Translator: Legge
‘When the Great Hoodwinker set off for Stronghold 144, Wang Fengyuan specifically instructed him not to share with the future commander’s trusted aides that he was launching the Prosperous Northwest 3.0 plan.
After all, they were currently at the developmental stage of Stronghold 144. If those core figures were to suddenly find out about Ren Xiaosu’s plan and lose rationality, a lot of plans would probably get affected.
However, the Great Hoodwinker felt the matter could not be kept under wraps. Surely he could not make Commander Zhang hide himself before Ren Xiaosu’s return, right?
Moreover, he really wanted to go to the Kingdom of Sorcerers to have a look too.
In the past, he suggested he make a trip there personally. However, Zhang Jinglin and Wang Fengyuan did not agree as they were afraid he would encounter danger.
But now that he had revealed the information to Wang Yun and the others, it was equivalent to having 50% of the Northwest’s superhumans head to the Kingdom of Sorcerers together. In that way, he would not be in that much danger.
Based on their current situation, everything would be under control!
In the Great Hoodwinker’s opinion, if Commander Zhang stood for the Northwest’s present, Ren Xiaosu would represent the Northwest’s future. Although the future commander was very powerful, what if something were to happen to him?
On the same night, Wang Yun and the others packed their belongings and drove off. They were planning to abandon their vehicle at Ramhorn Ridge where they would start trekking on foot. This was the best route to avoid the outposts, but it wasn’t easy to travel, so only superhumans could pass through.
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In case they were stopped from leaving the Northwest, they even chose to travel off the beaten path while driving.
In truth, there was no need to do that. After all, with the Great Hoodwinker’s ID, he could basically go anywhere in the entire Northwest other than the private residences of residents.
However, the Great Hoodwinker was worried Wang Fengyuan and company would personally come and stop them after receiving the news.
As they traveled westwards in the car, Wang Yun and company were laughing and chatting happily. Even P5092, who was known to have a cold personality, was smiling throughout the journey.
It was as though they were not venturing deep into danger but going on a hike instead.
“Hey, what do you all think Future Commander’s Prosperous Northwest 3.0 plan is about? Raze the nation of sorcerers to the ground?” Ji Zi’ang asked.
Xun Yeyu said meekly in the car, “It might be about the same as the 2.0 version, like abducting some people back to the Northwest or something. Wouldn’t it be a little unrealistic to raze the entire nation of sorcerers to the ground?”
“You’ve underestimated Future Commander too much.” Wang Yun shook his head. “Didn’t the Great Hoodwinker say we have some intelligence agents stationed over there? They should have sent back some information. Great Hoodwinker, why don’t you give us a briefing on that place?”
“There’s nothing much to brief you on.” The Great Hoodwinker said, “All we know now is that there are extremely powerful sorcerers in that kingdom. They control the entire nation with a divine authority that’s above imperial authority. The secular society is also basically run by the various sorcerer clans
who control the economic lifeline of the entire kingdom. Actually, that’s the situation we hope to see as well. After all, with the sorcerer clans acting like feudal lords, it’s only a matter of time before their nation collapses. Only then will there be heroes or the ambitious stepping up to unite it.”
The Great Hoodwinker continued, “Initially, Commander Zhang’s plan was to wait until the interests of the magus families became divided. That isn’t something we can induce upon them but just how human nature plays out. So when the Kingdom of Sorcerers shows signs of falling apart, we’ll start our
counterattack plan. However, no one expected that Future Commander’s plan would be one step ahead of ours. Although we don’t really know what he’s thinking, we can only let him be.”
“Sorcerer clans?” Wang Yun muttered, “How many sorcerer clans are there in the entire kingdom?”
“About 40 something.” The Great Hoodwinker said, “We’ve only just started our intelligence gathering operations there, so the information we have is not complete.”
‘Wang Yun suddenly said, “Why don’t we make a bet then? I’ll bet 10,000 yuan that Future Commander can wipe out eight sorcerer clans.”
P5092 assessed Ren Xiaosu’s combat strength and said, “My bet is on 10 clans.”
The Great Hoodwinker said, “Then mine is 14.”
After that, everyone looked at the fair-skinned chubster in the car. Xun Yeyu was so nervous he nearly cried as his powerful teammates stared at him. “C-Can I not place any bets? I don’t have much money…”
“Bullshit.” The Great Hoodwinker said, “Future Commander pays you such a large salary every month, yet you don’t even have 10,000 yuan?”
“Tl guess 16 then,” Xun Yeyu said, feeling wronged.
Just as the young sorceress and her group were guessing how many people Ren Xiaosu had killed before, the all-star crew of the Northwest Army was making similar speculations. However, unlike the sorceress and her group’s grasp of Ren Xiaosu, the all-star crew was not guessing how many people
would get killed but how many sorcerer clans would get wiped out by their future commander.
At this moment, Luo Lan had just emerged from a waterfall in a mountain range somewhere in the Qing Consortium. Luo Lan no longer had any fat on his body. His burly figure was ripping with muscles, making him look like a large wrestler.
Although he still looked very fat, he was completely different from the past Luo Lan.
‘The logistics officer immediately brought him a towel and handed over a document as well. “Boss Luo, you instructed the intelligence agency to keep an eye on Ren Xiaosu’s movements. There have been some unusual observations, indeed, recently.”
“What’s unusual?” Luo Lan wondered, “Did he go back to the Central Plains again? Wait a minute, didn’t they say he was going to tour the outposts to visit the sentries?”
“Yes, him and Zhang Jinglin headed to the outposts outside Fortress 178 together. Their original plan was supposed to last for two months, but Zhang Jinglin returned in advance. However, there was no sight of Ren Xiaosu,” the soldier answered.
Luo Lan gasped. “He disappeared? He didn’t return to Stronghold 144?”
“Our spies at Stronghold 144 have all been sent back, so we don’t have any specific information. However, they can confirm he didn’t return with Zhang Jinglin,” the soldier said.
“Could that guy have gone to the territory of Fortress 178’s enemy to stir up trouble?” After Luo Lan dried himself, he shouted to a tent not far away, “Zhou Qi, stop sleeping! Hurry out. Let’s pack up and head to the Northwest!”
Zhou Qi walked out of his tent sleepily. “What’s the matter? Has the war with the Wang Consortium started?”
“The Wang Consortium still has to reorganize after taking care of the Zhou Consortium. It’s not their turn to attack us yet,” Luo Lan snapped at him. “I was asking you if you wanted to head to somewhere beyond the Northwest for a visit!”
Zhou Qi was taken aback for a moment before answering bluntly, “No!”
“Tl pay you!”
“Even if you pay me, I won’t go. It’s just the Gobi over there. What’s good about going to a godforsaken place like that?” Zhou Qi snapped.
“I heard the Kingdom of Sorcerers is located on the other side of the Gobi. As if I’d have the free time to visit that desert!” Luo Lan said, “Besides, don’t you want to experience the exotic culture of that kingdom?”
Zhou Qi was a little tempted. “Uh… tell me, what are we going there for?”
“To support Ren Xiaosu in battle, of course,” Luo Lan said proudly, “I’ve been training this hard for so long, so surely I must show off to hima little!”
Zhou Qi chuckled. “Of all the people you can show off to, why would you choose him?”
“That’s true..” Luo Lan said, “Whatever, let’s get moving immediately!”
