Even so, the situation was still very difficult for Qi Ling. After all, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Although the Shang Dynasty was corrupt and decadent, heroes could emerge in chaotic times, and it was not easy to dismantle it.
This feeling intensified after Qi Ling met the so-called State Preceptor Zhao. In every respect, he was an extremely capable person. With him as the commander of an army, the difficulty of destroying the Shang Dynasty increased exponentially.
In particular, when he learned the other party's real name, Qi Ling's expression became incredibly strange. He had originally thought that, since the surname was Zhao, the person could at most be Zhao Zilong, right?
"Lord Azure Dragon is truly forgetful. I am Zhao Gongming. Please do not forget me again, my lord." The handsome and refined State Preceptor Zhao smiled at Qi Ling, his demeanor exuding composure and calmness.
Qi Ling then slapped his forehead. "Yes, Zhao Gongming, isn't this perfectly reasonable?"
"Huh? Why did Lord Azure Dragon do this?" Zhao Gongming asked Qi Ling, puzzled.
"Ah, hahaha, it's nothing, just swatting mosquitoes," Qi Ling said helplessly. "The Imperial Advisor has such a nice name; it sounds like he's very wealthy."
"How could we dare? We are all doing this to share the King's burdens; how could we possibly have any selfish motives?" Zhao Gongming laughed.
After informing Zhao Gongming of the information, Qi Ling left. The situation was becoming increasingly critical, and she couldn't afford to delay any longer.
Now that Su Daji is no longer interfering in the affairs here, it undoubtedly means that I have become the highest commander of the Brocade Guard. If I can persuade the Brocade Guard to surrender, it will undoubtedly be a major turning point in the war.
White Tiger Qi Ling had already met the other three commanders of the Brocade Guard. They were foolish and naive, and had no loyalty to the Shang Dynasty. All they cared about was brotherhood, so he should not be difficult to persuade.
As for Black Tortoise, Qi Ling has already met it. Generally speaking, it's similar to White Tiger. So now there's only Vermilion Bird left, Qi Ling hasn't met yet. She will be the last obstacle for Qi Ling to control the Brocade Guard.
Through others, Qi Ling also learned about Vermilion Bird. If we were to use an analogy, Azure Dragon was the heart of the Brocade Guard, while Vermilion Bird was Brocade Guard brain. Almost all the arrangements were strategies made by Vermilion Bird after integrating information from all sides. Qi Ling's role was simply to provide the general direction.
Such a person would likely be very difficult to deal with, because she is different from White Tiger and Black Tortoise; she cannot be easily dealt with with just a few words.
Even when necessary, Qi Ling has no choice but to resort to special means; killing is not a difficult task for him.
After returning to the headquarters of the Brocade Guard, Qi Ling went to see Vermilion Bird. Vermilion Bird lived in the deepest part of the Brocade Guard headquarters, which was actually a restricted area within the Brocade Guard. So, there were usually no people there, and no one knew what Vermilion Bird was doing there.
This might be for secrecy, to prevent information from leaking out, but it actually makes things convenient for Qi Ling to act. In a place like this, no matter how much commotion she causes, no one will notice.
So Qi Ling arrived at the room where Vermilion Bird lived, and after knocking on the doorknob, a red sign on the door immediately turned green, indicating that Qi Ling could enter.
This was a special operation performed by Vermilion Bird, because the iron door was extremely thick and airtight, and not a sound could pass through it. Therefore, the only way to enter was through this special mechanism.
She pushed open the heavy iron door, then closed it again, and the mechanism on the door locked itself once more. After entering the room, Qi Ling finally met the mysterious Vermilion Bird.
As others have said, Vermilion Bird is a very beautiful woman with striking long red hair, but she is also meticulous, extremely calm and serious.
"Lord Azure Dragon, what brings you here? Our action plan seems to have just been finalized," Vermilion Bird said to Qi Ling, putting down the book in her hand.
Qi Ling smiled and said, "It's nothing, it's just that there are some things I don't understand, so I wanted to ask you for advice so that I can be better prepared."
"Oh? Is that so? If there's anything you don't understand, please feel free to ask me. I'll answer to the best of my knowledge," said Vermilion Bird.
"Okay, there are actually a few things I don't understand." Qi Ling said as she walked towards Vermilion Bird, intending to at least subdue her first, and then decide how to deal with her.
So Qi Ling pulled out a few excuses she had prepared and asked her for them. Vermilion Bird Qi Ling answered them one by one. Just as Qi Ling was about to make her move, Vermilion Bird suddenly said, "Is my lord already planning to make his move? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Qi Ling was startled. How did she figure that out? She cautiously asked, " Vermilion Bird, what are you talking about? What do you mean by 'take action'?"
"I mean, it's a bit too hasty for you to take action against me now, sir," Vermilion Bird said. "Even if you kill me, you won't gain control of the Brocade Guard, and it might even backfire, causing you to lose everything you currently control."
Qi Ling was shocked when Vermilion Bird suddenly revealed his thoughts. Just then, Vermilion Bird appeared in front of him, opened his arms and hugged Qi Ling, and then they fell backward together.
If Vermilion Bird were to make any attack on Qi Ling, Qi Ling Qi Ling could react instinctively, as these instincts were ingrained in her very being and required no thought.
But faced with such an advance, Qi Ling Qi Ling was at a loss for words. When she fell to the ground and heard the sound of a mechanism activating, she knew something was wrong; she had fallen into a trap.
"As expected, someone as skilled in martial arts and quick-witted as you, sir, is often at a loss when the opponent doesn't attack," Vermilion Bird said, getting up from Qi Ling. "Perhaps this is a common trait among men."
At this moment, Qi Ling's hands and feet were bound by mechanisms. Clearly, this position was carefully calculated by Vermilion Bird and was specially prepared for Qi Ling.
These mechanisms are ingenious. Not only are the materials used extremely sturdy, but their locations have also been carefully calculated to prevent Qi Ling from exerting force. Without the ability to use her strength, Qi Ling cannot break free from these mechanisms by relying solely on her physical strength.
In other words, Qi Ling originally wanted to subdue the other party, but now the other party has subdued her, and the situation has been reversed instantly.