Otherworld Advance Team-Chapter 1747 - 1740: Overestimating Oneself

"Damn it, you just refuse to admit it, right!" Xing Hu pointed at him and cursed angrily.

"Let it go, let it go..." Qingtang pulled on Xing Hu, speaking timidly.

"I have no time to bicker with you. If you have nothing to do with the Saints, then leave on your own. The Yichuan Clan only hosts Saints and not unrelated people." Yichuan Xv’s voice was cold.

"Bastard!"

After hearing these words, with his youthful vigor, Xing Hu exploded instantly. He pushed Qingtang aside with a shove and then directly swung his palm in an attack. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Facing the sudden attack from such a short distance, Yichuan Xv remained unruffled, instead calmly raising his palm to meet it. When the two palms collided, the instant burst of magical power stirred the air, even producing intense flashes, as the magic in the air twisted fiercely.

After the flashes dissipated, Xing Hu flew away three or four meters like a kite with a broken string and rolled messily on the ground several times. When he finally managed to steady himself, he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Jiedan Realm enduring a Golden Core Realm attack, the outcome is unlikely to be good. Xing Hu was directly counterattacked by Yichuan Xv’s magical power, rupturing his main meridian. Though it wasn’t a severe injury, he couldn’t drive his magic power for a while.

"Xing, Xing Hu!"

Qingtang screamed and scrambled to Xing Hu, helped him up, and seeing his miserable state, she couldn’t help but start to sob.

"To be so strong at such a young age, not bad. Considering you’re a disciple of the Hongying Sect, I won’t block your meridian. Be cautious from now on." Yichuan Xv calmly withdrew his hand as if nothing had happened.

His words indicated that he had indeed shown mercy just now. Because such palm-to-palm combat is a highly dangerous form of battle with numerous opportunities for manipulation.

As previously mentioned, Yichuan Xv could have, upon contact with Xing Hu’s palm, directly sealed the meridian in his palm. This would cause Xing Hu’s internal power to counterattack him, and with Yichuan Xv’s formidable internal power injection, he might have even shattered Xing Hu’s arm.

"Overconfident and foolish," Yichuan Xv said expressionlessly, turning to look at the restlessly moving manor guards and cursing, "What do you all want to do? Think I can’t handle him?"

"Subordinates dare not. The Young Lord’s divine power extends throughout Kyushu. We commoners dare not compete with the Young Lord." The manor guards sheathed their swords, bowed their heads, and spoke respectfully.

Their address represents Yichuan Xv’s status in their minds.

As stated before, "Manor" and "Lord" have different meanings. Whether the manor guards call someone a manor lord or a lord determines that person’s status in their hearts.

Therefore, calling Yichuan Xv the Young Lord actually perceives him as the young master of the Yichuan Clan, rather than a general of the Imperial Court.

And they address him thus because they are manor guards of the Yichuan Clan and not soldiers of the Imperial Court, so naturally, they don’t care about Yichuan Xv’s general title in the Imperial Court.

This distinction is common in Kyushu because many officials of the Imperial Court are from noble families, meaning they hold two identities. Hence, whether they are called a manor lord or a lord is significant to them.

Only officials from civilian backgrounds would prefer to be called a manor lord.

Because although the title of a lord is also spread among civilians, in officialdom, such a title is as meaningless as being the director of a public restroom.

Of course, "Manor Lord" is an exception, a third type of address with broad use. It’s widely used not only among the upper class but also among commoners.

Having a general from the Imperial Court lead the manor guards of a great noble family to welcome Saints seems very strange at first thought.

But a closer analysis reveals it’s not strange because if the Imperial Court directly sent troops to welcome the Saints, it gives a sense of an official endorsement.

As the ruling clan faction, the Wen Family naturally wouldn’t want to misuse state credibility to gain benefits for themselves. This is the main reason why the Imperial Court did not send anyone to welcome the Advance Team upon their arrival in Kyushu.

It’s important to know that the Dongsheng Empire comprises both the Wen Family and the Wu Family. If the Imperial Court directly takes action to bring the Saints to the Capital City, it’s equivalent to overstepping and exercising the rights of the Wu Family, which could severely damage the nation’s credibility.

