Chapter 139: Contrasting Cuteness

"Because she wanted Zhou Wuwang and the others to find out."

After a string of remarks, Section Chief Saito drank some water, his throat dry, then continued:

"Didn't Su Daji tell Abe no Nakamaro: 'I want them to find out'? Could we then assume that Su Daji knew Zhou Wuwang and the others were hunting her, yet refused to be hunted passively—but if she were to strike back…"

"I think the fact that Zhou Wuwang and the others captured her proves they at least possess the power to oppose Su Daji."

"Though Su Daji is undoubtedly powerful—that goes without saying—but faced with several opponents of equal strength, she might handle one or two, but surely not several at once. Two fists can't fight four hands; Zhou Wuwang and the others may be on par with Su Daji in power, and they outnumber her."

"So Su Daji still has to evade Zhou Wuwang. If she wants to strike back, she can't fight head-on—she must use other methods."

"Alter history?" Professor Beishan murmured, his tone hesitant.

"Yes. Altering history is the method Su Daji used to strike back: she spread the altered history, making Zhou Wuwang and the others aware that she was in Japan, supposedly suppressed—publicizing her own suppression to lure Zhou Wuwang and the others here."

"Once Zhou Wuwang and the others arrived, they'd find only an empty tomb, raging in fury but unable to locate Su Daji."

"An empty city ruse," Professor Beishan said, astonished—he had read The Art of War.

Then, after a moment's thought, he added:

"If Huayang Tian is also Su Daji, Zhou Wuwang and the others will surely go to India too. When they find nothing there, they'll return to Japan—but again, they'll find nothing. A chain of empty city ruses… this… this is meant to toy with Zhou Wuwang and the others."

Director Takahashi raised an eyebrow: "Using the histories of Huayang Tian and Yajōzen to mislead Zhou Wuwang and the others, making them believe this is Su Daji, then sending them on wild goose chases—how to put it? What a brilliant illusion."

Without warning, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, struck by surprise and disbelief.

Based on Section Chief Saito's reasoning, they could vividly picture the scene.

Su Daji was being hunted by Zhou Wuwang's group, grew furious, and set up empty city ruses everywhere—making them unable to find her, since legends of her existed in every location, forcing Zhou Wuwang and the others to investigate one by one.

And the result? Every single search turned up nothing, driving Zhou Wuwang and the others to fury.

The image was too vivid, too mischievous—they could almost imagine Su Daji's inner thoughts.

Su Daji: "You keep hunting me? See if I don't drive you crazy. Come on, keep finding me! Keep coming! I'll make you furious!"

So cheeky!

This became their new impression of Su Daji—also known as Yajōzen.

Instantly, they turned to Section Chief Saito.

"Saito, your thinking isn't just avant-garde—it's like you leapt from Malaysia straight to Indonesia! How could you imagine such an ultimate being thinking in such a playful, mischievous way?"

But upon closer thought, it made perfect sense.

Since the hunt was inevitable and direct retaliation impossible, why not play dirty? Play tricks? Annoy the enemy? That's perfectly fine.

And think again: Su Daji is an ultimate being—but she's also a woman.

Don't women often think like this? Can't win? Then argue. Can't argue? Then tease. Can't tease? Then infuriate. Either way, she must strike back.

A woman's heart is like the deep sea.

No one knows what a woman truly thinks.

Besides, Su Daji is powerful, yes—but that doesn't mean she lacks a mischievous, girlish side. After all, she's a woman. Any woman, no matter how formidable, carries at least a trace of youthful whimsy.

At that moment,

Professor Beishan stroked his chin and suddenly spoke:

"Section Chief Saito's portrayal of this starkly contrasting Su Daji isn't without historical basis. I recall that in Chinese records, there's a tale that before entering the palace, Su Daji was actually youthful, innocent, and adorable."

"But after entering the palace, experiencing the corruption of power and court intrigues, she gradually changed—becoming the calamitous Su Daji."

Everyone froze.

Was this, then, concrete proof that Su Daji truly had a mischievous, girlish side?

"Of course, Su Daji altering history might not be to toy with Zhou Wuwang—it could also be a declaration: 'I am Yajōzen, and I am Su Daji. I'm still alive, thriving. And if you think I'm gone, you're wrong.' If so, it's not mockery—it's a threat. A warning that an enemy still lives, always ready to stab them in the back, keeping them in constant dread, never at peace."

Section Chief Saito, fearing they'd veer off track, offered a view more aligned with Su Daji's dominant, ruthless nature.

Unfortunately…

With Section Chief Saito's bizarre theory, everyone felt as if a new world had opened before them—their minds stirred, thoughts quickening.

"Su Daji altering history to communicate this way—yes, I agree she couldn't possibly meet these specific people face-to-face."

Director Takahashi spoke, then shifted tone:

"But I don't think inability to meet these specific people necessarily means they're enemies. There are cases where people aren't enemies yet still can't meet."

"For example, King Zhou—he wasn't Su Daji's enemy, yet he couldn't meet her."

"Section Chief Saito analyzed: Su Daji is still alive. So Zhou Wuwang and the others might be alive too. Then conversely, could King Zhou also be alive?"

"Reason: In history, Su Daji died—but she's actually alive, having reached India and Japan. If Su Daji could escape and survive, why couldn't King Zhou? He was the king of Shang. If he wanted to flee, he'd likely have found it easier than Su Daji."

Section Chief Saito stared in shock—Director Takahashi, your thought just now felt like my idea from a second ago, now yours.

Unaware of Saito's expression, Director Takahashi continued:

"We know that when escaping, fleeing together increases the chance of capture. But splitting up reduces each person's risk. King Zhou and Su Daji likely fled separately."

"Since they couldn't reunite or send messages, Su Daji used altered history to broadcast her survival—to inform King Zhou, far away, that she was still alive."

"After all, King Zhou and Su Daji were husband and wife. A wife sending word to her husband? That's perfectly natural."

"Of course, it's also possible King Zhou didn't escape—that he was imprisoned by Zhou Wuwang and the others. That's highly plausible. And since Su Daji couldn't rescue him yet, she feared he'd worry about her, so she spread the altered history to let him know: his wife was still alive."

Everyone fell silent, deeply moved.

What a couple—bound by love stronger than gold. Even after thousands of years apart, they never forgot each other, always thinking of the other's well-being.

…