Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Auspicious celestial phenomena attract blessings and elevate one's status.]

Wei Zhi raised his eyes, his gaze piercing through the dome, fixed on the strange phenomenon in the sky.

As the Empress of the Great Cang Dynasty, she was extremely familiar with the current atmosphere.

This is not about fate or destiny.

Rather, it was a disturbance caused purely by the flow of fortune.

[And its aura is astonishingly powerful.]

[If anyone else witnessed this, they might have thought it was a crown prince or a retired royal elder in person.]

【but……】

Wei Zhi, burdened with the destiny of being a femme fatale.

[Perceiving the essence of what caused the celestial phenomena and stirred up waves of destiny.]

[A darkness, unspeakable and lurking, is present.]

[If your wide sleeves conceal a rebellious destiny.]

Although they are different in nature, they are highly similar in essence.

[And you actually dare to proclaim your unwavering loyalty to Da Cang, calling yourself a true loyal subject of Da Cang?]

Wei Zhi withdrew his gaze and fixed it on you.

A growing sense of shared identity.

This made her feel a long-lost sense of joy.

At the same time, I can't help but laugh and cry at your pretentious act.

You ignored her insightful, slightly strange gaze.

He frankly stated, "People are ultimately accustomed to defining everything by its outward appearance of glamour and decay."

Misunderstandings arise from this.

As you spoke, you casually rose, one hand behind your back.

The tone conveyed a deep sense of generosity.

"I will glare coldly at the pointing fingers of a thousand men."

You raised your eyes and swept them over the crowd, your gaze piercing through the palace gates, as if surveying the entire world.

"Willing to bow my head and serve the people like an ox."

With firm steps, he walked up to Wei Zhi.

"Though there be thousands, I will go."

Wei Zhi knows your true nature well; it is treacherous, ominous, rebellious, and subversive.

Yet, hearing your words now still deeply moves me.

[His lowered eyes, unable to conceal his unusual expression, murmured.]

"I will face a thousand pointing fingers with a cold brow, yet bow my head to serve the people like an ox; though there be millions... I will go..."

Her voice, as clear as jade chimes, sang with a unique charm.

I looked up at your serene and peaceful face.

It's hard to believe that the person who resonated with her could possess such a magnanimous and profound character.

These words.

[Direct expression of feelings, grand and magnificent.]

[Clearly, this cannot be faked, concocted, or faked.]

It must stem from the most steadfast beliefs in one's heart.

She has to admit that her opinion of you is starting to change.

From initial impressions based on intelligence, to the astonishment at first sight, to this complete reversal.

You constantly subvert, provoke, and shake her emotions.

[Born with the destiny of a femme fatale, she walked on thin ice from a young age, for the first ten years or so.]

Everyone is following the rules set by those in power.

[Just for survival.]

Gradually, she developed a habit of hiding in the shadows.

Even after ascending to the throne of Empress Da Cang, wielding immense power and influence, [it was still possible].

[I still can't shake the deep-seated cautiousness within me.]

And you are the one who can resonate with her.

Despite appearing dirtier, their words and actions convey a contradictory sense of uprightness.

It was truly unbelievable to her.

[Wearing plain clothes, how can one avoid getting stained while crossing a muddy pond?]

If you could understand the confusion in her heart.

[They will certainly give a kind answer.]

[Wearing plain clothes and crossing a muddy pond, one cannot help but get stained.]

But since he was dressed entirely in black, why would he care about getting dirty?

[When darkness reaches its extreme, its very essence will be defined by you!]

The hall fell silent for a moment, stunned by your powerful words.

[Wei Qi, Pang Hai, Xu Hui.]

The look in their eyes was one of undisguised shock and reverence.

[A kind of exhilarating, trembling feeling washed over me.]

Wei Qi longed to wield his spear, ride his horse across the battlefield, wreak havoc, and destroy all injustice.

The second-generation leader, Pang Hai, wanted to laugh heartily.

[To avoid ruining the atmosphere, it was strictly controlled.]

[The corners of his mouth kept turning upwards and downwards, upwards and downwards, like a spasm.]

[The first generation, Xu Hui, was also deeply moved, but his gaze lingered between you and Wei Zhi.]

[I silently made another note.]

This seems to be a rare display of poetic talent from my elder brother.

[So, he was meant to stay here and play a role.]

He once again offered his own unique interpretation of your behavior and jotted it down in his notebook.

[After a moment of silence.]

Everyone calmed down.

Wei Zhi's eyes were slightly unfocused, and her cherry lips parted slightly: "Mr. Wen... you are a man of great righteousness."

Ultimately, she exists in a state of enigmatic resonance with you, between this moment of boundless generosity and power.

[I choose to temporarily trust your sense of righteousness.]

Because resonance stems from the essence of things.

Human behavior, however, is based on choices made according to human nature.

She harbored expectations that she herself could hardly articulate.

I want to see if you, someone even dirtier than her, can truly remain untainted.

You don't care about her praise.

[He shook his head and chuckled lightly, "I traveled south from Yongzhou, entered the Celestial Master's Mansion, and then followed my master to Nancang..."]

"I've seen far too many things that shouldn't exist in this world."

"If the world is at peace and prosperous, and the people are healthy and well-off."

"The rebellious destiny I bear is a calamity for all living beings."

【"but…… "】

Your tone suddenly shifted, and the smile on your lips held a hint of sarcasm.

"He casts a spell to summon clouds and rain, but black rain falls upon the world, bringing filth, darkness, and chaos."

You and Wei Zhi locked eyes.

"On the contrary, it saved the people from despair."

"Empress, isn't this laughable?"

Wei Zhi remained silent.

[If, before your words, someone had discussed with her the hardships of people's lives and the displacement of the populace.]

She would simply let it go.

Because he resides at the very heart of power within the Great Cang Dynasty.

[I have never witnessed even the most ordinary scenes of everyday life.]

Born into the Wei family, he survived because of his destiny and participated in the power struggles and changes of the imperial court.

How could such an experience cultivate a heart dedicated to saving the world and its people?

Selfishness, self-interest, survival.

That is what is truly unshakeable.

But at least for now, she was unwilling to reveal that ugly side.

[Based on a small amount of respect for those who bravely sacrificed their lives.]

You see Wei Zhi remains silent.

The buildup has been long enough.

Believe in your current persona; it's basically established.

[A martyr who, despite facing condemnation from thousands and countless dangers, sought to forge a path to survival for the people.]

[This refers to your character setup when you enter the Great Cang Central Court.]

"Empress, would you be willing to petition for amnesty on our behalf?"

You've brought the topic back on track.

Wei Zhi looked at you with a complicated expression.

[With a rare, barely perceptible sincerity, he advised, "Sir, are you determined to accept the imperial pardon?"]

"You, who live in seclusion in a corner of the world and plot expansion, are still able to protect the people of this region."

"If one enters the central courtyard and ascends to the imperial court..."

"That's an abyss that devours people without spitting out the bones."

You didn't answer, your smile was faint, but your eyes were resolute.

She understands; you already provided the answer.

Though there be millions against me, I will go!