater economic and political value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The greatest value of this move would be to stabilize Huicheng as the kingdom’s core region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the royal family, especially the Queen, had always refused. At the time, with public sentiment unstable, forcibly relocating the capital could have shaken the very foundation of the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not ‘might’—it’s certain something would happen. Our enemies (neighboring nations, cultists, the Church) would seize the chance. But before, we couldn’t afford the blow. Now, we have room to absorb pressure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing through this hardest reform while public support is at its peak—even if still a gamble—is now far more likely to succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should speak with the Queen—she won’t miss this opportunity. Strange—why is she in such a hurry to return?” Sallyman was puzzled; she had come expecting a fight, but the Queen had already left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. It seems the old capital is fighting again.” Deneia held resentment toward her mother, who had fled as if escaping disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brief exchange was enough to confirm direction—their conclusion: relocation was now on the agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the premise is surviving this crisis—the underground deer still needed handling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the deer were truly dealt with, the underground ruins would become a resource site, laying a long-term material foundation for the new capital’s development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the kingdom truly could be reborn—today might become the kingdom’s most important celebration day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, any news on Hela?” Li En finally asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Deneia rubbed her forehead—she was just as exasperated by that “sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman showed no traits of the Xiao —she was pure dragon-blooded, seemingly a true blood relative in every way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She wandered the marketplace, joined the victory celebration, followed our parade all the way—and then sent us the bill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Deneia handed Li En a stack of invoices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father pays.” Li En glanced at the signature and immediately went numb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1697,"2026-06-19T21:45:42.084Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6c8239143d6ca1c9f971edcbb06ccdf95d19c1dfcbc9ed68a826ad669a25fe78","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-232","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-230",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]