Chapter 4576: Su Han: I Strongly Suspect the Sheng Zhu Has Been Possessed!

Hai Rui laughed, but his smile was deeply sorrowful.

Although he had already noticed the Ming Dynasty's decline, seeing its fields littered with corpses and famine everywhere.

But to suddenly be told that the Ming would perish in decades—and that its destroyers would be barbarians from beyond the pass, much like the Yuan—was more than Hai Rui could bear.

Gao Ban realm: "!!!!"

Sakata Ginji: "Terrifying... Did your worldview just collapse?"

Detective Di Renjie: "This is unavoidable! When I first learned of the Tang's fall, and the chaos that followed—the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, when Han civilization nearly vanished—I too nearly shattered inside."

Di Renjie sighed deeply.

Gudako: ""

Sazae: "...... Sorry... I thought you were so calm in the guild."

Cheng Long Bu Xiang Gu Kao: "Yeah, I didn't notice any signs of your psyche breaking back then."

Detective Di Renjie: "In my world, I shattered inside—but I never showed it in the guild. Does something that isn't shown to you not count as having happened?"

Di Renjie said nothing, but asked in return.

Hatsune Miku Future Hatsune Miku: "!!!!"

Katsura Kotoha: "He's right—I can't refute a single word."

Su Han stared at the guild chat and noticed Hai Rui had not spoken—he knew Hai Rui's heart had not yet settled.

After a moment's thought, he directly mentioned Zhu Di.

Su Xiao Xiao: "Zhu Di, you're the Ming's Ming Chengzu—why not comfort a future great minister of the Ming?"

Zhu Di: "Ming Chengzu is my temple name—it sounds strange if you call me that directly... but whatever, I'm used to it by now."

Zhu Di sighed, but said nothing more.

The Bijinggong Society had seen this kind of thing before.

Zhu Di shook his head, rallied himself, and continued posting in the guild.

As the Chengzu Emperor of the Ming, he too had once gone through the same emotional turmoil upon learning this information—and naturally knew how to comfort Hai Rui.

Zhu Di: "Hai Rui.

For many in the guild, the Ming's fall is already settled history. But for us, the Ming's fall is still an uncertain future."

Hai Rui: "...... Your meaning is?"

Hai Rui's expression froze; his gaze flickered—he seemed to understand something.

But he dared not be certain.

Zhu Di: "Yes! Rather than sitting here in grief and rage, better to pour every ounce of strength into strengthening yourself—and change the future."

Zhu Di: "The simplest way: if you cultivate and gain power like a god's, you can live forever, and possess strength capable of rivaling a nation."

Zhu Di: "At that point, what are the Jurchens? One strike—and they're obliterated."

Hatsune Miku Future Hatsune Miku: "Reasonable and well-argued!"

Hai Rui: "I've learned."

Hai Rui took several deep breaths, finally managing to calm himself.

Finally, he let out a bitter laugh.

He was the most orthodox of scholars.

Yet in the end, he would not save this crumbling dynasty with his own learning—but instead learn to wield divine power.

"...... What kind of thing is this?"

Hai Rui rubbed his temples, pained, but said nothing more.

After all, this truly was a shortcut.

Though his emotions were complicated, he was not so stubborn as to insist on taking a detour when a direct path existed.

Jiang Zuo Mei Lang: "Cheng Bu Xiang Gu Kao.

Sheng Zhu.

Thank you, both Mr. s, for your help!"

Fallen Angel Twelve-Winged Black Cat Clan: "......"

Gao Ban Tongnai: "Her brow furrowed—she immediately sensed things weren't as simple as they seemed.

"

Minami Kotori: "Hm! What did Cheng Long and the Sheng Zhu do now?"

Cheng Long Bu Xiang Gu Kao: "Nothing much... I simply arranged a trip with the Sheng Zhu to Mei Changsu's world—and had the Sheng Zhu use the talisman power he drew from the guild to heal Mei Changsu's body."

Sheng Zhu: "...... An accident! Truly an accident.

After healing Mei Changsu, it triggered a side quest! I got seven thousand points, though Chen Long took three thousand—but at least it's something."

Sheng Zhu's lips curled into a slightly odd smile; he stood now in a bamboo grove.

Before him sat Mei Changsu.

Mei Changsu appeared calm and composed, but his eyes, as he studied Sheng Zhu and Cheng Long, betrayed fleeting shock.

Though Mei Changsu had long known the guild contained immortals and gods, suddenly seeing a dragon before him left him momentarily speechless.

El Nastie: "Terrifying! You can earn points just like that?"

El Nastie's lip twitched, his expression strange.

That doesn't make sense—shouldn't a side quest require massive changes to the world? Tony Isn't the Richest: "Maybe because Mei Changsu is too OP—his body restored to full health caused a massive shift in the world."

Gao Ban realm: "...... I have no reply."

Yuan Dagu: "As the saying goes... points always go to those who are prepared."

Yuan Dagu: "Clearly, Chen Long is... one who is prepared."

Optimus Prime: "I'm on very close terms with Mr. Chen Long! I have a feeling Mr. Chen Long isn't this kind of person... he should simply want to help Mei Changsu out of pure goodwill! As for the points, that must be a pleasant surprise."

Optimus Prime boldly speculated.

Yue Bei Lingyin: "To be able to have other members of the Qitagong Society step forward and back him up, Mr. Chen Long's charisma... truly exceeds all expectations."

Fallen Angel Twelve-Wing Black Cat: "Totally normal, I like Chen Long too! Especially his kung fu—badass."

Gao Ban Kyosuke: "You, a supreme master who can shatter stars and roam freely across the starry sky, praising kung fu like this! Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

The corner of Gao Ban Kyosuke's mouth twitched uncontrollably.