Chapter 2088 - 2086: Betraying the Nation for Personal Gain (Boiled Chicken Still Tastes Good)

Just like that, with all the high-ranking members of Anning Dao destroyed, Fang Zheng and the others returned to the Imperial City.

Chelsea also put her experiences into a letter, and then asked Main to deliver it to Najenda. Although she can’t return to the Night Raid for now, this doesn’t break any rules.

However, the Imperial City is not peaceful at the moment, and the reason is... quite simple.

It’s because there’s a guy called "Zanke the Beheader" in the outer district.

He also seems to be a possessor of a Teigu, roaming the streets every night to kill people, and his method of killing is beheading, hence the nickname. Although the Empire has indeed organized the Hunter Troop, they completely ignore Zanke’s actions in the outer district.

After all, the noble lords are more concerned about their own safety, and they don’t care how many commoners die outside. Moreover, they can blame the deteriorating law and order in the outer district on those assassins, claiming it’s the assassins who led to the breakdown of law and order, resulting in such events.

If it were the Night Raid, there might be some issues, but for Fang Zheng, it’s no skin off his nose.

They can do whatever they want; what does other’s opinions have to do with them?

But for someone, this is quite a good trial.

"Are you ready, Akame?"

"......"

Facing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Akame nodded. After the group returned from Anning Dao, the deathly aura around Akame that felt like a graveyard had disappeared completely, and she no longer continued to cut wooden swords. She seemed the same as before, but Fang Zheng knew this didn’t mean Akame’s swordsmanship refinement had failed.

"Then, today is your first task. You know about Zanke the Beheader in the Imperial City, right? Take him down."

As he spoke, Fang Zheng picked up Murasame and handed it over.

"You know what to do."

"Understood."

Akame took Murasame and looked at Fang Zheng.

"I will complete the mission."

For assassins, finding Zanke the Beheader is not difficult. Now the Imperial City has become their territory, especially at night. Someone like Zanke, who wanders the streets looking for prey, was quickly spotted by the assassins, after which Fang Zheng arranged for Akame to handle the sniping while he took Main and Chelsea to a high place to watch the battlefield.

"Speaking of which, is the swordsmanship you taught Akame really useful?"

Looking at Akame walking quietly down the street, Main asked in confusion. In her impression, skills require practice. Like during the Night Raid, Akame would go to the training grounds behind to train every day. But with Fang Zheng, Main hasn’t seen Akame practice swordsmanship; she just holds a piece of wood and cuts wooden swords every day.

Then after Main returned from delivering messages from the Night Raid, Akame found Fang Zheng and said she’d learned it, and Fang Zheng didn’t even check before agreeing to let her undertake missions.

This felt so bizarre to Main that she didn’t know what to say.

"Don’t worry, I believe she really learned it; it’s a feeling."

"......Why don’t I have that feeling?"

"That’s normal, after all, it’s kind of a nervewracking thing."

Regarding Main’s mumblings, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but laugh. In fact, it’s natural for Main not to understand; in Fang Zheng’s previous world, Jin Yong World’s martial arts prowess was visibly noticeable, indeed requiring considerable practice. Only Jin Yong World focused more on skill, while Huang Yi Clan’s martial arts emphasized on mood.

For example, one day after observing the moon in the water well, one suddenly gained inspiration and created a blade technique harmonious with the philosophy of nature.

But by comparison, Ancient Dragon System’s martial arts are quite nervewracking. If Huang Yi Clan’s martial arts are about understanding nature, then Ancient Dragon System involves introspection, sometimes turning into mental sickness.

For instance, "Love is easier to accept than hate, but he has to hate!" or "Because you want to die more than others, of course, you can’t kill anyone." things like that.

Frankly, those who practice Ancient Dragon martial arts are mostly philosophers, and as philosophers, their end is either suicide or getting murdered.

In a typical university philosophy department, eight out of ten jump off floors, the remaining two failed attempts.

Take sword practice, if Akame learned Jin Yong World’s swordsmanship, she’d first show it to Fang Zheng, then ask him to provide guidance.

If it were Huang Yi Clan, then Akame would spar with Fang Zheng, and during sparring savor if she deeply understood the sword art.

But for Ancient Dragon System, it’s just like this.

Akame: "I understand."

Fang Zheng: "Understood?"

Akame: "Understood."

Fang Zheng: "You said you understood, then you understood."

OK, done.

If you show this to outsiders, they’ll think it’s two lunatics talking.

"By the way, I don’t know why you guys joined the Revolutionary Army, since there’s nothing else to do, how about sharing your stories?"

Three people blowing cold wind here at night is quite boring, so Fang Zheng spoke up, and upon hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Main glared at him. Although Fang Zheng’s inquiry seemed simple, the tone suggested "share your unhappiness to amuse everyone," which she could hear clearly.

Still, despite feeling uncomfortable, Main spoke up.

"I was born in the western border region, a mixed heritage child between ethnic minorities, constantly subjected to discrimination in the city, without anyone acknowledging me. It was a miserable childhood, but the Revolutionary Army has also formed an alliance with the western ethnic minorities. Once a new nation is established, the two countries will establish diplomatic relations. The difference between countries will disappear, and then no child will suffer like I did."

At this point, Main clenched her fists.

