Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

"Thirty years have passed since we parted ways in Canglan City."

[Lü Zhen sighed and turned around.]

[Wearing a simple, plain white robe, with a slender figure and an ancient, weathered face, every line etched with sorrow for the world.]

His eyes lacked sharpness and intensity, and there was no imposing authority befitting someone of high status.

Only a profound stillness and desolation remain.

That was a steadfast resolve forged through the vicissitudes of time and the harsh realities of life.

You smile wistfully, as if you could return to that small pavilion in the mountains, and encounter the scholar with a troubled expression on his face.

[Clearly a born swordsman, the current head swordsman of the Canglan Sword Sect, yet he abandoned swordsmanship for literature.]

[They shouted, "Sword repair won't save the Great Cang!"]

"Brother Lü, you secluded yourself to comprehend the Dao, then emerged victorious, passing the imperial examination with flying colors. Now you hold the reins of the court, the head of all officials. Have you fulfilled the grand ambition you made back then?"

You strolled into the lakeside pavilion.

Lü Zhen smiled, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deepening, his expression unreadable.

[He gestures with his hand, indicating that the two of you should sit facing each other.]

"Brother, over the years, your name has frequently appeared at the top of the table. The name of Marquis Wen is like a ghost in the night, omnipresent, listening to the Southern Cang."

【"well."】

You picked up the teacup Lu Zhen offered, took a sip, and sighed softly.

Gazing at the withered leaves floating on the lake: "It's nothing more than accompanying my brother to meet our fate."

[Lü Zhen remained silent.]

As the prime minister of the Great Cang Dynasty, he naturally had a thorough understanding of the war between the three kingdoms of Southern Cang.

I understand your situation and your decision.

Although I'm curious about how you came back from the dead, these mysterious methods and encounters are completely unimportant to Lü Zhen now.

At this moment, all he cared about was saving the masses of people oppressed by this corrupt dynasty.

"Brother, what brings you to the capital to find me?"

When Lü Zhen heard that you had come to visit, he was taken aback for a moment.

After all, upon learning of the end of the battle in Nancang and your sacrifice for your country, you even took the time to raise a cup in distant tribute under the moonlight.

[Please briefly describe what happened after you left Xiangyang.]

[In particular, it mentions that when Yin City of the Zhou State was mentioned, it was heard that Yin Qian met with representatives of the barbarian and demon tribes.]

[Including your speculation that the changes in the world's power structure over the past few decades might have been orchestrated behind the scenes by Yin Qian, leveraging the late emperor's influence.]

Lu Zhen was not too surprised after hearing this. He sipped his tea and nodded: "After so many years, the Zhou Kingdom's schemes have finally revealed some clues. I also have some guesses."

However, none of you were there to witness it firsthand and have any profound insights.

Now that you have resolved my predicament, one of my doubts has been put to rest.

He held the porcelain cup between his thin, bony fingers, his brow furrowed in deep thought, considering how to help you find your master.

To be honest, helping you obtain the killing master for your inner demon Xu Kun does not align with Lü Zhen's principles and stance.

But the close friends he made during his youthful days are even more unwilling to be abandoned.

Most importantly, you only asked them to help you find traces of the immortal sects.

As for whether, after finding traces of the immortal sect, one can seize the opportunity to kill the master from the mysterious and revered immortal sect.

He wasn't optimistic.

After weighing the options, Lü Zhen spoke.

"I have held the position of prime minister for many years, yet I know very little about the immortal sects. The Canglan Sword Sect and the Imperial Archives should have some records of them."

I will send a letter to the Canglan Sword Sect to inquire, and at the same time search the Imperial Archives to find clues for you, brother.

"Thank you, Brother Lü."

[You bowed respectfully; given Lü Zhen's status and position, this was the best he could do to help you.]

But you didn't have high expectations.

[My aunt's status in the Zhou Kingdom is special, and everyone keeps it a closely guarded secret from the Immortal Sect, avoiding it to the extreme; they cannot speak of it, nor can they even contemplate it.]

