"Right now, Junior Disciple, are you going to show off your excellent skills in taking, demanding, withholding, and extorting?"
"—Are you going to take it or not? I don't believe Master would send me any fresh goodies if you didn't make this trip."
"Tsk." Taigong Wang clicked his tongue and reluctantly took out his armor and accoutrements. "I'll keep it busy. You hurry and change. I was originally here to assist you and rack up achievements, I just didn't expect to directly confront a Human Order."
Bai Ming ignored Taigong Wang's grumbling.
And so.
Bai Ming, wearing the Seven-Star Jade Crown, the Azure Dragon Embroidered Robe, the Thunder-Phoenix Armor draped over his shoulders, the Coiled Dragon Jade Belt Hook around his waist, and the Five-Element Pénghóu Hound beneath him.
Akuta Hinako, who had been preparing to withdraw, specifically stopped to take another look at Bai Ming, who resembled a general. Then, she pulled Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was doting on him, and initiated a Spiritron Transfer.
Merlin watched from below as Bai Ming, majestic and armored in the air, peacefully closed his eyes. Although he could fly, he really didn't want to. His specialty wasn't combat, and making him deal with a Human Order was asking too much.
Vast amounts of mana gathered in Bai Ming's hands.
Merlin also began a slow chant on the ground.
Taigong Wang flashed to the side and started chanting.
The Great Red Dragon in the sky soared across the heavens.
However, it was struck down during the battle, then captured by angels, bound with a great chain, and cast into the bottomless pit, to be bound for a thousand years.
When it sensed the continuously rising mana fluctuations in Bai Ming's hand, the Great Red Dragon in the sky felt fear.
This man's fists were heavy and solid, and his mind was incredibly firm, so much so that the corruption and desire he represented could not stir him in the slightest.
And the squinting man riding an ugly thing nearby, along with the Druid on the ground, seemed to be planning to bind it.
Seven streams of dragon fire erupted from the Great Red Dragon's mouth, shooting straight at Bai Ming. The Pénghóu beneath Bai Ming let out an angry bark, and the earth, water, wind, fire, and lightning residing within its five tails surged forth, blocking all the dragon fire.
The Sibuxiang, also a mount, was immediately shocked. How could a mount have cool elemental abilities?
"Surrender now."
Bai Ming flew up from the Pénghóu's back and landed a punch on the Great Red Dragon.
A fierce mana explosion erupted.
Brutal force shattered its scales and pierced its dragon bones.
The sound of cracking bones was drowned out by the explosion.
The recoil from the punch dispersed all the dark clouds in the sky. All the energy impact and force caused the Great Red Dragon to let out a pained roar.
Its robust, massive dragon body, at this moment, was like a bird with broken wings, plummeting rapidly from the sky.
But Bai Ming did not stop there.
His fists, comparable to mana cannons, swung again and again, sending streaks of solidified fist energy, wrapped in chaotic mana turbulence, crashing into the Great Red Dragon's body.
Merlin and Taigong Wang were not idle either.
Numerous talismans and incantations covered the Great Red Dragon, restraining it.
Bai Ming unleashed his energy wantonly, and the Red Dragon wailed in pain.
A sudden beam of light shot directly at Bai Ming, interrupting his attack. Sensing danger, Bai Ming twisted his body and punched towards the beam of light.
The two forces of mana collided. Seeing the power of the opponent's beam, Bai Ming then threw several more punches. After a violent explosion, everything returned to calm.
Bai Ming took a few breaths and then roared, "Beast, how dare you ambush me!" Without looking back, he charged directly at the source of the beam of light.
The expressionless, silver-haired, brown-skinned woman, seeing Bai Ming charging at her, gathered dense mana into the great red sword in her hand and fired another beam of light.
Bai Ming unleashed all his mana and charged directly at the silver-haired woman, meeting the beam of light. Then, the beam of light vanished.
Fist and sword collided and then separated, and in an instant, they clashed dozens more times.
Then Bai Ming grabbed the red sword blade with his hand, Twisting his body, he kicked towards the silver-haired woman's head. Seeing that Bai Ming was gripping the sword tightly, the woman immediately let go of the sword and dodged Bai Ming's kick.
Then, a large amount of mana erupted from the soles of Bai Ming's feet, forming a pillar of light that enveloped the silver-haired woman, plowing a large clearing on the ground.
The silver-haired woman instantly disintegrated.
Bai Ming spat, and without looking back, went to finish off the Great Red Dragon in the sky.
