Chapter 4729: Hai Rui: Emperor, you

Xiao Chi: "This matter must have something suspicious about it."

Mahou Shoujo Naito: "You're Li Yuanfang too."

Aikawa Ayumu: "Master Di Renjie silently gave a like!"

Tsuchimikado Mai: "But to be fair... Xiao Chi-san's line of thinking is still correct."

Tsuchimikado Mai showed considerable admiration.

Tsuchimikado Mai: "I have to say, isn't this the genius of the cheat-version Xiao Zhi? Amazing."

Xiao Zhi: ""

Xiao Zhi: "I've grown a lot! Don't judge me by old standards—why keep emphasizing 'cheat-version Xiao Zhi'? Even I... I can see what Xiao Chi saw this time! Hmm!"

Rikako Shiki: ""

Lelouch: "...... You hesitated."

Lelouch's expression was peculiar; he didn't know what to say.

Fujiwara no Saa: "All I can say is, Xiao Zhi is an honest, good boy! He feels his intelligence has risen—and it truly has..."

Fujiwara no Saa: "But this time, he truly didn't notice what Xiao Chi noticed, so he dares not make a firm judgment."

Wudao Dong Xiang: "For a moment, I actually laughed out loud."

""

Kiyohiko Kayaba: "Your wisdom makes me laugh."

""

Ze Tian Gang Ji: "......"

Hōjō Shijūrō: "I've seen this type of meme more than once... and this kind of meme always gives me the illusion that Kaido's popularity is very high in the Society."

Hōjō Shijūrō looked at the meme with Kelse as the background and sighed deeply.

Chō Denji Hō: "...... It's high, and it's normal! Honestly, I think everyone who joined the Society has high popularity."

Misaka Mikoto's expression was strange.

Miss Xia Shizi: "Reasoned and well-supported! I'm convinced."

Let the World Feel Pain: "......"

After a brief silence, Xuan Wo Changmen brought the topic back on track.

Let the World Feel Pain: "I think Ying Quliang is contributing very little now."

Kogoro Conan: "Isn't it obvious? He just brought out Shang Yang! As the ruler of Great Qin... he has countless generals and ministers—certainly not few."

Ying Quliang: "I'm luring the snake out of its hole."

Kaitō Kid: "!!!"

Hōrai no Kaguya: "...... I see."

Hōrai no Kaguya's eyes flickered with sudden understanding.

Indeed, what Xiao Chi saw, Ying Quliang saw as well.

Su Xiao Xiao: "By the way, the snake you're luring has nearly come out."

Su Han smiled faintly, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Ying Quliang's expression changed slightly; he had absolute trust in Su Han and raised his hand without hesitation.

A vast shadow slowly materialized behind him.

It was an awe-inspiring grand hall.

Inside the hall stood civil and military officials.

On either side of the hall, dense ranks of armored soldiers slowly emerged.

"......"

No matter...

Whether it was the Jiajing Emperor or the dozens of eunuchs serving him, all now stared frozen at the sky, their spirits shaken to the core by this sight.

"Is that... the army of the Qin Dynasty?"

The Jiajing Emperor spoke as if to himself, or perhaps to someone else, "How does my Great Ming's army compare?"

Hai Rui: "......"

Hai Rui indicated he had nothing to say.

Emperor, do you really have zero sense of proportion? You've swollen to this extent! With Ying Zheng's support, the fully transcended Qin Empire... its potential is immense—even in the modern world of the 21st century, it could sweep everything aside! What is the Great Ming, anyway?

"...... Minister, I understand your meaning."

The Jiajing Emperor glanced at Hai Rui.

He understood human hearts too terrifyingly well—he naturally saw Hai Rui's thoughts, yet he was not angry.

He took a deep breath and bowed slightly to Hai Rui, "I wonder... could you assist Great Ming in achieving glory like that of the ancient Qin?"

Hai Rui paused, his expression shifting, then finally gritted his teeth and returned the bow, "I will give my utmost strength to assist."

Hai Rui dared only say he would give his utmost help.

As for catching up to Ying Quliang—wasn't that a joke? The other side has Ying Zheng's support; what does he have? He has a few friends in the Society, but that's all.

Above the sky, the boundless Qin army formed battle arrays, coalescing into battle spirits, charging straight toward the heavens.

The next instant, the giant hole in the sky erupted with dazzling brilliance, and a piercing shriek rang out.

Terrifying wraiths solidified into tangible ox-headed demon faces, the Black and White Impermanence, all surged forth from within.

Their numbers were immense beyond measure.

"Trouble."

Shang Yang, gripping the bamboo slips of the Essential Art, returned to Ying Quliang's side, his face grim and heavy.

Ordinary haunted spirits were no match, scattered outright by the terrifying blood aura of the battle formation.

But the Ox-Head Ghost Face and the Black and White Impermanents were far too powerful... The Ox-Head Ghost Face, with a single light collision, could tear through the vast battle formation and kill individual Qin soldiers one by one.

And the Black and White Impermanents—merely a light flick of their hooks was enough to kill those... Confucians with cultivation base in scholarly qi... or war generals with profound divine strength... This was outright massacre! Without hesitation, Xiao Chi privately messaged Ying Quliang in the guild: "Handle the ordinary ghosts yourself! Those... high-level ones... I'll deal with."

As soon as he spoke, Xiao Chi tossed out one Poké Ball after another, each releasing a flash of light.

Each flash coalesced into a fully evolved Pokémon... even including divine beasts like Mewtwo, Ho-Oh, Lugia, the Three Sacred Birds, and the Three Sacred Beasts.

"Everyone, eliminate everything except the ordinary haunted spirits."

Xiao Chi spoke succinctly.

Instantly, nearly a hundred Pokémon soared into the sky, and the tide of battle reversed in an instant.

After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Chi removed a small Poké Ball from around his neck, pressed it lightly, and the Poké Ball instantly expanded.

Su Han slightly narrowed his eyes, sensing something, a hint of amusement crossing his expression. "Interesting."

"Pika"

Pikachu's expression turned alert, its voice serious and questioning.

"I understand what you mean!"

Patting Pikachu's fur, Xiao Chi let out a bitter laugh, gazing toward the heavens. "But without him... we might lose badly this time."

Pikachu: ""

Pikachu looked up blankly at the sky.