Chapter 396: with translation of chapter title

If we must say it, actually the spies planted in the Forest Church could still use one more.

Translation: "If we must say it, actually the spies planted in the Forest Church could still use one more."

Check: "If we must say it" = "If we must say it". "Actually, the spies planted in the Forest Church could still use one more." = "Actually, the spies planted in the Forest Church could still use one more." We'll keep.

Because he is a supreme god, Ji Ming feels his legs are still fairly agile, at least he doesn't need to learn from that Marquis Xu Ge who always has two servants carrying him around.

Translation: "Because he is an Upper God, Ji Ming finds his legs still fairly agile; at least he doesn't need to learn from that Marquis Xu Ge, who always has two lackeys carrying him around."

We need to keep "that Marquis Xu Ge" as "that Marquis Xu Ge". We'll translate as "that Marquis Xu Ge". Ensure we keep meaning.

So that little maid who is ruthless enough, cruel enough, and somewhat capable can be completely assigned to a more suitable place for her.

Translation: "So that little maid who is ruthless, cruel, and somewhat capable can totally be assigned to a place more suitable for her."

For example, like the Flower-rank Envoy Baili Xiang who has internal recommendation qualifications, starting from zero in the Forest Church, becoming a lowly envoy bent under the weight of internal relations.

Translation: "For example, the Flower-rank Envoy Baili Xiang, who has internal recommendation qualifications, started from zero in the Forest Church, becoming a lowly envoy bent under the weight of internal relations."

We need to keep "Flower-rank Envoy Baili Xiang" as "Flower-rank Envoy Baili Xiang". "a lowly envoy bent under the weight of internal relations" = "a lowly envoy bent under the weight of internal relations". We'll translate.

And as the supervisor of the entire Forest Church spy network, even if Baili Xiang's subordinates already have a Bai La, who would complain about having too many capable subordinates?

Translation: "As the overseer of the entire Forest Spy Network, even though Baili Xiang's subordinates already have a Bai La, who would complain about having too many capable subordinates?"

We need to keep "Bai La" as "Bai La". We'll treat as a nickname.

Thus he agreed to the little maid's addition, and the Forest Church quietly gained a Grass-rank Envoy codenamed "Cang Er".

Translation: "So he agreed to the little maid's addition, and the Forest Church quietly gained a Grass-rank Envoy codenamed Cang Er."

But these are matters for later; as the temporary commander, Baili Xiang still has more important matters to resolve.

Translation: "But that's all later; as the temporary commander Baili Xiang, he still has more important matters to settle."

——To wrap up this farce in which only the Forest Church suffered.

Translation: "——To wrap up this farce in which only the Forest Church suffered."

The first batch of believers sent out were merely cannon fodder to test the waters; once the decision was made to let them drink the "sweet dew", they could already be considered dead, so any losses don't matter.

Translation: "The first batch of believers sent out were just cannon fodder testing the waters; once it was decided to let them drink the "Sweet Dew," they could already be counted as dead, so any losses didn't matter."

The second batch of elite believers sent out are actually just slightly higher-grade cannon fodder; their main purpose is to provide cover, making it easier for higher-ranking believers and envoys to operate, so any losses are completely expected.

Translation: "The second batch of elite believers sent out were actually just higher‑grade cannon fodder; their main purpose was to provide cover, enabling higher‑rank believers and envoys to operate, so suffering losses was entirely expected."

But the Poison Snake, whom everyone hoped would first toy with the enemy commander and then swiftly counterattack to successfully assassinate the princess, was inexplicably killed in one move by that archbishop….

Translation: "But the Poison Snake, who was expected to first toy with the enemy commander then swiftly switch to an offensive to assassinate the princess, was inexplicably killed in one move by that archbishop……"

We need to keep "Poison Snake" as Poison Snake. "princess" princess.

It's really quite shocking to hear!

Translation: "It's really just too shocking to hear!"

As a result, the Wood-rank Envoys on the cliff, seeing this, felt neither anxious nor angry, but merely stared at each other in fear, to the point that even those who usually were most filial to the Poison Snake dared not speak.

