Civilization: Beyond Two Worlds

429 What Is a Surprise?

Kang De’s phone finally began to ring.

In modern society, personal privacy was already a luxury.

Phone numbers could be obtained by any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

Classmates, friends, relatives, strangers… His phone quickly heated up.

When the news spread, Kang De was in another world. There were already many people persevering to call his number. Although he could only obtain the notification that he was “not in service”, now, the electronic voice on the phone was simply heavenly. This meant that contact had already become possible.

His classmates and relatives yearned to satisfy their curiosity and obtain something to brag about. The media reporters wanted to make big news, and many people with ill intentions and ulterior motives yearned to obtain benefits from this super-hot topic.

Agency, film company, operating company… The hyenas hatched in the Internet era smelled the fragrance of delicious food and drooled, trying to be the first to snatch the meat.

Without answering the phone, he knew what they wanted to do.

Let’s sign the contract.

They would package him as a super Internet celebrity.

‘You can be a martial arts star.’

‘I’ll help you become famous and earn money.’

Kang De had seen such things on the Internet many times.

An ordinary person would occasionally obtain a famous name on the Internet. The disgusting hyenas would hear the news and come. Children who looked like Jack Ma, ordinary employees who had won the Alipay Award, wanderers who had become famous overnight because of trash classification and knowledge, beggars hungry for fame, and lowly clowns surrounded them and did all kinds of unimaginable actions. It was simply the most ridiculous and ironic scene of this era.

He simply threw the phone aside and could not even be bothered to look out the window. He knew that most of the cameras were aimed at all the windows in his house. If they took a photo, things would be huge.

There were no secrets in the Internet era. Kang De’s phone number was like this. His parents’ situation and his home address were the same under the pursuit of the crazy entertainers and hyenas.

At this moment, when he heard Xiaoman mention it, he knew that there were already many stupid people holding phones or selfie sticks wandering around the district, doing live broadcasts and taking short videos.

Some people still tried to sneak into the district, and some were almost successful. They successfully arrived at the bottom of Kang De’s building. Fortunately, this district was considered high-end and the property management was quite capable. They had the foresight to arrange for two security guards to be on duty downstairs. The police station office in the district had also raised a sign outside. Coupled with the screening of the access door downstairs, it finally did not let some stupid people knock on Kang De’s door and livestream.

This was the first day the information was completely fermented.

In a day or two, all the stupid fame beggars in the country would come here.

“We have to move,” Kang De said. “Alright, my parents shouldn’t come back for the next month or two.”

Fortunately, the popularity would eventually decrease. The Internet was forgetful. People would chase after the next hot topic, and the vultures who could not eat meat would not circle forever.

Wang Yongzhi was in a good mood. Firstly, Kang De returned safely. Secondly, he had reached a certain consensus with the country. Thirdly, he was a little happy to see this kid suffer.

He smiled and raised his phone. “Look, a third person has already announced that he wants to challenge you.”

The popularity this time was really a global event that contained all the elements that attracted the onlookers. A lone hero saving his relatives was dramatic and legendary. The scene that could only happen in Hollywood movies and novels was actually played in reality. The netizens of the various countries who were so bored naturally had to party.

The most discussed were naturally the three videos.

As well as the extremely terrifying physical fitness displayed by Kang De in the three videos.

He fired a large sniper rifle with one hand and swung his tail to dodge the rockets. He even bounced in the two speeding workshops. The experts and keyboard warriors both domestically and overseas quarreled. Although these actions that were like movie stunts had proven that they could be done by humans—that was only the theory. If ordinary people wanted to complete such a magnificent feat, they had to have physical fitness, nerve reflexes, and control that were close to the limit of humans.

As well as extraordinary courage.

Therefore…

“I can’t explain it clearly now”, “a major mistake in leaking secrets”, “it wasn’t easy to convince the foreigners that not every Chinese person knows martial arts”, and so on. It was the carnival of the Chinese Internet world.

Including his guess about Kang De.

“Could this brother be from that ancient martial arts family?”

“This definitely has an army background.”

“Is he a super warrior secretly nurtured by the country?”

“It’s all a conspiracy.”

Things like that happened.

Unknowingly, Kang De already had the persona of a martial arts expert.

As everyone knew, in the current Internet era, the long-standing Chinese martial arts were already in a situation of mass mockery. The so-called masters with deep cultivation and who valued martial virtue were beaten up until their faces were swollen and they could not withstand a single blow under the magnification of the arena, camera, and the Internet. Those with thin skin pretended to be dead behind closed doors, and those with thick skin were proud. They even completely gave up their pride and used all kinds of self-hype.

After all, it was an era of entertainment. It was not terrifying to be criticized, nor was it terrifying to be embarrassed. The most terrifying thing was not paying attention and being popular. After all, with popularity, there was money to be earned.

