The atmosphere on the landing pad instantly grew oppressive.
Heresy was far too grave an accusation. No one dared speak carelessly.
Magos Koro continued, "There is no data on this mechanical exoskeleton in my database. Clearly, it is not a creation of the Omnissiah."
Qin Yun stepped forward and explained, "This is Exoskeleton Armor improved by the God Chosen, intended to reduce battlefield casualties."
"This is blasphemy against the Omnissiah!"
"You damned heretic, you liar trying to deceive everyone!"
Magos Koro pointed at Qin Yun and shouted.
"You had better watch your words, Magos Koro."
Bishop Hydrak spoke up for Qin Yun.
"Guide is the messenger of the God-Emperor."
"A messenger of the Omnissiah would not alter the Omnissiah's creations. He is nothing but a liar," Magos Koro said.
"These are serious insults and accusations." Qin Yun swept his gaze across the crowd. "If you do not require my assistance, then I shall take my leave."
"Guide, please forgive Magos Koro's rudeness. We need your help."
Von apologized to Qin Yun, then strode toward Magos Koro and said sternly.
"Magos, you should go rest. Let your deputy handle the battlefield reports. This is not a request, but an order from the Valancius Family. Do not make me repeat myself."
Magos Koro's scarlet eyes fixed intently on Von.
But before long, he backed down.
He could not possibly challenge the authority of the Valancius Family here.
"Governor, I will obey the order."
Magos Koro chose to step aside, but that did not mean he had surrendered.
"This is blasphemy against the Omnissiah! This matter will not end here. I will report it to Mars."
Those words made Von's expression turn ugly, and a flicker of killing intent flashed deep in his eyes.
Magos Koro's actions had humiliated him and made him worry that this matter would become a hidden danger threatening the family in the future.
Even with a Warrant of Trade signed by the Emperor, the Valancius Family would gain no advantage when dealing with Mars.
Yet the situation was critical. Without seeking the Guide's help, the Valancius Family would not even survive the present crisis.
It would be best if a certain Magos shut up for good. It would benefit everyone.
With that little farce over.
Qin Yun entered the Hive City surrounded by Von, Bishop Hydrak, and other dignitaries.
"So grand. So magnificent."
Twisted Man widened his eyes and stared up at the towering spires that pierced the clouds and the colossal statues hundreds of meters high. The shock in his heart lingered for a long time.
The other players were the same.
Experiencing the grandeur of the Hive City from such close range left them deeply awed.
Qin Yun was brought into a hall whose dome was fitted with enormous machinery.
A massive holographic projection floated above the metal platform at the center of the hall.
It displayed the full layout of Tyreen Hive City.
It also showed the designations of every loyalist unit.
Outside the Hive City lay a dense mass of red dots.
The enemy vastly outnumbered them.
As Qin Yun examined the battlefield situation on the holographic projection.
The projection suddenly flickered violently.
The metal control console emitted a piercing hiss and crackled loudly.
"The Machine Spirit is displeased. It needs soothing."
A Tech-Priest looked panicked.
He picked up a censer and was about to approach the console to perform a soothing ritual.
Before he could get close, Magos Koro's harsh voice rang out.
"Those who assist a sinner who blasphemes the Omnissiah are guilty alongside him."
Those words made the Tech-Priest stop in his tracks and silently retreat.
The other Tech-Priests also did not dare challenge Magos Koro's authority. They lowered their heads and remained silent.
"Magos Koro, deal with the current problem first. Other matters can wait."
Von looked at Magos Koro, hoping he would allow someone to repair the projector.
"Either punish that damned heretic, or solve it yourselves."
Magos Koro pointed at Qin Yun, his mechanical voice cold and merciless.
He wanted these people to understand.
Without his help, let alone winning this war, they would not even have a battlefield hologram to use.
Qin Yun glanced at Magos Koro, then placed his hand on the projection console, which was letting out howls and wails.
He activated the skill Soothe Machine Spirit.
Golden radiance spread from his hand.
