Simulator: Global Myths Come

Chapter 112 Obtaining Information
The door was pushed open, and the king came in, putting on a new suit of clothes.

Cao Zheng quietly hid on the cabinet, hoping that this guy would let him go.

Before he could breathe for a long time, a pair of beautiful big eyes appeared in front of him.Immediately afterwards, slender hands inserted Cao Zheng's armpits and lifted him up.

"Little villain, so you are hiding here." As he spoke, there was another violent storm, and it was like a big tit destroying a kitten.

Cao Zhengsheng was lying on the bed lovelessly, beside the contented and radiant beauty king.

"For the last time, it's good to have you by my side." She said something strange.

Cao Zheng suddenly became alert. Unexpectedly, the king had a premonition. It seems that things are not as simple as imagined.

He stuck to the woman's white thigh, pretending to comfort her, hoping to get more information.

Sure enough, the king stroked Cao Zheng's head and asked, "Do you think I should send you away as soon as possible, or bring you to the end."

Reminiscent of the previous deduction, it is not difficult for Cao Zheng to guess what she really meant.

——Let's find a way to get more information.

Cao Zheng jumped out of bed with an idea, rushed into the trash can, found the painting just now, and held it at the king's feet.

"Why did you turn this thing out?" The calmness on the king's face disappeared instantly, replaced by fear and disgust, "Alright, remember this man's appearance and avoid him in the future."

Speaking of this, the king's chatterbox really opened up, "Our country is very strange. If you take a bath in the Yellow Pond in the south, you will become pregnant, and the child must be a girl. The cycle goes on and on from generation to generation, like an unbreakable curse. .”

"Later, some people felt that this was wrong, and hid in the south of the Yellow Pond, swearing that they would never touch the water of the Yellow Pond for the rest of their lives. Tell me, Kitty, are they a bit selfish?"

Cao Zheng raised his head in confusion. He didn't expect that there was such a force in this daughter country. Could it be the so-called rebels?
As if she hadn't intended to get a reply from Cao Zheng, the woman continued on her own: "What can we do? If we leave this place where we live, where can we go? Go to the south and live under the fence?"

"Huh! They never thought that everything has a price. They don't know who the enemy is, and their resistance is ridiculous!"

As if he didn't want to talk any more, the king fell into a deep sleep with Cao Zheng in his arms.The frown didn't seem to be relieved by sleep.

Cao Zheng was a little suffocated, physically and psychologically synchronized, he just wanted to wait until dawn to start the simulator quickly.

Tomorrow, the court will take the most critical step, maybe I will overturn in this plot.

"Enemy...friend...survival...price..." Cao Zheng thought over the information he got today.

This daughter country does not seem to be self-sufficient, and the current peaceful life requires something to pay.So the one being spied on by the southern countries...couldn't be that one, would it?
【Simulation starts】

【You accompanied the emperor to court and met all the civil and military officials. 】

[The minister said that the rebels have shown signs of resurgence recently.The king asks your opinion in a low voice, you suggest...]

【Option [-]: Pretending to be stupid and not talking】

[Option [-]: Suggest recruitment]

[Option [-]: Suggested conquest]

Cao Zheng now understands the meaning of this option, pretending to be stupid and not speaking means staying with the king, and the conquest will become the last group of surviving people.

As for the option in the middle, Cao Zheng still doesn't know what will happen.Might meet the Rebels?But it seems that it doesn't make much sense. After forty days, the country will be destroyed.

All three options will suddenly come to an end, and this is the last chance to simulate, Cao Zheng is a bit difficult to handle.

"How about...stay here and try it out. I want to know what happened in the last 30 days." Cao Zheng took a deep breath and carefully selected option one.

[You choose to pretend to be stupid and not speak. 】

【The king smiled and sent a group of soldiers to suppress the rebellion. You will stay in the palace and play the role of queen. 】

"It really is like this..." Cao Zheng stared intently at the light curtain of the simulator, and decided to commit suicide immediately to reset the option if something went wrong.

[Ten days later, the army left. 】

[A minister gave a speech, and the southern kingdom sent envoys to discuss the next month's tribute. 】

[The king readily accepted and arranged for his staff to receive him as usual. 】

[The next day, three envoys arrive, and the king seems to be ignoring you, so you decide...]