At that moment, netizens ran to the Weibo accounts of those “masters” to leave comments mocking them. Those who wanted to ride on their popularity took the initiative to jump out as usual. Some commented on Kang De’s martial arts sect, some said that he was weak, and some challenged him. It was unknown which corner they jumped out from, but they did not have any shame at all.

In Wang Yongzhi’s phone, the short video played a thin and lean fool with his upper body bare and two boxing gloves staring at the camera. He even gestured provocatively, but his face was stiff and his lines were stiff.

A fraud.

D*mn, he was so thin and still had the cheek to say that he was a martial artist. Not to mention anything else, the martial artists of the Republic of China knew that they could fight from the photo. All of them were stocky and burly. It was estimated that they weighed 200 catties. Their robes were stretched like tight clothes. How could a thin monkey defeat them easily?

Uncle Wang asked, “What do you think?”

Kang De sighed, “The Internet has pulled the distance between people and idiots.”

The other party smiled and said, “Aren’t you going to fight?”

Kang De glanced at him. “There’s still someone who wants to challenge Jack Ma. Does Jack Ma want to fight too?”

Wang Yongzhi said angrily, “You’ll endure it just like that?”

Kang De said coldly, “Of course not. When Africa is over, we’ll capture him to mine in Comoros.”

“…Don’t do anything rash. It’s illegal to buy and sell people.”

“Hehe.”

Kang De smiled harmlessly.

“What are you talking about?”

...

Xiaoman walked out of the kitchen. She was wearing an apron and thick gloves. She walked over with the steaming soup bowl. Kang De reached out to hold the bottom of the bowl. The girl said anxiously, “Be careful of the heat!”

Kang De took the pot of pickled fish and smiled, “It’s not hot. It’s so cold and comfortable.”

Xiaoman smiled and hit him. She took off her gloves and the two of them sat side by side opposite Wang Yongzhi.

Show off.

Uncle Wang also glared at Kang De.

Show off.

“Eat, eat.”

It was already noon. Kang De had originally planned to go out with Xiaoman to have a good meal. It had been a long time since he had eaten at home. However, he had already become a world-renowned person. Now that he had appeared in China, not only was he surprised, but he was also shocked… Therefore, he could only hide at home.

Therefore, Xiaoman cooked. She carried bags of things from her house and wished she could empty the kitchen and wine cabinet. When Wang Yongzhi saw this, he was even more unhappy. He himself found it strange. He was usually happy to see Kang De and Xiaoman get along. Now, he was very subtly unhappy.

He distributed chopsticks and scooped rice, four-colored stir-fried food, and a fish soup.

Ever since Kang De left the island, he had not cooked seriously.

...

Not to mention like now, Xiaoman was sitting beside him. She was wearing a plain sweater and knee-length skirt, revealing her calves wrapped in black stockings. She was kicking on a pink cotton mop, and her shoulder-length hair was tied up for the convenience of cooking, revealing her crystal-clear ears and exquisite neck. Sitting beside him, he could see her natural rouge-stained side profile when he turned around with a faint smile on her lips.

“What are you looking at?!” Xiaoman noticed his gaze and said angrily, “Hurry up and eat!”

Opposite him, Uncle Wang took a bottle of wine on the table expressionlessly. “Come, drink two glasses.”

—Why do they all want to force me to drink?

—Eh, why should I use the word ‘they’?

Xiaoman sighed. “Dad.”

Kang De blinked at her, indicating that she could leave it to him.

Then, he picked up a bottle of Maotai and opened the lid with his thumb. He gulped it down and instantly drank it all. Of course, this was only acting. When it reached his throat, the power of the Fire Thief was completely extinguished.

He held the empty bottle and poured it down. Then, he said sincerely, “I’ll drink. Do whatever you want.”

“…”

Uncle Wang pushed the wine in his hand over expressionlessly. “I have to drive in the afternoon. You drink it.”

The meal was peaceful and beautiful. After the meal, the two young people went to the kitchen to wash the dishes together. Wang Yongzhi looked up at the two figures on the other side of the kitchen and wanted to drink when he heard the continuous laughter.

Then, he was chased back to his house next door by Wang Xiaoman.

“Go, go, go. Leave us young people some privacy. Don’t you have to go to work?”

Then, the two of them lay on the sofa and leaned against each other. Due to the frequent calls, Kang De’s phone was basically useless. Therefore, they used Xiaoman’s phone together to scroll through Weibo, browse the forum, and even climb over the wall to go to the outer network to watch the world praise Kang De wildly. They even opened their alternate accounts to leave comments to lead the way. It felt like they were making a fortune silently.

Although it was boring, it was interesting.

To Kang De, the pressure and sense of alienation were gradually dissipating. What was spread and hyped on the Internet were the traces he had left in this world. This was his proof and his life.