Translation: "Thus the Wood-rank Envoys on the cliff, seeing this, felt neither anxiety nor anger, only exchanged glances, so fearful that even those who usually doted most on the Poison Snake dared not speak."

Taking this opportunity, Baili Xiang glanced left and right, quietly stepping forward a few steps from his position as a bystander,

Translation: "Taking the opportunity, Baili Xiang glanced left and right, then quietly stepped forward a few paces from his position as an onlooker,"

"Wait, we haven't lost yet; now isn't the time for regrets—we still have a chance to turn things around!"

Translation: ""Wait, we haven't lost yet; now isn't the time for regret—we still have a chance to turn things around!""

Huh???

Translation: "Eh???"

"Exactly!"

Translation: ""Exactly!""

"What Baili Xiang says makes sense!"

Translation: ""Baili Xiang Sir makes sense!""

"Support!"

Translation: ""Support!""

The headless‑insect woodies then remembered there was still a flower present, and they all chimed in, shielding him in the middle as if clutching a lifeline.

Translation: "The headless‑insect woodies then realized there was still a flower present, and they all chimed in, clutching at him like a lifeline and shielding him in the middle."

Heh…

Translation: "Heh……"

Baili Xiang secretly sneered in his heart, inevitably recalling the envoy's remark about "insects".

Translation: "Baili Xiang secretly sneered in his heart, inevitably recalling the Envoy Sir's remark about "insects and vermin.""

No wonder I always feel that even though I've become a flower, I'm still constantly gloomy; mixing with this bunch of scheming fellows, how could we ever accomplish anything great?

Translation: "No wonder he usually feels that even after becoming a flower, he's still gloomy everywhere; mixing with a bunch of scheming folks, how could he accomplish anything great?"

Therefore, as the biggest mole within the church, he has had his last bit of kindness worn away; although his smile remains gentle, his words have already been sharpened into a blade.

Translation: "Thus, as the Church's biggest internal traitor, he had his last shred of kindness worn away; though his smile remained gentle, his lips and tongue had already been honed into a blade."

"Everyone, although I've recently seemed to have many conflicts with Miss Poison Snake, in truth we're each just doing our own duties; personally I still greatly admire Miss Poison Snake."

Translation: ""Everyone, although I've recently seemed to clash a lot with Miss Poison Snake, it's really just each doing their own job; I personally still admire Miss Poison Snake.""

Moreover, it's not just empty rhetoric; this group of woodies previously worked under the Poison Snake, so easing relations with the deceased also counts as giving them a step up.

Translation: "And it's not just empty talk; those wooden lot before had worked under the Poison Snake, so easing relations with the dead also counts as giving them a step up."

Thus, equally clever, they immediately shifted their filial devotion to the Poison Snake flexibly onto Baili Xiang, and they all promised.

Translation: "So those equally clever ones promptly shifted their filial devotion to the Poison Snake over to Baili Xiang, and they all promised,"

"Understood, we all understand! Sir, the big picture is paramount! We must follow your lead; please give your orders!"

Translation: ""We understand, we all understand! Sir, the big picture is paramount! We must follow your lead—please give the order!""

Baili Xiang nodded, moved by the words, and then drew his sharpened blade.

Translation: "Baili Xiang nodded, moved, and then drew the sharpened blade."

"If that's the case, Lord Poison Snake's sacrifice must not be in vain, nor can we just waste our brothers' lives; everyone, please follow me as we give it our all!"

Translation: ""If so, the Poison Snake Sir's sacrifice must not be in vain, nor can we just throw away our brothers' lives; everyone, follow me, let's give it our all!""

"Understood!"

Translation: ""Received!""

Under the banner of "avenging the Poison Snake", Baili Xiang ostentatiously led the similarly pretentious Wood-rank Envoys in a full-scale assault.

Translation: "Under the banner of "avenging the Poison Snake," Baili Xiang pompously led the likewise pompous Wood‑rank Envoys in a full‑scale assault."

The overwhelming pressure of committing all forces was devastating; even the temple knights could barely fend off their attacks, let alone the already sweating Light Cavalry knights.

Translation: "The sheer pressure of all forces pouring out was devastating; even the Faith‑defending Knights could barely fend off their attacks, let alone the already‑sweating Floating Light Knights."

