CHAPTER 1867: CHAPTER 1860: RAIN CLEARS, SKY BRIGHTENS

"Broken gun, I’ve treated you so well all this time, and now you decide to go on strike at this critical moment!"

After a rest, Hu Daoke finally regained his strength and started cursing. He raised the Origin Submachine Gun in his hand, ready to smash it down, but then, reluctant to part with it, he gently set it down again.

No matter how poor the Yuanzi weapons were, their advantages were still obvious. Without this batch of weapons, the Advance Team would have run out of ammunition two years ago, and their current weapons would have become nothing more than fire sticks.

Although they managed to fend off this wave of attack, it was clearly impossible to continue staying on site. Burned corpses and bloody flesh were everywhere around, and Liseya had turned this place into a living Hell. The stench of blood lingered in the air, and even clung to their clothes for a long time.

Although they were used to such battlefield environments, the Advance Team members still felt deeply uncomfortable this time. They had no choice but to move away from this area, otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to rest or sleep.

Tangmo, while comforting two children who had finally cried themselves to sleep, couldn’t help but shake his head and sigh, "Ai, I used to worry that we would have trouble, but now I’m more worried these enemies will encounter trouble."

"These East Continent people act so high and mighty beforehand, but they’re no match against Demigods once the fighting starts and get easily dismantled," Hu Daoke said, shaking his head while holding the machine gun.

"Can you ask Liseya to be a bit more gentle?" Baiyue looked at Cheng Ziang, asking tentatively.

"I only have the authority to deploy her, not to dictate her methods," Cheng Ziang shook his head and said blandly, "Don’t forget, she is the ancestor, and I am the junior, I have no right to command my elders..."

"Pack up; we’ll rest elsewhere. We’ll hit the road after tonight."

Luo’er patted the blood mist off his body, appearing calmer than Cheng Ziang. He still wore a sacred robe, just like that gentile National Teacher.

However, no one could forget the scene of Luo’er drawing an automatic rifle from his robe and spraying gunfire. The stark contrast between that scene and his image left a memorable impression.

After all, Luo’er was once that Luo’er, his long-standing civil role could not disguise the military aura imbued from coming from a family of soldiers. Everyone remembered vividly how he fully armed, commanded them in battle upon their arrival in the Otherworld.

As everyone was packing, they saw Feng holding a sword, escorting a disheveled person towards them. Taking a closer look, they recognized him as Anxiang Yu, who was arrogant just moments ago.

At this moment, he was in a sorry state, with bloodstains on his face and body, his hair singed and curled, reeking of blood and burnt flesh.

His previous confidence and arrogance had vanished, his face turned ashen with terror, and his eyes filled with despair.

The long sword in Feng’s hand rested at his neck; with merely a light swipe, the Kedal metal could easily behead him.

However, as she brought him before everyone, Luo’er gently gestured with his hand, indicating for her to remove the sword from his neck.

Feng complied, stepping back and keeping a vigilant stance with the sword. Anxiang Yu being a cultivator, should he attempt anything foolish, she was prepared to offer immediate support.

"Lord Anxiang Yu, I’m sorry you had to endure this." Luo’er slightly bowed, politely greeting him.

Anxiang Yu, unsure of Luo’er’s intentions, regarded him with anxiety and said nothing.

"There’s no need to panic, my lord. I won’t kill you. If you wish to leave, you’re free to do so. I only ask that you carry a message for us," Luo’er said with a smile.

"What... what does the National Teacher want to say?"

Upon hearing the good news, Anxiang Yu’s pupils dilated with emotion, his chapped lips moved anxiously as he cautiously inquired.

"Go back and tell your Patriarch and your Emperor Wu. Don’t try to scheme against us. It would be more beneficial to focus on your national affairs. You may not reach the standards of the Wen Family, but don’t let things go to waste..."

Changing tone, Luo’er continued, "Since Feng has already left the royal family, she’s no longer your Princess but my subordinate. If she acts autonomously, I’ll discipline her, but that’s our internal matter. Don’t think you’ll take her away from me again."