To Xiaoman, this experience was even more unforgettable and interesting. She opened her alternate account and participated in these carnival topics. She communicated with others, joked with Kang De, created rumors about him, and chatted and laughed with strangers. These people did not know that the focus of the world in the past few days had snuggled up to her and laughed and fought… This feeling of keeping a secret alone was really great.

Full and happy. Time passed bit by bit. It was very pleasant and happy.

…Other than the middle-aged man next door who knocked on the door every few days,

“When are you leaving?”

“You should go back, right?”

“It’s about time.”

In the end, Xiaoman could not help but shout, “If you knock again, we’ll sleep!”

Such a shout greatly deterred a middle-aged man, causing him to be silent. In the room, Xiaoman blushed and glared at Kang De, “Nap! What are you thinking?!”

Kang De put on a confused and innocent face. “How else can I sleep?”

“…Die!”

They laughed and fought.

He curled up on the sofa with his phone and wasted four to five hours.

When he looked up again, the sky was already dark. It was almost six o’clock.

Xiaoman calculated the time difference for Comoros and was silent for a moment. “You’ll go after dinner?”

It was about one in the afternoon in Comoros.

Kang De said, “Leave when you sleep.”

“There’s no need.” Xiaoman smiled. “When I sleep, it’ll be night when I go there. Your father must miss you very much. You have many things to do and discuss… Leave after dinner.”

Without waiting for Kang De to answer, she got up and went to the kitchen to heat up the remaining food for lunch.

Then, he called his old father over.

Wang Yongzhi stayed at home for four to five hours. God knew how he had spent it. In any case, the way he looked at Kang De was unhappy.

However, there was also pride in his displeasure, as if he had succeeded in some plan as if he wanted to watch Kang De’s show.

After dinner, they washed the dishes together again. Xiaoman stood beside Kang De and busied herself silently. A trace of beautiful hair fell to his ear. Kang De wanted to say something, but he did not know what to say.

After a while, Xiaoman pulled her hair behind her ear. “Remember to come back and tell me before you leave.”

Kang De said, “I’ll come back often. In any case, it’s convenient.”

Xiaoman snorted, “Then I might not be free.”

Then they laughed together.

After tidying up, he came to the living room. Uncle Wang sat there and said to Kang De, “When you were enjoying yourself, a large group of people were discussing and running around for you… The process has almost been decided. Comoros is also busy. We have to do things step by step. Food has to be eaten bit by bit. When you go over this time, you have to do the first thing first. Grab the initiative and tell the Americans and France that we’ve attacked.”

Kang De asked, “What should we do? Convene a press conference?”

Wang Yongzhi suddenly revealed a strange smile.

Just like Father Kang, his ability to accept new things was very strong.

“What kind of bullsh*t reporter is there in Comoros? It’s only been a day or two. The few major news media organizations can’t gather them, and there’s no style.”

He smiled and said, “You’re so cooperative. The country has to express that you’ve been a hero and saved so many people. Comoros also wants to express that in addition to the fact that you want to develop on Comoros’ side, we can do it together. Therefore, we suggested that the embassy thread the needle and hit it off. We prepared a huge surprise for you…”

Kang De said warily, “What?”

Wang Yongzhi smiled brightly. “You’ll know when you go. Hurry up and leave.”

“…” Kang De said, “If you don’t tell me, I won’t go.”

“You can stay here if you want.”

“…”

“Don’t be afraid. When did your Uncle Wang trick you? Your father agreed, and can the motherland harm you? Will the King of Comoros harm you? Good things are all good things.”

Kang De was filled with suspicion and vigilance. In the end, he went on his way.

He nodded at Xiaoman and was about to return to the bedroom when he suddenly saw Uncle Wang looking at him with a burning gaze. Kang De thought for a moment and smiled, “Forget it, I’ll show you.”

He injected his mental strength and activated the pretentious spell stored in the glove wrist. A brilliant light flashed, and two light wings unfolded from behind. Kang De stepped on the brilliant halo and the dark spatial door opened behind him.

He smiled at Xiaoman and disappeared into the gorgeous light.

Even if he was mentally prepared, Wang Yongzhi was still deeply shocked. His heart raced and he took a few deep breaths. His decades-old worldview had been shaken and impacted. No one could easily accept it.

It took him a long time to calm down. He glanced at his daughter beside him. “What do you think?”

Kang De shuttled through the white fog world and used the signal generator to inform his father that the teleportation point was the anchor in his hand. After receiving the agreed signal, he activated it.

After passing through the endless darkness, the surrounding scenery changed. He was in the basement of the embassy with his father in front of him.

Before he could give him a hug, Kang Jinzhu pulled him back. “Let’s go, let’s go. We’re waiting for you.”

“Ah?” Kang De said in surprise, “What for?”

His father also revealed a strange smile that was identical to Uncle Wang’s. “Good thing, good thing.”

