Who are you calling a stable boy?!

Why did he have to go to such lengths?

As he gazed at Zheng Jing, Kosich suddenly realized that he had probably never truly understood Zheng Jing's real feelings.

"Well? Old man Black Snake, do you understand now?"

Zheng Jing suddenly spoke up.

His face still wore that unrestrained smile, and his eyes blinked as if they were radiating tiny, golden-red sparks.

"...What exactly are you?"

Kosiché asked in a deep voice.

"Hehe, what do you think I am?"

Zheng Jing countered with a question.

Looking at the mockery in that smiling face, Kosicche suddenly laughed too.

"The Yan Kingdom is really becoming more and more outrageous, actually allowing you to walk on the ground like this, and even participate in such things."

"Ok?"

Zheng Jing raised an eyebrow.

"There's no need to pretend in front of me anymore. Although I don't know which incarnation you are, why bother hiding it now?"

Kosiché scoffed, then suddenly raised his hand, fingers together, and pressed it against his throat: "According to the Yan Kingdom's way, the victor is king and the loser is villain, right?"

"stop!"

Amiya and Chen Huijie spoke in unison.

"Koschke! Do you want to harm Miss Talulah's body?!"

"Koschke? What—"

Upon hearing this infamous name that she harbored deep hatred for, Chen Huijie was taken aback.

“Miss Chen! The one manipulating Miss Talulah’s body right now is not Miss Talulah herself, but the undead black serpent of Ursus, yes, the Duke Koschche you know.”

"--What did you say?!"

“Cartes, ah, I remember you, Cartes of Rhodes Island.”

Kosiché looked at Amiya: "Where did you hear all this from?"

“I see the memories, though I cannot know what you are thinking right now, but I can sense your emotions. Duke Kosiché, stop now, you know very well that you have no chance of winning!”

"Huh? Mind-reading rabbit, is this your Originium Arts? I remember you once blocked my flames with those black lines, you're quite the multi-talented Katarus..."

"...A Caterpillar?"

Kosich's gaze changed as he looked at Amiya.

She suddenly looked back and forth between Amiya and Zheng Jing.

"I thought I would never laugh at the absurdity of this land again."

"Enough. Whether you like it or not, you already understand the current situation."

A tiny spark flickered at Talulah's fingertips.

"Even Draco's body couldn't withstand the highest temperature this spell could generate..."

"So, make your choice, gentlemen."

"Should Talulah accept defeat, or should you accept defeat?"

Using one's own life to threaten an opponent seems like a ridiculous thing to do.

But for the immortal black serpent, this wasn't the first time she had done this.

Koschke wouldn't gamble on how absurd the reality represented by the current Cartesian figure might be, because if she gambled wrongly, her secret would be taken away by the Demon King—

"Certainly."

—Draco, with his gray hair, suddenly froze on the spot.

"Old man Black Snake, tell me, at your age, don't you understand?"

Just as everyone was wondering what was going on, Zheng Jing, carrying the golden cudgel, swayed and walked towards Talulah.

Chen Huijie instinctively wanted to call out to Zheng Jing, but Amiya stopped her.

Arriving in front of Talulah, Zheng Jing put his arm around her shoulder and then stretched out another hand in front of her, clenching his fingers tightly.

"Only children make choices; I want them all."

"You really think I, Old Zheng, can't catch you? I was just playing around with you and you took it seriously. Look, don't accuse me of playing dirty tricks, Black Snake, what's this?"

On Zheng Jing's clenched fist, a red fingerless glove was seen, embroidered with a skull encased in blue flames.

"Have you ever seen a fist the size of a sandbag? Come out and take your beating, don't force me to fight back. When I go berserk, even I'm afraid of myself!"

"..."

"Oh, so there's no room for negotiation?"

Releasing Talulah, Zheng Jing shrugged and pursed his lips.

"Ah-da!"

Then, with that fist wearing a red glove, he delivered a solid right hook to Talulah's face!

The moment the girl from Draco spun around, a plume of black smoke erupted from her body.

It was as if he had been punched out by Zheng Jing!

However, at this moment, among everyone present, it seemed that only Amiya and Rosemary could see this astonishing scene.

Then, the surging black mist condensed in mid-air, resembling a giant serpent tens of meters long, raising its head as if about to burrow into the ground—

"Bah!"

Zheng Jing raised his stick and struck the black snake on the head!

Amazing iron!

This sudden, sharp blow swept away the demonic mist, leaving the black snake seemingly terrified.

Amiya looked up and saw Zheng Jing, his golden body gleaming, holding a staff with immense power, causing the heavens to shine with renewed light.

