[{"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-698":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},2347713,4587,"Chapter 698: The Killing Scheme Has Only Just Begun — The Xie Family","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-698",698,"\u003Cp>“Too late!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crown Prince of Great Sui, Liu Yuan, his gaze darkening, stared at the calm figure of the young man before the Xie Fu gate; his knuckles tapped lightly against the carriage window’s edge, and the curtain fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the carriage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crown Prince of Changsheng Tian, He Lan, sighed softly, “In the end, we are not subjects of Great Qi; by the time news reached us, the outcome was already sealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan replied, “Even if we had arrived sooner, the outcome likely would not have changed. Xie Guan has the great Confucian Zhuge Jian supporting him, and Zhang Shi, Commander of the Demon-Slaying Bureau, by his side. Today, even the Imperial Princess herself came to the Xie Fu...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, his voice growing colder: “Not to mention the one I’ve long wished to meet—Mr. Dongshan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan gazed out at the dissipating dust, his tone indifferent: “With such a display, how could the Xie family not yield face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, so many scholars have come today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In terms of propriety and reason, Xie Guan will not be harmed today—this old matriarch, who has weathered generations of Great Qi’s court, is no fool.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Kong’s eyes flickered slightly; he whispered, “Then, according to Brother, what should we do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait... for the right moment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan raised a hand; the carriage glided silently into a narrow alley beside the Xie Fu, out of sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the shadow, his profile looked especially cold and stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can’t wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan shook his head, his voice heavy and grim: “Great Qi is in turmoil; the situation shifts by the moment. If we delay now, we will lose the initiative.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The secret letter from Great Sui arrived two days ago—Father... is preparing to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, He Lan and Du Kong both stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both knew exactly what Liu Yuan meant by “act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Sui is about to strike at the Three Truths Sect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Three Truths Sect, a dominant school of the realm, has maintained its lineage for three thousand years, its depth unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great Sui and the Three Truths Sect were once mutually dependent—like fish and water!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they could not understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan’s gaze grew deep and dark as he spoke slowly: “You’re not in Great Sui—you don’t know how terrifying the Three Truths Sect is. Today, the people of Great Sui know only Mount Zhongnan, not my Liu imperial clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sneered, continuing: “Now, all disciples of the Three Truths Sect have left their mountain gates. With Great Qi in chaos, they have no time to interfere in Great Sui—this is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the alley, the wind grew tense, as if invisible currents surged with his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan added: “So we cannot delay. If we wait even a few more months, even if I return home, it will be too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they waited until then, no matter the outcome of the struggle between the Great Sui imperial house and the Three Truths Sect, the position of crown prince would be forever beyond Liu Yuan’s reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan’s eyes flashed with icy malice, his voice sharp as frost: “Do you think my situation is any better? My good younger brother’s mother is the Khan’s most favored consort. Now that old fool wants to name that worthless fool—rejected by Changsheng Tian—as crown prince...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly snarled, knuckles cracking as he clenched them: “When I return to Changsheng Tian, I will cut off his head myself, seal it in gold lacquer, and enshrine it before my tent day and night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Kong’s face was grim, as if burdened by unspoken suffering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan exhaled slowly, his eyes gleaming with cold fire: “So we cannot wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice, low and thick with suppressed ruthlessness: “In the first three months after arriving in Bianjing, who among us slept a single night without fear? Every night, we closed our eyes fearing we’d never see tomorrow’s sun—fearing we’d be beheaded, dying far from home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we return home and the crown prince’s seat has already changed hands...” He sneered, “Do you think those who’ve seized power will let us live? Or will they continue to pretend brotherly love?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With Su Xiang secretly aiding us, this is our final chance to strike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan and Du Kong exchanged a glance, then nodded solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how exactly should we proceed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan asked gravely, “Xie Guan is now at the center of the storm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan tapped his knuckles against the carriage window, his eyes gleaming: “How do you eliminate a man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his left hand, extending one finger: “First, find out who his enemies are. Which can we use? Which must we guard against at all costs? Only by leveraging existing forces can we strengthen ourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan immediately replied: “The Xie family itself has ready-made knives. Those concubines and Xie Renfeng—they likely want Xie Guan dead more than we do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Kong turned his prayer beads, murmuring: “I’ve learned that during the Qunfang Banquet, Xie Guan offended several Great Qi imperial princes. Especially Prince Yan and the Second Prince—they’ve already decided to kill him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan nodded slightly, then extended his second finger: “Second, find his fatal weakness. Even the strongest armor has seams—no man is without vulnerability!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan smiled: “Of all those who hate him, his enemies know his weaknesses better than we do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan looked out the window and extended his third finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. We’ve already uncovered Xie Guan’s current situation—this is merely watching from afar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fourth, strike with thunderous force, crush him utterly, leave no chance for survival. The enemy is in the open; we are in the shadows. Never underestimate him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He extended five fingers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifth, as the Art of War says: strike when unprepared, strike when the enemy is at his peak. Xie Guan is now at the height of his triumph—his most complacent moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished, Liu Yuan clenched his five fingers tightly, as if crushing an invisible prey between them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xie Guan—you cannot escape our grasp.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan turned to the two, his eyes blazing with sharp intent: “Go at once to the mansions of Prince Yan and the Second Prince. If those princes already harbor murderous intent toward Xie Guan, add a little more fire.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for me...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan brushed dust from his sleeves, a cryptic smile curling his lips: “I’ll pay a visit to Xie Renfeng. I hear this second son of the Xie family has been unable to sleep or eat lately.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan understood, smiling: “Perfect. Let Xie Guan think the storm has passed—unaware that the real killing scheme has only just begun.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yuan stepped from the carriage through the southwest gate; with a report sent ahead, he entered the Dingyuan Marquis’s mansion quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lan and Du Kong departed in their carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dengchun Tower!