Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 1668 - 1661: Knight to the Rescue

Chapter 1668: Chapter 1661: Knight to the Rescue

Thinking of this, Cheng Ziang had already made up his mind to act. Although the Advance Team hadn’t seen bloodshed for some time, it didn’t mean they’d lost their ferocity.

What troubled him was how they would pass through the checkpoint guarded by the Anxiang family after eliminating these people. Forcing their way through wasn’t impossible, but doing so could escalate matters significantly—if the Qi State villagers retaliated and seized the checkpoint, things could take a turn for the worse.

If that happened, the Advance Team would find themselves in a very awkward position. They’d repeatedly claimed neutrality in the conflicts of Kyushu, yet here they were indirectly aiding the Qi State villagers in taking Jufeng Pass. Should word spread of this, their so-called neutral stance would crumble entirely.

That’s precisely why the Advance Team had been careful and prudent since arriving in Kyushu—they truly didn’t want a single misstep to lead to a domino effect that dragged them into the web of political and military struggles in Kyushu.

At this critical juncture, the sudden sound of horse hooves echoed from the checkpoint. A tall steed galloped urgently toward them.

The Knight hunched over his horse, whipping it to greater speed. Within the blink of an eye, he’d reached the perimeter of the manor soldiers, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Before the horse even came to a halt, the Knight jumped off, tossed the reins to a nearby manor soldier, and strode directly over to the leading soldier. Without hesitation, he grabbed the man’s collar and slapped him twice, loudly and sharply.

"Why... Why hit me?" the man, clutching his face, demanded in stunned confusion.

"Hit you? If you doubt me, I’ll strike you dead this instant! Do you have any idea the disaster you’ve caused?" the Knight roared furiously.

After cursing him, the Knight discarded the man and walked straight up to Cheng Ziang, bowing politely with hands clasped in respect. "I presume you must be the delegation from the West. I, Anxiang Mao, greet the esteemed manor lords."

"Oh, you recognize us?" Cheng Ziang feigned surprise.

"Of course—who doesn’t know of the Saint’s renown?" The Knight’s demeanor grew even more deferential.

Cheng Ziang scrutinized him closely: a burly man with a full beard, likely in his late thirties or early forties, standing nearly six-foot-three—a literal fortress of a man.

He wore a lightweight metallic armor, custom-fitting and tailored perfectly to his frame, with no excess or awkwardness.

"Since you recognize us, why do you trouble us?" Cheng Ziang asked, pretending to grow indignant.

"It’s that fool who lacks eyes and dared to offend the esteemed Saints. I humbly, on behalf of the Anxiang family, offer our sincerest apologies," the Knight responded.

"Hehe," Cheng Ziang suddenly chuckled coldly, then replied, "We come from Hua State, having stayed briefly in Tianguan Town, where we heard much of the slander against your Anxiang family. I initially thought it mere baseless defamation, yet now it seems your reputation is well deserved."

Once Cheng Ziang confirmed that these people recognized his group and dared not offend them, he began to act arrogant and entitled.

Earlier, he’d carefully avoided any connection with the Qi State villagers, fearing it might lead to misunderstandings with these locals. But now that the Knight had acknowledged his identity, there was no need to worry about their interaction with the villagers.

"Rumors should not be trusted—I implore the manor lords to discern truth from hearsay."

The Knight’s reaction aligned perfectly with Cheng Ziang’s expectations. Once their status as the Advance Team was revealed, even if they’d mingled with the Qi State villagers, the Anxiang family would be forced to swallow their grievances.

After all, whether it was the Wen Family or the Wu Family, both were fervently vying to recruit the Saints to their own side. A Nascent Soul expert’s combat capability was undeniably impressive and invaluable.

However, back in Hua State, the Wu Family had clearly suffered great losses; the neutral Huayu Ting faction had seized the upper hand, leaving them humiliated and defeated.

Still, regardless of circumstances, the Saints were a force that had to be won over. Especially for the Wu Family, which valued strength above all else—a faction like the Saints, possessing Nascent Soul experts, would undoubtedly garner their utmost respect.

"During our time in Tianguan Town, we were first met with goodwill—the villagers warmly welcomed us. Yet here at Jufeng Pass, our first impression is deep hostility. It seems the Anxiang family has never intended to regard us as friends, hmm?" Cheng Ziang pressed on, further needling the Knight.

