### Chapter 23: As a King, One Must Exercise a King's Authority - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 23: As a King, One Must Exercise a King's Power** **[The smile of Daji is nothing but poignant beauty.]** **[After several droplets of blood fell, no more dripped from Daji's wrist. Upon closer inspection, her skin remained pristine and delicate, without any sign of earlier injury.]** "Why?" **[Confused, you wonder why Daji would harm herself just to extend the life of a comatose King Zhou.]** "What do you mean, why?" **[Daji questions in return.]** "Of course, because I'm the queen of this mighty Shang dynasty, and he is its king!" "I'm extending his life." "Is that not right?" **[Her response pricks your heart, yet you say nothing, remaining silent.]** **[Simultaneously, curiosity stirs within you as to why Daji brought you to such a secretive place.]** **[Seeing your silence, Daji continues.]** "I didn't know you were banished to the Blood Hunting Grounds." "That decision was not mine." "It was Bi Gan's." **[Her explanation surprises you; given the vast difference in your statuses, she owes you no explanation.]** **[You nod slightly, a newfound softness in your eyes.]** **[You ponder why Bi Gan targeted you but can't fathom the reasoning due to limited information.]** **[Daji then reaches into the crystal coffin where King Zhou lies.]** **[She breaks off a piece of the bloodstone from his chest and turns, pressing it into your mouth.]** **[The bloodstone tastes salty and bitter, dissolving swiftly into your saliva and sinking into your stomach.]** **[You sense your body strengthening; at the moment the bloodstone was swallowed, you sensed the capability to break through Daji's mysterious power.]** **[But you refrain from doing so.]** **[Though many say Daji is a tough and cunning sorceress queen, you've never felt she was as crafty as others claimed; at times, she seems rather naive.]** "Do you know why I brought you here today?" "Why?" **[You're clueless and feel Daji is spouting nonsense.]** "Because I want to make you king." "Wearing the guise of the Shang King, to rule over this great Shang." **[Upon hearing her audacious words, you laugh, taken aback by Daji's boldness.]** **[Yet, witnessing her serious demeanor, you realize the matter isn't as simple as you first thought.]** "Why?" **[This is your second time asking Daji.]** **[Daji doesn't hide the reason from you this time.]** **[The feudal lords from all directions will soon come to offer tribute at Zhaoge, and she has spread word that the Shang King is about to wake.]** **[However, the king shows no sign of ever awakening.]** **[Hence, the idea of you was conceived.]** **[If your appearance can be altered, then you would be the Shang King.]** **[If she says you are, then you are.]** **[Whether you are or not.]** **[Without a choice, you must let Daji proceed with her plan.]** **[After Daji changes your appearance, you peer into a bronze mirror, seeing that you now look no different from King Zhou lying in the coffin.]** **[You dislike this transformation.]** **[Perceiving your mood, Daji reassures you.]** "If you wish to revert to your original appearance, just chant my name in your heart, and I will sense your desire and change your looks back." "Daji." **[You whisper Daji's name in your heart, and, as promised, your appearance reverts to its original form.]** **[Looking at the mature and beautiful Daji.]** **[Now, what will you choose?]** **[Option 1: Tell Daji that you dislike this place and wish to leave, assuring her you'll return if needed.]** **[Option 2: Destroy the king's body, solidifying your status as the true King of Shang, ruling indefinitely.]** **[Option 3: As a king, it is only natural to exercise your power, making unreasonable demands of Daji.]** Seeing the sudden appearance of options, Su Mo is somewhat surprised. Could it be that the probability of options appearing increases with his elevated status in the simulation? It is known that. Previously, after many simulations, options rarely appeared. But now they do. This must be related to his current status as the false Shang King. Subsequently, Su Mo carefully considers the three options. He instantly dismisses the first one—at such a crucial moment, how could he just leave? Only Daji has the authority to send him away. Regarding the second option, Su Mo hesitates. If successful, he could indeed rely on Daji's support to become King of Shang permanently. However, on reconsideration, he abandons this idea. Entirely because Shang truly has ancestral spirits watching over it. If those ancestors discover he is a fraud, his end would be devastating. Now, only the third option remains. After all, Daji seems genuinely fond of him. But will she consent? Curious, Su Mo chooses the third option. **[As a king, one must exercise a king's power; you fixate on Daji with a gaze full of yearning.]** "Since I am now the Shang King and you the queen, shouldn't you fulfill your duties?" **[Daji perceives your desire; her body nearly melts under your intense gaze, but her thin thread of reason warns her against complying.]** **[Noticing Daji's shy reluctance, you can no longer restrain yourself and move toward her.]** **[In no time, that familiar force envelops you again, effortlessly lifting you into the air.]** **[However, this time, you refrain from flailing wildly like an upturned turtle. Ever since Daji gave you that bloodstone, you've felt able to overcome her power.]** **[You tear through Daji's restraint...]** In the vision, Su Mo forcefully pushes Daji down; a single tear escapes her eye... ... Staring at the scene before him, Su Mo is mesmerized. So, this is Daji's true beauty, previously concealed by her clothing. ... **[You persist for a long time.]** **[You remain unsatisfied.]** **[You desired so much.]** **[On the thirteenth time, you feel a heavy blow to the back of your head.]** **[You lose consciousness.]** Seeing the screen suddenly dim, Su Mo is caught off guard. What happened this time? But in the next second, the dark screen brightens again. Su Mo then realizes that in the simulation, he has returned to his original room. From a third-person perspective, he sees himself again disguised as the Shang King, with two palace maids dressing him in the royal robe. **[You awaken, unaware of the events that transpired, only that two maids are tending to your dormant form, changing clothes.]** **[Clad in the black royal robe, your already robust and tall figure truly resembles an emperor.]** **[Daji enters, dressed as a queen in matching black, her beautiful face cold as ice.]** **[Curious, you inquire.]** "What happened before?" "Why did I pass out?" **[She offers no comment on the prior events.]** "Come with me; the vassals have arrived." "You need to respond!"** (End of Chapter)