[{"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-174":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},2347189,4587,"Chapter 174: All Plans Span Only Ten Years of Spring and Autumn—Now the Final Moves Begin","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-174",174,"\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng led the gray-robed Daoist and Chen Ji toward the imperial palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three walked leisurely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng watched the army thundering through the marketplace toward the palace and eastern city, his lips curling into a wider smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Giddy-up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Giddy-up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pounding of hooves struck the ground like a thunderstorm, kicking up a gale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some civilians couldn’t dodge in time and were knocked to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts and neighing filled the air!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A child accidentally stepped into the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman behind him had already rushed forward, clutching the child tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rider yanked the reins hard; the horse reared with a startled neigh, stirring the crowd as its front legs lifted like a man standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about to come crashing down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-robed Daoist had appeared beside them without warning, bending low to shield the pair—the hooves slammed down hard on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like a sack of rags being torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn you! Blind dog!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rider roared from his saddle, furious at the interruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a trace of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his mission was urgent, so he yanked the reins hard and spurred the horse into a gallop, leaving behind only angry shouts and a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, still trembling, clutched the child with tear-filled eyes, repeatedly thanking the gray-robed Daoist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist merely chuckled and waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji watched, deeply intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wondered inwardly: the hooves carried hundreds of catties of force, yet the old man showed no sign of injury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could this gaunt Daoist truly be a hidden martial master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhou Cheng rolled up his sleeves, extended his thumb, and sincerely praised:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Mo, remarkable skill!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gray-robed Daoist smiled faintly, lifted his waist flask, took a sip, and sighed with delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the streets!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants, caught off guard by the chaos, now dared to peek out as the cavalry and troops vanished, grumbling in outrage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn! Eyes planted in your ass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Filthy bastard! Dying to get to hell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Complaints rose from all sides—clearly, the crowd was furious at the cavalry’s reckless charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the people were used to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Guard represented the Son of Heaven’s authority; ordinary folk dared not challenge them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji noticed today’s troop movements were unusual—not just frantic, but openly rampaging through the streets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What puzzled him more!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These troops seemed headed straight for the imperial palace, and at Wumen Gate, all access had already been barred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This scene!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not about the master—it’s… the capital’s in chaos!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three continued forward; at the corner of Wumen Gate, they unexpectedly encountered two people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji’s gaze sharpened, muttering under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another familiar face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could today be so coincidental?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two men stood at the street corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was a middle-aged scholar, tall and straight, clad in pale ink-black robes, a green jade forehead band gleaming on his brow—his features refined and handsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were half-lidded, curved like crescent moons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands rested calmly within his sleeves, exuding elegance and brilliance, as if he had been waiting long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him stood a lean old man, dressed in plain attire; though streaked with blood on his face, his gaze remained steady and unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji recognized them at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged scholar was the owner of Penglai Pavilion in Jingcheng—many taverns, gambling dens, and canal transport operations bore his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A truly powerful magnate; Chen Ji had met him before while serving his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp-eyed old man was none other than Wei Gao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Chen’s uncle, Wei Yue’s father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet rumors claimed Wei Gao was imprisoned in the Dalisi —so why was he here, and why did he seem to be waiting for them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji was baffled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao bowed first, his voice thick with emotion: “Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji froze in surprise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t it said Wei Gao had bitten off his tongue in the Dalisi  and could no longer speak?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was deeply strange!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng returned the bow solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yi Bo has grown old.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao’s courtesy name was Yi Bo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng, seeing the streaks of white in Wei Gao’s hair, said with nostalgia:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never imagined that when I fled the Zongrenfu  years ago, you were the one who saw me off at the city gate. Now, after years away, my first return to Jingcheng—and again, you’re here to greet me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Chen Ji learn that Wei Gao had helped his master escape the Zongrenfu .\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji’s gaze toward Wei Gao softened with gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng turned to the middle-aged scholar and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also owe you thanks, Master Liu. Had it not been for you, I might have spent my whole life in a pigsty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar’s name was Liu Wen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wen merely smiled faintly, his eyes narrowing further into slits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness overstates it. Don’t thank me, a mere servant. Just remember the debt you owe to the Junior Protector.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng replied earnestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Junior Protector’s kindness, I shall forever remember with heartfelt gratitude.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wen’s gaze shifted to the street corner, where the Yulin Army stood fully armed and ready. He whispered a reminder:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, don’t delay. Enter the palace—the Son of Heaven is waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng smiled lightly, but the smile hid boundless hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes pierced the street, as if cutting through time and space, fixed on the imperial palace where he had grown up. His voice turned icy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back then, my second brother treated me well—he made me eat spoiled food three times a day, forced me to live naked in a pigsty, married me off to a royal consort, and even granted me the title ‘Pig Emperor.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly, a debt heavier than mountains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Ji’s tears spilled uncontrollably; recalling the two years of humiliation and torment his master endured in the Zongrenfu , his heart ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called royal consort was, in truth, a giant sow—what an unspeakable insult and degradation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng’s voice turned as cold as ice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, brother, I shall repay you a hundredfold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Cheng and his two companions walked toward the three thousand fully armed Yulin soldiers, mounted their horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their demeanor solemn, they filed through Wumen Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deadly aura surged!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao watched the gleaming ranks of soldiers, a quiet curiosity rising within him. He turned to Liu Wen and asked: “Master Liu, how did you manage to train this cadre of death-servants under Zhou Zhen’s nose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wen smiled faintly: “What’s so hard? You underestimate me too much, Master Wei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao nodded in deep agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Liu Wen’s abilities well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had once managed logistics—grain, supplies, finances—for the Lu family army in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every supply line, every ration, every transport was under his sole control—and never once failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even at the cost of heaven’s harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was known as the Poison Scholar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lu Chen had once sighed helplessly: “We haven’t reached the point where we need to call on Liu Wen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao chuckled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you said the current princess was your daughter, I’d believe it without a second thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wen blinked in surprise, then replied calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s simple enough. I’m a respectable merchant in Jingcheng with a spotless identity—I offered money and manpower to help train the Imperial Guard. Placing a few men inside? That’s child’s play.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao nodded and said it was simple, but the details required extreme complexity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Gao seemed to think of another question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why have you arranged this so carefully this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Wen smiled and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What we seek spans only a decade; we need only ten years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rising from the north, we shall sweep across the world!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1302,"2026-06-21T01:32:57.622Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","abbfa395c101e49a4a6e1a8347e02f78f585525a426f4976689caac82dcb3133","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-175","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-173",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]