Chapter 194 Chapter 195 Order and Chaos (Five Thousand Word Major Chapter)
Twenty minutes later.
In the mayor’s council building.
The grand preacher slammed his hand on the table in anger. His bald head turned red as he said:
“Iss, are you joking with the whole city? In the name of Sigma, I must protect all honest Sigma believers. Hand over that thing right now, and when the saint wakes up, let her order the succubus to stop.”
This was a serious mayor’s council meeting. Sitting around the round table were not only the grand preacher but also the guild leaders, local nobles, and the mayor—who was none other than Iss’s biological father.
“The succubus is just bluffing. If we yield this time, I will take my own life. What about next time? When she says you all must bring out your money and offer it to her, or sink your merchant ships in the harbor to please her, will you comply?”
Many frowned, beginning to ponder Iss’s concerns.
The grand preacher tapped the table with his finger: “No one’s asking you to take your own life. Both sides need to step back, just one step! Ultimately, this is all because you insist on marrying Karslan’s daughter.”
“I’m only trying to stop the succubus from abusing her potions and using her extraordinary powers to disrupt the market and manipulate prices,” Iss said. “Moreover, I just want Jayna to fulfill her agreement to heal my old wounds. Is that too much to ask?”
Iss’s words struck a chord with many; they did not want a flood of magical potions in the market robbing them of their business.
“You!” The grand preacher was momentarily speechless; he knew Iss was aimed directly at the saint herself, but he couldn’t figure out how to refute his lofty rhetoric.
Iss countered:
“If we’ve fallen to this extent, shouldn’t your Sigma Church bear the main responsibility? Because you haven’t been able to maintain order in the city. As long as you cannot capture the succubus, she can use the entire city to threaten us honest merchants.”
His words were clear and compelling. Many nodded in agreement.
“Yes, we cannot compromise with the succubus.”
“But what good plans do we have? We still don’t know the succubus’s abilities.”
Iss inquired, “May I ask, Grand Preacher, do you have any leads on capturing the succubus?”
“As long as we have enough time.”
“With enough time, this city will become ruins,” Iss laughed mockingly and declared loudly: “I have basically figured out the succubus’s abilities, and actually, the succubus Jama’s powers are not that frightening.”
Like a glimmer of hope, almost all eyes turned to Iss.
“This morning, with the support of the adventurer guild leader, I gathered two thousand brave souls to search the forest for the succubus. However, they ended up fighting over a dubious treasure map and several vials of unknown potions, resulting in many deaths. At that moment, I began to suspect that this was the capabilities of the succubus Jama.”
“I happen to have a friend who experienced a night of citywide riots in Shalin City. He said everyone acted like they had gone mad, frantically robbing, raping, and disregarding rules and laws. Combining this with the righteous information provided by the temple, the true culprit behind all this chaos should be the succubus Jama.”
“And so, I speculated about her abilities and unexpectedly discovered that once you know her true nature, dealing with her is quite simple; we just need to unite,” Iss raised his voice, “Her ability is merely to incite people’s hearts, to provoke others to plunder and destroy, and to spread rumors. This has resulted in misunderstandings among me and many of my friends, and I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Just think about how dozens of different rumors spread throughout the city in just a few hours; there must be extraordinary abilities at play behind this.”
A businessman urgently asked, “Young Master Iss, do you have any good plans? Shalin City is not a small place; it has succumbed to chaos as well.”
“Shalin City is merely a slave city, where both its laws and wealth are far inferior to our city. Its administrators are like clowns performing acrobatics on the street compared to you,” Young Master Iss revealed a confident smile, “In such circumstances, the succubus had to team up with a ruthless gang leader to incite a slave revolt, which then plunged the city into irreversible chaos.”
His confident posture and tone unconsciously influenced everyone present.
“Stop your rambling! Just shut that pretty little mouth of yours,” said Van Helsing, leaning against the wall and yawning. “Just tell us your plan.”
