Acting Alone

If someone discovers a hundred years from now that the turmoil in the Sea Continent actually originated from a book I casually wrote, wouldn't I become a mysterious mastermind behind the scenes?

Worried that Han Hao might notice something amiss, Si Ming quickly changed the subject. "You didn't use this excuse to convince those commoners and high-ranking officials that you wouldn't betray them after using them, did you?"

The impact of this new idea is no less than a ray of dawn in the darkness, especially for those who still hold ideals in their hearts. It is not surprising that they would have the thought of "If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening".

Han Hao said, "My second brother is six years older than me, and he has accumulated far more wealth and connections than I have. If I want to catch up with him, I can only find another way. I know very well that I can't beat him with traditional tactics, especially since he has the support of Qi Tailai the Heavenly Secret Divine Fist, while I lack a powerful Spirit Transformation Grandmaster."

Si Ming asked doubtfully, "Won't the involvement of foreign Spirit Transformation Grandmaster cause resentment among your country's people?"

"If it were Spirit Transformation Grandmaster from another country, it would indeed be difficult, but the Su State has always maintained good relations with our country, and the France people have little resistance to the Su State. Moreover, Startling Rainbow Beyond the Heavens is a world-renowned chivalrous figure, so I'm afraid that the average France person feels more admiration for him."

Si Ming once again experienced the good reputation of his master. In terms of strength, Yan Jinghong was not the strongest among the Spirit Transformation Grandmaster, and might not even be considered a top-level Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. However, he was the most respected Spirit Transformation Grandmaster. The name "Lei Feng" was renowned throughout the entire Sea Continent, not just in Su State.

"Alright, let's stop here for today. I'll convey your message to Master, but I can't guarantee what he'll think," Si Ming.

Murong Qing also said, "Considering your 'royalist' mindset, I will convey it."

Han Hao smiled and said, "That's enough. Whether it succeeds or not, I will be grateful for your kindness."

He personally escorted the two to the door, which shocked the teahouse owner, who secretly speculated about the identities of Si Ming and Murong Qing.

Suddenly, the earth shook violently, the surrounding buildings swayed, and the sound of a cup falling and shattering could be heard from inside the teahouse.

"Earthquake?"

This natural disaster posed no threat to Murong Qing, but she immediately connected it to her mission and hurriedly asked Han Hao, "Have there been frequent earthquakes in your country lately?"

"Frequent, but not recently. Earthquakes have always been frequent in France; the country is located in an earthquake-prone area, and people are used to it."

Si Ming looked around and indeed, the passersby all seemed to take it all in stride, skillfully finding places to hide and crouching quietly until the earthquake was over before coming out to continue their activities, as if nothing had happened.

"Looks like I'm being too sensitive," Murong Qing said with a self-deprecating laugh.

After bidding farewell to the Second Prince, the two returned to their dormitory.

On the way, Murong Qing asked, "I didn't have time to ask before, what are you thinking?"

"My idea is simple: to gather intelligence in unfamiliar places, the quickest way is to cooperate with local forces."

"Have you considered the consequences of rashly interfering in the internal affairs of another country, especially in such a fierce struggle for the throne?"

"I've thought about it. If the Third Prince wins, everything will be fine. If the Second Prince wins, we can just pack up and leave. Can he really chase us all the way to Su State to take revenge on us? We're not France, we don't have to live here forever. Maybe before the two of them have even decided who's the winner, we'll have already completed our mission and returned home. What can they do to us?" Si Ming said in a thick-skinned tone.

Chapter 486 Acting Alone

Si Ming deeply reflected on the defeat in Linked Mountains City. If Yu Shuying had met with Yuezheng Qiong and discovered her secrets, the outcome might have been different. Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs" in life. He could not place his hopes on something that had not happened. He could only blame himself for not having Yu Shuying's insight.

Si Ming realized that he relied too much on others for strategy. If he positioned himself as a capable general, then it would be fine to leave the thinking to others and simply obey orders. However, he had unknowingly become the commander of the team, so he had to learn to think independently. This had nothing to do with whether he was good at it or not, but was a skill he had to learn.

In fact, Si Ming's mind is not bad. He often has a flash of inspiration during battles and comes up with a surprising way to win. In terms of intelligence, he may not be lower than Yu Shuying. Putting aside his ability to Mind-Reading Technique, the difference between him and Yu Shuying lies in their way of thinking. He lacks a big-picture perspective, which is precisely what is difficult to change after a thought has been formed.

