Douluo: Goddess Life Simulator, Qian Renxue Is Addicted

'What is Qian Renxue thinking? She's just watching me suppress Zhou Sheng'an and not interfering at all? Strange... or has she already given up? Either way, my top priority right now is to simulate the path to godhood!'

'This time, I must find a way to become a god. Otherwise, with my current state of mind…'

Bibi Dong's ample chest heaved slightly.

Thanks to Zhou Sheng'an's repeated disruptions, her mental "safe harbor" was teetering on the edge. If things went on like this, she wasn't even sure she could safely ascend to godhood.

So this time, her main goal in the simulation was to become a god—that was her true desire. As for suppressing Zhou Sheng'an, that was merely for her own amusement.

"Forget it. Starting today, I won't pay attention to that guy anymore. As long as my subordinates prevent him from making a name for himself, that's enough. Let's see how a so-called Grand Sage Master becomes a saint then!"

…

On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing began to take action. She met with Empress Zhu in secret and laid everything out openly.

"Aunt, you don't want our Zhu Clan to be endlessly exploited, do you? Every generation's direct-line daughter becomes a sacrifice for the royal family. Each one either follows a failed prince to their death or lives the rest of their life in misery."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke bluntly, staring directly into Empress Zhu's eyes.

Empress Zhu's expression changed. She pointed at Zhu Zhuqing and said coldly, "Insolent! Zhu Zhuqing! Do you even know what you're saying? These are treasonous words! And you dare speak them out loud so arrogantly?"

Zhu Zhuqing glanced at the two palace maids in the room, remaining calm as she said,

"Aunt, I'm not like Father. I can read you. And with your skills, how could the people around you not be loyal? Of course they won't spread a word."

Hearing this, a glimmer of appreciation flashed in Empress Zhu's eyes.

She had indeed only been trying to intimidate Zhu Zhuqing just now, but her niece's composure greatly satisfied her.

Compared to her dim-witted younger brother, the current clan head of the Zhu Clan, Zhu Zhuqing was far more to her liking.

With a wave of her hand, the two palace maids quietly shut the doors.

"Alright, tell me your plan," Empress Zhu said with a smile.

Zhu Zhuqing first presented two books—Commentary on the Water Classic and Thirty-Six Stratagems—the very ones Zhou Sheng'an had given her. Both were timeless classics, highly practical.

Empress Zhu flipped through a few pages, her eyebrows raising as she praised,

"Such clever thinking. This person must be a true talent."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes. This Mister Zhou is a retainer I've brought in. In terms of soul master theory... especially in military strategy and commanding troops, he's a genius! He's now enlisted in the border army and already holds the post of a small commander."

Empress Zhu nodded slightly and smiled. "Not bad. And? You don't mean to make him the Zhu Clan's dagger, do you?"

"Why not? Aunt, I guarantee you—this man's talent will surpass even the top ten famous generals. Even Star Luo's number one general, MacArthur, wouldn't be his match!"

"Let him earn military merit in Zhu Kingdom. With your support, he can become the highest-ranking commander in our nation. Then, we'll have control of Zhu Kingdom. That'll be our starting point."

"After that, we can proceed step by step."

Zhu Zhuqing spoke with firm conviction.

Empress Zhu chuckled after hearing her out. "My dear niece, I'll admit this man is a great talent. But saying he could rival the ten great generals? That's just wild boasting. You're still too young…"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, her expression dead serious. "This one thing—I'm willing to stake my life on it!"

She clearly remembered: in the second simulation, Zhou Sheng'an had led troops to defeat MacArthur, burning enemy camps across seven hundred li and utterly crushing him.

With such a war god, how could he possibly lose?

Given Zhu Kingdom as his springboard, he was bound to soar!

"My niece, since you're this determined, I'll grant your wish this once. But first, tell me—how can you be sure that once he rises, he'll remain loyal to the Zhu Clan?"

Empress Zhu asked with a smile.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "His loyalty is beyond reproach."

She glanced at Zhou Sheng'an's character panel, where his moral value was maxed out. A man like that betraying them? Might as well believe pigs could climb trees!

"Very well. I'll give it a try…" Empress Zhu smiled sweetly.

She'd long wanted to control a general. But all the notable ones were staunch supporters of the Star Luo Emperor. If she tried to win them over directly, she'd quickly attract unwanted attention.

…

[Douluo Calendar, August 13th, 2024—Conflict erupted on the border between Zhu Kingdom of the Star Luo Empire and the Mohr Principality of the Heaven Dou Empire. A small-scale battle broke out.]

[The Mohr Principality's commander was Zhao Kuo, ranked ninth among the continent's top generals. On the Zhu Kingdom side stood General Xing Daorong. The two sides faced off.]

[Over the span of a month, more than ten battles occurred, with Zhu Kingdom winning few and losing many. They lost over three thousand troops.]

[Zhu Kingdom's most outstanding achievement was credited to Commander Zhou Sheng'an.]

[General Xing Daorong, unhappy with Zhou Sheng'an stealing the spotlight, reassigned him to the rear lines to manage logistics and supply transport.]

[…]

"???" Zhu Zhuqing nearly fell out of the tree when she read that last line.

What the hell was Xing Daorong thinking? Zhou Sheng'an was the only one with actual military achievements, and he got sent to the rear?

What kind of nonsense was this?

"Bastard! You're incompetent yourself, but won't let others shine either!" Zhu Zhuqing was so furious she almost swore out loud. She stopped on a branch and prepared to select a new simulation direction.

'I need to have Aunt question Xing Daorong. That'll put pressure on him and force him to bring Mister Zhou back to the front lines.'

Zhu Zhuqing made her move.

The next second, a new entry appeared before her eyes.

[You informed Empress Zhu. She immediately issued a reprimand to Xing Daorong, ordering him to stop wasting troops. Xing Daorong replied, claiming that the losses were due to a commander named Zhou Sheng'an, who had been reckless and underestimated the enemy.]

"!!!"

Zhu Zhuqing clenched her delicate fists and slammed them against the tree trunk.

'That... that shameless pig! It was clearly Mister Zhou who earned the credit, and he not only refused to reward him—he even blamed him instead? Absolutely despicable!'

Zhu Zhuqing was fuming.

She glared at the updated entries, wishing she could appear beside Xing Daorong that instant and slap him across the face a dozen times.

…

The scene shifted to Zhu Kingdom's border—Great San Pass.

Xing Daorong led the troops, riding a tall warhorse. His fat face carried a natural aura of authority, and his beady eyes stared at the enemy army ahead. Standing opposite him was Zhao Kuo, the Mohr Principality's commander.

"Fatty, do you recognize me? I am Zhao Kuo of the Mohr Principality! Back then, when you brought wolves into our homeland, I tricked you with a simple ruse and wiped out your entire force. Do you think you're fit to face me again? Why not surrender now?"

Zhao Kuo looked every bit the noble general—handsome and dignified, no older than thirty, yet already the top general of Mohr.

Xing Daorong burst into laughter, his expression darkening as he raised his massive battle axe and pointed it at Zhao Kuo, spitting on the ground.

"Boasting! Everyone knows that was your old man's plan! What's it got to do with you? Don't try to fool me!"