Didn't you go to Teyvat to earn money to support me?

"Lord Coral Palace! Did I say something wrong? He could have escaped under any circumstances..."

"Get out! You're discharged from the military! Now, immediately, get out of Coral Palace!" Coral Palace Ryuka was unusually furious. She had thought that these people might do something stupid, but she didn't expect them to be this stupid!

Why would they make a fuss about something like this?

She never mentioned Shen Liang's "spatial ability" because it was something she couldn't talk about; mentioning it would inevitably affect other people's moods.

Spatial abilities mean that Shen Liang is always safe. Unlike those who risk their lives on the battlefield, he always has a way out. Pointing this out would alienate Shen Liang from the other soldiers, because this "unfairness" in the face of life and death would immediately make people question Shen Liang's "devotion."

Some people might think that Shen Liang wasn't actually that "devout" in fighting for Haiqi Island.

But Coral Palace Liuge knew very well that such thoughts were wrong, because Shen Liang was not originally from Haiqi Island. People always subconsciously assume that the person fighting alongside them is on the same side as them and have the same expectations of them.

But this is not right.

You can die for Haigi Island, but you can't expect an outsider to do the same!

Coral Palace Liuge couldn't see Shen Liang's expression, so she hugged the boy in her arms even tighter, trying to make him feel warm in this way. She was somewhat relieved, hoping that Shen Liang wasn't thinking too much about it.

But she knew it was impossible.

Chapter Fifty-Nine: "The Pig"

—As expected, it was exposed.

Shen Liang knew that his actions on the battlefield would definitely be discovered by those with ulterior motives, but he did not expect that it would only take a day.

—It's only been one day.

—Could this be used as a pretext to attack me?

—Just because… I survived the battlefield?

When Shen Liang first arrived here, he thought it was some kind of post-war celebration and commendation ceremony, but now he finally understood.

He even felt an urge to laugh.

"Don't do this, Ryoko," Ruka Sango said softly. "I apologize to you on their behalf. Please don't do this, really."

But Shen Liang had already pushed her away.

He wanted to come down and say something, but for some reason, he felt it would be too tiring to walk down and meet each of these people one by one, so he was too lazy to come down.

He plopped down on the desk in front of Coral Palace Ryuka, one leg dangling under the desk and the other foot resting on the corner, like a spoiled brat. He smiled at the group and began to speak.

"I understand. To put it bluntly, it means I'm going to live a life of luxury in exchange for you living for half a year."

"Perhaps you are feeling very depressed right now, but please understand that Haiqi Island only needs six months to become strong enough. Even if it costs me my life, I will bring you back." Feiwei said righteously, "If anything happens to you, I will pay with my life."

"How many moras is your worthless life worth?" Shen Liang laughed. "Would you trade it for mine?"

Barking Tail calmly replied, "Indeed, if Mr. Shen is extremely dissatisfied with me, I am willing to die for you."

Immediately, some people around shouted in alarm that it was unacceptable, others lauded General Feiwei's righteousness, and still others accused Shen Liang of being aggressive.

aggressive... is this a pushover?

"Is that what you all think?" Shen Liang looked at all of them.

"I didn't!" Only the young and naive priestesses spoke up; even the older priestesses who had been with the army for some time remained silent.

Shen Liang looked at the civil and military officials who were either grieving, weeping, indignant, or furious. He sat upright at his desk, the candlelight flickering on either side, making it impossible for anyone to see his expression.

All I could see was his mouth stretching wider and wider.

Coral Palace Xin Hai watched from below. She realized something, and she wanted to say something, but she held back in the end.

"You will not die, but we will."

"This is unfair to you, but at least you don't lose anything. Please help us and have some understanding."

"The shogunate has actually run out of options. They are certainly unable to bear the costs of war. This request is just a stopgap measure to save face."

"Once the war ends and the dust settles, you will still be second only to the leader of Haiqi Island, above all others."

Such incidents occurred one after another.

Everyone was expressing their opinions, analyzing the pros and cons, speaking earnestly and with deep concern. Most of the time they were looking at Coral Palace Liuge, and occasionally at Shen Liang.

They are pitiful.

They were all high-ranking officials on Haiqi Island, generals and civil officials, but now they could only humbly struggle here, begging for survival... or rather, forcing a fifteen-year-old child.

They had no choice; they had longed for peace for too long.

