Thinking of this, Hao Jiu sped up to catch up with Liu Ji, activated the binding program, connected to Liu Ji's brainwaves, and spoke in the tone of the God of Systems.
"Liu Ji, Liu Ji..."
"Huh? Who's speaking? How dare you address me by my name!" Liu Ji stopped and looked around, but there wasn't a single person in sight.
Hao Jiu thought to himself that Liu Ji was quite bold, which made him look at him in a new light.
"I am the strongest system. You can treat me as a god who can give you everything. Now I want to bind myself to you, to share your glory and your shame. Do you agree?"
"The strongest system? A god? Can you give me everything? Then can you grant me immortality?" Liu Ji asked.
"Of course, but you have to agree to the binding first. I'll give you three counts of time to consider. If you don't agree, I'll go find someone else. Do you agree to bind to this system? Three, two..."
"I do!" Liu Jixin replied happily.
Hao Jiu clapped his hands, and it was done!
"Binding in progress!"
However, nothing happened...
Caw, caw, caw... A crow flew overhead and landed right on Liu Ji's head.
"Hey, the strongest system god, have you finished binding yourself yet? Hurry up and grant me immortality!" Liu Ji urged.
Hao Jiu instantly became extremely embarrassed. This wasn't right. The host binding process was supposed to be like this, and there was nothing wrong with skirting the rules. It could indeed grant Liu Ji immortality. As long as he went to a cultivation world in the future and got some elixirs, he would have everything he wanted.
"Hmph, what kind of wandering ghost is this, daring to try and fool me? Get lost!" Liu Ji flicked his sleeves, his face full of disdain.
"Wait a minute, there's a problem with the binding. I'm looking into it. Good things come to those who wait." Hao Jiu hurriedly pulled up the relevant instructions for binding the host and checked them repeatedly.
"Hehehe, where did this ridiculous system come from? Don't you know that a person can only be bound to one system?" A mechanical voice rang out, and with each word it uttered, Hao Jiu's face grew more and more unpleasant, because it wasn't Liu Ji who had spoken.
Hao Jiu took off running! Holy crap! It turns out the mutated system was on Liu Ji!
"You think you can leave now that you've come all this way?" The mutated system suddenly appeared, revealing itself to be a black dragon!
Whoosh!
A beam of black light shot out from the black dragon's mouth and struck Hao Jiu's left hand. It seemed to be alive and burrowed straight into the back of his hand. In the blink of an eye, the part that was still outside was completely inside. However, Hao Jiu didn't seem to feel anything other than a little pain.
Luckily, he reacted quickly and blocked it with his hand; otherwise, it would have been a real problem if it had gotten into a vital part of his body. Hao Jiu realized that anything that could harm the system must be a virus. Why was he so unlucky…?
Hao Jiu is now kicking himself. There are so many outstanding people in Chu and Han, any of them would be better than Liu Ji who already has a master. Besides, this mutated system is a ruthless character that can attack other systems!
If he were to bind a host before facing him, he wouldn't have to be afraid. But right now, Hao Jiu can only run for his life.
Alternatively, you could quickly find a host to bind with and claim the gift pack, and see what super items inside could turn the tide of battle.
But even if I succeed, it's still a waste; using such a high-level item in a beginner's quest is such a waste.
Of course, if you can't even complete the beginner missions, or even lose your life here, there's no point in keeping the super item; you have to use it even if it's a huge loss.
However, Hao Jiu's current lack of a host actually has an advantage: it is not restricted by the host and can instantly penetrate thick materials like cowhide in military tents. Its flight speed is also faster than that of its host.
Once bound, the system cannot leave the host, but it can still partially escape outside the host's body, as long as it remains connected to the host even slightly.
Although Liu Ji was chasing closely behind, the distance between him and Hao Jiu was getting further and further apart.
As Hao Jiu ran, he pondered who would be the best host to complete the mission. After much thought, he decided that Zhang Liang was the best choice. He could infiltrate Liu Ji's side and, if he could persuade Zhang Liang, wouldn't it be easy to find an opportunity to kill Liu Ji?
To maintain secrecy, Hao Jiu deliberately took a long detour, passing through tents to lead Liu Ji and the mutated system in the opposite direction, completely shaking them off before returning to the central command tent to find Zhang Liang.
At this moment, Zhang Liang was pondering something next to the map when Hao Jiu rushed over and got straight to the point, speaking in a pretentious tone.
"Zhang Liang, I have an immense opportunity for you. If you agree to bind yourself to me, you can have all your wishes fulfilled."
