Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1640 - 1633: Feigning Retreat to Lure the Enemy

Chapter 1640: Chapter 1633: Feigning Retreat to Lure the Enemy

When he heard these words, Cheng Ziang didn’t hesitate for a moment and immediately turned around to leave.

"Hey, hey, don’t go, don’t go! I was wrong; I shouldn’t have been so nosy. I’m sorry..." Seeing Cheng Ziang’s reaction, Hun Jiansi grew anxious and hurriedly stepped forward to block his way.

She reached out to grab Cheng Ziang’s arm, but he quickly shook her off. She grabbed him again, only to be shaken off once more. This back-and-forth repeated three times before she finally managed to pull him back.

"I really give up. Why is a grown man like you being so petty with a woman?" Hun Jiansi said helplessly.

"Fairness knows no gender—that’s what I believe in," Cheng Ziang responded coolly.

"Alright, alright, I won’t mess with you anymore. Ask me whatever you want; as long as I can answer, I’ll tell you everything," Hun Jiansi finally gave in, speaking with sincerity.

"Are you working for the Wen Family?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Yes, but also no," Hun Jiansi said, blinking her eyes.

"Don’t play riddles with me!" Cheng Ziang frowned.

"What do you think the Wen Family is?" Hun Jiansi asked confidently. "A rural market square? Those scholars—arrogant and self-absorbed—they’ve built their own circle. How likely do you think they’d let outsiders join casually?"

"So, in other words, you’re not officially part of the Wen Family?"

"We’re people of the Imperial Court," Hun Jiansi raised her eyebrows, seemingly proud.

"The Imperial Court—Dongsheng Empire?" Cheng Ziang pursued further.

"Ah, you really are from West Outer Heaven," Hun Jiansi said with a mischievous smile. "Only outsiders refer to it as Dongsheng. The people of Kyushu always call it the Heavenly Dynasty."

"Wasn’t the Emperor’s Sect personally established by Emperor Wu? So, are you saying you’re working for him?"

Although the Advance Team had already discussed this internally, Cheng Ziang felt it was necessary to ask directly. Speculation alone wouldn’t suffice; he needed clarity.

"Surely you know the answer, so why bother asking?" Hun Jiansi replied with a smile, avoiding a direct answer.

"Speak now or I’ll leave," Cheng Ziang cut off her chances to dodge the question.

"Do you really despise me that much?" Hun Jiansi lowered her eyes, stayed silent for a moment, then finally looked up and spoke slowly. "No, we’re not working for Emperor Wu. This isn’t a secret—it’s common knowledge. The Emperor’s Sect now falls under the jurisdiction of the Heavenly Dynasty’s Cabinet and reports directly to the current Hundred Chiefs."

"The current Hundred Chiefs..."

"So, in a sense, you could say we’re part of the Wen Family too. After all, it’s typically the Wu Family that opposes the Cabinet," Hun Jiansi shrugged as she explained.

"Why is the Wen Family keeping tabs on us?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"You already know why," Hun Jiansi stared at him as she responded.

"I don’t know. Please enlighten me," Cheng Ziang said, meeting her gaze without a trace of fear.

"Don’t play dumb. You’re an expert in the Nascent Soul Realm. From the moment you set foot in Kyushu, everyone’s eyes have been on you," Hun Jiansi said, looking up at him.

"The Wuyun Sect leaked this information to you, didn’t they?" Cheng Ziang asked impassively.

"Hey!"

Hun Jiansi didn’t respond further. Instead, she suddenly raised her slender fingers, pressed them against his chin, and leaned close, blowing warm breath onto his face. Her eyes grew hazy. "I’m telling you these things not because you tricked me into doing so, but because I want to tell you about them. Understand?"

Cheng Ziang appeared slightly flustered, unsure whether he should retreat or counteract her moves. He had inadvertently fallen victim to Hun Jiansi’s teasing.

After a brief moment of deliberation, Cheng Ziang decided to take a bold approach. He suddenly grabbed her delicate hand and leaned closer himself.

Hun Jiansi seemed startled. She tried to pull her hand free but couldn’t break away no matter how hard she struggled. As Cheng Ziang drew nearer, panic surfaced in her eyes, and her face gradually turned red.

