"Because we're weak?!" Fisher Tiger clenched his fists, his face dark and grim.
"That's right, precisely because you're weak. Weakness is the original sin. Fish-Man Island is currently too weak, which is why so many traffickers dare to take the risk of capturing Fish-men there." Bege didn't care how harsh his words sounded; he intended for Fisher Tiger to understand this point clearly.
"Strength is revered everywhere. Only the strong have the right to speak and the right to survive. The weak can only be dominated by the strong. This is the truth."
"As long as a hegemon-level powerhouse can emerge from your Fish-Man Island, you can escape your current predicament and truly possess the right to dialogue with the world."
"Of course, a hegemon-level powerhouse isn't someone who can appear just casually. You shouldn't hold out excessive hope for that. So, in the absence of such a figure, your Fish-Man Island shouldn't be so radical. If you continue to hate humans and retaliate against them, escalating the conflict to an irreconcilable point, then Fish-Man Island won't be far from destruction."
Bege's words sent Fisher Tiger into a long, deep contemplation.
"Mr. Bege, what do you think should be done to alleviate the conflict between Fish-men and humans?" Fisher Tiger asked Bege with solemnity.
"For two races harboring such hatred to let go of that enmity and conflict, to understand each other, and then to tolerate each other—this is an exceedingly long process. It requires the collective efforts and sacrifices of one generation, or even several, for there to be a chance of success. And the prerequisite for that success is still that your Fish-Man Island must have enough strength to deal with traffickers, pirates, and even the World Government."
"Most common people in this world are timid, kind, and lack their own strong opinions. They don't harbor much hatred for Fish-men; they simply don't understand, or they've been misled by certain individuals with ulterior motives, or perhaps the scum among Fish-men have ruined your race's reputation."
"When you have strength, you can then step out of Fish-Man Island, let the world get to know Fish-men, and let the races of the world know that Fish-men are just as friendly and peace-loving as any other race. At that time, Fish-men will be able to integrate better into this world."
"In the end, it still comes down to having formidable strength," Fisher Tiger's face darkened once more.
"This world is very dangerous. Formidable strength is the most basic requirement for survival. Individuals or races without strength meet extremely tragic ends. You've adventured on the seas for a long time; you must have seen those pirates who commit every imaginable evil, those innocent civilians who are brutally killed. They were originally living simple, happy lives, only to have their homes invaded by a gang of villains who robbed, raped, and slaughtered. How sorrowful, how innocent they were."
"Aren't those innocent civilians very much like your Fish-Man Island? This is the cruelest truth of this world."
Bege patted Fisher Tiger's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Even if one has no intention of harming others, disaster can still befall them. For an individual to survive, they must become stronger than others. For a race to continue to thrive, it must become stronger than other races."
"Strength isn't for oppressing others, but so that when others try to bully you, you can fight back, you can protect those who are important to you."
Fisher Tiger looked up and asked, "Mr. Bege, our Fish-Man Island currently lacks sufficient strength. What should we do?"
"When one lacks strength but wishes to survive, they need to rely on others. Fish-Man Island's geographical location is very unique; it's essentially a transit station for pirates entering the New World."
"This is the reason for Fish-Man Island's chaos, but it is also its opportunity."
"Fish-Man Island can cooperate with the World Government, or it can align itself with a New World hegemon, borrowing the strength of other powerhouses to protect itself."
"Also, Fish-Man Island should make friends widely. This sea doesn't only contain vicious pirates and criminals; there are also magnanimous and loyal individuals. Befriend them, and perhaps one day they will help you when Fish-Man Island is in peril."
"Most importantly, slowly nurture the next generation, in hopes that a strong leader capable of guiding Fish-Man Island will emerge." Bege spoke eloquently, sharing all that he knew and understood.
Finally, he summarized a four-step development plan for Fisher Tiger:
Peaceful Development is the primary path. Leveraging External Forces is the policy for stability. Making Friends Widely is an indirect route to salvation. Nurturing the Next Generation is the core, and the future.
"Listening to your words, sir, has been more enlightening than reading books for ten years. I will be sure to convey your words exactly to the Queen and the King. On behalf of Fish-Man Island, I express my gratitude to you." Fisher Tiger bowed deeply to Bege.
"Sit down, sit down. This is all nothing, don't be so formal," Bege waved his hand, nonchalantly gesturing for Fisher Tiger to sit.
After Fisher Tiger sat down, he asked several questions with the humility of a primary school student. Bege answered everything he knew, offering many constructive suggestions.
"I almost forgot something!" Bege slapped his forehead, then patted Fisher Tiger's shoulder and said earnestly, "Tiger, I hope you all remember one thing."
"Please, speak, sir."
Fisher Tiger respectfully lowered his head to listen. He was taller than Bege, so he bowed his head as a sign of respect.
"This is a sick world—very cruel, with many bad people, many who can no longer even be called human, only villains. If, one day, you endure unimaginable pain and suffering, I hope you can maintain your original aspirations unchanged, and still insist that Fish-men and humans can reconcile and coexist."
It was only then that he remembered Fisher Tiger's tragic death, so he hoped these words might help avert that tragedy.
"Good and evil coexist in this world, but without a doubt, good outweighs evil. I hope you can understand that."
"Mr. Bege, please rest assured, I will definitely keep your words in mind," Fisher Tiger nodded solemnly.
Bege smiled and nodded at him.
"Go on, then. Go and do what you want to do."
"Mr. Bege, farewell. I hope we can meet again," Fisher Tiger said, somewhat reluctantly.
"If there's a chance, we will naturally meet again."
Fisher Tiger nodded, jumped into his small boat, waved to Bege, and sailed away.
"As long as you're still alive, we can naturally meet again," Bege sighed to himself, unsure if his words just now could change Fisher Tiger's tragic fate.
"Everyone has their own destiny. I've done all I can." Bege didn't dwell on it further. He lit a cigar for himself and turned back towards the forest.
"Why do I feel like I have the potential to be a chief architect now? I proposed the policy platform for the Revolutionary Army. And now I've laid out a four-step development plan for Fish-Man Island."
"I truly am an outstanding individual."
Bege was quite pleased with himself, walking with an outrageously arrogant swagger that recognized no kin.
The red dragon, seeing Bege's overbearing gait, cowered its head, not daring to move.
"Stupid dragon, don't resist. I'm putting you in the castle." Bege waved his hand, and the giant red dragon was absorbed into his internal castle and imprisoned.