Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1019 - 1012: Arriving at Blue Bay

Chapter 1019: Chapter 1012: Arriving at Blue Bay

Watching Luo’er and Wadulan clinking their cups together, Cheng Ziang smiled faintly, shook his head somewhat relievedly, and then continued to sip his beer alone.

He did not dislike Luo’er’s actions, on the contrary, he very much agreed with Luo’er’s practice of making friends during the mission. If Luo’er ever wanted to gain power in Headquarters in the Otherworld, the help of these friends would be indispensable.

When Luo’er first arrived in the Otherworld, he had some restraints, and therefore overlooked the matter of making friends. Now, if he wanted to keep the Advance Team and have influence in Headquarters, he had to make the move he did today.

Luo’er’s grandfather was a soldier, and so was his father. Including himself, the Luo’er family could be considered to have been unyieldingly loyal. Since his grandfather had been a general, how could he, as a grandson, be willing to settle for a life of small happiness?

Cheng Ziang knew that if Luo’er wanted to seek power in Headquarters, his obstacles would be much smaller than others’.

Putting aside his family background, Luo’er was also the first hybrid at Headquarters, enjoying high popularity within the headquarters. Almost everyone who encountered the Origin Project had heard his name more or less. So, if Luo’er aspired to power, Headquarters could not possibly ignore his appeals.

These were Luo’er’s advantages: a prestigious family, a high starting point, and high popularity within Headquarters, making him the most suitable candidate to step into the decision-making layer of Headquarters.

If Luo’er made friends in the Otherworld on top of that, leveraging the help of these Otherworld friends, his career path could not be said to be plain sailing, but at the very least it would be unobstructed.

The highest chief of the current front-line Headquarters was mainly performed by people from Earth, and after Wang Xu retired, it was highly likely that Li Si would take over. But Li Si was also from Earth, and despite the support of drugs, his body could not withstand the erosion of magic.

So in as little as ten years or as much as twenty, Li Si would have to retire due to illness. By then, if the position was handed over to Luo’er, it was pretty much irremovable.

You see, Luo’er is a half-Elf, with a lifespan long beyond what Earthlings can imagine. If he became the highest chief of the frontline Headquarters, it would be nearly impossible for the next in line to wait until his retirement, unless Luo’er was promoted. But by doing so, exactly Luo’er’s wish would be fulfilled, and he would enter the decision-making layer of Headquarters.

Even if Luo’er were to be disappointed with Headquarters, it’s not like he is without a fallback. Once his mother, Nina, retires from old age, the throne of the Elven Kingdom of Ilanadale would either pass to Luo’er or his sister Luoya—certainly not to an outsider who is a pure Elf. So, Luo’er would definitely not be at his wit’s end.

Feeling as though he had already mapped out Luo’er’s future, Cheng Ziang allowed himself a slight smile, and drained a large gulp of beer. By the time he put down his glass, his cheeks had turned red without him noticing.

The feast continued into the deep of the night, and eventually, the drunken party staggered back onto the Breaking Waves.

The girls barely drank at all; the sober Tangmo and Baiyue fought over the drunken Luo’er, each trying to transport him to their own bed. Fortunately, with Cheng Ziang keeping an eye on them from behind, their schemes did not succeed.

When Luo’er woke up, it was already noon the next day. Supporting his heavy head, he got up from the ship, only to see through the porthole that the ship had already set sail.

"Awake?" Seemingly guessing that Luo’er had woken up, Cheng Ziang suddenly appeared at the cabin door, leaning against the frame and smilingly asked him.

"Has the ship set off?" Luo’er asked, squinting his eyes.

"It set off a while ago. It’s just your tolerance that’s lacking. Look at Wadulan, he was utterly drunk yesterday, and this morning he got up as if nothing happened and took the helm. Not like you," Cheng Ziang said, shaking his head in resignation.

"I was happy and indulged in a few extra drinks," Luo’er said, hitting his head in annoyance, "I wish I hadn’t drunk so much now. My head still hurts."