Chapter 284: Oh no!

"Phew, all done."

Zheng Jing let out a breath, put away his golden cudgel, and took off his gloves.

This glove is one of the gadgets that Urahara A-mon gave him. It was named the Spirit-Binding Glove by Sukeko. As the name suggests, the glove's effect is to forcibly pull spirits out of the body.

This thing is a contraband in Soul Society. Only the 13th Division, which is mainly responsible for purifying the human world, is eligible to apply for it, and the application process is very strict.

However, its manufacturing process is not complicated. With Kisuke's abilities and a sufficient supply of materials, it is naturally easy for him to manufacture it.

Not only can it be manufactured, but it can also be optimized.

The one in Zheng Jing's backpack is a product optimized by Xizhu.

Simply put, even if it was Anna who was wearing gloves just now, she could still slap the Black Serpent's spirit out of Talulah's body.

"Mr. Zheng..."

"Oh, Bunny! Hey? Where are Jailcat and Doctor? Why are you the only one leading the team?"

Hearing Amiya call his name, Zheng Jing turned around, shading his eyes with his hand as he looked around. He found that Kal'tsit and the Doctor were indeed not there, and there were only two tactical squads with Amiya. So he asked a question.

"Hmm, are you referring to the Doctor and Dr. Kal'tsit? We encountered guerrillas when we entered the central area. After confirming our identities, they didn't attack us, but Mr. Bozokasti still wouldn't let us through the bridge..."

"However, Dr. Kal'tsit and that old gentleman seem to be old acquaintances. After negotiations, Mr. Bozokastie agreed to let us send two small teams across the bridge, on the condition that a guerrilla guard accompany us, so..."

"Talulah? Hey! Talulah—Little Talulah!"

While Amiya and Zheng Jing were explaining things, Chen Huijie's urgent shouts came from the other side.

Oh, I almost forgot about that!

Zheng Jing slapped his forehead and waved to Amiya: "Bunny, come quick, it's your turn now!"

The two rushed over and saw Chen Huijie anxiously holding Talulah in the crowd, while several Rhodes Island medical operators surrounded them, using various personal instruments to check Talulah's physical condition.

"what happened?"

Amiya asked softly to a young medical operator.

"Vital signs are good, but we don't know why he is still in a coma!"

"I don't want to wake up."

As soon as Zheng Jing, who was squatting down, spoke, everyone's attention was drawn to him.

"Don't you want to wake up?"

Chen Huijie asked.

Zheng Jing nodded: "Expelling that old black snake from her body is not difficult, but waking up Little Dragon Girl is a different story. I, Old Zheng, have been chasing that old black snake all day, just waiting for you, Old Chen, and Rabbit!"

"Me and...Amiya?"

"......I see."

Amiya?

Chen looked at Amiya, whose expression was resolute, with a somewhat blank expression.

She really couldn't understand it anymore.

“Miss Chen, you can understand it as Koschei using magic to twist Miss Talulah's mind and possess her body. Now Koschei has been driven out by Mr. Zheng, but Miss Talulah's traumatized mind still refuses to awaken…”

"I need your help to wake her up!"

What should I do?

Please hold my hand.

Without asking any further questions, Chen Huijie grabbed Amiya's small hand.

"Next, I will guide you to touch Miss Talulah's heart. You just need to say whatever you want to say to her."

"......good!"

Seeing that Amiya and Chen Huijie were beginning to sink into Talulah's heart under the influence of the magic, Zheng Jing stood up and looked around.

"Brother Zheng."

"Hmm? What's wrong, Anna?"

"Um, thank you..."

Anna, standing beside Zheng Jing, lowered her head and twisted her fingers behind her back. "I know that reward isn't enough, but I'll try my best to make it up to you later. I'm sorry..."

"Hey."

Zheng Jing chuckled, squatted down, and reached out to pat Anna's head: "Aren't those courtyard coins all the savings you have?"

"Yes! It really is! But, however—"

"That's it."

Zheng Jing winked at her: "You've already given away all your savings, how could that not be enough?"

"Anyone who dares to say it's not enough, I, Old Zheng, will be the first to not forgive them!"

Anna kept her head down, her hands clutching her skirt.

"Brother Zheng..."

"Ok?"

"Can I... um... hug you?"

"what?"

"When I don't know how to express my gratitude to my family, my mom always says, 'A hug is enough.' I'm sorry! I...I...I don't know..."

"Okay."

As soon as Zheng Jinggang opened his arms, Anna nestled into his embrace.