Chapter 56: The Divine Rainbow

Sun Fei almost gritted his steel teeth to pieces as he watched that “old fair-face” still shamelessly standing on the opposite broken bridge, winking and making faces. The joints of his fists cracked loudly. The cheering soldiers and civilians around him stopped and looked at Sun Fei with strange expressions.

Best had left Shampoo City some time ago with a large amount of the royal treasure. Many people speculated that this chief steward had absconded with the royal treasure, abandoning his daughter and foolish son-in-law. But no one expected him to suddenly return at this moment, leaving everyone momentarily stunned and casting peculiar glances.

However, Sun Fei completely misinterpreted their meaning.

How could the fiancée of a dignified monarch be openly and recklessly teased by someone else, especially during a time of great victory and national celebration? Where would that leave someone’s dignity? Sun Fei subconsciously assumed that the strange looks from those around him were because…

Whoosh—!

Sun Fei instantly activated the Barbarian Skill [Leap]. Like a winged fierce tiger, he whooshed directly from one side of the broken bridge to the other. Without saying a word, he grabbed his future father-in-law’s robe and lifted the “old fair-face” up, ready to teach this impudent “madman” a lesson…

Just then, Angela’s trembling voice came: “Father, you… you really came back!”

Huh… Father?

Sun Fei was stunned. Thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, and his expression suddenly turned peculiar. “Damn, is this old guy really… Angela’s father?” As soon as this thought arose, Sun Fei broke into a cold sweat. Before he could react, he heard the old fair-face in his grip exclaim, “It’s you, Alexander! You’ve actually returned to normal… Hey, what are you doing? I’m your future father-in-law! Put me down…”

Upon hearing this, Sun Fei felt a row of black lines slide down his forehead.

He felt the situation was getting a bit out of control. Damn, what kind of mess was this? He had actually become jealous of his own father-in-law. It was as tragic as that unlucky guy in ancient Greek mythology who married his own mother… What should he do?

Don’t panic. I must hold the entire situation together!

Thinking of this, Sun Fei had a quick idea. Within a second, he changed from fiercely grabbing the chest to an intimate embrace, tightly wrapping his arms around Best. He put on what he thought was the most surprised and joyful smile and said with a laugh, “Ah, dear Uncle Best, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Oh, really? Why do I feel like you wished I were dead?” Best was having a bit of trouble breathing from Sun Fei’s hug.

“Hehe, a misunderstanding, that’s definitely your misunderstanding… Uh, let me take you across.” The Barbarian Skill [Leap] activated. Sun Fei tucked his future father-in-law under his arm and whooshed from the south side of the broken bridge to the north side.

The graceful old handsome man was so frightened he half-closed his eyes. Looking down at the Zuli River shrouded in mist and white vapor beneath his feet, with the wind whistling past his ears, he opened his mouth in astonishment. It was only then that he realized Alexander had just jumped directly across a gap of sixteen or seventeen meters… What kind of strength was that? It must be at least that of a Two-Star Warrior, right? When did Alexander acquire such formidable power?

Best was instantly filled with curiosity.

He increasingly felt that during his time away, he might have missed something exciting.

Thud—!

The two landed on the north side of the broken bridge. Angela joyfully threw herself into Best’s arms, weeping with happiness. “Father… I knew you would come back.”

“Of course, because my treasures, more precious than my own life, are still here.” When Best said this, a uniquely tender and affectionate expression appeared on his face as a father. He deeply kissed his daughter’s forehead.

However, Pierce and the other soldiers and civilians around them let out disdainful snorts.

In their view, this cunning and greedy old fox must have squandered the royal treasure he had taken and returned to Shampoo City to freeload again. Despite his graceful and elegant noble appearance, over the past few years, even passing mercenaries had seen through his true nature—a cowardly, greedy king of a shabby country.

Best noticed everyone’s cold stares.

But the old handsome man showed no embarrassment. He gently patted his daughter’s back, then unhurriedly straightened his coarse robe before leisurely saying to Sun Fei, “Alexander, it seems many wonderful things have happened to you. That’s truly great. However, I think you need to change into some cleaner and tidier clothes now…” At this point, Best glanced at the somewhat tattered Barbarian equipment [Arctic Fur] on Sun Fei’s body, took a step or two back, and continued, “His Majesty Yassin, the emperor of the Zenit Empire, has sent Princess Tanasha as an envoy, leading the Royal Coronation Mission here. In half a month, you will turn eighteen. According to the continent’s customs, you must receive the coronation from the emperor of the sovereign state to officially become the king of Shampoo City… This is a matter of great significance. You must prepare well.”

After speaking, the old handsome man pointed to the cavalry team on the other side of the stone bridge, with their shiny armor and forests of spears and blades.

