Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

After the wedding, you put aside your official duties and spent half a month traveling and enjoying the scenery with Zuo Shi.

Zuo Shi, that's the name you gave her.

Boating on the picturesque Han River, traversing mountains ablaze with red maple leaves, and atop Zhenwu Mountain, watching the floating clouds and admiring the sunset.

Zuo Shi's face radiated a gentle, happy smile, her refined elegance revealing a graceful charm.

"I've heard that Zhenwu Mountain is one of the three sacred sites of the Daoist realm, and its incense offerings are indeed as flourishing as those of Yuxiao Mountain."

[You see throngs of travelers and pilgrims, walking hand in hand with Zuo Shi.]

[Surrounded by maids and guards.]

Zuo Shi smiled gently, her eyes soft and alluring: "I have come here every year to pray for my husband's safety and well-being."

"It seems quite effective. Over the years, thanks to your devout prayers, we've been able to escape misfortune and find good fortune."

At this moment, a voice came from the side: "Seeking help from gods and Buddhas is not as good as relying on yourself. Turning misfortune into good fortune is your own good luck, not the protection of any deity."

You looked in the direction of the sound, wondering who dared to speak so arrogantly in this sacred Taoist site, unafraid of being driven away by the Taoist priests of Zhenwu Mountain?

[As a result, they saw a disheveled Taoist priest in a black robe, sitting on the ground regardless of the dust, grabbing a roast chicken and taking big bites.]

You were surprised; if you hadn't witnessed it with your own eyes, you wouldn't have been able to detect the presence of someone in front of you.

"Is the Taoist priest a cultivator from the Celestial Master's Mansion on Zhenwu Mountain?"

The Taoist priest had white hair and an ancient face, etched with the marks of time. His black Taoist robe was old and faded, and he was unkempt.

[Spitting out a chicken bone: "You little rascal, you're quite strange."]

You couldn't help but chuckle. You were surprised that you were almost forty and still being called a little kid; it was rather adorable.

"What's strange about it? It's the Taoist priest sweeping his own incense in front of the temple that's odd."

The old Taoist priest, looking uneasy, wiped his hand on his robe. His cloudy eyes, like bottomless black holes, shook his head repeatedly, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Strange, truly strange."

He extended one hand, its five fingers long and slender, unusually fair, quite different from his pale face, and formed a hand seal.

["Hahaha, interesting. This life was supposed to end, but it can actually be continued. I've never seen anything like this before, hahaha..."]

The laughter still echoed in their ears, but the old Taoist's figure had vanished without a trace, as if from thin air.

Only the chicken bones on the ground let you know it wasn't an illusion.

"Husband? What are you looking at?"

Zuo Shi tugged at your hem.

You raised your hand to point in the old Taoist's direction, but saw that Zuo Shi looked confused, clearly not seeing the old Taoist, nor did she see you talking to anyone.

"I've really seen something like this in my lifetime."

You tugged at the corner of your mouth.

[Just wandering around, and you can suddenly encounter this mysterious and unpredictable being.]

Fortunately, the "predictor" did not warn of any danger throughout the entire process.

【Uh... is this a good thing or a bad thing?】

You suddenly feel a chill run down your spine.

Is there no danger, or did the "prophet" simply fail to foresee it?

【"Haha, it's okay, don't scare yourself."】

You suppressed this matter in your heart and continued to travel with Zuo Shi, remaining away for three whole months before returning to Xiangyang City.

Upon arrival, Pang Hai sent someone to invite him to the governor's residence.

"Brother, my dear brother, you've been gone for three months. Doesn't the Censorate care anymore?"

Upon seeing you, Pang Hai poured out his grievances.

You poured yourself a cup of tea, took a sip, and said, "The intelligence agency is on track and operating autonomously. Whether I'm here or not makes little difference."

Pang Hai, his exaggerated expression gone, chuckled and sat down beside you, teasingly asking, "How's your wedding day?"

You glanced at him sideways: "Why don't you try it yourself?"

Pang Hai's expression faltered slightly, then he smiled and changed the subject.

[Twenty-third year, age thirty-nine.]

