Necromancer, summoning 055? What the heck?

Chapter 82 Safe Return to the Clouds

The Flying Shuttle, an amphibious electric motorcycle, showcased its versatility to the starry world for the first time.

After rushing down the riverbank, two inflatable airtight membranes unfolded on the side of the [Flying Shuttle]. The rapidly spinning motors pumped air into them, and the airtight membranes inflated like life jackets, steadily supporting the heavy vehicle body.

On the side of the wheel, pop-out paddles serve as oars. Although the paddles are a bit small, they are fast enough to propel the boat forward without any hindrance.

It is thanks to this system that the [Flying Shuttle] can float directly across the river.

Whether it was the scattered elite scouts on the riverbank or the zircon commanders surrounding the mage's scouting eye in the bridgehead camp, they could only look at each other and watch as Chen Mo calmly crossed the river, went ashore, retracted his wing membrane, and rode away.

Before leaving, Liu Shuang fired a shot toward the south bank of the river, shattering the zircon three-tower flag planted on the embankment.

The drooping flag fell heavily into the river, crashing into the rushing water and instantly swallowed by the turbid waves.

Thus, the massive manhunt, which involved tens of thousands of people and cost tens of millions in equipment, supplies, and magical items, has turned into a grand farce.

Chen Mo didn't feel anything special. In his hometown dialect, it's like a Ferrari racing a wheelchair; even if he wins, there's no real prestige involved.

However, after confirming her safety, the young princess, who seemed to have forgotten everything these past few days, couldn't help but tear up again as she looked at the land far behind her.

The little girl faced the opposite bank of the river, performed a fairly standard aristocratic salute, and stepped back onto the [flying shuttle].

"Now that we're here, shouldn't we know where we're from?"

Liu Shuang nodded gently: "Yes, it's about two hundred arrows' distance north from the bridge to Violet City in Cloud Mist Territory."

If you do the math, it's only forty kilometers, not even enough for half an hour at full speed.

However, this broken road means I can't go full speed.

"What kind of etiquette did you just perform? It looked different from before."

“That is a noble sacrificial ceremony, a ritual performed when a respected elder or venerable person passes away.”

"From what you're saying, there's going to be a sacrificial ceremony?"

"Yes, there are also the noble's flat sacrifice, the lower sacrifice... used on different occasions, there are a total of two hundred and sixty-two kinds of rituals. Lady Linda has told me about them many times, but I... I only remember a little bit..."

"..."

Chen Mo took a deep breath and offered a consolation that wasn't really comforting: "It feels like you've grown up all of a sudden!"

Liu Shuang put the spear back into the holster on her back, turned slightly to the side, and pressed her face against Chen Mo's back.

"Actually, Grandpa Locke's injury could be healed, but he was afraid I wouldn't leave, so he gave up..."

“Uncle Peiwen… he didn’t have to die…”

"And Linda, I used to think she was so annoying, always telling me to memorize my lessons... But from now on... no one will bother me anymore..."

"They all went to be with my mother, leaving me all alone here..."

Her voice trailed off, finally fading into an almost inaudible sigh: "What else can I do if I don't grow up?"

Chen Mo felt a damp, cool sensation on his back. After thinking for a while, he still didn't know how to comfort him, so he tried to change the subject: "What are your plans after you go back?"

Liu Shuang paused slightly, seemingly reluctant, but replied with unusual determination, "I'm going to practice!"

"I'm still Iron Badge, I can't even charge properly... Uncle Peiwen's charge is the best in the Duchy, I haven't even properly learned it..."

"I'll go back and tell my father that I want to go to Qiyue Academy!"

The young princess suddenly sat up straight, her hand twirling Chen Mo's sleeve: "When I return from Qiyue, I will definitely complete my job awakening! Just like Uncle Peiwen, I will become a Golden Scale Swordsman!"

"When the time comes... when the time comes, will you come find me?"

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Okay!"

He had a feeling that this was the young princess's advance farewell and invitation.

