World’s End: My Keyword is One More Than Others

Chapter 314: How to become an emperor

In the face of adversity, one must bow their head.

Even if unwilling, it's best to heal first before making any plans.

Thus,

Yu Hongsheng wisely paid his respects to the princess and asked for her forgiveness for the previous assassination attempt, giving her ample face.

The princess knew her own limitations; mastering the art of ruling wasn't something she could learn from Du Ge in just a few days.

Having lost her power, she understood she was just an ordinary person, and her current status was entirely supported by Du Ge.

So, she didn't put on airs and generously forgave Yu Hongsheng. After painting a grand vision of restoring the kingdom, they naturally entered a harmonious ruler-subordinate relationship.

A true ruler-subordinate relationship.

Du Ge didn't let Luo Shuang rest. Since they already had their foundation, it was necessary to cultivate her ability to handle official matters. If she couldn't manage a faction, how could she possibly govern a country in the future?

One can be loyal to a person, a country, its people, one's beliefs, or even love...

Unlike maintenance, these can coexist.

The only downside is that, unlike maintenance, you can't switch sides easily.

Otherwise, your attributes would plummet.

Of course, switching sides in maintenance also drops attributes, but with backstabbing, the gains and losses balance out.

However, this time, the auxiliary keyword for loyalty is trend, so you can't keep changing sides.

Who would call a servant with three masters a loyal minister?

Given this, Luo Shuang's abilities must be developed; she can't just be a mascot.

...

"Princess, if you can't clean your own house, how can you rule the world?" Du Ge piled all the Dragon Fang organization's documents on Luo Shuang's desk and said, "Dragon Fang may be an assassin organization, but it handles many affairs. To ensure every assassination mission is completed perfectly, you need to be thoroughly familiar with both the assassins and the targets within the organization.

Of course, Dragon Fang isn't just an assassin organization; it also has a public front. So, you also need to manage the affairs of the Curled-up Dragon Sword Sect.

Although it's not as troublesome as managing a country, it's perfect for your current stage. If you have any questions, you can ask Master Yu. He has been running the Dragon Fang Sword Sect for many years and is an expert in this field..."

What expert?

That's my sect!

Yu Hongsheng nodded gloomily from the side.

"I understand, Master," Luo Shuang nodded.

"Since you understand, let me test you. Besides handling Dragon Fang's affairs, what else do you need to do?" Du Ge continued to ask.

"..." Luo Shuang was once again stunned.

"Think about how your father usually handled state affairs," Du Ge guided her patiently.

"Balance!" Luo Shuang tentatively said.

"Yes, balance," Du Ge nodded with a smile. "To be precise, you need to learn to cultivate your own power here. Princess, to Dragon Fang, you are an outsider.

You have no confidants here. Your current situation is akin to a newly ascended emperor, with the state power held by old ministers like Yu Hongsheng. Any of your orders need to go through him to be implemented.

If one day he finds you displeasing or harbors ill intent, he could easily overthrow you."

Yu Hongsheng's forehead veins twitched, and he quickly defended, "Princess, I would never."

"Princess, that's a classic case of feigned compliance," Du Ge glanced at him with a smile and asked, "Princess, do you trust him?"

"No," Luo Shuang decisively shook her head.

"So, your immediate task is to gradually turn Dragon Fang's people into your own. Use threats, temptations, divide and conquer—any means necessary. As your people increase, Dragon Fang will truly belong to you, not Yu Hongsheng."

Du Ge smiled, "Of course, you aren't without allies now. I, Wu Chang, and the eldest senior brother who has a rift with Master can all be considered your people. The three of us are your basic foundation."

He glanced at the eldest senior brother and said, "Of course, when I went to pick you up, the three of them might have already reached some agreement..."

"Sir, we did not," Wu Chang said.

"Cold junior brother, really, we didn't," the eldest senior brother also defended. He was now afraid of his younger junior brother.

"Princess, don't listen to them. Trust your own judgment. A true ruler must always be suspicious of their subordinates. Even if they haven't betrayed you, you must assume they have," Du Ge said. "That way, if they do betray you, you won't be caught off guard and can prepare countermeasures in advance."

