Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 567 - 560: Return to Yazhi City

Chapter 567: Chapter 560: Return to Yazhi City

Soon, Luo’er received a command from Headquarters. First, the Advance Team was instructed to deliver Zhuyan Yu to camp as soon as possible. Second, the headquarters had seriously considered Luo’er’s proposal and, in principle, agreed to his approach. The Headquarters would arrange for someone to take him to Holy Heart City and provide some minor assistance for his development. If he willingly agreed to join the Headquarters, reconsideration of his exoneration from the Church Court would be made.

Thus, when the Advance Team arrived at a town within Odelanqi’s borders in five days, Azita, an informant posing as a merchant named Blaiqi, separated from them. The merchant group was heading to Holy Heart City for trade activities and was conveniently able to take him along.

Once they reached the town, they stopped for a rest in an inn. At this point, Fulajie’er could not make an appearance to avoid scaring others, but she could still communicate with Zhuyan Yu through resonance in the Soul Domain.

Ever since Zhuyan Yu arrived in the Otherworld, Fulajie’er had been hovering around her the whole day. This mysterious shift caused Luo’er to feel betrayed and somewhat sour in his heart. At this moment, he finally understood the feeling that Nightingale and Fulajie had when they had to part ways.

While they were eating at the inn, a commotion arose outside. Hu Daoke, who was fond of excitement, went for a look and reported back, "It seems a group of knights are passing by. According to the townsfolk, they seem to be from the Temple Knights!"

"Aren’t the Temple Knights supposed to be the Church Court’s army? Why would they appear in southern Odelanqi?" Luo’er curiously asked.

"Probably another Earl planning a rebellion," said Cheng Ziang with a shrug.

"Which way did they go?" Luo’er asked.

"It seems they were heading from southwest to northeast," answered Hu Daoke, scratching his head.

"Northeast..." Luo’er lowered his head, briefly considering the map in his head before saying, "Isn’t that the way to Yazhi City?"

"Ah, right! I’ll go stop them, see if they will give us a lift," said Hu Daoke, after a moment of realization.

"You wish! You’ll be lucky if they don’t slaughter you, let alone take you along," Cheng Ziang shook his head and said, "We’ve already said that the Church Court’s internal division is severe. The upper echelons are generally willing to cooperate with the Headquarters, but the lower echelons are not. You’re going to cause trouble if you act recklessly."

"So, we have to travel on our own again..." Hu Daoke sighed helplessly and returned to his seat.

"Teacher Zhu, is everything normal at the school?" Luo’er asked Zhuyan Yu somewhat nervously.

"To know if the school is normal or not, wouldn’t it be easier to ask Shangguan Jiu? Why are you asking me?" Zhuyan Yu smiled at Luo’er.

"Yes, I’ve just come from Earth a few days ago," echoed Shangguan Jiu.

"Ah, I mean...I..." Luo’er fumbled over his words, speechless at her response.

"Luo’er wants to ask how our beloved principal is doing," Cheng Ziang cradled his cheek and spoke up.

"Why didn’t you just say that?" Zhuyan Yu asked, her eyes curving into a crescent when she looked at Luo’er.

"Teacher Zhu, don’t give him a hard time," Cheng Ziang said when he saw Luo’er stuttering.

"Alright," Zhuyan Yu laughed, then said seriously, "Elder Luo is fine, don’t worry. But he should be retiring completely from the academy in a year. After all, he’s getting quite old. Even though Earth’s medical technology has extended his life, it still can’t defeat natural laws."

"As long as he’s okay..." Luo’er murmured, scratching his head.

"Luo’er, I heard you’ve gained a little sister, is that right?" Zhuyan Yu asked with a grin.

"Yes!" Luo’er nodded.

"A real sister?" questioned Zhuyan Yu.

"Of course, what are you asking?" Luo’er said, looking at her with wide eyes.

"Oh, nothing much. Elder Luo heard he has a granddaughter now and he was so excited that he keeps clamoring to visit the Otherworld to see her," Zhuyan Yu explained.

