Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 354 - 347: Long Time No See _1

Chapter 354: Chapter 347: Long Time No See _1

Returning to Haiya Academy after a long absence, Cheng Ziang felt deeply moved. A year ago, they had set off from here to the unknown Otherworld. Now, they had been struggling in the Otherworld for over a year, and Haiya Academy was starting to feel unfamiliar to them.

The place still hadn’t changed much, however, ever since visiting Shenghua Academy, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but compare this place to Shenghua Academy.

Objectively speaking, in terms of modernization and automation, Haiya Academy was indeed somewhat inferior to Shenghua Academy. But this place was the frontier of magic research, the famous Magic Research Center was located here, as was the address for the entire Otherworld General Staff Headquarters. So, one couldn’t make a direct comparison and could only say that each had its advantages.

"How do you like the weather here?" Murong, wiping his sweat, asked with a grin. Although the indoors of the academy had air conditioning, the outdoor temperature was still stifling hot. After disembarking from the plane, they directly boarded the autonomous vehicle with air conditioning and headed for the academy’s teaching district.

"I manage." Cheng Ziang said indifferently. They spent most of the year in the northern part of the Otherworld Continent, where the latitude was high, so even in the summer, it wasn’t as hot as this.

Yalunte was fascinated by this box that could emit cool air, so he kept looking around. Through the glass, he could see the dazzling sunlight outside the car, but inside the car was a cool breeze, so much so that he wanted to put on an extra layer of clothing.

"What a pity, we’re about to move out soon." Murong remarked gazing out of the car window.

"Move out?" Cheng Ziang stared at him and asked.

Seeing Cheng Ziang indeed take the bait, Murong let out a small smile and said, "Didn’t you know? This place is about to become an experimental base for the Mingming Plan."

"What is the Mingming Plan?" Cheng Ziang asked with a furrowed brow. How did this Mingming Plan suddenly pop up while they were on a mission?

"In simple terms, the headquarters plans to train Otherworld people here, educate them, and make them one of us." Murong said.

"Bringing Otherworld people to Earth for education?" Cheng Ziang asked, somewhat at a loss.

"You could understand it that way. They’re looking for suitable aged Otherworld individuals, regardless of status or race, and bring them back to Earth for education. Then convert them into the headquarters’ power in the Otherworld." Murong explained briefly.

"Wait, Otherworld people on Earth?" Cheng Ziang asked hesitantly.

"Oh, you’re worried about that. No need to worry. Apparently, the researchers at the research center have developed a drug that allows Otherworlders to live on Earth for extended periods. So they will not die due to the lack of magic in the environment, and Mr. Sword Saint next to you is the best example." Murong pointed to Yalunte.

Cheng Ziang turned and glanced at him, remained silent for a while, and couldn’t help but quip, "These people always like to deal with children."

The autonomous vehicle followed the preset route and finally arrived at the enclosed parking platform. After they got off, Cheng Ziang realized they had arrived at the administrative building of the academy. He had seldom visited here, unlike Luo’er, who ran to this place every now and then when they had formed a team.

Once they stepped out of the enclosed platform, they were instantly exposed to the hot air and scorching sun again. It felt like stepping out of a fridge and into a pot of boiling water.

Luckily, the Administration Building was close to the platform, so they quickly walked into the building and were enveloped in cool air again.

The entrance was a reception center, but unlike others, here there were no pretty receptionists, just two service robots.

As soon as the group walked in, the robots scanned them and then emitted a synthesized voice: "Welcome to the administrative center, Murong. Chief Lin Wei is waiting for you in the 7th-floor office. The elevator has been prepared for you. Please proceed immediately."

Unlike the voice of battlefield drones, this robot’s voice was much softer, and sounded incredibly sweet.

"Wait a moment!" Just as everyone prepared to heed the robot’s instructions and take the elevator to the office, suddenly an old voice rang beside them.

Everyone turned around, their faces instantly becoming serious, and all respectfully said, "Hello, Principal!"

The visitor was none other than Luo Qishan, the soon-to-retire Principal of Haiya Academy. Cheng Ziang looked at the old man who had once reluctantly harmed his own grandson. Just a year and a bit away, and he seemed to have aged several years, with barely a trace of black hair visible in his silver hair.

"Can I have a word with Cheng Ziang alone?" Luo Qishan turned to the robot and asked. He knew that facing the robot was equivalent to facing Lin Wei himself.

"Transferring your message..." The robot fell silent for a short moment before delivering the answer Luo Qishan desired, "Approval from the Chief obtained, please feel free to proceed, Principal!"

