Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 429 - 422: Night Talk_1

Chapter 429: Chapter 422: Night Talk_1

As the key figure in initiating the Origin Project, Luo’er’s status was self-evident. The entire plan commenced because of him, and even if his role diminished later on, he was still a very important character to the headquarters. Even if he wasn’t Luo Qishan’s grandson, the headquarters would still protect him.

The grand procession continued along the road toward the capital of Saint Basaya, Saint Bawa. Luo’er vaguely recalled that they had just fought the Judgement Legion here a few months ago. Thinking about the turn of events, the two groups who should have been mortal enemies had come together because of cooperation.

Honestly, Luo’er had always worried whether Kroel, Dina and their group would be petty and retaliate against them en route. But it seemed they were somewhat overthinking it. The Judgement Legion has not mentioned the past at all and maintained an indifferent attitude towards the Advance Team. They were basically ignored, as if they were just there as extras.

As for this, Luo’er could have wished for nothing else. After all, he didn’t want to get involved in the Judgement Legion’s war. For the Advance Team, it was like hitching a ride with the Judgement Legion, accompanying them on their southward journey like tourists.

If it had not been for Lin Wei’s stern reprimand, Luo’er might have left the Judgement Legion’s team and set off in the direction of Ilanadale just as they arrived at the boundary of the Three Kingdoms.

But after being severely scolded by Lin Wei, Luo’er became much more obedient. He now just wanted to complete his task honestly, following the Judgement Legion and pretending to fight side by side with them.

"What is this?" After Cheng Ziang locked the window, Hu Daoke idly picked up a cylindrical metal box provided by the headquarters.

When he opened the metal box, he was surprised to find a gas mask inside. "Why did the headquarters give me this thing?" He asked while holding out the gas mask for others to see.

"They didn’t just give you one, we all got one!" Cheng Ziang waved his metal box in the air.

"I mean, what are we going to do that we need to bring gas masks?" Hu Daoke asked, looking at a loss.

"They told us to be prepared for the miasma in the south when we’re walking through those primeval forests. It’s better to wear this thing to avoid inhalation of harmful gases. In addition to these, there is this cooling oil to repel mosquitoes," Luo’er said as he took out a small round box from his pocket.

"Ew, I’d rather suffer from anemia due to mosquito bites than apply that stuff!" Hu Daoke grimaced as if he despised the smell of the Wind Oil Essence.

"Don’t be so dramatic; the smell’s not that bad." Luo’er commented, looking both amused and helpless.

"There’s a way to deal with mosquitoes. When they are about to bite you, you just need to shout ’114514’, and your blood will become terribly bad smelling, and the mosquitoes will stop biting you." Cheng Ziang patted his shoulders and commented.

"What’s the logic behind this?" Hu Daoke blinked and asked.

"There’s no logic. He just likes messing around with you!" Luo’er clarified.

"You little mischievous brat! I’ve been disliking you for a while. I haven’t taught you a lesson recently, and it seems you’ve become more courageous!" Hu Daoke said gritting his teeth, in a predator-like stance, lunged at Cheng Ziang.

Cheng Ziang cheerfully dodged his onslaught, appearing very relaxed in front of his friends. He was somewhat slow to warm up to others, exhibiting indifference in front of strangers but lively towards his teammates.

"Stop messing around, the cabin is tiny. If you want to play, go outside!" Tangmo reprimanded them as he saw the two causing a ruckus inside.

The temperature inside the carriage was maintained at a comfortable level due to the Rune’s effect, akin to a warm breeze. However, this heat required the power of the Magic Crystals. Thankfully, the Judgement Legion provided them with Magic Crystals, thus saving them from freezing.

Not long after entering Saint Basaya’s territory, it was already nightfall. The group started to set up camp to rest. The members of the Judgement Legion didn’t have to do much—they just had their retinues bustling around, setting up tents and cooking. A combat force of more than five hundred people had nearly ten times their number in logistical support. This did not seem like preparing for a war but rather like a tour group on vacation.

However, Luo’er wasn’t particularly interested in paying attention to these aspects. Because Wang Xu had made cordial contacts previously, the Advance Team could also enjoy the services of these servants. Although the quality of the food they prepared couldn’t compare to Luo’er’s, it was still tolerable. Besides, it was free, so there was no reason to refuse.

The Advance Team’s carriage was equipped with tents, but they could only accommodate half of the people. The rest had to sleep in the carriage. Therefore, after discussing it, they decided to let the two girls sleep in the carriage, while the three men slept in the tent.

The reason for this arrangement was that the carriage had runes, so the temperature wouldn’t be too low. However, the tent was much colder, and with snow already falling, it would be even more unbearable at night.