Chapter 73: The End
When Bai Ming returned to the scene, the Great Red Dragon had already transformed back into human form.
She was covered in wounds and no longer possessed her previous heroic and imposing appearance.
Instead, she had a petite figure like Nero—though, in terms of her chest, she couldn't compare to Nero herself, being so barren that even Akuta Hinako would feel her own chest was large in comparison.
The Beast 666, or rather Draco, was glaring angrily at the people around her, remaining silent.
Bai Ming was too lazy to say anything more and began to deploy a magic circle. "If this beast dies, then other beasts will become replacements."
"At that time—"
Taigong Wang, with his narrowed eyes, opened them. "Is that my designation for the Investiture of the Gods?"
"Wrong, wrong. This is my designation for sealing demons, but it functions differently from your Investiture of the Gods."
Bai Ming, as he spoke, was applying seals to Draco. "In general, they're sealed within an independent space, ensuring their consciousness remains in existence, but their bodies are kept in stasis. For those who are difficult to kill, or impossible to kill, they can be directly restrained and prevented from regenerating or having their positions usurped. If I die without releasing them, their bodies will die with them, while their souls and spirits will remain there, holding their positions and maintaining stability."
"That's incredibly ruthless."
Taigong Wang shook his head. "I'm starting to wonder what exactly you did after Master sent you down the mountain."
Merlin thought for a moment, but ultimately said nothing, only asking, "Where is the Holy Grail of this era?"
Mordred, who had been observing from the side until the end, spoke up. "It's in the hands of that person named Lev. Um, Father, I—"
Bai Ming shook his head. That useless Lev, holding the Holy Grail yet getting himself exposed and killed by me?
He simply patted Mordred's shoulder. "Keep at it."
"No, I'm already dead, so can I—"
Before Mordred could finish speaking, Bai Ming punched him and sent him flying.
"Can you my ass."
Bai Ming retracted his fist, and Merlin had already begun his 'Great Britain Running Man' routine, starting from Rome and running all the way back to his Inner Sea of Stars.
Taigong Wang wanted to say something more, but considering the sword wound on his backside hadn't healed yet, he also hurriedly left the Roman singularity. In his heart, he lamented that Bai Ming's descendant was truly a troublesome brat, having really messed up his greatsword.
"Alright then."
Mordred closed his eyes and sighed. "Then I'll see you in the future, Father."
With things as they were, he could only go to the Sixth Singularity and set a trap for his father.
What he couldn't obtain in life, he would obtain in death. If he still couldn't obtain it in the Sixth Singularity, then he would have to find a way to respond to the Holy Grail Wars on the Throne of Heroes and fulfill his wish through them.
Bai Ming looked at the many Servants who had fought to protect humanity's foundation and were now being repatriated, and began contacting Roman for Spiritron Transfer.
◇ Chaldea Control Room
"We are now one step closer to the restoration of humanity and the reclamation of mankind."
Upon returning, Roman looked at the Seven-Star Jade Crown, Azure Dragon Embroidered Robe, Thunder-Phoenix Armor, and Coiled Dragon Jade Belt Hook on Bai Ming's body, and couldn't help but want Bai Ming to take them off so he could wear them and feel awesome.
Why did everyone else have divine backing, while he didn't have such cool equipment?
"My suggestion is to take a break for a while. I don't think anyone in the control room will object, right? Our progress has been a bit too fast."
After returning, Bai Ming directly hugged Mash's shoulders from behind, hunched over, and rested his chin on her head. "Spend more time training these three. I've run through two singularities consecutively by myself, and even though I went through it all without breaking a sweat, I'm still a bit mentally fatigued."
Mash blushed and wanted to say something, but in the end, she just said, "Senpai, your armor is too hard."
"Then I'll put it away."
With a thought from Bai Ming, the flashy equipment all disappeared. Only a waterproof, fireproof, tear-resistant inner garment given to him by Taigong Wang remained. "Also, this time I'll resolve Mash's physical worries."
"Ah... Yes!"
Mash felt her head grow hot and her body tense. She didn't really listen to what Bai Ming was saying, only thinking: Senpai is so close, I can feel Senpai's breath, Senpai's embrace is so warm...
Bai Ming, half-hugging and half-pushing Mash towards the control room door, said, "Alright, let's go then~ Da Vinci-chan, don't rush for any magic materials. Fujimaru Ritsuka and Akuta Hinako will rest first. All staff members, arrange the next shift schedule, and then start a vacation."
"Understood! Acting Director Second Generation."