“It’s simple. Immediately implement a curfew, organize militia in each district to protect every neighborhood, and have neighbors help each other,” Young Master Iss looked toward the guild leaders, “Summon the city guard and organize a contingent of citizen cavalry for unified command. Wherever chaos breaks out, we will immediately suppress it and protect your legitimate properties.”
In Marlin City, every household in each district would contribute manpower or money to organize rotating militia to guard their neighborhood. The entire military force of the city consisted of personnel and resources provided by each guild.
Citizen cavalry were wealthy locals capable of bearing armor and warhorses, forming an organized army that emulated the nobles by personally engaging in combat.
The grand preacher asked discontentedly, “But what if you fail?”
“Anything is better than what has already failed,” Young Master Iss implied, “Moreover, all you need to do is hold out until the saint awakens. No one understands her better than I do; she is a devoted follower of the God of Dawn, kind-hearted and gentle since childhood, and will certainly stand by us to protect the innocent.”
Iss’s plan quickly gained unanimous approval, with several generous promises being made.
“I wonder if we can request aid from the emperor’s army?”
As soon as a businessman voiced this, suspicious and reproachful glances were directed his way, and he faltered, “I mean, we have paid taxes to the emperor.”
Only Young Master Iss smiled gently at him, “By then, the greedy emperor will surely use this opportunity to levy a southern tax. Are you willing to sacrifice a few greenskins in the south and hand over your hard-earned money?”
The businessman shook his head.
“Then that’s settled.”
Van Helsing said, “I’ve met the emperor once; I don’t know where your confidence comes from.”
“It seems you don’t know that I’ve discussed the future of Marlin City with the emperor.”
Van Helsing scoffed, “The goblins on the gray mountains have also negotiated with the emperor, but I don’t see those little greenskins becoming any greater.”
“Mr. Van Helsing, if I recall correctly, you should be out looking for traces of the succubus. Why do you suddenly have time to come and say unpleasant things?”
“Because your golden tickets can’t be exchanged for cash,” Van Helsing said, “You could fund me with two thousand gold coins, but your gold shop has been robbed, and you can’t provide any money. I’m quite unfortunate; I can only come back to seek you.”
Young Master Iss’s smile stiffened slightly, feeling a bit awkward. After all, he had just promised to protect everyone’s legitimate properties but could not manage to protect his own.
…
…
Although it was still just around five or six o’clock in the evening, Marlin City had already entered a state of curfew. People on the streets were sent home, and even the city’s notable location—the Port’s Merchant Stock Exchange—closed its doors early. This led to a new historical record for the stock exchange, as no one was able to jump into the river to commit suicide.
Robberies and riots in the city intensified, not disappearing with the curfew.
This was because, although each district had been notified of the curfew, each had its own ideas and lacked unified coordination. Many craftsmen, having worked all day, didn’t want to take turns standing guard after returning home. Meanwhile, some districts closed their entrances early, creating traffic chaos, with people trying to get home or wanting to have a good time before the curfew crammed together.
The riot broke out first on a bridge. It started when a thug stole a lady’s handbag, and when a gentleman drew his sword to protect her, he was struck down by the thug. The thug then brazenly robbed both of them, his actions mimicked by those around them.
Many took advantage of the chaos to steal and grope.
At this moment, a patrol team of night guards arrived to enforce the law but, amidst the brawl, left behind three corpses while fleeing.
More and more thugs gathered, amassing to over a hundred. They attacked young women passing by the bridge, tearing at their clothing, groping their faces, butts, and chests.
Someone called out Iss’s name to report the situation.
This riot lasted less than an hour before a team of citizen cavalry rushed over, raising their lances without a word and charging into the crowd of thugs. They trampled, stabbed, and swung swords. Together with more than fifty militia reinforcements, they captured nearly forty men, killing the severely injured on the ground to demonstrate their determination to protect the city.
News of the bloodshed spread rapidly throughout the city. At this point, many people became fearful and rushed home to abide by the curfew.