For example, Yu Shuying herself admitted that she might not be as intelligent as Hongdou, but no one believed that Hongdou could be a shrewd strategist.

However, if you can't change your mindset, then don't change it. If you lack strategic strength, you can make up for it with tactics. On Earth, where individual strengths are not much different, tactical victories are unlikely to make up for strategic failures. Just as when an army is defeated, even a fierce general who is invincible cannot reverse the outcome. But in a world with extraordinary military power, it is much easier to use tactics to influence strategy. Individual military strength can even determine the outcome of a war.

Therefore, Si Ming decided to give it a try. Trying wouldn't cause pregnancy, and he was still young and unafraid of failure. Those who don't even dare to take the first step are destined to fail.

After listening to Si Ming's statement that he "only fanned the flames, not put them out," Murong Qing did not comment on whether it was right or wrong, but instead asked, "Then why did you choose the Third Prince instead of the Second Prince?"

"One reason is that the Third Prince approached me first. I don't know either of them and have no prejudice against them, so of course I'll give a chance to whoever I meet first. The second reason is that the aristocratic class will eventually be swept into the dustbin of history. Even if they win for a while, they won't have the last laugh. Of course, I can't stand with the losers. The third reason, and the most important one, is that he's a fan of my book. If I don't help him, who will I help?"

"The most useless factor has become the most important reason; this is indeed a risky decision that only you could make," Murong Qing remarked.

If it were her or Yan Jinghong, even if they knew there was no harm in doing so, they would not be willing to rashly intervene in the political struggles of other countries. They would generally keep their distance and maintain a respectful distance unless there was an unavoidable reason. This is a difference in personality.

Although Murong Qing did not express support, she did not object either. For Si Ming, that was enough. He was confident that he could persuade his master, Yan Jinghong.

In the afternoon, Yan Jinghong recovered from his drunkenness and regained his senses. Si Ming told him what had happened that morning.

After listening, Yan Jinghong didn't criticize, but sighed, "Was it expected? I had a vague premonition about it last night..."

He glanced at the disciple standing before him. He was tall and imposing. Compared to his memory, although his personality was still lively, he was no longer childishly mischievous, but rather as positive and optimistic as an adult. His face had lost its childishness, and his shoulders carried more responsibility.

He has grown into a big tree, able to shelter others from the wind and rain, rather than just a student who only does the homework he sets for himself.

"Interfering in the internal affairs of other countries is a rule of the Mohist Knight Guard. As your master, I must never lead the way in breaking the rules and tarnishing the reputation of the Mohist Knight Guard."

Yan Jinghong paused for a moment, and seeing that Si Ming's expression remained unchanged and unwavering, she couldn't help but wonder whether this kid had seen through her thoughts and was fearless, or was simply too audacious to care about her ideas and insist on doing things his own way.

He continued, "But if you want to help this Third Prince, I won't stop you. However, you must first apply to the local Mohist Knight Guard branch to have your Mohist Knight Guard status revoked."

The identity of the Mohist Knight Guard was dispensable to Si Ming, and he no longer cared much about it. He smiled and said, "Disciple obeys."

Yan Jinghong's disciple expressed support for the Third Prince, which, in the eyes of outsiders, was tantamount to Yan Jinghong taking sides for the Third Prince. After all, a dignified Spirit Transformation Grandmaster could not personally participate in the battle; doing so would be too beneath his status. Sending a representative was the only reasonable course of action.

The Third Prince only needed to use this opportunity to show his opponents that he also had Spirit Transformation expert supporting him, rather than actually needing Yan Jinghong to be his bodyguard. Spirit Transformation experts are strategic weapons; if they were to fight each other, it would mean that the two princes had already broken off all pretense and were determined to fight to the death. It hadn't reached that stage yet, and neither side was prepared.

Yan Jinghong hurriedly reminded him, "Don't put the cart before the horse and forget our mission. We need to check all the sealed sites where the Four Heavenly Divine Pillars might appear, and detect if Remote Heaven Society tampered with them. Since you've borrowed the Third Prince's influence, I'll leave one place to you. It just so happens to be a rather sensitive location; I originally planned to investigate it last."

Where?

"The tombs of successive France emperors."

"Ancestors' tombs? This isn't a place where outsiders can be easily brought in..." Han Hao looked troubled.