Chapter 1884: Chapter 1877: Return to Lipei

“Long time no see, Luo’er.”

He came up to Luo’er with a warm smile on his face.

“Same here, Murong.”

Luo’er also smiled.

This person was none other than Murong, the captain of the Second Vanguard Team. He was clearly sent here to support the First Vanguard Team.

“Teacher Zhu,” Murong put away his smile, looked at Zhuyan Yu, saluted solemnly, and said, “It’s so great to see that you are all safe.”

“I thought you wouldn’t recognize me anymore.” Zhuyan Yu playfully teased with a smile.

“I wouldn’t dare, you are our teacher after all.” Murong said respectfully.

“Then why didn’t you smile when you saw me?” Zhuyan Yu tilted her head and asked.

“Uh… because you are the teacher, after all.” Murong said somewhat awkwardly.

“Did headquarters send you to support us?” Luo’er asked.

“Yes,” Murong nodded, continuing, “The High-peak people don’t intend to let the Mugaria head to Lipei, so we had to rent an airboat to come and transport you.”

“Are you here alone?” Luo’er asked.

“Of course not.” Murong shook his head and then turned to look back.

Following his gaze, Luo’er saw a familiar and graceful figure approaching, a charming smile on her delicate face.

“Hi, long time no see, Luo’er.”

Her voice was still so gentle and alluring.

“Long time no see, Shangguan Jiu.” Luo’er awkwardly waved his hand and said.

“Didn’t I tell you? Just call me Xiao Jiu.” Shangguan Jiu showed a chiding expression and said.

“Haha, well…”

Luo’er smiled guiltily, clearly feeling the resentment from behind.

Murong stepped forward, looked at Luo’er seriously, and said, “When we heard you were in trouble, we were all worried sick. Everyone at the office got a severe scolding. Only after headquarters beseeched Xia Yue’s help did we finally breathe a sigh of relief.”

“Xia Yue…”

Luo’er paused for a moment, suddenly remembering he had dreamt of Xia Yue once.

“Is everyone at the office okay now?” he asked worriedly.

“Don’t worry, once we knew you were safe, everyone relaxed. Although not entirely without punishment, at least things didn’t escalate, right?” Murong said with a wry smile.

“Anyway, it’s good that you’re all fine,” he exhaled deeply and looked at Luo’er again, saying, “Headquarters wants you back immediately. Sorry for not having the chance to properly welcome you.”

“That’s not important, what I want to know is, how is Lipei doing now?” Luo’er waved his hand and asked.

“Things are not looking good on the Odelanqi side. The Kingdom’s army has already had small conflicts with the Church Court’s forces, and Gudelv seems to be waiting for Earth’s position. But in any case, he’s determined to fight to the end.” Murong said.

“The situation is urgent,” he continued, “headquarters needs you to stabilize the situation, so they sent us to bring you back.”

“I understand.”

Luo’er nodded solemnly.

“If there are no issues, we should depart immediately. The airboat is ready.” Murong said.

After saying this, he looked at Mooer and courteously said, “Commander Mooer, please excuse our suddenness; since the entire Vanguard Team has arrived, we will depart immediately.”

“Leaving now?” Mooer widened his eyes in surprise and asked.

“Yes,” Murong nodded, showing a puzzled expression, “Didn’t we agree beforehand? Once everyone arrives, we take them.”

“Oh, no, it’s nothing…” Mooer waved his hands repeatedly, finally sighing helplessly and shaking his head, “Alright, just take them first, and I’ll visit Lipei when I have time.”

After that, his deep gaze lingered on Tangmo, involuntarily sighing.

Under Murong’s lead, the Vanguard Team weaved through the bustling crowd and headed towards the airboat, escorted by the Marine Corps.

Along the way, Cheng Ziang quietly approached Luo’er, glanced back, squinted, and whispered, “Commander Mooer’s attitude towards Sister Moumou is quite off; does this mean…”

“It’s possible,” Luo’er nodded, serious, and said, “Most likely, headquarters disclosed Moumou’s identity to prompt the High-peak people to go to the East Continent to pick up people sooner.”

“A reunion of father and daughter,” Cheng Ziang glanced at Tangmo and then asked, “Should we tell her?”

“Let’s not interfere, that’s a family affair. Either let Commander Mooer tell her himself or have headquarters inform her directly.” Luo’er shrugged indifferently.

“What are you guys talking about, being all secretive?” Tangmo leaned over and asked curiously.

“Nothing, just some men’s secrets.”

Cheng Ziang chuckled and tactfully stepped aside.

“Oh, men’s secrets,” Tangmo made a mock-retching gesture, then looked at Luo’er and said, “Luo’er, why do I feel like that Mooer is looking at me weirdly?”

“Is he?” Luo’er shrugged, blinking, and said, “Maybe because you once protected his wife and kids, perhaps?”

“I don’t think that’s it.”

Tangmo shook her head seriously,

“Then what could it be?” Luo’er asked.

“I just feel like he’s taken a liking to me…” Tangmo whispered, her expression serious.

“Haha…”

Hearing her words, Luo’er couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.

“What are you laughing at? You’re happy someone else is eyeing me, aren’t you?” Tangmo glared at him, asking discontentedly.

“Don’t overthink it, he’s been married for years now.” Luo’er said helplessly.

“That’s not easy to say,” Tangmo murmured, “Like you, aren’t you still indecisive?”

“Uh…”

Luo’er scratched his head guiltily.

“Anyway, your situation is still under my control,” Tangmo exhaled a long breath and continued, “In any case, I don’t want to see him again.”

“This…”

Luo’er felt that the misunderstanding between them seemed to deepen.

“What, do you have something to say?” Tangmo stared at him suspiciously and asked, “Luo’er, are you hiding something from me?”

“Don’t overthink it…”

“Your expression isn’t fooling me,” Tangmo pointed at him and said, “You always have that look on your face when you have something on your mind.”

“It’s hard to explain right now, let’s talk about it when we get back.” Luo’er had to evade.

“Don’t forget then.” Tangmo warned.

“Don’t worry, I won’t forget.” Luo’er reassured gently.

Through the crowd filled with the sound of gongs and drums, the Vanguard Team quietly arrived at the airboat’s berth, where a squad of subhuman soldiers stood guard.

After a simple handover ceremony with the Dwarves’ Marine officers, the group, escorted by the subhuman soldiers, boarded the airboat already waiting for them.

This airboat was specifically rented for the transport of the Vanguard Team. After everyone boarded, the airboat didn’t linger and immediately took off, setting course towards Lipei.

Being a commercial airboat, its speed couldn’t compare to that of a new warship, but there was indeed a noticeable improvement in speed compared to before.

With breakthroughs in fundamental science by Source river technology, more and more Source river technology products are being manufactured, reflected in the airboat by a noticeable speed increase.

From Helros to Lipei, a route that should take a week now only takes five days to reach.

As Lipei came into view, everyone’s long-calm hearts finally started to stir.

Lipei now, compared to when they had left, appeared more prosperous and magnificent. Skyscrapers rose significantly in the suburbs’ New Town District, with a neat cement road network spreading throughout the city, making it hard to believe this was a city of the Magic World.

Cement embankments were built on both sides of the river, which seemed to have been deepened, calming the water flow significantly. Passing ships puffed out black smoke, giving an impression of prosperity.

The river’s side had airboat docks fed by irrigation, serving as Lipei’s air harbor. Dozens of commercial airboats docked at the berths, and overhead, you could see advertising airboats with banners slowly flying over the city.

Seeing all this, Murong turned back and smiled at the Vanguard Teammates, saying, “Welcome to Lipei, welcome home!”