Hearing these words, the Knight fell silent for a moment, then suddenly turned and slapped the soldier who had earlier obstructed the Advance Team. The sound was so loud that not only the Advance Team but also the surrounding manor soldiers heard it.

Clutching his face, the soldier stared at the Knight with wide eyes, his gaze brimming with grievance.

"Imbecile! You nearly caused a disaster—do you understand that? Apologize to the manor lords immediately!" the Knight shouted angrily.

Thanks to his mask, Cheng Ziang maintained a smile throughout, observing the two men’s actions. Naturally, he was fully aware this was simply a ploy—a deliberate show of regret—but he chose not to expose them.

"What crime have I committed?" the soldier asked, still clutching his face, his voice filled with incomprehension and indignation.

"You have eyes but fail to see—you offended the Saints and nearly plunged the Anxiang family into catastrophe, yet you dare demand to know your crime?" The Knight jabbed his finger at the soldier’s nose, a look of bitter frustration on his face.

"I faithfully carried out my duties, blocking enemies traveling from west to east—what crime is there in that? How could I possibly know who they are? For all I know, they could be spies for the villagers!" the soldier argued in a loud voice.

"Spies... You only know to shout about spies, yet you’re incapable of distinguishing friend from foe!" The Knight was livid, his fury boiling over as he slapped the soldier again.

For Cheng Ziang, this was his first time encountering someone so thick-headed—the Knight had already given him an easy out, yet the man stubbornly clung to his views.

"People who travel from west to east are likely with the Huayu Family or the villagers—not good people in either case. What’s there to figure out?" the soldier continued to retort stubbornly.

"But these esteemed individuals are honored guests—they must not be offended! You fool, all you know are the Huayu Family and the villagers, yet you fail to recognize the renown of the Saints?" The Knight reprimanded him fiercely.

"I don’t recognize them!" the soldier replied defiantly, raising his chin.

"Sigh..."

Witnessing this exchange, Cheng Ziang couldn’t help but conceal his laughter, lowering his head.

The Knight was utterly enraged but at a loss for what to do. He began to realize that possessing knowledge indeed had its merits—at the very least, one could exercise judgment and accept a way out when offered.

However, dealing with someone stubbornly ignorant, uninformed, and stubborn to a fault left him completely helpless. After all, they were both members of the Anxiang Clan, and it wasn’t as if he could simply execute the man.

"Sigh," Cheng Ziang sighed in exasperation upon seeing the stalemate between the two.

Upon hearing his sigh, the Knight turned back awkwardly, bowing and apologizing, "Please pardon this fool’s ignorance, I beg the Saints’ magnanimity..."

"We don’t want to listen to your squabbling. The Saints are travel-weary and already fatigued—we don’t wish to be disturbed any further. Let bygones be bygones regarding his previous offense; now clear the way and allow us passage." Cheng Ziang said impatiently.

"Thank you, Saints, for your mercy."

Relieved to hear these words, the Knight let out a sigh of relief and immediately glared at the soldier, shouting angrily, "Get lost, you idiot!"

"Understood..."

After his temper subsided, the soldier seemed to realize the situation. This time, he responded meekly, refraining from any further defiance.

With the path cleared, the Advance Team’s carriage was able to proceed. The Knight quickly led his horse to follow alongside the carriage, his demeanor obsequious.

Cheng Ziang, seated by the carriage window, observed the Knight’s behavior and asked, "What should I call you, good sir?"

"Ah, I am Anxiang Mao, commander of the troops stationed at Jufeng Pass," the Knight replied respectfully.

In truth, the title "commander" was a non-official military designation within the Dongsheng Empire’s provincial forces.

The name "commander" derives from the act of stationing soldiers—a historical Kyushu term that evolved into an official title. Over time, it no longer referred solely to stationed soldiers but also came to signify the highest-ranking officer of the force.

In terms more familiar to Earth inhabitants, Anxiang Mao was the highest military officer in charge of the defense of Jufeng Pass.

That said, a more precise label for Anxiang Mao’s role should be "checkpoint commander," emphasizing his primary jurisdiction over Jufeng Pass itself rather than the troops it housed.

Since Anxiang Mao was the top-ranking officer of this military force, it was clear that these were undoubtedly manor soldiers under the Anxiang family’s authority.

After all, State Clans were forbidden from holding official positions, including military ones. And with the Anxiang family being Qi State’s leading clan, it meant none of its members could officially occupy positions within Qi State, whether as civil officials or military commanders.