They weren't even acting for themselves; like General Barking Tail, they were acting for the peace and tranquility of all the people of Haiqi Island. If their positions were reversed, each of them would wish they could take Shen Liang's place.

Selfish?

I don't even know if it can be considered selfish.

Shen Liang knew everything.

It's quite clear.

but……

"What does it have to do with me?" Shen Liang said, enunciating each word clearly. He looked at the crowd below the stage and laughed even more heartily.

A draft blew through the room, the candlelight flickered, and the living room was completely silent.

"I actually have a lot to say, but I think you've probably already thought about it, so you won't listen."

"For example, I actually have nothing to do with you. I'm just here to make money. I've helped you so much, and all I've received in return is empty words. This isn't even the most generous thing I could do; it's practically a favor to you. You have no right to ask me to do this or that, because I don't owe you anything. You're the ones who still owe me."

"For example, since you know I can use my spatial abilities to leave this place at any time, then my fighting for you makes me seem even more sincere. I could have stayed out of it, or even gone to the other side to help them fight you. The reason I'm helping a useless island is because I still have some feelings for you."

“For example, I neither grew up on your Haiqi Island nor have I enjoyed any of your social welfare benefits. I haven’t even made a single penny in business. I have no obligations or responsibilities to you, so you shouldn’t talk to me like that.”

Shen Liang spoke eloquently, his smile remaining constant.

His smile reminded many in the audience of Ruka Sangomiya, but at this moment, Ruka Sangomiya's expression was as cold and stern as a knife.

But she didn't speak, nor did she want to interrupt Shen Liang. Instead, she shifted her gaze to Shanhu Gong Xinhai's expression. Seeing Shanhu Gong Xinhai's close attention to Shen Liang, a barely perceptible smile flashed across her face.

"But I've figured it out. Human language is for humans," Shen Liang stretched, his tone flippant, "not for people like you. People like you—"

He spat out two hard, forceful words as if he had crushed a coin.

"Pig."

The crowd exploded in an instant!

"Be bold!"

"Lord Coral Palace, you spoil Mr. Shen too much!"

"You should at least do something about him! He's become so arrogant!"

"He is insulting Haiji Island! He is insulting Coral Palace!"

Shen Liang actually nodded, "Yes, this is an insult, an insult that names me by name. But you can't even insult me ​​back. You have to call me 'Mr. Shen'."

"that is because……"

"Because you're doing this because of Coral Palace Ryuga, right?" Shen Liang's delicate face was full of smiles. "I know, I know everything, you bunch of pigs, you lowly bastards. You've never taken me seriously from beginning to end. You were talking about how to deal with me while watching her with worry. You're not afraid of me, you're afraid of the current Goddess Priestess. You just think I'm abusing my power because of the current Goddess Priestess's favor, even though I've already made so many contributions."

Coral Palace Ryuka silently watched him. Many people hoped she would say something right now, but she refused.

"I find this very strange, I really find it very strange. You all know I have spatial abilities, you all know I can leave at any time, so why do you dare to offend me, but not Coral Palace Ryuka, not dare to offend the Shogunate on the other side?" Shen Liang pressed his temples, somewhat troubled. "Is it because I saved you, and you think I must be a saint? You think I would rather risk my life for some great cause?"

"You don't need to sacrifice your life, you just need to be a hostage!"

"Why should I?" Shen Liang said. "Why should I do these things for you? My freedom is my freedom, my life is my life... In the end, I can do whatever I want, and who the hell do you think you are to tell me what to do!"

Shen Liang was too lazy to keep up the act.

He bluntly tore off the pretense; he was ready to activate the teleportation barrier, and he no longer cared.

What kind of "Sea Goddess" is this? What kind of "great hero" is this? In the end, they just want me to do the things of a saint by giving me the title of saint?

If you're willing to risk your life, then I have to risk mine too?

Are you kidding me? This is your country, not mine!

Chapter Sixty: A Group of Parasites

"call."

Shen Liang felt the warmth of the candlelight on both sides and let out a long breath.

"It's so cool."

For a boy born on Earth, the wars, human nature, and all sorts of malice in another world are far too complex and heavy.

It's so straightforward to cut ties like that, no matter what you think... It really feels good.

"Is that enough?" a soft voice came from behind.

Shen Liang turned his head and saw Coral Palace Liuge looking at him with a complicated expression. He chuckled.

"How is that enough? Miss Ryuka, what about you? What are your thoughts?"

"Guess." Coral Palace Ryuka gazed at him as gently as possible.