A breeze swept across the fields, bringing the fresh scent of grass and wisps of grass. This washed away the salty, fishy smell from their clothes, which hadn't been changed in a long time, and the two girls, now freed from their predicament, felt their spirits lift.

On the last day of November in the year of Qiyue Leiting, Chen Mo and the young princess, spear and sword in hand, crossed the scattered enemy outposts on the Crystal Plain, passed outside Violet City, and continued northward without stopping, accompanied by thirty elite cavalrymen sent by the Violet City garrison, until they reached the capital of Cloud Mist Territory—Cloud Mist City.

Upon receiving the news, Earl Flowing Cloud, one of the Emerald Three Pillars and Lord of Cloud Mist Territory, codenamed Cloud Mist Blade, who rushed back from the western front overnight, personally hosted a grand welcome banquet.

Of course, it was to welcome his daughter, the Earl's daughter, Princess Yunwu.

Is Liu Shuang's identity important? Not really.

However, given that the Emerald Duchy is currently besieged on three sides and has suffered significant losses, the fact that the Earl's daughter, along with her entourage, fought their way from the Stream Moon Federation to the Green Pine Kingdom, traversing two major enemy nations, and returned safely makes this event all the more significant.

War is a game you can't afford to lose.

Even if you suffer a crushing defeat, you still have to shout that you've won big. What's more, this is an absolutely legendary experience.

At such a time, a great "local victory" is of immense value to overall strategic confidence.

Therefore, Liushuang's achievements must be recorded in great detail!

As for Chen Mo...

That belongs to "a group of people".

After a grand welcoming banquet, the Earl personally received Chen Mo.

The meeting place was the inner hall of the Earl's mansion, where the Earl and his chief staff discussed important matters concerning the territory. Its status was second only to the main hall where all officials of the territory gathered for meetings.

The etiquette officer guiding Chen Mo naturally had to clearly express the importance of this.

"Sir, please come this way!"

“Since the Earl received the title of National Merit, apart from Lord Shadowblade of the Duchy who visited before, you are the second distinguished guest whom the Earl has personally greeted here. You are truly an honor beyond words.”

Chen Mo smiled politely: "Yes, it does sound very expensive."

Names are announced outside the door, invitations are sent inside.

As soon as Chen Mo stepped across the threshold, the Earl gave him a very solemn noble salute, bowing at a 65-degree angle.

Chen Mo had also heard the little princess recite her lessons before, and this was already the highest honor he could receive; it was truly the best he could do.

Adding even one degree would be considered a violation of aristocratic etiquette.

"Thank you, sir, for supporting my daughter all the way!"

The count was around fifty years old, with bronze skin, short iron-gray hair, and a sharp military air wrapped in the dignity of someone who had long held a high position.

The Earl asked Chen Mo to sit down, his voice unusually loud: "I should have given you a proper welcome, but there are some things that are beyond my control, and I can only ask for your understanding."

"My Yunwu Territory is small and its soldiers are few; it is truly unworthy of the wrath of a great power."

In just a few words, Chen Mo understood the Earl's meaning.

Although the Jade Kingdom is an independent kingdom, it borders the sphere of influence of the Qiyue Dynasty to the west and the kingdoms connected with the Wuyue Divine Court to the south, placing it at the forefront of the confrontation between the two super powers.

At this time, if rumors were to spread about Chen Mo, who is said to be from the "Sky Empire" and whose identity is unclear, it would be detrimental to the Emerald Kingdom.

Only a top-tier comprador could pull off something like this, colluding with a third party while caught between two major powers.

Earl Liuyun is clearly not one of them, so Liushuang must step into the limelight, and Chen Mo must remain behind the scenes.

The count repeatedly expressed his apologies, and Chen Mo actually developed a certain fondness for the other party's straightforward style.

"Whether you welcome me or not is not my concern. I fully understand your position and situation." Chen Mo took out a letter from his pocket and placed it on the tea table beside him. The servant beside him bowed and handed it to the Earl.

“I had an agreement with Captain Peiwen before. He asked me to escort Princess Liushuang back and agreed to two conditions.”

"I don't know, does it still count?"

(End of this chapter)