"What a nutcase, he’s old enough to know better, he really should think about his physical condition!" Luo’er frowned and muttered, turning his head away.

"This is a common human sentiment. You really should stop criticizing him all the time. Clearly, you do care about him, so why always put on this aloof exterior?" Zhuyan Yu smiled and said.

"I’m not being aloof," paused Luo’er before continuing, "Don’t let him come. If possible, I’ll have Luoya go there instead..."

After dinner, they rested for the evening. The next day, they went to the market to buy Zhuyan Yu some clothes, given that she was wearing Luo’er’s ones which were somewhat odd and ill-fitting.

Once she had changed into clothes in the Otherworld style, Zhuyan Yu’s demeanor completely changed. Although you could still see her gentle southern face, her black hair was now wrapped in a headscarf, making her look entirely like a young Otherworld woman.

Having dealt with the clothes issue, they bought some food and rented a carriage that took them towards Yazhi City. Odelanqi was mostly made up of plains, so it was densely populated and had many thoroughfares.

The distance from here to Yazhi City was considerably shorter than the distance from Holy Heart City to Yazhi City. Even though the roads in the north were more rugged, Luo’er estimated that they would reach Yazhi City in, at most, two weeks.

Once they were aboard the carriage, the group began heading towards Yazhi City. The headquarters and the advance team maintained close contact, sending a messenger almost daily to hurry them along. They didn’t even have a chance to dally; all they could do was head straight towards Yazhi City.

Not long after leaving the city, a large troop of cavalry thundered past them, raising a cloud of dust. The coachman had to quickly move to the side of the road to avoid them. Cheng Ziang stuck his head out for a quick look, then turned back and confidently said, "Judgement Legion!"

"It’s the Church Court again, what’s been going on lately? Why are there so many of them about?" Hu Daoke couldn’t help but ask.

"The Ancient States’ people must have attacked," Cheng Ziang shrugged and said.

"Really?" Hu Daoke opened his eyes wide in surprise.

"Of course not. The Ancient States’ people aren’t capable of reaching the north. Even if they were planning to invade, the west coast of the continent would be the logical approach. But these Church Court forces are heading east," Luo’er explained.

"Didn’t the headquarters tell us about the recent movements of the Church Court?" Tangmo couldn’t help but interject.

"No, it seems that after our last cooperation, both sides have been just doing their own thing and haven’t had much interaction," Luo’er said. "But knowing our headquarters, there’s no way they’d waste time. They’d seize the opportunity to curry more favor. I’m guessing they’re planning to monopolize Lipei when we get back. We’ll likely be given assignments."

"Come off it, Boss, quit talking like that, it’s depressing," Hu Daoke said with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"You’ve just been a lazy bum. We’ve been doing nothing but resting while eating and sleeping outdoors for half a month. The headquarters cruised off comfortably on their yacht while abandoning us in the middle of nowhere," Cheng Ziang retorted with a roll of his eyes.

"You clearly have a lot of complaints about the headquarters!" Zhuyan Yu said, looking at him with a smile.

"Uh, no, no, not at all. I’m just, um, venting," Hu Daoke finally realized that there was still a major in the army on the carriage and was mindful of what he was saying.

"It’s okay. It’s normal for you to have grievances. I’ve always thought the same thing: that those at the headquarters treat you guys like cattle or sheep, never considering sending more help to lessen your load," Zhuyan Yu said lightly.

"Teacher Zhu, it’s so wonderful that you understand," Hu Daoke said, moved to tears.

"However, venting is all I can do. Even though I’m a major, I can’t change anything," Zhuyan Yu shrugged and said.

"How can that be? Aren’t you from the army..."

Hu Daoke hadn’t finished his sentence when he was bumped by Cheng Ziang, who then explained, "The headquarters is directly under the Ministry of Defense, not under the army, so the relationship between the headquarters and the army is equal."