"Lu Miaozi!"
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, trapped in the net, exclaimed in unison. Seeing their expressions, Shen Luoyan's eyes flickered with confusion. No matter how clever she was, she couldn't have guessed that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had just met Lu Miaozi.
However, Shen Luoyan quickly shifted her attention from Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to Qin Shubao. For Shen Luoyan, the value of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling at this moment was far lower than that of Qin Shubao.
After all, Qin Shubao was a famous general of the Sui Dynasty, while Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were just street urchins. Even with the legends of the Longevity Scripture and the Treasure of Yang Gong, their worth was limited.
Although Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's mastery of the Longevity Scripture was remarkable, as the original story showed, only a few people truly sought the Longevity Scripture from them, such as Bi Xuan, Ning Daoqi, and Wan Wan. Most others pursued them for the Treasure of Yang Gong.
Even Bi Xuan, Ning Daoqi, and Wan Wan only wanted to study the Longevity Scripture, not to practice it themselves.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had started learning martial arts at a relatively late age. Even with their exceptional talent, Fu Junyu had initially been skeptical of their desire to learn martial arts. If it weren't for the later opportunities they gained, such as the Heirloom Seal and the Evil Emperor's Sacred Pearl, they would have at best become innate-level experts. It might have taken them over a decade to reach the master level.
For most people, reaching the master level would have been an incredible achievement. After all, for the vast majority of martial artists, even becoming an innate-level expert was difficult. But Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's talent was extraordinary, so their starting point and endpoint were naturally different from ordinary people.
Of course, Shen Luoyan's lack of interest didn't mean she would let Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling go. Whether the Treasure of Yang Gong was real or not, recruiting them for Li Mi was the priority. However, Qin Shubao was more important, so he took precedence.
Unfortunately, neither Qin Shubao nor Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were easily persuaded. Qin Shubao was waiting for the right offer, while Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling genuinely didn't want to join, especially after witnessing the internal strife within the Wagang Army.
Due to their limited experience, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling didn't realize that the person who had injured Zhai Rang was Li Mi himself. Although Daniel had guessed this, he had no intention of avenging Zhai Rang, as they would all be enemies in the future.
"In that case, I'll let you three go freely now. You have six hours to escape, and within two days, I'll capture you three more times. But I promise not to harm a single hair on your heads. If you lose, you must join our Wagang Army without any further resistance."
Many people knew the story of "Seven Captures and Seven Releases," but here Shen Luoyan was going for "Three Captures and Three Releases."
"Deal. Let's consider this the first capture. If you can capture me two more times, I'll submit," Qin Shubao laughed heartily.
"Hey, we didn't agree to this!" Kou Zhong exclaimed.
"Are you two afraid of a mere woman? Don't you have any confidence in yourselves?" Shen Luoyan suddenly adopted a delicate, vulnerable demeanor.
"Bring it on! Who's afraid of who?" Faced with Shen Luoyan's act, Kou Zhong's blood boiled, and he thumped his chest, imitating Qin Shubao's boldness. Xu Ziling, standing beside him, could only sigh in resignation.
"Good brothers, let's go!" With that, Qin Shubao, Kou Zhong, and Xu Ziling leaped ashore and quickly fled into the distance.
Their lightness skills were impressive, and soon their figures disappeared into the distance.
"The timing is a bit unfortunate."
Watching the three figures disappear, Daniel sighed inwardly. Just as he had lamented arriving too late for Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to avoid recognizing Fu Junyu as their godmother, the timing was also unfortunate for others.
For example, if Daniel had encountered Li Jing just after he left Du Fuwei's service, he would have recruited Li Jing, even by force if necessary. But now, Li Jing had likely already pledged allegiance to Li Shimin of the Li Clan.
Similarly, many other notable figures had already chosen their sides. Even Qin Shubao, standing before him now, had already made his choice.
This was why Daniel hadn't approached Qin Shubao to recruit him. For someone like Qin Shubao, it was natural to choose the faction most likely to achieve dominance. That's why, no matter how close Qin Shubao was to Kou Zhong, he never considered joining Kou Zhong's "Young Marshal Army."
