Type-Moon: The Human Love Simulator

The Chu Kingdom, scornfully referred to by the Central Plains states as a barbarian land.

In the early days, successive kings of Chu cleared forests and cultivated lands through arduous labor, transforming their small kingdom—one that once had to steal cattle from neighboring states at night for sacrificial rites—into a powerful state rivaling the great powers of the Central Plains.

However, the ruler of Chu was merely a viscount, akin to the titles in Su. Yet Chu's strength had grown to rival that of Jin and Qi, making it unwilling to settle for such a lowly rank.

Year after year, the King of Chu sent emissaries to Haojing, petitioning the Son of Heaven to elevate Chu's status to that of a marquisate. Yet the Zhou Emperor consistently refused. Finally, the King of Chu, Xiong Qu, declared bluntly, "I am a barbarian; I have no use for the titles of the Central Plains."

With that, Xiong Qu conferred the title of king upon his three sons. At that time, the infamous incident of the Zhou Emperor You being attacked and killed by the Shen Rong had not yet occurred, and the Zhou royal authority still held sway. For Chu to dare declare itself a kingdom then marked it as the first feudal state of the Zhou era to usurp the royal title.

However, this was during the reign of King Li of Zhou, who was reforming the military and strengthening Zhou's armies. Fearful of King Li's retaliation, Xiong Qu quickly revoked his sons' kingly titles. It wasn't until the reign of King Wu of Chu, Xiong Tong, that Chu's rulers definitively claimed the title of king for themselves.

"An interesting system, indeed. Now I see why Chu doesn't fear its ministers or royal family staging a coup."

Although all the feudal lords of the realm nominally respected the Zhou Emperor and were collectively part of the Hua-Xia civilization, each state had its unique governance and policies.

Chu was one of the few states founded at the very inception of the Zhou dynasty and managed to endure until it was ultimately destroyed by Qin. Its national longevity surpassed most other feudal states, rivaled only by Wei.

The Jin state first witnessed the smaller house of Quwo replacing the larger house of Yi, followed by the partitioning of Jin by the three noble families, with ministers plunging the state into chaos. Qi saw the Tian clan replace its ruling house, and even Qin narrowly avoided such a fate. If not for Duke Mu of Qin ensuring his ministers accompanied him to the grave, their families might have seized power during Qin's four generations of turmoil.

Only Chu remained unique. Despite internal strife, it was always confined to infighting within the royal family—fathers and sons, brothers and sisters clashing—never a noble family usurping the throne. This stability stemmed from Chu's governance system.

One of Chu's foundational policies, established under King Wu, granted the king absolute authority to appoint and dismiss the Lingyin (prime minister). If the king so wished, he could elevate a mere slave to the role of prime minister.

Additionally, most of the noble lords within Chu were former rulers of conquered states. Chu, in its peculiar way, maintained a practice of abolishing their ancestral temples but demoting these former rulers to noble status rather than erasing their lineage.

This tactic dismantled small states' resolve to resist.

But the most ingenious—and insidious—aspect of Chu's policies was the mandate of death for defeated generals. In Chu, generals didn't need to be watched, as victory ensured their survival. A single defeat, however, sealed their fate. This policy stunted the growth of military leaders; they couldn't afford the luxury of failure.

These interlocking policies ensured the king's position was unassailable. Outsiders and royal kin alike had no grounds to challenge the throne, which passed unbroken through generations.

"Yet this strategy secures only the minimum, not the maximum potential," Su Kai mused, shaking his head. "No wonder Chu's national strength is formidable, but they lose more often than they win against Jin. Jin's policies offer greater potential at the risk of instability, while Chu has poured everything into safeguarding its monarchy."

"But in an era of great upheaval, survival hinges on change. Without adaptation, one perishes. A throne that lasts millennia means little if foreign powers grow stronger and flatten you."

After a few moments' study, Su Kai identified numerous flaws in Chu's system.

For instance, the practice of granting noble titles to former rulers of conquered states inevitably led these nobles to half-heartedly respond to the king's calls, focusing more on their own domains than the welfare of Chu as a whole.

These lords, along with the native Chu nobility, would band together to resist any reform that threatened their interests. Any attempt at change would mire the reformer in endless opposition.

Thus, Chu's peak strength merely allowed it to return to its Spring and Autumn-era power levels, incapable of adapting to the intensified warfare of the Warring States period.

Feeling there was little to gain from Chu's capital, Su Kai departed.

Traversing the Chu Kingdom, Su Kai eventually arrived at Yunmengze, where he encountered his first true sage—a figure revered by later generations as one of the great "Masters."

Guiguzi, Wang Xu.

