During Yuwen Huaji's operation with the Sui army against the temple, Daniel had been observing from the sidelines. On one hand, he was there to suppress Yuwen Huaji and ensure that he followed the plan. On the other hand, he wanted to observe how the military and martial artists of this world fought.
The results, however, left Daniel somewhat disappointed. After all, the troops Yuwen Huaji was leading were Yang Guang's imperial guards. Yet, in terms of equipment, they couldn't compare to the Qin army from the "Qin's Moon" world. They weren't even on par with the local troops, such as the Pingyang Heavy Armor soldiers.
Of course, considering the differences between the two worlds, it was somewhat unfair to compare the Sui army's equipment to that of the Qin army. After all, this was an era where Confucianism reigned supreme, and the Hundred Schools of Thought had been suppressed. Without the astonishing mechanical arts of the Qin era, the development of military equipment would naturally be much slower. Not to mention, in the Qin world, even black-tech like the Hundred War Divine Machine Crossbow was on the verge of being developed.
"Next, I'll show you a new way of warfare. Losing to the Turks is just a joke." Thinking about how the mechanical troops would face the terrifying cavalry of the Turks, Daniel suddenly smiled.
"Young master's methods truly earn my sincere admiration." At this moment, Wan Wan, barefoot, walked slowly to Daniel's side. Looking at the scene in the square, her expression was filled with emotion.
The demonic sects and the righteous factions led by Cihang Jingzhai had been at odds for hundreds of years, with the demonic sects often at a disadvantage. But in the blink of an eye, this once-formidable enemy had fallen from grace. Even as a member of the demonic sects, Wan Wan felt a sense of surrealism.
"This is just the beginning."
Cihang Jingzhai and the Buddhist sects had been established for a long time. Moreover, this was an era where strength was revered. Without someone like Daniel, who had a unique perspective, overthrowing the Buddhist sects would be a long and arduous task.
The influence and power of the Buddhist sects were immense. In the original story, because of Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, the Buddhist sects hadn't shown much of their strength but still achieved their strategic goals.
In this world, apart from Daniel, no one else had the insight to see the root problems of the Buddhist sects. Even Song Que had changed his stance because of a letter from Fan Qinghui.
"By the way, I want to meet your master, Zhu Yuyan." After a brief silence, Daniel continued.
"It seems young master has long known about Wan Wan's identity." Hearing Daniel mention Zhu Yuyan's name and knowing she was her master, Wan Wan's eyes narrowed slightly.
If Daniel had only known her identity, Wan Wan wouldn't have been too surprised. But knowing exactly who her master was was different.
"Have you ever hidden your identity?" Daniel smiled and shook his head. He wasn't like that blind manor lord who had been so infatuated that he didn't even realize what was happening until his death. Wan Wan's behavior along the way had already exposed her.
For one thing, if she were an ordinary weak woman, she wouldn't have been able to keep up with the pace of their journey to Yangzhou. Yet, Wan Wan had followed effortlessly.
Similarly, Wan Wan also knew that Daniel had seen through her. However, both had tacitly continued the charade without revealing it. But now, things were different. Even if Daniel hadn't planned to expose Wan Wan, Wan Wan was ready to cooperate with Daniel.
Just from Daniel's move to cut off the enemy's lifeline and tarnish the reputation of the Buddhist sects, there was a basis for cooperation. However, what Wan Wan didn't expect was that Daniel didn't just want cooperation—he wanted the demonic sects to serve him.
"The most outstanding disciple of the demonic sects in this generation, how could I not know?" Daniel thought to himself. Moreover, Wan Wan was the future teacher of the female emperor. In terms of achievements, Wan Wan had surpassed most of the demonic sects' predecessors.
"Young master is too kind. Wan Wan is just an insignificant disciple of the sacred sect. But is young master planning to cooperate with the sacred sect to take Luoyang?" Wan Wan smiled.
"That's your idea, right?" Daniel was slightly taken aback by Wan Wan's words but quickly understood her meaning.
For the demonic sects, even if Daniel had Yang Guang's edict, which gave him a legitimate claim to rule Luoyang, it was still wishful thinking. First, Wang Shichong would never give up control of Luoyang. He might not dare to openly defy Yang Guang's edict, but he could simply delay until Yang Guang died, or even sideline Daniel.
Moreover, there was also the Dugu family in Luoyang. Among the four great families, the Dugu family had the closest relationship with Yang Guang. Their fates were intertwined. Even in the current situation, Dugu Sheng, the second most important figure in the Dugu family, was serving as Yang Guang's bodyguard, commanding five thousand imperial guards.