You clock in for work every day, sharpening your mind and refining your skills, drawing your sword by day and by night.

[You have finally focused your mind and are able to leave a tangible mark on the scroll. Once you complete the "Contemplation Diagram of the Swordplay" in its entirety, you will enter the realm of divine contemplation.]

The dawn of victory is about to break before your eyes.

[Twenty-fourth year, age forty.]

A man is in his prime at forty; you've already blossomed twice.

After several years of recuperation and military buildup, Jingzhou's military strength has gradually increased, and it has begun to reveal its ambition for expansion.

Your intelligence network has begun receiving frequent messages from Yangzhou and Bingzhou.

Xiang Che, Chen Chaomang, and Pang Hai maintained close contact, discussed matters collaboratively, and sought a consensus.

[Your spiritual depiction of the traces of Yi Jian is becoming increasingly complete; this time, the dawn is truly about to break.]

[Twenty-fifth year, age forty-one.]

Through your persistent efforts, you have finally depicted the spiritual trace in the "Contemplation Diagram of Chess and Swordplay".

[Enter the Three Realms to Contemplate the Divine.]

It took a while and required a lot of effort, but it was absolutely worth it.

[Using the Profound-level visualization method to enter the Divine Realm is far more effective than using High-level or Top-level visualization methods.]

[Now your spirit has begun to transform into a spiritual force, which has solidified into a tangible form. Even without opening your eyes, you can perceive everything within a ten-meter radius, seeing every detail clearly and without omission.]

Furthermore, the spiritual energy gathered by the "Swordplay Contemplation Diagram" is all-pervasive, capable of detecting, confusing, and defeating the enemy.

[Plus the prophetic foresight from "The Enemy's Predestination."]

[With a single strike, the enemy is forced to defend, exploiting their weaknesses, and becoming unstoppable.]

Meanwhile, Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and Bingzhou reached a consensus and decided to launch a simultaneous attack on one of the three provinces.

[They are intertwined; if the Great Cang Central Court sends troops, they will support each other.]

The autumn harvest has left Xiangyang City shrouded in a desolate and bleak atmosphere, with the smoke of impending war hanging in the air.

[The Great Hall of State Affairs.]

Pang Hai, clad in a black robe, sat astride a high seat, wielding a powerless sword, his gaze unfathomable, his aura profound and imposing.

"Gentlemen, our military strength is now sharp; it is time to expand our territory."

A magnificent and wild voice echoed.

Every order was issued decisively.

Xun Huai was stationed in Xiangyang, overseeing government affairs and maintaining stability.

Qian Guan was in charge of logistics and supplies to ensure the front lines received adequate supplies, while Wu Yan strictly enforced the law to prevent those with ulterior motives from taking advantage of the situation.

Wei Yuan established the strategic direction, while Xu Hui formulated specific tactics.

Pang Hai will personally lead a large army to conquer Yuzhou.

Your responsibility is to maintain close contact with all parties, ensuring information transmission, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance of enemy deployments, and troop movements.

In short, the goal is to become the eyes and ears of the battlefield.

[The pre-battle meeting ended, and everyone went their separate ways, but you stayed behind.]

"Brother Wen, is there anything else?"

When there were only two people present, Pang Hai did not use his official title.

Without saying much, you took out a roster and placed it on the desktop.

Pang Hai took the book with a puzzled look, glanced at it, and his gaze suddenly sharpened. The more he looked, the slower he slowed down, and the more shocked he became.

[Finally, unable to contain himself any longer, he let out a loud laugh.]

"Haha, you truly are my good older brother."

Pang Hai exuded an imposing aura, his sharp spirit soaring to the heavens, his demeanor arrogant and resolute: "With this list, Yu Province is already in our grasp."

"Memorize it quickly."

Pang Hai calmed his surging emotions and realized that this name could not be kept on the list.

I quickly memorized everything above, down to the smallest detail, to ensure there were no omissions.

Then, a terrifying aura of blade energy emerged, obliterating the register.

[In a fleeting glimpse, you sense Pang Hai's terrifying power; his blade aura, seemingly capable of annihilating everything, is chilling.]

With everything prepared, we marched north to conquer Yuzhou.