There was a saying that there was no loyalty in the Sui and Tang dynasties. While this was an exaggeration, it wasn't entirely baseless. To be honest, if Lü Bu had lived in this era, he would have cried injustice. In this era, switching allegiances was common. As the saying goes, "A wise bird chooses its tree."
Throughout The Twin Heroes of the Great Tang, the only ones who truly valued loyalty were Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. Look at Li Shimin—he could call you a good brother one moment and stab you in the back the next.
Shortly after Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Qin Shubao left, a strange bird appeared in the sky, flying in the direction they had gone. Shen Luoyan stretched lazily, her graceful figure on full display.
"Military Advisor Shen, you seem to be enjoying yourself, playing the game of 'letting the prey go to catch it again.'" Just then, an unfamiliar voice rang out, causing Shen Luoyan's expression to change. Her right hand instinctively reached for the short sword at her waist, but upon seeing Daniel's appearance, she quickly withdrew her hand and gave him a charming smile.
"May I ask your name, young master?" Shen Luoyan examined Daniel carefully, her eyes filled with confusion and surprise. As Li Mi's military advisor and intelligence chief, Shen Luoyan was skilled at reading people. Her misjudgment of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling was a different matter.
Daniel's attire was unique in this era—a modern casual outfit. No matter how well-traveled Shen Luoyan was, she had never seen anything like it.
While it was often said that one should follow local customs, it depended on the situation. If necessary, Daniel would adapt, but if not, he saw no need. In this world, with his strength, Daniel didn't need to conform to local customs.
Even in the Qin Empire, Daniel dressed similarly. Under his influence, such attire had become popular in certain circles. Although it hadn't replaced mainstream clothing like official robes or imperial garments, many people had started wearing it as casual attire.
Upon arriving in this world, Daniel hadn't bothered to change his clothes. There was no need. In this world, he was invincible. Even if Xiang Yutian, Yan Fei, or Sun En suddenly returned, it wouldn't matter.
"Speaking of which, we share the same surname. I am Shen Fei, greeting Military Advisor Shen." Daniel spoke calmly.
"What a coincidence. May I ask where you're from and which sect you belong to?" Shen Luoyan asked with a seemingly casual smile.
"You'll find out in time, Military Advisor Shen. Meeting you today is a rare opportunity. Would you be willing to serve me and help me unify the world?" Daniel didn't beat around the bush. He stated his purpose directly.
"Ah." Daniel's sudden recruitment offer left Shen Luoyan momentarily stunned.
"Thank you for your kind offer, but I am already under Duke Mi's command. I must decline your generous offer." If it had been anyone else, Shen Luoyan might have been furious. After all, a man with no reputation or influence daring to recruit the military advisor of the Wagang Army, which was at the height of its power, was laughable.
"Duke Mi? You mean Li Mi? Forgive my bluntness, but Li Mi is a waste of your talents." After realizing this was the world of The Twin Heroes of the Great Tang, Daniel had begun recalling the information he knew. Although he couldn't remember many details and had stopped reading due to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's foolishness, he still knew how Li Mi's story ended.
"How dare you insult Duke Mi!" Daniel's words immediately darkened Shen Luoyan's expression. Her right hand drew the short sword at her waist, and in an instant, she crossed over ten meters, appearing before Daniel. Her short sword shimmered with dozens of lights, targeting Daniel's vital points.
Deadly Hairpin—this was Shen Luoyan's family martial art, listed among the Unique Skills and Arts Ranking. This indicated that Shen Luoyan's family background was not simple, likely coming from a martial arts family.
In the world of The Twin Heroes of the Great Tang, just like in Qin's Moon, none of the famous figures truly came from the lowest rungs of society. Even Zhai Rang, who led a peasant uprising, was a powerful figure in the underworld.
The only two exceptions were Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. That's why, despite his dissatisfaction with their later foolish actions, Daniel still held them in high regard. For others, he might not have even bothered.
The Hundred Schools of Thought and aristocratic families, though their influence had been declining since the Qin Dynasty, still held significant power in this era. They were the ones who could dictate the rise and fall of dynasties.