Thus they nearly managed to kill the princess; under the cover of several Wood-rank units, Baili Xiang's magic unfolded like a ghost, driving the poisoned spike toward the princess's chest.

Translation: "Thus they nearly killed the princess this time; under the cover of several Wood‑rank units, Baili Xiang's magic unfolded like a ghost, driving that poison‑tipped spike toward the princess's chest."

However, there was nothing to be done—he'd given his all, truly couldn't, just a little short, just a tad bit short!

Translation: "However, there was no way—he'd given his all, truly couldn't—just a hair's breadth off, just a tiny bit short!"

In the final moment, he was still stopped by a brave, face‑covered Light Cavalry knight who smelled like a dog.

Translation: "At the final moment, however, he was stopped by a brave Floating Light Knight whose face was hidden, but who reeked of dog."

Moreover, the opportunity vanished in an instant.

Translation: "And the opportunity vanished in an instant."

"How dare you, brat!"

Translation: ""You brat, how dare you!""

In a panic, he flung out some archaic grammar from who knows when—five hundred or ten thousand years ago—and the archbishop swung his spear, shredding the nearby fleas, then charged at this reckless beast.

Translation: "In desperation he flung out some ancient‑sounding phrasing—whether from five hundred or ten thousand years ago—and the archbishop swung his spear, shredding the nearby fleas, then charged at this reckless beast."

"Grandma, it's one of our own! It's one of our own!"

Translation: "Grandma, it's one of our own! It's one of our own!"

Baili Xiang wasn't really a combatant to begin with; seeing this, he nearly had his soul scared out of him, but he could only keep a calm, carefree expression on his face, then he unleashed……

Translation: "Baili Xiang wasn't really a combatant to begin with; seeing this, he nearly had his soul scared out of him, but his face could only keep a calm, breezy expression as he then unleashed……"

Bang!

Translation: "Boom!"

Holy cow, is your gun a staff of the golden hoop? It can even lengthen at a crucial moment!

Translation: "Good grief, is your spear a Golden Hooped Staff? It can even lengthen a bit at the crucial moment."

Under Ji Ming's gleeful gaze at the spectacle, Baili Xiang, after taking that heavy blow, rolled around like a tumbling gourd.

Translation: "Under Ji Ming's gaze, which watched the bustle without caring how big it got, Baili Xiang, struck by that heavy blow, rolled about like a tumbling gourd."

"Ugh……"

Translation: ""Ugh…""

However, those who survive are always the ones who fear death; thus, even though it was a surprise attack, he still managed, by various means, to narrowly escape that deadly shot.

Translation: "But those who survive are always the fearful; thus, although it was a sneak attack, he still managed, by various means, to escape death from that lethal shot by sheer luck."

But he hardly had time to feel relieved before he hastily scrambled together a magical construct and fled, for the archbishop, seeing that his shot hadn't succeeded, was already preparing another.

Translation: "But there was no time to rejoice; he hastily scrambled together a spell model and fled, for the archbishop, seeing his shot fail, was already preparing a second one!"

Fortunately, at that moment a few Wood-rank Envoys saw their new leader in trouble and rushed to rescue him, giving him a brief respite.

Translation: "Fortunately, just then a few Wood‑rank Envoys saw the new boss in trouble and rushed to rescue him, giving him a brief respite."

But missing the opportunity is punishable; thereafter, no matter how hard Baili Xiang tried, he never again got a chance to kill the princess, while our own officers kept falling one after another.

Translation: "But missing the chance invites punishment; thereafter, no matter how hard Baili Xiang tried, he never again got an opportunity to kill the princess—instead, our side's cadres kept falling."

"How unreasonable! How could this be!"

Translation: ""How unreasonable! How could this be!""

Baili Xiang, furious and having lost all composure, despite being utterly loyal to the Supreme God, even if out of ammunition and provisions, still attempted to launch an attack, but……

Translation: "Furious, Baili Xiang lost all composure; despite his utmost loyalty to God Sir, even if he ran out of ammunition and provisions, he still tried to launch an attack—but……"

"Sir, that archbishop's magic is inexhaustible! She's practically a monster! She isn't human!"