"I will not let anyone suffer the same discrimination as I did!"

Listening to Main’s words, Fang Zheng frowned slightly.

"An alliance between the Revolutionary Army and the western ethnic minorities? What kind of alliance?"

This time, Chelsea answered Fang Zheng’s question.

"Simply put, the Revolutionary Army promised to return the land occupied by the Empire to the ethnic minorities after seizing power."

"......"

Facing Chelsea’s answer, Fang Zheng was silent for a moment.

"So, the Revolutionary Army is asking foreign forces to send armies to invade the Empire in exchange for ceding its territory?"

"Huh? What are you talking about? That land originally belonged to the ethnic minorities!"

Main suddenly shouted unhappily, while Fang Zheng merely glanced at her.

"But it was occupied by the Empire, correct?"

"Yes, the Empire occupied those ethnic minority territories, and that’s why there is constant conflict with the ethnic minorities, and mixed heritage people like me face discrimination."

"If the alliance is truly executed, are you sure the discrimination won’t worsen?"

"......What do you mean?"

Hearing this, Main paused, looking at Fang Zheng.

"It’s simple, just as you said, border citizens’ discrimination against ethnic minorities is connected to war. It’s normal for people from two different nations, different ethnic groups, to have casualties in battles; casualties breed hatred, hatred breeds discrimination and abuse. But at least the Empire gained actual territory, which might give border residents a feeling of ’the sacrifice wasn’t in vain.’ However, now... you say the Revolutionary Army plans to give back the land earned by the blood of border citizens’ relatives to the ethnic minorities? Do you think they can accept this?"

"This... I... This..."

"Moreover, this alliance also suggests that the Revolutionary Army can’t independently confront the Empire and needs external assistance. If the Revolutionary Army succeeds in seizing power, won’t the ethnic minorities boast to the Imperial people, saying ’Without our help, you’d never have overthrown that tyrannical Emperor’? How do you think the Imperial people would feel seeing the ethnic minorities strutting around as Saviors in front of them? Would they accept it happily, or would they discriminate even more against mixed heritage people, venting all their resentment and anger on them?"

"........."

Facing Fang Zheng’s inquiry, Main was stupefied, having never considered such issues before. Now, after Fang Zheng’s explanation, she seemed to realize things might not be as simple as she thought. According to Fang Zheng’s logic, mixed heritage people’s situation might worsen after the Revolutionary Army’s success?

"But, the Revolutionary Army can issue laws to protect mixed heritage people from discrimination..."

"If the Revolutionary Army seizes power, then they become the ruling authority of the Empire, and mixed heritage people are seen as ’outsiders’ by the Imperial people. So you’re proposing the Imperial regime helps foreigners against its own citizens? Are you suggesting the Revolutionary Army’s regime is so stable that it needs a second overthrow?"

"Uh..........."

Main opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say, while Chelsea patted Main’s shoulder, squinting thoughtfully at Fang Zheng.

"So you think the Revolutionary Army’s approach is wrong?"

"Of course, I don’t know much about the Revolutionary Army, but from what it looks like now, not collaborating with them seems the right choice. Regardless of the reason, colluding with foreign countries is utterly unacceptable and intolerable."

Just like Wu Sangui opening Shanhai Pass, many historical interpretations exist; some say it was for Chen Yuanyuan, others to fight Li Zicheng, some blame Ming Dynasty for wronging Wu Sangui. However, regardless of Wu Sangui’s purpose, motive, or background, he’s pinned on the Traitor of Han pillar of shame, never to come down.

The Revolutionary Army is no different, ceding national territory to obtain foreign military assistance to seize power; it’s blatant treachery, so it’s understandable that the Empire suppresses them.

"If I were the Revolutionary Army’s leader, I wouldn’t send Main here as an assassin. If we want to ease the domestic tension between mixed heritage and Imperial people, the best approach is to elevate mixed heritage individuals like Main, having them participate in frontline battles, telling the populace that mixed heritage are just like ordinary Imperial people, both victims of the oppressive regime. And currently, mixed heritage are also fighting for the Empire’s future. Follow it up with some stories about mixed heritage individuals, ideally writing articles on their tragic backgrounds to garner sympathy, that could gain support from most Imperial people, rather than directly betraying the country for glory... This shows the Revolutionary Army’s leadership lacks intelligence."

"Ugh... Hmm... What you said is indeed a good approach..........."

Hearing this, Chelsea also furrowed her brows in thought, Main listening intently, her eyes flickering. Indeed, if handled this way, it might truly resolve the issue between mixed heritage and Imperial people.

"Then......"

"It’s pointless now, the situation is set in stone; the Revolutionary Army boarded the treacherous ship of seeking glory through betrayal and can’t get off, unless they have the guts to tear up the treaty with the ethnic minorities, abandon ceding the territories, maybe then they stand a chance. But do you think those foolish Revolutionaries would give up crucial support for a group of mixed heritage?"

Chelsea hesitated for a while, ultimately saying nothing, while Main lowered her head in disappointment. She initially joined the Revolutionary Army because of its alliance with the western ethnic minorities, hoping it would resolve the current situation. Now, it seems this alliance might be a bad thing rather than a good one.

"Alright, let’s not talk about it anymore."

Fang Zheng waved his hand, looking forward.

"Akame’s target has appeared."