Under Iss’s command, the citizen cavalry and city guard efficiently went about quelling the next wave of riots.
Iss’s subordinates shouted his name to the sky, reporting the uncontrollable riots to him, and after receiving relayed messages from below, he commanded the troops to reinforce with a voice that echoed across the city.
The efficiency gave everyone confidence.
Even the succubus, hiding in the shadows, used some means to make thousands call out Iss’s name, attempting to undermine him with disinformation. Yet amidst the myriad of distracting noises, he could still discern the voices of his kin and continue effectively suppressing the riots.
Seeing the scale and frequency of the riots begin to dwindle, Iss couldn’t help but smile to himself, muttering, “What can you use to fight me? Even the emperor coming to this city would have to compromise with me.”
He even began to feel that this was a good thing. Although he had used a lot of money, he gained priceless prestige, and after weathering this ordeal, many would implicitly recognize him as a leader.
“Younger Master Iss,” amidst the numerous noises, his steward’s voice sounded, “Jayna’s biological father wants to see you.”
“Him?”
Karslan, his future father-in-law, an inept performer who, as a merchant, could only be considered above average, had only reached his current standing by clinging to his biological daughter’s thigh. Young Master Iss smiled faintly, “Tell him I’m very glad to see him.”
His voice formed a beam, reaching the steward downstairs.
“He seems to have drunk a lot.”
“That’s fine; he certainly needs some courage-boosting liquor to see me.”
Before long, Karslan, a member of the mayor’s council but unable to attend the recent meeting, rushed upstairs, his face red and smelling strongly of alcohol.
Karslan was tall and skinny, walking like a vertically upright stick insect that could fall over at any moment. His red whiskers were damp; it was hard to imagine he was Jayna’s biological father. Only in his green eyes could one see a hint of similarity to Jayna.
He was Jayna’s father. He was Jayna’s father.
Young Master Iss kept reminding himself to suppress any disdain he felt, at least not to show it outwardly.
“Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Karslan.”
“You little brat!” Karslan steadied himself, swaying slightly, and immediately emitted a strong scent of alcohol, “Don’t give me any nonsense.”
“Once your daughter agrees to me, we will be in laws.”
Karslan waved his hand dismissively, “Get away from me; I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“Frankly speaking, Mr. Karslan,” Young Master Iss said, “You cannot interfere with your daughter’s freedom to love, from any angle.”
“I knew you weren’t well-intentioned. That little succubus Qiao was not wrong; you are coveting my daughter’s body and have been since you were young. When you were a child, I should have kicked your backside hard! Kicked you out of my house. Burp!”
Karslan burped and continued, “You ungrateful bastard who takes my heirloom sword.”
“Dear Mr. Karslan, no one is unaware that your elaborately decorated sword is merely a batch imported from Aldao. It’s younger than me,” Young Master Iss said. “Besides, I like your daughter; didn’t you already know? You wanted to collaborate with my family, and every time you came to visit, you would definitely bring little Jayna. My parents are fully aware and have told me. I requested them to take me to your house, and you were absolutely ecstatic. Honestly, I could already see through your performance back then; I told Jayna, and she didn’t believe me.”
Karslan was choked up, his face turning even redder; he stomped his foot and waved his hands, pointing at Young Master Iss and shouting:
“Return my daughter! You gang of bandits, deceiving me and locking my daughter up— what kind of thing is this?”
“She is just tired and needs to rest; you don’t understand the affairs of the extraordinary; she needs attentive care.”
“I only know that you abducted my daughter!” Karslan shouted, wrapping his arms around a pillar, lifting his head ready to bang it down, “If you don’t let my daughter come back home, I’ll smash my head against this! My daughter will never forgive you.”
Young Master Iss slightly bent down, made a gesture of invitation, and said, “Please do as you wish; I will do my utmost to treat you.”
