[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten":3,"chapter-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-166":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Simulated to Reality: I Once Looked Down Upon Ten Thousand Ages?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2347181,4587,"Chapter 166: The Wish to Pacify the Realm, and the Fear!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-166",166,"\u003Cp>The crowd held their breath, all eyes fixed on Dai Zhong, waiting for his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke was also anxious; the position of Minister of Justice concerned the stability of the capital and the order of officials—its importance went without saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In recent years, the Ministry of Justice, due to its broad authority—including oversight of officials—had stirred the sensitive nerves of many court ministers, who openly or covertly expressed their discontent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, a thick stack of memorials from the Censorate accused the Ministry of Justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Minister of Justice were to make even the slightest misstep, it would give the many ministers already stirring with ambition the perfect excuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would surely seize the opportunity to strike, directing their accusations straight at the Ministry of Justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most terrifying outcome would be if His Majesty lost trust in the Ministry of Justice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once His Majesty harbored suspicion, the Ministry’s existence would be like a candle in the wind, ready to be snuffed out at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not what Yu Ke wanted to see; after all, the Ministry of Justice truly served the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the Ministry of Justice, the powerful and local gentry would grow even more reckless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing Yu Ke’s words, Dai Zhong shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A true man must die with purpose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But my life is precious too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke hurriedly said: “Minister, you still have a bright future ahead—His Majesty trusts you, the people adore you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong did not respond directly, but continued on his own: “I have three great wishes in life; if I cannot fulfill them, even in death, I will not close my eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the clashing of armored plates and heavy, urgent footsteps echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several among them heard it too, sensing that a large force of troops had already entered the Imperial City Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin exchanged glances, both knowing full well that the grounds outside the Imperial City Bureau must now be swarming with soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The whole city was in turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s events, one after another—first the Heavenly Drum destroyed, now this upheaval at the Imperial City Bureau—left them filled with helplessness and uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Heavenly Drum destroyed, the Imperial City Bureau had no reason to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men felt their hearts in chaos, unsure what blame or punishment awaited them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Young Protector!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao and Zhang Lin could not help but feel a pang of sorrow; perhaps the capital would become his burial ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is no greater tragedy for a hero than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shi’an’s madness slowly faded, replaced by an eerie calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his handsome face, a cruel sneer appeared, piercing straight toward the three of you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered coldly, as if he had already pronounced your fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke felt disheartened; it seemed Dai Zhong had no intention of capturing Lu Chen at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the Imperial Guards arrived, the situation here would spiral beyond control, let alone be explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man, who had held the post of Vice Minister of Justice for twenty years, sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His anxious heart had finally settled; the earlier urgency vanished, and a measure of dignity returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Wang Shi’an, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes—this young man’s impulsiveness and naivety filled him with weary resignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After today, this old man will retire and return to his hometown! Nothing to regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had lived his life as if walking on thin ice, never made a mistake, never done anything wrong—his life was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You looked at the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You had a keen eye for character; you understood his thoughts, and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world’s affairs shift unpredictably; in an instant, one’s heart can be turned upside down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Dai Zhong’s words, Yu Ke felt an inexplicable curiosity rise within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had served alongside Dai Zhong for years and knew this superior’s nature—calm, reserved, never revealing his inner thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This outpouring of heartfelt words left Yu Ke both surprised and moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke could not help but ask: “Minister, what are your wishes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong smiled faintly, his eyes filled with reflection:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My first wish: I know I lack the talent to be a general, but I hope to secure the rear for the Young Protector, handling the tedious logistical tasks—lest a thousand-li dike collapse from an ant’s hole.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My second wish: I hope the realm sees fewer corrupt officials and more true servants who speak for the people and act with integrity. As for my final wish…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong’s gaze turned to you: “I wish the Young Protector would show greater ambition—crush the Northern Winds, sweep away the Dry Yuan, and finally bring peace to the entire realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke found himself confused; though many questions lingered in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet seeing Dai Zhong and Lu Chen and the others facing the approaching Imperial Guards, and hearing the thundering footsteps of the troops now just outside, their faces showed not a trace of alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shi’an let out a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minister, what does this say about His Majesty’s position?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crush the Northern Winds, sweep away the Dry Yuan? How absurd!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was outright treasonous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shi’an silently swore to himself: everything that happened today, he would report verbatim to His Majesty, exposing Dai Zhong’s hidden heart of a traitor beneath his calm exterior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cruel smile curled at his lips, as if he had already seen Dai Zhong’s downfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the screen, three women listened silently to the commotion outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of troops surging closer grew louder; the heavy footsteps could now be heard within the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that in the next moment, armed soldiers would burst through the doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three women heard Dai Zhong’s three wishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan lowered her eyes and softly repeated: “Crush the Northern Winds, sweep away the Dry Yuan… bring peace to the realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning’s gaze remained locked on you, trying to detect even a flicker of emotion on your face—but sadly, your expression remained as calm as still water, as if nothing concerned you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recalled meeting you in the temple; you had always been like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You were trapped in the capital, surrounded by waves of soldiers—she could not help but worry for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they had only just met, she already felt deep concern and dread for you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pondered silently, but could think of no way to help you escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You heard Dai Zhong’s three wishes, but did not take up the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yu, upon hearing it, chuckled and teased:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Minister Dai, didn’t you say this same thing years ago? It sounds familiar—I think you got whipped for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, you jest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Zhong stole a glance at you; seeing your calm, unruffled demeanor, his courage swelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen years had passed, yet recalling every military council the Young Protector held, the Young Master standing behind him—the tension and pressure still rose unbidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of armored soldiers wielding weapons finally stormed into the hall, surrounding the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here they come!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Ke, Zhang Lin, and Xie Linghao each sighed in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Shi’an’s smile could no longer be contained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1214,"2026-06-21T01:32:57.622Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","dde6d92a0d71d6af57a94a3ce139b5ef7833adfd128a52f620904cf9094ff813","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-167","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-165",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]