Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 46 - 42 Graduation Party_1
46: Chapter 42: Graduation Party_1
46 -42: Graduation Party_1
“Travel to the Otherworld, gather intelligence to determine whether we need to dispatch troops there.” Wang Xu straightforwardly explained.
“I feel like this is more than just a bit of a burden,” Luo’er remarked.
“Up until now, our intelligence has mainly come from commerce-loving Blaiqi people, but we can’t entirely trust them, so we need a more reliable source of information,” Wang Xu added.
“So, our main task is to provide steady intelligence for our country?” Luo’er asked.
“Yes, our understanding of sub-humans is still in the exploratory stages.
The headquarters can’t guarantee the effectiveness of deploying them all to the Otherworld, so we need a small team to experiment with.
As the first Advance Team, you’ll face many difficulties that later teams won’t, and we’ll need you to build up a body of experience and knowledge to ensure future advance teams can perform better,” Wang Xu explained.
“I understand.
We’re to travel to the Otherworld, supply intelligence, and compile experience, right?” Luo’er asked,
“Right.
As of now, we have to rely on the intelligence you provide.
Based on our current intelligence, the Church Court is vehemently opposed to our dispatching of troops.
They’ve declared that the Earth army’s appearance in the Otherworld would bring catastrophe.
Given that the Church Court currently controls almost all of the mages in the northern countries, it’s hard to guarantee that they won’t take extreme measures,” Wang Xu revealed.
“And…” Wang Xu paused for a moment, then closed his computer’s security channel before continuing, “I know you want to go to the Otherworld to find your mother, and I’ll do nothing to stop you.
However, I hope you’ll use discretion.
You should realize that, although it was partly chance that you became a member of the Advance Team, it was inevitable given that your grandfather is Luo Qishan.
Think of him when you’re on the brink of crossing lines you shouldn’t.
You understand my meaning, right?”
“I…understand,” Luo’er replied, after a moment of stunned silence, then nodded firmly.
“Does he know?” Luo’er asked.
“Yes, but the Chief is helpless about it,” Wang Xu revealed reluctantly, “If you don’t want anything to happen to him, work hard.
As for searching for your mother, so long as you complete your mission, I won’t interfere at all.
You understand, right?”
“I understand,” Luo’er replied solemnly while lowering his head.
Although Luo’er resented Luo Qishan above all others, it would be unbearable for him if his grandfather encountered any mishaps because of him.
Obviously, Headquarters had realized this, and that’s why Luo’er and his team were inevitably chosen for the Advance Team.
“You’re good to go,” Wang Xu said as he reactivated the AI and opened the sealed room, then advised Luo’er, “Prepare yourself.
Tomorrow, you’ll be choosing your battle gear, and then training intensively for a month so that you can best adapt to the environment of the Otherworld.”
“By the way,” Wang Xu mentioned as Luo’er was about to leave, “There’s a graduation gala tonight.
Do you want to attend?”
“Graduation gala?” Luo’er asked, not quite understanding.
“Yes, you’re among the first graduates.
Both the Academy and Headquarters want to celebrate, so there’s a graduation gala tonight,” Wang Xu clarified.
“Well, I…” Luo’er hesitated, but was about to decline.’
“Your friends are all looking forward to attending, you know!” Wang Xu said with a chuckle.
Luo’er was briefly stunned, then shot him an annoyed look before nodding and saying, “Alright, I got it.”
Once Luo’er emerged, he and his companions underwent a whirlwind of inspections.
After they finally finished in the late afternoon, and upon Tangmo’s insistent invitation, Luo’er reluctantly agreed to attend the gala that evening.
This was the first gala that Haiya Academy had held since its establishment, and the atmosphere was livelier than ever.
Not only were members of the Academy present, even Headquarters staff had arrived.
Not only were the graduates celebrating, their juniors had also been invited, so the gala was overflowing with attendees and was incredibly lively.
Unfond of such bustling environments, Luo’er slipped away when the Principal began his speech and found a quiet spot to be alone.
As he was wondering where the free moment of solitude tucked away from the crowd, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice reached his ears.
“You don’t like lively places?” asked Cheng Ziang.
He was clearly in high spirits, his face sporting a smile completely different from his usual stone-cold demeanor.
“You like talking nonsense when you drink, don’t you?” Luo’er retorted, not entertaining him and instead, sighed.
“Just a bit more cheerful, that’s all.
You seem quite unhappy!” Cheng Ziang looked at him with a grin on his face as they both leaned against the wall, a bottle of wine in his hands.
“It’s nothing, don’t make assumptions,” Luo’er refuted, not intending to share his problems.
“It’s about your grandfather, isn’t it?” Cheng Ziang thought for a moment then asked, laughing.
You…” Luo’er was about to ask how he knew, but held back because admitting it would reveal too much.
He chose to remain silent instead.
“Guessed right!” Cheng Ziang turned to Luo’er, his face still sporting that smug grin.
“You shouldn’t venture far when your parents are around!” remarked Cheng Ziang as Luo’er didn’t answer.
“We’re travelling to the Otherworld in a month and you don’t seem the least bit worried!” Luo’er shifted the topic.
