Chapter Seven: The Origins of Su Yunyun

"Yunyun, that leather outfit you're wearing—what material is it made from? It fits you so perfectly, really shows off your figure, and there's a slit down the middle—wow, that's genius design!" Sun Li had successfully upgraded from the cargo hold to being by Su Yunyun’s side, and for the first time, he truly felt the benefits of his newfound strength.

"Sun Li! What I wear is none of your business! Please stop commenting on my... body. Whether I’m good or bad, it’s not for you to judge! And stop adding the word 'beauty' after my name. Whenever you say it, it gives me goosebumps!" Clearly, Su Yunyun thought things had only gotten worse since Sun Li’s promotion.

"Oh, come on, Yunyun, don't be mad. I'm just concerned about you, that's all. Isn't it cold, wearing so little? Do you want me to get you something to cover up?" As he spoke, Sun Li stood up, apparently ready to take action.

"Stop. I feel perfectly fine; I'm not cold at all! And don't call me Yunyun! We're not that close! Call me Su Yunyun or Princess Yunyun, that's acceptable. Please, Sir Sun Li, stop bothering me, will you?" Once again, Su Yunyun felt like she was on the verge of a breakdown because of Sun Li. Ever since his promotion, Sun Li had been paying close attention to her, occasionally joking around. But Su Yunyun had no interest in anything beyond friendship with him; with her own sister already acting as a shield, she had no intention of risking herself as well. As a result, their interactions often devolved into bickering—Sun Li delighted in it, while Su Yunyun was left exhausted.

"Wait, so you’re a princess? No wonder you have such a commanding presence. Do your Wood Elf people have a country of their own?" The moment he asked, Sun Li regretted it, because he saw Su Yunyun’s expression cloud over. Despite her earlier stern words, she hadn’t really minded, but this time, he’d truly touched a sore spot.

"Ahem, sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, you know that."

"It’s alright. Sooner or later, you’ll learn about the Wood Elves’ story, and it makes no difference if I tell you now," Su Yunyun replied evenly.

Hearing her calm tone, Sun Li said nothing more, quietly waiting for the elven princess to reveal the sorrows in her heart.

"Ten years ago, I was a carefree girl of ten, living happily with my family, friends, and the whole tribe. There was no conflict, no war, no tears, no pain. We lived peacefully in the forest, just like other Wood Elf tribes. My father was the chief, so everyone doted on me, and I took it all for granted, even bullying my innocent twin sister now and then.

But then, one day, the English arrived. They envied the beauty of the Wood Elves, destroyed my homeland with their cannons, and slaughtered my people with their muskets. My uncle who always gave me treats, my brother who took me hunting, my father, my idol—they, along with so many relatives and friends who loved me, died in waves under the colonists’ guns to protect us children and the young. From that moment on, I no longer lived just to survive. I had only one purpose—to kill the colonists and rebuild our home.

At first, those of us who escaped were taught to fight by the adult warriors, and we seized every chance to strike back at the English. But our weapons were too primitive, and we lost more battles than we won. As the colonists destroyed more and more Wood Elf tribes, we joined together to form a resistance. The numbers grew, but we could never defeat the English in open battle. After heavy losses, we became bandits and pirates, raiding for supplies, buying muskets from smugglers at high prices, and gathering strength, no longer engaging the English in large battles.

Today, after four years of growth, we can now mobilize over ten thousand adult Wood Elf warriors in the Mexico region, equipped with nearly five thousand firearms—most are outdated matchlocks, but we’re undaunted, waiting patiently for the chance to deliver a fatal blow to the colonists. Across Golden State, the Wood Elf resistance has over half a million members, though most are women, children, and the elderly. I’m not even sure how many can actually fight, since we’re not a unified force.

Here in Mexico, we are an alliance: separate groups like mine united against the invaders. I command about a thousand warriors, making us one of the largest groups in the region. Though we’re not under one command, whenever it’s time to strike the colonists, a single word brings everyone together. In the Wood Elf resistance, there isn’t a soul who fears death, because each of us bears a blood debt, living only to give meaning to those who have fallen.

‘Princess Yunyun’ was my title back in the tribe. Most of my followers are survivors from there, so they prefer to call me Princess Yunyun, while 'Yunyun' was always my elders’ way of addressing me. So, Sir Sun Li, I ask you to respect my wishes."

After learning the tragic fate of the Wood Elves, Sun Li fell silent. He felt more than sympathy; he saw a tremendous opportunity. Beneath the rule of Golden State lay a vast, hidden army of resistance—hundreds of thousands strong. Even if only half could fight, it would be enough to throw the English and the Franks into chaos. If these Wood Elf warriors could be armed with muskets and cannons, narrowing the gap with the European colonists’ weaponry, it could spark a rebellion that would shake the very foundations of their rule.

If Sun Li could seize the opportunity and lead an elite force to land in Mexico, smashing the English and gaining the upper hand in one bold stroke, perhaps it wouldn’t be so difficult. Princess Yunyun—what a remarkable identity! Not only beautiful, but of immense strategic value, too. His judgment had proven sharp indeed.

If Su Yunyun had known that by exaggerating the strength of the Wood Elves she only made the knight more determined to conquer her, rather than simply win his support, she might have banged her head against the wall in despair.

And so, after learning Su Yunyun’s background, Sun Li set aside his usual frivolity and began earnest discussions with her, gathering more details about the Wood Elf resistance.

When Sun Li became serious, he resembled an iron-blooded emperor, and Su Yunyun saw him in a new light. So the playboy did have another side; he was a hundred times more impressive than before!