[126] The Emperor

The entirety of the capital was enshrouded in dark clouds and torrential rain. Only the area surrounding the imperial palace was affected, resembling a divine phenomenon.

Boom!

A golden bolt of lightning descended from the skies, shattering the glazed tiles of the towering palace, smashing the precious green porcelain of the hall, and striking fear into the hearts of the assembled courtiers.

Near the hall, the celestial masters, donned in black robes, hurried out. They gathered in the square before the hall, drawing spells, setting up altars, and performing rituals to disperse the clouds and rain.

One hundred and eight masters formed a grand formation, wielding their ritual item and chanting incantations amidst the rain, raising a spell towards the sky.

"By the decree of the divine dynasty, I summon the Wind Lord for dispelling the rain and retreating the thunder..."

The formation and spell were quickly completed with combined efforts. Yet, the downpour showed no signs of abating.

It seemed that the natural energy that should have been controlled by the celestial masters had been usurped by a supreme power, ignoring their commands.

The masters' faces grew tense and solemn. The lead celestial master stepped onto the altar's center, adjusted his crown, and respectfully bowed to the rain clouds above.

"Which immortal has arrived in the capital? Esteemed friend, be aware that you are currently offending the divine mandate of the dynasty..."

Divine mandate, huh?

Screw your divine mandate, I'm here to defy it!

From miles away, the black-haired young man, Reinhard, lowered his gaze. Through the rippling water mirror before him, he looked down from the heavens like a deity, his expression indifferent, speaking softly.

"You worthless lot are not even worthy to know my name."

His voice was vast and calm.

"Begone."

The celestial masters' faces turned pale.

Reinhard summoned a thunder spell inscribed with intricate Spartan Omega battle patterns. He did not worship the local gods but his Machine God father.

The young man chanted softly.

"From the cosmos beyond the heavens and the vastness of the universe, Olympus. Hear my call, the Master of Fate, Zhang Jue, who carries out the decree of Kratos, the God of Courage and Victory who is sitting on the Throne of Khorne, summoning the King of Gods, Zeus, wielding the thunderbolt of the nine heavens, protecting this body..."

Reinhard cast the spell into the water mirror.

"Summon the thunder!"

Boom!

The rain-dispersing spells of the celestial masters were incinerated, and golden lightning cascaded down like a waterfall. The ferocious thunder shattered the altar in the palace square into charred debris.

The connected breaths of the hundred and eight celestial masters caused their hair to explode in unison, each coughing up blood.

The lead celestial master, disheveled and terrified, stared wide-eyed.

"What kind of thunder law is this?!"

Even though these revered celestial masters were skilled in various techniques, they couldn't identify the origin of such a thunder law... because it was the thunder of Zeus.

Inside the court hall, the ministers scrambled for shelter.

The scholars, although composed, couldn't help but close their trembling eyes. The military officers, confident in their martial prowess, exchanged uneasy glances.

"One thunderbolt defeated the celestial masters' formation. Such an overwhelming thunder law... there are few in this world capable of this..."

"Call my general! Quickly mobilize him! Protect me! Clear away these thunderclouds!"

Cowering under the dragon throne, the emperor shouted in panic, seeing the celestial masters' pathetic state.

Receiving the emperor's command, a towering, three-meter-tall red mechanical suit emerged from the wall behind the hall's throne.

With the emperor's permission, the palace's protective array activated, filling the grand hall with a radiant light.

The crimson machine's eyes glowed with a blood-red light as it slowly stepped forward into the storm, looking up at the cloud-covered sky.

Boom!

The crimson machine, soared into the sky, deploying its mechanical wings. Thousands of missiles were launched toward the clouds, creating a continuous barrage of explosions.

Attempting to clear the thunderclouds with sheer force and heat.

"Heh... you little shit really have a Gundam."

Watching the crimson machine, reminiscent of a red Zaku with its triple speed, Reinhard marveled.

The opponent had the entire city's support, and their hidden reserves likely far exceeded his. He had no interest in engaging in a protracted battle with a Gundam from such a distance.

Under the reverent gazes of his fellow disciples, Reinhard, simultaneously using illusions, puppet techniques, and storm-summoning arts, let out a long breath and waved his hand, withdrawing his exterior spells.

The water mirror before him rippled violently, and the image of the the capital dissipated.

"Brother Jue, your spell is really amazing."

One of his senior brothers praised, reflecting the sentiments of the other young strategists.

"You overestimate me. The distance was too great, such spells were severely weakened. It's nothing worth mentioning."

The young strategists exchanged wry smiles.

Weakened? Ridiculous!

From here to the capital, over four hundred miles away, his thunder law broke through the celestial master's formation. And he's only eleven?

Have we been life in vain?

"Is this the power of physics, generating electricity through the friction of positive and negative charges? If I study these microscopic techniques closely, could I achieve this level of thunder law?"

Every word on it was familiar, yet altogether incomprehensible, leaving his mind foggy.

Knowledge from junior high and high school was manageable for these young geniuses. But at the university level, their differing talents in learning became apparent.

Courses like advanced physics, advanced chemistry, linear algebra, and probability theory were taxing for the less mathematically inclined.

When it came to quantum mechanics, topology, real analysis, and differential geometry, only some students followed along with enthusiasm, frequently discussing with Reinhard, losing sleep over his research.

Xu Fu and Sima Hui could grasp some concepts but chose not to delve deeply.

The rest of the young strategists were left dizzy.

As for a certain Incarnated Elemental, she had long given up, napping through classes, drooling all over her desk.

The Water Mirror Manor once awarded the titles Dragon and Phoenix to those of unparalleled intellect.

Initially, everyone aspired to these titles.

However, after Reinhard's arrival, such aspirations seemed pointless. The unspoken consensus was clear... nobody mentioned it anymore.

After all, Sima Hui mused, the Water Mirror Manor's standards had changed. The titles Dragon and Phoenix now seemed laughable.

If Reinhard dared to claim the title of Phoenix, who would dare call themselves the Dragon?

In various scientific fields, constrained by talent, it was best to set aside ambitions.

Among the subjects taught by Reinhard, there was one that everyone learned with utmost zeal, listened to intently, and understood deeply.

It was titled Ideology and Politics.

This highly popular course on dragon-slaying techniques often saw Sima Yi dressed in skirts and sashes, visiting Reinhard for late-night discussions, much to the chagrin of Yu Mei-ren and Jade.

Late into the night, even private moments were disrupted. Perhaps they should include this cross-dressing femboy in their intimate gatherings?

Sima Yi seemed open to the idea, but Reinhard politely declined any backdoor dealings.

Under his influence and constant exposure, the young strategists became adept keyboard warriors, referencing various ideologies with ease.

