Chapter 58: Chapter 57
"You don't have to keep calling me 'hero,' it sounds a bit odd. Just call me Chen Ye," Chen Ye said.
Commander Shao paused for a moment, then suggested, "How about we call you 'Sir Chen'? It's more respectful in our culture."
Chen Ye nodded, "That works."
"Sir Chen, what brings you to this place?" Commander Shao inquired.
"I learned from my father that I'm of Han descent, so I wanted to visit the Han country," Chen Ye repeated his previous excuse. "But now I'm more interested in those creatures outside the wall. What exactly are they?"
Commander Shao glanced at the strategist beside him and said, "Strategist, please explain to Sir Chen."
The handsome strategist, Wang, nodded and began, "Those creatures are called Taotie, monsters sent by the heavens to punish human greed. They've been around for two thousand years, originating from Mount Gou Wu."
Wang detailed the origins and nature of the Taotie. Although Chen Ye already knew this from the story, he pretended to listen intently, wanting to leverage the soldiers' strength against the Taotie. Despite his power, he knew he couldn't defeat thousands of Taotie alone.
After Wang finished, Chen Ye feigned surprise, "Such wicked creatures! If not stopped, they will cause chaos throughout the land."
"Exactly!" Commander Shao agreed. "We guard this place to prevent the Taotie from wreaking havoc. But they are growing stronger, and I fear we won't hold them off much longer…"
Commander Shao then earnestly asked, "Sir Chen, with your incredible strength, would you help us save the people?"
This was exactly what Chen Ye wanted. He inwardly smiled but maintained a righteous expression, "It's my duty to help!"
"Haha!" Commander Shao laughed heartily, "Sir Chen is truly a hero. With your help, we stand a chance!"
General Lin Mei, standing beside Commander Shao, looked at Chen Ye with admiration. In her eyes, he was a great hero, young and extraordinarily powerful.
While General Lin Mei was lost in thought, a messenger arrived.
"Commander, we've captured two foreigners. What should we do with them?"
Hearing this, Chen Ye's eyes gleamed. As he suspected, the captured foreigners were likely the main characters of this world."
The biggest criticism of "The Great Wall" movie was that a foreigner saved the Chinese empire, which Chen Ye had found infuriating. Now that he was in this world, he wouldn't let such a ridiculous plot unfold.
"Bring them in," Commander Shao ordered.
Soon, two Westerners were brought in. Seeing them, Chen Ye immediately identified them.
"Hm!" He pretended to exclaim lightly, drawing Commander Shao's attention.
"Do you know these people?" Commander Shao asked.
General Lin Mei and the strategist Wang also looked at Chen Ye.
Under their gaze, Chen Ye nodded, "Judging by their attire, they appear to be mercenaries from Europe."
"Oh? Which faction?" Commander Shao asked.
"Mercenaries don't belong to any fixed faction. They're driven by money and will do anything for the right price," Chen Ye explained.
Hearing this, the onlookers frowned.
The two Westerners, not understanding Chen Ye's words, grew worried seeing the stern looks directed at them.
"Hey, what are they saying? Do you understand?" one asked the other.
"Do you think I understand?" the other replied.
"They look like they want to kill us. Stay still and don't provoke them. We can't escape."
"Damn, we shouldn't have come here!"
Among those present, only Chen Ye, General Lin Mei, and the strategist Wang understood English.
Hearing their conversation, Wang stepped forward and spoke in English, "Are you mercenaries?"
"Oh, thank God! Someone who speaks English!" one mercenary exclaimed. "Yes, we're mercenaries. We mean no harm, please don't hurt us!"
"Why are you here?" Wang asked.
The mercenary, of course, lied, "We were being chased by the monster and ended up here by accident."
Wang frowned and relayed this to Commander Shao, "They claim to be mercenaries chased by the monster."
Commander Shao pondered for a moment and then looked at Chen Ye, "Sir Chen, what do you think their true purpose is?"
"Mercenaries follow the scent of money. Without it, they wouldn't come all this way," Chen Ye said. "Let me question them further."
"Please do," Commander Shao agreed.
Chen Ye approached the two men and asked, "Who do you work for?"
"Sir, we really mean no harm," William, the protagonist, quickly responded.
"Don't give me that. I know mercenaries well. You wouldn't travel so far east without the promise of wealth," Chen Ye replied.
William and his companion exchanged glances, surprised that this eastern man knew so much about mercenaries.
"You're here for the black powder, aren't you?" Chen Ye continued, revealing their true motive.
The two Westerners were shocked. How did this man know their mission? They couldn't know that Chen Ye was aware of the entire plot.
Although William would eventually become a better person, it was too late now. Since Chen Ye had exposed their aim, their fate was sealed.
General Lin Mei, who understood English, had been translating for Commander Shao. Both now glared at the two foreigners with killing intent.
Black powder was one of China's most important inventions, kept as a closely guarded secret by the court. For foreigners to covet it was unforgivable.
"You dare to covet our black powder? Your audacity will be punished!" Commander Shao declared.
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