Simultaneous travel: City, infinite evolution

Chapter 285 Yan Fei Infiltrates the Strategist Family to Exploit Their Resources [Requesting Recommendation Votes]

Just as everyone was looking at Chen Hong, with a hint of expectation in their eyes.

Chen Hong shook his head: "No need. I'm just here to learn. I have no interest in being the leader of any of the Hundred Schools of Thought."

Yan Fei's eyes showed a hint of regret, but she did not insist.

Instead, she took Chen Hong to read books together.

Ehuang and Nüying also joined in, helping to introduce various books and their experiences.

This place contains a collection of books gathered by the Yin-Yang School over several hundred years.

The collection of books is very extensive, including various schools of thought from the Hundred Schools of Thought, as well as some mysterious theories of Yin and Yang and ancient legends of gods and demons.

Chen Hong discovered that, apart from cultivating Qi, the biggest difference between the Yin-Yang School and the other schools of thought was that they pursued the limits of the universe and humanity to an extreme degree, and began to touch upon the realm of the soul at an early age, starting to refine the soul and develop its potential.

This is why the Yin-Yang School's Yin-Yang techniques look like mysterious and bizarre magic, and are out of place in the martial arts style of other schools.

Among the various schools of thought in ancient China, only the Daoists could play with magic and compete in terms of sophistication, just like the Yin-Yang School.

However, compared to the Yin-Yang school, Taoism is clearly much more moderate and peaceful, and its spells are not as bizarre.

Within a few days, Chen Hong had read through all the books in the Yin-Yang School's collection.

A certain place belonging to the Yin-Yang School.

Yan Fei and Donghuang Taiyi meet.

"Your Excellency Donghuang Taiyi, what important matter do you have that you summoned me for?" Yan Fei asked.

"That Chen Hong is very important."

"I have a feeling that he will be the key figure in stirring up the world situation."

"He has many secrets; he is a man shrouded in mystery."

"Perhaps he holds a secret even more important than the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon."

Yan Fei stared in shock, her eyes wide. "A secret even more important than the Seven Constellations of the Azure Dragon?"

“That’s right.” Donghuang Taiyi’s voice was deep, as if it came from ancient times. “The Azure Dragon Seven Mansions originated from an ancient secret passed down by the Zhou royal family.”

It is symbolized by the seven constellations of the Azure Dragon in the East (Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, Winnowing Basket).

Legend has it that unlocking this secret will grant the power to 'control the world'.

"Back then, Duke Zhuang of Zheng was the first to obtain some of the secrets. He only obtained a small part of that enormous power, yet he still dominated the world, which triggered the chaos of the Spring and Autumn Period."

“I see even more mysterious power in Chen Hong.”

Yan Fei took a deep breath. "So, what does Your Majesty the Eastern Emperor want me to do?"

Donghuang Taiyi's voice remained calm and deep, "I want you to infiltrate Chen Hong's inner circle and uncover his secrets."

Yan Fei's eyes flickered, then she calmed down.

"I know how to do it."

After saying this, Yanfei turned and left.

Only Donghuang Taiyi remained standing alone in the main hall, facing the wall, his entire body shrouded in black robes, lost in thought.

After emptying the Yin-Yang School, Chen Hong realized that Shao Siming had not yet appeared, so he wanted to leave.

But to his surprise, Dongjun Yanfei and the three women, Ehuang and Nüying, seemed to have become attached to Chen Hong and kept following him.

Yan Lingji and Hu Meiren were very dissatisfied.

"Three more vixens have appeared! How awful, how awful!"

Yan Lingji clenched her little fists indignantly, pouted, and looked very dissatisfied.

He felt that there were more and more vixens around, and that his status was being seriously challenged.

Hu Meiren also sensed the danger and stayed close to her brother-in-law, warily blocking the three Yin-Yang School witches.

After leaving the Yin-Yang School, Chen Hong went to the Qin Palace to discuss Taoism with Gai Nie.

I learned some of the traditions of the School of Diplomacy.

