Chapter 221
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Chapter 221: Melody
There is a consensus in international diplomatic relations that once two countries establish diplomatic ties, they should open ports, establish reciprocal tariffs, and also set up embassies on each other’s territories, usually in the capital city, as diplomatic representative offices.
Even if two countries sever diplomatic relations, they may not necessarily withdraw consulates, although they will certainly remove embassies.
Foreign ambassadors also represent the dignity of their respective countries and hold very important positions.
Similarly, embassies are like an extension of the country’s territory and are subject to the laws and protection of that country once entered.
These important places naturally receive strict protection.
In relatively peaceful Yingzhou, embassies of various countries don’t have to worry about sudden bombardment from the sky or plane airstrikes.
Under the stable governance of the Shogunate, this place is more like a haven for certain small countries that are facing uncertainties, resembling an otherworldly paradise.
There are only five major powers that can be counted in the entire human world.
the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, the Ming Country, the Alliance, the Sacred Religion, and the Four Seas Group.
The Four Seas Group, nominally a company, but in reality its system resembles that of an autonomous nation, possessing all the elements one would associate with a country.
It has a homogeneous population, vast and fertile maritime territory, and a unified language and culture.
Among these five, only the Four Seas Group does not establish any consulates or embassies.
The only places where the Dragon Clan gathers in significant numbers are in Northern Europe and the Ming Country.
As for the Dragon Clan in the inland regions of the Ming Country, it’s a complicated account that is difficult to calculate accurately. It’s hard to determine whether they should be considered part of the Dragons in the Ming Country or part of the Four Seas Dragons.
Currently, the international situation is relatively stable. The Sacred Religion and the Alliance have been undermining each other for hundreds of years, the Ming Country comfortably sits on the sidelines, occasionally firing a couple of cannon shots at the Goryeo Peninsula, and most of the time it’s like an old man idly strolling through the world. Only the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, weakened after the fall of the Emperor Star, has been facing numerous vassals rising up, decades of internal turmoil, difficult living conditions, and a decline of various industries. Many specialties from the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom have long become unavailable.
Nevertheless, the embassies and consulates set up by the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom in various locations still operate normally.
Although the vassals are in turmoil, and warlords have splintered, it has not reached the point of the Three Kingdoms in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. Once the national regime completely splits, leaving room for each one to declare themselves emperor, external forces will inevitably intervene. That’s why there is only one ambassador in Yingzhou so far.
But the awkwardness lies precisely here.
Who appointed the ambassador?
It was appointed by the Demon Emperor, loyal to the imperial family of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom.
But where is the Demon Emperor?
Gone.
Who will be the next Demon Emperor?
I don’t know.
So, to which vassal with the potential to be crowned emperor should the ambassador pledge loyalty?
It all depends on the changes in the domestic situation. Currently, we are in a period of observation.
The ambassador of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom is a Chongming Bird. It used to serve as a close aide to the Demon Emperor and was also a military general who fought on the front lines. However, later it gave up its armor and picked up a pen, becoming a civil servant. After arriving in Yingzhou, it quickly assimilated into Yingzhou’s culture and even adopted a Yingzhou name for itself, Bo Heya.
He had good relations with the previous two Shoguns. As an ambassador of a nation, he had a silver tongue, extensive knowledge, and a keen sense of observation. He would occasionally be invited for tea and music appreciation. Yingzhou, over a hundred years ago, was considered relatively poor and lacked many resources.
However, since the internal situation of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom changed and a new Shogun came to power, he gradually started to be sidelined and quickly became low-key.
After serving as an ambassador for many years, the Chongming Bird relied not only on personal abilities but also on a powerful backing.
However, with the fall of the Imperial Star, its backing collapsed along with it. The royalty of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom lost its power, and at first, the Chongming Bird had considered traveling around to serve the royal family. However, little Yingzhou couldn’t interfere with the internal affairs of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, and the Ming Country always chose to remain indifferent. This may be related to the inaction of the Ming Country’s ambassador to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom or the mentality of the Ming Country people enjoying watching a spectacle without minding their own business.
As long as it doesn’t explode at home, it doesn’t matter where the fireworks are set off.
After not a very long-lasting effort, it gradually transitioned from a royalist to a neutral party.
Now, the Demon Emperor has only one princess and one young child. The princess is regent in name, but most feudal lords entertain the idea of marrying the sleeping princess and subsequently being crowned as the Demon Emperor. This is an outcome that the majority of the elders could accept since, in this way, the bloodline of the Demon Emperor would continue, and in just one more generation, if the princess’s descendants inherit the Demon Emperor title, wouldn’t it be the same?
The problem lies in the fact that there is only one chance. Whom should they place their bets on?
