Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

With the war in Yuzhou over, Pang Hai and Xu Hui took command of Tianmen City, drawing personnel to take over and control the situation.

You shall then return to Xiangyang City.

Zuo Shi had been eagerly anticipating your return, and upon seeing you, a tender and affectionate look appeared on her face.

After being separated for so long, their deepest feelings naturally rekindled.

The drizzle tapped against the windowsill. You put on your robe, pushed open the door, and a cool breeze dispelled the scorching, misty atmosphere.

Arriving at the pavilion, one can overlook the rain-shrouded lake.

[“The ten-year period has ended. Shall we settle our lives and draw our talent attributes?”]

[A system notification sound will play; please settle the payment immediately.]

[Gazing upon the vast ocean, forging the sword's tip, returning to Xiangyang, comprehending the art of swordsmanship, entering the realm of divine observation, testing the sword on the battlefield, ten years spent bound to the sword, its form and traces hidden in the shadows.]

[Extracting talent attributes...]

[“Sword Powerful” (Blue): Your sword power is powerful and surging, like a raging torrent, its overwhelming force reaching its peak.]

[Clearly, this is an advanced entry for "Sword Qi Across the Land" (Azure).]

You only felt a slight movement of spiritual energy, which then transformed into a powerful sword aura that raged and crushed the rain, turning it into a hazy white mist.

With the "Powerful Sword Momentum" buff, your sword becomes even more terrifying.

[With just the suppression of sword intent, ordinary martial artists at the third level of the Divine Realm would be unable to even offer resistance in your presence.]

This is the pinnacle of grandeur.

The magnificent swordplay was powerful and surging, like a raging torrent, its momentum overwhelming.

[Next, your intelligence agency will completely bring Yuzhou under control. Pang Hai and Xu Hui will also finish their business and return to Xiangyang.]

The time ahead will be spent digesting the spoils of this victory.

[Especially now that the Great Cang Dynasty has lost all six southern states, the local powerful families have also come to terms with reality, realizing the true nature of these nobles who have been sucking the blood of the people for thousands of years.]

It's time to vomit properly.

[Thirty-first year, forty-seven years old.]

Wei Yuan established the development strategy, Xu Hui formulated the details, and Xun Huaijie served as the executor.

With the cooperation of your all-pervasive, intricately woven intelligence network, a silent harvesting of powerful clans and aristocratic families was carried out in Jingzhou and Yuzhou.

Those skilled at assessing the situation acted swiftly to save their own lives, and talented individuals and scholars from the clan flocked to their service.

[Those who put up a stubborn resistance, or those who cling to a gamble.]

[It wasn't until the Censorate's spies came to his door that he suddenly realized his mistake and was filled with regret.]

Wu Yangui and Qian Guan followed behind.

[One was convicted, the other had their property confiscated; the Censorate neither handled the criminal matters nor the finances, only supervised the proceedings.]

[The thirty-fourth year, age fifty.]

[At fifty, one should know one's destiny, yet you still diligently cultivate your skills, stubbornly and persistently advancing inch by inch on the path of martial arts.]

[The "Swordplay Contemplation Diagram" has been fully comprehended, and the spiritual trace has been completely depicted using spiritual power.]

[With a fierce spirit and eyes like swords, he truly could kill.]

[Gradually entering the three realms of divine observation to perfection.]

During this time, discussions circulated throughout Xiangyang City, growing increasingly heated.

The issue under discussion was... the establishment of a nation.

Having established a stronghold over Jingzhou and Yuzhou and completely controlled the region over the years, the meritorious officials who followed him, bearing the fate of their entire families, now hope to reap the rewards of their victory.

Who wouldn't want to be ennobled and appointed to a high position?

Otherwise, why would they have embarked on the path of rebellion?

[Pang Hai showed up at your door late at night. Seeing his conflicted expression, you resisted the urge to kick him out.]

After all, you draw your sword day and night with an unusual routine; it cannot be interrupted.

"What do you want, calling me in the middle of the night?"

