To give in, or not to give in. This was the question before Du Wei.
Although the shaman's tone was quite polite, the meaning behind his words gave Du Wei a faint sense of arrogance.
Get out of the way, search?
This is my territory, my territory! With the order of your Witch King, you can come and search my land at will?
Why?
Intellectually, since the Witch King's status on the grassland is so high and inviolable, it would not be a good choice for Du Wei to conflict with him now. However, things are not that simple.
Du Wei has just arrived in the northwest, not long ago. If at this time, thousands of the opponent's cavalry can enter and exit his territory at will, but his own army sees it, and has to retreat... What kind of humiliation is this?
If word spreads, Du Wei, as a lord, has lost all face and authority! How can he give orders to the northwest in the future? The northwest is a land of tigers and wolves, where the strong are respected. If you take one step back, others will take two steps forward.
If you show weakness even a little bit, others will really look down on you.
Thinking of this, Du Wei suddenly felt something in his heart.
Northwest Army! What a Northwest Army!
What a warlord!
With the important task of guarding the borders of the empire, they actually let the troops of these hostile forces enter the hinterland of their own territory so casually! The checkpoints guarding the northwest corridor did not even pass on any news! The Northwest Army's
This kind of behavior made Du Wei extremely angry.
What’s the use of such an army!!
Seeing Du Wei's face suddenly darken, Longbottom had roughly guessed what the young Duke was thinking. He said slowly: "Boss..."
"General Longbottom, what do you mean?" Du Wei narrowed his eyes.
"Boss, as long as you give the order, although they have more people than us, the old subordinates I brought out are not vegetarians! Although these guys are the elites of the prairie royal family, I think they are not weaker than them. At worst, I will fight hard.
Just one game!" Of course, Longbottom was not blindly reckless. He whispered: "They have the upper hand. However, on our territory, they may not dare to risk their lives to fight us. It is not easy to defeat them, but
I'm still somewhat sure of forcing them back."
Du Wei nodded, then he thought for a moment, and then said loudly to the two shamans: "You two shamans, I would like to ask you a question."
"Oh?" The two wizards looked at each other. The one who spoke just now frowned slightly, looked at Du Wei, then turned to look at Longbottom: "Lord Mossack, who is this person?"
Just when Longbottom was about to speak, Duwei had already shouted loudly: "I am the lord of the Province of Desa and the valet of Duke Tulip."
The two shamans nodded.
Du Wei's words did not arouse the other party's suspicion, because Du Wei originally did not like the gorgeous clothes of the nobles, and his daily attire was very simple.
"Then, please ask." The two shamans said at the same time.
"Excuse me, Your Excellency." Du Wei straightened his chest and asked loudly: "At this moment, the land you and I are stepping on is the territory of the grassland royal family or the territory of our Roland Empire!"
"..." The two of them were silent.
"Excuse me, Your Excellency!" Duweidi's voice became louder: "At this moment, who is the ruler of the land under our feet, your Witch King or our Tulip Duke!"
"..."
"Excuse me, Your Excellency! Is the flag flying on this land the bloody skull and crossbones flag? Or our flaming tulip flag!!"
Du Wei's powerful voice echoed in the field. When the imperial cavalry heard this, everyone's expressions were shocked and they couldn't help but straighten their bodies.
The two wizards frowned and looked at each other for a while before one of them said in a deep voice: "Young gentleman, can I understand that you have refused the order of the great Witch King?"
Du Wei sneered: "I'm sorry. You mentioned the word 'order'. I am a citizen of the empire! The great Witch King seems to have no right to give me any orders!"
A green light flashed across the wizard's face. Then he was about to get angry. The old wizard beside him who had just spoken seemed to be much calmer. His voice was less impulsive and he said slowly: "Young sir, I
I think you may take this matter too seriously. This is just a request made by the great Witch King to you... Well, isn't it enough to gain the friendship of the great Witch King with this small concession?"
