「The Sun and Gu Clans are locked in an all-out brawl—even their Heavenly Human ancestors have personally stepped onto the battlefield! They came dangerously close to leveling the imperial capital.」
「In the end, they even forced the mysterious Qianyuan Emperor himself to intervene…」
Sun Qian's eyes were wide with shock. Clearly, the turn of events in this second simulation had far exceeded all his expectations.
His original plan had been simple enough: after sending the distress message, his eldest brother Sun Shou would deal with that spoiled brat Gu Ao, teach him a lesson, and in doing so, rattle the mastermind behind the scenes.
After all, the assassination attempt at the start of this simulation had failed. In a normal scenario, this would've been nothing more than a dispute between the younger generations—hardly enough to spark a full-scale war.
But what happened next had blown all logic out of the water.
Not only had his eldest brother Sun Shou taken action, but his father and even the Sun Clan's ancestor had joined in, mobilizing the entire clan's forces as if they were out for blood, determined to make the Gu Clan pay a steep price.
Their reaction had been far too intense—far too abnormal.
The Sun Clan's Heavenly Human ancestor had remained in seclusion for decades, a mysterious figure who'd never been seen in public. Yet now, he'd broken his seclusion just for him.
He'd even threatened to wipe out the entire Gu Clan.
Sun Qian refused to believe he was that valuable. He wasn't even the heir to the Sun Clan—just the second son.
And the Gu Clan of Qianyuan was no trivial opponent. They were also a Heavenly Human-tier clan, standing on the same level as the Sun Clan.
The Sun Clan's over-the-top response made absolutely no sense.
According to Sun Zhong's report in the simulation, the Sun Clan had suffered heavy casualties in the brawl, paying a terrible price.
While family affection certainly played a part, Sun Qian couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to it—something hidden beneath the surface.
「This proves it, then. The Sun Clan, my brother, my father, and even the ancestor—they truly care about me. There's no doubt about that.」
「But why would they react so violently? Could it be… that they've known all along that I possess the Supreme Imperial Bone?!」
At that moment, Sun Qian felt as if the path ahead was shrouded in a thick fog, impossible to see through.
He thought back carefully. For the past eighteen years, his treatment within the Sun Clan had been nothing short of top-tier—on par with even his elder brother Sun Shou, the clan's heir.
Whatever he wanted, whatever he did, his wishes were always granted.
Even when he'd smashed Gu Ao's head twice in a fit of rage, the Sun Clan hadn't scolded him once.
When he'd returned home afterward, their first concern had been whether he was injured. Only then had they sent him to Magic City to lie low and enjoy himself, telling him not to worry about the consequences—that the Sun Clan would take care of everything.
「When you're in the thick of it, you don't notice the little things. But now that I look back, the clues are crystal clear.」
「The Sun Clan's attitude toward me has never been that of a mere second son. They've spoiled me rotten, indulged my every whim… it's like they're treating me as someone with an extremely special status.」
Sun Qian muttered to himself, a terrible suspicion taking root in his heart.
But for now, he forced his focus back onto the Villain Simulator.
Upon hearing about the cataclysmic events unfolding in the imperial capital, you finally began to realize just how special—and abnormal—your status really was. Doubts began to creep into your mind about your true identity as a member of the Sun Clan's bloodline.
Sun Zhong reported, 「The clan has sent a message, Young Master. They want you to stay in Magic City for the time being—don't return to the capital. Be wary of the Gu Clan. We'll send for you once the situation is resolved.」
With the Sun Clan locked in war with the Gu Clan, they couldn't spare any high-level powerhouses to guard you in Magic City. But to ensure your safety, your eldest brother Sun Shou had gone to great lengths, sending someone to deliver a Life-Replacing Blood Escape Talisman. This treasure could block a fatal blow at the critical moment and teleport you a thousand miles away to safety.
「A Life-Replacing Blood Escape Talisman!」
Sun Qian's eyes widened in shock.
This was a top-tier Heavenly Human-grade talisman!
Crafting it required the heartblood of a Heavenly Human-grade Blood Demon Bat as the main ingredient, rare beast hide as the talisman paper, and a master talisman maker to inscribe the runes.
The success rate of forging one was less than one percent.
This kind of life-saving treasure was enough to make even Heavenly Human ancestors covet it.
At the end of the day, it was an extra life.
And his own elder brother had gone through all that trouble to send one to him.
He could only imagine the enormous price Sun Shou had paid to obtain it.
This was the mark of a true brother.
Overwhelmed with emotion, you took the Life-Replacing Blood Escape Talisman from Sun Zhong's hands, tucking it safely against your chest. You silently vowed that once you achieved great power in cultivation, you would repay your brother a thousandfold.
After processing the news from the imperial capital, you calmed your racing thoughts and asked about the situation in Magic City.
Five days ago, you'd ordered the Li Clan—one of Magic City's Four Great Clans and a marital ally of the Sun Clan—to investigate the Zhao Clan. You'd told them to be ruthless, to take direct action. You'd also instructed them to pressure the Liu Clan, forcing them to hand over Ye Fan—the Destiny's Child who'd once served as Liu Yue's bodyguard.
In response, Sun Zhong said, 「Young Master, when you first ordered the Li Clan to investigate the Zhao Clan, they were reluctant, dragging their feet. But the moment word spread that our ancestor and clan leader had taken action against the Gu Clan, their attitude did a complete 180. They launched an all-out offensive against the Zhao Clan on all fronts.」
「The other two of Magic City's Four Great Clans—the Wu and Lin Clans—chose to remain neutral, staying out of the conflict. Right now, the Li and Zhao Clans are locked in a brutal fight. But the Zhao Clan clearly knows who's pulling the strings. They've been on the defensive this entire time, daring not to strike back.」
「As for the Liu Clan? The moment the clan leader found out that Ye Fan—his daughter Liu Yue's former bodyguard—had offended you, he was scared out of his wits. He would've gladly tied up Ye Fan, who'd fled back to the Liu Clan, and handed him over to you to beg for mercy.」
「But even with one arm gone, Ye Fan has a knack for surviving against all odds. He caused a huge commotion in the Liu Clan manor before escaping. No one knows where he is now, but he's been issued a city-wide manhunt.」
「Since they failed to capture Ye Fan, the Liu Clan's situation is precarious. They're terrified of incurring the Sun Clan's wrath because of this, and they've been scrambling to find a way to earn your forgiveness.」
「Young Master,」 Sun Zhong said, his tone meaningful. 「Envoys from the Zhao Clan have arrived, along with the Liu Clan's eldest daughter, Liu Yue. They're all waiting outside, asking to see you.」
You read between the lines instantly. The Zhao Clan clearly knew you were the one behind the Li Clan's attacks, and they'd come to beg for mercy. As for the Liu Clan—they were offering up Liu Yue to appease your anger, hoping to keep their clan out of this mess.
At this moment, in the eyes of the big shots back in the imperial capital, you were nothing more than an ant. But in Magic City? You were a terrifying supervillain whose wrath no one dared to provoke.
You thought for a moment, then made your decision. You'd accept the Liu Clan's offering—after all, you weren't one to turn down free meat. Besides, you were a reasonable man, always willing to listen to reason.
As for the Zhao Clan?
You could afford to keep them waiting a little longer.
「Tell the Zhao Clan to keep waiting outside,」 you ordered. 「As for Liu Yue—send her in first.」