The so-called "Five Surnames and Seven Clans" and the Guanlong aristocratic families were at the height of their power. Otherwise, the Sui Dynasty wouldn't have fallen after just two emperors, much like the Qin Dynasty.
Emperor Yang's three expeditions against Goguryeo failed largely because these aristocratic families interfered, as Emperor Yang sought to weaken their influence.
"So angry. It seems you admire that waste, Li Mi, quite a bit." Facing Shen Luoyan's Deadly Hairpin, Daniel raised his right index finger and lightly tapped forward. In an instant, the countless sword shadows vanished, and Shen Luoyan's short sword shattered into pieces, just as Daniel had done to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling earlier.
Shen Luoyan's martial arts were decent in this world, but she was only an innate-level expert, far from reaching the master level. Although her beauty was among the best in this world, her martial arts placed her below Wan Wan and Shi Feixuan.
Excluding the older generation, the top young female martial artists were undoubtedly Wan Wan and Shi Feixuan, followed by Shang Xiuxun and Dugu Feng. Then came Song Yuzhi, Li Xiuning, and Shen Luoyan.
The general ranking of martial arts in The Twin Heroes of the Great Tang was: first-rate, innate, master, and grandmaster. However, even within the same level, there could be vast differences in strength. For example, Shi Zhixuan was a master, but he could easily kill most other masters.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, thanks to the unique properties of the Longevity Scripture, often fought above their level.
"Who are you, really?" Shen Luoyan looked at the hilt of her sword, her expression complex. Although her strength wasn't exceptional, as the military advisor of the Wagang Army, she had seen many experts in battle. Even Li Mi might not have been able to shatter her weapon so effortlessly.
"I already told you. You'll find out in time. You know, last night, I witnessed quite a spectacle. Zu Junyan of the Wagang Army teamed up with the Turks, using Zhai Rang's daughter as bait to ambush Zhai Rang. Do you know who injured Zhai Rang? I think someone as clever as you can guess. Isn't that interesting? What do you think would happen if this news spread across the world?"
"Duke Mi... No, it's impossible. Sigh." Upon hearing Daniel's words, Shen Luoyan's first reaction was disbelief. But then, as if remembering something, she let out a deep sigh.
"Military Advisor Shen, I admire your talent. If one day you find yourself unable to continue serving that waste, Li Mi, you can come to me. I can assure you that my subordinates are chosen based on merit. This offer stands indefinitely. Think it over."
With that, Daniel walked in the direction Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling, and Qin Shubao had gone. Recruiting Shen Luoyan now was impossible, but if something happened to Li Mi, the situation would change.
"It's a pity I can't leave now. Otherwise, bringing Tian Yan here would make things much easier." Due to the timeline, Daniel couldn't leave now. Otherwise, he could have brought Tian Yan from the Qin's Moon world to establish a Net organization here.
"Duke Mi, how could you be so foolish?"
After Daniel left, Shen Luoyan frowned deeply. In her view, Li Mi's ambush of Zhai Rang was a grave mistake. If she had known, she would have vehemently opposed it. This was likely why Li Mi hadn't consulted her about such a significant move.
Li Mi probably thought his plan was airtight, unaware that someone had witnessed the entire event. In the original story, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, due to their lack of information and experience, couldn't immediately deduce the truth. Additionally, Lu Miaozi, who had seen it, didn't care enough to expose it.
But now, Daniel had seen it. For him, this was an excellent opportunity to undermine Li Mi and sow discord between Shen Luoyan and Li Mi. For Li Mi, having his plans outsmarted by a subordinate, especially a woman, would be a blow to his pride.
Although Li Mi held significant power within the Wagang Army, it was still Zhai Rang who had founded it. If Li Mi's actions were exposed, his reputation would be ruined. In this era of competing warlords, a tarnished reputation would make it difficult to attract followers, especially since he had colluded with the Turks. If this were revealed, Li Mi's image would be half-destroyed.
Why did Li Shimin so easily gather so many talented officials and fierce generals? It was largely due to the Li Clan's prestigious reputation. Many of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion in later years had already been recruited by Li Shimin.
(End of Chapter)
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