Neither of these forces would cooperate with Daniel. If Daniel wanted to gain control of Luoyang, he would have to defeat them. If he cooperated with the demonic sects, this wouldn't be difficult.
"Your idea isn't bad, but unfortunately, the demonic sects are not qualified to cooperate with me. They can only submit to me. Otherwise, there's no need for the demonic sects to exist." As he spoke, Daniel suddenly waved his left hand, and the next moment, the two of them disappeared from the hotel balcony, replaced by a fist-sized stone that fell onto the balcony.
"Where is this? How is this possible?" The sudden change in environment startled Wan Wan. When she realized where they were, she looked at Daniel in disbelief.
The two were now on a small mountain outside Yangzhou, overlooking the city's tall walls.
"The facts are right in front of you, Miss Wan Wan." Daniel moved his right hand, and the surroundings immediately turned from color to black and white—the Daoist Tianzong's "Heaven and Earth Lose Color."
The sudden change made Wan Wan's expression shift. But just as she was about to react, she found that her body couldn't move. This development made her expression even more grim.
As Zhu Yuyan's disciple and the demonic sects' holy maiden of this generation, Wan Wan's Demonic Heavenly Art had reached the seventeenth level. In terms of strength, she was second only to Zhu Yuyan within the Yin Kuai Sect. Even facing other elders of the Yin Kuai Sect, such as Bian Bufu and Bi Shouxuan, Wan Wan was not inferior.
With such strength, not even Zhu Yuyan, let alone Ning Daoqi and other grandmasters, could completely immobilize her.
"Young master, what are you planning to do?" Seeing Daniel's face getting closer, Wan Wan felt a bit nervous, but her expression remained calm.
"This place is deserted, and Miss Wan Wan is such a beauty. What do you think I want to do?" Daniel leaned close to Wan Wan's ear, inhaling her fragrance, and spoke slowly.
"Then young master, please be gentle with this little girl." Wan Wan's breath was like an orchid, and the fragrance on her body made Daniel's heart flutter. He quickly took two steps back and dispelled the "Heaven and Earth Lose Color."
"No fun. You knew I wouldn't do anything, didn't you?" Daniel felt a bit frustrated. He had wanted to see if Wan Wan would show any fear.
"If young master wants, this little girl wouldn't mind accompanying you, but not now." Once she regained her mobility, Wan Wan walked over to Daniel and took his left arm, as if nothing had happened.
"Aren't you afraid your Demonic Heavenly Art won't reach its highest level?"
The Demonic Heavenly Art of the demonic sects was a peculiar martial art. If one lost their virginity before reaching the eighteenth level, they would never achieve the highest level.
In terms of the Demonic Heavenly Art's level, Zhu Yuyan, Wan Wan, and Shan Meixian were on the same level. Of course, the same level didn't mean the same strength. In terms of actual combat power, Shan Meixian was the weakest among the three.
However, this referred to the previous Shan Meixian. After taking the Immortal Gathering Pill, her strength had improved.
Daniel had encountered similar martial arts techniques before, such as the Yang Five Thunder and Yin Five Thunder styles from the One Piece world, as well as the Virgin Boy Skill However, with the modernization of society, the practice of the Virgin Boy Skill had become increasingly rare.
"Young master seems to know a lot about the sacred sect." Many people knew about the Demonic Heavenly Art, but few outside the demonic sects knew its specifics.
"There are few things in this world that can be hidden from me. For example, I know that Bian Bufu has been bothering you. Should I help you deal with him? I've already promised Shan Meixian of the Dongming Sect to kill him. You just need to lure him out."
"This world? Is young master not from this world?" When Wan Wan asked this, her expression seemed calm, but the grip on Daniel's left arm revealed her inner turmoil.
"What do you think?" Daniel looked at Wan Wan with a mysterious smile, not giving a direct answer.
"Is young master from the world beyond the shattered void?" As the successor of the Yin Kuai Sect, Wan Wan was naturally aware of the concept of the shattered void.
"You'll find out in time." Daniel freed his arm from Wan Wan's grasp. Although it was comfortable to be held by her, it was time for him to leave.
Revealing to Wan Wan that he wasn't from this world was part of Daniel's plan. Since he had come to the world of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," it was possible he might travel to other eras with a Chinese background.
In other worlds, he might not intervene, but when it came to China, it was different. In such cases, he would naturally need some subordinates, such as Tian Yan, Wan Wan, and others.