Perhaps... keyboard politics is a passion regardless of age.

In front of his senior brothers, Reinhard lamented the suffering of the people, vehemently criticizing the dynasty's tyranny.

However, the young strategists' condemnations were even harsher, incisively targeting the imperial throne, corrupt eunuchs, and their own factional clans.

Understanding exploitation, surplus value, and ideology, the youths envisioned an era where everyone could freely develop, transitioning from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom.

With youthful ambition burning bright, they yearned for a utopian society.

The every era's end saw the rise of heroes striving to save the nation.

So similar.

What a sin.

Reinhard felt like he had become an extremely subversive agitator. For the dynasty, teaching dragon-slaying techniques was a heinous crime.

These talented individuals of the crumbling dynasty had rebellious tendencies by nature, only lacking the right opportunity and theoretical guidance.

Now, they had the theoretical foundation.

All that was left was a thunderbolt to shake the world.

And Reinhard was well-versed in storm-summoning techniques.

Though summoning thunder from hundreds of miles away, even for him, was taxing, it was worth it.

At this moment, the golden thunderbolt striking the capital would herald the beginning of a new era.

The opulence of the palace in the capital, with its carved beams and painted rafters, was dazzling to the eyes.

Three thousand concubines in the harem, and every day there were extravagant banquets in the imperial palace. Reinhard cursed the emperor, planning to cast a spell to emasculate him, turning him into a woman.

Whether he could actually do it was another matter, but the emperor should be aware of Reinhard's intent.

Using his mind's eye to infiltrate the palace through the faithful in the capital, Reinhard saw it all clearly. The frail young emperor was surrounded by dozens of defensive spells, forming a dense barrier of protection.

The geomancy of the capital itself was inscribed with countless formations, making this hostile territory overwhelmingly advantageous for the enemy and perilous for him.

But for a Pure Heart like Reinhard, no defense was impenetrable. As long as he remained unaware of the enemy's strength, he was essentially invincible.

This is why he didn't follow the traditional path, relying instead on his own improvisation... maintaining a sense of confusion could sometimes be a great advantage for a Pure Heart.

Now, if he wanted, infiltrating the palace and killing the emperor would be as easy as crushing a quail. After all, the emperor was just an ordinary man.

However, killing the emperor served no purpose. Even if he killed the grand eunuch and the ten eunuchs, even if he burned down the entire capital palace, it wouldn't change the corrupt empire.

The emperor was merely a puppet for Nurgle, a symbol of an empire in decay, desperate to sustain itself. Killing the emperor would only bring another tyrant. Even if he supported a certain virtuous general, the entrenched aristocracy would remain unchanged.

It was a cyclical history.

Should he resort to a wholesale massacre, purging the land of its corrupt nobility like a madman?

Reinhard shook his head with a bitter smile. His strategy was clearly not flexible enough.

This land was sick.

The dying emits the most intense will to survive, and the more corrupt the dynasty, the more it struggles to persist. Compared to the plague afflicting the land, the dynasty was just a puppet.

Even if he toppled the dynasty and supported a certain general, the whole system would decay again within decades without constant oversight.

Therefore, he aimed to spread the seeds of knowledge through the Water Mirror Manor, hoping to ignite widespread enlightenment.

Dynastic succession...

History repeats in cycles, spiraling upwards. The only lesson humanity learns from history is that humanity never learns from history.

And the most crucial question...

Reinhard lowered his gaze, still unable to answer... how could one eradicate Chaos?

Should he follow in the footsteps of those who mercilessly purged their enemies, leaving them in tears?

...

"Get out! Get out of here!"

Despite the shouting that sounded like roaring, Serena's expression was terrifyingly cold.

Reinhard looked at the black-haired woman breaking the red-haired girl's easel, tearing apart the blue-haired girl's book, placing the green-haired girl's food bowl on her head, and shoving the purple-haired girl's microphone into her mouth.

Then... smack! Smack! Smack!

One person gave them a few crisp and loud slaps.

I can't believe it, she's got some moves! Bad girls crying!

Four against one and the four got killed! Do you guys even know how to play? Or maybe... is Serena a bit too fierce!

The whole universe was in chaos.

Green-skinned, ribbed, insectoid... looked in utter amazement as the struggling humans sounded the horn of counterattack and launched a relentless purge.

Because... the people of Holy Terra, with tears in their eyes, looked at the emperor who stood up slowly from the golden throne, like a skeletal emperor rising from a tomb.

An incredibly dazzling and cold sun suddenly shone into the chaotic and gorgeous warp, the golden light radiating suddenly irradiated countless chaotic and decaying human planets.

"Your Majesty! You're standing up!"

Malcador the Sigillite looked excited and trembling as he watched the emperor stand up and grasped the sacred sword burning with holy fire.

An indescribable force took over the emperor's throne, maintaining the network of Holy Terra.

The fifth god began to pour his anger into the warp.

The birds with different colors directly cried after being slapped by Serena, fleeing to the edge of the recovery area, tearfully watching the black-haired woman who slaughtered them in their activity area.

"Damn it! Damn it! He deceived us! This little scammer! I'm going to slap him with my paint so hard!"

Her art area was in ruins, the brass skulls beneath the throne scattered, making her heart ache.

"No... he didn't really deceive us... because he said he would choose the 'strongest among us'." The green-haired woman pressed her ample chest, her face flushed with excitement.

Vibrant vitality.

The genes of survival beasts emerged in abundance.

A perfect candidate for the eternal god of corruption.

Such unparalleled potential even surpassed the supreme Great Unclean One. The nurturing mother was already eager to embrace the black-haired youth, showering him with indulgent affection.

"'The strongest here,' doesn't just refer to us. Naturally, it includes her, assuming... he truly convinced her."

"Heh... Do you really think getting up from that toilet seat is a good thing for you, Goldie?" Despite being caught off guard, the blue-haired girl, who always loved watching the drama, adjusted her monocle and smiled slyly.

"Admit it, everyone knows in all of us always you're the craziest among us!

"You stood up, showing everyone your strength. But the more they revere you, the more they push you toward a god-like throne.

"Goldie, you poor wretch. To protect that fragile sandcastle of yours, you have to restrain your power desperately.

"The sad thing is, the more you're revered, the closer your essence gets to ours. The moment you ascend to godhood, everything you hope to protect will be destroyed by your own hands..."

As if she had foreseen Serena's tragic fate, the blue-haired girl let out a gleeful, sinister laugh.

The black-haired woman picked up a book and slammed it into the blue-haired girl's face, shattering her monocle. She then stomped on the girl's beloved books before throwing them into the trash.