"Is it friendship?" Du Wei said loudly: "Excuse me, if we, the Duke, bring one hundred thousand iron hooves to the grassland royal court one day and ask to search for the lost pet of a certain Duke, such an action will also be punished.
Do you see it as 'friendship'?!"
The grumpy wizard among them said angrily: "Ignorant boy! How can your Duke compare with the supreme Witch King!"
"Really!" Duwei laughed loudly, then turned around and pointed at the cavalrymen under Longbottom behind him, and shouted loudly: "Let me ask you! Whose warriors are you!"
Thousands of people shouted in unison: "Tulips!!!"
"Tell me who you are loyal to!"
"tulip!!!"
Du Wei nodded, sneered, and looked at the shaman: "Your Excellency, shaman, I heard that respecting your opponent is the most basic virtue even on the grassland! Then let me tell you, our Tulip Duke
My lord, I would never say the rude words you just said."
The calm wizard smiled: "Young gentleman, please forgive my companion's gaffe. Of course I have heard of the reputation of Duke Tulip. He is the youngest genius in your country, an outstanding magician, and a
An outstanding leader and the youngest Duke. We have all heard the legends about the magic miracles he performed in the northwest and the construction of a majestic city in three months. I don’t mean to show any disrespect to the Duke, but today
Regarding the matter, the Witch King has decreed that we must find that pet, so please forgive me for not being able to leave here empty-handed."
"Then, let the Duke make the decision." Du Wei said slowly: "The only master of this land is the Duke of Tulip! It just so happens that the Duke is also here, and I must go and ask for your permission."
After saying that, Du Wei didn't even look at the two shamans, turned around and walked back to his queue. The two shamans frowned after hearing this. They had not expected in advance that there would be such a thing in this remote town.
When I met Longbottom's cavalry, I never expected that Duke Tulip would be here by such a coincidence.
Although Longbottom and others didn't know what Du Wei was up to, they all knew that the young Duke had many tricks up his sleeve, so naturally they would not expose Du Wei's true identity.
Longbottom and his men confronted the opponent outside the town, but Duwei quickly returned to the town. Outside the farmhouse, more than a hundred people surrounded the farmhouse, but Duwei ran aside first and grabbed the little boy.
Sandy looked at him carefully and suddenly said: "Sandy, take off your clothes quickly! Quick!"
Sandy was stunned, but Duwei couldn't wait any longer. He reached over and unbuttoned Sandy's clothes, and then Sandy shouted: "Sir..."
"Hurry! It's too late to explain. Just listen to me while you're taking it off."
Du Wei quickly dug out the things he needed from the storage ring he wore: a new set of standard aristocratic style robes, a new pair of leather boots, and some decorations. Then he simply gave it to Xiao Sang
Dee ruffled her hair. After getting dressed, little Sandy looked like a little nobleman.
Du Wei looked carefully and suddenly took out a black cloak. This was adapted from his black magician's robe. The black cloak was draped over little Sandy's body. He called over the magic student again.
Captain Sieg took Sieg's wand over and gave it to Sandy to hold in his hand.
When he was dressing Sandy, Du Wei quickly explained it. Little Sandy was dumbfounded, but he didn't dare to go against Du Wei's wishes and could only dress up reluctantly.
Sandy's actual age is slightly younger than hers, but after dressing up, she can't tell much difference. Moreover, Sandy has become much stronger after coming to the northwest. Although Du Wei still has many subordinates,
Most of the magic students were from the military. Moreover, they all had the aura of the military during these days of training. Only Sandy, after following me, learned a lot of rules and etiquette from Old Marder.
Not easy to reveal.
"In a moment, you'll have it done as I told you."
After Du Wei finished his instructions, he quickly walked to the farmhouse.
In the farmhouse, the red-haired monster was still guarding Muse. Muse was no longer so afraid, but his disheveled hair looked very pitiful, with a lot of hay stained on his head, and tears on his face.