[Moreover, based solely on Lü Zhen's handwritten note, the Canglan Sword Sect could either clarify the matter or find a clear record in the imperial archives.]

Therefore, your target remains a core figure in the Great Cang Dynasty, someone truly authorized to intervene in clandestine matters.

[Now, it's possible to understand the secrets of the immortal sects and even have ways to try and make contact.]

[Only the Empress, Wei Zhi.]

"Brother Lü and General Wei Qi have a very close relationship. I also fought alongside him for several years back then. It's quite a coincidence."

[A rare, genuine smile appeared on Lü Zhen's face.]

You two are kindred spirits to some extent.

This invisible and unspoken understanding stirred a long-lost feeling within him, stirring his barren and indifferent heart.

"Brother, you mentioned General Wei; do you want me to introduce you to the Empress?"

[Lu Zhen calmed his emotions and bluntly pointed out your thoughts.]

[After all, he rose step by step to the position of prime minister, and even attempted to overthrow the interests of powerful clans, remaining firmly in his position for decades.]

His political skills are unparalleled; he can easily see through your thoughts.

You didn't hide anything, nodding frankly: "This is also my request for this visit."

[Lü Zhen's brows furrowed slightly, his expression thoughtful.]

You can tell that he doesn't not want to help, but rather he's hesitant about whether he should.

[They seem somewhat wary.]

After a moment's hesitation, Lü Zhen still felt conflicted, shaking his head and sighing softly, "Brother, I can help with this matter; it's just a matter of making an introduction, but..."

He gazed at you with deep, solemn eyes, a look of warning in his eyes.

"But I don't know whether I should let you have contact with the Queen."

【"oh?"】

You raised an eyebrow; Lü Zhen's words had piqued your interest.

You actually have quite a bit of information about this empress, but most of it is too vague and lacks substantial description.

Judging from Lü Zhen's expression and attitude, it seems that the mysterious thing behind it might actually be true?

"I've heard that Empress Wei possesses a beauty that can captivate all, and a fate that brings ruin to women."

[You state the information you possess.]

Beauty is of no value to you, whether it be Shang Qingdai, Zuo Shi, Gong Si, Pei Qingyu, or even your aunt Wen Fei.

[It's already so beautiful it's beyond reproach.]

The difference in quality is merely a matter of personal preference, hence the ranking.

[Your aesthetic sense is quite inclusive, so for you, they are listed as equals.]

Even if Empress Wei was incredibly beautiful, capable of captivating all beings, just how beautiful could she be?

Therefore, what you are most concerned about is her fate as a femme fatale.

[In this world where immortals dwell in heaven and dynasties reign for millennia on earth, do you really think this is just a simple slanderous rumor smearing Wei Zhi?]

Pang Hai and Xu Hui were ordained by fate to play out the script of their destiny.

You are still vivid in my memory.

[But if the saying "beauty is a curse" is true, how could she become empress?]

Is Emperor Xuanwu truly so overconfident in the strength and resources of his Yin family?

When Lü Zhen mentioned Wei Zhi, he was exceptionally cautious, as if he dared not even overstep his bounds in private conversation.

"How could ordinary mortals like us possibly comprehend matters of destiny? Perhaps it is only when actions and outcomes align with some unseen definition that the so-called theory of destiny is formed."

You scrutinize Lü Zhen with a suspicious gaze.

His words were clearly perfunctory, yet they carried a warning, seemingly telling you not to believe in fate.

You opened your mouth, about to probe Lü Zhen with a teasing tone.

[He even cautiously used "foresight" to calculate it.]

I'm still too cautious.

"Brother Lü, what's wrong with you... um?"

You initially thought you were being overly composed, and then chuckled softly.

But in the next instant, a crimson hue engulfs you, and a sense of crisis pierces your mind.

The pupils suddenly contracted.

[A stiff smile appeared on his face.]

"Yes, Brother Lü, you're right. Theories about gods and ghosts, and the unpredictable nature of fate, are all outdated superstitions. We can't believe them, we can't believe them..."