[Option [-]: Investigation Messenger]

[Option [-]: Investigate the King]

[Option [-]: Investigate the rebels]

There are too many options, and Cao Zheng is a bit out of control. It seems that these three directions can be explored vertically.

"If you really want to talk about the reasons for the destruction of the kingdom, I think this southern country is the most suspicious. Let's try their quality first."

【You just slipped out of the palace and saw the envoy stroking a passing woman on the street.Oddly enough, the inhabitants of Daughterland do not seem to be revolting violently. 】

[You tease the three of them. 】

【Watching them back to their residence, you sneak into the yard to find more information. 】

[The three envoys came from the Wuxian Kingdom, and the tribute they asked for was two beautiful girls. It is said that they will be used in this big event. 】

"Oh... I really hope I guessed wrong." Looking at the light curtain, Cao Zheng sighed helplessly.

What kind of native products can there be in the daughter country, of course it is a beautiful girl.The exchange of people for things is the reason why this country survives, no wonder the king will say that those rebels who don't have children are selfish.

"Simulator, I want to know what the big event they are talking about." Cao Zheng began to play rogue again, hoping that his system could figure out a way.

【…】

[You learned from the discussions among the envoys: Eighteen days later, the gods will descend to earth and need two maids to serve them. 】

[If the gods are satisfied, they will reward Wuxian with endless treasures.If the god is angry, the surrounding countries will perish. 】

"Okay, the reason for the destruction has been found, send me back quickly." Cao Zheng said this, but another thought came to his mind.

[I learned part of the truth about the plot, do I want to return with this? 】

【Yes】|【No】

"No, this may not be the final truth. The smell has already been stained, and it is obviously a loss not to eat the mutton clean." Cao Zheng rejected the comeback invitation, and sincerely decided to accompany this plot to the end.

[The next day, three envoys met the king, indicating that the tribute had increased to three. 】

"What a middleman to make the difference." Cao Zheng gasped, not expecting such a showy operation.

[You can't speak to remind, the minister on the side interrupted this matter. 】

"I can't help it, I'll blow myself up when I speak, let's see what else they will do." Cao Zheng shook his head helplessly.

[You sneaked out again to eavesdrop on information, and a certain minister suddenly appeared.Put you in a cage. 】

【Looking at the cage that you can break through with just a wave of your hand, you decide...】

[Option [-]: Break free directly]

[Option [-]: Wait and see what happens]

"Is there such a good thing?" Cao Zheng was really overjoyed, he never thought that there would be such a cooperative enemy.

Take yourself away, and you can investigate the next clues.Not to mention that if you die unexpectedly, you can directly reset back to the previous options.

It's simply a benefit and no harm.

"Hurry up, hurry up."

[The minister stuffed the cage into the wide sleeve, and you were taken out of the palace without anyone noticing. 】

[The black cloth outside the cage is uncovered, and you find yourself in a gloomy room]

[In front of you is a large cauldron with thick smoke, and a person with an exaggerated mask on his face is adding materials to the cauldron. 】

"Isn't it? Toss for so long just to eat a bite of cat meat?" Cao Zheng couldn't understand why they would target him, and this group of villains wouldn't take the initiative to tell him these things, would they?
"Run out first and see what the hell is behind."

【Just when everyone's attention was on the thing in the cauldron, you pulled out your tail and chopped the cage into pieces. 】

[Seeing you breaking free from the cage like a strong man, the minister panicked. 】

【After all the enemies are brought down, you decide to...】

[Option [-]: Quietly return to the palace]

[Option [-]: Bring the king over]

Cao Zheng didn't need to think for too long.I have to call the king over, and I have to continue to eat melons to obtain information, and now I can't even find the reason why these guys attacked me.

【You brought the king here and learned that the minister wanted to destroy Huangchi, and you were just using it to distract the king. 】

[All those involved in this incident were thrown into prison. 】

[The king's mood is even worse, trying to torture the minister's accomplice, you follow into the dungeon. 】

[The minister is not an accomplice of the rebels, she just wants to break the tradition of the daughter country by destroying Huangchi, and it is just a coincidence that she is targeting you. 】

[The king and the ministers argued for a long time...]

【After scolding her, the king threw her out of the dungeon and warned her not to make trouble again. 】

"What the hell? She was released after scolding? It seems that the relationship between the king and her is unusual." Cao Zheng analyzed in doubt.