Pang Hai slumped wearily in his recliner, swaying back and forth: "Brother, you must have heard some of the rumors circulating in the city lately."

As the eyes of Jingzhou and Yuzhou, you certainly know.

"I've heard that someone is getting impatient and is eager to become powerful."

"What should I do?"

Pang Hai looked up at you, his eyes filled with confusion and anticipation, hoping to get an answer from you.

He rose up in rebellion when the tide was turning, his heart filled with patriotic fervor for the people. But later, he gradually shouldered more responsibilities, becoming bound and unable to break free.

He understood their thoughts perfectly well. After all, they had risked their entire families to rebel, and now they craved glory and power—it was only natural.

[Perhaps most people have forgotten, but he has never forgotten his original intention in raising the army.]

For the sake of the people.

He's been pushed all the way to this point, and now, those people are even more eager to push him onto the throne, then appoint him as a general or minister, making him a powerful and influential figure.

What then distinguishes them from those who were overthrown in the first place?

"Can you resist?"

Pang Hai shook his head blankly: "I don't know."

【"well."】

You sighed softly, gazing at the lonely moon in the sky: "The powerful can be overthrown, and dynasties can collapse, but the deep-rooted corruption that has formed in people's hearts over millennia is the most entrenched and difficult to eradicate."

Pang Hai's eyes darted around in struggle, and he asked unwillingly, "Is there no other way, Brother?"

【"hehe……"】

You chuckled self-deprecatingly. Even giants have failed; what can you do?

Perhaps through repeated simulations, the best approach can be found among countless possibilities.

You patted him on the shoulder: "Think about what name to use for your country."

[As he spoke, he made a gesture of politeness.]

"Your Majesty, it is late. I am not very tired, so I will rest now. I will not see you off."

Watching your departing figure, Pang Hai was suddenly so angry that he burst out laughing.

[The thirty-fifth year, age fifty-one.]

After much discussion, exploration, and debate, the establishment of the nation was finalized, and its various articles and regulations were established.

In the second month of spring, the sky is as smooth as a mirror, and the sun hangs high in the heavens.

Pang Hai held sway over the provinces of Jing and Yu, wielding the power of the feudal lords. He ascended the throne in Xiangyang and established the state of Chu.

[Pang Hai, now clad in a dark robe embroidered with dragon patterns, ascends the throne step by step.]

He looked at the position that countless people dreamed of, but felt only complex emotions and utter boredom.

Then he remembered the words you spoke to him late that night when you left with your back turned.

"You, as king, still have the people in your heart; you are ultimately better than others."

Pang Hai's eyes hardened as he turned away, his despondency and confusion vanishing, replaced by the aura of a king, roaring and raging like an enraged dragon.

All the officials bowed in submission.

There were only two exceptions.

[Xu Huiruo, outside the barrier of space, possesses an unreal quality; you, hidden in the shadows, neither infiltrate nor easily detected.]

[After Pang Hai became king, the first thing he did, and what everyone in the court cared about most, was to reward those who had contributed to his cause.]

These decisions were made long ago. While there were endless public debates, countless struggles and compromises were made behind the scenes before a result acceptable to all parties was finally reached.

[Wei Yuan, Xun Huai Xie, Qian Guan, Wu Yang Gui, Bai Guan Ting, Zhang Xiu Zhi...]

The most core power structure has been established, and the remaining positions have also been granted titles and rewards.

[Xu Hui and your name have never appeared, and Pang Hai has not allowed anyone to interfere with the matters concerning your achievements and rewards.]

Pang Hai looked at Xu Hui, a nostalgic smile on his face.

[Holding the tiger tally and hanging the prime minister's seal.]

This is Xu Hui's investiture ceremony, fulfilling the promise Pang Hai made at the tofu stall in his youth.

Then he looked at you, noting that you cared little for any of the rewards or honors bestowed upon you, let alone being allowed to step into the quagmire of the imperial court.

In the end, only one remained.

"He is enfeoffed as Marquis of Wen."