Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[In the forty-sixth year, at the age of sixty-two.]

[The State of Chu sent troops to assist the States of Qi and Wu in their northern expedition. Before their departure, Zuo Shi anxiously saw the two off.]

Pang Hai laughed and patted his chest: "Don't worry, Sister Zuo, I'm just going to relax. I won't take any risks. Besides..."

With my abilities, if I wanted to leave, no one in the world could stop me.

He held the powerless sword, his tone casual, yet he exuded an aura of unwavering trust.

Xu Hui smiled gently: "I'm only responsible for providing advice and strategies."

Since you started discussing philosophy more often, you've noticed that Huizi smiles more often. Is it true that the iceberg is melting and the iron tree is about to bloom?

There's just a strange, uneasy feeling about it.

Unfortunately, "foresight" can only intuitively sense dangers related to oneself and deduce one's own temporary decisions.

This is a first-person perspective, not a full-map view.

Zuo Shi's eyes were filled with worry: "I'm waiting for your triumphant return."

Pang Hai led three thousand heavily armored cavalry away in a grand display, while Xu Hui, with three hundred swordsmen, sailed down the Han River.

One person went to Qi, and one person went to Wu.

Your intelligence agency has been reactivated to wartime status, maintaining constant vigilance over the evolving situation.

[In the forty-seventh year, at the age of sixty-three.]

The two-front war between Qi and Wu in their northern expeditions is progressing smoothly.

The young general Pang Hai and the overlord Xiang Che joined forces, presenting the world with the most terrifying and domineering military might.

Unstoppable, overwhelming, invincible, and victorious in every battle.

After Shuzhou fell into the hands of the Zhou Kingdom, Suzhou became completely isolated.

Without the support of the Great Azure Court, they simply couldn't withstand the two's terrifying offensive.

[The enemy troops soon arrived at Canglan City.]

The Wu front wasn't fought on a large scale; Xu Hui, through meticulous planning and flawless micro-management, gradually chipped away at their strength.

[Year 48, age 64.]

As night deepened, the Censorate appeared even more sinister and dark.

[In the shadowy room, you sit upright before your desk, your hand resting on your long sword.]

His eyes were clear and cold, his face stern.

One by one, spies arrived silently, delivered their intelligence, and then vanished without a trace.

Your gaze, deep and penetrating, swept across the intelligence reports on the table like a sword.

[The Huaizhou front line has 380 channels, activated spies, agents, and insiders, plus urgently deployed personnel.]

A message was sent to everyone.

Xu Hui has gone missing.

You're not too worried.

Xu Hui was calm and rational, and he planned his actions carefully before acting.

Moreover, when it comes to using cunning tactics, he's the one scheming against others.

To try and scheme against him is tantamount to walking into a trap and entering Xu Hui's territory.

You suspect he might be plotting something, which is why he's hiding his whereabouts.

Under these circumstances, even celestial beings, let alone intelligence agencies, would find it difficult to locate him.

Just to be on the safe side, and to prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

[This intelligence regarding Xu Hui's disappearance has been communicated to Pang Hai through the highest-level secret channel.]

【唷! ! ! 】

A mournful cry ripped through the night; you heard it and rose abruptly.

[I hurried outside and watched as a falcon fell from the sky like a streak of light.]

A bad feeling began to creep into my mind.

Using exotic falcons to transmit intelligence is a method the Censorate only employs in the most urgent situations.

You remove the bronze tablet from the falcon's beak and open it; a note inside contains a sentence.

Upon seeing the content, your gaze suddenly darkened.

Chen Chao led the Northern Expeditionary Army, crossed the Huai River to the south, and marched into Yuzhou.

"Something really happened to Huizi."

You remained calm and composed, without any sign of panic.

"Announce that Wei Yuan, Xun Huai, Wu Yangui, Bai Guanting, and Zhang Xiuzhi have come to the Censorate."

"At all costs, inform the King of Chu and all local prefectures of Wu's invasion as quickly as possible."

"Order the defenses of Xiangyang to be placed under the highest level of martial law."

After the order is given, you sit at your desk, sword in hand, eyes closed.

The feeling of impending doom brings you to a heightened sense of crisis.

Upon receiving the urgent notification, Wei Yuan and his entourage dared not delay and rushed to the Censorate.

"Lord Wen, an urgent message arrives late at night. What has happened?"

The group arrived, and Wei Yuan was the first to inquire.

You opened your eyes, and your gaze was colder than they had ever seen, as if a sword pierced straight to the heart.

"Chen Chao broke the alliance, led his northern expeditionary army south across the Huai River, and invaded Huaizhou."

You lightly tap the note on the table with your fingertip; the simple words startled them.

"Judging from the timing of the intelligence reports, it is likely that Chen Chao's army has already breached the border defenses of Yuzhou and penetrated deep into the heartland."

The room fell into a deathly silence; even Wei Yuan, with his seasoned composure, was momentarily stunned.

"Where is the young master?!"

Zhang Xiu pressed for an answer.

"Xu Hui has disappeared without a trace."

Your words weighed heavily on everyone present, leaving them momentarily speechless and unable to accept them.

Wei Yuan calmed down and said, "This matter was premeditated. Xu Hui may have been temporarily restrained, but with his strength, there is little danger to his life."

Now, the primary matter to discuss is how to resist Chen Chao's invasion.

After he finished speaking, he looked at you. Pang Hai and Xu Hui were both absent; you were the backbone of the Chu state.

【"wait."】

You spoke indifferently, gazing at the night sky outside the window.

Currently, there are only two choices: resist or yield.

Chen Chao and Wang Mang launched an invasion. The Chu army was no less powerful, but it lacked its most crucial top-tier fighting force.

Without Pang Hai and Xu Hui leading the army, it would be difficult to withstand Chen Chao's reckless advance.

With Xu Hui missing, your first priority should be to ascertain Pang Hai's situation.

So, wait, wait for news from Suzhou.

Wei Yuan immediately understood your meaning, and the others quickly followed suit.

As time passed, the sky began to lighten, and gradually the dawn pierced the sunrise as the sun rose.

The gentle sunlight did not bring you warmth; your hearts grew heavier.

【唷! ! ! 】

The cry of a different kind of falcon ripped through the sky once more.

You got up and went outside, and Wei Yuan and the others quickly followed.

[They all watched intently as you removed the copper tube to examine the intelligence.]

Wei Yuan: "What intelligence?"

You hand over the note, all hope vanishing from your heart.

[The intelligence is also concise, just one sentence.]

Qi generals Ji Wang and Long Ce launched an invasion of the Jingzhou border.

"Damn it! It seems this so-called alliance for a northern expedition is actually a long-planned conspiracy against the Chu Kingdom! They don't actually want to launch a northern expedition..."

"It must be clearly distinguished!"

Bai Guanting's expression was ferocious, his eyes gleaming with a murderous light.

Zhang Xiuzhi, more like Xu Hui, remained calm and composed: "What should we do?"

This is the most practical, crucial, and urgent issue.

But everyone present was undecided, and their eyes turned to you.

You stood with your hand on your sword, your voice deep and resonant.

"Concentrate our forces and rely on fortified cities to delay Chen Chao's southward advance as much as possible."

【drag.】

With Pang Hai and Xu Hui absent, the only option is to delay.

[Delaying it is better to wait until one day is gone.]

If Yuzhou cannot be defended, then abandon Yuzhou; if Jingzhou is captured, then hold Xiangyang.

[Until Pang Hai and Xu Hui appeared.]

If it never comes...