Just as Cheng Ziang had expected, Hun Jiansi was only pretending to be in control. Her attempts at assertiveness might suffice to fool inexperienced youths but were laughably inadequate before someone as seasoned as Cheng Ziang.

"Listen to me," Cheng Ziang pressed his entire body forward, gripping her chin as he brought his lips close to her ear. "To protect the Saint, we’re prepared to do anything. We don’t want threats nearby—do you get that? If you know something, say it quickly. Don’t play games. I don’t have time for this nonsense."

"If you want to follow us, you can. But first, you must clarify your intentions and obtain our permission. Otherwise, anyone getting close to the Saint—whether they mean well or ill—will be considered hostile. Especially someone like you, who moves around like a phantom."

"You don’t trust me?" Hun Jiansi asked with wide eyes.

"As a rule, we don’t trust anyone except our own. I might allow you to approach me, but unless you show genuine goodwill, I absolutely won’t let you near the Saint. Even if it means taking drastic measures against you," Cheng Ziang replied, his words carrying a chilling edge.

"How can I earn your trust?" Hun Jiansi asked, trembling slightly as she took a deep breath.

"Tell me everything I need to know. Of course, I won’t force you to answer questions outside your jurisdiction, but I hope you won’t keep up this veil of secrecy around me. Since you approached me and initiated a conversation, take off the mask yourself," Cheng Ziang said.

"Like you?"

Hun Jiansi stared at Cheng Ziang’s handsome profile, her heartbeat quickening.

"Like me," Cheng Ziang nodded lightly.

"I’ve remembered your face. Will you remember mine?" Hun Jiansi asked.

"I won’t forget. Whenever you show up, I’ll recognize you. You can come to me anytime, but I won’t allow you to appear where you’re not supposed to be," Cheng Ziang replied.

"Like?"

"You’re not supposed to get near the Saint."

"Is the Saint really that important to you?" Hun Jiansi asked, blinking.

"Are you questioning my faith?" Cheng Ziang responded.

"Alright then, I promise I won’t approach the Saint without your permission. But in return, you have to acknowledge me—you can’t pretend I don’t exist," Hun Jiansi said.

"As long as you don’t deliberately hide your identity, I’ll definitely notice you and remember you," Cheng Ziang replied.

"This Fog Concealment Skill... Are you really that capable of seeing through it?" Hun Jiansi asked.

"Have you forgotten what I’m capable of?" Cheng Ziang answered with a confident smile.

Suddenly, their conversation came to an abrupt halt as the two simply stared at each other. Neither seemed to realize anything amiss.

Until Hun Jiansi could no longer hold on, turning her head away with flushed cheeks, she murmured, "Either hold me or leave me."

"Oh!"

It was only then Cheng Ziang snapped out of his daze. He quickly released her hand, stepped back two paces, and put some distance between them.

His face turned beet red as he grappled with the shame over his impulsive action, unable to meet Hun Jiansi’s gaze directly.

Freed from Cheng Ziang’s grip, Hun Jiansi looked momentarily disappointed, her eyes dimming slightly. But soon enough, they regained their brightness and liveliness.

The awkward air lingered for a while. Cheng Ziang stole a glance at Hun Jiansi and noticed she wasn’t looking at him. Seizing the moment, he studied her features closely, trying to etch her image into his mind.

Far from plain, Hun Jiansi was actually quite adorable—her round face, delicate features, and bright, expressive eyes.

Even someone as worldly as Cheng Ziang would rate her attractiveness at least above average. If she walked down the street, she’d surely catch the eyes of a few young men.

And yet, she carried an inexplicably low sense of presence. People rarely noticed her, nor did they retain any impression of her after meeting her. At first glance, she might catch attention, but then she’d fade entirely from memory.

Cheng Ziang noticed the pendant at her waist, along with a faint, unique fragrance emanating from her that he had noticed when they first met.

He speculated that this pendant and scent were the key elements making the Fog Concealment Skill effective. Like a magician’s trick, it utilized psychological and physiological deception to diminish her presence.