Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1654 - 1647: Encountering an Interception

Chapter 1654: Chapter 1647: Encountering an Interception

"Do you think I won’t dare?" Cheng Ziang said as he suddenly lashed out, grabbing Hun Jiansi’s slender neck.

But seemingly worried about hurting her, Cheng Ziang kept a stern face but did not exert any force—he only made the motion.

"You could go a little lower, you know."

Feeling Cheng Ziang’s hesitation, Hun Jiansi smiled again and gently guided his hand toward her chest.

"Troublesome!" Cheng Ziang reluctantly broke free, gave her an annoyed glare, and ignored her after that.

"Hehehe..."

Hun Jiansi grinned, revealing her gleaming white teeth, looking rather pleased with herself.

After a moment, she put away her smile and asked earnestly, "Do you think I’m the kind of woman who’s capricious and unfaithful?"

"I don’t think that way, but you shouldn’t act so bluntly either," Cheng Ziang said helplessly.

"Really?" Hun Jiansi tilted her head and asked.

"I’m lying," Cheng Ziang replied, irritated.

"Are you mad?" Hun Jiansi cautiously asked.

"No, how could I hold a grudge against you?" Cheng Ziang said, unable to stop himself from letting out a faint cold laugh.

"Sorry for teasing you like that," Hun Jiansi said with a hint of apology, pouting slightly.

"Because nobody has ever talked to me like this before... That’s why I got carried away." She paused, then lowered her head and said softly.

Hearing her words, the anger in Cheng Ziang’s heart dissipated instantly, replaced by sympathy and a touch of pity for her.

Indeed, Hun Jiansi’s presence was so faint that people who noticed her were as rare as phoenix feathers, let alone anyone willing to have a full conversation with her.

He could even picture the scenario: Hun Jiansi chatting with someone, and the other person turning away, forgetting her existence entirely, leaving her frozen and awkwardly alone.

Since adults don’t dwell on trivial matters, and she had her own reasons for behaving like this, Cheng Ziang decided there was no need to get hung up about it—he’d just treat it as her way of being coquettish.

"I’m sorry..."

Seeing Cheng Ziang’s shifting expressions, Hun Jiansi lowered her voice again and apologized cautiously.

"I’m not mad at you—this time, it’s true," Cheng Ziang said with a glance at her, letting out a deep sigh.

"Can I still talk to you then?" Hun Jiansi asked, her face lighting up with joy.

"Do whatever you want," Cheng Ziang said, pressing his fingers against his aching forehead.

"The most skilled hunting technique is when the hunter becomes the prey, isn’t it?"

Cheng Ziang muttered in Chinese, accustomed to rational thinking, doubting how anyone could let desire cloud their judgment and approach an enemy so defenselessly.

He always felt that Hun Jiansi had ulterior motives toward him and even toward the entire Advance Team. But Hun Jiansi seemed to openly reveal her intentions, bluntly telling everyone that her role was to monitor the Advance Team.

Is this an openly strategic move by the Wen Family, or did something go wrong on Hun Jiansi’s end to expose the Emperor’s Sect’s intent?

"What’s wrong?" Hun Jiansi carefully asked upon seeing him frown tightly.

"Nothing," Cheng Ziang shook his head, then looked at her seriously and said, "In any case, now that you’ve joined us, at the very least, you’re considered one of us for the time being. Stick close and don’t fall behind."

"I... I’m one of you?" Hun Jiansi asked, slightly moved.

"Don’t misunderstand—I’m not making this statement from my own position but as a representative of the entire mission team. As long as you don’t threaten the safety of any of our members, even if you’re here to monitor us, we welcome you openly," Cheng Ziang said earnestly.

"You lot are really strange."

Though Hun Jiansi said that, she couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

"Inclusiveness and acceptance are part of our culture. The ’either-or’ mindset is the most irrational way to behave."

Though Cheng Ziang said this, he couldn’t help but recall his study of contradiction theory.

