Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Zhang Lisheng’s tone had a hint of ridicule in it. Still, he understood that following the operation model of the US government, adding on to the special nature of the intelligence department, it’s not surprising for a vague area like the foreign world in the New York coastal area to be a part of it. After all, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and even the Department of Defense all had jurisdiction in it to have ‘a tango of spies’ to appear in a critical operation.
Looking at the young man’s sardonic expression, Joss put on a smile that only a sly old politician would have and pointed behind him without the slightest concern. “Doctor, I believe Lieutenant-General Alison must have already told you that the Earth has also sent out eight people for this exploration mission. Other than three intelligence officers, the rest are elite soldiers who serve as team leaders and bodyguards.”
In Zhang Lisheng’s memory, the federal agents were always wearing suits and had solemn expressions. However, this time, he actually saw a different state of these intelligence officers.
Wearing simple, wear-resistant jackets and black hiking shoes, the Atlanteans looked like ordinary New Yorkers in Central Park for a fitness run in the late winter. Compared to the four professional Earth soldiers beside them who were all less than 180 centimeters but were wearing sunglasses, thick camouflage uniforms, and boots with heavy-looking bags, they seemed unprepared.
“Oh, Sir General, apart from Miss Alison, this is my first time finding federal intelligence officers to be not particularly jarring.” Looking in the direction of Joss’ finger, Zhang Lisheng fell into a moment of silence before smiling at them. “At the very least, they look much more normal compared to the soldiers you sent who plan to wear some cool-looking sunglasses as our bodyguards.”
“I did not assign them, Doctor.” Joss shook his head and reached out his head to whisper in the young man’s ears, “Captain Nordick and his team came from Area 51. They’re specially appointed by the White House to participate in this mission. I think you should know what it means, right?”
“Is this necessary, General?” Taken aback, Zhang Lisheng asked back in a whisper.
“Of course, although this mission is dominated by the Atlanteans, it’s still a very rare stage. In my opinion, there’s no harm in showing off Earth’s strength.”
“You should retire from the military and enter politics, General Joss,” The young man shrugged and laughed. “Becoming a member of parliament or a minister is more suitable for you than the commander of a military base.”
Then, he moved his head away.
While both of them were whispering, Alansol pretended to be blind and deaf as he looked at the seascape outside the window with a pleasant expression. By the time Zhang Lisheng and Joss had ended their private conversation, he immediately turned his head at them. “It’s already late now, General Joss, Dr. Zhang. Shall we depart?”
“It’s indeed time for departure,” Joss nodded and looked at Zhang Lisheng as he asked, “What do you think?”
“I have no objection,” The young man smiled and replied.
Just like this, the foreign world expedition consisting of the two civilizations of Atlantis and Earth embarked on a journey. The vehicle they used was actually a local ferry formerly sailing between Shrimp B1 Island and the new New York port.
The ship was only 60 to 70 meters long and not over 20 meters wide, with a two-story deck. The exposed deck had a canopy covering its middle to shield them from the rain.
After twenty minutes, standing on the bow of the ship facing the cold wind while looking at the distant sea, Zhang Lisheng curled his lips. “I first thought that I’d have the opportunity to embark on an aircraft carrier or light energy ship from Atlantis. I can’t believe that we actually travel on a public ferry. Had I known about this earlier, I might as well just ask for a yacht to be sent over.”
Alison, who was beside the young man, listened to him complaining for the umpteenth time and merely smiled without saying a word. Although she never regarded this mysterious yellow-skinned, black-haired young man as a superficial nouveau riche, she still felt bothered when she heard what he said.
At this time, the light curtain that the Atlanteans had already set up finally entered their sight. A faint glimpse of light flashed across Zhang Lisheng’s eyes. Sighing, he shrugged and said, “Ah, forget it. There’s nothing that can be done even if I say more. I’ll go to the washroom. I hope it’s not really as disgusting as a real public ferry.
After saying so, he left the bow of the ship and hid in the toilet.
The hard surface of the ship did not block the strange light of the Atlantean civilization. When they passed the light curtain, the skin of the young man was still burnt until it emitted smoke.
“This is really f*cked up! Don’t tell me that even gods can’t stop these red lights, damn Atlanteans, damn, damn…” Zhang Lisheng hid in the toilet cubicle while cursing with a twisted face. Transforming his finger using the lizard’s transformation power, his nails grew sharper and longer. This allowed him to make a deep cut on his chest so he could draw out the heat flow tumbling in his body.
When the heat flow dissipated, he took a few deep breaths and flushed the toilet before cheering himself up. Although it looked like nothing had happened to him, he was actually returning to the deck with vigilance.
