Chapter 376: All Tactics Shift to House‑Stealing

Seeing the others collapse against the wind so completely, having achieved his goal, Ji Ming gave the Cold Iron Priest some face, sat—or rather floated—onto the main seat.

The priest and the nobles, seeing this, hurriedly scrambled like children playing musical chairs around the square table, each taking a seat.

Although their seating order was certainly different from before, even though everyone was seated, some still glared at each other.

If the Great Father weren't present, it would probably have erupted into a brawl on the spot.

But Ji Ming didn't care about a few lowly insects lining up in a mouse hole, so he pretended not to see.

He even wondered how it would end if they really started fighting.

Thus the only remaining problem was Count Yan Shan, who, leaning against the great gate and sitting on the ground, was neither in nor out, and could only stare blankly.

After all, this level‑19 warrior dared to flaunt himself here without giving anyone face; the confidence actually came from his own Knight Commander.

—If it really doesn't work, we can flip the table; after all, my Iron Can is level 42, fighting you is a father‑son match.

But the Knight Commander instantly beat them like a grandson, almost forcing them to kneel in filial piety; it was almost as if he had ripped their spines out.

So.

Go… I don't dare to go; what if they think you, old kid, aren't giving me face and punch yourself to pieces—what then?

Stay… this… sigh! I am, after all, a high noble! With over two hundred years of heritage, my family's honor won't allow me to…

Ah! (a scream of unbearable frustration)

The most infuriating thing is that the subtext in his mind could almost be woven into a whole monologue.

Those scoundrels who just now were earnestly showing filial piety to him didn't even offer a single way out for him!

Damn, how did the kingdom become like this? It's one thing that the common folk are pampered, lazy, and obsessed with beauty, but after all… I'm the same.

Pah, that's irrelevant!

What matters is, you… how can you discard such essential noble virtues as respecting the elderly and caring for the young!

The count let out a sigh in his heart, helpless, and with a thickened old face, he tossed his own face onto the ground as a stepping stone.

"……"

But when he tightened his lips and slunk back to the table, he found his secondary seat already snatched by another minor noble.

Considering everyone present, they all leaned forward very attentively, as if in a key lecture at the end of a university semester.

If he wanted to find a place to sit, he'd probably have to take the farthest seat from the teacher—convenient for sleeping, but who the hell would sleep in the back row of this class?

…No, I can no longer tolerate any more insults!

Count Yan Shan's newly ignited anger surged, and, unable to bear it, he mustered courage and strode to his former seat.

While nonchalantly adjusting his cuffs, he gritted his teeth.

"Excuse me, Sir Baron, did you sit in the wrong spot?"

Normally, the young viscount would spring up like a launch, quickly yielding his seat to the Count.

Then he would ponder whether to write a letter of apology or a suicide note.

But today, his choice is—

…

…

…

???

Oh, so he's already made his choice.

—Just pretend you didn't hear it; the annoying thing will walk away on its own.

But the overly nervous count clearly didn't realize this, thinking his voice was too soft and the young baron hadn't heard.

"You…"

Only when he was about to repeat himself did he finally realize he had misread the situation and made a fool of himself.

Yan Shan slowly clenched his fists.

Damn it!

The Shadow Church bullied me, the Pioneers bullied me, and now even you little church nobles dare to bully me! Is it because there's nobody left in the Yan Shan family?!

…

He glanced sideways at the Knight Commander still lying on the ground idling, and suddenly felt that… indeed, there was truly no one left.

The old fellow was instantly filled with sorrow, recalling how, when he was young, he once ruled the southern skies.

Even in the Royal Capital he was no weaker than anyone; he would take love by the sword, bully whoever he pleased—how could he feel such desolation today!

…Anyway, perhaps this is my end.

There is no greater sorrow than a dead heart; the insulted Count Yan Shan resolved that, no matter what, he could no longer endure any more insults.

He turned, and, forlorn yet resolute, walked toward the exit.

I am a proud noble, the current heir of the Yan Shan family that has spanned over two hundred years; how could I tolerate such an insult?

Today, either I die, or…

Fine, I'll stay alive!

The insects cannot achieve enlightenment overnight; Yan Shan, moving slowly, his heart a constant battle between heaven and man, finally became afraid.

And fearing regret, he hurriedly rushed toward that back seat.

But at that moment, a voice called out from the far end of the long table.

"Esteemed Count, why do you look like you're about to leave?"

It was Ji Ming, who had been silent for a long time, watching all this with theatrical interest.

Of course, from the count's perspective, it was just a shadow hovering mid‑air, looking human at a glance but not quite so on closer inspection.

So he opened his mouth, at first not daring to speak, adjusted his posture, then, with his head lowered, let out two dry laughs.

Haha, since the esteemed one from the Shadow Church has come, how could I possibly leave? I'm just thinking, what use do you have for me?

The matter, of course, exists.

The shadow's voice carried obvious distortion and electric noise; if the Count had known Earth, he'd recognize it as sounding like through a telephone line.

You are the Count of the kingdom, after all—what happening on this southern land could escape your eyes?

Hiss, it seems… the other party indeed has something to discuss with me!

For a social creature, the worst thing in this world is to be useless.

So upon realizing he was useful, the Count's confidence surged, and he hurriedly spoke.

You flatter me; it's merely the inheritance of some old families. If you need anything, just speak up! I'll definitely help within my ability.

Good, with your words, I can rest easy.

The shadow shifted slightly, as if moving its gaze.

"Cold Iron Divine Officer, don't you smart one see that our respected Count has nowhere to sit?"

"Don't let him stand alone—quick! Make a seat for the Count; I think opposite me is fine."

"Yes yes..."

Cold Iron didn't dare delay, quickly activating the formation to pile stones at the far end of the long table into a chair.

