Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Young Marshal's Mansion, Council Hall.]

The three highest-ranking officials in Jingzhou are now seated, discussing matters.

[The young marshal Pang Hai sat at the head of the table, with his son Xu Hui on his right, and to their left a slender, white-haired, and frail old man.]

The strategist, Wei Yuan, was also the tutor of Pang Hai and Xu Hui.

"The Huai River Alliance temporarily eased the war in Jingzhou. The most important task now is to allow the people to recover and rebuild commerce."

Pang Hai, having heard no objection, glanced at Xu Hui, who sat silently.

"Have you found out why the Great Cang Central Court suddenly ceased hostilities, and what the whereabouts of Wei Qi and Yue Mu are?"

Xu Hui's demeanor was aloof, giving off a sense of ethereal distance.

"News from our scouts indicates that Yue Mu has returned to Nanchuan to guard the region, while Wei Qi hastily dispatched troops north at the very beginning of the peace negotiations."

"Heading north? There's some unusual activity at the Great Wall in the north?"

Xu Hui shook his head: "I don't know. Jingzhou's intelligence network doesn't extend that far yet."

Pang Hai seemed to have thought of something and sighed softly.

"If Brother Wen were still alive, the Jingzhou intelligence network wouldn't be in such a dire situation. They were constantly at a disadvantage when they clashed with Wei Qi."

Wei Yuan lowered his gaze slightly. He was familiar with the person the man was speaking of; he had met him a few times during his time as a student.

Over the years, Pang Hai expended considerable manpower searching for them, only stopping when Wei Qi launched a campaign against them.

This shows how important he was to her, placing him on par with the woman in the inner courtyard, Lady Zuo.

[Fast footsteps approached, and the butler announced their arrival before entering the council chamber.]

Upon seeing that even a great figure like Wei Yuan was present, they composed themselves and bowed respectfully.

"Why the rush? What happened?"

Pang Hai asked in a deep, authoritative voice, conveying a powerful and imposing aura.

The steward dared not offer a judgment, and bowed to present the visiting card.

Pang Hai frowned as he took the document. Ruo Dao's gaze fell upon his old friend of ten years... Wen Yu!

"Brother Wen!?"

Pang Hai, who had cultivated an unwavering composure over the years, rose calmly.

[This drew the attention of Xu Hui and Wei Yuan.]

[Their expressions varied upon hearing the form of address he used.]

Xu Hui's calm and rational face rarely showed joy, while Wei Yuan's expression was as deep and unfathomable as a still pool.

Pang Hai opened the visiting card, read its contents, and then let out a loud, unrestrained laugh, as powerful as the roar of an enraged dragon.

Even the butler staggered backward, unable to resist.

"Brother Wen has arrived in Xiangyang and is currently staying at an inn. Let's go pick him up."

Pang Hai strode away, his black robe billowing, ready to leave.

[Should we inform Sister Zuo?]

Xu Hui had regained his indifferent expression and asked in a cold voice.

Upon hearing this, Pang Hai calmed himself down and shook his head: "Let's talk about it after we're sure. What if... Sister Zuo might not be able to handle such extreme emotional swings?"

Xu Hui nodded and got up to go with them.

Wei Yuan paced to the door, watching the two students' departing figures, his gaze deep and lost in thought.

……

[Boom boom boom...]

The thunderous sound of iron hooves echoed along the main street of Xiangyang, a road wide enough for sixteen horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side, separating pedestrians, riders, and carriages.

[It's rare for someone to be so arrogant and domineering in a raid, and the scale of the operation is enormous.]

Upon recognizing the two leading riders, he suddenly understood, then became puzzled.

What has caused the young marshal and the young master to be in such a hurry? Has war broken out again?

Pang Hai and Xu Hui rode swiftly, followed by their personal guards in formation.

[I saw the two men hurriedly leaving on horseback and thought something serious had happened, so I immediately followed them, only to end up causing such a commotion.]

Pang Hai also realized what was happening, but since it was a rule in Xiangyang that one should not fly through the air under normal circumstances, he was the first to abide by the rule he had set.