Du Wei didn't have the intention to look at this kid, and shouted directly to the red-haired monster: "Listen, I know you are the Witch King's pet, right?"
The monster nodded.
"They came to arrest you, right outside. And you don't want to go back with them, right?"
The monster immediately shook his head desperately and was very determined.
"Then if you want to escape today, you can only choose to believe me." Du Wei quickly said: "Now I will give you two choices: Either, you kill this friend of mine now, and then you break out by yourself, even if you
If you can pass my test, you cannot pass the test of those shamans outside! Second option: You let go of my friend immediately, and then I will help you hide."
After a while, two shamans from the grassland finally saw the Tulip Duke, who had created a scene not long after coming to the northwest.
This "Lord Duke" is indeed as young as the rumors say. He is almost like a boy who has not grown up. He looks quite handsome, but he is a little thinner. These nobles of the Roland Empire, they
I have lived in an environment as sweet as mare's milk since I was a child. How can I be as brave as our prairie men?
The two shamans glanced at each other, and both saw the disdain in their companion's eyes.
However, every move of this young Duke is still very consistent with etiquette and status. The black cloak symbolizing the identity of a magician and the walnut wand make the two shamans dare not underestimate it.
.
After all, the shamans on the grassland are very aware of how terrifying the magicians of the Roland Empire are.
Whether it was out of respect for the magician or the opponent's title, the two shamans reluctantly got off their horses and made the minimum meeting ceremony of the grassland mountains.
"Your Majesty the Duke" smiled slightly. His smile was the standard aristocratic indifference.
"Two original guests." The 'Duke' said softly in a steady voice: "I was very surprised by your sudden arrival. However, I have forgiven you for not observing etiquette with tolerance and kindness.
And I hope to get your guarantee that such disrespectful behavior will not happen again. You know, even a noble should obtain the permission of the master before visiting a friend. Regarding your request... I personally have great respect for the great people on the grassland.
I have deep respect for the Witch King, but according to the imperial decree, I cannot allow your troops to enter the towns and villages under my jurisdiction. It is already wrong for you to come here! However, in order to show my friendship to the Witch King, I can make an exception..."
Sandy, who was pretending to be a duke, under Du Wei's instructions, did not give the other party any chance to interrupt, and finished all the words in one breath: "I allow the two shamans to bring your attendants into this town to find you.
Talk about the lost monster. But according to the imperial decree, you must not bring more than ten attendants. Moreover, after the search here is completed, I ask you to return to the grassland immediately! Otherwise, any actions you take will be regarded as illegal.
Provocation of the Roland Empire’s sovereignty.”
After saying that, Sandy turned around and walked back to the town without giving the other party a chance to speak.
Du Wei stood aside, sneered, and looked at the two shamans with gloomy expressions: "Your Excellencies, please."
This was Du Wei's only best solution. He was neither humble nor arrogant, and he implicitly expressed his dissatisfaction and toughness without breaking out.
And Du Wei's sense of proportion is quite good. At least it seems that the other party has no intention of breaking up with the Roland Empire, at least not yet.
They did not expect to encounter the imperial army and the Tulip Duke here. After all, bringing thousands of cavalry into such a far-reaching place in the territory of another country without authorization is a big or small matter!
Although the two shamans were dissatisfied, they did not express anything and silently accepted the "Duke's" decision.
Soon, they selected ten elite prairie warriors and led them through the ranks of Longbottom's cavalry and into the town.
There is no doubt that they found nothing in this small town.
The two magical beasts had been received by Du Wei into the storage ring used by magicians. Although the two shamans searched carefully in the town, they even took out one that interested Du Wei.
thing.
It was a piece of turtle shell, as if it was a divination. I threw a few small irregularly shaped bones into the turtle shell and said a few words that Du Wei couldn't understand. It was probably some kind of divination.