Then, he looked at the eldest senior brother and said, "Eldest senior brother, a single betrayal is like planting a thorn in Master's heart. You know how Dragon Fang deals with traitors, so as long as the princess and I are alive and in control of Dragon Fang, your life and prosperity are yours.

But if the princess and I die, your life might not be yours anymore. You must understand this. That's why I hurt you less than I hurt Master..."

The eldest senior brother looked at his Master, his expression uncertain. "Cold junior brother, I understand."

Yu Hongsheng's temples throbbed, cursing inwardly, a bunch of idiots. Once I recover, I'll kill you all with a single slap. What use is scheming when faced with true power?

"Eldest senior brother, you should pledge your loyalty to the princess, not me," Du Ge shook his head and said.

"Princess, I am willing to follow you," the eldest senior brother said.

"Do you know what to do?" Du Ge asked.

"I will do my best to protect the princess and bring more junior brothers to her side to counter Master," the eldest senior brother said.

"That's correct," Du Ge smiled. "But more importantly, you should regularly stab Master to keep him in his current state of severe injury. Of course, don't kill him, as we still need his prestige to intimidate Dragon Fang..."

"..." The eldest senior brother.

"Leng Shi, I have no enmity with you..." Yu Hongsheng trembled all over, terrified by Du Ge's arrangements, as if his thoughts had been seen through.

"Master, don't be angry," Du Ge looked at Yu Hongsheng and smiled. "You know in your heart that this is the best way to handle the current situation, right?

If you want to be free, it's simple. Once the princess truly controls Dragon Fang and has people who can counterbalance you, you'll be free. Moreover, the princess needs people. Once you recover, show your loyalty to her, and you'll live peacefully to old age."

"..." Yu Hongsheng glared at Du Ge.

"Cold junior brother, if Master is alive, what about me?" the eldest senior brother asked.

Fool!

How can you ask that? You're just making him hate you more.

You should know he hated me more initially.

Du Ge sighed inwardly and looked at the foolish eldest senior brother again. "Master is old, but you are young. If you work hard on your cultivation, one day your martial arts will surpass Master's, and you won't fear his revenge.

Moreover, if you achieve great merits, when the princess restores the kingdom, you'll be granted titles and have your own people and rank. Who would dare to touch you? Do you think the law is just for show?"

"Oh," the eldest senior brother's eyes lit up, suddenly enlightened.

Yu Hongsheng looked resentful.

Luo Shuang watched as her Master divided the two with just a few words, her admiration for Du Ge growing.

This is a capable minister!

With Master’s help, how could the grand cause not flourish?

A few days ago, she was blinded by foolishness, thinking of finding someone to counterbalance Master. Looking at those mediocre people, how many could match Master's talent?

She diligently learned Du Ge's methods, secretly vowing in her heart, Master, wait for me. When I ascend the throne, the position of empress will be yours...

"Princess, think again. Is there anything else you must do?" Having dealt with Yu Hongsheng and the eldest senior brother, Du Ge looked at Luo Shuang.

"Nothing else!" Luo Shuang said.

"Dragon Fang is still controlled by someone behind the scenes. We need to find out who it is and see if we can gradually take over the entire Dragon Fang," Du Ge shook his head and said seriously. "Also, look for talents among Dragon Fang's targets, analyze the information gathered by Dragon Fang, and find the right time to start a rebellion. These are all things you must do. Princess, remember, our goal is the entire world, not just the leader of an assassin organization."

"Yes, I understand, Master," Luo Shuang was stunned for a moment, then nodded again.

"Then let's begin!" Du Ge sat beside Luo Shuang, handed her a secret report, and said, "I will supervise you and correct your mistakes..."

"Thank you, Master," Luo Shuang sat upright and nodded.

Du Ge looked at Wu Chang, frowned slightly, and said, "Wu Chang, your martial arts are too weak. You can learn some martial skills from the eldest senior brother and go on missions with other senior brothers to hone your attributes.

Otherwise, with your current abilities, even a simple internal conflict could cost you your life, let alone encountering a Heavenly Demon. I hope that when the princess conquers the world, you can truly become a war god."

"Yes, I will follow your instructions," Wu Chang didn't retort this time but respectfully saluted Du Ge.

Because he realized he had learned so much from this native.

If he could survive this Alien Star Battlefield, these valuable experiences would benefit him for a lifetime.

...