Before long, the out-of-control Machine Spirit calmed down.
The flickering projection reloaded, outlining a detailed map of the battlefield situation.
This scene shocked everyone in the hall.
It also completely confirmed Qin Yun's identity as a Living Saint.
"Honored Living Saint." Bishop Hydrak hurried over to Qin Yun, devoutly knelt on the ground, and kissed his feet.
"This is the might of the Omnissiah."
Everyone else also devoutly gave Qin Yun the Aquila Salute.
Qin Yun looked toward the many Tech-Priests behind Magos Koro.
"Magos Koro has betrayed the Omnissiah. Are you certain you wish to continue following him?"
The moment those words were spoken, the many Tech-Priests looked uneasy.
They hurried past Magos Koro, bowed devoutly to Qin Yun, and begged for his mercy and forgiveness.
"Being a Living Saint really is useful."
Bald Monk muttered as he watched the kneeling crowd.
"Just look at the Guide's abilities. I'm starting to suspect he's the Emperor's biological son," Warmaster said in a lowered voice.
"Do not talk nonsense."
Little Fatty stopped the two from continuing their foolish chatter.
No one in the hall paid attention to Magos Koro anymore.
In the Imperium of Man, where religious Fanaticism ran deep, the Emperor's status was unquestionably supreme.
And His messengers represented His will as they walked among the stars.
Defying His messenger was no different from defying Him.
No one dared bear such a charge.
Otherwise, even if they were fortunate enough to survive this crisis.
The Inquisition and the Ecclesiarchy would come looking to settle accounts.
When that time came, they would have to pray for a quick and painless death.
Magos Koro watched this scene, then angrily turned and left.
Qin Yun stared at Magos Koro's departing back, frowning.
A Conservative of Mars Dogma would certainly cause plenty of trouble in the future.
After all, those little players were exceptionally good at stirring up trouble.
He would have to make the man take three shots to the back and die by suicide.
Only after Magos Koro disappeared from view did Qin Yun withdraw his gaze and return it to the projector.
"Now, let us analyze the current battlefield situation."
"The rebels have the aid of the Dark Gods and can command countless Plague Zombies."
"The Imperium's forces are too few. Even holding Tyreen Hive City's main urban district is a struggle."
Planet Automata originally had four Hive Cities.
At present, three and a half had fallen.
Countless citizens of the Imperium had been transformed into Plague Zombies.
Using corpse-wave tactics alone, the rebels could wear the Imperial defenders down until they died.
"On the frontal battlefield, we are at an absolute disadvantage."
"However, we have a Lunar-class Cruiser. I will move it above the rebels and bombard their main force."
"On the other hand, I will dispatch elite squads for special operations, seize key areas, and eliminate high-value targets."
"..."
Twisted Man boredly surveyed everyone in the hall.
The buildings outside the windows were indeed magnificent and quite stunning at first glance.
But after looking at them a few more times, they were nothing special.
He had no interest in the military conference and did not want to listen.
Twisted Man's gaze settled on a bald soldier nearby.
"This bald guy's forehead is pretty distinctive. He even has a Heavenly Mark. Could he be an old Beijing native?"
Twisted Man jokingly mocked him in his heart.
But as he laughed, he suddenly could not laugh anymore.
Because it was not just one soldier. More than a third of the soldiers in the hall were bald, and they all had Heavenly Marks.
One could be explained by genetics or some other random reason.
But if ten or a hundred of them appeared at once, then there was a serious problem!!
"I think something is wrong." Twisted Man leaned closer to Warmaster.
Warmaster looked confused. "Wrong? What is wrong?"
"Look at the third one on the left. His forehead."
"What about it? He is just bald, with a few lines on his forehead."
"One is not that scary. But what if ten or a hundred all look like that??"
Warmaster instantly stopped laughing.
He looked around and confirmed Bald Monk's observation.
This planet seemed to have a Genestealer problem!!
PS: Kriegsmen: Charge, but do not stop the artillery.
Before you continue