Firefly Journey

Chapter 146 Rescuing the Journalists in Action (3)

Chen Qingchen thought to himself, "You're not stupid; you already know how to lie."

"You are a 'Soul Shepherd,' and that 'Black Abyss' is just a container you use to hold your spirit. That reason is far too far-fetched."

"Oh dear, you've found out."

The little girl wasn't angry at all. She looked at Chen Qingchen with such pitiful eyes that no one could bear to scold her.

Chen Qingchen smiled and said, "Tell me, did your brother send you?"

Lu Hongxiu said with a grin, "Uncle, you're really amazing. You even guessed that the mastermind behind this is my imperial brother. He was afraid of being scolded by you if he wrote a letter directly, so he asked me to come and ask you for advice."

The Green-Clad Sword Saint snorted coldly: "The sea of ​​learning is boundless, and the path to transcendence is most undesirable when one is half-hearted. Now he wants to cram at the last minute. Where was he before?"

Sword energy... it's not exactly simple, but it's not particularly difficult either. How about this, I'll write a letter later and send it to him directly using pigeons from the palace."

"That would be wonderful!" The little girl was delighted, because this way, many of the treasures in the Eastern Palace would become hers.

"follow me."

After having touched on the child's little thoughts, Chen Qingchen said something indifferently, then turned and left.

Lü Hongxiu followed closely behind. After walking for a while, she couldn't help but ask, "Uncle, where are we going?"

"Come to my place, I'll make you a bowl of mushroom soup. It's a rare opportunity for you to come here, you can't leave without a meal."

"Is it good?" Lü Hongxiu asked.

"It's delicious." Chen Qingchen smiled gently. "Your mother loved it back then."

……

……

After confirming that the reporter was in the city lord's mansion, Lin Yuanran returned to the inn and immediately sent out the little clay figure.

It would take some time for the three of them to go back and forth, so they took a break first.

The next morning, the little mud figure who had gone out at night returned with a message.

After discussing with Chief Iru, the Nehr brothers decided not to wait a moment longer. By the time the little mudman set off, Chief Iru had also returned to the Black Mountain tribe to gather his people and, together with the Wagri Alliance forces, put pressure on the Imperial army to the east.

The pressure from the front lines was merely a feint; the real objective was to secretly rescue the journalist. In the city of Selyol, the Empire's superhumans were as numerous as hairs on a cow, and relying solely on three students from St. Louis, it was undoubtedly a pipe dream to succeed.

Rumor has it that Commander Mond Toby is a "fighter" who has undergone three awakenings over a decade, and no one knows how far he is from reaching the level of a demigod.

Even "Ironstone" Iru, who is also a third-level awakener, is probably no match for him.

Even if the pressure on the front lines suddenly increases, Mondstadt will not rush there unless absolutely necessary; he can only serve to draw attention away from the front lines.

The only good news is that the enemy is in the open while we are in the dark; the Empire should not yet know that Lin Yuanran and his group have already found out Viktor's location.

Iru decided to come to Seror City in person to participate in the rescue. However, his orc body and easily recognizable face had already earned him a warrant for arrest by the Empire, making it impossible for him to infiltrate the city. He could only meet him outside the city.

The Nel brothers were not powerful enough to do much in Seror City, and would even become a burden. So the two of them were responsible for directing the allied forces to exert pressure.

Surprisingly, Hugh, the strategist of the Valkyr tribe, was actually a second-stage awakening transcendent. He wasn't on the Empire's wanted list, which allowed him to infiltrate and provide assistance. After spending a few days with him, he seemed gentle and refined, not the type to wield weapons.

Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a "prophet." Lin Yuanran had actually come into contact with the profession of prophet by chance. At that time, the "fraudster" Eriello possessed the body of the traveling merchant Piero, and the two did business together.

However, the one who actually made the deal with Elilo was his teacher, Cassius, who was completely unaware of it.

Although Hugh is currently only a second-awakening "prophet" and not a third-awakening "enlightened one," back then, Erilo manipulated all forces with just a half-true, half-false message. This shows that none of the extraordinary individuals who take this path are kind-hearted.

For a covert operation, it's better to have a select few rather than a large number of people. Apart from Hugh, the Vagri Alliance didn't send anyone else, but that was enough.

As long as the reporter is taken out of the city, with the great god Iruka around, even if Namonde himself takes action, he will only be able to sigh in vain.

What Lin Yuanran and the other two need to do now is to be patient and wait, to wait for Hugh's arrival, and to wait for the Frozen Plains Tribal Alliance to take action on the Imperial front.

……

……

"Father, are you looking for me?"

On the sturdy walls of Seror, Mond Toby stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the distant snowfield.

Young Locke approached respectfully and bowed. In front of Mond, he was just a child, not daring to breathe loudly, let alone being as arrogant and unreasonable as he was when facing Benjamin.

"how old are you?"

Even though Locke was highly regarded by Mond, he had many adopted sons, and he couldn't remember all the details about each one.

“I’ll be 17 in another month,” Locke said truthfully.

“Hmm…” Mond said slowly, “The Academy Grand Competition held by the Duchy of Bema is supposed to deepen the ties between the Ancestral God Churches, but in reality, it’s just an excuse to show off.”

Those old fogies of the Holy See, who pride themselves on being the world's greatest church and Julius the head of all gods, don't realize that's just wishful thinking. Our lineage of the God of War isn't necessarily weaker than them.

Locke was somewhat confused, not knowing what these words had to do with Mondl summoning him, so he could only stand there silently.

Mond continued, "Go back to Horrock in a month."

Locke's eyes narrowed: "You mean, you want me to go back to school and represent the Empire... no, represent the Fighting Arena, to participate in this Academy Grand Competition?"

Locke was naturally clever and quick-witted, possessing exceptional comprehension skills, which was one of the reasons Mondstadt liked him.

Mond nodded slightly: "As far as I know, there have been very few people your age who have already become a third-level Awakener in the last hundred years. Don't those old fogies in the Vatican like to show off when they hold competitions? Well, I'll let them show off to their heart's content."

It would be hilarious to see a beautiful dream you've woven yourself torn apart.

Locke smiled and said, "I understand, Father. The Empire must establish its authority before it can conquer the continent, and this competition is the perfect opportunity."

"Yes, do it well."

As the father and son were talking, a figure hurriedly walked up the city wall.

Benjamin, holding a thin piece of paper, stopped in front of Mond and said:

"Commander, a report from the front lines states that the Wagri Alliance, along with Black Mountain and some surrounding small tribes, has launched an attack on us and has already reached Tongyun Fortress."

Mondl took the battle report and glanced at it. His face showed no anxiety. With a gentle squeeze, the report turned into powder and drifted away into the distance.

"Finally couldn't hold back? I thought the duchy would be tougher this time, but it turns out they'll just let those brainless orcs lead the charge again."

The Duchy's aid to the northern tribes was something all parties were well aware of, though it wasn't explicitly stated.

Mond assumed that the pressure exerted by the various tribes was the result of the duchy's instigation. Little did he know, the duchy was completely unaware of the situation, and even if it had, it would not have launched a large-scale war because of an insignificant journalist.

The empire has its own internal disputes, and the duchy has its own sorrows.

Benjamin said nervously, "Then... should we intervene? The commander of Tongyun Fortress is already requesting reinforcements."

“Manage it, of course we have to manage it!” Mond laughed. “Not only do we have to manage it, we have to manage it in a big way, otherwise, I’m afraid the rats in this city won’t want to come out.”