Throughout history, Guiguzi has been known as "the common people are in distress, the world is in turmoil, and among all the schools of thought, I alone am the most unparalleled."

It has a very high level of sophistication and is very mysterious.

Although Guiguzi was a single man, he was stronger than a million soldiers. His anger could make the feudal lords tremble, and his peace could bring tranquility to the world.

Among them, the most widely known disciples of the Guigu School were Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin, and Pang Juan from the Warring States period.

Forming alliances and counter-alliances was Guiguzi's most skillful trick.

Other methods are merely inferior.

In Chen Hong's view, this generation, represented by Gai Nie (representing "vertical alliance") and Wei Zhuang (representing "horizontal alliance"), is unlikely to produce a true Guiguzi.

Times have changed; the era of feudal lords vying for power, as seen in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, is over.

Unification is the common pursuit of all people under heaven.

Under a unified system, the tactics of forming alliances and counter-alliances become meaningless.

It would be very difficult to produce a true Guiguzi again.

Of course, in Chen Hong's view, this was due to the constraints of the times and the fact that the Guigu School no longer had disciples with a truly long-term vision and a broad perspective.

It is difficult to form alliances and counter-alliances in the land of China. But there are still tribes on the grasslands beyond the Great Wall, and countless countries in the Western Regions, India, Africa, and Europe that can be united by alliances and counter-alliances.
Although Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang were outstanding, they focused all their skills on swordsmanship, and their vision and character were not comparable to those of true heroes like Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin, and Pang Juan.

Chen Hong didn't care about these things; he would eventually unify the country.

He learned the [Guigu Breathing Technique] from Gai Nie. This is a secret breathing and exhalation method passed down from Guigu, which can make one immune to all poisons for a period of time.

Chen Hong then studied the Guigu School's methods for cultivating internal energy and true qi, comparing them with the methods of Taoism and the Yin-Yang School, gaining a deeper understanding of the basic cultivation system of this world. Chen Hong discovered that compared to the Taoist system's systematic approach of gradually cultivating internal energy from low to high levels, and then progressing to the more balanced cultivation method of true qi, the Guigu School's approach was far superior.

The Yin-Yang School takes an unorthodox approach, is impatient for quick results, and often squeezes out potential. They not only squeeze out the potential of the physical body's essence and vitality, but also the potential of the soul, pursuing the limits of heaven and man, and possessing abilities beyond ordinary people.

The strategists skipped the basic internal energy stage and directly breathed in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, absorbing external spiritual energy and refining it into their own true energy.

They also need to practice swordsmanship to hone their physical body and will, and with a strong will, imprint their true energy on themselves, making them agile and free.

They can even refine their true energy into sword energy to enhance their killing power.

This is undoubtedly the elite route; only exceptional geniuses can play this game.

Ordinary mortals cannot learn the methods of the Guigu School of Diplomacy.

No wonder the School of Diplomacy was so easily lost, and the Guigu School lost countless secret techniques and mysterious chapters in the process of its transmission.

For example, Guiguzi initially understood the secrets of heaven and comprehended the way of heaven. His knowledge of divination, military strategy, Qimen Dunjia, astronomy, geography, and many other things have been gradually lost.

When asked about this, Sword Saint Gai Nie said with great shame:
"I have limited talent and cannot learn as much as my master has. I can only focus on the way of the sword."

I do know a little bit about Qimen Dunjia and Bagua.

I'll teach you this [Eight Gates Escape - Ghost Valley Qimen Technique].”

The Eight Gates Escape: Ghost Valley's Strange Gate Technique is an escape technique used to confuse the enemy and make them flee.

Chen Hong learned it quickly.

Then Gai Nie began to teach him his true skills.

"To attack with a horizontal sword using strategy to gain advantage is called 'opening'; to attack with a vertical sword using momentum to gain reality is called 'closing'."

The art of opening and closing is the way of heaven and earth.

I primarily practice vertical sword techniques, while my junior brother Wei Zhuang primarily practices horizontal sword techniques.

"The characteristics of the vertical sword technique are simplicity, unpretentiousness, and the ability to kill with a single blow."

