George Wales/Story

## Chen Rui: first meeting

George nodded indifferently, but didn't make a fuss about it, "I met Princess Royal yesterday and I knew about the... food base you planned. Now that Regent Obsidian has ordered to cut the food aid from Red Spirit Estate by half. What do you think about this? "

*Is this a test from my father-in-law?*

Chen Rui then described his plan with Tim from Chapter 226: to not expose the food base to the capital and instead open up the trade routes to the west as cover up.

George then asks Chen's thoughts on training and military matters.

Chen says: "I remember a former sage of human had a wise word. Be as swift as wind, as gentle as forest, as fierce as fire, as unshakable as mountain. These should be the requirements of a strong army."

George thought about those words and complimented. "Well said! I plan to promote your training method in the Warlock Fortress. You shouldn't have a problem right? If it can really meet the requirements of these few sentences, my army will be the strongest in the Demon Realm!"

"Attack in the way that others can't defend; defend in the way that they can't attack; there isn't a fixed method in war just like there isn't a fixed form for water. Those who can win based on the changes are the best in warfare."

The Art of War from the Chinese's ancestors was extraordinary. After Chen Rui translated it properly into Demon Realm's grammar, George's eyes were flashing while listening. He couldn't stop nodding. Seeing his father-in-law so delighted, the son-in-law was cheering in his heart that Sunzi's brilliance was comparable to the Demon Realm's two moons.

Impressed, George then asks why someone of Chen's abilities and talent chose to stay in Dark Moon. Chen is silent. Originally it was because of the Symbiotic contract with Paglio, but now that Paglio's seal has been broken, supposedly they could move free.

George said positively, "Princess Royal told me your overall plan, which really surprised me. Perhaps the Crown Prince, Grimm's last wish won't be just a fantasy. Then, please do your best to help Princess Royal this time. It's just this time. I was in great debt for Lord of Midnight Sun, and I had sworn to defend Lord of Midnight Sun's descendants. However, as a father, I also have my own selfishness. I'm not asking you to be deadly loyal. Once the situation isn't good, you can take Athena and children to leave the Dark Moon. Go wherever you want and live the life you want."

Chen Rui didn't expect George to have such a request, so he mustered his courage to explain, "His Excellency, actually, the pregnancy of Athena is fake. She and I haven't progressed to the last step."

"I know. Do you think she can fool my father with that little trick? However, having no children now doesn't mean that you won't have them in the future." George's answer surprised Chen Rui even more, "For Athena to make such a lie for you, then I can be sure that even if I take her away, her heart will always stay with you. Therefore, I didn't do that, but I stayed to see this "shameless guy" who took my daughter's heart away with sweet words. Eventually, I'm not too disappointed."

George then says that the reason he approved of Chen is simply because Athena loved Chen.

"Actually before this, not only the Karon Family and Ruth family, many families have made marriage requests and stated the pros and cons, saying something like it was for the continuation of Wales family. Originally, in large families, marriage can't be chosen according to their own wishes, but the daughter of George Wales can choose it herself!"

Chen Rui's eyes brightened. Athena lost her mother since she was a child, but fortunately, she had a good father; a father who really loved her daughter.

George sneered, "I said to those guys, who do you think I, George Wales am? Do you think I'll sacrifice the happiness of my daughter in exchange for family benefits? If this is the case, then the Wales' family name will lose its meaning of existence! If Athena disagrees, it means I disagree. Those who aren't satisfied can fight me at Warlock Fortress. If one comes, I'll kill one; If two come, I'll kill a pair; If three come, I'll annihilate his entire family! So what even if it is Obsidian who took Lord of Midnight Sun's credit? If he annoyed me, I'll still turn against him!"

*Too badass!* Originally, George was just a somewhat harsh uncle in Chen Rui's eyes. At this moment, he became the Tyrant first general. No wonder even Obsidian was afraid of him.

Thanks to George's sturdy backing, Shea was able to support Dark Moon Estate in the difficult situation and support the only hope as Lord of Midnight Sun's heir.

Chen Rui's heart was full of admiration. Before he could say something, the door was suddenly pushed open and Paglio's voice sounded, "You! You're a true man! I like your arrogance! Dare to fight me with alcohol?"

George's gaze was on Paglio's body, and he was so imposing. He said, "I'm afraid you dare not!"

## Second meeting

Compared with the captured "father" of Kia, Azgalor, Athena's father, General George, was truly his father-in-law. Whether it was bloodline or the love and care for his daughter, he was not comparable to ordinary fathers.

General George had once visited the Dark Moon to inspect his son-in-law. When he thought Chen Rui was just a somewhat intelligent and powerless human, the first general still did not oppose Athena and Chen Rui from being together. The reason was simple, his daughter liked him.

With George's identity as the number one military figure, his daughter, Athena, should have been destined for a political marriage. However, George did not hesitate to reject all family marriage requests. He was still unwavered by the so-called "continuation of the Wales surname" threats. This was courage.

Chen Rui still clearly remembered his father-in-law once said those powerful sentences, "Will I sacrifice the happiness of my daughter in exchange for the benefit of the family? If I am reduced to this point, the surname of Wales will also lose its meaning. If Athena disagrees, it means that I do not agree too. Those who object may come to Warlock Fortress to fight with me. I'll kill anyone that comes and even destroy his whole family! So what about the Obsidian who stole the empire of the Lord of Midnight Sun? If he offends me, I will also rebel against him!"

