Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

Wei Qi and Chen Zhe, witnessing the scene that unfolded after the door was opened, were silently shocked.

Amidst the vast, snowy landscape, a figure clad in a dark robe appeared almost otherworldly.

Upon hearing you speak, the two snapped out of their daze.

Wei Qi bowed respectfully, dressed in armor, his demeanor still that of a noble young master.

Chen Zhe's expression was cold and aloof, his eyes filled with wariness, but upon hearing the address "swordsman," he...

His brow twitched involuntarily, and his chilling indifference crumbled.

[An uncontrollable upward curve appeared at the corners of his mouth.]

You raised your hand in greeting, your wide sleeves and long hem spreading like ink across the snow, as you arrived at the pavilion beneath the persimmon tree.

Chen Zhe leaned against a persimmon tree, sword in hand.

You and Wei Qi take your seats.

"Brother Wei, have some tea."

You poured a cup of tea and handed it to him.

Wei Qi took the cup, sipped it, and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Wen, I heard three months ago that you had made some progress in finding the secret realm of military strategists, and then I heard nothing from you."

"Does the fact that I've been summoned at this time mean there's a definitive conclusion?"

[Upon hearing Wei Qi's inquiry, you sensed his eagerness and thirst for knowledge.]

Otherwise, given Wei Qi's nature—he hasn't yet experienced hardship—[the situation might change.]

[The conversation will definitely begin with a set of polite greetings befitting an aristocratic family, before subtly venturing into the main topic.]

"Yes, the secret realm will open soon."

Wei Qi raised an eyebrow slightly and lowered his voice: "The Secret Realm of the God of War?"

The reason he was so moved was because three months ago, you said that the secret realm was likely left behind by the God of War.

He could remain oblivious to the secret realms of other military strategists.

[A military genius...]

That is the "way" of all military strategists, the most essential unifying principle.

It can be said that by grasping even a slight understanding of the mysteries of the "God of War," one can touch upon the essence of the "Way of War."

"Perhaps, should, possibly, barring any unforeseen circumstances, yes."

You stirred up Wei Qi's emotions and ultimately gave him a somewhat reassuring answer.

"Shall we wait here and await the opening of the God of War's Secret Realm?"

Wei Qi was completely absorbed in his anticipation of the Mystic Realm of the War God. The composure of a noble young master vanished, replaced by youthful spirit and straightforwardness.

"Waiting won't bring you any opportunity."

You picked up your porcelain cup, took a sip, and gazed into the distance: "Opportunities must be sought, pursued, fought for, and seized."

Wei Qi had no objection to this.

[The art of war is deception, but this is the basics; using any means necessary is one of the orthodox principles of warfare.]

"Brother Wei, please make the necessary arrangements first. I will notify you immediately when the secret realm opens."

【"good."】

Next, Wei Qi pulled you aside to exchange pleasantries.

If you really can't stand it, just don't pour him tea. Wait until he's thirsty, raises the cup a few times, and finds the porcelain cup empty.

He tactfully got up to take his leave.

The two walked out of the courtyard, and the door closed immediately.

Wei Qi chuckled, finding it amusing; this Daoist from Zhenwu Mountain was truly unconventional and enigmatic.

"General, this Mr. Wen seems like a good person."

[Chen Zhe, who had been holding his sword and remaining silent throughout, suddenly spoke.]

Wei Qi turned around in surprise.

"You repeatedly warned me not to get too close to him, thinking he wasn't a good person. Why have you changed your mind now?"

Chen Zhe shook his head.

"A swordsman's intuition."

Wei Qi chuckled lightly, not bothering to investigate further, and settled into the empty house on the other side of the tofu stall.

[We await your notification regarding the opening of the War God's Secret Realm.]

Finally, several days after Wei Qi arrived in Jinlin City.

You sit gracefully in the pavilion beneath the persimmon tree, brewing tea amidst the misty steam. Your clear, bright eyes, like a broken mirror, pierce the mist, gazing westward.

