In a small mountain village on the outskirts of Yangzhou City, two young men drive a horse-drawn carriage along the village road.
" Young Master Zhong, where are we going now?" Xu Ziling asked Kou Zhong, who was sitting in the carriage.
"I've heard there's a Shi Long's Dojo in Yangzhou, and a Shi Long priest there named Shilong. I've heard he's very skilled in martial arts..."
Kou Zhong had a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, and a few vegetable leaves still clung to the corner of his clothes.
Although he had just been "enthusiastically" seen off by the villagers, he was not discouraged at all.
A true man should naturally travel the world, and the villagers had kindly taken them in for over two months, so they were feeling a little embarrassed.
As for good intentions leading to bad results, that's normal.
"A young man with no experience is unreliable." In the end, they were just two orphans who had relied on each other since childhood and wandered the world. They didn't have much manners or Humanity Sect.
After traveling for a while, the two squatted down next to the reeds by the roadside and began to discuss the future.
" Young Master Zhong, what if we get to Yangzhou and they won't accept us as apprentices?"
"It doesn't matter anymore. We've been wandering around since we were little, and we've run into so many obstacles growing up, I'm used to it."
In contrast to Xu Ziling's worries, Kou Zhong remained indifferent.
Despite being more composed and intelligent than him, Xu Ziling had a clearer understanding of the ways of the martial arts world.
" Young Master Zhong, do you think we're just not born with the aptitude for martial arts?"
" Young Master Ling, the truth is we just don't have the money to pay the tuition for becoming your apprentice."
Kou Zhong reluctantly revealed the truth, and then the two exchanged a smile.
"It's alright, I'll just call you Young Master."
Such is the bond between young people. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling relied on each other since childhood, growing up together, and were each other's motivation to live in the world.
The two then continued their discussion about finding a master to learn martial arts, and most importantly, about curing Xu Ziling's eyes.
Suddenly, a white light flashed in the distance, and then a figure abruptly appeared in front of them.
" Young Master Ling, did you see that? Someone suddenly appeared!" Kou Zhong excitedly shouted to his friend, then remembered that Xu Ziling was half-blind.
The person who suddenly appeared was, of course, Xu Xiao.
As soon as Xu Xiao arrived, he instinctively released his Divine Sense to check his surroundings, and then discovered Kou Zhong and his companion, as well as the carriage by the roadside.
On the carriage, a flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the crookedly written words ' Twin Dragons Carriage'.
'Wow, I'm so lucky this time! I ran into the main character right away!'
Based on their identities, locations, and the distinctive carriage, Xu Xiao immediately recognized them as the main characters.
'However, whether I'm here to collect the Four Great Books of Wonder or to deduce more profound martial arts techniques, these two protagonists should be able to lend me a hand.'
Having witnessed the power of the protagonist's halo, Xu Xiao had realized that making the most of these guys was the best approach.
That is to assign your goals to them and let them use their protagonist aura to help you achieve them quickly.
The protagonist's unique identity gives them a natural luck buff; often, you'll be busy for ages, only to be shorted by that one bit of luck from the other person.
Of course, this doesn't mean Xu Xiao should fawn over the protagonist; he won't. He'll only use coercion and enticement to turn the protagonist into a pawn he can manipulate at will.
At this critical juncture, the Twin Dragons brothers are still homeless orphans without any connections. As long as we show them kindness, it won't be difficult to win them over.
Just then, Kou Zhong boldly stepped forward and bowed to Xu Xiao with clasped hands.
"Brother, how did you suddenly appear? Is it martial arts?"
Xu Xiao looked at the other party with some surprise. Kou Zhong pulled Xu Ziling a few meters in front of him. It has to be said that Kou Zhong was really bold.
"Yes, what's up? Do you want to learn?" Xu Xiao looked at the two of them with a smile.
The protagonist himself offered himself up; there's no reason for him to refuse.
"Really? Big brother, will you teach us martial arts?"
Upon hearing this, Kou Zhong's face immediately lit up with joy.
He only dared to come up and ask, mainly because Xu Xiao's aura was too eye-catching.
He was dressed in a long black robe, had a handsome appearance, and possessed an Innate charisma that subtly inspired people to be close to him.
Appearance is the first stepping stone for people, and Xu Xiao's appearance and temperament at this time would make almost anyone feel good about him.
" Young Master Zhong, be careful, it might be a trap." Xu Ziling, who couldn't see Xu Xiao's face clearly, gently tugged at the other's sleeve and whispered a warning.
Despite their young age, they had already been navigating the treacherous world of martial arts for some time and were well aware of its dangers.
Martial arts skills are the most precious asset of every person in the martial arts world. Who would so easily teach martial arts to a stranger?
Kou Zhong, however, disagreed and whispered something in his good friend's ear:
" Young Master Ling, trust me this once. I have a feeling this is our chance to turn things around."
"So? Have you reached an agreement? Do you want to learn martial arts?"
Xu Xiao looked at the two with interest. Since that was the case, he would give them a chance to make a difference.
His purpose in coming to the Great Tang Twin Dragons World was to collect the Four Great Books of Wonder and the unique martial arts techniques within, to study these exquisite martial arts in order to find a way out for himself after Innate.
Taking these two main characters as disciples is a good thing; at least we can borrow some of their protagonist luck.
"We'd like to learn, so please, sir, teach us brothers!"
Kou Zhong was quick-witted; he immediately pulled Xu Ziling down to kneel, making it seem as if he wanted to perform the formal ceremony of becoming Xu Ziling's disciple.
'This Kou Zhong is indeed someone destined for great things; he has good judgment. Aside from some criticisms regarding his relationships with women, he's not bad at all.'
On the contrary, Xu Ziling, though seemingly clever and cautious, is actually easily influenced and indecisive, which doesn't suit my taste.
In the original drama, Kou Zhong originally had the opportunity to divide the country between the north and south with Li Tang, but he lost the throne because he was persuaded by his good brother Xu Ziling and by a bunch of women.
Otherwise, given Kou Zhong's military strength at the time, coupled with the help of Song Que, the Heavenly Saber, as long as they took over Central Shu and quietly waited for the three Li Tang brothers to fall into internal strife, it would be hard to say who would rule the world then.
'I've come here precisely to test the so-called destiny and the dragon aura of the Son of Heaven.'
Xu Xiao sized up the two men, then, taking advantage of the situation, addressed the two kneeling on the ground:
"I can teach you martial arts, but once you join my sect, your lives will be in my hands. Every word and action must abide by my rules. Can you do that?"
"This..." The two exchanged a Twin Dragons. Both of them were free-spirited by nature, and they were somewhat unwilling to sell themselves for the sake of martial arts.
"Think it over. If you learn my martial arts, you'll be the only one who reigns supreme in heaven and earth."
"Not only will he no longer have to live a life of wandering, but he can also become a superior person, and even his blindness can be cured immediately."
Xu Xiao tempted him with his words, then unleashed a palm strike.
The violent Spiritual Power blasted a huge crater in the wilderness dozens of meters away, and the flying dirt landed directly on Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's heads.
"Think it over before you decide whether you want to learn."
Xu Xiao looked at the two with a half-smile, seemingly asking a question but actually threatening them.