"What kind of abstract title is 'Second Generation'..." Roman, sitting on the side, picked up his warm black tea and let out a sigh of relief. "I haven't even retired as acting director or director yet."
"Roman-chan, things are temporarily over now." Da Vinci didn't leave the control room in a hurry, but instead, along with other Chaldea staff, blocked the control room door. "Don't you think you owe us an explanation about King Solomon and the Humanity Foundation incineration?"
"As you can see, I'm here. When I helped Marisbury win the Holy Grail War and wished to become a true human, the future was burned away. That's why I've been working so hard here at Chaldea. As for the one who's been occupying my body – Goetia, I think Bai Ming knows more than I do, but I don't think Bai Ming will tell you."
Roman put down his teacup and said, "Although everyone has worked hard, they couldn't help much in combat. If you knew the truth, perhaps over twenty of you would have started an internal conflict."
Da Vinci shook her head, and even the other Chaldea staff members shook their heads.
"What Roman-chan said makes sense, but I have a question – with your EX-rank Clairvoyance in your physical body, you should have seen more than just one timeline, but all possibilities. Didn't you see this situation before you made your wish?"
Da Vinci completely didn't understand. Roman simply smiled gently, scratched his neck, then pointed to a rough little wooden doll on the table and turned to leave the control room.
◇ Bai Ming's Room
Olga Marie, who had been released, watched Mash sitting obediently on Bai Ming's bed, sweat trickling down her temples.
Facing Mash alone was a torment for her.
Because of her father, Marisbury, Olga Marie had always felt both guilty and afraid towards Mash. She was afraid Mash would kill her, and guilty that her father had conducted human experiments on Mash. When Bai Ming said he would resolve Mash's problem, Olga Marie was naturally overjoyed, but then she felt like she owed him even more.
So, Olga Marie picked up "The Official's Southern Migration for Bestowing Marriage," "Zhuangzi: Robbery," and "Legend of the White Snake." These were books Akuta Hinako had thrown at her after Olga Marie had mustered the courage to ask the mostly unresponsive girl "how to repay someone like Bai Ming." She hadn't had a chance to read them yet, and now, to alleviate her nervousness, she could only read this book she had never looked at before.
Leave Request
Taking a day off today. I haven't been feeling well since I woke up this morning and still haven't recovered. It's probably because it didn't snow where I'm staying today, and there are more breeding grounds for germs. I might have caught something.
I especially want to remind everyone to drink plenty of water and take care of yourselves to ensure good health.
Above all, I hope everyone has a happier 2025.
Chapter 74: If You Stand Against Humanity, I Will Stand By Your Side
Mash sat quietly by the bed, while Olga Marie nervously flipped through the books.
These three books all conveyed one message: to offer oneself in return.
Olga Marie had also considered this. The current situation was that she had no physical body. Although Bai Ming hadn't explicitly said so, Olga Marie knew that Bai Ming didn't want her to have a physical body immediately – that man was always so mysterious, so Olga Marie didn't know what Bai Ming was thinking.
Bai Ming was washing up in the bathroom, communicating with the system that served as his conversation partner.
Bai Ming: Have the previous resources been fully integrated?
[They have been integrated, but what do you want with the wreckage from those defeated systems?]
Bai Ming: I want to try making a system. Do you think this is possible?
[Putting aside whether you can even do something like this, are you trying to become some kind of system necromancer?]
Bai Ming: Don't I have you? You should know your own structure better than anyone, right?
[Forget it, I've rested enough. Host, if you want to try, then try.]
Bai Ming: You were resting? Resting from what?
[Didn't I tell you before that seven systems were competing for the same host here to complete their final project? Actually, the project was completed the moment they secured the host. The graduation rate was only 1/7. I only asked the other systems to help because I lacked motivation.]
Bai Ming: Motivation?
[Yes, Host, you heard right. I'm a battle-maniac just like you. After a fight, I can't help but slack off for a long time. I blew up the other six systems with my bare hands. After graduating, I've been running my own business. Otherwise, why would I cooperate with you so readily, my friend? Training every day, watching you fight and train just like me.]
Bai Ming: Then why did you say you couldn't possess Takemikazuchi?
[This system isn't good with spiritual matters. I'm only skilled in historical succession, item creation and development, body generation, and combat. That's why I really didn't succeed in possessing him.]
Bai Ming: Let me process this for a moment. You're saying you're actually a battle-maniac like me?
[Mhm~]
Bai Ming: Alright, I accept reality. Then you'll handle Mash's body adjustments. That'll save us some resources.
[Wait, bro, aren't you going to do this yourself?]
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