Translation: ""Sir, the archbishop's magical power is inexhaustible! She's practically a monster! She's not even human!""

Watching another comrade who couldn't escape in time get tangled by lance and holy light, then cooked on the spot into tender, flavorful meat floss.

Translation: "Watching another comrade who couldn't escape get tangled by lance and holy light, then cooked on the spot into tender, flavorful meat floss."

At the critical moment, several terrified Wood-rank Envoys finally broke down, crawling and scrambling to forcibly drag him back.

Translation: "At the critical moment, several Wood‑rank Envoys scared out of their wits finally broke down, crawling and dragging him back by force."

"Sir, calm down, sir! Our losses are too great!"

Translation: ""Sir, calm down, sir! Our losses are too great!""

"Yes, sir, these are all vital parts of our intelligence network; we can't lose them all here!"

Translation: ""Yeah, sir, these are all vital parts of our intelligence network; we can't lose them all here!""

"We've already done our best, sir; the losses are too great, our endeavor probably can't succeed—let's just withdraw!"

Translation: ""Everyone's already done their best, sir; the losses are too great, our affair probably can't succeed—let's just withdraw!""

There's nothing to be done—who wouldn't care about their own life?

Translation: "There's no helping it—who wouldn't care about their own life?"

"Ah! (brief)"

Translation: ""Ah! (short)""

So the unwilling Baili Xiang, face full of sorrow and indignation, could only grit his teeth and issue the retreat order.

Of course, his face looked ferocious, but actually he was already overjoyed inside.

Hey! Withdrawing or whatever was something you guys brought up yourselves.

If later the superiors still have a black pot to push down, I'll just shove it straight onto your heads—no one will think of escaping!

……As for why the wording here is 'still have' rather than simply 'have'.

Of course, no matter when or where, the most suitable person to take the blame instead of an absent teammate is a dead teammate.

Therefore, after the second assassination attempt failed, Bai Li Xiang, who fled the scene with his defeated troops, in the report sent to his superiors, exerted his utmost ability to shift blame.

The plan was made by the Poison Snake; I advised her but she didn't listen; the action was carried out by the Poison Snake; I remonstrated but she didn't heed; anyway the main point is to keep the keyboard away from me, I'm neutral.

Thus the Poison Snake became the biggest unlucky one of the Forest Church, using her frail body to help Bai Li Xiang bear enough damage for him to die ten times.

"So what would it feel like if I really bore it, would it be satisfying?"

"Cloi, go, throw her out for me!"

Even so, some damage still leaked out, because the church temporarily sent an old flower with the codename Withered Vine to personally investigate; the Poison Snake's cleanup from start to finish wasn't exactly spotless, letting him discover many new doubts.

Bai Li Xiang had no choice, so he dragged a few more dead logs to pad his back, even abandoned a pawn he felt was useless for winning over, thus managing to gloss over this assassination farce.

However, no matter what, the dark clouds hanging over the Northward Squad finally dissipated; watching the madmen flee in disarray, the surviving Floguang knights all burst into cheers.

But the cheer hadn't even finished an eight-beat before it changed tune, turning into painful wails and loud crying, nothing else, the losses were too heavy.

Since we have to fight the madmen to the death, how could you not be a madman yourself? Thus the whole canyon turned into a huge meat grinder.

The previously dry ground is now even soaked with blood, forming mud mixed with minced flesh, in which are embedded several teeth and eyeballs of unknown origin.

"Cough cough cough…"

The oily-tongued, big-bearded knight captain, though fortunate not to have died, also had an arm chopped off; without the fake beard, his face was filled with the pallor of blood loss.

But he dared not rest; instead he searched everywhere, inquiring about any news of the Marquis's whereabouts.

As a servant who shares the ruler's worries while eating his salary, whether he gets injured or not is actually irrelevant; only the Marquis must be unharmed, that's the rule.

Moreover, this wound of his was fundamentally incurred to save the Marquis; he still hopes to lie on the merit register and coast through the rest of his life, but if the Marquis is gone, it's all over.

