Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1047 - 1040: Remains in the Woods

Chapter 1047: Chapter 1040: Remains in the Woods

"It seems we’ll only know by conducting a field inspection," Cheng Ziang said.

"Yes, that’s right. Are we almost there?" Luo’er nodded, and then turned to ask Taran.

"Mhm, just up ahead. Look, that’s where I encountered that hunter!" Taran pointed to a clearing in the woods.

Following Taran to the clearing, he pointed at the trunk of a tree, saying excitedly, "He was lying right here, and then I traded my bullets for his prey. He told me that if I went further I would run into those terrifying fellows."

"Have you seen those fellows?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"No," Taran shook his head, somewhat ashamed, "I’m a coward, I didn’t dare go there, and after hearing what the hunter said, I took the prey and went back."

"That’s not cowardice, that’s being quick-witted. Knowing that there’s danger ahead and still marching on, that’s what a real fool does," Cheng Ziang said with a reassuring smile.

"Everyone, pay attention, load your guns, check your weapons and equipment, and proceed with caution," Luo’er said prudently upon hearing Taran’s words, loading his gun as he ordered the others.

At his command, everyone took their weapons off their backs, held them in their hands, and loaded their guns.

"If we encounter these people, do we open fire or not?" Cheng Ziang asked, feigning ignorance.

"Isn’t that obvious, of course we..." Luo’er hesitated, then caught on immediately.

"If we determine that these people are indeed part of the Sub-beastmen, then, for protection purposes, we should refrain from killing them. However, we should always adhere to the principle of seeking truth from facts. If their actions pose a real threat to us, the principle of unlimited defense may apply," Baiyue interjected.

"Right, let’s do as Yue’er suggested. If we confirm that they are a threat to us, then they can be killed without hesitation," Luo’er nodded and said.

"But," he paused, then continued his instructions, "peace is of utmost importance. If we can communicate with them, then we should try to resolve issues through dialogue and strive to avoid the use of force. Intimidate with weapons, not subdue with them, I hope everyone takes note."

Luo’er’s approach did not conflict with his previous one, as he had reiterated many times; he was not a merciful man. As the captain of the Advance Team, he was decisive in killing, yet he also embraced the Doctrine of the Mean from traditional philosophy.

Those not enemies could be made friends, and those suspected of being enemies, but not confirmed, should be handled with restraint, trying to win them over. Even for actual enemies, one should fight while persuading them, and if they can’t be convinced to become friends, at least persuade them to lay down their weapons and not to resist.

It’s better to win people over with virtue rather than to subdue them with force. Those defeated with kindness will likely be grateful and willing to let go of prejudices. Those defeated by force will only pass on their hatred to the next generation.

Back in Holy Heart City, when the boss of the Hound Gang, Azita, repeatedly troubled the Advance Team and caused many to be injured, Luo’er forgave Azita and let him return to Holy Heart City, only for Azita to betray Luo’er in the end.

This story taught Luo’er a profound lesson: some people are naturally ingrates. With such people, they must be decisively exterminated with force. If the hatred is to continue, then one should nip it in the bud. Either don’t act at all or act ruthlessly.

The legal system in Otherworld is not as well-established as medium-sized countries on Earth, which is why there still exists such fierce cultures where people shoot on sight. Therefore, the restraint shown by the Advance Team in Otherworld made them stand out as exceptions, but Luo’er was still willing to adhere to this tradition.

After all, if bullets aren’t fired, then enemies will retreat or surrender, which is the utmost victory on any level.

"Ok, Taran and I will take the lead, with Yue’er and Aunt Axia in the middle. Ziang, you and Fula will bring up the rear," Luo’er commanded as he looked back.

"Who is Fula?" Taran widened his eyes, searching around before asking.

Luo’er didn’t answer his question directly but continued to instruct, "Report anything unusual first, don’t fire on your own initiative. Understand?"

"Understood!" The group nodded.

"Taran, only fire when you hear my gunshot, got it?" Luo’er nodded in approval and then turned back to Taran.

"Oh, okay!" Taran nodded vigorously, but his face still showed some confusion.

"Alright, let’s move out!" Luo’er didn’t give him time to ask questions and took the lead with a wave of his hand.

On Luo’er’s order, the entire squad moved forward in a defensive formation. According to Taran, if they went about one kilometer further, they would reach the mouth of the canyon, where it was particularly easy to encounter those terrible beastial men.

It was now noon, the sun was blazing down, and there were hardly any clouds in the sky. The team felt an irritable and oppressive heat, and their long experience as wanderers, along with their scientific knowledge, told them that in a day or half a day, they might face a heavy downpour, a phenomenon of the low pressure before the storm.

Bearing the uncomfortable weather, they continued to move forward in silence. Soon they reached the mouth of the valley, which was quite different from the route they had taken earlier. Although it was also a mountainous area, it was much more open, with excess trees having been felled, leaving rough stumps in place.

Luo’er noticed that the nearby trees and bushes seemed very disordered, as if someone had been tumbling through them.

"Ah, Corpse Vultures!" Taran looked up and saw a group of dark birds circling in the sky, then pointed at them and shouted loudly.

Corpse Vultures were a species unique to the Otherworld, a kind of carrion-eating bird similar to Earth’s vultures. However, compared to vultures, they had smaller bodies, were entirely black, and covered in feathers. Earthlings might easily mistake them for crows if they did not look closely.

For Corpse Vultures, rotting corpses were undoubtedly a godsend delicacy. Hence, wherever there were rotting corpses, they were present. These vultures didn’t favor fresh corpses; they only swarmed when the bodies started to emit a putrid smell.

"Fulajie’er, go and check it out, and scout the surroundings while you’re at it!" Cheng Ziang waved his hand and spoke to the air, making Taran’s scalp tingle.

"Form a search formation and proceed at a slow pace," Luo’er commanded the team.

At his command, the team slowly moved towards the area where the Corpse Vultures were circling. After walking about a hundred meters or so, they saw a body surrounded by a mass of dark Corpse Vultures in a clearing among the trees.

The corpse was propped against a tree trunk, covered in pecking Corpse Vultures. It seemed the body was still relatively fresh, making it difficult for the vultures to tear off pieces of flesh, resulting in their relentless squabbling.

Stopping about ten meters from the body, the team could smell the intense stench of decay mingling with the hot air. Luo’er and Cheng Ziang exchanged looks, deciding to halt again and wait for Fulajie’er’s report.

Before long, Fulajie’er’s voice resounded in Luo’er’s mind: "Luo’er, there’s a very large body up ahead, covered in unknown birds."

"I know, I’ve already seen it," Luo’er replied, pointing at the body, "Are there any enemies nearby?"

"I haven’t detected any. It’s probably clear," Fulajie’er responded.

"What do you mean probably? Reconnaissance language must be precise. If there are enemies, say so; if not, then not. We can’t rely on guesses," Luo’er instructed.

"Right, sorry, I’ll keep looking," said Fulajie’er, sounding somewhat apologetic.

"It’s okay, as long as it’s clear. Keep on guard, I’ll take some people up to take a closer look!" Luo’er instructed.

"Oh, alright, I got it!" Fulajie’er said, and her voice quickly faded away.

"She reported to you?" Since he didn’t share the domain, Cheng Ziang couldn’t hear Fulajie’er’s report and could only point at Luo’er to inquire.

"Mhm," Luo’er nodded slightly, then said to him, "Let’s go, you and I will take a look. The others stay here on guard!"

"I’ll come, too," Baiyue volunteered.

"Ah, it’s okay, we can handle this. You’re not necessarily more adept at examining bodies than Ziang," Luo’er declined with a wave of his hand.