At that time, Du Wei was a little nervous, but then, the two shamans seemed to have no results from the divination.
It could be seen from their disappointed eyes that their divination had yielded nothing. Du Wei was relieved.
The other party withdrew from the town dissatisfied, and the three thousand prairie cavalry began to retreat slowly. Du Wei suddenly asked Longbottom to separate one hundred cavalry, and asked these one hundred cavalry to "escort" the three thousand prairie cavalry along the way.
Until they exit the northwest corridor and exit Du Wei's territory.
The fierce cavalry on the grassland were very angry at this move, but the two shamans endured it and acquiesced in Du Wei's move. They ordered everyone not to move without permission. So, Du Wei's one hundred cavalry
He followed the queue of prairie people about a hundred meters away and watched them leave all the way.
After leaving Niuli Town, the two shamans sat on their horses and looked back at the distant town. The calm shaman suddenly said to his companion: "What do you think of the Tulip Duke?"
"Huh, just a kid." The irritable wizard said with disdain.
"That's right." The calm wizard smiled: "Indeed, although the rumors are powerful, but today's meeting... the meeting is not as famous as the meeting." Then he paused and suddenly sighed: "But the one next to him is different from us.
The young valet who speaks is well-founded in his words and extraordinary in talent. He is indeed a very outstanding guy!"
After watching these prairie wolves go away, Du Wei's face showed no signs of relief. His expression became even more gloomy, and then he immediately ordered: "Go back to Loulan City!"
He kept the two monsters in the storage ring. And Muse... After being punished by Du Wei, that kid seemed to be completely afraid of Du Wei. He stood far away and did not dare to say another word to Du Wei.
.
After everyone was on their way, Du Wei hooked his hand at Muse: "Come here!"
Muse seemed a little afraid. He walked to Du Wei cautiously: "You...what do you want?"
"Hmph! Have you forgotten what I said? You want to call me 'Sir'!" Du Wei said fiercely: "Here to me, you are not the young master of the Liszt family! You are just an ordinary person under me! If you
If you don't remember this, you will suffer a lot in the future."
"Yes... sir!" Muse gritted her teeth, her face flushed, but she had to squeeze out these few words from her throat.
"Okay." Du Wei sighed: "Get on your horse, let's go back."
At this moment, Du Wei's face was suddenly full of exhaustion.
Muse looked at Du Wei's expression and couldn't help but wonder: Does this evil man have anything else to worry about? An evil guy like him...
Silent all the way, Du Wei sat on the horse, lowered his head and pondered something, while Muse followed Du Wei cautiously. Although he hated Du Wei in his heart, he still couldn't help but peek at Du Wei's back.
After a long time, and having walked about ten miles, Du Wei suddenly turned his head and glanced at Muse: "Have you been looking at me?"
Muse was startled and quickly shook his head. Du Wei smiled faintly: "Don't deny it. I guess you must have been secretly cursing me in your heart just now, right? You looked at me from behind, did you think
Have you ever thought that it would be best to strike me with a sword from behind while I'm not paying attention?"
Muse's face paled even more, because he had indeed shown this kind of thought at some time just now. But when he thought of Du Wei's vicious look, he gave it up immediately.
This guy... must be the devil! Otherwise, how could he guess what I'm thinking?
Du Wei smiled softly, with a hint of indifference on his face, but his eyes seemed to have figured something out, and there was a faint firmness in his eyes.
"Muse, you hate me now because I hit you just now. And do you know why I hit you?"
The muse shut up and said nothing.
"Because you are stupid." Du Wei said unceremoniously: "Because of your stupid behavior, if there is any accident, it will bring a lot of trouble to me, yourself, and your family.
! And many people will die and bleed because of this. Tell me, are you stupid?"
Muse blushed again, but did not speak.
"It doesn't matter if you hate me, you can do whatever you want." Du Wei sneered: "It's just that I don't understand why you hate me so much? It seems that you have been very unfriendly to me since we first met."
