Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1352 - 1345: Emphasizing the Predicament

Chapter 1352: Chapter 1345: Emphasizing the Predicament

"Sister is a very decisive person, don’t think that she’s like me just because I seem to acquiesce," Zisu laughed with a hint of self-deprecation, "I’m only here to maintain the alliance, after all. In many incidents, it’s sufficient to follow the crowd."

"Don’t say that, I don’t think you’re too compliant..." Luo’er scratched his head, insincerely.

"I can tell whether you believe that or not, I am very clear about it in my heart," Zisu smiled again, "If Sister Linglan can unite the Demon Clan, then both I and she will certainly support her. If she only intends to uphold the so-called interests of the Qingqiu Clan, then she will be the first to stand up in opposition. Don’t underestimate her resolve; if it’s beneficial to the Demon Clan, she will be the first to agree, and conversely, she will be the first to oppose anything detrimental to our clan."

"From what you’re saying, your sister should be arriving at Ziye Ning soon, right?" Luo’er asked with some emotion.

"Are you looking forward to it?" Zisu grinned, tilting her head to look at Luo’er.

"Why are you asking me if I’m looking forward to it?" Luo’er avoided her gaze, sheepishly scratching his head.

"I have a feeling that Sister will like you a lot," Zisu said with a smile, "I hope that, when the time comes, you will treat her as a friend, just like you do with others."

"Am I not friends with the other leaders?" Luo’er spread his hands in question.

"Even though you don’t say it, I can see it," Zisu closed her eyes, murmuring as if talking to herself, "You’ve always treated people in varying degrees: third degree for your teammates, sixth degree for people like me, and ninth degree for other leaders, right?"

"Is that really the case?" Luo’er lowered his head, feeling a cold sweat breaking out.

"Well, it’s not a bad thing, third degree for relatives, sixth degree for close friends, ninth degree for partners. That’s your standard for treating people, not based on one’s social class," Zisu explained for him.

"Okay, then I’ll tentatively accept that explanation," Luo’er nodded with some embarrassment.

"You don’t like Sister Linglan’s ambition?" Zisu asked.

"To be precise, it’s the political strife among them that I dislike. Long experience teaches us that getting involved in such struggles not only doesn’t bring any benefits, it also attracts trouble," Luo’er shrugged.

"Then why did you choose to help the Demon Clan, aside from revenge?" Zisu continued to ask.

"For justice, do you believe that?" As Luo’er spoke these words, he suddenly summoned up the courage to look directly at Zisu.

"I believe you," to his surprise, Zisu nodded without hesitation and then looked at him just as earnestly, "If somebody else said it, it might seem hypocritical, but coming from you, I believe it’s heartfelt."

"Why do you trust me so much?" Luo’er shyly shifted his gaze as he asked.

"You once taught me an old saying of yours, do you remember?" Zisu said with a smile, "When the great way is abandoned, there is benevolence and righteousness...I believe you are here to save us with benevolence and righteousness."

"I simply cannot bear to witness the Dongsheng Empire’s depredations, aggression is always..." Luo’er said.

"The most despicable act," Zisu finished for him with a smile.

"You’re quick to answer..." Luo’er showed a bitter smile.

"You always emphasize these words, but I have to say, your reasoning is quite sound," Zisu said with a smile.

The two continued walking for a while before Zisu spoke again, "Have you figured out how to persuade the people of Kyushu yet?"

"By winning them over with words, appeal to their emotions, and convince them with reason," Luo’er shrugged nonchalantly.

"You do know what their concerns are, right?" Zisu tilted her head and asked.

"Of course," Luo’er nodded and suddenly emphasized a word, "Cultivation!"

"So..." Zisu hesitated to ask.

"Don’t forget," Luo’er said, "even members of the Demon Clan can use the powers of this world."

"You mean..." Zisu squinted her eyes, and then her eyes suddenly widened, pupils dilating in an instant, "you plan to teach them magic?"

"It’s not that simple, I just want to let them know that even without cultivation, their descendants could learn magic, just to dissolve their worries," Luo’er waved his hand dismissively.

In fact, to some extent, magic is like cultivation; it also requires talent, and those without it will never achieve anything in their lifetimes. The difference, however, is that magic does not depend on the Inner Core, which means even members of the Demon Clan can learn it.

Stabilizing these people from Kyushu was the top priority for now. As long as they were willing to stay and become part of Abisien, they would be willing to fight for Abisien.

The Human Race, remaining in West Outer Heaven, would ultimately just be a minority. Over time, they would quickly be completely engulfed by the Demon Clan. Since the offspring of demons would invariably be of the Demon Clan, it meant that the Human Race would only have one more generation in West Outer Heaven, after which all of their descendants would become part of the Demon Clan.

That was why, when considering certain policies, the Demon Clan leaders didn’t need to think about the long-term interests of the Human Race; they only had to secure the current group’s interests since their next generations would become their own people.

Three days after meeting with Linglan, Luo’er began his propaganda work. Linglan had herded a large group of people from Kyushu to a heavily guarded clearing, where they were made to sit down. The clearing was surrounded by fully armed Demon Clan soldiers and featured a high platform specially built for Luo’er.

These people from Kyushu were a diverse lot, including Dongsheng soldiers, conscripted farmers and artisans, even small fry who had come to West Outer Heaven to pick up scraps. All sorts, good and bad, were present.

Facing the sea of faces below the platform, Luo’er took a deep breath. Though he had grown accustomed to presenting his views in front of others, he always felt an involuntary tension when it was time to take the stage.

He pushed against the pillars with both hands a few times and then confidently ascended the platform to start his propaganda work. Since he was addressing people from Kyushu, he had specially prepared a transliteration draft to ensure his Kyushu language would come across clearly.

"Good day, everyone. I believe this isn’t our first meeting, but allow me to introduce myself briefly. My name is Luo’er, and I come from the distant Western Continent. I am neither a native of Kyushu nor a member of the Demon Clan. So, I hope you can set aside your preconceptions about me and listen seriously to what I have to say."

The simple megaphone amplified his voice only slightly, forcing Luo’er to raise his pitch.

"This time, I am here specifically representing Abisien, and with the utmost sincerity, I ask you to join Abisien. The Linglan leader has made a promise that, should you submit to Abisien, your status as slaves will be revoked, you will be granted land, given freedom, and may even settle a home in West Outer Heaven. You must have noticed that there are more women than men among the Demon Clan, almost guaranteeing that each one of you can have a stable family."

After Luo’er’s appeal, there was a deathly silence below the platform, as everyone gazed numbly up at him without uttering a word.

Taking another deep breath, Luo’er knew well that such promises were not enough to overcome their inner apprehensions towards the Demon Clan, so he continued, "What do you amount to in Kyushu? You are still tenants, still slaves, still leading miserable lives. The Imperial Court oppresses you, the aristocratic families oppress you, the Sects oppress you too. The grain you toil so hard to produce is deducted here and there, and what you get in the end is barely enough to fill your stomach."

"Not only that," Luo’er went on, "whenever war breaks out, you get dragged in. Those capable of fighting become soldiers, most likely to die on the battlefield. Those incapable of fighting become conscripts, abandoned by the military without a second thought, just like now. If the Imperial Court and the military treat you like this, do you really think about going back? To go back and show loyalty to your ridiculous Emperor Wu!?"

Luo’er’s last statement resonated powerfully. Whether it was because his final words had offended the Emperor of the Dongsheng Empire or not, a noticeable disturbance rippled through the crowd below, with people pointing at Luo’er and murmuring to their neighbors about what he had said.