"Come with me, Cheng Ziang!" Luo Qishan nodded satisfactorily, then beckoned Cheng Ziang while his hands were behind his back.

"Yes!" Not to mention that he was Luo’er’s grandfather, based solely on his position as the Principal, Luo Qishan deserved Cheng Ziang’s respect.

After the two left the hall, the robot suddenly spoke: "Chief Lin Wei hopes to have a private conversation with Mr. Yalunte. Please lead Mr. Yalunte to the office on the seventh floor, Mr. Murong."

"I understand," Murong nodded, then turned his head and respectfully said to Yalunte, "Mr. Yalunte, this way please."

Yalunte looked in the direction where Cheng Ziang had left. Although he didn’t want to admit it, without Cheng Ziang, he indeed felt a bit uncomfortable. After some hesitation, he decided to follow Murong to the office to meet the highest leader of this gigantic organization.

The two arrived at an empty office. Luo Qishan sat on the couch and took a long sigh of relief. People age, and mobility really declines. Despite the help of technology, he truly wished Luo’er could come back to take care of him at the bottom of his heart.

"Sit down!" Luo Qishan gestured, indicating Cheng Ziang to take a seat.

"Excuse my intrusion." Cheng Ziang nodded and then sat across from Luo Qishan somewhat formally.

The two sat there, silent, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere. After a long silence, Luo Qishan couldn’t help asking, "Luo’er...is he alright?"

"Yes, Luo’er is fine, just a bit tanned," Cheng Ziang said.

"Oh..." Luo Qishan nodded, then asked again, "Has he, has he gotten into any troubles?"

Cheng Ziang instinctively thought of the news of Luo’er being shot, which was known only to a small number of people. Wang Xu knew about this, and he was once Luo Qishan’s soldier, so if he wanted to say it, he would’ve said it by now. There was no way Luo Qishan wouldn’t know.

Apparently, Wang Xu didn’t dare to tell Luo Qishan of Luo’er being shot. Seeing Luo Qishan’s condition today, Cheng Ziang also understood Wang Xu’s dilemma. Luo Qishan was already halfway into the grave and couldn’t be further stimulated. When it came to Luo’er, only good news should be delivered and bad news should be suppressed.

After a moment of hesitation, Cheng Ziang still decided to keep it from him: "Luo’er is doing well, nothing has happened, he’s now the Captain of the Advance Team."

"Really?" Luo Qishan smiled faintly. This news did not seem like good news to him at all.

"Did Luo’er..." After a moment of silence, Luo Qishan continued to ask, "Did he find his mother?"

"Not yet," Cheng Ziang answered truthfully. "Luo’er’s mother should be in the South, and our mission area has always been in the North this year, so we haven’t had a chance to go South yet."

"The Otherworld Continent is so vast, how can we find her?" Upon hearing Cheng Ziang’s reply, Luo Qishan began to grumble. "I’m already halfway in the grave, how many more years can I wait for him? Is he planning to come back to see my portrait?"

Facing Luo Qishan’s complaints, Cheng Ziang remained silent for a long time, looking as though he wanted to say something, but hesitated. Finally, he couldn’t help but speak up: "Principal, do not say such things. Luo’er cares very much about you. If he knows about your poor health, he would be very distressed."

"What’s the use of being upset? I just want him to come back and be with me. How many good years do I have left? Can’t he accompany me for the rest of my life," Luo Qishan began to grumble, losing all the dignity of a general. "What’s the point of caring about me from the Otherworld? That’s simply unfilial. Coming back to accompany me is being filial, not coming back is being unfilial."

Listening to Luo Qishan’s grumbling, Cheng Ziang fell into deep thought. He had always had some words bottled up in his heart, feeling uncomfortable not saying them. After some hesitation, he decided to seize this opportunity to speak up: "Principal, you say that Luo’er is unfilial for not accompanying you, and you also say you don’t have many good years left. If so, why didn’t you accompany him back then?"

Facing Cheng Ziang’s calm questioning, Luo Qishan was stunned, his mouth stopped babbling, and he stared at him with wide eyes.

"Luo’er once said, he knew your hardships, he understood everything you did for him, but..." Speaking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply. "Back then, Luo’er wished so much that you could accompany him, to go through the difficulties together. To him, you are his closest kin. Luo’er said, during the experiments, how much he wished you could be there with him, hold his hand, let him know he still has you, his grandfather. But... why did you prefer to be a Principal over being his grandfather? You longed for him to accompany you, but why did you miss so many opportunities to be with him back then?"

Facing Cheng Ziang’s question, Luo Qishan was left speechless, recalling past events, his eyes welled up with tears.

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