“What’s there to worry about?”
“The entire Otherworld, including all the inhabitants, will be our enemies!” Luo’er remarked with concern.
“Worry…” Cheng Ziang chuckled, shaking his head while silently uttering, “This is our fate.
Do we have any other options?”
“If you don’t want to go, you can tell me,” Luo’er suggested quietly.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to drag you guys down because of me.
If any of you wants to quit, now is the time!”
Cheng Ziang looked at him with his slightly widened eyes, then laughed and rebutted, “No, I’ve always wanted to go to the Otherworld.
If you hadn’t qualified for the Otherworld, that would’ve been a betrayal to me!”
Luo’er turned to look at him, sighed, and muttered, “I can’t tell if you’re being honest or just pretending.”
“Ha, do you think I’d deceive you?” Cheng Ziang gave that inscrutable smile of his once again.
“Your devil-may-care attitude always makes it hard for me to trust you,” Luo’er admitted frankly.
Just as Cheng Ziang was about to speak, he heard Tangmo’s booming voice.
“There you two are, we’ve been looking for you both for ages!”
Spotting them, Tangmo excitedly rushed over.
Tangmo wore her favorite long dress for the rare party, which made her look much cuter than usual.
“Luo’er, this one’s for you!” Tangmo said and forced a glass of strange liquid into his hand.
“What is this?” Luo’er hesitated.
“It’s a cocktail.
I just learned how to make it today!” Tangmo laughed, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“Uh, thanks!” Luo’er nodded, but he dared not take a sip.
“Luo’er, Luo’er try it!” Tangmo said with anticipation.
Luo’er felt helpless, but he took a small sip anyway.
A spicy and pungent taste immediately flooded his mouth, he barely managed not to cough.
“How’s it, how’s it?” Tangmo blinked at him.
“It’s a little bitter…” Luo’er said, grimacing.
“Oh, it seems it still needs refinement!” Tangmo accepted the cocktail back and said seriously after seeing his bitter face.
“Who taught you this anyway?” Luo’er asked, covering his nose.
“Jiu’er!” Tangmo said cheerfully.
“Jiu’er?”
“Hello!” Suddenly, a gentle and sweet voice rang out.
Luo’er turned to see Shangguan Jiu standing not too far away in her evening attire, her face bearing a sweet smile, as she looked at them cheerily.
“Thanks for your help!” Luo’er inclined his head slightly as a show of gratitude.
“No, no problem.” Shangguan Jiu shook her head.
“Hey, finally found you guys!” At this moment, Hu Daoke popped up from nowhere.
“You all…” Luo’er looked at everyone, not knowing what to say.
What he didn’t understand was why he attracted so many people when he just wanted to have a quiet moment.
“Yue’er, hurry, hurry!” Hu Daoke did not pay any attention to Luo’er and kept motioning to someone nearby.
At his call, Baiyue came to his side, carefully holding a tall glass.
Although she had changed into a beautiful new dress, she still wore her oversized hat as usual.
“What’s this?” Luo’er questioned when he saw the two of them.
“This is a cocktail we’ve been experimenting with.” Hu Daoke patted his chest with pride.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” Luo’er said with a sigh of resignation.
But when he saw Baiyue’s slightly disappointed look, he let out a sigh and reached out to her.
“Come on, let me have a taste!”
Luo’er cautiously tasted Baiyue’s cocktail.
It was rich and didn’t have a strong kick.
Compared to the previous one, this was considerably perfect.
“Not bad, thank you, Yue’er!” Luo’er nodded with a smile.
Baiyue didn’t say anything but shook her head slightly, flustered, and then lowered her head with a smile.
“Congrats, Luo’er!” Just as Luo’er was about to take another sip, a voice came from behind him.
He turned and saw Murong leading the full squad of hunters, smiling at Luo’er.
“Polite!” Seeing that the other party was hostile, Luo’er cautiously nodded in response.
“The second place gets to go to Otherworld, but the first place has to stay here.
What a plot twist, tsk tsk.” Before anyone could say anything, Zhuanzhu started to mockingly comment.
“This is the headquarters’ arrangement.
If you’re dissatisfied, you should discuss it with them.
What’s the point of complaining to us?
We’re just obeying orders.” Luo’er didn’t get angry, but just smiled faintly.
“It’s because of your connection with the Principal that you were chosen!” Zhuanzhu pointed the finger directly at Luo’er.
“The advance team’s selection is a decision of the headquarters, not the academy.
So even if the Principal and I have a connection, what can he possibly do to help me?” Luo’er shrugged.
“Besides,” Luo’er seemed to have thought of something.
He pulled Baiyue behind him and warned, “If you’re still considering her, whether online or offline, I’ll not let you get away with it!”
“Zhuanzhu, that’s enough.” Murong scolded him and then apologized to Luo’er.
“I’m sorry, this guy just likes to bluff.”
“If you can’t hold his tongue soon, you all are bound to find yourselves in some serious trouble!” Luo’er said to him with a meaningful look.
While Luo’er was distracted, Cheng Ziang snatched the cocktail from his hand, took a sip, and also gave a very knowing smile.