[The next day, three school-age girls were sent to the messenger's residence. 】

[On the third day, the envoy left in a hurry with the tribute. 】

[On the fourth day, the envoy was attacked and killed outside her daughter's country, and the three girls disappeared. Wu Xianguo sent an envoy again to ask for accountability. 】

Cao Zheng felt that this could only be caused by the rebels. It should be to take the three girls back to the south, right?
[On the fifth day, the Wuxian Kingdom sent troops, and the army pressed to the border of the Daughter Kingdom. 】

[On the sixth day, the two armies fought. 】

[On the seventh day, Wuxian's army smashed through the Daughter's Kingdom and captured countless people.The army went all the way south, advancing to the outside of the palace. 】

"Isn't this too good? The country was wiped out in one day?" Cao Zheng sighed helplessly. He didn't expect things to turn out like this in an instant.

[Wuxian Kingdom's army shouted outside the palace, asking Daughter Kingdom to become its vassal state. 】

[Shoot an all-female army from the south, and fight with Wu Xian's army. 】

[The king stands on the highest point of the palace and looks down, still holding you in his arms. 】

[She asked: Is this the tragedy of a small country?Any reason will be invaded here. 】

【Hearing this, you decide to...】

[Option [-]: Comfort her with actions]

[Option [-]: Pretend not to hear]

"I choose... I choose a fart. It's already at this time, I will stop pretending and talk to the king directly."

[You ask the king: Is the army below the king's second-hand? 】

【The king tells you with a sneer that they are the rebels, a group of guys with lofty hearts. 】

【The rebels couldn't resist Wu Xianguo's attack, and the king finally couldn't resist. 】

【The water in the moat shot up into the sky and hit the Wuxian soldiers hard. 】

[Wuxian's army retreated in a panic, the king turned to look at you. 】

【She said: You go, get out of here, the farther you go, the better. 】

【You decide…】

[Option [-]: Accompany the king to the end]

[Option [-]: Find a place to hide]

Cao Zheng chose to stay without hesitation. Anyway, the plot can be reset, so what are you afraid of?
[The rebel army and the daughter country army are temporarily united. 】

[Three days later, in the early morning, Wu Xian's army attacked again, led by two witches in strange costumes. 】

[The two armies start to fight]

[At the time of stalemate.A green snake and a red snake appeared at the front of Wu Xianguo's army, and the two snakes devoured countless lives in an instant. 】

Cao Zheng had a hunch that this matter needs to be resolved by himself.After all, this time has come, and I will definitely not sit idly by.

[You jump off the top of the wall, swinging your sword to fight the two snakes. 】

[After a desperate struggle, you temporarily repelled the enemy, but the matter is far from over. 】

[Seven days later, the female ugly corpse struck. 】

[You hurriedly ended the plot and returned to the real world. 】

"Hey, hey! No, normally, shouldn't I die and reset the simulator?" Cao Zheng protested loudly.

It is estimated that I have met a certain return condition of the myth game, after all, this is not a difficult copy.

[Before leaving, I vaguely saw a big crab destroying the palace. 】

-- Ending: Partial Truth --

【Score: C】

[Reward: A set of textbooks for nine-year compulsory education]

[The simulator enters cooling...]

[Next deduction time: 12h]

"Crazy, can you give me something useful?" Cao Zheng felt that the simulator was just perfunctory.

It's a female ugliness and a big crab, is this a problem that can be solved by learning mathematics, physics and chemistry well?

Cao Zheng slowly opened his eyes, and the king was still sleeping beside him.What's the story today?Oh yes, the upper court is discussing how to deal with the rebels.

"Why don't we just recruit security? After all, we are our own people, but our ambitions are different." Cao Zheng jumped out of bed and exercised for a while.

There are still a lot of troublesome things to come, and I must nourish myself.

"No, wait a minute! Where did the three tribute girls go?" Cao Zheng suddenly realized a problem that he had ignored.

If Wu Xianguo's envoys would regularly take away tributes, then the rebels should also be regularly looting.Logically speaking, it shouldn't be turned into the current life-and-death situation.

Cao Zheng recalled the name of the final ending of the simulator—partial ending.

It seems that things are not as simple as imagined, and there are still things that I haven't investigated.

At this time, the king of the daughter country woke up.