Finally having a step, the Count's face showed a shy smile, and he hurriedly sat down.

But after he sat securely, he suddenly felt… the shadow's wording was rather odd.

Forget it, endure!

With the esteemed one from the Shadow Church participating, the originally leaderless, scattered joint meeting finally found its core.

And when everyone set aside their petty thoughts, focusing wholeheartedly on one matter to think and compromise, getting something done became simple.

In the heated exchange of opinions, both sides fully shared their views on personal safety, church development, trade commerce, and noble marriages.

Especially regarding multilateral relations and important issues, they engaged in lengthy, candid, in-depth, constructive communication, then thoroughly, objectively, and factually summarized the current situation.

Count of Flame Mountain said the current southern situation of the kingdom is at its lowest point since the Hui Guang Kingdom's founding, which contradicts the fundamental interests of all parties and the kingdom's fundamental goal of stability.

The Shadow Divine Chosen also expressed deep concern over the atrocities in the kingdom's south, stating that although the Shadow Church is a barbaric traditional force, due to certain objective reasons it currently holds many interests in the kingdom's south, thus also being a victim of this upheaval.

The noble and church factions first expressed thanks for mutual sympathy, then clearly proposed an alliance request, hoping that through deeper cooperation they could reach more consensus and jointly face future risks and challenges.

In short——

Everyone was beaten by the Pioneers and the mysterious assassins; never mind who stabbed whom day to day—no one died, the dead aren't here, so let's first present a united front.

When this precious covenant representing the union, extremely difficult to produce, had its last word written, a wind truly blew through the secret chamber.

The covenant's attachment instantly ignited in fierce flames; black ash rose on the wind, settling completely on the original, as if coated with some mysterious substance.

The covenant was established, witnessed by world law, and sighs of relief echoed in the hall.

Relying on the cover on his person, Ji Ming seated at the head revealed a triumphant smile.

By rights, although the Divine Chosen has the qualification to represent the church in signing various matters, such an important covenant must first be made clear to the deity.

Moreover, even if you secretly annex land while hiding it from the deity, because world law is involved, the deity will surely notice the causal layer imposed upon yourself.

But who made the drafter of this covenant none other than Ji Ming himself? He had too many opportunities and too many places to tamper with it.

Thus, when the various church representatives wrote down their names, they discovered the first line read: "Shadow Divine Chosen: Shadow Divine Chosen".

If it were normal, someone would surely ask: although writing a code name is fine, the Shadow God is the Shadow God—why add that "Chosen" character?

What, you look down on us like that?

But now surely no one dares to ask, because everyone feels… well, the Shadow Church is mighty and powerful, indeed qualified to look down on itself.

So let him sign whoever he wants, as long as he's tied to the Shadow Church—these past days have been damn losing, our hearts can't take it.

Thus Ji Ming's wordplay took effect smoothly; this contract meant to be filed with world law successfully linked to something uncalculable.

After all, who is the Shadow Divine Chosen?

If it were Ji Ming, without the Shadow God's recognition of a Chosen, how could he be a Chosen?

If it weren't Ji Ming, despite being acknowledged by many in the church and indeed possessing strong shadow divine power, how could he not be a Chosen?

Then, since his Shadow Divine Chosen status is in a kind of superposition of being and not being.

If one day the covenant encounters an error, when world law comes to settle accounts, there would be no corresponding person to find.

And even if it, as the little boss said, promptly activates its self‑check mechanism, attempts to fix bugs via temporary patches, and forces settlement onto the signatory Ji Ming.

Sorry, I am the Divine Chosen of the True God; I cannot be the Divine Chosen of the Evil God, the two are absolutely contradictory and cannot coexist, and this is a clear stipulation of the world's law.

As long as a second‑layer paradox is created, it can be perfectly avoided.

However, even though the covenant has been formed, the people at the table have no intention of leaving, because mere talk of an alliance is useless; concrete action is required.

"Divine Chosen Lord, I have heard that your Holy Light Church has been locked in a long battle with the Mysterious Assassin and the Pioneers; may I ask what experience you can share with us?"

"Haha, I understand what you mean—you're looking for a way to break the deadlock. Let me tell you, there is one, indeed there is!"

Looking at the sincere gazes of the people before him, Ji Ming—who is best at giving advice—after the Poison Snake and the Hidden Grand Bishop, displayed his own astonishing wisdom for the third time.

It is well known that one of the most classic RTS tactics is to steal a base; the most audacious strategy ever is to swap bases, and when someone reaches the pinnacle in a field they are called a master.

Therefore, when facing the Pioneers, the Mysterious Assassin, the Holy Light Church, and other regional nobles who might later intervene in the southern situation, there is only one perfect solution!

"You may not know yet that these Pioneers come from a church in the southern kingdom called the Soul Spirit Holy Seat; its ecclesiastical core lies underground north of Sunlight City."

Looking at the Divine Chosen's projection on the large map behind them, with its detailed location markers and explanations, the others were startled again.

While pondering that a great church is just a great church, the crowd was still bewildered; they had already investigated everything thoroughly.

"But their relationship with the church differs from yours and mine; it's more like ours, sitting at the negotiation table now—that is, allies—so their base is further south, located in the mountainous forests of the Barbarian Plains."

At that point, Ji Ming turned one of the regions red and gestured toward Count Yan Shan.

"For example, here—this is the territory of those White Eagle People who offended you; they have built their own city and production base here, otherwise how could there be so many troops and weapons?"

Count Yan Shan instantly inhaled a cold breath, unable to contain his excitement, and said.

Hiss… is this it?

Yes, that's it!

They emphasized it again, and Ji Ming spoke the answer to the problem.

We need to launch an expedition, together we will uproot their base!