Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1168 - 1161: Heading to the Manor

Chapter 1168: Chapter 1161: Heading to the Manor

About half an hour later, the sub-species person finally ran back, panting heavily, and said breathlessly, "Brother Cheng, I’ve checked, Lipei does indeed have such a person."

"Why did it take you so long?" Cheng Ziang asked curiously.

"I had no choice, they wouldn’t let me in. I pleaded for a long time before they agreed to pass the message. You know how it is, we’re just on patrol, not qualified to manage these things," the sub-species person said awkwardly.

"Fine, as long as this person exists, it’s good enough," Cheng Ziang nodded and then turned to the attacker, saying to Hu Daoke, "Leave him here, we’ll exit the prison, and I’ll personally go and get some clarity."

"Okay!" Hu Daoke nodded, then pulled out a dagger to cut the rope, kicked the chair, and flipped the attacker over along with the chair onto the floor. The group marched grandly out of the prison and locked the door behind them.

Having obtained a clue, Cheng Ziang wasted no time and headed to the office, where he got information about this person from Wang Xu.

"Flanta Averya, that guy is still here, living in an estate about forty kilometers from Lipei City; what is he thinking?" Cheng Ziang, looking at the file, couldn’t help but ask in surprise.

"Although his land was confiscated at the beginning, his estate, as a private property, wasn’t seized, so he’s entitled to live there. We can’t interfere with that," Wang Xu shrugged and said.

"That’s not what I mean," Cheng Ziang said. "What I mean is, he hires someone to commit murder and still lives within the territory of Lipei City. Does this mean he’s bold yet cautious, or that he’s simply slow-witted?"

"Who knows, maybe they think killing Luo’er could change their current plight," Wang Xu shrugged and said.

"Okay, I’ll note down the address, and then go find him," Cheng Ziang nodded and picked up a ballpoint pen from the desk.

"Cheng Ziang," Wang Xu, seeing him bent down and taking notes, suddenly called out.

"What’s up?" Cheng Ziang paused, lifting his head to look at him.

"This Flanta Averya voluntarily stayed in Lipei City. He has a large amount of assets that could be invested in the construction work of Lipei, and he also has the willingness to do so. He can be considered a potential partner. Without conclusive evidence, don’t act rashly," Wang Xu warned.

"I know the limits," Cheng Ziang nodded.

"If it really is him who did it, bring him back and confiscate all his assets!" Wang Xu continued.

"Yes!" Cheng Ziang nodded firmly and then left the office.

Leaving the office, Cheng Ziang and his group struggled to find eight horses, which was unavoidable. Lipei City had been chaotic lately; both construction projects and the transfer of military weapons required animal labor.

Moreover, awkwardly, the mules and horses from Earth could not be used in the Otherworld. They seemed more fearful of the Otherworld than humans and were highly sensitive to magic. Therefore, headquarters could only requisition locally in the Otherworld.

These mules and horses not only needed to be kept for the Mobile Troops to scout, but also to haul supplies for construction projects and to deliver supplies to the Artillery positions. In short, they were constantly in a severe shortage. The headquarters had to requisition mules and horses from everywhere, causing Lipei City to reek of horse dung, with it scattered everywhere.

Recognizing his own strength, particularly acknowledging Feng’s combat ability, Cheng Ziang didn’t request the Cavalry for escort. After all, the Cavalry provided by Princess Melia was one of the few mobile forces the headquarters currently had, which could not be mobilized at will.

And so, the group quickly crossed the old bridge, speeding toward the plains in the outskirts. As the terrain was a plain dotted with hills, it was very suitable for the movement of horses, and they managed to reach the Flanta estate forty kilometers away in just over two hours.

His estate was vast, surrounded by walls, with extensive cultivated areas outside and a small farm not far away.

In the past, the farmlands and farm outside the estate all belonged to Flanta, but along with the headquarters’ order, all the farmlands and farm were requisitioned by the Lipei district government, leaving him only an estate.

