NOVEL WEB Chapter 292 Eavesdropping?
"Alas, we brothers have traversed many places, yet we haven't made a name for ourselves, much to Tao Yu's amusement."
Li Yong, who led the group, spoke of the difficulties they faced as they journeyed on.
It was clear that they were seasoned hands, with some skill to their name.
They had drifted from under Du Fuwei to Xiao Xi's command, and then to Shen Faxing, followed by Lin Shihong, before finally heading to Wagang Village. After their leader was killed by Li Mi, they felt it wasn't the place for them and started running.
It felt like they had traveled everywhere under the heavens.
"Look on the bright side, having survived so many battles is already the greatest of luck."
Tao Yu said comfortingly.
And this wasn't just words of consolation. Even before Yang Guang had died, heroes had already begun to rise everywhere.
It was now even more turbulent, a truly Chaotic Era.
These few men had managed to survive thousands of miles from Du Fuwei to traveling around the entire world; this in itself was a skill.
Their strength derived from battles in the military, somewhat resembling Li Jing's style. However, their set ways and the limitations of their inner foundation meant their full potential was capped. Otherwise, their achievements could have been much higher by now.
This was the drawback of the martial arts in the Great Tang world.
The talents of the Twin Dragons had always been praised, but due to a late start, even with the miraculous Longevity Secret, they still needed the He's Jade Disc and the Demonic Emperor's relic to compensate for their weak foundation.
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In Tao Yu's opinion, this could be due to the domineering nature of True Qi in Great Tang. If one couldn't get their meridians used to it and strengthen them during their growth, trying to expand them later in life could lead to damage because they couldn't withstand it, and one would have to slow down the expansion process.
In contrast, Metal Series Inner Strength, while weaker, was much gentler, allowing Huang Shang, a mere civil official compiling the Taoist Canon, to be filled with Inner Strength after completing his work.
"Hey, now we just want to see who this He's Jade Disc selects as the leader of the world and settle down with him instead of wandering any longer. Even dying on the battlefield would be better than continuing this unsettled life."
After all, they were hardened veterans, and from their discontent with Du Fuwei's military discipline to their displeasure with Li Mi's usurpation, these rough military men had their own understanding and principles.
They may have committed some wrongdoings, but overall, their moral compass was relatively upright for this era.
And through their words, one could see the influence of the Buddhist Sect's maneuver.
The "Hermit" Ning Daoqi and the Buddhist Sect representative Shi Feixuan had jointly chosen the leader and bestowed upon him the He's Jade Disc. Under the blessing of such a momentum, many aspirants like Li Yong would join them.
In an era where information flow was limited, this was an absolute trump card.
With the leader endorsed by the Mercy Temple representing the Buddhist Sect, they would be immediately elevated to sainthood.
"But is the leader of the world selected by jade?"
Tao Yu asked with some curiosity.
"That is the He's Jade Disc."
Li Yong and the others didn't really understand much and couldn't explain why.
"So what?"
"That's from 'Hermit' Ning Daoqi, one of the top three Grandmasters in the world."
"You also said there are three Grandmasters, and there are more than just them when it comes to high-level masters. If Heavenly Blade Song Que also selected a leader, whom would you choose?"
"That's not quite the same..."
The three might have their own convictions, but they indeed hadn't read much and simply couldn't argue back.
But Tao Yu wasn't trying to change their minds about anything. His actions would certainly go against those of Mercy Temple, and he might have to confront them someday, so he simply nudged them in that direction.
In the end, if they chose that side, it wouldn't matter much; these minor characters wouldn't likely stand a chance against him.
"But you're right, Tao Brother, since when are leaders chosen by jade? However, it's rumored that Shi Feixuan has unparalleled swordsmanship, and despite her young age, she's considered one of the best hands in the world."
Hearing this, Tao Yu also felt somewhat moved.
At this time, Shi Feixuan was indeed very strong, with only Wanwan able to compete with her on the same stage among the younger generation. Xu Ziling, Kou Zhong, Ba Fenghan, Yang Xuyan, and the boot-licking son of nobility had established their fame, but when compared, they were entirely in a different league from the former two.
They were in a league of their own within the younger generation.
But Shi Feixuan's current strength could only be considered top-tier; although she had a high realm, her actual combat ability was still at the level of Du Fuwei and Li Mi, at most having an advantage due to her higher realm.
She could compete with the older generation of experts, but that was about it.
Yet the current rumors and momentum made it seem like even people like Empress Yin were falling behind Shi Feixuan.
It must be said that public opinion can sometimes be a sharp blade, especially in a place like Great Tang which places great importance on spiritual cultivation.
This momentum had already given Shi Feixuan and Wanwan a natural advantage in their upcoming duel.
Out of the four great odd volumes, it's clear that the Sword Canon of Mercy is the least remarkable, relying entirely on a promotional advantage to gild itself.
But the scattered state of the Demon Sect, combined with the actions of Mercy Temple, truly allowed them to suppress the Demon Sect for many years.
It was only after a day's journey filled with idle chatter, and brief stops for rest and meals that they arrived outside of Luoyang as the sky began to darken…
"They really did build thirty-zhang high city walls…"
From afar, Tao Yu gazed at the majestic hundred-meter city wall of Luoyang and couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.
That was the height of more than thirty floors of a high-rise building!
What a grand construction project it must have been!
And the city gates, wide enough for four lanes of carts to travel side by side, as well as the bustling flow of people and the connecting waterways, indeed presented a living wonder.
"No wonder it's said that Luoyang can't be taken by direct assault, only by siege."
Tao Yu sighed in his heart.
Even the strongest of this world would find it difficult to overcome such heights, to say nothing of ordinary soldiers.
A hundred-meter ladder? It would snap in half just being raised.
Even a super-giant would cry at the sight of these walls.
"Damn, those walls are really high. Who could possibly take them down."
Li Yong and his companions had fought in many places, but it seemed this was their first time in Luoyang, their faces full of shock.
"Haha, those defending the city are also human. Sometimes, it's not about breaching the walls, but breaking people's spirits..."
Tao Yu laughed heartily.
"Well said, no matter how sturdy the city is, once the people's will collapses, taking it down is as easy as flipping one's hand."
While Tao Yu and Li Yong conversed in normal speaking voices, a man dressed in military attire on horseback laughed heartily a few zhang away, praising Tao Yu's statement, prompting Tao Yu to glance sideways at him.
The newcomer appeared to be around thirty, with a handsome bearing. He did not carry a weapon, but his hands bore calluses, and he had an air of being tempered in military life.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Tao Yu realized that this is likely the time when Li Mi had defeated Yuwen Huaji, with his forces pointing directly at Luoyang.
Seems like the Twins might have been cooperating with Wang Shichong at this time?
This expert, observing outside the walls of Luoyang yet not entering the city, could very well be connected to Li Mi.
And since Li Yong and the others had previously served at Wagang, only escaping after the death of the chief, their expressions changed abruptly when they saw the man who spoke, and hisfew horses of robust escorts, they blurted out,
"Xu Shiji!"