Muse lowered his head. Du Wei was silent for a while, then suddenly said: "Is it because of your sister?"
"...Yes." Muse replied in a low voice, with a hint of hatred in his voice.
After a pause, he suddenly raised his head, looked at Du Wei, and bravely said: "I started to hate you because I knew that eldest sister wanted you to marry Angel! I hate nobles like you, just like eldest sister used to do.
That husband, that hateful old aristocratic man. The eldest sister had to sacrifice herself to marry him for the sake of the family, but I know that she was not happy at all, and she was never happy one day! Fortunately, that bastard died early! But now,
You showed up... I think you are also a bastard! I don't want Angel to follow in the footsteps of my eldest sister and marry a hypocritical and hateful noble like you! You will only covet our family's wealth and take advantage of us!"
"But you are also taking advantage of me." Du Wei said lightly: "Isn't your sister also trying to take advantage of my position?"
"..." Muse gritted her teeth.
"So I said, you are stupid." Du Wei said lightly: "Fortunately you are still young. Even God will forgive young people if they do stupid things occasionally."
"God?" Muse was stunned for a moment.
Du Wei realized that he had made a mistake, and he smiled lightly: "Oh, that's just an old bastard."
Then he looked at Muse and said in a deep voice: "The stupid thing about you is that what you do is impossible to improve the situation at all. On the contrary, it will make things worse. You obviously have good intentions, but
Making things worse and worse...isn't this stupid? Smart people will find ways to make things develop for the better, and you...hum."
Muse snorted: "What about you? Why did you reject Angel again? Do you really have a crush on my eldest sister?"
"Hahahaha..." Du Wei looked up to the sky and laughed, then looked at this kid. Du Wei stopped laughing for a while, looked at this guy, and said lightly: "Poor guy, you are really pitiful, you
Do you think I value the wealth of your Liszt family as much as others? Do you think everyone is as you imagine?"
Muse seemed to have endured it all the way, and finally couldn't help but ask: "What... do you want? You seemed to have rejected Angel, but at the banquet, you invited my eldest sister! And the eldest sister... you
What do you want! You devil!"
Du Wei's eyes turned cold: "You may have forgotten my order again, right?"
Muse seemed to be afraid of Du Wei's eyes. He shrank and lowered his head.
Du Wei didn't get angry. He suddenly sighed softly, as if talking to himself: "Yes...what do I want..."
When I first came to this world, I was confused.
This kind of confusion would be difficult for others to understand unless they put themselves in their shoes.
Before his own "time travel", it was not that Du Wei had never heard of the word "time travel". At least he had read novels and knew the stories of time travel.
But when I actually experienced it myself, I found that it was really different.
In those third-rate novels, it will be written that after the protagonist travels through time, he will immediately "accept" the fact. Oh yes, I have traveled through time. Mom and Dad, please be filial to you in the next life! Another world. I am here, and the world of beauties is everywhere.
It's all mine...
Bullshit!
An adult...even just a person who is just eighteen years old. When he grows to eighteen years old in his own world, he will naturally have his own goals, goals in life, goals in career, goals in study...and
Maybe this person has also been fighting for his goal for many years!
Emotionally, you may have your own lover. Even if you don't, you probably have someone you love secretly... Even if you don't have this, then at least you have a father and mother who gave birth to you and raised you!
What does time travel mean? It means that there is a hand. Without any resistance on your part, with a gentle wave... all of this is wiped away! Not a single bit is left!
The goal you have been striving for for many years is gone. Your years of struggle have become a pitiful joke!
Your kind parents and your beloved object are gone! All these emotions are completely empty!
In those bullshit third-rate novels, as soon as you time travel, you hug someone else’s parents’ legs and call them mom and dad, and then forget about the parents who gave birth to you and raised you in your own world in less than three minutes...
To put it bluntly... bullshit! No conscience!