Now when he reminisced about this, he still had an urge to take off his hat to salute the first general. With such a personality charm, no wonder even the poison dragon hit it off at once with General George.

Since George left the Dark Moon, there had been too many changes. The most prominent was the rise of the Dark Moon. From a declining estate controlled by the capital to the largest estate with rising military and economic power. In contrast to the capital, Regent Obsidian had been questioned by many families of the capital and large estates across the country due to the issue of "fundraising money". He was in a terrible condition now while the Dark Moon's momentum and prestige have increased. It has become more prosperous, and it established a cooperative relationship with the Dark Shadow Empire. It had faintly overshadowed the capital.

The outside world might have guessed that this was the human financial officer's credit, but George knew that all of this was the result of his "son-in-law" planning.

"I heard that at the last auction, 2 Demon Overlord assassins wanted to assassinate the Lord of the Bloody Vine Flower Estate of the Dark Shadow Empire, but they were captured and killed in an instant. What I want to know now is, has my dragon friend, Paglio, recovered his power?"

"Yes." Chen Rui nodded and smiled, "Paglio also has a deep impression of sir general. I should be able to tell Paglio good news this time. His friend who is far away in Warlock Fortress has successfully broken through to the Demon Overlord level."

"I said that I would take care of Athena for the rest of my life and prevent her from being harmed. For this, I have to prove something and even reveal some secrets to her most beloved father." General George was his father-in-law. At the same time, he was also Shea's most steadfast supporter. Besides visiting George, Chen Rui wanted to give him some important resources this time. Sooner or later, some things would be revealed. "Very good! I already felt that you have the ability to take care of Athena back then." George didn't ask much. He just nodded in relief, "However, my Wales Family's daughter is not a vase. Athena is a very independent girl, and she is quite talented in military affairs. She should be a good helper for you."

"Of course, she is now the legion commander of the Flame Legion. She is also one of the talented people that Princess Royal Highness relies on the most." When it comes to Athena, Chen Rui expressed unabashed love in his words, "She is also the best wife."

"Of course, Athena is my daughter!" Speaking of his daughter, George couldn't help but turn from an vigorous general to a proud father. "However, the title wife can only be used after your official wedding. Remember what I said to you when I left last time? No matter how many women you marry, Athena must be the most loved. Otherwise, I will..."

"Of course!" Chen Rui didn't wait for his father-in-law to say the threat of castration, and he quickly responded. After all, father-in-law is indeed very reasonable, but it seems that he has about a dozen of mother-in-laws.

## Fundraising

George sighed, "Some time ago, the major estates and families of the empire jointly asked the regent for the fundraising money. Obsidian reluctantly adopted the installment repayment method to temporarily stabilize the major estates and families, but then he sharply cut the expenditures on all parties, including military expenses and munitions. The magic circles and defense facilities of Warlock Fortress are in urgent need of renewing and repairing now. A large number of soldiers' weapons and armors also need to be replaced. A lot of money is urgently needed. However, the capital has even cut the military expenditure and ration by nearly half. If this continues, not only the military spirit will be shaken, but once the Bloody Empire launches a formal attack, it will be difficult to defend."

Chen Rui had been in the Bloody Empire, but he didn't know that such a large-scale "payment demand" incident occurred in the Fallen Angel Capital. Obsidian's delay was also within his expectation. It would be more unsustainable toward the end. Everything went on smoothly as he planned.

A spacious warehouse was filled up with bulging bags of black crystal coins in the blink of an eye.

Even General George who had always been calm couldn't help but be dumbfounded at the sight of this. Then his expression changed to ecstatic. He didn't know what space magic or means that Chen Rui used to take out so many black crystal coins, and he didn't know how his son-in-law had such a huge sum of money, but he was certain that with this sum of money, his biggest problem at the moment could be successfully solved.

George's surprise was still to come. In addition to funding, Chen Rui also provided a complete set of defensive magic circle drawings. It was said that it could triple the defense of the entire fortress with various traps too. At the same time, he promised George that after returning to the Dark Moon this time, he would send people to secretly transport a large number of sophisticated weapons, armors and the most advanced magic weapons. This would greatly enhance the overall combat effectiveness of Warlock Fortress' Red Dragon Legion.

There was also another purpose. In case the capital had any actions or changes, he could also launch a corresponding military action to support the Dark Moon.

Chen Rui's gift was not only for the entire legion, but it was also his father-in-law individually. There was no resurrection potion in the last 5 bottles of potion, so Chen Rui deliberately exchanged 2 bottles and gave them to George this time just in case. There was also a set of legendary grade equipment.

George was very satisfied. Compared with these materials, he was more satisfied with Chen Rui's ability. With such a man to take care of Athena, he could really rest assured.

## References

1. ↑ 疾如风，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山，难知如阴，动如雷震（from Sunzi's Art of War）
2. ↑ 攻而必取者，攻其所不守。守而必固者，守其所不攻......水因地而制流，兵因敌而制胜。故兵无常势，水无常形，能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神...
3. ↑ Chapter 228 (Steambun)
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chapter 458 (Steambun)
5. ↑ Chapter 459 (Steambun)