"Wan Wan, see you in Luoyang." With that, Daniel flew into the air, bid farewell to Wan Wan, and flew away.
"The shattered void? It seems they're truly finished this time."
Watching Daniel fly away, Wan Wan suddenly smiled. If Yang Guang's actions had only tarnished the reputation of Cihang Jingzhai, Jingnian Chanzong, and Ning Daoqi, the Buddhist sects might have had a chance to recover after paying a certain price. But now, things were different. With Daniel's overwhelming strength compared to Ning Daoqi and the Four Holy Monks, and with the demonic sects no longer fearing Cihang Jingzhai without these top experts, the situation had changed.
"Lu Miaozhi, your retirement is over." Flying through the air, Daniel thought for a moment before a flying sword appeared beneath his feet. He then flew towards the Flying Horse Ranch.
To recreate the mechanical arts in this world, he naturally needed talents in that field. Without a doubt, Lu Miaozhi was such a talent. Now that Luoyang was within his grasp, he needed Lu Miaozhi to help him create an army of mechanical beasts.
"You really know how to enjoy yourself." Arriving at Lu Miaozhi's small building in the Flying Horse Ranch, Daniel found Lu Miaozhi sitting and savoring his Six-Fruit Liquid, smiling as he watched Shang Xiuxun and Shi Qingxuan play a game of Go.
"Young master, you're here." Seeing Daniel appear, Lu Miaozhi immediately stood up, followed by Shang Xiuxun and Shi Qingxuan.
From the curious look in Shi Qingxuan's eyes, it seemed Lu Miaozhi had told her about Daniel being a sword immortal.
"Don't mind me, continue. I'm here to see Elder Lu." Daniel waved his hand, signaling Shang Xiuxun and Shi Qingxuan to continue their game. Unfortunately, it seemed they had lost interest.
"Young master, what brings you here?" Lu Miaozhi asked.
"I've mentioned it before. Now that I have this, it's time to ask you to come out of retirement." Daniel took out Yang Guang's edict and handed it to Lu Miaozhi.
"Governor of Luoyang. Young master plans to use Luoyang as a starting point to unify the world." After reading the edict, Lu Miaozhi immediately understood Daniel's plan.
As for whether they could take Luoyang, Lu Miaozhi wasn't concerned. With the strength of a sword immortal, taking Luoyang would be easy.
"Unifying the world is just the beginning. What I want is to end the chaos of war once and for all." Daniel then explained part of his grand plan.
However, this time, it was different from what he had told the Twin Dragons and Wan Wan. This time, he spoke from the perspective of land and taxes. The rise and fall of dynasties were largely due to severe land annexation.
Even someone as talented as Lu Miaozhi had never evaluated dynasties from such a height. At this moment, even Shang Xiuxun and Shi Qingxuan were nodding in agreement.
"The Buddhist sects, are they really that greedy?" Shang Xiuxun looked at Shi Qingxuan in surprise when Daniel mentioned the Buddhist sects. Shi Qingxuan had close ties with the Buddhist sects, but this time, even she couldn't refute Daniel's claims, especially when he mentioned the amount of wealth involved.
The staggering number shocked Lu Miaozhi, Shang Xiuxun, and Shi Qingxuan. Shang Xiuxun, as the owner of the Flying Horse Ranch, knew exactly how much wealth that number represented. To put it bluntly, the wealth accumulated by the Flying Horse Ranch over the years paled in comparison to that of a single Buddhist temple.
"They're even greedier. In fact, it's not just the Buddhist sects that are greedy—it's human nature. The Buddhist sects don't engage in production, yet they practice martial arts, build golden Buddha statues, wear luxurious robes, and enjoy extravagant lifestyles. Naturally, they need vast amounts of wealth. Most importantly, none of this is taxed."
The saying "poor scholars, rich martial artists" held true. Don't think that monks don't eat meat—that's only for ordinary monks. Those who practice martial arts must eat meat to maintain their strength.
And don't assume that monks live ascetic lives. Their robes and kasayas are made of the finest silk.
"You've thoroughly offended them this time."
"Do I look afraid of them? Instead of focusing on their prayers, they meddle in choosing the emperor. They're just asking for trouble." At this point, Daniel looked at Shi Qingxuan and continued, "I hope Miss Qingxuan will keep what's discussed here confidential for now. I know you have close ties with Cihang Jingzhai and trust them deeply. But from what I know, they're not as virtuous as they appear. Bi Xiuxin's death was quite suspicious."
(End of Chapter)
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