"Hmm?" Zhang Liang looked around. "Who is this extraordinary person? Would they be so kind as to show themselves?"
Just then, a man burst in from outside—it was Liu Ji!
"Haha, Zifang, I think you make a good point. We should be more restrained in that matter and wait until tonight."
"Where do you think you're going!" A black dragon instantly shot out from Liu Ji's chest, rushing straight at Hao Jiu, and it was seven or eight meters long!
Hao Jiu reacted quickly, immediately abandoning the binding with Zhang Liang. He then used his legs to leap and dodge the mutated system's attack, escaping through the central command tent.
However, Hao Jiu had a question in her mind: how could the other party have arrived so quickly!
Chapter 5 Overlord's Divine Eye
As Hao Jiu ran, he wondered if the mutated system had already guessed that he was going to bind to Zhang Liang.
No way...
"hiss……"
Hao Jiu raised his left hand and saw that the black thing seemed to be trying to devour his memories, but very slowly.
Of course, the insect's original target was definitely the more useful functional modules it was going to devour. However, Hao Jiu's bizarre system body only contained memories and emotions, which are unique to humans, making it extremely poor.
At this moment, Hao Jiu's most profound and precious memory from kindergarten—the scene of lifting a girl's skirt—was incomplete. Was it pink or white? He couldn't remember at all!
Well, that's not the point.
Hao Jiu was a programmer and a computer expert. System viruses are usually used together with Trojans, so this thing might have a monitoring function!
If that's the case, then no matter who you choose as a host, the mutation system will know immediately, making it unlikely that you can remain hidden.
In this situation, if one still wants to bind people to Liu Ji's camp, one can only choose those who hold significant military power, and one must turn them to defect immediately, otherwise Liu Ji will easily crush them, such as Lü Ze and Han Xin.
Historically, Han Xin had an inexplicable trust in Liu Ji. After defeating Xiang Yu, he was asked to hand over the military power of Qi, which Han Xin immediately did. Although he had the pretense of being enfeoffed as the King of Chu, could the King of Chu compare to the King of Qi?
Han Xin had excellent control over the Qi army, but not over the Chu army; he was essentially sidelined.
Liu Ji was still not satisfied, so he used a scheme to demote Han Xin from King of Chu to Marquis of Huaiyin. At this point, Han Xin had no military power at all, and soon after, he was killed by Empress Lü on charges of treason.
When Han Xin was still the King of Qi and held a large army, his strategist Kuai Che once advised Han Xin not to fight Xiang Yu, but to divide the world into three with Xiang Yu and Liu Ji. Xiang Yu also sent an envoy to talk about this.
As a result, Han Xin was incredibly loyal and rejected the proposals of Kuai Che and Xiang Yu. Only on his deathbed did he regret not having divided the world into three kingdoms, which was truly foolish.
With Han Xin like this, Hao Jiu could only give it a try.
As for Lü Ze, he is Lü Zhi's elder brother and related to Liu Ji, so it's even more impossible for him to switch sides now.
However, with one's location constantly being monitored, it seems that another person would be more suitable as the host, although completing the mission would be quite difficult.
...
At the Battle of Gaixia, the Han army had left behind tens of thousands of corpses, and the wounded were even more numerous.
Xiang Yu wanted to press his advantage and expand his gains, but his army was exhausted and he had just received news that the Qi army had reached the east bank of the Xiao River.
Therefore, Xiang Yu ordered a portion of his men to stay behind and clean up the battlefield, while he led the main army back to the fortress to rest.
Despite the heavy defenses along the Xiaoshui River, Xiang Yu had to prepare for the worst. He had heard that Han Xin was becoming increasingly skilled in warfare, and perhaps he could actually break through the Xiaoshui River's defenses.
If such a thing were to happen, the most important thing now would be to let the army get a good rest, even more important than killing tens of thousands more of Lü Ze's men.
Lü Ze has been defeated and should not dare to attack again in the short term. The next step is to deal with King Han Xin of Qi. As long as Han Xin is defeated, the situation can be stabilized.
When Zhou Yin rallied the Jiujiang army to aid in the battle, it was time for a major counter-offensive that would completely crush Liu Ji.
As Xiang Yu thought of this, his gaze suddenly softened, for a beautiful figure appeared in front of him.
"Yu, I have just won another great victory!"
Yu Ji approached gracefully, her face beaming with joy, and said, "I congratulate Your Majesty! Surely the Han army will soon retreat?"