The Wu Family might cease to follow orders, possibly breaking away from the Imperial Court’s control, which is something the Wen Family ruling group doesn’t want to see.

Yichuan Xv’s position is as a Court Martial General. After military reforms, this position now ranks just below the Imperial Commander, also overseeing the Forbidden Army, similar to the commander of the Capital garrison forces.

The Imperial Commander is akin to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military official in the Dongsheng Empire. The position is currently held by the outstanding Gaofeng Yang from the Gaofeng Family of Yun State.

Beneath the position of Court Martial General are various generals of the southeast, southwest, and northwest, ranked from high to low as Conquer, Zhen, and An.

Only a general with the rank of Conquer can be called a Great General, such as the Western Conquest General. Zhen and An can only be called General, such as General Zhendong, General Anbei, and so on.

These generals are both military ranks and military positions. Conquer generals mainly handle the Empire’s external wars. For instance, an expedition to the West Outer Heaven would be launched by a Conquer General in name.

Of course, before military reforms, the title of General was only nominal, with actual command exercised by various supreme commanders.

Zhen-ranked generals mainly handle interstate wars within the Empire. An-ranked generals mainly handle local conflicts within states or counties. Thus, besides the southeast, southwest, and northwest, An-ranked generals have many other titles, not limited to these four categories.

Hearing the commotion outside, Cheng Ziang and others rushed over. After understanding the situation, he took the initiative to bow and apologize to Yichuan Xv: "Xing Hu is just starting out, ignorant of worldly matters, and I hope the Young Mansion can forgive. If there’s any punishment, please punish me instead."

"Why should I lower myself to such people? However," Yichuan Xv glanced at Xing Hu with disdain and then said, "I was ordered to escort you to the Capital, but there’s no permission to bring others along."

"What does the Young Lord mean by this," Cheng Ziang questioned unceremoniously, "The Saints have their own decisions in matters. You are here to escort, not to interfere. Isn’t that overstepping? Since when do you get to point fingers at what we do?"

Then he pointed at Xing Hu and Qingtang, loudly saying, "If you won’t escort us, then you can leave on your own. Without you, we can still reach Shengjing, and no one will point fingers at what we do."

Cheng Ziang’s tone seemed somewhat heavy, and after he finished speaking, the air around them grew deathly silent. The manor guards looked at each other, uncertain whether or not to take action.

"Hmph!"

Unexpectedly, faced with Cheng Ziang’s criticism, Yichuan Xv restrained himself, merely letting out a cold grunt and walking away, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The manor guards seemed somewhat surprised by Yichuan Xv’s reaction, and after he walked away, they gathered in small groups, whispering and occasionally glancing back at Cheng Ziang.

Ignoring the manor guards, Cheng Ziang walked straight to Xing Hu, frowning as he asked, "Are you alright?"

"It’s nothing. A little rest will suffice." Xing Hu waved his hand and gave an awkward smile.

"Why did you clash with Yichuan Xv? Don’t you know he’s a full realm above you?" Cheng Ziang sighed and asked.

"Of course I know, but...I couldn’t swallow my anger..." Xing Hu glanced at Qingtang and said, keeping his head down.

"Did you think about who would take care of Qingtang if you died? Do you think your responsibility ends by sending her back to the Yichuan Clan?" Cheng Ziang asked.

"Of course not..." Xing Hu shook his head, hesitating to speak.

"You want us to pick up the pieces, don’t you," Cheng Ziang said with a grim expression, mockingly, "Clearly you are Qing­-tang’s childhood sweetheart, yet treat yourself like dirt. You think as long as you die for her and entrust her to someone trustworthy, she will happily live the rest of her life. How could there be someone so foolish in this world? This isn’t just a matter of being inexperienced but rather having mush for brains."

"It’s not like that, I..." Xing Hu hung his head in shame.

"Using a mantis to stop a chariot, fluttering like a mayfly against an ancient tree, that’s your so-called courage, your so-called worthy sacrifice. Utterly foolish!" Cheng Ziang coldly dropped these words and, ignoring the embarrassed couple, turned around and entered the inn.

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