It wasn't as if Su Kai had deliberately sought him out. Everyone knew Guiguzi, the elusive legend, was a master of all schools of thought, possessing talents capable of shaping the heavens and the earth. If he wanted to hide, no one could find him.

Yet Guiguzi hadn't concealed himself from Su Kai. By sheer coincidence, as Su Kai idly fished in Yunmengze, he happened upon Guiguzi, who was also fishing.

"So, the legendary founder of strategy turns out to be so young," Su Kai remarked, captivated by his fishing.

Breaking the silence, Guiguzi spoke first: "What brings Su Zi here?"

"Here?"

Su Kai looked up, studying the man before him. He was a figure of striking distinctiveness, bearing four fleshy moles on his forehead arranged like the constellation Ghost Lodge. His age was indeterminate—perhaps seventy or eighty, perhaps forty or fifty, or even as young as twenty or thirty upon closer inspection.

But these outward peculiarities paled in comparison to his eyes: bright, dazzling, and brimming with an almost boundless wisdom.

Su Kai shook his head and said, "I hardly deserve to be addressed as 'Zi' by the renowned Master Guigu. I'm merely a wanderer still in the phase of study and exploration. I didn't come here seeking you specifically. I heard that Yunmengze is one of the world's great natural wonders, so I came to see it for myself."

Yunmengze, a vast lake the size of a modern province, was a marvel destined to disappear after the Han Dynasty—a profound loss to the world. In this era, however, it was a thriving ecosystem teeming with species, its eventual desiccation an unfathomable mystery.

"Surely you jest, Su Zi. No mere sightseer would venture this deep into Yunmengze," Guiguzi replied, clearly skeptical of Su Kai's excuse. His curiosity about Su Kai only deepened.

Yunmengze had once been a lifeline for southern barbarian tribes such as the Hufang, but it was later claimed by Chu. Over time, it became a playground for Chu's nobility, used for hunting and leisure.

Yet the lake was vast. Most travelers stayed at its periphery. Guiguzi's remote hermitage within the valley was an uninhabitable wilderness, devoid of human presence save for wild beasts.

"I'm not joking. Since I'm here to explore Yunmengze, it's only natural that I'd want to see every remarkable sight across its eight hundred li. After this, I plan to head south and take a look at Leize," Su Kai reiterated, pulling out a bamboo slip as he spoke. "By the way, do you have any interest in spells? We can trade—name your price."

Guiguzi chuckled, his attention shifting to the bamboo slip. Nodding, he said with a smile, "A trade? Naturally, I'm interested."

"I've heard that Su Zi's spells are highly praised by the common folk—practically legendary. A humble recluse like me would, of course, like to witness them firsthand."

Su Kai snapped his fingers. "They say teaching a man to fish is better than giving him fish. I have a fishing technique—how about trading for a few of your fish?"

With a simple motion of his hand, the fish in the lake below leapt from the water and landed directly onto Su Kai's boat.

Guiguzi tapped the ground with his staff, and a large school of fish gathered beneath his fishing rod. Despite lacking a hook or bait, he caught fish with every cast.

"My techniques may not match Su Zi's in intricacy, but I know a thing or two about fishing," Guiguzi remarked.

Su Kai raised an eyebrow, surprised. This was his first time witnessing a legendary sage employ such a mundane skill. Folk spells—practical magic meant solely for improving everyday life—were typically deemed too trivial to influence the world or decide the outcomes of great battles.

"Interesting. So, Guiguzi, what is it you really want from me?" Su Kai asked.

He walked across the water's surface as if it were solid ground, each step as effortless as strolling on land. This casual display of mastery—impossible for most and unthinkable for anyone to execute with such ease—hinted at his extraordinary nature.

Water from the Age of Gods was no ordinary substance; if it were, humans wouldn't have needed to invent boats.

Seeing such power in even a minor display, Guiguzi knew the man before him was far more formidable than the rumors suggested—someone who transcended mortal limits. He seemed less a man and more a wandering celestial being, detached from the mundane.

Yet, Guiguzi couldn't shake the feeling that beneath Su Kai's outward serenity lay hidden depths. His detachment wasn't from lack of desire; it was as if nothing in this world could satisfy his desires.

As Guiguzi pondered this, Su Kai approached, snapping him out of his thoughts. Standing, Guiguzi grabbed his basket of fish and said, "As Confucius said, 'Is it not delightful to have friends come from afar?' Since such an esteemed guest has graced my humble abode, why not come to my valley for a proper talk?"

"If you're hosting, I have no objections," Su Kai replied indifferently, curious about Guiguzi in turn.

