Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

The long black dress accentuated her graceful figure, like a streak of ink in the autumn rain.

[Beautiful appearance and elegant demeanor.]

Her skin was soft, white, and delicate, with a luster like warm jade.

[Those eyes, seemingly shrouded in a thin mist, cast a mesmerizing, unreal, and bewildering light.]

You lowered your eyes in a gesture of respect, calming your mind.

[As expected of an elder of the Demonic Sect, the Tofu Beauty may be beautiful, but she lacks a certain allure.]

[Like the difference between a blue lotus and a tulip.]

"I've heard you have a photographic memory, can remember everything you hear, and can calculate without missing a single detail?"

Her voice was like the melody of a zither, her tone gentle and refined.

"Just a clever trick."

The woman neither confirmed nor denied it, but casually recited long, convoluted sequences of numbers and asked you to calculate them.

You smile humbly, repeat what the other person said first, and then give your answer.

[You wait patiently, but receive no reply. You look up.]

The misty feeling in the other person's eyes seemed to intensify, their gaze appearing unfocused and slightly vacant.

I noticed your gaze.

The woman glanced sideways at the lake view, hands clasped behind her back: "Truly living up to its reputation."

You suppress the urge to smile.

From this point on, you are transferred from the Yan Family Chamber of Commerce to work under this mysterious woman.

[As expected of a distinguished person whom even Yan Ming treats with utmost respect, the other party has gifted you this high-level martial arts manual as a first meeting gift.]

You returned to your lodgings, perused the classics, and quickly memorized them.

This is a high-level movement technique called "Firefly Dance".

[Skilled at maneuvering and dodging in chaotic situations, moving with the grace and ethereal movement of fireflies, combining practicality with aesthetic appeal.]

This perfectly matches your stereotype of the Demonic Sect.

Whether it's a character or a martial art, its strength is judged by its beauty; the more beautiful, the more dangerous.

[In your daily training, you've incorporated intensive practice and comprehension of the "Firefly Dance," since the art of movement is crucial for survival.]

[With a "broad knowledge and excellent memory," I easily got the hang of the job.]

What you didn't expect was that this mysterious woman was actually planning to build an intelligence network, centered on Yangzhou City, to cover the entire city.

After commencing operations, you discover that despite strong support from various parties, the intelligence network started from scratch, lacking any foundation.

[This raises a question: Logically, given the strength and resources of the Demonic Sect, they should possess extremely comprehensive and well-covered intelligence. Why then are they rebuilding it?]

[You didn't investigate this thoroughly because it likely involves the power struggles between the Demonic Sect, Chen Chao, and various factions in Yangzhou.]

[Twenty-fourth year, age forty.]

A man is in his prime at forty.

Your appearance is naturally elegant and refined, and the years have added a touch of sophistication. Coupled with your success in your career, you attract many admiring glances.

With the support of money, personnel, and connections, the intelligence network successfully covered Yangzhou City and spread towards the Yangzhou prefectural government.

The mysterious woman is becoming increasingly reliant on and attentive to you, and you've learned her name.

[Shang Qingdai.]

"Commander, this is a summary of important intelligence from the past half-month."

"How many times have I told you, use titles when you're at work, but don't be so rigid when it's just the two of us."

Shang Qingdai's tone was affectionate; she considered you a confidante and her most capable assistant.

You smiled and nodded, handing over official business.

[I've recently noticed that the way the other person looks at me seems a little strange.]

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

The Great Cang Dynasty is increasingly declining, with chaos erupting across the land and rebel armies and bandits springing up like mushrooms after rain.

After several years of recuperation and military buildup, the rebel forces south of the Great Cangjiang River, which were divided between Yangzhou, Jingzhou, and Bingzhou, have become even more prosperous.

[This reveals their ambition for the surrounding area.]

As autumn harvest season arrived and a cool breeze swept through, the armies of Yang, Jing, and Bing provinces launched attacks on their respective targets.

[The troops from Yangzhou marched on Wuzhou, the troops from Jingzhou attacked Yuzhou, and the troops from Bingzhou invaded Xuzhou.]

The flames of war have reignited, spreading across the Jiangnan region.

As the fighting begins, intelligence agencies, acting as the eyes of the military, start to play a vital role.

Shang Qingdai personally went to the front lines, sometimes even needing to venture deep into the battlefield to spy on the enemy's rear.

She entrusted the city of Yangzhou to you to oversee.

[Thanks to the "Extensive Knowledge and Excellent Memory" talent, the tedious information didn't take up too much of your time and energy.]

You still firmly believe that martial arts are the foundation of your character.

[The body tempering process has finally broken through the five internal organs, reaching the eighth stage and the six viscera.]

[Strength 8,000, daily sword thrusts 2,300.]

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

The battle situation became increasingly tense. Chen Chao's initial attack on Wuzhou was unstoppable, and the local military forces were finding it difficult to resist.

[The local aristocratic families, powerful gentry, and wealthy merchants of Wuzhou have revealed astonishing depth and strength.]

Together, they managed to halt the attack of Chen Chao's massive army.

What's even stranger is that when Chen Chao, Pang Hai, and Xiang Che broke the Huai River Alliance, the Great Cang Central Court reacted indifferently, without resorting to the large-scale military suppression as before.

Seeing this, Chen Chao slowed his military advance, intending to undermine the morale of Wuzhou.

[A large number of spies, informants, and lobbyists entered Wuzhou, using coercion and enticement to sow discord and undermine the originally solid alliance of powerful families and merchants.]

During this period, the intelligence agency of the Demonic Sect that you manage, the intelligence network of the Prefectural Governor's Office, and the spies of Chen Chao's reconnaissance battalion began to cooperate and support each other.

Your astonishing information processing skills and impeccable arithmetic have earned high praise even from Cao Jin, the second-in-command of Yangzhou.

[This is beginning to affect the core power class in Yangzhou.]

[Twenty-seventh year, forty-three years old.]

[Because they fear your close association with Cao Jin, the Demonic Sect has sent someone to speak with you.]

[You displayed the professionalism of a seasoned manager, indicating that you would only manage the business and not participate in power struggles. With Shang Qingdai's strong support, you secured your position.]

After the strategic shift, the infiltrated spies and lobbyists in Wuzhou caused unrest among the troops, gradually eroding mutual trust and leading to widespread suspicion.

It's early autumn again, with a misty autumn rain.

The raven-blue figure danced like a firefly in the rain, its trajectory strange and unpredictable, its posture graceful and beautiful.

[With your diligent practice, your progress in the advanced movement technique "Firefly Dance" is quite impressive.]

"Master Wen, urgent intelligence."

[An intelligence agent hurriedly entered the courtyard and handed over a highly encrypted letter.]

[The markings above are only identifiable by you and Shang Qingdai.]

【"Um."】

You nodded calmly, your demeanor growing increasingly dignified, and the scout politely took his leave.

[After opening the letter and reading its contents, he frowned slightly, destroyed the contents, and went inside.]

[Open the hidden door, enter the secret passage, and after a winding and intricate walk, arrive at a stone chamber.]

"Commander."

You saw Shang Qingdai, her face pale, her breath weak, like a piece of shattered jade.

[“As I said, when it’s just you and me, the alternative title is…”]

[Shang Qingdai revealed a sorrowful smile, with bright red blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.]