[{"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-228":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},2347243,4587,"Chapter 228: Something Terrible Has Happened in the Xie Residence!","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-228",228,"\u003Cp>Speaking of this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying’s expression turned grave, though no one could see her reaction beneath the ghostly mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all four nations require a relatively peaceful and stable environment to develop their strength and restore the people’s livelihoods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one wishes to lightly ignite war; maintaining the status quo and avoiding unnecessary conflict has become a consensus among all nations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying said solemnly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Put simply, before any one of the four nations possesses absolute power to unify the realm, none will allow another to grow too dominant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi bowed and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty’s foresight is extraordinary; your humble minister is deeply impressed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, the realm needs a great era of peace and order, so the people may live in security and prosperity, and the state may flourish. Give Qian Yuan ten years—I am confident I can assist Your Majesty in achieving the grand ambition of unifying the world!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying stepped forward and helped Gong Sun Pingxi to his feet:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will rely heavily on you in the days to come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi was about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A messenger from the \"Heibing Tai,\" clad in ink-black robes that billowed like shadows, entered the military tent and said in a steady voice:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, an urgent message from Chaoling has arrived; please review it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he had even finished speaking!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sealed letter had already been gently placed upon the table, its wax seal bearing an unmistakable aura of top-secret gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the tent!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly perked up, eyes blazing as if they could pierce through the paper to uncover the hidden intrigues of the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi silently speculated that this sudden upheaval in the Daqing capital might profoundly alter the course of Qian Yuan’s strategic game for the next decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, his heart surged with turmoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying took the sealed letter, her fingers brushing the paper as she slowly unrolled it and read carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression shifted from calm to grave, as if a sudden winter frost had plunged through the tent, chilling the very air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura of a Celestial Realm cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Wu Ying’s sudden change in demeanor, everyone present was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor is always composed—when had she ever lost control like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be… Lu Chen had disregarded all caution and led his army straight toward Jingyang?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, upon further reflection!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Lu Chen truly possessed such audacity, it still wouldn’t be enough to shake the Emperor so deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Ying suddenly looked up, fixing her gaze on the vast map hanging on the wall, and uttered words that shocked them all:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lu Chen—he has led his army north!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her words struck like a boulder thrown into a vast lake, sending ripples of shock through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tent fell utterly silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He mentally recalibrated the geopolitical situation, as if viewing a grand game of weiqi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the board, a single white piece was surrounded and cornered by four black ones, its fate sealed in an inescapable net.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white dragon’s life hung by a thread!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, just as all believed the outcome was certain, the situation reversed abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black pieces did not perish—they thrived, gathering momentum, poised to counterattack and crush the white dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi was terrified, as if he had personally endured a heart-stopping weiqi duel, beads of sweat forming on his brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Northward, into the northern winds—what could that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gong Sun Pingxi’s face suddenly paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty! A catastrophe is unfolding!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cried out urgently, his voice trembling with barely concealed panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was dusk, and lanterns had just been lit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s capital was indeed lively, yet with the arrival of Lu’s army, it had once again settled into calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, these were matters of the Emperor and the powerful—none of the common people’s concern!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The populace merely chattered with fascination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In past years, during the old capital’s succession struggles among the Four Princes, the streets had echoed with shouts and hooves, and fires often blazed through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people had grown accustomed to it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, with the Young Protector arriving in the capital, it seemed no different!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu’s army had sealed off news of the four nations’ armies advancing on the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the streets and alleys of the capital,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>cavalry rode past, shouting:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Young Protector has ordered a curfew throughout the capital tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many citizens peeked out, then promptly extinguished their lamps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many men felt bored—nowhere to go tonight, wondering what the courtesans in the flower houses might be thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The capital was peaceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world works this way: when the sky falls, the tall ones hold it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s far removed from ordinary lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Located on the bustling Yulong Street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, as Xie Chun’an’s career soared, the family quietly transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xie family’s prestige and status drew countless individuals eager to climb the ladder of power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Xie residence itself had changed very little!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Servants had not increased; the courtyard’s décor remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as it always had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around Yulong Street, shops lined the road and mansions stood side by side—all had skyrocketed in value due to the Xie family’s presence; land prices were now worlds apart from what they were years ago!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land here was no cheaper than the imperial vicinity of Wanliu Lane, Wangfujing, or Daxing Lane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason? Someone in the capital had created a buzz!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They proclaimed Yulong Street a \"land of prosperity,\" a \"treasure ground\"—these accolades spread like spring breezes through every alley and avenue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merchants rushed to buy land and build homes, hoping to absorb even a fraction of the Xie family’s noble aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholars and poets gathered nearby, composing verses, opening taverns and brothels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main hall of the Xie residence, lanterns blazed brightly and every seat was filled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several individuals close to Lu Chen had gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle atmosphere of tension and anticipation hung in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chun’an sat at the head of the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Minister of Rites of the Daqing court, who had endured the treacherous political arena, had secured his position through the Emperor’s trust and extraordinary skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an outsider, he had firmly claimed the throne as leader of the southern aristocratic clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood not only the Emperor’s support, but also the covert backing of Liu Wen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had long been allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also present in the hall were several others!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan, Xie Chun’an’s eldest daughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao, the Xie family’s second son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hall sat father and daughter, Zou Lin and Zou Shuning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning, worried for her father’s safety, had personally brought Zou Lin from the Hongwen Academy to the Xie residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, outside the palace, was the safest haven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Xie Chun’an’s side sat two others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They appeared elderly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were the patriarchs of the two most prominent southern aristocratic clans—Chen and Li—families even more illustrious than Wang Yang’s Wang clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the Zhou family,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the Chen and Li clans’ descendants were the most arrogant in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two families each controlled the military power over the border defenses and key towns; though not in the capital, they held the lifeline of national security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shizhou and Jingyang, these two military strongholds, were under the control of the two families’ heirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a day ago, Xie Chunan had foreseen the coming storm and sent secret messages to both locations, ordering his heirs to stand ready, prepare thoroughly, and guard against unforeseen disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the main hall, the atmosphere was heavy yet orderly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan and the two venerable elders from the Chen and Li families had already prepared for every contingency; now they simply waited in silence for news from the imperial palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three men wore grim expressions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan, rarely seen in such a state, sat with his eyes closed, cultivating calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders stared intently at the door, their gazes sharp as torches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Lingxuan sat to one side, a hint of deep thought in her brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Linghao could not hide his excitement; the day’s events had been heart-stopping, and his mind still churned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Lin’s face showed particular worry—he had learned that the four nations had united and pressed at the borders, and the capital now faced an unprecedented crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A disaster more terrifying than the one fifteen years ago, one that could bring about national ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Shuning carefully observed every person in the hall—their expressions, every subtle movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The storm was coming!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a rapid footstep shattered the hall’s stillness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Chunan opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two elders had already risen to their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guard hurried in, announcing loudly as he entered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Junior Protector has ordered the entire army northward!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news exploded like thunder, leaving everyone stunned and disbelieving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zou Lin and the others sprang to their feet in shock!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1510,"2026-06-21T01:33:00.595Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","26c46f7af442a2b4637964222d0edb3b6dfe8e92bdefccf0a834d560e3a583b7","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-229","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-227",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]