699 We Will Get Even! (2/2)
That was how they had ended up walking out like that. An embarrassed Wang Baole swept his eyes across the crowd outside the battleship, as well as the strange looks on their faces. He sighed secretly, then stopped in his tracks. With a solemn look on his face, he shouted, \”My fellow Daoists, you must be wondering why I have a donkey on my back as I appear before you!\”
\”That is because, in my eyes, this is not any mere animal. This is my comrade, my ally. He saved me repeatedly in times of danger. He even chose to forsake food and water in order to search for food and medicine for me while I was unconscious, to the point where he almost starved himself to death!\”
\”I, Wang Baole, value friendship and loyalty above all else. Carrying him on my back is nothing. In fact, I won't hesitate to cut my own flesh to feed him. It's because when I first began my journey of cultivation, my grandmaster at the Ethereal Dao College taught me—us cultivators of the Federation will always return a favor!\” Wang Baole's voice grew increasingly louder. The crowd was clearly moved as he came to the end of his speech.
The skin-and-bones state the donkey was in was the strongest proof. There must be a reason why any animal or human would choose to starve itself to such an extent!
In such a day and age, trying to starve to die was a considerable feat. The reason it had tried to do so… must be because of what Wang Baole had just said. It had chosen to sacrifice itself in order to save its master!
Not everyone believed Wang Baole, but a great many accepted his words for truth. When they looked at the donkey, it was with great respect. The donkey, naturally intelligent, sensed the sudden shift in their attitude and the look in their eyes. It froze at first, then blinked. It was about to grin when Wang Baole suddenly coughed softly. It was so soft only the donkey heard him.
The expression on the donkey's face immediately turned solemn. It looked as if it had just sworn to die by its master's side.
Wang Baole was pleased at how quickly the donkey reacted. His speech not only resolved the embarrassing moment he had been caught in, but it also seemed to have left a positive effect as well. He brimmed with self-satisfaction. His tact and awareness seemed to have improved considerably once again. Then, he spoke again with great solemnity.
\”Then, when I graduated from the Ethereal Dao College, our president, Duan Muque, taught me another thing, and that is… we must always get even! The Never-Ending Clan has invaded the Federation's turf. This wrong must be avenged. The Dao Palace cultivators have willingly chosen to follow the orders of the Never-Ending Clan. As Elders of the Dao Palace, Senior Qiuran and I will cleanse the sect of its evildoers. But everything boils down to what President Duan Muque has taught me. We, the cultivators of the Federation, must never forget. We will get even!\”
Wang Baole used all of his strength to shout out the last words. With his cultivation, his final roar gained the force of a hurricane, sweeping through the aerial port. His words were like lightning bolts, striking deep into the hearts of the crowd, stirring emotions to life. Many of them began to shout as well.
\”We will get even!\”
The Federation cultivators' morale surged as Wang Baole worked the crowd. They gathered closer to one another, a united force that emanated an intense fighting spirit that made one tremble with excitement. The upper echelons of the Federation, from the respective political entities, were equally stirred. They began to cheer loudly as well. Duan Muque, Li Xingwen, and others more familiar with Wang Baole knew his habit of spewing nonsense. Regardless, their eyes were bright with an intense light. Duan Muque, especially, was seized by a sudden thought… If Wang Baole were to become the Federation President, despite not knowing how he would perform in other areas, it was clear that at least when it came to motivating the people, he was doing much, much better than Duan Muque was. He was clearly suited for this role.
Feng Qiuran, who had followed Wang Baole out of the battleship, was equally moved. Her injuries hadn't fully recovered, and her face was still slightly pale. However, upon hearing the roars rising all around her and feeling the Federation's fighting spirit, she took a deep breath and shut her eyes. The faces of Dao Palace cultivators—cultivators she had to fight her way through—flashed across her eyes. When her eyes opened again, they were clear of mixed emotions and divided loyalties. Instead, a bright, resolute light shone in them. At the end of Wang Baole's speech, she stepped forward and stood next to him. Then, she turned towards the crowd, cupped her fists, and bowed deeply.
\”Grand Elder Baole is right. The Dao Palace… is in need of cleansing! The Dao Palace's betrayal has caused great injury to fellow Daoists in the Federation. I can extend ten thousand apologies, but it wouldn't be enough. I can only offer my full aid and my life, to fight the war with my fellow Federation Daoists!\”
Wang Baole's and Feng Qiuran's words resonated with the crowd, inspiring and exciting them. Their bold declarations gave the people a greater determination to fight.
\”Let us salute Wang Baole and Senior Qiuran!\” Duan Muque shouted, his bright voice steady and resolute. Everyone bowed once again. Their fighting spirit, united, flooded the port once again.
The welcome party reached an emotional climax at that point. Wang Baole and Feng Qiuran descended from the battleship, then followed Li Xingwen, Duan Muque, and the other upper echelons of the Federation into the military base.
Duan Muque represented the Federation as he and the other upper echelons of the Federation spoke to Feng Qiuran in detail and gathered more information regarding the current situation. Feng Qiuran was then placed in a secret chamber in the base where she could continue healing. The donkey was led away as well. Wang Baole was left standing in the main pavilion. Only he, Duan Muque, and Li Xingwen remained after everyone else left. Duan Muque had a serious expression on his face. After some thought, he suddenly spoke.
\”Wang Baole, if the Federation wins this war, you will be made the next Federation President!\”