Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1365 - 1358: Setting Out to Conquer Again

Chapter 1365: Chapter 1358: Setting Out to Conquer Again

As the saying goes, once you’ve experienced the vast ocean, smaller waters will no longer suffice. Those accustomed to the hard-earned new life would hardly wish to return to that terrible old world.

Luo’er’s speech achieved astounding effects. Coupled with vigorous propaganda efforts, the desire for war was reignited within Ziye Ning City. Everyone was eager to dispatch troops and completely drive the Dongsheng Empire, this ferocious tiger, out of West Outer Heaven.

Linglan was very satisfied with the outcome of public opinion. Indeed, she hadn’t misjudged Luo’er; he truly was a qualified leader of public opinion. With sufficient public support, Linglan’s decision to dispatch troops appeared completely justified.

Thus, exactly one year and ten days after the last counterattack, the Demon Clan’s army regrouped and began advancing toward Qu Creek City. This time, the Demon Clan army included not only Demon Clan members but also a significant number of Kyushu civilians formed into line infantry.

Most of these people had settled in West Outer Heaven because military service offered better conditions than farming, so they chose to enlist. It was hard to imagine such a scene—just a year ago, they were slave war captives, and now they had become the backbone of the Demon Clan army.

As soon as the war mobilization order was issued, the light cavalry units had already started moving toward the front lines, preparing to harass the enemy.

After a year of reviews and analysis, the Demon Clan people concluded that although Dongsheng’s heavy cavalry was extremely lethal, it had many flaws. Compared to mounted and light cavalry, the most notable change was the loss of the mobility that should have been leveraged.

The mobility of heavy cavalry was inferior to that of light cavalry, an almost obvious fact. Thus, whenever they attempted to pursue the light cavalry, their fate was simply being kited to death.

Moreover, contrary to most people’s assumptions, mounted cavalry weren’t always armored; they only donned their armor when ready to charge on the battlefield. Normally, during movement, the armor was specially transported by logistics.

Therefore, the goal of the Demon Clan’s light cavalry was clear: to strike at Dongsheng’s rear supply lines. Cutting off the frontline’s material supplies, they aimed to obliterate any heavy cavalry they encountered, by any means necessary.

Of course, Dongsheng’s army also had light cavalry, but these soldiers were less armored than the heavy cavalry. If they couldn’t be worn down to death, they were to be lured into ambush zones; the light cavalry were not the direct targets of the Demon Clan’s light cavalry.

Furthermore, on the frontline battlefield, the Demon Clan’s army also made ample preparations. Spearmen could effectively block the enemy heavy cavalry’s charges, and the frontline sword and shield bearers had a new target: slashing at the horses’ legs.

No matter how strong mounted cavalry might be, a horse’s limbs are unprotected. A mere slash could immediately cripple a heavy cavalry rider.

After knocking a heavy cavalryman off his horse, another problem needed addressing— the enemy might transform from heavy cavalry to heavy infantry. The mere armor of these soldiers was enough to withstand most damage.

At that point, it was the musketeers’ turn to step up. The powerful kinetic energy of a musket ball could effectively penetrate heavy armor and injure the soldiers inside.

In summary, the Demon Clan army’s combat strategy was clear: all troop types primarily revolved around line infantry and artillery, ensuring these two main forces were not susceptible to sudden enemy attacks.

Over the year, Dongsheng’s military quality had drastically declined. A significant portion of the cavalry had been recalled to Kyushu. Although the number of infantry had increased, they were recruited from conscripted laborers, and their combat effectiveness was questionable, far inferior to the seasoned soldiers of previous years.

For this campaign, Luo’er was still required to stay at the rear to lead public opinion, so he arranged for Cheng Ziang and Hu Daoke to attend the battle as observers. Learning from previous lessons, Baiyue adamantly refused to go, insisting on staying by Luo’er’s side. Consequently, Luo’er had no choice but to send Feng to protect the two.

Thus, the trio formed an observation group, ready to follow the army to the front lines. This time their roles weren’t just as a military observation group but also involved an important task: acting as public opinion leaders to boost the morale of the troops at the front according to rear policies.

