Thirteen: The Bugle of Progress

Ruiyin rested her hands on the table, dismantling her pistol to clean the barrel and wipe away the dust. I sat opposite her, waiting, feeling an intense aversion to her posturing.

Who did she think she was? I was the benefactor who had just saved them.

"You only brought Jason back?" Ruiyin asked.

"The others were beyond saving," I replied. "I think you understand what I mean."

Her brow furrowed in clear displeasure and conflict. "Did you kill Sokan?"

"No, I didn't, but I can guarantee that Sokan will never be a problem for you again."

"That is merely your word against mine."

I stood up, bracing my hands against the table, my indignation no longer containable. I raised my voice: "We are going to govern this village in the future; what benefit is there for me to lie? I am telling you clearly: the matter of Sokan is resolved. As far as you are concerned, he is no different from a dead man. Just treat him as a harmless ghost."

Ruiyin said, "Kill Sokan, then come back to talk to me about submission. We will not accept any other conditions!"

I retorted in anger, "You are going back on your word! You are faithless!"

The two large men beside her assumed a threatening stance again. Did they not realize that such firepower was insufficient against the three of us?

Velin interjected, "Mother, he is right. We are too weak; we must join forces with others to survive."

Ruiyin scolded her harshly: "Our village has existed for sixty years. Generations have lived here, surviving independently and tenaciously. We have not only lived well, but we have also maintained our dignity!"

Velin argued, "They helped us! They saved us! Otherwise, we wouldn't have survived at all."

Ruiyin replied, "Fine, we are grateful, and we are willing to trade and establish relations with them, but never to bow down in surrender! Never to grovel! They are here to enslave us. Do you think they are any better than Sokan?"

I shouted, "You are completely unreasonable! I saved all of you from Sokan!"

Ruiyin said, "Is that all you have to say? First, I don't believe you. Second, you haven't killed Sokan. Come back when you have, and then we shall discuss further matters."

In that moment, I truly wanted to pierce this woman's heart.

Velin pleaded, "Mother! Listen to them! Mr. Longinus said they can extend our lives, provide us with the best doctors, allow us to eat rich and delicious food, and let us live freely on the surface instead of acting like earthworms and moles in this hole! He can bring us a life like paradise!"

Ruiyin slapped her across the face, cursing, "You've been deceived by him! You little slut! You think I don't know about the shameless things you do with the men and women in this village? I just couldn't be bothered to manage you! But now it's different—you’re actually betraying us? You shameless traitor! Your father should have shot you into the sewer!"

I chimed in, "Black Coffin has better safety measures. It’s a very thin plastic film that doesn't affect the user's sensation at all, and it can prevent most infectious diseases. You might want to look into it..."

Ruiyin pointed her gun at me, raging, "Get out! You soul-corrupting bastard! Get out of here!"

It would have been effortless to kill her, but remembering Michael's orders regarding the policy of peace, I had to hold back. We exited the village head's office. We hadn't walked far when a group of young people waited at the intersection. Seeing Velin, they called out, "How did it go?"

I heard that the people here were vegetarians their whole lives; no wonder they were all so thin.

Velin pointed at us and said, "The Rangers from Black Coffin have done us a great service, but Mother remains stubbornly inconceivable."

A tall, thin Black man said, "She is too old and stubborn, clinging to outdated rules. It’s simply unbearable."

Velin said, "Yes, according to her philosophy, we can only hide underground our whole lives, suffering from illness, eating monotonous food, and living no longer than forty! I have always urged her that we should go out more and interact with people on the outside..."

A thin white man added, "She doesn't even let the scavengers go far. She is constantly guarding against us defecting, just like a suspicious tyrant!"

Velin said, "Ever since my brother left and was killed, she has been like this. She is... beyond saving."

Another Asian man asked, "How old is she? Fifty? It’s just her luck that she lives so long. Sigh, when will..."

They complained loudly. A team of armed guards heard our conversation and shouted, "What are you talking about? Be careful, or we'll arrest all of you!"

Velin swore at them, "Bastards!" Then she turned to her followers and said, "Let's go to the cafeteria!"

I followed them to a large room, the public dining area, much like the one in Waterless Village. Velin ordered some dishes for us. When they were served, I saw it was all something akin to tomato paste and mashed potatoes. The menu was monotonous, lacking any fat. Did they eat this their whole lives?

Velin noticed my dissatisfaction with the food and asked, "You must have plenty of delicious food at Black Coffin."

I said, "For example, with these potatoes, we would deep-fry them in a whole pot of oil until they are golden, crispy, and fragrant. Have you ever eaten pork?"

They all cried out, "We ate it once!" "A scavenger once brought back some canned pork. Velin stole one, and we cooked it over a fire and each tasted a small spoonful." "That was truly the best thing I have ever eaten in my life!"