He pulled him out. There were armed police guarding the door of the room. Seeing that a living person had changed drastically, the political warriors looked straight ahead. The father and son came to the first floor. The ambassador was waiting. When he saw Kang De, he was stunned for a moment. He knew what it meant for this person to come out of the embassy.

However, this surprise and loss of composure only lasted for an instant. The ambassador quickly stepped forward and shook Kang De’s hand. Then, he pulled him along with Father Kang. “Let’s go, let’s go. We’re just waiting for you.”

…Uneasy.

The convoy in the courtyard was ready. The military officer saluted him. The Kang father and son boarded the middle car with the ambassador. The door opened and the fully armed convoy slowly set off, driving out of the street and along the road in the embassy area. Kang De looked at the fluttering French and American flags and shook his head. He asked the ambassador, “What’s the matter?”

The ambassador’s smile was much more sincere than the two elders. “Surprise. I won’t be surprised if I tell you.”

Kang De asked again, “Where’s the king?”

The two of them still smiled and did not answer.

Kang De felt even stranger. Logically speaking, it was definitely not a bad thing. The king would not harm him, the country would not harm him, and his father would not harm him. However, his father and Uncle Wang’s suspicious smiles made him very uneasy.

What the hell was going on?

The convoy slowly advanced along the street of Moroni. After leaving the embassy area, a few cars suddenly played the national anthem of Comoros. Amidst the melodious and ancient melody, the street ahead was already filled with people. They began to cheer and shout with smiles on their faces. They were all the people of Moroni, the people Kang De had saved that day.

As for what they were shouting, he could not hear or understand.

However, he could sense their gratitude and intentions.

The convoy slowly advanced. He could see every sincere face. There was no congestion, and the people were not enthusiastic enough to go forward and stop the car from advancing. Instead, they followed behind and followed the convoy. Kang De was both touched and confused. Fortunately, Moroni was not big, and he quickly arrived at his destination.

It was the Grand Palace.

He could even see traces of collapse.

—Wow, are they trying to trick me, a guy who destroyed the palace, to come here and be sacrificed to the heavens?!

Of course, this was only a joke.

The convoy stopped. The ambassador got out first and gestured for him to leave.

There were also people surrounding the palace.

After Kang De got out of the car, the soldiers lined up outside the Grand Palace saluted together. He could see the mercenaries of Myanmar and the Russians also lined up alone and smiled at him. Not to mention the Russians, the Myanmar people had actually stayed for the time being. He did not know what they thought… He had to discuss it with Uncle Wang.

As Kang De thought this, a black man in the traditional robe of Comoros and gold accessories walked forward and bent down piously to kiss the corner of Kang De’s shirt.

Then, he respectfully invited Kang De to walk toward the palace. The door slowly opened.

Behind him, the Moroni cheered.

In the square in front of the palace stood many people in two rows. They were all wearing the traditional clothes of the people. The surroundings were decorated grandly and luxuriously. They were moved to the throne in the square and sat on the King of Comoros, Chakat II.

He held a golden scepter and was wearing a white robe. Gold accessories hung on his chest, arms, and legs. When he saw Kang De enter, he stood up, opened his arms, and shouted at him.

He shouted in Comoros’ ancient language.

With every paragraph he spoke, people raised their hands high and agreed.

From the corner of his eye, Kang De could still see cameras everywhere and the British reporter he had saved.

Then, the king walked towards him. A smile slowly appeared on his dignified and serious face. Two followers followed closely behind him and bent down piously. One held a scepter high, and the other held a white robe.

“My friend.”

This time, the king changed to Chinese. He had a warm smile and tried his best to suppress the excitement in his eyes. No one understood his joy. After hearing that Kang De was fine, he cheered loudly and was happy. He was happy for this and happy for this. He resisted the urge to immediately contact Kang De. Instead, he prepared a gift for his close friend with the ambassador and Jinzhu, a gift that could surprise him.

He said softly, “No matter how grand my gratitude is, I can’t repay you for what you’ve done for us. Therefore, no one objects to my decision. The elders all agree. This is gratitude and trust. From now on, you’ll be one of us, the Guardian Eagle God. Please defend our honor and our citizens. You’ll obtain friendship, loyalty, and everything you hope for.”

At this point, the king smiled and said, “Please come forward, warrior, guardian, and hero.”

“Come forward and accept the conferment.”

“…”

Huh???

Kang De said in confusion, “Conferred? Conferred for what?”

Behind him, Kang Jinzhu’s voice that was suppressing his laughter sounded, “Confer you a title. Out of gratitude and appreciation for your heroic feat, the noble King of Comoros invited you to share his responsibilities and give you power, status, territory, and the loyalty and support of the people. Congratulations.”

His father held back his laughter and said, “Lord Chief of Africa, may your spear always be smeared with poison.”