"During this deployment, you three must pay attention to safety, and flee immediately if you encounter any danger. Don’t feel ashamed—this isn’t our war," Luo’er instructed the trio in his usual nagging manner before departure.

"We know, we know—don’t forget how we managed to escape last time," said Cheng Ziang, shrugging his shoulders with a hint of helplessness.

"You should never have followed them in the first place knowing the risks and still moving forward. Isn’t that worthy of criticism?" Luo’er frowned slightly, speaking sternly.

"It was his instigation," pointed Hu Daoke, indicating Cheng Ziang.

"Jerk..." Cheng Ziang glared at him and then turned back to explain, "I know my own limits. Luo’er, we’re adults, soldiers. We understand the dangers we face and how to mitigate risks. Please don’t always treat us like children just stepping out of the house."

"Nonetheless, being cautious isn’t wrong," Luo’er said hesitantly.

"Feng is coming with us this time, what’s there to fear?" Ziang said as he affectionately wrapped his arm around Feng’s shoulder.

"I will protect them," Feng said, his big eyes looking at Luo’er as he nodded vigorously.

"Ah, no need for your protection, it feels weird," Hu Daoke said, picking his nose.

"Both of you cut the chatter," Luo’er said seriously, "Feng has the strongest combat abilities, I feel very relieved with him protecting you."

"Wait, so you’re only reassured because she is here?" Ziang asked, spreading his hands.

"If it’s Feng, I feel at ease," Luo’er nodded in reply.

"So, we are less than Feng now..." Hearing Luo’er’s reply, Ziang and Hu Daoke exchanged looks and said with a wry smile.

"Your ancesto... Liseya, try not to use it unless necessary; needless killing isn’t good for you," Luo’er reminded.

"I know, I know, you don’t need to tell me that," Ziang said.

"Listen up," Luo’er continued, "Your mission, besides observing the battle, is primarily to act as my voice, conveying the strategic direction from the rear to stabilize the troops’ morale."

"Ah, so we are political commissars then?" Ziang asked, his eyes wide.

"No, no, no, more like military priests, ready to recite a poem to boost the troops’ morale when needed," Hu Daoke interjected.

Simultaneously, they recalled the image of playing the guitar amidst fierce battle, which made them burst into laughter.

"Either way works, just remember you are part of logistics, don’t just rush forward recklessly, got it?" Luo’er reminded again.

"I got it, I got it, Luo’er, you’ve become so naggy lately..." Ziang complained, feeling like his ears were developing calluses from listening.

"If you think I’m naggy, wait until you’re on the front line, and you’ll wish you could talk to me," Luo’er said.

"If avoiding nagging means staying back, I’d quite like that..." Ziang forced a smile.

"I wouldn’t, I’d rather listen to the boss nag every day," Hu Daoke said, distancing himself from Ziang and moving closer to Luo’er.

"You fence-sitter..." Ziang was so frustrated he couldn’t complete his sentence.

"Alright, alright, both of you stop it. You always like to bicker, don’t bring it to the battlefield..." Luo’er said, frowning.

"Here we go again, ah... Master, spare me..." Ziang couldn’t help but look miserable.

"Okay, I won’t say much more, so you don’t find me naggy," Luo’er said, "But Fula doesn’t want to go with you either, you have to be even more cautious."

"You truly are a chick magnet, lucky Liseya is like my great-great-great-grandmother..." Ziang said, forcing a bitter smile upon hearing Luo’er’s words.

Considering closely, except for Feng, almost all the girls in the Advance Team chose to stay by Luo’er’s side, which was quite a blow to Ziang.

Even Feng, who was coming with them, was following Luo’er’s orders. As the saying goes, it was merely "the master’s task." Thus, in a way, Luo’er monopolized all the girls in the team.

Despite feeling dejected, Ziang thought about his ambiguous relationship with Luo’er’s sister, and suddenly felt a guilty pleasure. Although Luoya cared a lot about Luo’er, being actual siblings, she would surely never run off with Luo’er.