That old hag Ruiyin said I was corrupting the people? Well then, I would corrupt them and show her. The young are the easiest to win over, and I would ensure she had no peace here! One day, perhaps in the near future, Velin and these young people would seize power!

I took out the rations prepared by the Mask, and by chance, there was a can of beef. The moment it appeared on the table, their eyes never left it.

I said, "The reason the people of Black Coffin live long lives is because they eat both meat and vegetables. As long as a person is alive, there are infinite possibilities and a beautiful future."

Velin reached out and gripped the beef can tightly, as if she were holding onto her own life, her own hope. I nodded and said, "Go ahead, take it. This is a small gift from me to you."

They hurriedly placed it on the fire. Once it was heated and opened, the sweet aroma of the beef sauce made the cafeteria feel like heaven had descended. They couldn't wait to grab spoons and taste it one by one, their expressions like hungry ghosts, or perhaps like drunks. Praises rang out endlessly. Even the cafeteria cook stared with longing, but by the time he wanted to join in, not even a scrap of meat remained in the can.

The supplies prepared by the Mask were a motley mix; there was even beer, coffee, and hardtack. I simply brought it all out so they could have a feast. They were giddy with excitement, yelling wildly, singing loudly, jumping, and dancing. Velin’s eyes were filled with longing, just like a three-year-old child looking at a new and beautiful toy.

I seized the opportunity to embellish the various miracles of Black Coffin. I said, "Black Coffin currently has a poverty alleviation policy. If you join us, I can arrange for the talented people among you to live in Black Coffin for a few years. There, you will find the latest trends, the most beautiful scenery, the most advanced technology, and the most handsome people. We will help your hometown become just as good as Black Coffin. Alas, it is a pity..."

Velin looked at me, smiling like a love-struck fool. I suspected that if this went on, she might fall in love with me. These undereducated girls were prone to infatuation, especially since Velin was not a steady person to begin with.

I hurriedly picked up a can of beer, poured a little into a cup, raised it, and shouted, "Friends, it is a pity that we are leaving soon and cannot bring the gospel to this place, but it does not matter. Today's gathering is enough to make our friendship last!"

They surrounded the three of us as if we were their closest friends and most beloved elders. The boys hugged us, and the girls came over laughing to offer their most enthusiastic kisses. I kept my diplomatic mission and my loyalty to Lamia in mind, which allowed me to remain unmoved.

Of course, these girls were skin and bones, and I had no desire to do anything with them anyway.

I was a little drunk, not because of the beer, but because of the intoxicating atmosphere. Surrounded by the crowd, I leaned in and whispered to them, "Do you know? There is a secret."

Velin was drunker than I was. She looked into my eyes obsessively, her face very close to mine, her dark skin flushed with a faint red. She smiled and asked, "What secret?"

I said, "The reason your mother lives so long must be because she hides a lot of meat to enjoy by herself. And it's not just meat; there are even better things in her stash, but she just won't share them with you!"

Velin giggled and said, "Stop spouting nonsense! I don't believe it, unless..."

I asked, "Unless what?"

Velin said, "Unless you give me a kiss."

The crowd began to jeer. I looked at Waste Clock and Solace, who both said, "Don't worry, we won't tell."

I gave Velin a long kiss on the cheek. She shrieked like a hen, and everyone was as happy as if they had won a world war.

I stood up and said, "All good things must come to an end! Friends, it is late; we are going to spend the night in the truck outside."

Velin shouted, "You can sleep in my bed!" The young people actually applauded Velin’s boldness. Velin smiled without a hint of shyness and held my hand.

I shook my head and said, "No, that would be a dereliction of my mission. We of Black Coffin are a people of ritual." Despite their best efforts to make us stay, the three of us left the village and returned to the truck.

Solace said, "Longi, you made them too excited."

Waste Clock added, "Yes, it seems the situation might spiral out of control."

I spread my hands innocently and said, "Don't worry, don't worry. Young people are just like that; once the excitement passes, it will be fine."

Early the next morning, someone knocked on the truck door. I thought it was Christina, but it was Velin, accompanied by many others—far more than the group of followers she had before.

She was covered in blood.

As the door opened, she threw herself into my arms, crying silently. Behind her, the villagers began to applaud.

I was completely bewildered and asked, "Child, what happened?"

Velin said, "Last night, we searched Mother's room. You were absolutely right; she had hidden many, many 'good things'."

I was shocked into full sobriety, as I had only been making it up at the time. I asked, "And... and your mother?"

Velin hugged me tightly and said, "Oh, my diplomat, I executed her for you. I executed her for everyone, and I executed her hateful accomplices as well."

The villagers chimed in, "Velin, this is not your fault!" "You punished the sinner for us!" "We all participated in the trial and the execution!"

Solace, Waste Clock, and I were struck dumb with astonishment.

Velin said, "Mr. Longinus, I adore you. Every one of us adores you. For you, we are willing to do anything. Our gates are open to Black Coffin. We are very happy to follow you and become a part of Black Coffin."