This group of ambassadors stationed abroad has a mindset similar to that of gamblers watching a sports match. They are not in a hurry to place their bets, but rather, they plan to wait for the finals and then go all-in, hoping for a full win.
Bo Heya has been deeply involved for more than ten years, and apart from a few gatherings, he spends most of his time inside the embassy.
Facing any envoys dispatched by domestic feudal lords, he always adopts a Tai Chi approach, then continues to maintain a waiting attitude.
Having enjoyed a privileged and comfortable life abroad for many years, in actuality, it has almost forgotten about the situation within the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. It just gazes at the neon lights of Edo and can’t even summon the thought of returning. The current state of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom may not necessarily be as prosperous as this place.
As an ambassador who witnessed the rise of skyscrapers here, it is apparent that it has been over a hundred years.
Today, he rarely drank some alcohol and hosted a few guests.
When he arrived in the study, he suddenly noticed that the doors and windows were open. The cold December breeze blew in, and as it brushed against his face, the warmth dissipated, making him regain some clarity.
Soon after, the door to the study closed as well.
Who might you be? Bo Heya had indeed aged, having stayed in peaceful places for too long. His physical condition and reaction time had deteriorated significantly. It wasn’t until he sensed unfamiliar demon qi in the air that he realized something was amiss. But this was the embassy; ordinary demons wouldn’t barge in so recklessly.
His eyes flickered, and calculations began in his mind, his gaze turning even more profound.
"Sorry to disturb you, Ambassador." The woman wearing a hoodie approached and took off her hood. "I am a citizen of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom."
"Being a citizen, you should understand the rules. Why did you intrude without permission?" Bo Heya remained calm, raising a question instead of scolding.
"I have my reasons," the woman said. "I have an earnest request to make."
"An earnest request? Speak," Bo Heya said. "You don’t even reveal your identity but instead present conditions. Is this a threat or a request?"
"It’s up to your imagination," she replied. "If I weren’t desperate, I wouldn’t have wasted the Ambassador’s precious time."
"Hmm… Go on," Bo Heya said, sitting in the chair behind his desk. He leaned back and poured himself a cup of sobering tea.
"I want to return to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom. Please assist me, Ambassador."
"The Grey Tide has sealed off the sea routes. How can I send you back?"
"I believe you have a way."
"You have too high an opinion of me. It sounds nice to say I am the Ambassador of the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom, but what’s the difference between me and an exiled prisoner? We are both without freedom." Bo Heya sighed deeply. "If I step out of the embassy, I could be fatally shot from behind in a ‘suicide,’ and immediately a new ambassador would be sent to take over everything. I am also unable to protect myself."
"That’s why we need to put an end to the internal turmoil sooner. Various lords fight each other for their own interests, causing domestic wars. How many unjust battles have there been? We have lost too many lives. We can’t withstand further disasters." The woman’s voice was filled with sorrow. "From thousands of miles away, Ambassador, have you heard the cries of the children? Have you felt the cities crumbling in flames? Have you not noticed the conspirators smirking in triumph? Have you ever thought that friends are no longer friends and home is no longer home?"
"I understand what you’re saying, but what use is righteousness?" Bo Heya said coldly. "Can you go and end the war? Just you alone? Are you Sun Wukong or Nie Zheng? Can you kill Lord Qiongqi? Can you assassinate Xiang Yanqing?"
"I can’t do that."
"Then what else is there to say?"
"But even if I can’t achieve it, I still plan to go back. At the very least, I should die in my homeland. Please help me, Ambassador… You have been abroad for so many years, with a vast network of contacts. Smuggling shouldn’t be too difficult for you."
"I’m sorry, I can’t help," Bo Heya said coldly. "Go."
"Fine," she said calmly. "Let me make a different request then. I hope you can at least provide me with the contact information of the Dragon Clan."
The Four Seas Group? Can you afford their prices?" Bo Heya covered his forehead with his hand. "Life is not easy, yet I am contemplating going back to meet my doom."
"I have come this far, and I am only a short distance away from my homeland."
"Alright then…" Bo Heya sighed in relief.
"Are you willing to help, Ambassador?"
"I can help, but…" Chongming Bird opened his eyes, his gaze cold and indifferent. "Not to send you to your death, but to instruct someone to bring back your corpse." His fingers drummed on the table, unintentionally creating the sound of metal striking wood. "I have given you time and opportunity, I urged you to leave quickly, but you wouldn’t listen… Do you think your footsteps went unnoticed? If only you had come one day earlier, I could have helped you, but you are too late!"
The woman felt a moment of surprise, but she also found it logical. On this land, there was no one on her side, including the Chongming Bird in front of her.
"You knew I would come…"
"They knew." Bo Heya’s voice gradually changed, becoming helpless and cold-hearted. "Surrender, Bai Ze Woman! Dying at my hands will be less painful than being captured by them and suffering a fate worse than death!"