(End of this chapter)
Chapter 112 Obtaining Information
The door was pushed open, and the king came in, putting on a new suit of clothes.

Cao Zheng quietly hid on the cabinet, hoping that this guy would let him go.

Before he could breathe for a long time, a pair of beautiful big eyes appeared in front of him.Immediately afterwards, slender hands inserted Cao Zheng's armpits and lifted him up.

"Little villain, so you are hiding here." As he spoke, there was another violent storm, and it was like a big tit destroying a kitten.

Cao Zhengsheng was lying on the bed lovelessly, beside the contented and radiant beauty king.

"For the last time, it's good to have you by my side." She said something strange.

Cao Zheng suddenly became alert. Unexpectedly, the king had a premonition. It seems that things are not as simple as imagined.

He stuck to the woman's white thigh, pretending to comfort her, hoping to get more information.

Sure enough, the king stroked Cao Zheng's head and asked, "Do you think I should send you away as soon as possible, or bring you to the end."

Reminiscent of the previous deduction, it is not difficult for Cao Zheng to guess what she really meant.

——Let's find a way to get more information.

Cao Zheng jumped out of bed with an idea, rushed into the trash can, found the painting just now, and held it at the king's feet.

"Why did you turn this thing out?" The calmness on the king's face disappeared instantly, replaced by fear and disgust, "Alright, remember this man's appearance and avoid him in the future."

Speaking of this, the king's chatterbox really opened up, "Our country is very strange. If you take a bath in the Yellow Pond in the south, you will become pregnant, and the child must be a girl. The cycle goes on and on from generation to generation, like an unbreakable curse. .”

"Later, some people felt that this was wrong, and hid in the south of the Yellow Pond, swearing that they would never touch the water of the Yellow Pond for the rest of their lives. Tell me, Kitty, are they a bit selfish?"

Cao Zheng raised his head in confusion. He didn't expect that there was such a force in this daughter country. Could it be the so-called rebels?
As if she hadn't intended to get a reply from Cao Zheng, the woman continued on her own: "What can we do? If we leave this place where we live, where can we go? Go to the south and live under the fence?"

"Huh! They never thought that everything has a price. They don't know who the enemy is, and their resistance is ridiculous!"

As if he didn't want to talk any more, the king fell into a deep sleep with Cao Zheng in his arms.The frown didn't seem to be relieved by sleep.

Cao Zheng was a little suffocated, physically and psychologically synchronized, he just wanted to wait until dawn to start the simulator quickly.

Tomorrow, the court will take the most critical step, maybe I will overturn in this plot.

"Enemy...friend...survival...price..." Cao Zheng thought over the information he got today.

This daughter country does not seem to be self-sufficient, and the current peaceful life requires something to pay.So the one being spied on by the southern countries...couldn't be that one, would it?
【Simulation starts】

【You accompanied the emperor to court and met all the civil and military officials. 】

[The minister said that the rebels have shown signs of resurgence recently.The king asks your opinion in a low voice, you suggest...]

【Option [-]: Pretending to be stupid and not talking】

[Option [-]: Suggest recruitment]

[Option [-]: Suggested conquest]

Cao Zheng now understands the meaning of this option, pretending to be stupid and not speaking means staying with the king, and the conquest will become the last group of surviving people.

As for the option in the middle, Cao Zheng still doesn't know what will happen.Might meet the Rebels?But it seems that it doesn't make much sense. After forty days, the country will be destroyed.

All three options will suddenly come to an end, and this is the last chance to simulate, Cao Zheng is a bit difficult to handle.

"How about...stay here and try it out. I want to know what happened in the last 30 days." Cao Zheng took a deep breath and carefully selected option one.

[You choose to pretend to be stupid and not speak. 】

【The king smiled and sent a group of soldiers to suppress the rebellion. You will stay in the palace and play the role of queen. 】

"It really is like this..." Cao Zheng stared intently at the light curtain of the simulator, and decided to commit suicide immediately to reset the option if something went wrong.

[Ten days later, the army left. 】

[A minister gave a speech, and the southern kingdom sent envoys to discuss the next month's tribute. 】

[The king readily accepted and arranged for his staff to receive him as usual. 】

[The next day, three envoys arrive, and the king seems to be ignoring you, so you decide...]