[The assassin has entered Longxi County and is getting closer and closer to Jinlin City.]

【"Meow~"

A sleek black cat arrived with graceful steps and lightly leaped into the pavilion.

"Big brother, Pang Hai and Xu Hui are heading deeper into the mountains. My inner demon clone is tracking and locating them, meow~"

Upon hearing this, your shattered eyes turned westward once more.

[Suddenly, she chuckled softly.]

"So cautious? They stopped when they were still dozens of kilometers away from Golden Scale City..."

[Your pierced eyes discerned that the Lord of Slaughter had stopped tens of kilometers outside Golden Scale City, based on a map scouting in your mind.]

That was a remote, untouched mountain forest.

"It seems this is the maximum distance at which the Killer Lord can open the Tomb of the God of War."

You draw a conclusion.

"Meow~ The killing of its master has stopped? Where did it stop? Let's go over there right now and take it back."

"No rush."

You put down your teacup, and your mental energy spreads out to notify Wei Qi, who is not far away.

[“Not in a hurry? Meow! How can I not be in a hurry? My master is within reach, I am starving and thirsty, my heart is pounding! Meow!”]

Xu Kun was leaping and bounding about; if he hadn't lacked the Eye of the Broken Mirror, preventing him from pinpointing the killer's location, he would have arrived long ago.

"Let's wait for the Tomb of the God of War to open first."

Xu Kun squatted down angrily, his emerald eyes glancing sideways with a resentful look.

["Meow! By the time the tomb of the God of War opens, it'll be too late. The master who killed him will have already been taken away, meow~"]

"Don't panic, 2.5 Brother..."

【"Meow?"】

Upon hearing your familiar tone, Xu Kun's eyes lit up with envy.

"Meow~ Big brother, do you have a backup plan?"

[You were interrupted, the enigmatic smile on your lips faltered for a moment, and then, annoyed, you slapped him to the ground.]

Xu Kun didn't seem to care at all, grinning foolishly.

He had absolute trust in his elder brother's backup plan, and it had never let him down.

With a flick of your finger, you summon a exotic falcon.

He quickly wrote the order and sent it to Longxi Commandery and the surrounding commanderies.

This year, you won't just be sitting in the yard wasting time.

[You have long since infiltrated and completely controlled Longxi Commandery and the surrounding counties.]

Your orders are more effective than imperial decrees.

[At this moment, based on the location where the assassin stopped, order the troops of Longxi Commandery and several surrounding commanderies to mobilize and encircle and suppress him.]

[When you were besieged in the Western Regions for ten years, witnessing the vast desert every night, only the scenery of the Western Regions could soothe your soul.]

Today, you will let the guests from the Western Regions fully experience the charm of Yongzhou!

"Brother Wen! The secret realm has opened?"

Wei Qi rushed over, even disregarding etiquette, and directly scaled the wall to enter.

"The opening is imminent, let's set off."

You casually rose and gestured for Xu Kun to lead the way.

Wei Qi followed with a puzzled expression. Could it be that the secret realm of the God of War would be found through this black cat?

[Tens of kilometers away from Golden Scale City.]

The girl kept making divination gestures with her left hand, sensing the distance, and then stopped.

"This is the maximum distance."

[A soft, gentle voice, yet the tone carried an air of indifference and detachment.]

Following her master's instructions, she lightly patted the magic sword at her waist with her right hand.

【Om! 】

A terrifying, invisible killing intent permeated the air.

Before her wide-open eyes, she witnessed the 'killing' of space, and then something else was activated.

The terrifying killing intent vanished in an instant.

The girl smiled and said, "Mission accomplished, returning..."

Suddenly, her smile froze, her eyes widened, and she abruptly looked at the divination mark on her left hand.

[Her jade-like fingers conjured an illusion.]

[Ominous, extremely ominous, surrounded by perilous situations, dangers on all sides, ambushes from all directions...]

"How could this happen..."

The girl's delicate lips parted in fright.

"We're doomed."

[A soft voice, its tone cool and detached, delivered a self-concluding statement.]