Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

The paper was provided by the Xiao family.

Both sides are empty.

Nothing special.

"Sincerity brings results."

Chen Shao pretended to perform a ritual until he felt the paper get a little warm, then gently flicked it.

boom!

The Xuan paper suddenly burst into flames.

"Good heavens!"

There were indeed cheers from the crowd.

This is different from the street performers they usually see.

Those are all talismans, things used to hide white phosphorus.

This is truly burning Xuan paper by hand!

You're surprised?

Chen Shao flicked his wrist, scattering ashes in front of him, and at the same time, he flipped his wrist.

A bowl of porridge, oozing with the rich aroma of meat, had appeared in his palm without him noticing.

The aroma of meat wafted through the hall.

The Xiao family members stared wide-eyed.

"It's so amazing!"

"It's just a minor matter."

Chen Shao, holding the bowl of porridge, turned and walked to the main seat.

He gently placed the bowl of porridge in front of the elegant and beautiful woman beside Xiao Yan.

laughed:

"Madam, please have a taste."

The reason he chose her was because Chen Shao saw a face full of spring-like joy.

Come to think of it, Xiao Yan, despite his good looks, should be around 60 years old, while this woman is only in her thirties.

An older man marrying a younger woman is most likely to cause trouble.

Regardless of whether it's useful or not, just try to please them first.

After all, having more wives means having more options.

Upon seeing this, the beautiful woman blushed deeply, appearing as shy as a young girl.

He turned to look at Xiao Yan, who nodded.

She gently picked it up and took a small sip with her spoon.

But when she tasted the meat porridge, she was stunned.

He couldn't help but lick the corner of his mouth.

"It's...it's so delicious! This is the first time I've ever tasted anything like this."

"Plump and juicy, with an irresistible aroma, it's truly satisfying."

Chen Shao smiled and said, "As long as Madam enjoys her meal."

"Gentlemen, the wonders of the Dao can turn stone into gold, but this is still a minor path."

Turning stone into gold is too little... Chen Shao once again drew everyone's attention to himself.

He saw a stiff bow hanging in the hall and took it down.

He gave it a gentle tug and exclaimed, "What a fine bow!"

"It's a pity that you can only shoot one arrow at a time. After shooting, you have to reload and reload. When you encounter the enemy, life and death are only a matter of moments. How can you afford to delay like this? In the end, you fall into a inferior category."

"I have a crossbow, which carries ten arrows and has a range of up to three hundred paces."

Just now, both of their actions—starting a fire with their bare hands and conjuring porridge out of thin air—were remarkable.

Everyone was shocked, shocked by the methods Chen Shao had used.

It falls far short of being truly shocking.

But things are different now.

The Xiao family was a powerful clan in a regional military region, operating between the Northern Barbarians and the capital.

What we need most is something to improve our combat strength.

They have no interest in meat porridge or anything like that, even if it's delicious.

But if something as exaggerated as Chen Shao described really exists, then the improvement for Lu Long would be incomparable.

The reason why the Northern Barbarians were able to defeat the Great Yan was because their horses were fast.

Lu Long, relying on his sharp arrows, could roam freely throughout the world.

Even the old man, Xiao Lue, couldn't help but take a deep breath and ask:

"Ten arrows from one crossbow, covering three hundred paces—isn't that a bit of an exaggeration, Daoist Master?"

He was really afraid that Chen Shao's answer would be: "I'm just kidding you guys."

"The crossbow arm is lengthened and thickened, the bowstring is made of the finest animal sinew, and there is an arrow box on the top of the crossbow body that can hold ten arrows. The arrow box has grooves in which the arrows are arranged in order, so there is no need to load them one by one."

"A connecting rod is located beneath the crossbow; simply hold the rod and push or pull..."

Chen Shao squinted and smiled:

"The materials needed are all ordinary; if we create a thousand, ten thousand, would that constitute the art of slaying dragons?"

The hall was completely silent.

After a moment, Xiao Yan stood up:

"Master...can this really be made?"

"Build it with my blueprints, and it will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."

Everyone gasped in shock.

If we really had such a repeating crossbow, we could directly confront the Northern Barbarian cavalry.

Before he could recover, he heard Chen Shao say:

"Of course, this is nothing more than a minor skill."

At this moment, even the usually refined and composed elders stood up at the same time.

His face was filled with shock:

"What?"

"Is this still considered a minor path?"

"Young man, you have no idea how important this kind of weapon is to an army."