With this arrangement, Cheng Ziang and Hu Daoke no longer insisted that Luo’er should go sleep with the girls. It was much colder in the tent, so having another person there would provide more warmth.

"Phew, it’s hard for us three brothers to get together like this. What a rare occurrence." The three of them had their sleeping bags close together. Looking at the indentations in the tent roof from the accumulated snow, Hu Daoke sighed.

"The way you put it, it sounds like we are usually separated." Cheng Ziang rolled his eyes and commented.

In order to prevent the two from fighting, Luo’er intentionally slept between them, preventing them from causing any trouble.

"While on normal missions, don’t we always have to leave someone on lookout? It’s rare that we can move around with such a large unit. Thinking back to our experiences a year ago, things have really changed." Hu Daoke reflected.

"A year ago..." Staring at the top of the tent, Cheng Ziang pondered for a moment before saying, "It’s almost 2053 now, right? When did we enter the Otherworld?"

"August, 2051!" Luo’er answered.

"Wow, time flies so quickly, it’s almost been two years..." Hu Daoke exclaimed.

"Ah, it’s been two years, so many things have happened," Cheng Ziang said, turning his head to look at Luo’er, and couldn’t help but shake his head, "Our little Luo’er said he was coming to the Otherworld to find his mom, but he still hasn’t found her."

"I haven’t had a chance to go south, there is nothing I can do." Luo’er shook his head.

"Ha, you sure have met a lot of girls!" Cheng Ziang teased.

"This..." Luo’er was left speechless for a moment.

"Boss," Hu Daoke suddenly thought of something, so he quickly turned around and asked him, "Who are you most interested in amongst all these girls? You can pick more than one!"

"What do you guys take me for, a womanizer?" Luo’er said helplessly.

"Oh, no, no, our Luo’er is exceptionally talented, always attracting butterflies." Cheng Ziang said with a teasing smile.

"I didn’t..." Luo’er said, always feeling a bit unsure of himself.

"Boss, just tell us. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Sister Moumou, it’s a little secret between us men!" Hu Daoke pulled out a hand from his sleeping bag and patted Luo’er on the shoulder.

"Yes, I’m also curious!" Cheng Ziang said, squirming in his sleeping bag and leaning in like a giant caterpillar.

"Wasn’t your original character already collapsed?" Luo’er looked him up and down and couldn’t help but comment.

"Haven’t I always been like this? When have you seen me laughing in front of outsiders?" Cheng Ziang shrugged, speaking indifferently.

"Boss, don’t change the subject, hurry up and say it!" Hu Daoke struggled to pull out his other hand and shook Luo’er by the shoulders.

"Stop shaking, stop shaking, what do you want me to say?" Luo’er shouted to restraint them.

"How about this, I’ll ask one, you answer one, how does that sound?" At Luo’er’s words, Hu Daoke released him and then proposed.

Luo’er looked at him, then turned to look at Cheng Ziang. Seeing the boy’s expectant face, Luo’er helplessly shook his head and sighed, "Alright, just ask..."

"Okay, we won’t ask about the underage ones, or the ones you’ve just met once. We’ll ask about the familiar ones," after a pause, Hu Daoke asked, "Boss, how do you see Princess Melia?"

"Princess Melia, huh..." Luo’er thought for a moment, then spoke frankly, "Melia’s current primary goal is to take the throne, everything else can wait, including feelings. You asked me how I see her, frankly speaking, I did quite like her at the time because she knows how to attract a man’s heart. But her desire for power is too strong, which may not suit me."

"How so?" Hu Daoke asked, looking puzzled.

Just as Luo’er was about to speak, Cheng Ziang explained, "It’s that both Melia and Luo’er are assertive. Putting two of them together, it’s difficult to get along. Both have the character of leaders. If one can’t suppress the other, sooner or later there will be disputes over some minor issues."

"That’s about right." Luo’er agreed with Cheng Ziang’s point of view. He preferred obedient girls like Tangmo and Baiyue, not those who liked to dominate others like Melia.

"So, what about between you and Melia..." Hu Daoke hesitated to ask.

"I’ve said nothing’s decided yet, you guys just love guessing." Luo’er helplessly said.

"But you’ve seen her..." Hu Daoke lowered his voice.

"So? It’s not a feudal society we’re living in..." Luo’er stuttered.

"Actually, if Luo’er wasn’t such a leader type, Princess Melia would be very suitable for him. As long as he acts obediently by her side and stops having strange ideas, he could enjoy being her little lapdog. Once she seized the throne, you would become the king." Cheng Ziang playfully tussled Luo’er’s hair.

"If I wasn’t, she probably wouldn’t like me in the first place," Luo’er chuckled, "Melia is the type who likes to be conquered by others, but I probably don’t have the energy or mentality to conquer her."