She looked coldly at her.

"You always have so much to say."

"Guh, you always bully the weakest one..." Tzeentch whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitiful.

The other three girls sneered at her.

Weakest? More like the most annoying!

The chosen of Khorne, Nurgle, or Slaanesh might be formidable, but the chosen of Tzeentch was truly terrifying because they even sought to outwit their own god... you could never predict what they would do.

In terms of intellect, cunning, and leadership, this blue-haired schemer far surpassed the red-haired shark-toothed girl.

On the battlefield of the Chaos Gods' eternal war, Tzeentch always won the most and lost the least. Sometimes, even losing was part of the plan.

"Hehe..."

Tzeentch couldn't help but laugh delightedly.

"So what if some chosen ones die? What does it matter if you burn down my grand library? Change is eternal, change is everlasting. Your precious Lorgar has long been my plaything..."

The black-haired woman's lips trembled, her eyes narrowing.

Seeing her hesitation, Tzeentch laughed, retreating behind the others. Against this emperor, the four chaos gods, usually at odds, found a common cause.

Without Chaos, who would drive the leader of mankind to madness, even if teasing the big guy was incredibly fun?

"Heh... Though I really dislike this blue-haired schemer, sometimes she has a point... Serena, you're just another version of me."

The red-haired girl gestured at Serena, drawing a line across her throat with a malicious grin.

"Admit it, you're more fierce, more cruel, and even more tyrannical than I am.

"Together, we could conquer everything in sight, expanding the empire's territory a thousandfold. I'm really looking forward to you joining my ranks, Serena."

"No, violent slaughter is just a means to sustain existence. Purification and judgment actually go against your true intent, don't they?"

The green-haired woman cupped her face in her hands.

"Serena, don't you want your people to survive and thrive? I can give them eternal life. You know... I always shower every child with the most abundant love."

"Heh... I think these three are all too boring... either violent, filthy, or scheming. Why not choose a path that brings you joy and ease, Serena?"

The purple-haired woman, despite being beaten badly, flaunted her shapely figure with elegance. She seemed to revel in the brutality.

The flames of vengeance, too, were a powerful desire.

"You can't just sit there forever, can you? Your spirit, your willpower, will eventually wane, and will no longer be sustainable. Let me tell you, it's better to make yourself feel pleased sooner rather than later."

The Emperor of Mankind rose from the throne, the Four Chaos Gods retreating.

No... Did they really lose?

For chaos, there's never the concept of losing only winning later.

Just like humans, one can never eliminate their own shadow unless they choose to eradicate themselves along with it.

Radiance will eventually dim, darkness will always follow.

"So..."

Serena gazed at them, each word heavy,

"... what you should worry about is... the day when I really choose to step down."

The girls' expressions froze.

The black-haired woman lowered her eyelids, speaking softly without expression.

"That means, I have freed myself from all restraints... I no longer care about anything, and consequently, will bring about the most thorough destruction to everything."

Her demeanor remained indifferent and cold as if there had never been any emotional fluctuations.

Seated upon the golden throne still named Emperor, because in that moment before shackling himself from the divine, if he were to forsake all choices and stand up, it would bring about the coronation of darkness to the dimensions.

The Horus Heresy? The collapse of the network? The betrayal of the Primarch?

No... No... how could his own creations oppose him?

Such weakness, rather than being caused by a Primarch rebellion, it was more like... the Emperor suppressing himself, exerting all effort to maintain his precarious humanity.

The coldness lurking within that sun... even chaos would fear it.

"When the pitch-black shell ruptures, he will undergo metamorphosis, and in eternal time, be elevated as one of the gods, henceforth reigning as the king of darkness over chaos."

The blue-haired girl ran her fingers over the pages, softly reciting, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.

"With him replacing you, you can now choose to stand up, as long as you trick him into sitting there for you, no... you don't even need to trick him, you can tell him, it's the responsibility he should bear, he will understand. So... will you choose?"

Listening to their cryptic conversation, Reinhard finally confirmed.

This group of pretty girls, are they all stuck in their teenage years?

What gods, demons, restraints, shackles...

Truly a chaotic brawl of the insane.

Diagnosed by the medical research institute: Playing as a god.

"Anyway... isn't fighting not a good idea?"

Reinhard attempted to mediate.

Even though this fight between the women with weird hair was instigated by him, at this moment, he behaved like an innocent bystander.

Such a display of pettiness made the blue-haired girl unable to contain her admiration.

No wonder everyone wants to pamper you.

Such provocative temperament... you're quite something.

Driving all the bad women into the corner of the recovery area, Serena lowered her gaze, walking straight back to the black-haired youth sitting upright.

Should she... stand up?

She hesitated for a moment, then reached out, forcefully pulling Reinhard up from the couch, and sat back down herself, closing her eyes.

This never required a choice.

Because she is the Emperor of Mankind...

"Hey hey... I haven't had enough sitting yet, your couch is quite soft, nee-chan."

"That's not where you're supposed to sit."

"I see you sitting around all day, you'll get hemorrhoids like that, nee-chan."

Serena's lips twitched slightly, opening her somewhat weary eyes, willing to talk a little more after a long time.

"Don't bother about so much, and... 'nee-chan,' what a strange way to address me..."

"You won, didn't you? So..." Reinhard pondered for a moment, "I should stick with you."

The black-haired woman's expression froze for a moment.

"So, nee-chan, is there anything you want to teach me? Drawing? Reading? Cooking? Singing and dancing? Basketball?"

Serena let out a long sigh, never in the past ten thousand years had she wanted to laugh so much, this guy in front of her simply didn't understand the significance of sitting here.

But, why... she couldn't bring herself to... laugh.

It's all the same.

He clearly knew what he would face, yet he gambled everything with the frailty of a human body, never being crushed.

She stared at the black-haired youth in front of her for a long, long time, so long that Reinhard began to wonder if she was senile.

Let him take my place...?

The black-haired woman, draped in a golden Pikachu robe, struggled with her thoughts for a long time, and finally let out a sigh.

"I can't teach you anything..." She seemed to force out the words with all her strength, "I hate you, get lost."

"...Huh?"

What a strong sense of tsundere.

Of course, Reinhard could tell, this wasn't sincere.

"Why do I feel like you're quite easy to get along with, nee-chan? Did I do something to upset you?"

"You're very clever, almost too clever, Reinhard. Remember these incomprehensible words, and when you return to your ward, you'll understand."

Serena spoke softly.

"You possess the will to survive, ruthless decisiveness, cunning, unrestrained desires, and most importantly... love for humanity.

"So, I shouldn't confine you. You're much freer than I am, possessing endless possibilities.