Just as he prepared to revisit theories of contradiction, the horse pulling the carriage ahead suddenly let out a sharp whinny, and the entire carriage halted abruptly. Realizing something was wrong, Cheng Ziang quickly spurred his horse forward.

Riding up to the front, Cheng Ziang saw Feng had already drawn his blade, standing alert and staring ahead.

They had yet to leave the mountains. Though the official route here was relatively easier to traverse, it was desolately remote. The rocky road was covered in layers of rotting leaves, which had given rise to waist-high bushes and weeds. They could only guess the direction of the official path based on the sparse arrangement of trees.

Just three meters ahead of them, there was a row of wooden chevaux-de-frise hidden amidst the bushes and grass. If one weren’t observant, they’d completely miss those already somewhat decayed barriers.

"How could there be chevaux-de-frise deep in the mountains like this?" Cheng Ziang asked, puzzled.

"Not sure, but better to be cautious," Baiyue shook her head while simultaneously unlocking the safety on her Origin Submachine Gun.

"Be careful—it might be the mountain folk from Qi State. These guys won’t reason with us," Hun Jiansi urged, riding her horse to Cheng Ziang’s side.

"Who are you?" Hu Daoke’s eyes widened as he stared at the girl who had suddenly appeared, nearly startled into pulling the trigger.

"No need to panic, Hun Jiansi," Cheng Ziang replied calmly.

"Hun Jiansi? Who’s that? A relative of Huayu Ting?" Hu Daoke blinked, his face puzzled.

"Looks like I truly am an exception," Cheng Ziang glanced at him and shook his head helplessly.

"As long as the other party doesn’t show clear hostility, we can have a proper conversation. The mission team doesn’t wish to make enemies with anyone," Cheng Ziang stated.

"But they’re the mountain folk from Qi State. Do you even understand what ’mountain folk’ means?" Hun Jiansi countered.

"I understand. They’re the indigenous people driven into the deep mountains by the Anxiang family. And I know their traces extend across all of Kyushu—many of them even got conscripted into the new army by the Imperial Court. So I know they aren’t actually barbaric," Cheng Ziang replied.

"Suit yourself. I’m just warning you for your sake," Hun Jiansi sighed, looking at him with resignation.

"In any case, let’s move the chevaux-de-frise aside first and check for traps in the area," Cheng Ziang said.

Encountering man-made structures like chevaux-de-frise in such desolate wilderness always filled Cheng Ziang with a sense of incongruity, like spotting a resort hotel on the Easter Islands.

Just as he prepared to dismount and remove the barriers, a melodic whistle sounded from the forest, followed by chaotic yet rhythmic birdsong.

"Watch out—that’s how the mountain folk communicate," Hun Jiansi warned solemnly after sensing something off.

By now, even Cheng Ziang couldn’t stay calm—he instinctively pulled out his Origin Submachine Gun from his waist and disengaged the safety.

The Advance Team had a strict principle: never initiate the first shot. However, if the opposing party attacked first, they would launch an overwhelming counteroffensive to ensure their enemies were utterly defeated and dissuaded from further hostility.

Their weapons and equipment were all specialized designs aligned with the operational rules of the Magic World, and with the assistance of Fulajie’er and Liseya, the Demigods, they were formidable. Defensive counterattacks could even pierce through the Dongsheng Empire if they wanted to.

Thus, the people of Kyushu should count themselves lucky that the most powerful force was held by reasonable and merciful individuals, sparing the world from unbridled destruction.

"Everyone, spread out into combat formation. Xiao Fula, scout the area and ensure the Saint’s protection," Cheng Ziang ordered calmly.

Speaking in Chinese, he didn’t worry about Hun Jiansi overhearing—she wouldn’t understand anyway.

In moments of danger, Fulajie’er was always their best reconnaissance tool. If Luo’er permitted Fulajie’er to unleash her full power, the Advance Team wouldn’t even have to act—they could settle everything with a few words.

After all, as a Demigod, she was virtually untouchable by anyone but the True Gods in this world.

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