Because of the war, most of these fields were left uncultivated as the farmers had been temporarily relocated by the headquarters to the suburban areas of Lipei City to avoid enemy attacks. Thus, apart from the estate, the surroundings were dead silent.

There were still some servants working within the manor. The Human Rights Ordinance from the head office had forced Fulanta to recognize the status of the slaves on the estate, so many had left with the status of freedmen. However, a small number stayed to engage in paid labor.

According to the regulations from the head office, employers were required to provide reasonable compensation to their employees, thus unpaid labor had become a thing of the past. Still, there were some servants who were accustomed to their roles and referred to themselves as Fulanta’s family members, working in the manor under that capacity. The headquarters also did not intervene much in these cases.

This situation existed in many parts of Lipei territory. Even though Lipei had long been assigned to the headquarters, because the Otherworld Gate had not been opened, the headquarters had no time to intervene in these matters. But as the Otherworld Gate began to open, almost everyone could feel that each day brought new changes.

Cheng Ziang arrived at the entrance of the manor, a servant saw their arrival, and so he came to the gate and asked anxiously, "What business do you gentlemen have here?"

"Go inform your master that we are from the headquarters, here on official business," Cheng Ziang replied indifferently.

"Yes, I will go and report at once." The servant nodded, then turned and ran towards the manor house.

After a short while, he returned, panting, and opened the gate, saying respectfully, "Gentlemen, the master awaits you in the great hall, please come in."

"Thank you," Cheng Ziang nodded, then led his men on horseback into the estate.

Upon entering the manor, he looked around, and there weren’t many servants working. Furthermore, because the headquarters had demanded the disbandment of private armed forces, he didn’t have to worry about falling into an ambush.

They arrived at the manor house entrance, dismounted, and walked through the doors. In the spacious hall, a slightly portly middle-aged man, with his wife and daughter, awaited the visitors.

"Greetings to the gentlemen from the headquarters, please come inside. May I inquire as to the purpose of your visit?" Fulanta approached proactively yet nervously.

He was a typical Aud, with features that clearly indicated his pure lineage. He looked to be in his thirties or forties, with the most noticeable feature being the thick brown mustache beneath his nose.

Behind him stood his wife and daughter, the two dressed in exquisite silk gowns, clinging together, looking on uneasily at the newcomers.

"We have a small matter to discuss with you; may we speak privately?" Cheng Ziang surveyed his surroundings, then turned to look at Fulanta as he asked.

"Of course, there is no problem, gentlemen, this way please," Fulanta said quickly.

"Feng, you and the other five wait here in the hall, Old Hu, come with me," Cheng Ziang gave a brief instruction before ascending the stairs with Hu Daoke to the second floor.

After entering Fulanta’s study, Cheng Ziang gestured for Hu Daoke to close the door, then he himself walked over with a stern face.

"Sir, what is this..." Fulanta’s eyes widened nervously at his approach.

Before he could finish speaking, he was kicked by Cheng Ziang onto the desk. Cheng Ziang pressed him against the desk by his neck, drew a dagger from his waist and thrust it near his ear, glaring furiously and grinding his teeth as he demanded, "I’m asking you, was it you who sent someone to assassinate Luo’er?"

"Assassinate who, sir, have you made some mistake?" Fulanta exclaimed with a horrified expression, shouting loudly.

"Don’t play dumb, Luo’er, that Wood Elf hybrid, the one who announced the confiscation of your lands right in front of you, you must remember very clearly," Cheng Ziang pressed closer and glowered as he asked.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about; I haven’t done such a thing," Fulanta waved his hands frantically, his face filled with despair.

"Are you the type who won’t cry until you see the coffin?" Cheng Ziang’s anger rose, he pulled Fulanta up by the neck and slammed him against the bookshelf before brandishing the dagger and saying, "That assassin has already implicated you, still want to deny? He almost broke Luo’er’s neck, and today, I should make an incision on your neck too."

"Sir, sir, this is a misunderstanding, I truly know nothing, I really didn’t send anyone to kill that noble," Fulanta cried out in terror.