"If you remember this favor, you can come to help me in the future, just like now... I chose to help you.

"You cannot eliminate them, for they are the embodiment of sentient thought itself, the collective emotions of all conscious beings. When they appear here, it signifies that pollution has irreversibly begun.

"Unless you have a higher position than them.

"Actually... many beings here are watching you, even more so than me, and they can help you more than I can."

Saying so.

Serena's gaze slowly swept over the entire recovery area, those dimly lit shadows.

The golden-haired girl with a keyhole mark at her brow, quietly blowing a string of dazzling soap bubbles.

The plump woman in a traditional dress hums a tune while doing embroidery.

The well-built black-haired woman, wearing devilish goat horns on her head like a cosplay, playing with a doll resembling a young Zhang Jue in her hands.

The deep-sea old one, the lords of the stars, the eternal sleepers...

Things so inexplicable, that even the Emperor of Mankind was afraid of them.

Why... could all these entities gather here and take on the appearance of beautiful girls?

It was all because of the black-haired youth before them.

The incomprehensible beings were reduced to a level he could understand.

His own demeanor, even in the eyes of the indifferent black-haired woman, was perceived.

What a... hopeless otaku.

Serena was speechless for a moment, wondering whether to pass down a decree to Roboute Guilliman, asking him to build a garden of 2D anime girls as a souvenir.

"...Unfortunately, they dare not intervene too much to help you because their projections appearing here indicate that they too are subject to your confinement.

"Your status is far above mine, above Chaos, even above Miss Bubble, Miss Swell, and Miss Night, causing them to worry about the more severe influence from you.

"But, you seem to find it difficult to realize this because... you're trapped in a paradox... awake, you can avoid contamination, yet in confusion, you don't know how to solve it.

"A rational person cannot reach, a confused person cannot answer.

"So, even you don't know how to truly utilize your status, your power.

"Even if I help you, I can only alleviate pollution, not eradicate it, because... desire always resides within every person's heart.

"So, you... need to discover the key points on your own, to protect what you cherish."

Every word was comprehensible.

However, even as they concluded, Reinhard couldn't understand what Serena was really saying.

A rational person cannot reach, and a confused person cannot answer?

Such a philosophical feeling.

Despite this, he noticed the solemn expression on her face.

Reinhard carefully remembered these subconscious words, considering them important, planning to write them down once he returned to his ward.

"Discover the key points... what key points? Nee-chan, what should I do?"

The black-haired woman glanced at this chaotic battlefield.

With her rise, the contamination in the chaos of the Four Chaos Gods subsided slightly.

For both the Holy Terra and the relatively peaceful realms, they gained a bit of breathing room.

"I don't know." Serena gave a perfect answer.

"..."

"Think more, Reinhard."

She sighed, looking directly into the eyes of the black-haired youth.

"You don't have much time left, and before that, all I can tell you... is to think more."

"Think more...?"

The young man furrowed his brows. How exactly should he remove Nurgle filth and contamination to heal the contaminated history?

In Reinhard's mind, a solution slowly emerged.

"Master of Fate Zhang Jue."

"I can't directly deal with Nurgle because it's an indescribable concept to me.

"But, for Zhang Jue, who holds the Throne of Tzeentch, Nurgle should be a tangible entity he can handle.

"So, if I can't beat it, then I'll shake things up!"

Confirming his strategy, the young man wiped the water mirror in front of him.

Within the rippling water mirror, there slowly emerged the tired, weary face of the black-haired youth, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, looking exhausted and drowsy.

"Come on, work your magic! Master of Fate Zhang Jue, tell me, what should I do?"

"Please, my other self!"

His entire essence seemed to dissipate like flying ash, as the young man cast the drawn spell into the water mirror.

As the rushing currents formed whirlpools, the black-haired youth reached out and retrieved the damp yellow paper once again.

Unbeknownst to him, his ward seemed to have become much colder and damp, with green moss even starting to spread along the walls.

Reinhard attempted to clean the moss once, but it would grow back anew the next day, so he sighed and gave up.

On the desk, open books were densely covered with various characters, recording everything he had seen and heard in his state of confusion.

[Nurgle], [Khorne], [Tzeentch], [Slaanesh], [Warp], [Emperor]...

Muttering to himself, the black-haired youth sat at his desk, his analysis never so thorough.

"When the young Zhang Jue called me, it was the clearest my mind has ever been.

Because the young Zhang Jue is the past experienced by the Master of Fate Zhang Jue, and also his 'anchor.'

Only in my bewilderment state can I avoid contamination from the warp.

However, in my state of bewilderment, I tend to rationalize everything I see and hear... this means that facing chaos, I can only act on instinct.

Beating up bad women? Is it effective? The Emperor tried it once, but it didn't seem to work.

Then, exposing them?

If... I invoke Slaanesh, can I seize a portion of its authority?

Or should I expose all four of them?

Although it seems a bit off, they are still beautiful girls in my bewilderment perspective. With the lights off, they all look the same, and they seem to like me...

"No... no, Zhang Jue should occupy the Throne of Tzeentch, and Slaanesh hasn't been invoked yet. 

"The Emperor said contamination of chaos cannot be eradicated... but I might have a chance because my status is higher than chaos?

"How is that possible... I'm just an ordinary human, and even the simulation system doesn't support me anymore. The cheats are patched, and it's useless garbage saying it will stay with me forever!

"So, what else do I have that I can use?"

Muttering to himself like this.

Looking at the spell handed to him by the young Zhang Jue, the black-haired youth fell silent for a moment, then slowly raised his head, gazing at the ceiling of the ward.

His gaze seemed to pierce through the dome of the building, then gazed upon those "Themselves" who always peered at him from beyond.

Reinhard raised his head, looking at the "You" on the screen.

"Can I converse with you guys?"

The black-haired youth murmured softly, almost like a hysteric.

After waiting for a while,

He received no response.

"Well, as expected... it's impossible, isn't it?"

Reinhard nodded.

"So, you can only watch me?

"Why are you watching me?

"Why not watch someone else?

"What am I to you, exactly?

"What significance does my every move have in your eyes?"

He seemed to be questioning the ceiling as if suffering from a split personality.

However, there was no answer.

Nor could he understand.

Reinhard seemed to vaguely guess something, but he couldn't, shouldn't, and didn't want to come up with that answer at this moment.

What could be the key to defeating chaos?

"I can only ask one question, can't I..."

After a moment of contemplation, the black-haired youth's face slowly displayed a subtle smile.

He was Master of Fate Zhang Jue.

Master of Fate...

The existence that controls one's own destiny...

Ah, I see.

If I'm to be bound by so-called 'destiny,' then please, let me see your power.