"Yes, once I defeat the Qi army, the Han army should retreat together." A fierce fighting spirit ignited in Xiang Yu's heart.
Yu Ji's expression changed slightly. "The Qi army is here? Is it Han Xin?"
“It’s him. I originally wanted to go to Qi to find him and avenge Long Ju, but now he’s delivered himself to my door, saving me the trouble of traveling.” Xiang Yu’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.
"Although Han Xin is a traitor, he is quite capable. Your Majesty must not underestimate him. As for avenging Long Ju, there is no need to rush it," Yu Ji said worriedly.
"Rest assured, I have my own plan." Xiang Yu deeply regretted not heeding his advisor's words and killing Han Xin. If it weren't for Han Xin's achievements in Hebei, this predicament wouldn't exist. This time, he was determined to kill this traitor and eliminate any future threat.
"Does the Overlord want to win this war? Perhaps this humble god can help." Hao Jiu withdrew his gaze from Yu Ji. She was indeed beautiful, and naturally so, far more beautiful than those modern celebrities who had undergone plastic surgery and beauty filters. She was truly a fairy descended to earth.
Perhaps, I could try to save Yu Ji?
But first, you have to complete the binding with Xiang Yu. Binding a host in ancient times was a real hassle. If you say it's a system, the other party definitely won't understand. You can only bring up the gods.
Xiang Yu stopped in his tracks. "Yu, go back to your tent and wait for me."
"Yes." Yu Ji bowed and turned to leave.
After Yu Ji disappeared from sight, Xiang Yu suddenly turned around and glared fiercely at Hao Jiu, actually meeting his gaze.
"Hmph, another charlatan pretending to be a god. If you're so capable, bring me Liu Ji's head to prove you're a god, or defeat me right here. Otherwise... get lost!"
I'm fucking...
Hao Jiu was stunned. Xiang Yu could see him? How could that be!
The system is an energy entity similar to the soul, formless and colorless, but different from the soul because it has been digitized. Even psychics who can see ghosts cannot see it, yet Xiang Yu was able to make eye contact with it.
However, Xiang Yu's words just now contained a lot of information. Could it be that the target mutation system had also set its sights on Xiang Yu before binding itself to Liu Ji? And even suffered a setback?
That's true. Xiang Yu didn't fall into an unfavorable situation for long. Before that, Xiang Yu had the upper hand in every aspect, and Liu Ji could only submit.
A system that doesn't know how to choose a host with such perfection must be an idiot...
"Can the Overlord see me?" Hao Jiu carefully observed Xiang Yu's eyes and found that he did indeed have double pupils. In addition to a black pupil in the middle of his brown eyes, there was a very small golden pupil diagonally above and below, which was hidden in the brown and could not be seen unless you looked closely.
"Hmph!" Xiang Yu didn't answer, and turned to leave.
"Was that a black dragon you saw last time?" Hao Jiu felt something was off. If that black dragon had appeared in front of Xiang Yu, it shouldn't have been mistaken for a ghost, right? Its appearance was many times better than that of a handsome human like him.
"Get lost!" Xiang Yu said without turning his head.
"Why is Your Majesty so angry? Actually, I come from the future. I know very well what you are fighting in this Battle of Gaixia, including your fate and that of Yu Ji, and the fate of this world. If I don't help you, not only will you die, but Yu Ji will also die, and the soldiers loyal to you will all die. Don't you want to turn defeat into victory? As long as you agree to bind with me, I will do my best to help you defy fate. How about it?"
Hao Jiu was bitter. If this were modern times, countless people would be scrambling for a system. Why was the system so unpopular in ancient times?
Xiang Yu stopped in his tracks. "You say I would be defeated? What utter nonsense! They're nothing but a bunch of petty villains. Which one of them is my match? Let them come!"
"None of them are your match, but what if they join forces? What if there are enemy spies in your army? Peng Yue's army is approaching from the north, Han Xin's Qi army is crossing the river from the east, Liu Ji, Zhang Liang, and Lü Ze are to the west, and Liu Jia, Ying Bu, and Zhou Yin's armies will soon surround you from the south. Gaixia is about to become a dead end. Does the Overlord still think he can win?"
Hao Jiu simply told Xiang Yu everything he knew, but if Xiang Yu still didn't believe him, there was nothing he could do.
"Hahaha... I'm not afraid of you coming at me all at once! I don't know what the future holds for you, but Han Xin can't possibly cross the river so quickly, and Zhou Yin won't betray me. Even if he leads his army north, it will definitely be to stop Liu Jia and Ying Bu!" Xiang Yu roared.