“So those idiots really are from the Zenit Empire… Uh, by the way, Uncle Best, what did you just say? The Royal Coronation Mission? Weren’t they specially sent as reinforcements to support Shampoo City?” Sun Fei frowned.

“No, we only learned on our way here that Shampoo City was under enemy siege.”

Sun Fei looked at the haughty cavalry on the other side, stroked his chin, and chuckled. “So that’s how it is… Uncle Best, as you can see, the only stone bridge leading into Shampoo City broke during the battle. Now it’s impossible for their large cavalry to enter the city. Besides, my soldiers have fought for several days and nights without rest and are exhausted. How about this: let them set up camp on the other side. In a few days, I’ll send someone to repair the stone bridge, and then they can enter the city. What do you think?”

Upon hearing this, Best almost bit his own tongue. “Alexander, what kind of joke is this? This is the Royal Coronation Mission of the Zenit Empire. I suggest you immediately send people to repair the stone bridge, using ropes and planks to connect it first…” At this point, Best leaned close to Sun Fei’s ear and whispered, “You need to understand, they are here to formally crown you. Do you know how much effort I went through to get this mission to come?”

“The bridge is broken; what can I do? If the empire’s noble knights are really impatient, they can repair the bridge themselves and enter the city.” Sun Fei didn’t say more and turned to leave. After a few steps, he loudly added, “Tonight, I will hold a victory banquet in the King’s Hall to reward my brave soldiers. All residents of Shampoo City, regardless of age or gender, can attend!”

This last sentence was naturally meant for the soldiers and civilians around. The crowd immediately burst into cheers, and happy, joyous smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

Best was dumbfounded for a moment, then helplessly shook his head.

But he didn’t say anything more.

…

Back in the city, although both his body and mind were extremely tired, Sun Fei pushed through and personally oversaw some post-war matters. Even though Best had taken most of the royal treasure when he left, Sun Fei still took out all the remaining royal assets. With the help of Angela and Gemma, he divided them into dozens of portions and generously compensated the families of the soldiers and civilians who had died defending Shampoo City.

This act naturally won him the grateful cheers of the soldiers and civilians.

Especially for those families grieving the loss of their loved ones, the king’s reward was like timely help. It was not only a rare honor but also gave them hope to continue living despite losing their young adult labor.

For a time, King Alexander’s prestige and reputation reached an unimaginable height in Shampoo City. Wherever people met in the streets and alleys, their first words were to raise their arms and shout, “Long Live the King!” The wounds that the brutal war had inflicted on this ancient city were healing at an incredible speed.

In addition, Sun Fei diluted the remaining half bottle of [Health Potion] and had the city’s doctors use it to treat the injured soldiers. Except for those unfortunate souls who were too severely wounded or disabled, many heavily injured soldiers recovered quickly in a short time. Those with minor injuries were already happily returning home to reunite with their families.

His Majesty Alexander had already become synonymous with the omnipotent God of War in many people’s hearts.

This situation tormented those with ulterior motives. Herald Bazel and his son Gerger quietly returned to their mansion after the battle ended, closing the gates tightly. The mansion was eerily quiet, and no one knew what they were up to.

As for Prison Warden Oleg, he luckily survived the daytime battles. Perhaps sensing that Shampoo City was about to change, this sycophant didn’t slink away in disgrace. Instead, he completely changed his previously arrogant and domineering attitude. Now, no matter who he faced—even a beggar on the street—he wore a smiling, kind, and friendly expression. He busied himself with boundless energy, firmly supporting every decision Sun Fei made. He worked tirelessly, sweating profusely, both flattering Sun Fei and desperately demonstrating his loyalty to the king.

“Look! There’s a rainbow in the sky!”

Suddenly, someone in the city pointed at the sky and exclaimed. People looked up and indeed saw a beautiful multi-colored rainbow in the blue sky. What surprised them even more was that the sky around the rainbow had taken on a reddish hue, as if the entire sky had been set ablaze with red light. From afar, it looked like a mythical bridge spanning a red ocean.

“Lord, this is a Divine Miracle! It is the great Lord God of War protecting our His Majesty Alexander and our Shampoo City!”

It hadn’t rained, yet a rainbow appeared in the sky. Many civilians attributed this to the king and the God of War. For a time, people in every corner of the city knelt on the ground in devout prayer.

Sun Fei stood at the entrance of the King’s Hall and smiled slightly.

He knew this was because, during the earlier great battle, countless corpses and boulders had fallen into the Zuli River, splashing up vast amounts of water vapor and blood mist. Under the scorching sun’s evaporation, this wondrous spectacle had appeared.

War, at this moment, revealed its rare and beautiful side.