The black-haired youth opened his eyes, grasping the ballpoint pen.

Will I receive the most liked comment as an answer?

On that damp yellow paper, Reinhard slowly wrote down the question he had been contemplating in his heart for a long time.

[Can you perceive all of my psychological activities?]

...

The murky clouds shrouding the palace finally dissipated under the continuous bombardment of the crimson machine.

However... the awe-inspiring and miraculous scene had already been witnessed by countless people throughout the realm.

"Look! Even the crimson machine has been activated!"

"Whose immortal thunder technique is this grandiose?"

"Using heavenly thunder to pierce through the hall? Impressive! Even that person wouldn't dare to be so bold!"

Some were shocked, astonished, some apprehensive.

Others were excited, intrigued, and enjoying the spectacle.

Recalling the sights outside the city, the rotting bones and graves in the fields.

Hearing the discussions inside and outside the streets, the aristocratic youths talking about the palace and the thunder piercing the capital.

People speculated on which immortal the emperor had offended. Though the heavenly thunder struck the heart of the dynasty, it seemed more like a curious twist of fate to some.

For many, there was little concern for the survival of the dynasty. With a lack of national identity, people focused only on themselves.

Without a thousand-year dynasty, there were still thousand-year aristocratic families.

The aristocrats showed no signs of tension, they were excited about this year's harvest and the possibility of increased taxes as rumored by the court.

This was an opportunity to accumulate wealth.

The great scholar shook his head with a sigh, walking towards the main gate of the academy. He pushed open the doors of the school where he taught, and two highly anticipated students had been waiting for some time.

A handsome young man in a straight robe handed the teacher a cup of tea. Despite his scholarly attire, his demeanor was sharp and piercing.

"Teacher, you don't look well. Is His Majesty dissatisfied with our report to the court today? Although I have traveled through the countryside and provinces, perhaps there have been some oversights in our data..."

"Brother, you're mistaken. If the unrestrained emperor could read, he wouldn't question our report. Teacher's complexion isn't good, clearly due to that thunderbolt."

Beside the young man, a playful female voice chimed in.

With long arms, a bold and heroic aura, the girl carried twin swords on her back. She casually sat on the desk in the classroom, swinging her slender legs, her intricately woven grass shoes swaying.

Seeing his disciple's appearance, the great scholar couldn't help but feel a headache coming on and muttered softly.

"Gentleness, mind your manners."

"Hey hey... I got it, teacher."

The girl sat properly on the desk.

"Why aren't you wearing scholar robes? Sporting a wandering warrior's attire and grass shoes, what kind of decorum is this!"

"Heh... If the academy's rules are intolerable, just come for a fight, and if I don't beat them black and blue, then it's a waste of the previous emperor's descendants."

The great scholar massaged his temples, speechless.

The previous emperor, everything about him was fine. Exceptional talent, fond of fine clothes and fast horses, skilled in archery, hunting, and drinking, he was the king of the idlers in this vast academy, a girl who was difficult to control.

But... not good at studying.

"In this dynasty, what's the point of studying? The officials are still controlled by the aristocratic families." The girl understood the teacher's expression and giggled.

"Such comments are inappropriate. You yourself are a disciple sent to the academy by your family. Your family wants you to study and cultivate yourself properly. What have you learned in a day..."

"In this vast academy, no one can beat me. Naturally, I'll use my combat arts to revitalize the dynasty. And I've always been righteous and moral. This is also networking!"

The words "networking" were not wrong at all.

The great scholar shook his head, trembling, and closed his eyes.

This girl, really...

He couldn't be bothered to lecture her anymore.

"It's not your fault. Your research is excellent, the data is detailed, and you have the demeanor of disciples of the academy. It's just that today's discussion about this year's grain harvest..."

The great scholar sighed, his voice slowly fading away.

"Teacher, are you worried about the phenomenon in the capital?" 

"...Yes."

"The torrential rain, the thunderstorms like waterfalls, the majestic power of heaven actually descending upon the palace."

The girl with twin swords on her back was interested.

"Which immortal did it? The elusive Forgetfulness? It's a pity... Brother and I have visited for so long, but we've never seen any Forgetfulness member."

"The Forgetfulness helps the people and farm the land. It's clearly a good deed for the people and the world. But we hear news of heavy taxes and labor being imposed again. I guess, this hedonistic emperor has angered the true immortals of the sitting and forgetting path."

The girl caressed her twin swords lovingly, recalling the scene of the pouring rain and thunder pouring down from the sky, her longing expression revealing a hint of admiration.

To strike when needed, truly divine methods.

Such freedom, what bliss.

The great scholar closed his eyes, trembling, silent. After a long time, he finally let out a faint sigh.

"This world... is about to descend into chaos."

...

"Who did this?

"Do we even need to ask? It must be those damned Forgetfulness!"

The young emperor, with disheveled hair, sat amidst the shattered porcelain in the hall, issuing a hoarse and furious roar at the Daoist masters in front of him.

"You useless bunch! Damn it! I spend so much money to support you bunch of masters, and now lightning is striking over my head. What the hell are you doing?! What have you protected?!"

"A bunch of charlatans and tricksters, wanting to heal the world for me? Guards! Issue a decree! Raid the homes of the sitting and forgetting Daoists!"

The masters bowed their heads deeply, afraid to even breathe. Hearing this, they hesitated to speak.

"Your Majesty, but... we really don't know who the Forgetfulness are. How can we raid them?"

"Go find them! You useless bunch! If I can't raid them, I'll raid you!"

The emperor angrily smashed the precious porcelain cup into powder, the sound as sharp as a broken heart.

Guards dragged the masters out, throwing them outside.

[With a clap of thunder, the emperor's arrogance shattered.]

[You led the Forgetfulness to spread a message, claiming full responsibility for the lightning striking over the capital, and the next morning, a bag of insulting copper coins was sent to the palace gates, accompanied by a note stating it was for repairing the roof tiles of the capital hall.]

[The entire court was shaken, the whole country astonished.]

[The emperor was nearly bursting a blood vessel. It was said these days he lacked vigor in his desires, not even favoring the harem. You wondered if your arts of female allure had taken effect?]

[The Forgetfulness were declared an evil cult by the dynasty. A decree was issued in the capital, ordering the arrest of anyone related to the Forgetfulness. The city was filled with arrests, dead or alive. A reward of one million was offered for each capture.]

[Under such heavy rewards, fake Forgetfulness were constantly caught, wearing masks, deceiving for the reward.]

[However, a paradox emerged ... anyone caught couldn't possibly be a genuine Forgetfulness.]

