Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Xu Hui is handing you the engraved "Contemplation of Chess and Swordplay".]

After this matter was over, Pang Hai, holding a wine cup, asked, "Brother Wen, you're not leaving Jingzhou this time, are you?"

"No current whereabouts."

"That's wonderful! I have a position here that's perfect for you; I've been waiting for you for ten years."

Even if Pang Hai doesn't say it, you can guess what he wants you to do.

"Establish an intelligence agency?"

"That's right."

[Pang Hai, having restrained his casual demeanor while reminiscing, exuded a majestic and imposing presence, radiating a profound and awe-inspiring aura.]

This is the true grandeur of Pang Hai, the young warlord who reigns supreme over Jingzhou.

"Over the years, we've tried to emulate the methods you used to build your intelligence network when we were fighting against Wei Qi."

"Unfortunately, the results were poor. Not only were the spies prone to getting out of control and being turned by traitors, but the accumulation of redundant intelligence also affected the efficiency of judgment."

"It's much more difficult to build a team this way than through conventional methods."

Pang Hai looked at you with a deep gaze: "Later, when Wei Qi led an army of 300,000 south, we suffered a great loss in terms of intelligence."

"They'll continue to rely on Huizi's cunning tactics to stall and delay until a new intelligence network is established."

[You're not surprised by this, given the methods you use to build intelligence agencies.]

[However, this was accomplished with the support of the three talent attributes: "Extensive Knowledge and Excellent Memory," "Master of Information," and "Succubus Body."]

[The ability to acquire extensive knowledge and a prodigious memory might be improved by expanding manpower and enhancing computational and information processing capabilities.]

The "Intelligence Master" possesses a comprehensive and extensive skill set; finding individuals with all the required skills would be difficult, let alone a core leader who embodies all of them.

As for the "succubus body," the black taboo is its best label, needing no further explanation.

[If Pang Hai intends to build an intelligence agency by simply imitating your methods, based on what he witnessed back then.]

The result is that they suffer the consequences.

Faced with Pang Hai's request, you agreed without hesitation.

[Firstly, it's very easy to handle, making intelligence work stress-free and saving a lot of energy.]

Secondly, your relationship with Pang Hai and Xu Hui is based on their humble beginnings, a bowl of tofu pudding together, and years of fighting side by side.

It's not that I'm worried about their true nature changing, but rather that their current positions and the situations they face often prevent them from making decisions based on their own desires.

What they're doing is rebellion.

Countless people, bearing the fate of their entire families, have entrusted themselves to this destiny without hesitation.

How could Pang Hai and Xu Hui dare to betray them?

You will naturally and willingly give this effort.

"Brother Wen, get some rest. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to the various officials in Jingzhou."

Pang Hai finished his wine, waved his hand dismissively, and left. Xu Hui nodded in acknowledgment and followed him.

[A maidservant led you to the prepared courtyard, located not far from the Zuo family's residence, in the most central area of ​​the Young Marshal's mansion.]

[You take out the "Contemplation of Chess and Swordplay" painting that Xu Hui engraved for you.]

A clear, moonlit sword light floated on the scroll, devoid of words or annotations, only the tangible trace of this spiritual energy.

[You have a thorough understanding of the cultivation process for breaking through to the Divine Realm and know how to proceed.]

[Calm your mind and spirit, achieve stillness and emptiness, withdraw your consciousness, and rely on spiritual perception.]

[Faintly, you seem to hear the sound of swords chanting, their chaotic and bizarre trajectories swirling around your consciousness.]

Then, a flash of absolutely rational and calm sword light found an opening in the complex situation and launched a fatal attack.

This is the mystery of the "Contemplation Diagram of Chess and Swordplay".

The key lies in the character '弈' (yì).

Every battle is like a game of chess, with different strategies for different situations: first move, second move, advantage, disadvantage.

Every step was carefully considered and meticulously calculated, achieving the greatest results with the least effort.

This reveals the path Xu Hui took.

[Strategy, deception, and the destruction of the righteous path.]

The "Contemplation of Chess and Sword" painting likely originated from insights gained from the relief sculpture of "Strategy in Chess."

[This is indeed a perfect fit for someone who owns "The Enemy".]

In fact, this was inevitable.

[The "Premonition Against the Enemy" sculpture and the six reliefs by Pang Hai and Xu Hui all belong to the secret collection of the "Tomb of the Military Gods," and are essentially one entity.]

More importantly, "The Enemy's Premonition," as the first relief, is the starting point and foundation of the entire secret.

Regardless of Pang Hai's strategy of annihilating the enemy swiftly and decisively, without attacking.

[It was still Xu Hui's strategy, employing cunning and deception, and attacking the moral high ground.]

[Everyone needs a pair of "eyes"—eyes that can anticipate the enemy's moves, detect weaknesses, and analyze the situation.]

This is "The Enemy's Premonition."

Understanding visualization techniques is more difficult than you imagine.

[Initially, one uses the engravings on the visualization diagram to aid in mental concentration. As the scattered and ethereal spirit gradually materializes, and one can depict the corresponding traces on the visualization diagram, one is considered to have entered the stage of spiritual contemplation.]

Some visualization images depict ferocious beasts, others rivers, mountains, and seas, and still others pine trees, bamboo, and plum blossoms...

And you, you must trace the marks of the sword.

[While seemingly simpler than the complex and ferocious Jiang Hai, with only one stroke, the sword mark actually conceals an extremely intricate structure.]

"Grind it! I refuse to believe that I can't get it in if I grind it slowly!"

[Your confidence stems from your perseverance; you've managed to slowly grind open a crack in the secrets of the "Tomb of the God of War," though you haven't truly entered yet.]

[You think you can refuse a mere Xuan-level meditation technique?]

【the next day.】

You open your eyes, your gaze clear and bright. Having cultivated all night, you feel refreshed and your concentration is even greater.

This is one of the benefits of visualization practice.

After you have finished washing up, your maid will inform you to proceed to your meal.

"I haven't made this in a long time, let's see if it tastes the same."

When you arrived, Zuo smiled gently, carrying a bowl of tofu pudding.

"It's not just been a long time; it hasn't been done since you disappeared, Brother Wen."

Pang Hai stretched as he entered, snatched the tofu pudding from his hand, and said, "I don't even dare to mention the word 'bean' normally."

"Are you teasing me again?"

[With her hands on her hips and her beautiful eyes slightly wide, Lady Zuo's charming demeanor astonished the maids, who had never seen this noble lady in such a state before.]

Pang Hai grinned, gulped down his tofu pudding, and then smacked his lips: "Even a dog wouldn't eat the plain flavor."

"If the dog won't eat it, I will."

Pang Hai shrugged, unconcerned.

"He's insulting you."

[Xu Hui's cold, leisurely voice rang out, and his figure appeared as if out of thin air.]

Having said that, she ignored Pang Hai, who was still reminiscing about where he had been scolded, and gestured, "I want a bowl of salty food."

Zuo stared blankly at the scene before him, as if it were happening yesterday.

She waited and hoped for this for ten years.

"Okay, here you go."

Zuo turned around, quietly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and poured three bowls of tofu pudding for you.

You: "This is salty."

Pang Hai: "This is the original flavor."

[Xu Hui: "This is sweet."]

Zuo covered her mouth and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear, I was so happy that I served the wrong thing!"

The three of you, seeing his exaggerated and cunning acting, smiled knowingly and shook your heads.

You snatch the original flavor from Pang Hai's hand: "Anyway, even dogs won't eat it, I'll eat it."

This time, Pang Hai understood.