[Option [-]: Investigation Messenger]

[Option [-]: Investigate the King]

[Option [-]: Investigate the rebels]

There are too many options, and Cao Zheng is a bit out of control. It seems that these three directions can be explored vertically.

"If you really want to talk about the reasons for the destruction of the kingdom, I think this southern country is the most suspicious. Let's try their quality first."

【You just slipped out of the palace and saw the envoy stroking a passing woman on the street.Oddly enough, the inhabitants of Daughterland do not seem to be revolting violently. 】

[You tease the three of them. 】

【Watching them back to their residence, you sneak into the yard to find more information. 】

[The three envoys came from the Wuxian Kingdom, and the tribute they asked for was two beautiful girls. It is said that they will be used in this big event. 】

"Oh... I really hope I guessed wrong." Looking at the light curtain, Cao Zheng sighed helplessly.

What kind of native products can there be in the daughter country, of course it is a beautiful girl.The exchange of people for things is the reason why this country survives, no wonder the king will say that those rebels who don't have children are selfish.

"Simulator, I want to know what the big event they are talking about." Cao Zheng began to play rogue again, hoping that his system could figure out a way.

【…】

[You learned from the discussions among the envoys: Eighteen days later, the gods will descend to earth and need two maids to serve them. 】

[If the gods are satisfied, they will reward Wuxian with endless treasures.If the god is angry, the surrounding countries will perish. 】

"Okay, the reason for the destruction has been found, send me back quickly." Cao Zheng said this, but another thought came to his mind.

[I learned part of the truth about the plot, do I want to return with this? 】

【Yes】|【No】

"No, this may not be the final truth. The smell has already been stained, and it is obviously a loss not to eat the mutton clean." Cao Zheng rejected the comeback invitation, and sincerely decided to accompany this plot to the end.

[The next day, three envoys met the king, indicating that the tribute had increased to three. 】

"What a middleman to make the difference." Cao Zheng gasped, not expecting such a showy operation.

[You can't speak to remind, the minister on the side interrupted this matter. 】

"I can't help it, I'll blow myself up when I speak, let's see what else they will do." Cao Zheng shook his head helplessly.

[You sneaked out again to eavesdrop on information, and a certain minister suddenly appeared.Put you in a cage. 】

【Looking at the cage that you can break through with just a wave of your hand, you decide...】

[Option [-]: Break free directly]

[Option [-]: Wait and see what happens]

"Is there such a good thing?" Cao Zheng was really overjoyed, he never thought that there would be such a cooperative enemy.

Take yourself away, and you can investigate the next clues.Not to mention that if you die unexpectedly, you can directly reset back to the previous options.

It's simply a benefit and no harm.

"Hurry up, hurry up."

[The minister stuffed the cage into the wide sleeve, and you were taken out of the palace without anyone noticing. 】

[The black cloth outside the cage is uncovered, and you find yourself in a gloomy room]

[In front of you is a large cauldron with thick smoke, and a person with an exaggerated mask on his face is adding materials to the cauldron. 】

"Isn't it? Toss for so long just to eat a bite of cat meat?" Cao Zheng couldn't understand why they would target him, and this group of villains wouldn't take the initiative to tell him these things, would they?
"Run out first and see what the hell is behind."

【Just when everyone's attention was on the thing in the cauldron, you pulled out your tail and chopped the cage into pieces. 】

[Seeing you breaking free from the cage like a strong man, the minister panicked. 】

【After all the enemies are brought down, you decide to...】

[Option [-]: Quietly return to the palace]

[Option [-]: Bring the king over]

Cao Zheng didn't need to think for too long.I have to call the king over, and I have to continue to eat melons to obtain information, and now I can't even find the reason why these guys attacked me.

【You brought the king here and learned that the minister wanted to destroy Huangchi, and you were just using it to distract the king. 】

[All those involved in this incident were thrown into prison. 】

[The king's mood is even worse, trying to torture the minister's accomplice, you follow into the dungeon. 】

[The minister is not an accomplice of the rebels, she just wants to break the tradition of the daughter country by destroying Huangchi, and it is just a coincidence that she is targeting you. 】

[The king and the ministers argued for a long time...]

【After scolding her, the king threw her out of the dungeon and warned her not to make trouble again. 】

"What the hell? She was released after scolding? It seems that the relationship between the king and her is unusual." Cao Zheng analyzed in doubt.