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother! Are we really going to let him off so easily?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng stood before the carved window, knuckles white, eyes seething with venom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want Xie Guan dead—no, I want him to suffer more than death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao looked at her son’s gaunt face and gently placed a hand on his shoulder: “Renfeng, rest assured—his good days are numbered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You saw today: Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shi are backing him, and even the Imperial Princess and Mr. Dongshan have intervened. Even the old matriarch had to give them face—I had no choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng flung his sleeve away: “Zhuge Jian and Zhang Shi I can accept! But Xie Yuan—that bastard, favored by the old matriarch, has ruined my plans time and again—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly turned, eyes blazing with jealous fire: “But the Imperial Princess—and even Mr. Dongshan! How dare that lowly bastard son of Xie Guan command such respect?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the sudden rain had ceased; water dripped from the eaves, as if echoing his twisted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng’s face was utterly dark: “Why does everyone oppose me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am the Xie family’s legitimate son. Xie Guan is the son of a lowly maid—he should never dare defy me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why does he get to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng seized a potted plant from the windowsill and raised it to smash it on the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop this!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao snapped sharply: “This is your father’s most treasured Dengchun Tower! That orchid in your hand—he cultivated it himself for years!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her beautiful eyes blazed with authority: “Dare you smash it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“F-Father...” The two words froze Xie Renfeng’s wild expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took several trembling breaths, then slowly placed the pot back on the windowsill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao’s tone softened: “Renfeng, why rush? As long as I’m here, and your father is here, everything will be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stroked his back gently: \"That bastard Xie Guan will one day kneel before you, begging for mercy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng closed his eyes, steadied his breath, and when he opened them again, his gaze was clear: “I was reckless just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s better.” Lady Zhao smiled suddenly, pulling a letter from her sleeve: “Your father sent a family letter yesterday—there’s one specifically for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng’s eyes lit up; he reached out eagerly: “Mother, why didn’t you tell me sooner!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I planned to tell you after I had Xie Guan killed cleanly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng took the letter carefully, reading the bold characters: “For Renfeng’s Eyes Only!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression stirred with emotion as he unfolded it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside was a passage on study, copied with meticulous care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The gentleman said: Learning cannot cease. Blue comes from indigo, yet is bluer than indigo; ice is made of water, yet colder than water...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A disciple need not be inferior to his master, nor a master inferior to his disciple—son and father are the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng finished reading, tears glistening at his eyes: “Father!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next line read: “One who holds the position of a gentleman but acts like a commoner will inevitably invite disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gentleman must uphold gentlemanly virtue—if he abandons it, disaster will come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The final line wrote:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it is time to stop, stop; when it is time to act, act. Movement and stillness must never miss their moment—this path leads to brightness. Otherwise, disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the times demand cessation, cease; when they demand action, act. Neither movement nor stillness must violate the proper moment—then the future is bright. Otherwise, disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope my son acts with caution and maintains an ambitious heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng smoothed the letter flat three times, then carefully folded it three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao, having read it, comforted: “Renfeng, you must focus on your studies—only then will your father be pleased.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng nodded: “Don’t worry. When Xie Guan dies, I will enter the Imperial Academy and fulfill Father’s hopes—never bring him shame.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao watched the receding back of her child, a look of satisfaction on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sat before her dressing table!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From her sleeve, she drew a letter—written to her by Xie Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opening passage was from the Women’s Essential, “A woman must first learn to carry herself; the way to carry oneself is to uphold purity and chastity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A virtuous woman honors her husband even unto death; to sacrifice one’s life is no different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though waves may rage, my heart remains still as ancient well water.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few plain, unadorned lines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after reading them, Lady Zhao had lost her appetite and sleep since yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beautiful woman reflected in the mirror bore an unreadable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man stepped out from behind the house; his features bore a resemblance to Xie Hong, even his gait was deliberately imitated, though his face was powdered thinly, giving him an unnaturally effeminate air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My dear, what troubles you?” the man whispered, his tone laced with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Zhao’s face remained expressionless, offering no reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, the man’s tone shifted, growing colder and more authoritative: “My dear, is this how you greet your husband?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his words, Lady Zhao’s throat twitched, her lips dry; before she could react, a sharp slap struck her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crack—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t give me that face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crisp sound rang out sharply in the silent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red mark bloomed on Lady Zhao’s lovely cheek; the resistance in her eyes slowly melted into submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lowered her gaze and stepped forward, kneeling slowly before the man as he sat sprawled in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The letter from Xie Hong on the dressing table slipped slowly to the floor…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just outside Daguanyuan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng was lost in the teachings of his father’s letter, pondering the meaning of the latter half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a trusted servant from the second courtyard hurried over and whispered in his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes flashed with sudden intensity: “Truly? Lead me there at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Renfeng met the Great Sui Crown Prince Liu Yuan as arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Feng, I’ve long heard of your name!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2160,"2026-06-21T01:33:03.787Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","09bbb576f7e0ec714e0bff0054c1a2118ab580e8c17015e51190264d3c826d16","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-699","simulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-chapter-697",728,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsimulated-to-reality-i-once-looked-down-upon-ten-cover.jpg"]