In the valley, Guiguzi prepared a meal of fine wild rice favored by Chu nobles and steamed fish. The simple fare made Su Kai frown initially, but then he relaxed. Pulling out another bamboo slip, he began to carve a new magical array as he spoke.

"I think I've figured out what you need. How about a soy sauce technique?"

"My soy sauce technique can imbue any ingredient with a unique, savory flavor, perfect for enhancing meals. Otherwise, what's the point of just plain steamed fish?"

As he worked, Su Kai inscribed the magical formula directly onto the bamboo slip. Even those unable to learn magic could activate it simply by channeling mana through the array, effectively creating a culinary production line.

Guiguzi watched as Su Kai, dissatisfied with his meal, invented an entirely new spell.

"You are truly worthy of the title 'Founder of Techniques,'" Guiguzi said in admiration. "Su Zi's brilliance is unparalleled."

"However, I still have one question I hope you'll answer," Guiguzi continued. Taking the bamboo slip, he activated the spell, creating what would later be known as the first bottle of soy sauce in Chinese history.

"Ask away!" Su Kai replied, dipping his fish in the sauce to eat.

Guiguzi hesitated briefly before asking, "With your wisdom, how could you not foresee the rebellious nature of the barbarians you once subdued?"

"Oh, you're referring to the Chidi people?" Su Kai replied nonchalantly. "Of course, I suspected their leader might rebel. But how could I justify killing him before he actually did so?"

"Punishing without teaching is cruelty," Guiguzi acknowledged, then added, "But with your power, you could have placed a binding spell on them, ensuring their loyalty. Would that not have been simpler?"

"It would have been easy," Su Kai admitted. "Anyone who meets my gaze is subject to my control."

As he spoke, Su Kai glanced at Guiguzi. Instantly, Guiguzi felt his body move against his will, compelled to eat because Su Kai had simply said, "Eat."

But Su Kai despised this innate ability. To him, true dominion lay in transforming hearts, not enslaving minds.

Releasing Guiguzi from his control, Su Kai stepped back. Guiguzi, trembling, set down his chopsticks, taking deep breaths to recover from the terror of having his life momentarily seized by another.

Even so, Guiguzi quickly composed himself. "Su Zi, your abilities rival those of ancient gods. I am in awe."

But he pressed on. "Still, I must ask—why didn't you use such power to bind the Chidi before leaving Wenying?"

"Because I don't like it," Su Kai replied calmly. "I dislike using magic to dominate humans. What I want is for people to smile from the depths of their hearts."

"No matter how many years pass, no matter how many worlds I walk, my goal remains the same—to bring peace and happiness to all, to see a true utopia realized."

"Just because you don't like it?" Guiguzi was shaken by this seemingly contradictory sage—a man with godlike power and twisted ideals. "Because you don't like it, you allowed your father to die, your city to fall, and the state of Su to be reduced to ruins?"

This was no longer human reasoning.

Even Zhou Gong, who envisioned a utopian world, had acknowledged the principle of prioritizing kin over strangers.

The empathy to care for others stemmed from experiencing love within one's own family.

But this man, who let his homeland collapse, his people perish, and still claimed to pursue universal peace...

"My father was human. The people of Su were human. The Chidi are human as well."

Su Kai's voice was steady as he asked, "If I could control the Chidi today, could I not control my father and others tomorrow? Would I then need to control all of humanity to achieve my vision?"

"Guiguzi, kin and strangers, Hua-Xia and the Chidi…"

"To me, there is no difference."

"Because they are all human."

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so... turns out the weapon master can die. webnovel blocked it again for copyright stuff, so i'm not reposting it. don't wanna risk losing my other translations too.

but don't worry, the weapon master's alive and well on patreon. thinking about setting up a scribble hub for stories like this—because some battles can't be won on webnovel.

thanks for sticking with me. you're the real MVPs.

If you notice anything that feels off, just let me know—I don't mind fixing things up.

Oh, and don't forget to sit up, grab some water, and take it easy while you're here. No rush, right?

If you're into this, consider checking out [patreon.com/WiseTL]. 

Your support helps me keep going, and I'm grateful for every bit of it.

"Su Zi" (蘇子) is a respectful and formal way to address someone named "Su" (蘇) in classical Chinese culture. The "Zi" (子) here is an honorific title, often used for scholars, philosophers, or individuals of notable wisdom or status. It can be loosely translated to "Master Su" or "Sir Su" in English.

The term "Zi" was famously used in titles like:

Kong Zi (Confucius)

Meng Zi (Mencius)

In the story "Su Zi" reflects Su Kai's reputation as a scholar or thinker of high standing, aligning with the intellectual and philosophical culture of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. It implies both respect and recognition of his intellectual contributions or authority.