Chapter 78: Leaving Seclusion?

Because Da Ming and Er Ming had come to Sunset Forest, Qin Ming was hunting soul beasts there when he encountered a small accident, resulting in serious injuries. With no other choice, he was recuperating in Zhou Sheng'an's thatched cottage.

The cottage had gained another guest, but Zhou Sheng'an's life remained unchanged.

He studied during the day, taught at noon, and in the evening, he tended to the land and cared for flowers and plants.

Qin Ming was initially very nervous. After all, seeing those two fearsome beasts standing outside the courtyard, no one could stay calm. But what shocked him even more was that the Poison Douluo actually treated Zhou Sheng'an with the courtesy of a disciple.

That blew his mind!

A Titled Douluo and two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts calling someone their teacher—just what kind of being was Zhou Sheng'an?

By chance, Qin Ming saw some of Zhou Sheng'an's manuscripts. They were notes on his deeper understanding of soul power.

Just one glance, and Qin Ming was completely absorbed.

After that, the way he looked at Zhou Sheng'an could only be described with one word—reverence. He revered Zhou Sheng'an like a deity. He finally understood why the Poison Douluo would bow to Zhou Sheng'an as his master.

But what moved Qin Ming even more was something else.

On the bookshelf, he found several military strategy books. None of them had any publication info, just the title and the author's name...

"Ge Long? The author is Ge Long? Don't tell me... is it that Grand Marshal? Mister Zhou, this book...?" Qin Ming asked, puzzled.

It was morning. Zhou Sheng'an had just set down his pen and looked up at Qin Ming with a smile. "It's just as you think. Old Mister Ge gave it to me. It contains the essence of all he learned in his lifetime."

"!!!"

Qin Ming's face was filled with shock.

He quickly asked, "Mister Zhou, may I ask—what is your relationship with Grand Marshal Ge Long?"

"He was like you. He was once nearly assassinated and fled here. During that time, he taught me military strategy, and we exchanged insights... Those books are what he left behind then. I also wrote him some of my own thoughts in return," Zhou Sheng'an explained.

Qin Ming froze for a moment, then suddenly remembered: Grand Marshal Ge Long had vanished for over two months after suffering serious injuries. When he returned, he commanded troops with even greater brilliance, winning one battle after another. If not for the assassination, he might've even crushed Star Luo.

"You must be Grand Marshal Ge Long's proudest student, right?" Qin Ming asked enviously.

These were troubled times. A peerless general like Ge Long was naturally revered by the people. Qin Ming might have great talent in soul master cultivation, but even he deeply respected someone like Ge Long.

Before Zhou Sheng'an could reply, the Poison Douluo sneered, "Proudest student? That old fart isn't worthy."

"With just one month, Teacher could match Ge Long. After two months, he could defeat him easily. And you're calling Teacher that old man's student? If we were anywhere else, I'd have buried you for saying that."

The Poison Douluo laughed coldly.

Qin Ming was stunned—not out of fear, but shock.

Someone like the Poison Douluo wouldn't bother lying. If it was true, then Zhou Sheng'an wasn't just invincible in soul power, he was peerless in military strategy too!

Qin Ming cupped his hands and said, "Mister Zhou, you are a rare genius of the world. Why do you not leave seclusion to serve the nation and bring peace to these troubled times?"

"I have no such ambition," Zhou Sheng'an shook his head and said indifferently.

Qin Ming fell silent for a moment. Then suddenly, he knelt before Zhou Sheng'an, kowtowed three times, and looked up at him with burning eyes, hesitating to speak.

Zhou Sheng'an said, "Even if you do that, I won't go out."

"No! I wish to take you as my teacher! To learn the art of war from you! Once I've mastered it, I want to go in your place—to bring peace to the land and spare the people from the suffering of war!"

Qin Ming's expression was one of utmost seriousness.

Zhou Sheng'an looked at Qin Ming deeply, then said, "Since that's the case, very well. I shall take you as my fourth disciple."

Qin Ming was overjoyed and kowtowed repeatedly.

...

[Douluo Calendar, June 12, 2024. The Balak Kingdom falls completely and is occupied by the Star Luo Empire. Their army continues to advance, sending shockwaves throughout Heaven Dou.]

[Douluo Calendar, June 17, 2024. Renowned Star Luo general Xiao Tianhe is assassinated while attacking Spirit Hall City and dies.]

[Douluo Calendar, July 13, 2024. Emperor Xue Ye of Heaven Dou announces the relocation of the capital to the northern city of Bei'an.]

[Douluo Calendar, July 23, 2024. Heaven Dou City falls.]

[…]

As the saying goes, "An army driven by despair will always triumph."

Having been bullied so severely in the early stages by Spirit Hall and Heaven Dou, the Star Luo Empire was now going all-out with no restraints. Without Spirit Hall in the way, their attacks on Heaven Dou were absolutely ruthless!

Qian Renxue wasn't surprised by this outcome. Without Spirit Hall's involvement, Heaven Dou was just this weak.

Though they had some renowned generals, their troops were no match for Star Luo's elite forces!

"Since this is just a simulation, why don't I just take the throne myself and have a proper battle with Bibi Dong?"

Qian Renxue was also tempted to stir things up.

After all, this simulation had already been messed up by Bibi Dong—what was she still waiting around for?

"Knock knock knock…"

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Dark Qian Renxue let out a cold laugh and walked straight toward Qian Renxue. The figures of two beautiful women overlapped, and in the end, only Qian Renxue remained seated on the bed. She stood up to open the door.

As soon as it opened, a small figure rushed into her arms.

"Royal Brother… sob sob... it was so scary…" Princess Xue Ke cried.

Qian Renxue was slightly surprised. She gently stroked Princess Xue Ke's head and said softly, "What's wrong, A-Ke?"

"Royal Brother, I… I have to tell you, I got sick not long ago…" Princess Xue Ke stammered through her words. Basically, she'd seen the simulated downfall of the Heaven Dou Empire and was so terrified she cried!

Qian Renxue patted her back, a gleam flashing through her eyes.

'Goddess Simulator'... it really did seem to match the name—maybe all the players were actual goddesses.

"Royal Brother… Heaven Dou… our empire won't really end up like in the simulation, right? Do you believe me? Royal Brother, I'm not lying…" Princess Xue Ke looked at her with teary eyes.

Qian Renxue wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and smiled. "Of course I believe you. But you said it yourself—it's just a simulation, not reality. So there's nothing to worry about."

"I… I want to sleep with Royal Brother tonight, is that okay?"

Princess Xue Ke looked at her hopefully.

"Of course you can," Qian Renxue smiled, though inwardly she was now on alert. 'I can't let my identity be exposed in the simulation!'

…

Meanwhile, Liu Erlong, sharing a bed with Zhou Sheng'an, listened to his calm, steady breathing and felt her anger boiling. Why was this guy sleeping so soundly?

She, on the other hand, was wide awake. Even though she was a woman in her forties or fifties, she was still annoyingly sensitive.

Gritting her teeth, Liu Erlong muttered, "What stupid simulator… so annoying! I'll find out what kind of nonsense you are!"

[A powerful figure suddenly attacked Blue Tyrant Academy and assassinated you. You died. Simulation ended.]

"???"

Liu Erlong was dumbfounded. She'd just clicked 'start' and already got a death message?