What does Du Wei want?
Let me tell you the most truthful words: If! If possible! If God suddenly tells him now that you can go back! Then Du Wei will give up everything in this world without hesitation! What a bullshit Duke, a bullshit career! He will not hesitate to give up everything in this world!
Go back to the world you are familiar with without hesitation!
What if I can't go back?
Then Du Wei's goal can only be the second best: he just wants to live a more comfortable and free life.
Thinking of this, Du Wei suddenly laughed.
The smile on his face was sincere and relaxed, and he slowly uttered a word:
"free."
"What?" Muse seemed not to hear Du Wei's words clearly.
"It's freedom." Du Wei's voice was very calm: "What I want is freedom. A free and quiet life, doing whatever I want. No one puts too much pressure or comfort on me. Make myself as comfortable as possible... just
It’s that simple.”
"...Is it that...simple?" Muse looked at the most popular young man in the empire in surprise. Even an idiot knew that this guy's future was limitless...but he himself only wanted freedom?
"Aren't you free enough now?" Muse said mockingly.
"You don't understand." Du Wei shook his head.
Is it freedom? Has this world really allowed itself to be free?
He acted stupid at first because he didn't want to shoulder any family responsibilities (in Du Wei's opinion, what does family responsibility have to do with him?), so he would rather be sent back to the Luo Lin family's hometown.
In the imperial capital, Du Wei would rather offend Prince Chen than save old Raymond's life, because Du Wei felt that he wanted to do that. If he didn't do that, he might be able to get greater benefits, but that would not be his true intention.
Oh! Then I wouldn’t be me, Du Wei! Du Wei only does what he wants to do... freedom, it’s that simple.
And now, the same is true for rejecting the Liszt family's marriage.
"In my opinion, my definition of freedom is: being able to control my life as I wish."
Muse was silent. Perhaps given his age, it was difficult to truly understand the meaning of these words at this moment.
"But this goal is really difficult to achieve." Du Wei sighed with a wry smile: "The world is like this. If you fall into a circle, you will inevitably be forced by things you don't like and be pushed step by step.
Before...but I just want to be free."
"With your current status, who else can force you? Doesn't Prince Chen and the Regent also favor you?" Muse finally asked in confusion.
"Really?" Du Wei smiled: "Here, in the northwest...how many people are eyeing me? The Northwest Army, Governor Bohan, they always want to drive me out of the northwest. Those grassland wolves, huh, they
I will bite you anytime, anywhere! In this place, can I do anything according to my own wishes? The first thing I have to ensure is survival! Then everything else."
If I had enough strength, would that old guy Bohan have tricked me when he first came here?
If I have enough strength, will the Northwest Army dare to come to my door again and again to ask for money, and secretly put the prairie people into the defense line to make me look bad?
If I had enough strength, today...those guys came to my door and bullied me with great force, I would have led the army and beat them until they could not be found!!!
Du Wei felt a little sad and a little ridiculous in his heart.
Because I yearn for freedom, in order to achieve my goals, in order to achieve my goals...but I was forced, I had no choice but to develop ambition!
Isn't this a joke?
Du Wei knew very well that he was stimulated today. He was stimulated by those prairie people. He understood that at this moment, something called "ambition" was growing strongly in his heart.
In order for me to be able to control my life as I wish in the future... in this process, any opponent who wants to hinder me or threaten me will be my enemy!!
Perhaps, the prairie people should regret it.
Because their actions today awakened a young man who was still a little confused.
Du Wei suddenly became interested and sat up straight on his horse. The hand holding the whip pointed to the vast wilderness in the distance: "Muse, what did you see?"
Muse was stunned for a moment, looked into the distance, and asked tentatively: "Wasteland? Mount Kilimaro? Road? Forest...what exactly is it?"
Du Wei suddenly smiled and said a few words softly, then he whipped his riding whip hard and galloped forward.