Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1656 - 1649: Civilized Savages

Chapter 1656: Chapter 1649: Civilized Savages

Hearing this, Cheng Ziang became even more curious. What exactly do these civil officials intend to do? Could it be they truly wish to extend their reach into the notoriously ungovernable rural towns? If so, do they really have the strength to exert their rule?

Cheng Ziang had a feeling that the Wen Family, almost hysterically, wanted to completely uproot the Wu Family’s influence from the grassroots level and take over control of these regions for themselves.

Thinking about this, Cheng Ziang also developed a strong interest in the matter. He cupped his hands and said, "We’ve come from the West and are passing through this treasured land. Might we request to stay here for a while?"

"If you’re not spies sent by the Guest Province people, then there’s no need to treat you harshly," Bahàn said with a furrowed brow. "The leader was right. If we want to drive out the Guest Province people, we shouldn’t make enemies of others; instead, we should actively forge alliances."

"That is precisely our intention—to foster an alliance with such a hero as the Manor Lord," Cheng Ziang immediately responded.

"No need for flattery," Bahàn waved his hand dismissively, though he seemed to enjoy it nonetheless.

"I’ll ask just one last question," he paused, his previously smug expression growing serious. "Are you really not spies?"

"Absolutely not. We’ve come from the West, passing through Hua State. The prominent Huayu Family of Hua State can vouch for us," Cheng Ziang said.

"Hmm, I’ve heard of the Huayu Family. They’ve recently aligned themselves with the Wen Family. If you’re acquainted with them, then you certainly aren’t with the Wu Family," Bahàn nodded in satisfaction.

"Might I ask, could it be that you are..."

"We’re neither aligned with the Wen Family nor the Wu Family. However, the Guest Province people are with the Wu Family, so that makes us their enemies. As for the Wen Family, we don’t like them, but we’re open to alliances," Bahàn candidly expressed his position.

"It seems you harbor deep resentment toward the Anxiang family..." Cheng Ziang remarked with a sigh.

"We outsiders don’t care much about the divide between Wen and Wu, but we can tell right from wrong. We disdain those who rely on brute force to act tyrannically. If the Guest Province people are truly as despicable as the Manor Lord says, we will support the Manor Lord’s views as well." Cheng Ziang paused and then spoke with a serious tone.

"Oh, you outsiders are rather interesting," Bahàn’s previously tense demeanor seemed to lighten significantly upon hearing this.

"Since you’re neither Guest Province people nor allies of the Wu Family, you may pass. There’s a town not far ahead; you’re welcome to visit. That’s also the leader’s intention."

With a wave of Bahàn’s large hand, the surrounding people immediately dropped their guarded stances. Several robust men emerged from the forest, helping the Advance Team clear the barriers from the road. More than ten others drew their machetes from their belts to chop away at the overgrown shrubbery and weeds that littered the path.

"It seems this road has become quite desolate..." Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but remark.

"Few people travel through here nowadays. Likely, it’s because they’ve heard of our reputation. Whether merchants or travelers, most choose to take the Jiangzhou route," Bahàn said with a shrug.

"You don’t seem savage, yet public opinion about you isn’t very flattering. Why is that?" Cheng Ziang asked curiously.

"Hmph," Bahàn’s face immediately darkened at this, and he retorted angrily, "The Guest Province people seized our homeland, butchered our clansmen—they’re the real beasts that deserve to die! Now they’ve turned the narrative around, making us out to be savages while they put on a facade of dignity and righteousness. It’s truly laughable."

"The Wen Family-led Imperial Court is just a pack of good-for-nothings. Not a single one of them can be relied upon. Back when we were suffering, they stood idly by. Now they send a provincial official, thinking they can take control of our people? I’d like to see what those scholars are scheming. If nothing has changed, then we’ll kill him and offer his death as a sacrifice to Heaven. Savage or not, we stopped caring about our reputation long ago."

"Uh, surely this could be resolved peacefully... there’s really no need for such extremes. After all, the provincial official is probably just an innocent pawn," Cheng Ziang said with a forced smile, waving his hand.

"Outsider, can you remove your mask and let me see who you really are?" Bahàn asked, looking directly at Cheng Ziang.

"Of course, no problem."

