Chapter 9: A Confession Solely for the Strategist

In Lin Fu's bedroom, Lin Chuan, who had obtained a cultivation scripture, eagerly opened it.

As he read the characters, it was as if the gate to a New World slowly opened before him.

Until now, Lin Chuan knew nothing about matters beyond the Great Yan Dynasty and had never taken any initiative to pay attention.

Only now does he glimpse a fraction.

Now the place he is in is called Qingyun Prefecture, one of the countless regions of Shi Jie.

In Qingyun Prefecture, the Human Race and the Demon Tribe coexist, each keeping to their own.

The book explicitly records the existence of demons, and the strongest Demon Tribe force in Qingyun Prefecture is named Yunmeng Ancient Forest.

The Human Race's strongest powers are the three great dynasties; Lin Chuan's Great Yan Dynasty is one of them, the other two being Great Qi and Nan Zhao.

"It seems, then, that cultivators are not few."

"But previously I was like a frog at the bottom of a well, never having any contact with cultivators."

As a transmigrator, Lin Chuan has a strong capacity for absorption, especially since he has already dealt with the Demon Tribe and cultivators in his dreams.

The book also states that Yunmeng Ancient Forest has Four Great Demon Kings

—Jin Chi Hu Wang, Chi Yuan Wang, San Tou She Wang, Heiyan Que Wang.

Those who bear the title Demon King are all exceedingly powerful.

"How terrifying."

Lin Chuan sighed.

He also felt a spark of anticipation, hoping that one day he could stand equal with the Four Great Demon Kings, perhaps even surpass them.

He grasped the general worldview.

Lin Chuan then began to study the cultivation realms listed in the book, eight in total, namely

—Nurturing Qi Realm, Opening Vessels Realm, Soaring Sky Realm, Transcendent Birth Realm, Divine Soul Realm, Heavenly Union Realm, Saint Realm, Supreme Realm.

Above the Supreme lies the legendary realm, which the book only alludes to vaguely and does not name.

Lin Chuan examined it carefully, comparing it with himself.

"According to the book, once one successfully draws Qi into the body, one has reached the threshold of the Nurturing Qi Realm, then nurtures Qi within, merging it throughout the whole body."

"When the body fully adapts to spiritual Qi, one can open twelve spiritual channels inside for cultivation—that is the Opening Vessels Realm."

After practicing the Burning Silence Sword Technique, Lin Chuan felt no discomfort; instead, he was like a fish in water.

This proves he can soon surpass the Nurturing Qi Realm and step into the Opening Vessels Realm.

"It's not enough when facing demons."

Lin Chuan placed his hand on his forehead.

The Demon Tribe is naturally robust; most are born at high realms, and the advantages of their bloodline and flesh are incomparable to ordinary Human Race.

According to the book, the four great beast kings of Yunmeng Ancient Forest are all at the Saint Realm Peak.

Only the Supreme can subdue them.

"Do not lose heart."

Lin Chuan encouraged himself.

"With the system, I am the biggest obstacle."

"One day I can challenge the Supreme, even press the Supreme beneath me."

Closing the book, Lin Chuan cleared his mind of distractions, preparing to re‑enter the dream Reincarnation.

He assumes the dream Reincarnation of 'Prince Jianghu' has ended and should bring a decent reward.

"Lü Ya, remember to wake me at dawn four days from now."

After reminding the maid a few words, Lin Chuan lay on the bed, and as drowsiness came, he entered dreamland.

……

"A Chuan, this is the gift I'm giving you, do you like it?"

The person who fears the Great Liang Emperor even less than your Close Friend Xia Zi is your queen consort Yun Zhi Yi.

She not only isn't afraid of the Great Liang Emperor, but also intends to help you rebel!

"Uncle Lin is loyal and righteous, cares for the people, does not wish the people to suffer war, does not want the dynasty to be turbulent, does not want to clash swords with former comrades."

"When Uncle Lin was alive, I respected him, only studied stratagems, never spoke much."

"Now that Uncle Lin is gone, there are no longer any scruples."

"Su Yi's vengeance must be avenged! The three hundred thousand iron cavalry of Nan Jiang should not be tools for the Great Liang Dynasty to guard the nation! The grievance of being assassinated since childhood must also be repaid."

"A Chuan, whatever you want, we will obtain!"

"Even if blood stains the rivers and mountains red, and withered bones pile up into Di Yu! So what? I don't care about this world; I only want you, A Chuan, to be happy!"

The queen consort Yun Zhi Yi looked into your eyes, her gaze so steadfast, and told you her thoughts word for word.

From the shy Childhood Sweetheart to the god of the all‑seeing strategist.

As if it happened in just one night.

You embraced her.

You said, "Is this a confession unique to strategists?"

Yun Zhi Yi buried her head against your chest, whispering, "A Chuan says it is, then it is."

That night, you were married.

Without anyone's witness, companionship is the longest farewell; you both understand each other's hearts, and in the quiet of night, you passionately respond to each other's love.

The warm days did not last long.

With the Great Zhou Dynasty of Nan Jiang approaching to invade, external threats and internal troubles left Nan Jiang—now without Lin Wuji stationed there—in a precarious situation.

The Great Liang court sent not a single soldier to aid.

The Liang Emperor's purpose is obvious; he wants Nan Jiang and the Great Zhou to fight to the death, so he can sit back and reap the benefits.

Queen Yun Zhi Yi held command of the army; for the first time she displayed her terrifying strategic ability before the world.

She swept clean the ever-changing battlefield.

She repelled the Great Zhou and dealt a heavy blow to the Liang court, shocking the world.

The situation then reached a stalemate.

In the 35th year of the Chang'an Calendar, it has been two years since your father Lin Wuji passed away.

Nan Jiang did not weaken because of this; instead, it grew even stronger.

All this is thanks to Yun Zhi Yi's planning; it can be said that she strategizes within the tent and wins victories thousands of miles away.

That same year, you heard a shocking piece of news from the martial world.

After the old Sword God Li Chengying, another Sword God appeared in the world—a blind man.

The Blind Sword God kills only in the instant of drawing his sword.

You don't know the Blind Sword God's name, and he doesn't know yours.

"Could it be him?"

Recalling the Blind Sword God's close friend who journeyed the martial world with you, that fellow who constantly cursed the dog emperor, upheld justice, and spoke out frankly—a novice swordsman.

The following year, your martial arts cultivation advanced another step.

The new Shi Jie Wu Xue Bang was released; as the Zhennan King, you were placed eleventh.

Power and influence overwhelming, cultivation not insignificant, the Queen is also a heaven-reaching strategist; your life is complete, countless people under heaven envy you.

In the 36th year of the Chang'an Calendar, Queen Yun Zhi Yi became pregnant with your child.

Yun Zhi Yi smiled happily; you hadn't seen such a smile on her face in a long time; these years she has borne more than you.

When six months pregnant, you both went to the temple to pray for the unborn child.

On the way, you encountered an assassination attempt.

The attackers were the third, sixth, and ninth ranked martial artists under heaven.

By your side were two individuals not inferior to the top martial artists on the list: the old Sword God Li Chengying, and your father Lin Wuji's personal guard Lin He Dan.

A battle capable of shaking the world thus began.

……

……

Yun Zhi Yi·Zhennan Queen