After Luo’er’s words, Anxiang Yu remained silent, instinctively glancing at Feng.

"Do you understand?" Luo’er asked.

"Yes... yes, I understand..." Anxiang Yu answered, his head lowered.

"You can go now. Don’t send anyone to die here again; it’s pointless, and we don’t wish to keep slaughtering."

Luo’er waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

"Am I... am I allowed to leave?"

Anxiang Yu glowed with unexpected joy, ungainly eyes suddenly brightened.

"Go on, and don’t come back."

"Many... many thanks to the National Teacher for sparing me."

"I’m no longer the National Teacher."

"Many... many thanks to the Superior Lord..."

"Hurry up and leave, enough with the pleasantries!"

Luo’er seemed somewhat impatient, waving his hand incessantly with a furrowed brow.

Offering repeated thanks, Anxiang Yu then turned and fled in panic.

Still feeling insecure, he turned back to look every few steps, fearing that Luo’er might change his mind. He continued for several minutes and eventually disappeared into the vast night.

"Just letting him go like that?" Baiyue asked, looking at Luo’er.

"There’s no need to uproot the issue," Luo’er shook his head slightly, "Leaving someone to deliver the message is good too, serves as a reminder, so they don’t keep sending people to their deaths."

"What if they send more people?"

"Let them. They’re sending themselves to their deaths anyway."

After this battle, the Advance Team had essentially mastered the means to combat large-scale cultivators and could casually traverse the East Continent without concerns of renewed enemy attacks.

After tidying up, the Advance Team left the hellish site, finding rest by the bank of a small river, setting up camp.

With Demigods on watch, everyone in the Advance Team could have a peaceful sleep without needing to set a guard. They slept by the river until they awoke the next day at dawn, washing away all kinds of stains in the river water.

Almost everyone changed their clothes, washed the old ones, and laid them on the riverbank stones to dry.

While washing their faces, even blood clots could be rinsed from their noses — not their own blood, of course, but from the slaughtered soldiers of the Anxiang family the night before.

Entrusting their safety to the Demigods, the Advance Team members were carefree and relaxed. Baiyue was sitting on a rock, writing reports, Tangmo was busy taking care of the children, and Hu Daoke, unyielding, continued to service the Yuanzi machine gun, with parts scattered across the ground.

The sunlight poured through the leaves onto the creek, as if everything was quiet and peaceful, as if nothing had happened the night before.

Luo’er was responsible for washing everyone’s clothes, and as no one could deter him, they sent Cheng Ziang to lend a hand. However, it seemed he had not yet emerged from his previous shadow, constantly appearing sullen and dejected.

While the two were hanging clothes, Luo’er suddenly asked, "How long have you known Hun Jiansi?"

Hearing his question, Cheng Ziang was shocked, looking up at Luo’er with guilt, then lowering his head again, "We met when we first came to Kyushu..."

"So it’s been more than half a year..." Luo’er nodded.

After an awkward silence, Luo’er continued, "Do you often have contact with her?"

"Yes..."

"Then why didn’t I know about it?"

"She’s a Fog Concealment Skill successor. It’s a technique that... reduces presence..."

"I see," Luo’er said, suddenly enlightened, but continued to ask, "Then how did you know about her existence?"

"Liseya can see her," Cheng Ziang paused before continuing, "Any Demigod can break her Fog Concealment Skill."

"I see, so it was her helping me all along?"

"Yes," Cheng Ziang nodded, "I should’ve mentioned that Hun Jiansi is a master from the Emperor’s Sect’s Heterogeneous Hall, commanded to be placed among us to monitor us, but..."

"But she chose to contact you," Luo’er looked at him, tilting his head and continued to ask, "But why, out of all the Advance Team members, would she choose you?"

"Perhaps because she thought I could detect her presence... For her, finding someone who can sense her presence would be seen as an intimate friend..." Cheng Ziang answered, with a touch of sadness.