[Soon, within a month, hundreds of Forgetfulness were captured, all of them dead without evidence. The emperor was so angry his face turned red. He didn't know whether to issue the reward or not, so he changed his mind and ordered them to be captured alive.]

[Alive? Alive would be perfect!]

[The Water Mirror Manor's disciples began to disrupt their own routines, randomly selecting places for their worldly appearances.]

[Sometimes, they wouldn't use any magical techniques, deliberately getting exposed, and then fleeing in embarrassment. Sometimes they would display their arts dramatically, attracting worshippers and then disappearing amidst exclamations.]

[News spread from various provinces and counties that people wearing masks in the name of Forgetfulness began to deceive, manipulate the weather, and help disaster victims. Nobody knew what was true and what was false.]

[They provided relief to the victims, helped farmers achieve bountiful harvests, and saved countless lives. The Forgetfulness gained a large enthusiastic following in the countryside of various provinces and counties.]

[The hearts of the people were clear.]

[The imperial decrees from the capital couldn't reach the rural areas.]

[The farmers only knew that as long as someone wore a mahjong mask, they would be warmly welcomed.]

[Yet, nobody cared about the starving peasants, or whether they lived or died. Nobody was willing to cure the infectious diseases that swept through, as people of this era didn't understand modern medical concepts and feared contagion.]

[But you cared. You were willing to go against the tide.]

[You told the emaciated and desperate patients to boil the spell into a medicinal solution, to eat a few more mouthfuls of rice, to eat their fill, and the illness would heal...]

In a room filled with various medicinal herbs and equipment for distinguishing them, a silver-haired old man sat in deep contemplation, his eyes closed as he carefully examined the pulse of a young girl lying on a sickbed.

The girl's body was swollen all over, and a purplish tumor on her abdomen had already begun to rot, a sight that was nauseating to behold.

A black-haired young man with a large fox fur wrapped around his neck pushed open the door of the rural house and walked in directly.

"How does it look? This isn't just an ordinary illness, is it?"

The silver-haired old man sighed and lowered his hand.

This renowned physician was also an early disciple of Sima Hui, often treating Guo Jia's ailments in the Water Mirror Manor and imparting pharmacological knowledge.

By the late dynasty, disinfection, surgery, and pharmacology had evolved into a form of scientific nursing. However, people's understanding of diseases had not reached a microscopic level, nor did they comprehend the principles of infectious disease transmission.

Upon Zhang Jue's arrival, his knowledge of bacteria and viruses proved invaluable to him. It was this medical knowledge that prompted him to take action.

"This illness cannot be cured with medicine alone, Master Jue. This kind of grotesque affliction... fundamentally lacks a soul."

Though Zhang Jue was just a ten-year-old boy, the silver-haired old man addressed him as "Master." a title he rightfully deserved.

"A soul?"

"The pills you gave me have yielded results. The pills distributed by the dynasty are not medicine but gu insects that devour human souls. They stimulate vitality, giving people a temporary surge of energy.

"The more one takes these pills, the weaker their vitality becomes. Due to the soul being gradually devoured, it leads to various bodily deformities, such as ulcers, tumors, and malformed limbs...

"These pills are addictive, and with repeated use, once the soul support is exhausted, the person becomes paralyzed and rots away like a pile of mud."

Listening to the silver-haired old man's explanation, Reinhard gradually understood.

The pills issued by the court were, in fact, akin to gu insects that consumed the three souls and seven spirits of a person. In magical terms, they were akin to the vitality or life force.

"Taking such pills brings only harm and no benefit. Why would the court torture the starving populace like this? If the emperor distributes such things as disaster relief, isn't he afraid of divine retribution!"

Looking at the barely conscious girl on the sickbed, her skin covered in festering tumors, the silver-haired old man clenched his fists.

Why would the dynasty let its people decay like this?

Reinhard already had an answer in his heart.

"I can heal her."

At the silver-haired old man's words, his lips trembled slightly.

"You want... to heal her? But even if you can remove the extra growths, the missing soul cannot be restored. Even if you heal her physical body, it's just prolonging her suffering for a few more days."

"The soul can also be repaired."

There was no his coiled sword by his side now.

But he was a Pure Heart.

Reinhard picked up a bundle of herbs, crushed them, mixed them with a piece of paper, and dissolved them in a bowl of water.

The water rippled, sparkling with golden light.

The silver-haired old man watched in a daze as the black-haired young man performed a dazzling and radiant technique on the bowl of water before handing it to the weak, wide-eyed patient.

"Drink, trust me. Keep drinking for a few days, and you'll get better..."

The black-haired young man gently stroked the forehead of the ailing girl, his warm smile as comforting as a spring breeze.

As she looked at the face of the young man before her, hope gleamed in the girl's eyes.

She slowly drank the bowl of water.

The silver-haired old man shook his head, his expression filled with pity.

He knew Zhang Jue's compassionate nature. But treating an illness ultimately required targeted treatment. Nevertheless, this was nothing more than a comforting illusion...

Her life was already like a candle in the wind.

After drinking the water for three days...

The ailing girl could eat a little more.

After drinking the water for seven days...

She began to walk again normally.

The silver-haired old man watched in astonishment as the afflicted villagers who had taken the pills knelt on the ground, bowing repeatedly to the black-haired young man wearing the red mask, tears streaming down their faces.

"Master Jue, are you really an Immortal?"

A little shock for the silver-haired old man.

The black-haired young man fell silent for a moment, then smiled warmly.

"...Perhaps?"

[What is known as typhoid fever is nothing more than a minor contagious ailment in later generations, akin to gastroenteritis. Once the pathology is understood and defenses are known, it can be considered easily treatable.]

[However, faced with the grotesque epidemic intentionally spread by the dynasty, you have no idea how to develop a specific cure.]

[Yet, you can heal.]

[In reality, you cannot heal, you are deceiving these patients. However, they willingly believe in you.]

[Belief, that is your magic.]

[You crush herbs into symbolic water, instructing the patients to drink it. In this state of spiritual manifestation, they seem to genuinely feel their bodies recovering.]

[The followers of the Forgetfulness begin to admire and worship, with you, the leader in red, being praised by the farmers as a great sage and hailed as the Great Wise Sage. receiving enthusiastic welcomes.]

[The imperial court, aware of these witchcraft practices, sneers at them, asserting that the Forgetfulness is indeed a group of demons.]

[However... in the neglected corners of rural areas, the belief in Forgetfulness begins to spread rapidly like wildfire.]

[Among the most inconspicuous farmers, the number of believers increases, and the influence spreads wider and wider.]

[From scattered villages and towns, it gradually begins to surround the cities and county seats of various provinces.]