After considering for a moment, Cheng Ziang decided to take off his mask, revealing his true appearance. This seemed to signal the others, who followed suit and also removed their masks.

"This is the first time I’ve seen people like you," Bahàn stared at Huayu Ting, then at the others, his face showing disbelief.

"We come from the West, passing through West Outer Heaven, Fengyu, and Hua State on our journey," Cheng Ziang explained briefly.

"Oh, I see," Bahàn nodded seriously and said, "It seems you truly aren’t spies for the Guest Province people. We’ll call you guests then. Although you’re outsiders, you’re different from them."

"As long as that pleases the Manor Lord," Cheng Ziang nodded and replied.

Indeed, as long as communication is possible, most situations can be resolved peacefully. Only those who refuse to talk and launch unprovoked attacks are met with violent suppression by the Advance Team.

These Qi State "savages" were nothing like the feral savages described in the rumors. In fact, they were reasonable and only targeted hostile forces infiltrating from the Anxiang family, sparing ordinary passersby.

After all, they were scattered across Kyushu, and some had even been recruited by the Imperial Court as part of its new army. If the Qi State "savages" were truly as wild and uncivilized as the rumors claimed, how could they have earned the Court’s acknowledgment?

From Cheng Ziang’s perspective, these people were, in fact, pitiable souls. Driven from their homelands, they were forced to hide in remote mountain corners. Yet, they still retained their unique sense of pride.

"Who’s inside the carriage?" Bahàn looked toward the wagon and hesitantly asked.

"That is the exalted Saint, Manor Lord. Please lower your voice and be careful not to offend. Those who blaspheme against the Saint meet terrible ends, us included," Cheng Ziang’s expression shifted dramatically as he sternly explained.

"Sa... Saint? What does a Saint do?" Bahàn seemed startled, his eyes wide as he stammered.

"They attune to the heavens and earth, communicating with the gods," Cheng Ziang explained cryptically.

"Communicate with the gods?" Bahàn’s eyes widened even further.

"The gods cannot bear to see the people suffer and have sent the Saint from the West to the East. Their mission is to spread blessings and end the wars and strife plaguing this world," Cheng Ziang’s fabrications grew increasingly grandiose, his excitement evident.

"How... how will they end it?" Bahàn asked, dumbfounded.

"Heaven and earth treat all beings without preference, yet the divine sees all as equals. Be they Kyushu’s people or the Demon Clan, they are all children of the gods and deserve equal standing. Prejudice and mutual slaughter have no place in the divine order."

For someone steeped in materialism, such statements were indeed a test for Cheng Ziang. However, he didn’t seem particularly troubled, growing more animated as he continued. After all, if it was just nonsense, he might as well spin it as logically as he could.

"Oh, that’s something we understand," Bahàn nodded repeatedly, though with a trace of unease. "In our town, we have quite a few Demon Clan residents. We treat them well, so that shouldn’t anger the gods, right?"

"Oh? Your town has Demon Clan residents?" This information caught Cheng Ziang off guard. He instinctively asked, "Why?"

"We lack manpower, and the Guest Province people don’t like them. So we took them in to unite against the Guest Province people. They’re quite hardworking, though they tend to lose battles," Bahàn said, waving his hand dismissively.

"But... aren’t you worried that the Demon Clan might ’pollute’ your bloodline?" Cheng Ziang pressed cautiously.

"Eh, now that’s a strange thing to say," Bahàn replied nonchalantly. "Life should be about more than just cultivation. Living that way would be so dull. Besides, even if one trains in cultivation, so what? They’re still beaten by us and end up tumbling over themselves. The truth is, cultivators are only marginally stronger than us. If they dare to provoke us, we’ll beat them again and hang them from the city walls afterward."

His answer left Cheng Ziang deep in thought. It turned out there were indeed people in Kyushu who didn’t concern themselves with the cultivation evaluation system. If Bahàn’s words reflected the common beliefs of these "savages," then it signified the Qi State "savages" were almost naturally inclined to support the Wen Family.

It was no wonder then that the Imperial Court sent people to take over their villages and towns. It was likely an effort to consolidate grassroots governance.

But in a place like Kyushu, especially within the larger context of the Magic World, was it truly feasible to rely on something other than cultivation to contend with cultivators? That was a question worth further exploration.