"Master, is there a Great Dao?"

Chen Shao shook his head slightly and stood in the hall with his hands behind his back.

His gaze swept over everyone.

"It is easy to conquer the world, but difficult to govern it. The true path to conquering the world lies in being able to defend it, sustain it, and make it strong."

click-

Perhaps it was because I was too pretentious that I triggered the "Pretentiousness Gets Struck by Lightning" idiom.

A thunderclap descended from the sky, resounding throughout the heavens.

Fortunately, the Xiao family was wealthy and powerful, and their roof was thick enough that it didn't actually break off.

But that fleeting flash of light seemed to bathe Chen Shao in a holy glow.

That delicate face looked incredibly domineering.

Xiao Yan's face was filled with horror. He suppressed his shock and asked in confusion:

"Is the Great Way that you speak of, Master, perhaps the Confucian art of governing the country and bringing peace to the world?"

"No!"

"Confucianism is the foundation of peace and prosperity, but not the instrument for founding a nation."

"In this world, heroes vie for power, and the people are in dire straits. Poetry and literature cannot save the starving people, and rites and music cannot stop the iron cavalry."

"The great Dao that I speak of is a practical and applicable philosophy for governing the world."

He paused for a moment, his expression inscrutable.

"I once comprehended the secrets of heaven and glimpsed three volumes of heavenly books in the deep mountains."

"These three volumes of heavenly books are neither Buddhist nor Taoist, neither Confucian nor Mohist; they are the secret texts of ancient sage kings who governed the world."

Xiao Yan's scalp was already tingling, and he asked blankly:

"May I ask, Immortal Master... what are these three volumes of celestial books...?"

"Barefoot doctor, militia trainer—a dual-use talent!"

"The name is common and different from the classics and historical texts you are familiar with. The Heavenly Book is for all people and can be understood by ordinary people."

"Firstly, it can bring the dead back to life and restore flesh to bones."

"The methods of alchemy, acupuncture, disease prevention, and first aid for external injuries are uploaded, which can cure all poisons and heal serious illnesses. Even those who are on the verge of death have hope of recovery. This is the foundation for living in the world."

Secondly, they could scatter beans to create soldiers, creating an overwhelming force.

"Teaching the art of individual combat and the art of combined arms warfare can transform ordinary people into fierce soldiers, enabling them to form an army in ten days and go into battle in a month, achieving unparalleled military exploits."

Thirdly, it manipulates the workings of nature, creating something from nothing.

"It encompasses the methods of brick making, steelmaking, farming, and animal husbandry. It is the supreme path to establishing a school of thought and building a country from scratch."

Everyone stand up!

Without exception.

Chen Shao laid the groundwork step by step, aiming for this very effect.

These three volumes, in this era, could easily be called heavenly books.

Of course, in this era, it is also a path to death.

Do you think your Xiao family can reach for the heavens? You even dare to covet this kind of book.

Bullshit!

If someone else were to obtain it, they would be attacked by the masses.

Chen Shao smiled faintly:

"Gentlemen, would these things be sufficient to make me a guest of honor in the Xiao family?"

"They were more than just honored guests!"

This kind of hype, combined with the effect of "The Great Orator," is irresistible.

Especially a powerful ruler like Xiao Yan knew the significance of these crossbow bolts and the three volumes of heavenly books.

This is the complete team for conquering the world!

He couldn't help but blurt out:

"The immortal master is truly a genius. Such extraordinary skills are hidden among the Yellow Turban rebels. It is a terrible waste of such talent."

"Our Xiao family would like to invite you to be our guest advisor, so that we may work together to achieve great things."

"Cough cough."

Xiao Lue interrupted him, and he smiled meaningfully.

"Guest? That's too polite."

"Doesn't the head of the family happen to have a daughter of marriageable age?"

"Why not bestow the marriage upon the Immortal Master, strengthening family ties further? Wouldn't that be even better?"

The girl next to the beautiful woman blushed instantly.

Hiding behind the beautiful woman, he tugged at his mother's sleeve and whispered reproachfully:

"Mother, look at Grandpa Lue."

The beautiful woman smiled without saying a word, but secretly glanced at Chen Shao.

Xiao Yan's eyes lit up, and he quickly asked:

"I wonder if the Immortal Master is married..."

Xiao Lue angrily said:

"Whether the immortal master is married or not is not important; it won't be unfair to your daughter to be his concubine."

"That's true."