Beauty with Brilliance: Drawing Historical Cards to Conquer the World

Ying Yue, formerly known as a merchant's daughter, lived a quiet life until her adoptive parents died and she was taken in by greedy relatives. Nine days before the story begins, she was forcibly returned to the Marquis's Mansion, where she was told she was the missing daughter of the Li family. Upon arrival, she discovered that her new mother and sister, Li Nian, viewed her solely as a scapegoat. They planned to force her into a marriage with the foolish and lecherous Prince Rui to save Li Nian from the union. Ying Yue overheard this conspiracy while attempting to bring pear soup to her new family, but she was discovered by the housekeeper and knocked unconscious before she could escape.

Ying Yue woke up in a wedding sedan chair, drugged and dressed in bridal attire. As she was carried to the bridal chamber, she despaired of her situation, wishing only for rescue. At that moment, a mysterious voice in her mind introduced the Lord Cultivation System. The system offered to bind with her and grant her the ability to draw cards to recruit historical figures as subordinates. Desperate, Ying Yue accepted and drew an SSR card, summoning Bai Qi, the legendary God of War from the Qin Dynasty. Bai Qi appeared in the chamber, cold and imposing, and immediately asked how to leave. When Prince Rui entered the room, Bai Qi killed him with a hairpin and then proceeded to slaughter the entire household to eliminate witnesses.

After the massacre, Bai Qi returned to find Ying Yue stunned by his ruthlessness. He also revealed that another card, Zhao Kuo, had been bound to him in the system. Zhao Kuo, a young general from the State of Zhao who had been killed by Bai Qi at the Battle of Changping, appeared with a resentful attitude. Despite their historical enmity, they were forced to cooperate under Ying Yue's command. Bai Qi, Zhao Kuo, and Ying Yue fled the mansion in Prince Rui's carriage, escaping the capital. During their journey, Ying Yue learned about the system's main quest: to fight for world domination. The first mission required her to acquire a territory, prompting Bai Qi to suggest they become bandits by seizing a mountain stronghold.

The trio traveled west toward Yongzhou, a harsh border region known for its bandits and proximity to the nomadic Hu people. Ying Yue lacked confidence in her abilities, feeling she was useless compared to the legendary generals she had summoned. However, both Bai Qi and Zhao Kuo began to recognize her potential. Zhao Kuo, moved by her trust and kindness, pledged his loyalty, while Bai Qi, though initially viewing her as weak, found himself inexplicably drawn to protect her. Along the way, they encountered a group of villagers who pretended to rob them but were actually warning them about the vicious Black Wind Camp, a bandit stronghold that traded with the Hu people and practiced cannibalism.

Zhao Kuo defeated the villagers easily and turned the tables, threatening them until they revealed the location of Black Wind Camp. The group decided to confront the bandits directly. Upon reaching the area, they learned that the bandit leader collaborated with the Hu people, a fact that enraged Bai Qi and Zhao Kuo due to their historical hatred of barbarian invasions. The story concludes with the group preparing to assault the Black Wind Camp, marking Ying Yue's first step toward building her power base. She remains uncertain of her path but is determined to survive and protect those who have pledged themselves to her, setting the stage for her eventual rise to power.