Without any unnecessary embellishment or showing off, it's a perfect combination of speed, power, and accuracy.

"【Rainbow Piercing the Sun】is based on the principle of gathering true energy at the sword's edge and transforming it into sword energy for release. Its attack form is like a rainbow directly striking the enemy."

The internal force is concentrated in a specific trajectory, allowing for the instantaneous accumulation and release of power.

The attack method is a vertical, straight thrust, possessing extremely strong penetrating power and speed.

Gai Nie explained the internal energy circulation route and key points of the Rainbow Piercing the Sun sword technique, and then personally demonstrated it. With a thrust of his sword, a crimson rainbow flew out like a bolt of lightning, and the sword energy pierced through everything.

Chen Hong learned it in no time, and then thrust out his sword, sending out a crimson rainbow like a bolt of lightning.

Gai Nie was full of praise: "Your talent is beyond my reach."

If my master were to see you, he would be overjoyed and would impart all his skills to you.

"You flatter me, you flatter me." Chen Hong didn't pay attention to Gai Nie's praise.

Yan Lingji, Hu Meiren, and the others looked proud and honored.

Yanfei, Ehuang, and Nüying, on the other hand, were used to it and had long been numb with shock.

Gai Nie then unleashed the ultimate killing sword technique of the vertical sword, known as the "Hundred-Step Flying Sword," which can "sever a throat with a single blade and fly a hundred paces away."

Chen Hong quickly learned the Hundred Steps Flying Sword technique.

Gai Nie continued to explain the horizontal sword technique. Although he mainly studied the vertical sword technique, it did not mean that he was not good at the horizontal sword technique.

Just like Wei Zhuang can use the Hundred Steps Flying Sword technique, Gai Nie can also use the Vertical Sword technique.

When he defeats Wei Zhuang one day and unites the two factions, he will become the new Guiguzi.

Gai Nie unleashed his "Horizontal Sweep Across the Four Directions" technique. Although it was only one move, it produced four variations in the instant it was unleashed, each as fast as lightning and fleeting.

Chen Hong quickly learned the [Straight Across the Four Directions] technique.

Gai Nie then used "Horizontal Sweep in All Directions," which is the strongest move among all the horizontal sword techniques that have appeared in the Guigu School of Swordsmanship.

Gather your sword momentum and release powerful sword energy in eight directions (or release it in one direction at a time).

When used, it summons a black dragon to attack, with a powerful and overwhelming aura.

Its power is comparable to the "Hundred Steps Flying Sword" move, a representative technique of vertical swordsmanship.

Chen Hong quickly learned how to traverse all directions.

Gai Nie borrowed a sword and demonstrated the most powerful combined sword technique of the Guigu School—[Alliance and Horizontal Strike].

When used, the surroundings transform into a watercolor painting background, and the sword energy manifests as black and white dragons.

The black dragon formed by the "Sweeping Across All Directions" sword energy blasted the enemy away, while the white dragon formed by the "Hundred Steps Flying Sword" delivered a fatal blow to the opponent.

Chen Hong quickly learned the art of forming alliances and counter-alliances.

After mastering all the techniques of the Vertical and Horizontal Swordsmanship, Chen Hong's sword control became even more powerful, and his flying sword could unleash even greater force.

After emptying the pockets of the strategists, Chen Hong left triumphantly with the group of beauties.

What Chen Hong didn't know was that his arrival brought about a series of changes, stirring up ripples on the already turbulent surface.

With the help of Chen Hong, King Ying Zheng of Qin began to plot and prepare to wrest power back from Lü Buwei and the Queen Dowager of Zhao, thus ushering in an era of personal rule for the King of Qin.

He first used the steel-making method to win over the support of some high-ranking military officials, and then secretly established steel mills in various mining areas to smelt steel and forge weapons, thereby gaining control of a portion of the military power.

They also established paper mills and printing workshops to print books on a large scale, thereby gaining the prestige and support of the general public.

He also printed Legalist books, which gained the support of some Legalist ministers in the court and allowed him to consolidate some of the political power.

(End of this chapter)