"It’s when you’re drunk that you become brothers with Wadulan," Cheng Ziang remarked sentimentally.

Hearing his words, Luo’er was startled for a moment and stopped moving. Then he looked up at him and asked, "Do you think it’s inappropriate?"

"Of course not. I fully support what you’re doing," Cheng Ziang waved his hand and then sat down opposite Luo’er.

"Having one more friend is one more guarantee. Wadulan has always mixed along the West Coast, and if we ever take action here, we might have to rely on him," Luo’er said.

"Of course, since you’ve thought of that too, when he has his son sent to Headquarters, don’t pretend you didn’t see," Cheng Ziang said.

"I know, I’ll introduce them, after all, the Mingming Plan needs so many Otherworlders, the more the merrier," Luo’er sighed, then continued, "Before, I never had much fighting spirit, always thinking about finding my mother, and as a result, I wasted so much precious time with only a few interpersonal relationships in the Otherworld."

"That’s not right," Cheng Ziang said with a smile.

"What’s not right?" Luo’er asked, puzzled.

"Aren’t you the one who brought a lot of young girls to the station, making Moumou jealous day after day? Now, Melia’s rise in the west of Masya has given us a lot of help during our mission. Isn’t that an interpersonal relationship?"

"It’s not the same," Luo’er said, looking down.

"How is it not the same, or are you saying Melia is special?" Cheng Ziang deliberately asked.

"Why do you always bring up Melia? She’s a special case," Luo’er said helplessly, shaking his head, then paused and continued, "Besides her, basically everyone we bring to the station doesn’t equate to Headquarters’s status at all; it’s not really a cooperative relationship. Rather than calling them friends, I might as well say I’m their guardian, which is fundamentally different from Wadulan."

"Right now, we need to unite all forces, and the Blaiqi people who control the means of production are undoubtedly the ideal cooperation targets. The activities of Headquarters in the Otherworld can’t go on without funds, and now the Ministry of Defense budget is nearly unable to squeeze out more money for Headquarters. Everything is up to us," Luo’er said.

Cheng Ziang quietly listened to Luo’er’s words, and suddenly spoke up, "Actually, I’d like to hear you say that it’s because of Wadulan’s character that you are willing to make friends with him."

"Wouldn’t that be hypocritical, when clearly there’s an exchange of interests?" Luo’er said with a bitter smile.

"Not at all, at least not on your part. I know you, even better than you know yourself. You would never just treat him as a pawn, but genuinely consider him a real friend," Cheng Ziang said with a smile.

"Don’t flatter me like that, I’ll get embarrassed," Luo’er said, scratching his head.

Cheng Ziang got up from the bed and walked straight to the door. Suddenly remembering something, he turned his head and asked Luo’er, "Luo’er, if, just if, one day, I became the king of Odelanqi and you became the king of Ilanadale, could we still be as close as we are now?"

"Of course, we could. If being separated is the purpose, then I might as well not become king," Luo’er said earnestly.

"Don’t talk nonsense," Cheng Ziang shook his head, then looked down at his shoes, showing a knowing smile, "but I believe that’s the kind of person you are."

"Have something to eat to fill your stomach," Cheng Ziang said, while leaving the room without looking back, "Watch out for those two girls’ sneak attacks. Without me last night, you might have been skinned alive."

"Isn’t that an exaggeration..." Luo’er said, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

After leaving that fishing village, the Windbreaker continued south along the coastline, finally bypassing the towering Northern Domain Mountain Range and officially entering the territory of Odelanqi.

It must be said that ever since leaving the deep water area to come to the port, the sea ice was obviously much less. After passing the Northern Domain Mountain Range, the sea ice was almost completely gone.

Thanks to the warming effects of the warm current, the weather in this area had been rainy for the past few days, and they continued on to Winter Harbor without any sign of improvement.

Wadulan had not deceived Luo’er, and under normal sailing conditions, it was indeed a quick journey from that fishing village to Blue Bay. In less than a week, it took them only six days to finally reach Blue Bay, which was already experiencing summer.