[Seeing the benefits in this, some impoverished priests begin to wear masks and fish in troubled waters. It seems that the Forgetfulness is becoming more and more ubiquitous, almost omnipresent...]

[When true becomes false, false also becomes true. When false becomes true, true also becomes false. Amidst the true and false, false and true, who can tell?]

[Hehe! Let's play along with them!]

"I can't tell, Your Majesty, I really can't tell!"

The priests, their faces resembling dried-up ashes, kept knocking their heads on the floor of the grand hall.

Sent out to capture the Forgetfulness, they had been working tirelessly day and night, and they were at their wit's end.

It seemed like they could never catch enough of the Forgetfulness, or rather... if they were indeed the true Forgetfulness, could they even be caught by these priests?

Now masks were becoming increasingly popular.

The emperor could clearly see that the Forgetfulness were toying with him, by appearing in various provinces and counties.

For some reason, his interest in organizing parties in the palace had waned in recent months, and his vitality seemed to be dwindling.

However... as he looked at his attendants, the emperor couldn't help but feel that they were becoming more and more handsome for no apparent reason.

The ten eunuchs, the source of chaos in the court, were cursed by the people. However, when they entered the palace, they were all carefully selected, top-tier beauties from various provinces and counties.

One of the eunuchs, holding a dark bird and gently blowing wind for the emperor, caught a subtle glance from the emperor and inexplicably felt a flutter in his heart.

"Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell today because of the disturbance caused by the Forgetfulness? Should we summon the imperial physician to check on you?"

"I'm just tired, no need..." The emperor's fingers traced his hand back, "Tonight, have father serve me for my bath."

The great eunuch, who had always been favored by the emperor as a father figure, felt that the atmosphere was somewhat unusual.

Yes, attending to the emperor's bath was indeed the duty of eunuchs, but usually, the emperor would summon his concubines for such occasions. It was rare for him to think of us for a change.

The great eunuch smiled and agreed.

He didn't realize that the emperor's filial piety had turned into something else.

As he looked at the great eunuch's handsome face, the emperor felt momentarily distracted.

However, his peripheral vision caught sight of the trembling priests in the hall, and the mockery of the Forgetfulness echoed in his mind, making him increasingly agitated.

"You useless bunch of idiots! Get out of here! Remember, each month you must bring me the Forgetfulness! If you fail, I'll throw all of you into the dungeon to serve your time!"

[The emperor, consumed by impotent rage, found himself surrounded by sycophantic eunuchs and relatives, while the aristocrats harbored their own divergent thoughts, outwardly compliant but inwardly rebellious.]

[The true immortals capable of conjuring thunderstorms over the capital? They understood the value they represented, and it terrified the emperor... because they were worth wooing.]

[Throughout the dynastay, efforts were made to uncover the identities of the Forgetfulness, to meticulously study their behavior, movements, and objectives.]

[Every word you penned down was scrutinized, analyzed, and studied in a desperate attempt to glean even the slightest hint about the Forgetfulness.]

[The agricultural contents listed in the Book of Agriculture began to spread like wildfire.]

[What is the fan effect? You don't even have to spend money on copying and distributing it, it spreads like tap water!]

[Farming, gardening, afforestation, sericulture, animal husbandry, veterinary science, breeding, brewing, cooking, warehousing... gradually, even the children playing on the roadside began to understand the principles of selecting superior grains.]

[People called upon all kinds of intellects to thoroughly dissect the Book of Agriculture, only to discover... the nobility and aristocracy of the realm realized that it might actually be a practical farming manual?]

[Impossible! Absolutely impossible!]

[Who in the world wants to read this? What about the arts of Forgetfulness? Their thunder techniques? Their political agenda and inclinations?]

[People were convinced that this enigmatic emergence of the Forgetfulness must conceal some unimaginable grand conspiracy, a world-shaking secret!]

[To meticulously craft such an agricultural treatise, and then to summon thunderbolts directly over the capital, how could it be that they want nothing in return, but merely express a desire to help the people?]

[Since the time of the first empire, there's been a book that says: 'A weak populace makes for a strong state, and a strong populace makes for a weak state.' Therefore, in a master state, the focus is on a weak populace. When the people are weak, the state is strong, when the people are strong, the state is weak. During times of war, exploit their deaths, during times of peace, exploit their strength.]

[The finest have no commoners, and the lowest have no aristocrats. This world has always belonged to the aristocracy, not the commoners.]

[Who cares about these starving masses?]

[The respectable gentlemen, who among them pays attention to the peasants?]

[Despicable.]

[As spring turns to autumn, on a winter's eve, it's the perfect time to make a fortune.]

"The Forgetfulness! What do you filthy creatures, who have corrupted the government, want by kidnapping my son?!"

"Father... Don't worry about me! Our family must never aid these rebels... Ugh!"

Under the veil of night, with the moon casting its ethereal glow, within the estate of a healthy family, lanterns were lit, and festive decorations adorned the surroundings. Yet, at this moment, the atmosphere was oppressively heavy.

An old man stared helplessly as his son, had a yellow paper spell forcibly stuffed into his mouth, his face flushed as tears streamed down his cheeks.

A group of strange masters, tall and robust, clad in various masks, held his kidnapped son in their grasp. Their leader wore a red mask, their voice hoarse and icy, rendering their gender indiscernible.

Raising his son, the red-masked master extended their bony fingers, as thin as twigs, and gently caressed the young boy's chin, a sight that left Sima Yi somewhat envious.

"Just borrowing the lad's life for a little chat with you."

The old man was fraught with anxiety but dared not make any rash moves.

"What do you want to discuss?! My family has been loyal for generations and will never ally with creatures like you!"

"Heh... How do you know what we, the Forgetfulness, intend to ally with? Can't we genuinely want to help the world?"

"Help the world! Help the world! Whatever your intentions, I implore you, first release my son!"

The old man was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan.

"Agreed! The boy's life will be unharmed, but in return, we'd like you to do us a favor..."

"Do... Do you really want to corrupt the state? My insignificant family, what assistance can we offer you true immortals?"

The old man grew wary, knowing that rebellion meant certain death, he was wise enough to know how to navigate such situations.

"Haha... Corrupt the state? You jest! Does the state need us, the Forgetfulness, to corrupt it? The current emperor is already suffering enough, this dynasty is in decline, and the heavens are stagnant. It's time for the Forgetfulness to rise in revolt!"

The red-masked master laughed maniacally.

"The nobles are imprisoned, tortured, executed, or implicated, and your aristocratic families are controlled by the ten eunuchs, begging like dogs. Do you think the emperor truly pities you, still clinging to your noble principles?"

Indeed.

The old man's lips quivered, this matter had to be swiftly reported to the court, but survival was paramount... for now.

