Chapter 361 - 285: Alien Race and Holy Race (2)
Chapter 361: Chapter 285: Alien Race and Holy Race (2)
"The soldiers of the Holy Race are fighting and dying on the front lines, yet you all sit here silently enjoying the benefits they’ve secured. This shouldn’t be!
"I’m sure none of you can bear to see this, can you?
"I’m from Stream Village too, and I understand how you all feel. I’m certain everyone wishes for a chance to repay these brave Holy Race warriors.
"Now, that chance has come.
"First, we will no longer have to pay taxes to those damned nobles. From now on, all taxes will be paid to and managed by our Holy Race.
"With this money, the Holy Race warriors can defeat the Vampire nobles much faster, and peace will arrive that much sooner for us.
"Furthermore, the Holy Race has already promised that after the war ends, all taxes will be reduced by 30%!"
A murmur of discussion finally broke out below the stage.
No one was a fool; they all knew what Xiao Ning meant.
She had said a lot, her words passionate and stirring, but her core message was simple.
From now on, the taxes go to the Alien Race.
What surprised them, however, was the amount of the tax reduction.
To be honest, it was very appealing.
But most importantly, Xiao Ning was now the representative of the Alien Race.
Stream Village could not refuse.
Xiao Ning looked at the expressions on their faces with satisfaction and continued:
"See? The Holy Race is just that generous. We all misunderstood them before.
"However, we are at a critical moment in the war against those noble dogs. Our Holy Race warriors need everyone’s support.
"Therefore, during the war, we must temporarily increase the tax rate—but the increase is only 25%.
"Rest assured, as soon as the war ends, the Holy Race will immediately reduce the tax rate and fulfill their promise!
"So, what we must do is cooperate fully, help the Holy Race defeat the nobles more quickly, and bring an earlier end to the war!"
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
’So that’s what this is about.’
’If you want to raise taxes, just say so. Why dress it up in such high-sounding words?’
Besides, a 25% tax increase was a huge amount.
The profit margin on many goods was only 25%, and many cheap products wouldn’t even cover that tax amount.
This meant the prices of all goods would have to rise.
’Son of a bitch.’
Everyone cursed silently in their hearts.
The members of several families simultaneously looked toward the Xiao Family.
But the members of the Xiao Family all looked perfectly normal. They must have known about this already.
Xiao Ning ignored the crowd’s displeasure and continued:
"I see many of you don’t look too happy. I understand. This temporary 25% tax isn’t low, and it may affect you all.
"But the Holy Race warriors aren’t just taking your money for nothing. They know our village has been attacked by bandits and suffered considerable losses.
"That’s why they’ve sent me to protect our village this time. You probably don’t know my new identity, do you?
"I am no longer the fourth-generation Lord of the Xiao Family. No, rather, I am not *just* the fourth-generation Lord of our Xiao Family anymore.
"My new identity is: Special Envoy of the Seventh Regiment, Northern Army, Holy Race Expeditionary Force. And my name is Muchang Ning."
Questions rose in everyone’s minds once again.
’Isn’t her name Xiao Ning? Why is it Muchang Ning now?’
’She even changed her surname?’
However, after a moment’s thought, everyone understood why she had changed it.
She had been forcibly taken away by Master Muchang of the Alien Race. It was only natural that she would now take his name.
When Xiao Ning said her name, even some members of the Xiao Family frowned, likely finding the new name jarring as well.
There was another issue.
’This Alien Race has already formed an army?’
’The Holy Race Expeditionary Force...’
’What the fuck...’
’Doesn’t that just mean they’re treating Snowfield City as territory for their expansion?’
’And it’s the Northern Army, Seventh Regiment...’
’Does that mean there are other armies? Other regiments?’
A terrible premonition rose in everyone’s heart.
The nobles may have been detestable, but at least they maintained a basic set of rules.
Most importantly, the nobles were, at the end of the day, still Human. They possessed some fundamental humanity.
’But this Alien Race that calls itself the Holy Race... they aren’t Human. Would they have any humanity?’
Xiao Ning was very satisfied with the astonished expressions on their faces.
"I have brought twelve Holy Race Lords with me this time. Their presence alone is enough to intimidate those bandits.
"But to annihilate the bandits, we still need everyone to contribute their own Power.
"After all, the Holy Race’s priority right now is still eliminating the nobles for us. The fact that they could send twelve Lords is already a great blessing.
"Therefore, we need to coordinate with the Holy Race to encircle and destroy the bandits from the resistance army outside. Only then can we solve this problem once and for all and eliminate any future trouble!
"However, in a joint operation, command is the most important thing.
"Our Stream Village has never had a Village Chief; it has always been jointly governed by the four great families.
"While this system has its merits, it also has enormous flaws!
"Whenever something comes up, it requires lengthy discussion, and sometimes even leads to internal strife! The Efficiency is extremely low!
"Therefore, we need a change. Starting today, Stream Village will have a Village Chief.
"Of course, this Village Chief isn’t my decision to make, but the Holy Race’s.
"The judgment and vision of the Holy Race far surpass our own, so I hope everyone can understand and offer their support.
"With a Village Chief, our Efficiency will increase dramatically. No matter which family you belong to, you will all obey the Village Chief’s orders.
"The Village Chief represents me, and represents the Holy Race.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
The crowd below was about to explode.
The sound of all sorts of discussions was incessant.
’This Alien Race is going to wipe out the resistance army?’
’Weren’t they allies in a joint operation? Even if they weren’t allies, the nobles haven’t been completely defeated yet, and they’re already starting to fight amongst themselves?’
’And they want to drag the people of Stream Village into fighting the resistance army with them?’
If the resistance army were invading, the Lords of Stream Village would fight bravely without a second thought.
After all, defending one’s home was a duty they couldn’t shirk.
They would have no choice but to resist with all their might.
But now, they were being asked to march out on a campaign.
That was completely different.
War meant death; it meant losing strength.
A defensive war was a last resort, something they had to fight.
But was it really necessary to go on the offensive?
And to do it alongside the Alien Race, no less.
’Aren’t we just being used as pawns by the Alien Race?’
’So now we not only have to pay higher taxes, but we also have to risk our lives and suffer losses to fight for the Alien Race?’
’What the hell is this?’