Soon, the young marshal and the young master, leading their personal guards on cavalry, arrived in front of the inn.

The chilling and menacing atmosphere instilled fear in the martial arts practitioners inside, especially those who were not particularly clean, who thought they had broken some cardinal rule.

[What's the difference between this kind of arrest operation and divine retribution?]

Hearing the commotion, you glanced sideways down the long street and saw Pang Hai and Xu Hui seated atop their magnificent horses.

[I never expected that my careful planning would result in Pang Hai causing such a commotion.]

[After ten years apart, the two have changed drastically.]

[The blade, like a hilt soaring to the heavens, is sharp and indestructible, capable of any attack; its cold, ruthless power is overwhelming, its oppressive force overwhelming.]

Xu Hui grew even more indifferent, exuding a serene and ethereal aura, as if he might drift away at any moment, detached from the mortal world.

The two noticed you staring and looked up to meet your gaze.

"Hahaha, Brother Wen!"

[Pang Hai saw that although you had matured a lot, you still stood out in the crowd, laughing heartily as you had back then.]

"Brother Wen."

Xu Hui smiled reservedly, yet this was a rare display of emotion.

You glanced at the array of iron cavalry, their imposing aura soaring into the sky like iron-blooded smoke, causing everyone around to retreat, and even the martial arts practitioners in the inn trembled.

"Ten years have passed, and you're still as reckless as ever. Why make such a fuss?"

Pang Hai chuckled and scratched his head, then turned and shouted, "What are you following? Disperse!"

The imperial guards, obeying orders without question, immediately dispersed, yet they remained puzzled: why were the young marshal and the young master treating that person with such solemnity?

Some of the guards recognized you; they've been with you since the days of Golden Scale City.

[Number of battles, large and small, left only with elderly survivors.]

However, there was no grand discussion; this was a private matter between the young marshal and his son, and could not be revealed casually.

The entire main street in central Xiangyang was intimidated by Pang Hai's imposing presence, making it unsuitable for reminiscing.

You check out of the inn, leave, and ride your horse back to the young marshal's mansion with the two men.

"If Sister Zuo knew you were here, she would be very happy."

Pang Hai led the way, heading directly towards the backyard.

Since the two of them raised an army in Jingzhou and swept across Jiangnan, Zuo has lived a secluded life, especially after you cut off all contact with him, he has almost never left his house.

The only things that could get her attention were the messages sent by her spies each month.

[Each time we hoped, each time we were disappointed, yet we persevered.]

The backyard is quiet and elegant, with a serene environment, clearly indicating a significant investment in its construction.

Upon arriving here, Pang Hai involuntarily restrained his wild, fiery nature.

Frost and snow cover the lake's surface; fires burn in the lakeside pavilions, brewing tea to ward off the chill.

A graceful figure, draped in a down robe, sits alone, gazing at the snow-covered lake, exuding a cool and aloof air.

Hearing footsteps, a faint smile appeared on her lips: "It's rare to see the two of you coming together."

Zuo turned around, suddenly saw something, her eyes widened, and her expression was one of astonishment and disbelief.

"Wen...Wen Yu..."

She murmured softly, hesitant and uneasy, as if afraid it was a hallucination.

【"haven't seen you for a long time."】

Your gentle smile and soft voice are hard not to be moved by their reaction.

"It really is you..."

[A smile bloomed on Zuo's face, yet tears streamed down her jade-like cheeks; her joy was tinged with a heart-wrenching sorrow.]

That was an outpouring of years of pent-up emotions.

Pang Hai, who had arrived full of excitement, seemed somewhat at a loss. Xu Hui tugged at his sleeve to signal him to stop.

【"what?"】

"An eyesore."

Xu Hui finished speaking coldly, then turned and left.

Pang Hai also came to his senses and realized that he might indeed be getting in the way.

"You all catch up first, I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare. Let's have a good celebration tonight."

Before leaving, Pang Hai offered an explanation, only to find it completely unnecessary; the two of them treated him as if he didn't exist.