Chang'an and Luoyang were generally within the sphere of influence of the Yuwen Clan, but Yuwen Huaji rarely returned.
As a close advisor to Yang Guang Imperial Army, he spent most of his time accompanying Yang Guang in Luoyang, while Chang'an was mostly managed by other members of his Yuwen Family.
Speaking of which, the Yuwen Clan was indeed full of talented people. People like Yuwen Huaji and Yuwen Chengdu were all outstanding talents who made achievements in both martial arts and military affairs.
Meanwhile, in Chang'an, the stronghold of the Yuwen Clan, the one in charge of all this was Yuwen Shang, the Yuwen Family's top warrior.
An old fox who stays away from the court and controls the Imperial Army and the court through his sons and nephews.
Most of the Yuwen Clan supported Yuwen Huaji's secret preparations to rebel and reclaim the throne of the Northern Zhou Yuwen Family, while Yuwen Shang remained silent.
Even after Yuwen Huaji's failed attempt to usurp the throne, he led his clan to join the Li Clan, ultimately becoming a lackey of the Li Family.
This is also the way of life for powerful clans: never bet everything on one thing, in order to avoid the situation where losing one move could lead to the downfall of the entire family.
At this time, the old man also led a group of Yuwen clansmen to welcome Xu Xiao to his main residence in Chang'an City.
Having witnessed Xu Xiao's strength, the old man, who claimed to be "only one step behind" Song Que, had no choice but to completely submit.
Yuwen Shang, who had cultivated the Ice Profound Energy to its highest level, was subdued by Xu Xiao without even having a chance to make a move, which made the Yuwen Family realize the truth.
Even Yuwen Shang, the strongest fighter in the family, admitted defeat, so the other members of the Yuwen clan could only accept their fate. They couldn't possibly risk their entire family being wiped out just to save face!
If they truly had that kind of backbone, they would have perished together when Yang Jian replaced the Northern Zhou dynasty.
The main residence of the Yuwen Family was brightly lit and filled with singing and dancing; laughter and joy permeated the entire place.
"Come, come, let me offer another cup to the Heavenly Venerable."
Yuwen Shang was quite old, with a full head of white hair, but he was in very good spirits.
He was once defeated by Fu Cailin during the campaign against Goryeo, but by a stroke of luck he mastered the Ice Profound Energy to perfection and even had a fortuitous encounter. Now he is only one step away from becoming Great Grandmaster.
"Homage to the Heavenly Venerable!"
Everyone around raised their glasses to drink, and Xu Xiao, who was at the head of the table, also drank a glass in return.
After several rounds of drinks, all the Yuwen clan members outside the core circle left, and even the singing girls all withdrew.
Only Xu Xiao and the core members of the Yuwen Family were present in the main residence.
The Twin Dragons were arranged to practice martial arts early on, while Li Xiuning and Fu Junzhuo were specially looked after, waiting for Xu Xiao's future favor.
Xu Xiao left the Yuwen Family members here, naturally because he had important matters to ask them.
"I've already told you about the Duke Yang's Treasury Vault. Tomorrow, gather your troops and come with me to retrieve the treasure."
"At that time, all those weapons and treasures will be used to recruit soldiers and buy horses. You must help me build an army capable of conquering the world in a short period of time."
Xu Xiao sat at the head of the table and gave his instructions one by one.
The Yuwen clansmen below all nodded in agreement.
The Yuwen Family had already made preparations in secret. They had prepared weapons and provisions, and even secretly recruited and trained a group of soldiers.
If they could obtain the support of the legendary Duke Yang's Treasury, it would be like adding wings to a tiger, and they would surely be able to change dynasties.
'It's a pity that the throne was never meant for my Yuwen Family!'
Yuwen Shang was somewhat dejected; this was fate.
He had initially been skeptical of Yuwen Huaji's idea of usurping the throne and had prepared for the consequences of failure. However, Xu Xiao's arrival gave him a glimmer of hope for a change of dynasty, and he could only lament that the emperor's position was about to change hands.
Xu Xiao's meaning was clear: the Yuwen Family would listen to him and help him eliminate some ordinary military forces, but as for the truly powerful forces and experts, Xu Xiao would personally take care of them.
"Also, it's said that Zhongnan Mountain 'Dita Peak is the location of Cihang Jingzhai ). Does anyone know this?"
Xu Xiao, who was at the head of the table, spoke up to ask a question.
His second purpose in coming to Chang'an, besides opening the Duke Yang's Treasury, was to visit the Cihang Jingzhai.
The former possesses a treasure like the Evil Emperor Relic, which cannot be missed; the latter possesses the Cihang Sword Canon, one of the four great extraordinary skills.
Although this martial art is said to be only for women to practice, as one of the Four Great Books of Wonder, and the most complete one to be preserved, its importance to Xu Xiao is self-evident.
By observing small details, one can understand the wonder of the Four Great Books of Wonder.
Besides, Cihang Jingzhai is said to be full of young women, and Xu Xiao wanted to see if this all-female sect could surprise him.
"I've heard of Cihang Jingzhai before. Recently, there's been a slogan circulating in the martial arts world: 'For the sake of all living beings, let's choose a great ruler for the world.'"
Yuwen Shang spoke calmly, and seeing Xu Xiao at the head of the table nod in acknowledgment, he immediately added more.
"There were legends of cultivators on Zhongnan Mountain, but the imperial court and the common people usually don't interfere with each other, so I 'Taiqing if the rumors are true."
"However, since you have asked, I guarantee I will give you an answer within three days."
An old fox is an old fox; he speaks with utmost tact and precision.
These political prostitutes from Cihang Jingzhai often only had successors traveling the world periodically, so their reputations remained obscure.
But Xu Xiao doesn't believe that the Yuwen Family wouldn't know.
Regardless of whether the other party genuinely didn't know or was feigning ignorance, Xu Xiao was still very satisfied with their answer.
"Two days. I'm only giving you two days to figure it out as soon as possible. Remember, don't alert them; just find out their location."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Yuwen Shang nodded.
For the local Yuwen Family, this matter, though urgent, was not difficult.
"Also, didn't your Yuwen Family once have emperors? Tell me, what exactly is this True Dragon Qi?"
Xu Xiao's choice to subjugate the Yuwen Family was not without reason; the Yuwen Family were descendants of the Northern Zhou royal family.
He has not been emperor for more than a few decades.
They must have records of something like the True Dragon Qi.
The Yuwen clansmen below all turned their gazes toward Yuwen Shang, for only the current clan leader knew this secret.
"To be honest, although the Yuwen Family once ruled as emperors, they have not reached the point where they possess the True Dragon Qi."
Yuwen Shang replied with a wry smile.
"And the old? Is it because the Northern Zhou dynasty of the Yuwen Family was divided across the land?"
Xu Xiao asked why the Northern and Southern Dynasties period was so chaotic, and why the establishment of the Sui Dynasty unified it. This is the reason he speculated.
"Yes! At that time, the Northern Qi and Southern Chen existed, forming a tripartite balance of power. None of the emperors in each country truly unified their nations, thus preventing the emergence of the True Dragon Qi."
"Later, the Northern Zhou was usurped by Yang Jian, and the empire fell to the Sui Dynasty. It was only in his later years that Yang Jian developed the True Dragon Qi, which was then passed on to Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty."
Yuwen Shang sighed deeply; this was a regret for the Yuwen Family.
The loss of their ancestral heritage is a heartache for every ambitious man in the Yuwen Family.