Karslan lightly knocked his forehead, feeling that the marble pillar was incredibly hard, giving him a headache. He couldn’t muster strength; seeing Young Master Iss remain indifferent made him both angry and annoyed, and he spat angrily at him:
“I’m warning you, kid! Don’t look down on me; you will pay for your actions! You interfere in my business and directly take people to my home to rummage for things! Burp! Do you think my house is a public toilet? Come whenever you want, leave whenever you want? Don’t I deserve some dignity? Burp! You held a meeting and didn’t even call me, thinking… thinking the mayor’s council is significant?!”
Young Master Iss used his gloved hand to wipe the spittle that had landed on his golden mask, asking, “Anything else? I’m in a good mood today; I can let you yell at me until your daughter wakes up.”
Karslan suddenly smiled: “Did you know that Qiao has made a large batch of wealth potions? I’ve found them and have secretly entrusted trustworthy friends to distribute them to everyone; over seven hundred vials.”
Even though the upper half of Iss’s face was covered by a mask, Karslan could still sense a shift in the expression on his face.
In truth, Young Master Iss’s voice trembled slightly: “You… you are ruining this city.”
“Who told you not to treat me like a human being?”
“Quickly tell me who it is? There is still hope to stop this now.”
“Let my daughter go.”
Young Master Iss took a deep breath, as if making an extremely difficult decision, and suddenly laughed.
Karslan asked, “What are you laughing at?”
“Mr. Karslan, was my acting just now on point? This is true acting,” Young Master Iss said, “Your good friends have already discussed it with me in private. I specifically instructed them that if you were to produce a large quantity of potions, they would destroy them.”
Karslan, sobering up from the alcohol, turned pale at an astonishing rate: “You… you are lying to me.”
Young Master Iss revealed a name and said, “He just reported to me secretly that you contacted him quietly.”
Karslan stomped in anger and nearly banged his head against the pillar, saying, “That treacherous scoundrel; I thought he was my only supporter.”
“Such weathercocks often sway faster,” Young Master Iss maintained his composure, “Everything is part of my plan.”
“Young Master Iss, Young Master Iss, something bad happened,” someone shouted, “Someone is selling high-priced wealth potions everywhere, causing a rush to grab them. There are so many potions, in boxes!”
Young Master Iss’s face truly changed color: “What?! Why wasn’t anyone reporting this?”
“It was reported, but you did not respond.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he shut his mouth, looking with displeasure at Karslan.
He had just been engrossed in chatting with Karslan and couldn’t multitask, listening to the whispers on the wind.
That old guy.
Karslan, like a wise man, rubbed his short and tidy red beard, saying: “This is what we call chit-chat, heh heh. If you had agreed to me earlier, it wouldn’t have caused so many issues; everything I just said was an act. Youngster, that’s what acting is.”
Young Master Iss, unwilling, said: “He clearly signed a contract.”
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but laugh, backtracking: “Who doesn’t dream of making a fortune…. The more intricate and complex the plan, the more prone it is to mistakes; every piece has its own desires. Do you think just because you’re young and accomplished, you can lead the way? Every piece won’t just obediently listen to your commands? You’re too young, too naïve.”
“Just wait and see; the advantage is still in my hands, just a bunch of rabble,” Young Master Iss disregarded the smug Karslan and approached the balcony, shouting to the sky: “First Citizen Cavalry Division, report your position, Finley.”
His voice echoed throughout the city.
Before long, numerous noises drifted in with the wind. Some said the First Citizen Cavalry Division was completely wiped out; others cursed him as a syphilis-ridden fool… among them, however, he couldn’t hear the familiar voices of his subordinates.
A bad feeling crept up on him.
Someone shouted from below, “Who?!”
A cavalryman in silver full armor, wearing a long-tailed Shirel helmet, was brought forth with his head held high. Blood had already soaked most of his armor.
As he got closer, Iss saw that it was indeed Finley leading the charge; his throat protection was missing, revealing a deep wound on his neck.
“Who did this?” Young Master Iss’s voice trembled, “Who killed my men?”