[The next day, three school-age girls were sent to the messenger's residence. 】

[On the third day, the envoy left in a hurry with the tribute. 】

[On the fourth day, the envoy was attacked and killed outside her daughter's country, and the three girls disappeared. Wu Xianguo sent an envoy again to ask for accountability. 】

Cao Zheng felt that this could only be caused by the rebels. It should be to take the three girls back to the south, right?
[On the fifth day, the Wuxian Kingdom sent troops, and the army pressed to the border of the Daughter Kingdom. 】

[On the sixth day, the two armies fought. 】

[On the seventh day, Wuxian's army smashed through the Daughter's Kingdom and captured countless people.The army went all the way south, advancing to the outside of the palace. 】

"Isn't this too good? The country was wiped out in one day?" Cao Zheng sighed helplessly. He didn't expect things to turn out like this in an instant.

[Wuxian Kingdom's army shouted outside the palace, asking Daughter Kingdom to become its vassal state. 】

[Shoot an all-female army from the south, and fight with Wu Xian's army. 】

[The king stands on the highest point of the palace and looks down, still holding you in his arms. 】

[She asked: Is this the tragedy of a small country?Any reason will be invaded here. 】

【Hearing this, you decide to...】

[Option [-]: Comfort her with actions]

[Option [-]: Pretend not to hear]

"I choose... I choose a fart. It's already at this time, I will stop pretending and talk to the king directly."

[You ask the king: Is the army below the king's second-hand? 】

【The king tells you with a sneer that they are the rebels, a group of guys with lofty hearts. 】

【The rebels couldn't resist Wu Xianguo's attack, and the king finally couldn't resist. 】

【The water in the moat shot up into the sky and hit the Wuxian soldiers hard. 】

[Wuxian's army retreated in a panic, the king turned to look at you. 】

【She said: You go, get out of here, the farther you go, the better. 】

【You decide…】

[Option [-]: Accompany the king to the end]

[Option [-]: Find a place to hide]

Cao Zheng chose to stay without hesitation. Anyway, the plot can be reset, so what are you afraid of?
[The rebel army and the daughter country army are temporarily united. 】

[Three days later, in the early morning, Wu Xian's army attacked again, led by two witches in strange costumes. 】

[The two armies start to fight]

[At the time of stalemate.A green snake and a red snake appeared at the front of Wu Xianguo's army, and the two snakes devoured countless lives in an instant. 】

Cao Zheng had a hunch that this matter needs to be resolved by himself.After all, this time has come, and I will definitely not sit idly by.

[You jump off the top of the wall, swinging your sword to fight the two snakes. 】

[After a desperate struggle, you temporarily repelled the enemy, but the matter is far from over. 】

[Seven days later, the female ugly corpse struck. 】

[You hurriedly ended the plot and returned to the real world. 】

"Hey, hey! No, normally, shouldn't I die and reset the simulator?" Cao Zheng protested loudly.

It is estimated that I have met a certain return condition of the myth game, after all, this is not a difficult copy.

[Before leaving, I vaguely saw a big crab destroying the palace. 】

-- Ending: Partial Truth --

【Score: C】

[Reward: A set of textbooks for nine-year compulsory education]

[The simulator enters cooling...]

[Next deduction time: 12h]

"Crazy, can you give me something useful?" Cao Zheng felt that the simulator was just perfunctory.

It's a female ugliness and a big crab, is this a problem that can be solved by learning mathematics, physics and chemistry well?

Cao Zheng slowly opened his eyes, and the king was still sleeping beside him.What's the story today?Oh yes, the upper court is discussing how to deal with the rebels.

"Why don't we just recruit security? After all, we are our own people, but our ambitions are different." Cao Zheng jumped out of bed and exercised for a while.

There are still a lot of troublesome things to come, and I must nourish myself.

"No, wait a minute! Where did the three tribute girls go?" Cao Zheng suddenly realized a problem that he had ignored.

If Wu Xianguo's envoys would regularly take away tributes, then the rebels should also be regularly looting.Logically speaking, it shouldn't be turned into the current life-and-death situation.

Cao Zheng recalled the name of the final ending of the simulator—partial ending.

It seems that things are not as simple as imagined, and there are still things that I haven't investigated.

At this time, the king of the daughter country woke up.

(End of this chapter)