Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[Lu Zhen's conversation with the Empress has ended; judging from his expression, he has likely received the promise he desired.]

Your eyes met, and you understood each other perfectly.

"You may all leave. I have returned to visit my family and do not wish to concern myself with court politics."

The three of you bowed respectfully and left the lakeside pavilion.

Wei Qi personally saw you and Lü Zhen off, asking along the way, "Brother Lü, has the Empress agreed to let me stay?"

[Lu Zhen smiled and said, "The Empress said that General Wei has been guarding the northern border for many years, enduring hardship and cold. She feels sorry for him and wants you to stay in the capital longer, to be with your family, and to recuperate."]

Wei Qi understood that the Empress's words meant she had agreed.

A smile spread across his handsome face.

"Then I'll keep you company, Brother Lü and Brother Wen, during this time."

His gaze, sweeping across the land, possessed a chilling intensity that was almost unbearable to look directly at, instantly conveying the awe-inspiring presence of the General of the Cavalry who had dominated the northern border for decades.

The three of you parted ways at the side gate of the Wei residence.

After watching you and Lü Zhen's figures disappear into the snow, Wei Qi stood for a moment before turning and returning to his residence.

You and Lü Zhen walk through the long, snowy street.

"Brother Wen, we can begin our operation."

"Yes, I will launch a public outcry against Han Jing. You should petition for justice, and I believe the emperor will readily agree to release him."

Lü Zhen nodded, not delving into the discussion further; the true plan was clear to everyone.

You suddenly realize you seem to have forgotten something, but since you haven't noticed, it must be insignificant.

The focus is on the Empress's handwritten letter.

The document that sat on the wooden desk, after you left the Wei residence, turned into wisps of smoke, rose into the sky, and vanished without a trace.

[You were still figuring out how to send the document, but it turns out it can be sent out of thin air, just like sending a message in your past life.]

This is really convenient.

"Brother Lü, what's so special about the Empress's handwritten letter that it terrifies her personal maid and makes you avoid it like the plague?"

Lü Zhen did not answer, but pointed to the sky.

You suddenly understood and stopped asking questions.

[It's probably related to that "femme fatale" fate; but if I go too deep, it might bring a sudden, devastating blow to my head.]

[You parted ways with Lü Zhen on the street, returned to your residence on Anshun Street in Jinglanfang, and reviewed the events of the evening.]

Only then did I realize I'd forgotten about my 2.5-inch brother.

"My dear brother, you really don't feel comfortable leaving me alone in the Wei mansion..."

Xu Kun's figure emerged from the darkness, his tone leisurely.

"Hey, isn't this my 2.5 brother? As expected, his inner demons are unparalleled in their unpredictable changes, erasing and blocking out people's memories, causing them to forget."

You held the porcelain cup, your words filled with astonishment, yet your tone remained calm and composed as you slowly sipped your tea.

【"snort."】

Xu Kun knows perfectly well what your bad intentions are.

[Clearly, she wanted to test whether the Empress, who was known for her ruthless temper and quick to punish, would take action against him if he were left alone in the Wei residence.]

[The result was that everything went smoothly; the empress seemed unwilling to be tainted by that devilish inner demon.]

[Well... I should say that in the whole world, no one but you would willingly get involved.]

"Let's not talk about those trivial matters. Brother Two-Five, do you want to know what I've gained tonight?"

"Oh, so Big Brother found the mastermind?"

You were rendered speechless for a moment by his sarcastic remarks.

[He said irritably, "I learned of the immortal sect's whereabouts from Empress Wei."]

Upon hearing this, Xu Kun narrowed his eyes slightly, waiting for him to continue.

She wrote a letter by hand and sent it to the immortal sect, saying: "Welcome to visit me."

You finished speaking with a solemn expression, clearly taking the information conveyed in your words very seriously.

Xu Kun was also stunned for a moment.

Then she curled her lip and scoffed, "Hmph, is this Empress Wei just bragging?"

You looked up slightly.

[With a wistful tone: "No wonder you're my 2.5-year-old brother! We think alike."]

[Xu Kun's face was half-hidden in shadow, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.]

[In a hoarse voice: "If I'm not exaggerating, this empress is really quite frightening."]

Nod in agreement.

[The secrets of the immortal sects even extend to Yin Qian, the son of the late emperor, a cunning old man who orchestrated decades of chaos across the land.]

[Those within the core ranks of the Zhou state, under his command, were unable to speak or even think.]

But what about Empress Wei?

[A simple handwritten letter will suffice to invite you to visit our immortal sect.]

The difference in status between the two sides and the immortal sects is obvious.

[If Emperor Xuanwu said this, you could understand it, but what basis does the Empress have?]

This cannot be explained simply by power.

Just as her fate as a femme fatale is shrouded in mystery, how she managed to become empress remains shrouded in enigma.

If you can't figure it out, don't dwell on it.

Take it one step at a time, and things will eventually become clear.

If it doesn't work the first time, try again. Endless trial and error is your greatest strength.

[Fifty-fourth year, age seventy.]

Even in your seventies, you remain young at heart, your spirit burning bright.

[If you don't believe me, just look. The hair at his temples is getting increasingly red from the perm, and an ominous aura emanating from him is growing stronger every day.]

[His comprehension and combat talent are also improving remarkably.]

[This past year, aside from awaiting the sect's reply, has been exceptionally fulfilling for you.]

First, Han Jing was released and regained control of the military.

[Lu Zhen establishes the Suspended Sword Division. You are responsible for intelligence gathering and collecting evidence. Han Jing will enforce the law.]

Han Jing, who had been imprisoned for over ten years, unleashed his pent-up rage on the powerful families.

[Lu Zhen was a rational strategist, a master of overall planning, and fearless.]

[Add to that Han Jing's astonishing strategies, his overwhelming ferocity, and his fearlessness.]

[Behind the scenes, there's someone like you, manipulating people's hearts and minds, utterly cunning.]

[In one year, countless lives were lost.]

Wei Qi was in charge of consolidating the profits, and the resources piled up in warehouse after warehouse were enough to shock even someone as powerful as him.

[You and Lü Zhen turned a blind eye to these benefits, sending the vast majority to the Wei family.]

The most important thing in saving the people is not money, but a way to survive.

Without the oppression and exploitation of powerful clans and wealthy families, and the layers of exploitation, the common people became self-reliant.

Ultimately, they will survive.

Aside from helping Lü Zhen, you have never slacked off in your cultivation.

[Regarding Xiang Che's fatal attack about "surviving a near-death experience," you haven't memorized it yet because you're trying to profit from it.]

You are still limited by your physical talents; the progress of your innate physique is proceeding at a snail's pace.

Therefore, you should shift your focus in spiritual practice to enlightenment, making the most of your ever-growing comprehension.

Besides the "Premonition" manual that controls the progress, you and Xu Kun obtained many martial arts manuals.

[These were all things he found from Xu Hui's memories.]

[In the past, my comprehension was mediocre; even when Xu Hui inscribed the "Contemplation Method of Chess and Sword" for you, the difficulty of understanding it needed to be reduced.]

Now, none of these are problems anymore.

You obtained Xu Hui's "The Method of Contemplating the Immaculate Purity of a Clear Mirror" from Xu Kun.

[Begin cultivating the way of the mind.]

[This is a treasure trove of knowledge that Xu Hui gleaned from three reliefs in the tomb of the God of War, a work that transcends the celestial realm.]

[Cultivation, auditing accounts, murder—in your seventies, you once again enter the game of the world.]

[Meanwhile, the powerful clans, terrified by the massacres, launched a desperate counterattack.]