At this time, the ferry had already entered the waters of the foreign world. When Zhang Lisheng saw that no one was paying attention to him, he could not help but feel relaxed. However, when he stood on the bow, enjoying the sea breeze for a while, he suddenly heard a melodious female voice resonating from the steering cabin. “Mr. Lisheng, can you come over?”
“Of course, Madam Someril,” When the young man recognized this voice, he became tensed once again. After crossing half of the deck, he put on a calm facade and walked into the steering cabin, “What’s the matter?”
“It’s like this, Mr. Lisheng. Captain Nordick and I think that we can skip going to the Earth garrison camp on the Shrimp B1 Island to learn about the intelligence there and go directly to the native tribe. What do you think?” Someril asked with a smile.
“I hate troublesome matter the most. Of course, it’d be better if we can simplify some steps,” Zhang Lisheng nodded, as though a heavyweight had been lifted from his heart. “Do you need me to point the way for you? Even though I’m not too familiar with the sea route, my sense of direction is still…”
“It’s alright, Doctor, we have a nautical chart,” Nordick, who had been serious and solemn, interrupted the young man and said.
“Oh, Captain Nordick, you finally spoke.” Zhang Lisheng had a position that was vaguely higher in the mission team, so he was very casual in the way he talked. “We may have to work together for a long time, so there’s no need to be too polite. You and Madam Someril can call me ‘Lisheng.’”
Since the young man expressed his goodwill, despite her unwillingness to address Zhang Lisheng in such a manner, Someril had no choice but to agree to it out of politeness. However, before she could open her mouth, Nordick, who was by the side, had already refused. “No, I hope you call me by Captain Nordick, so I’ll continue to call you by ‘Doctor.’”
“Since Captain Nordick has already said so, I’ll call you ‘Doctor,’ too.” Someril looked at Nordick, who was beside her, in confusion before seizing this opportunity to put on a helpless expression.
“It looks like your personality is not too lively, Captain Nordick. It’s only a name, so it doesn’t really matter what you wanna call me…” In the face of the stiff manner of the chief soldier from the mysterious Area 51, Zhang Lisheng, who had not been talked back for no reason, could not help but frown. As his expression turned cold, he also answered stiffly.
However, before he could finish his words, he suddenly felt a wonderful, fantastic sense out of the depths of his soul. The world seemed to be slowly skinned off layer by layer, becoming much livelier.
Taking a deep breath, the annoyance in his heart disappeared in an instant. The young man pointed at the massive island in the distance. He smiled brightly, “Even if you have a lively or gloomy personality and even if you’re from Earth or from Atlantis, I’d like to welcome both of you to Wizard Li Island.”
Accompanied by Zhang Lisheng’s courteous voice, the ferry continued to advance on winds and waves. Over ten minutes later, it reached the offshore waters of Shrimp B1 Island.
The island was not huge, but millions of trees with strange bearings were clearly visible. The peculiar beasts leaping around the densely connected tree canopies like an umbrella and the swarm of insects flying everywhere had also entered the sight of the ferry passengers.
The air had started to spew a hint of freshness in its salty water while. Looking at the shore filled with endless green, many people on the ship showed a gleeful expression.
At this moment, over ten strange birds that were about fifteen meters long—twenty meters if both of its wings were widely spread open—with giant sharp claws and Tyrannosaurus-like head swooped down from the sky, surrounding the ferry in different layers.
Since the passengers on board were well-trained, nobody cried out in surprise. However, in the face of such a terrible raptor, even Someril, a person who mastered a powerful light and heat supernatural ability, also showed a cautious expression. Captain Nordick and his three men, on the other hand, were soldiers, so one could even see traces of muscles bulging under their camouflage wear.
“Don’t be nervous, don’t be nervous. This animal is called Dragon Hawk. It’s a kind of ‘warrior companion’ that the Wizard Li tribe had bred. It is just like the warhorses we used to have on Earth.” Sensing that the atmosphere was getting heavier. Zhang Lisheng waved his arm and said suddenly. “It’s actually a very tame animal if you can communicate with it.”
After saying so, the young man ran back to the ship bow and stood on his toes to stroke the chin of the strange bird. Then, he proceeded to talk while using a plethora of hand gestures to the native, who had his spear stuck beside him while holding a hand cannon that looked like a trumpet. He was standing in the basket tied on the broad back of the weird raptor.
When the native saw Zhang Lisheng’s face, he immediately lowered his hand cannon and began to bow. It was done in a way that was not too respectful but was at least sincere. When the young man finished talking, the native put on a dilemma expression but still nodded, before pulling out a horn to blow on it.
In an instant, over ten giant birds flapped their wings and flew back to the sky. The water droplets that they shook off sprinkled on the people on the ferry like rains till they became drenched.