"All right, all right! Release my son, and I'll agree to whatever you request!"

"Father... You can't do this, you can't!"

His son suddenly spat out the spell, seemingly incredulous at how quickly his father had capitulated, showing no sign of integrity.

The old man dared not look at his son.

"Well said! Then, please lend us some funds from your estate. The Forgetfulness will surely remember your kindness."

"Just... You only want money?"

The old man seemed incredulous at the answer, as if he were ready to submit a formal pledge, but first, he had to placate these individuals.

"The more, the merrier. The fate of the lad depends entirely on your sincerity."

Half an hour later.

Walking alongside his son, whose expression was now gloomy, the old man gazed at the empty treasury with mixed emotions.

Despite the depleted coffers, he felt as though he had gained something, learning about the explosive secret of the Forgetfulness's rebellion!

Those Forgetfulness folks were quite something!

"No worries... my son, money can be earned again, but if we lose you, I don't know how I'd cope."

"Father, are you being evasive?" His son lifted his head, blinking rapidly.

"Shh... Let's not dwell on that. Let's enjoy the new year together as a family."

Fair enough, best not to dwell on it, especially since his son was struggling to hold back his laughter.

The old man patted his son's shoulder with a solemn expression, unaware that his dutiful son was busy squandering his gold coins.

"Damn, your family is really wealthy."

Zhuge Liang marveled as he counted the gold coins from his fellow disciple's estate, marveling at their abundance.

"Sigh... The estate's fertile fields span more than a hundred acres, and this warehouse is just a drop in the ocean. How much money does the family really have?"

"Forcing my father to shed some blood is truly taxing, and having to enact this ruse. If it's not enough, they can come back for more anytime."

"Cough... Cough, you're tied up again, aren't you? You're truly a dutiful son. If I were your father and realized you were acting, I wouldn't want you as my son today."

Guo Jia coughed, pointing at Xun Yu with a smile.

"Let's not be hasty." Xun Yu chuckled. "It'll be your turn soon, Guo Jia, let's see who can squeeze out more."

Hey, you're really getting into it with the price gouging.

Guo Jia laughed heartily, but as he laughed, he couldn't help but cough up blood.

Xun Yu smiled and bowed to his fellow students.

"Wishing everyone a happy new year."

"Yes, a happy new year." Reinhard nodded.

"Thanks to junior brother Jue for taking care of everyone so diligently."

"No problem, I'll make sure everyone gets safely back for the new year celebrations."

A spark.

Can ignite a fire.

The young man and the others bowed together, sharing a knowing smile.

[The Chen family, the Xun family, the Guo family, the Jia family, the Zhou family...]

[In just a few short days, this price-gouging trickery played out across the various states and counties. As you escorted your fellow disciples home for the new year, the elders of each household were exceptionally warm and hospitable, showering you with numerous gifts of money and goods, expressing their strong support for the Forgetfulness.]

[When you captured Zhou Yu, you watched as the young man rushed out, attempting to ambush you from behind to rescue Zhou Yu. Unfortunately, he tripped and fell under the influence of your illusion, showing that Sun Ben was indeed not as skilled as he claimed.]

[Seeing Zhou Yu unharmed, he immediately began to recklessly throw money out, resulting in piles of gold coins scattered about, much to Zhou Yu's twitching lips.]

[During the journey, you didn't forget to capture a dozen or so unfortunate souls. Whenever you encountered a notable member of a prestigious family, you would conveniently visit their home and generously shower them with a wave of gold coins.]

[Soon, news spread far and wide that the Forgetfulness was indiscriminately kidnapping members of prestigious families across the states, demanding ransom. The second-generation elites were all in fear for their safety, restricted by their elders to stay at home and refrain from wandering around or playing mahjong, lest they be caught by the ruthless Forgetfulness.]

[Various acts of bullying and violence against men and women saw a significant decrease.]

[The Forgetfulness, you are truly the righteous guardian of the dynasty!]

[You handed over this batch of money to Sima Yi to manage, investing it through merchants into the areas most severely affected by disaster.]

[When the dynasty fails to provide relief, the Forgetfulness steps in to help.]

"You've really found me a good job, Brother Jue."

A sachet of gifts was handed to Sima Yi.

Inside it contained the loot from a series of robberies, including more than double the savings of his family.

At this moment, this amount, reaching a staggering three billion, was ruthlessly injected into the heart and soul of Sima Yì by the angel investor Zhang Jue.

"Running out of space, are we?" 

"Money and goods are naturally better in abundance. Without my management, the assets wouldn't move. Brother Jue, just watch, the promise I made to you will definitely fulfill."

"Sima Yì, are you really such a trustworthy person?"

"Only to you."

The young man opened his mouth, but said nothing, just smiling at him.

Sima Yi lowered his eyelids.

The eastern snow was white, lanterns were lit.

In front of his family residence, carriages were parked, bidding farewell to the young man with a big fox around his neck and the beautiful woman in a flowing skirt.

Why was it that only Sima Yi didn't need to act in such a melodramatic scene?

"For... this entire family has long been me. If Brother Jue wants it, just take it."

"You really don't treat me like an outsider."

"We're fellow disciples, so there's no need to treat each other as outsiders."

"I see... then I will rely on you well."

Looking at the attendants behind the young man, Yu Mei-ren, Xu Fu, and that figure over three feet tall with silver hair, Xiang Yu, Sima Yi shook his head with a smile.

Rely on himself.

"How about... Brother Jue doesn't leave this year and spends the new year with me here?"

He couldn't say those words.

Because it was wrong, after all, he was still a man.

Reinhard finally realized that it was actually himself who couldn't overcome that barrier in his heart, so Sima Yi was destined not to become a woman.

What a sin.

He thought for a moment and took out the card his mother had given him, his most cherished possession.

Reinhard's fingertip brushed past it, carving out a neat 'Jue' character.

Sima Yi took it in a daze.

"Don't you like it?"

"I do. I do. I do."

Caressing the 'Jue' character, he said 'I do' three times in a row.

That's enough, it's already enough and fulfilling.

"Brother Jue, take care." Sima Yi smiled gently.

"Take care."

The winter snow was vast, and all the carriages traveling to the province were obscured by the snowflakes, making them difficult to see.

Sima Yi stood in front of the cold mansion gate, lowering his eyelids until his breath disappeared from his sight.

He stroked the card as if still feeling his warmth.

His delicate fingertips then traced to the other side, where a few words were quietly engraved.

Sima Yi in silk and satin flipped the card slowly, unintentionally chanting aloud.

"When touching an object, it's me, be well, don't miss me."

He smiled slowly, his voice fading away into the snow.