Where did she get such unshakable confidence?
Was her certainty placed in Huyan Mingchuan... or in herself?
Emperor Xuanwu found himself unable to comprehend it.
After all, if the Seventh Prince's scheme truly succeeded, Tian Sheng would find itself besieged not just by Bei Xiang, but by a coalition of seven or eight smaller states. A coordinated onslaught of that scale would be no simple matter.
Unlike her, he had not used the Simulation Life Selection System to foresee the ultimate conclusion of Bei Xiang's internal conflict.
So what exactly gave her such bold assurance?
His gaze drifted to her, carrying a shade of disbelief.
"You cannot possibly believe that just because the treasury is flush, we can wage war at will and emerge victorious regardless?"
"Your Daughter simply finds the Seventh Prince... lacking."
With Huyan Mingchuan looming like a great villain, what storm could a mere Seventh Prince hope to stir?
Clouds of doubt didn't even register in Yun Shu's mind. She couldn't even recall this man as a significant character in the original plot. Wasn't he just a disposable side piece?
Yun Shu solemnly shook her head and elaborated.
"Those who fear our eventual retaliation are the same petty states who once colluded with the Wa Kingdom. Their own nations are weak, their resources depleted, and in desperation, they disguised their men as pirates, crossing into our waters to pillage helpless commoners along the coast. How could such acts be born of anything noble?
Now this Seventh Prince seeks to broker an alliance with them? More likely, it'll end in a pack of rabid dogs tearing at each other for scraps.
We may not even need to lift a finger. He could very well drown in the very schemes he has crafted with them."
"Even so..." Emperor Xuanwu began, intent on reminding her that regardless of confidence, caution was paramount. The safest course was still to locate the Seventh Prince and place him under discreet surveillance.
But before he could finish the thought, the air shimmered, and the familiar glow of the light screen returned, casting its now-recognizable radiance across the chamber.
[Simulation Life Selection System at your service.]
[Please choose your next course of action:
[A. Handle this matter personally.
B. Entrust this matter to Yun Shu, but advise her to remain vigilant and assign someone to monitor the Bei Xiang Seventh Prince.
C. Say nothing. Observe from the sidelines.]
As always, the first trial run was Option A.
[You have selected A. The Dragon Shadow Guard began their investigation near the envoy delegation of the minor states. After some effort, they successfully uncovered the disguised identity of the Bei Xiang Seventh Prince and, under your orders, thwarted his efforts to unite the other small nations.]
Just as he thought. Caution was not to be cast aside.
Though it remained unclear what the Seventh Prince of Bei Xiang had offered to secure cooperation from those petty states, one thing was certain. Being surrounded on all sides was an unspeakable threat to Tian Sheng.
Emperor Xuanwu's expression darkened as he tapped into the second option.
[You have selected B. Yun Shu, heeding your advice, ordered her people to investigate near the minor state delegation. After some effort, they, too, uncovered the disguised Bei Xiang Seventh Prince and foiled his attempt to forge an alliance.]
"...?"
Emperor Xuanwu blinked.
What was the difference? The outcome was identical—only the issuing hand had changed.
The Simulation Life Selection System was never one to present such redundant options.
That could only mean one thing: the true focal point lay in the final choice.
[Say nothing. Observe as events unfold from afar…]
His gaze lingered on the final line for a moment longer before he slowly selected it.
[You have selected C.
Yun Shu did not consider the Bei Xiang Seventh Prince a threat. Though she gave the order to continue the search, her lack of urgency allowed him to narrowly escape detection while in disguise. At great cost, he succeeded in rallying seven neighboring states to his cause.
Half a year later, all seven declared war against Tian Sheng simultaneously. The war lasted three months. Tian Sheng emerged victorious—unifying the Seven Kingdoms.]
"...?!!"
Emperor Xuanwu nearly choked.
Was that even written in Tian Sheng's script?
Seven nations declared war... and the result was Tian Sheng unifying them all?
And in just three months?
How could such a thing be possible?
When had Tian Sheng's army grown so formidable?
Unless... his eyes flickered toward Yun Shu.
He recalled this unruly child's destined legacy: the unification of the realm.
A chill crawled down his spine. Had she already set the pieces in motion?
Could she truly be a military genius, born to command the battlefield?
Unable to contain his anticipation, Emperor Xuanwu eagerly awaited the next scene as the light screen displayed a new selection.
[Please select a visual from the future (Note: You may only choose one):
A. The moment when the Bei Xiang Seventh Prince persuaded the other small nations.
B. The moment Yun Shu's forces disrupted his plan.
C. The final battle before the unification of the Seven Kingdoms.]
All were enticing.
The first might allow him to prepare in advance for the prince's schemes.
The second offered a complete solution, plain and simple.
But the third... the third was what he longed to understand most.
How had Tian Sheng, ringed by enemies on all sides, managed to turn the tide? How had they not only survived, but seized the reins of fate and unified the continent?
Without hesitation, Emperor Xuanwu selected the third.
The image that emerged made his breath hitch.
There, astride a tall warhorse clad in crimson light armor, her bearing fierce and jubilant, was his daughter—Yun Shu. In her hand, she held a gleaming sword, confidence radiating from every line of her form.
"...!!!"
So he had guessed correctly.
This little one truly was born to command.
"...Father Emperor, why are you staring at Your Daughter like that?"
Unease prickled down Yun Shu's spine beneath the weight of that intense gaze. She quietly took half a step back, voice soft and cautious.
"If Your Majesty finds fault with Your Daughter's words, you may—"
"No need."
He almost laughed aloud. If he were to stop her now—if they prematurely captured the Bei Xiang Seventh Prince—wouldn't that erase the opportunity to write the unification of the Seven Kingdoms into the annals of history?
And all under his reign, no less.
Let others speculate how much of it had been Yun Shu's doing. What mattered was the record. That it happened under Emperor Xuanwu.
Eight characters—Unification of the Seven Kingdoms, under his reign—worth more than a thousand accolades. A feat countless emperors across the dynasties would have given their lives to achieve, yet failed to grasp in their lifetime.
So what if he was carried by his daughter?
That was a trivial matter. Insignificant.
This was history.
Just moments ago, he had resolved to chide Yun Shu, to warn her against reckless confidence and urge her to take the Seventh Prince more seriously.
Now, Emperor Xuanwu turned to her with a newfound solemnity.
"This matter, We now entrust to you."