As a result, after searching around, he finally saw the Marquis just emerging from the prison cart in a corner, and he was still there even after walking out the door.

"Eh eh, you're right! Being a leader is really hard, there's learning everywhere…… Okay, today really, I've learned from my senior!"

Getting excited, he couldn't help but reach out again and grip the hand of the dead knight, which was as dry and rough as tree bark.

"Hehe, just some minor experiences from those who've been through it; go on, friend, true understanding comes from practice."

"Understood!"

The Marquis laughed as he closed the prison cart's door; turning his head, he saw the one-armed, beardless knight staring in shock.

"Hey hey, why are you still bleeding!"

Winning over through hospitality is a basic skill of nobles; this is his close aide, the Marquis, although reluctant to give out the good medicine he'd give the head maid, is still willing to spend something.

And watching the Marquis personally apply the ointment to him, the knight captain, moved and also pained by the heavy hand, altogether asked with trembling lips.

"Sir, how could you be in that criminal's prison cart? That's not proper."

"It's fine; the only improper thing is not dragging you in as well."

Speaking of this, the Floguang Marquis couldn't help but sigh.

"Really, he's a person of great wisdom; after chatting a bit with him, being enlightened by him, I feel my whole self has become clear."

The knight captain thought, 'You're just indulging yourself in recollection, and you haven't answered my question,' and Floguang opened his eyes.

"Well, I saw he's pretty good at fighting; those few lunatics, after getting beaten, didn't dare approach his prison cart anymore, so I thought maybe I could mooch off his aura and hide nearby."

"As it turned out, when he saw me coming, he was very generous and asked if your lordship I was a noble; I said yes, I'm a marquis, and he invited me in to take refuge."

"I thought about it; since they clearly said they weren't running away, it's likely they're not some vicious tyrant, so going in is fine—better than dying at the madmen's hands."

We can only say the knight captain might be a pure-blooded Jinmen person hiding in Yangyue, who knows how to play the straight man; seeing the Marquis say all that, he hurriedly found a gap to interject with a joke.

"Hey, sir, you're truly full of guts; if it were me, I wouldn't dare."

"Eh, it's also a gamble……"

So why does Little Lion, idle and with nothing to do, call a fat ball into his cage to eat and drink for free, even throwing in free companionship and psychological counseling services?

Because as one of the greatest monarchs of Yangyue World in the past ten thousand years or so, even though he hadn't yet become decadent in old age—he actually started to decline in middle age—he still managed to rank among the top ten heroes on Yangyue's savior list.

Upon discovering that the local overseer, a fat noble who was obviously stupid at a glance, had touched his side, he immediately felt the urge to win him over, and subconsciously called him in to start sweet‑talking.

So the Marquis thought he was receiving guidance from an enthusiastic expert, but actually he also said everything, just short of spilling the color of his bitter tea to the other person.

But overall the Marquis still profited: first a supreme deity resolved the difficulty, then an emperor avoided disaster, and in the time spent eating and drinking he defused a repeatedly judged deadly situation.

It's a pity that some rejoice while others grieve; if the Marquis is joy, the princess is celebration, many knights are either sad or wounded, then Special Ni Si is absolutely sorrow.

The experienced she dares to swear, behind all this there absolutely is a ghost!

Therefore she kept a straight face, not minding the disgust, and forcibly turned over every corpse on the battlefield, yet she actually found no clues from those lunatics' bodies.

They were too clean, clean to the point that besides their clothes and armor they had nothing else.

However, having no clues is in itself a kind of clue.

Being able to simultaneously satisfy 【one of the interest demands includes killing Elinor】 【gather in the heartland of Hui Guang Kingdom a force strong enough to check oneself】 【be so practiced as to leave no trace that could prove their identity】 these three requirements, there should also be only one such faction.

Thinking this way, she could even guess who that thing was that appeared and disappeared, having swallowed her full‑power strike whose life‑or‑death outcome was unknown.

No, damn it, do we even need to guess?

She slowly clenched her fist.

"Ji……Ming……"

Special Ni Si put away her lance, about to go ask Elinor how she was, when she saw not far away a strange crowd gathering, and wounded soldiers kept being sent in.

"Ji Ming!"