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The bright afternoon sun shone through the clouds, bringing a touch of warmth and dispelling the last trace of chill from the earth.

Yi Huawei and Shan Wanjing walked side by side, quietly blending into the most bustling metropolitan street of Chang'an City.

In an instant, a cacophony of voices, hawkers' cries, and the sounds of vehicles surged forth like a tide, filling the air with a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

Along the long street, shops lined the streets, their banners fluttering, displaying a dazzling array of goods, from ordinary local products to exotic treasures from the Western Regions and Southeast Asia.

The enticing aromas of food wafted from the taverns and restaurants, drawing crowds of customers. Pedestrians thronged shoulder to shoulder, a constant flow of people including scholars, merchants, foreigners, and commoners.

Dan Wanjing subconsciously narrowed her increasingly clear and deep eyes slightly to adjust to the sudden light and noise. A single day had passed, yet to her, it felt like an eternity. The inhuman torment in the underground stone chamber, the near-collapse pain, the transformative elevation—recalling it now, it all felt unreal. However, the vast, surging true energy within her body, and the unprecedented clarity and sharpness in her mind, constantly reminded her that it was all a real miracle.

Strolling along the smooth stone-paved streets, Shan Wanjing's gaze wandered, meticulously observing this world-renowned capital city. Looking at the rows of magnificent buildings lining both sides of the road, the mostly satisfied and peaceful expressions on the faces of passersby, and listening to the vibrant sounds of daily life, she couldn't help but sigh softly:
"Chang'an... truly lives up to its reputation. Compared to Luoyang, it seems to possess a more composed and domineering aura."

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei turned his head and glanced at her.

Dan Wanjing changed out of her tight-fitting clothes and into a dress more in line with the current fashion trends in Chang'an. The upper body was a narrow-sleeved, lake-green blouse made of top-quality Jiangnan soft satin, smooth as water. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate, intricate lotus scroll patterns in silver thread. Below, she wore a moon-white, high-waisted long skirt, its layers flowing like swirling snowflakes as she moved, ethereal and otherworldly. A few scattered embroidered flowers of the same color adorned the hem, adding a touch of liveliness.

Her jet-black hair was loosely tied up in a single strand with a simple white jade hairpin, the rest cascading down to her waist like a waterfall. The ends swayed gently with her steps, radiating a healthy glow. She wore minimal jewelry, except for a pair of lustrous mutton-fat jade bracelets on her fair wrists, which complemented her radiant skin perfectly.

Her appearance, refined by primordial essence, made her already exquisite features even more perfect and harmonious. Her skin was as delicate as jade, her eyes as bright as cold stars, and her lips as red as cinnabar. However, what was most striking was the unique aura that emanated from within.

In stillness, she is like a deep, unfathomable pool reflecting the moon; yet, in the blink of an eye, a divine light shines through, carrying an air of untouchable nobility and aloofness, as if a celestial being has descended to earth, maintaining a subtle distance from the bustling city. But the occasional look of curiosity she reveals upon seeing something new, and the vibrant, inner life force that prevents her ethereal aura from becoming cold, instead giving it a strange allure.

As Shan Wanjing and Yi Huawei walked side by side, they immediately attracted the attention of countless passersby. Yi Huawei had a handsome face and a refined, elegant demeanor. The simple blue scholar's robe he wore looked perfectly tailored on him, further accentuating his well-proportioned and upright figure. He possessed a reserved demeanor, appearing gentle and refined, like a learned and elegant gentleman. However, when his deep eyes occasionally opened and closed, they revealed a detached and insightful understanding of the world, as if he had everything under his control.

The two walked together, one handsome and extraordinary, the other elegant and refined. Though their temperaments differed—one as deep as the sea, the other as serene as the moon—they were strangely harmonious, as if they were meant to stand side by side. They were surrounded by an aura of purity and elegance that seemed otherworldly, truly like celestial beings descended to earth, making the surrounding bustling scenery appear as mere backdrop. Wherever they passed, the crowds involuntarily gave way, their gazes filled with amazement, envy, and awe, yet no one dared to approach and disturb them.

Shan Wanjing could clearly feel the earth-shattering changes that had taken place within her. Her senses had become incredibly sharp; she could vaguely perceive the strength of everyone's aura, their emotional fluctuations, and even any hidden hostility. The surging power within her gave her the confidence to face any challenge. However, when she secretly projected her senses onto her master, Yi Huawei, beside her, she still felt, as before, a bottomless void.

Yi Huawei walked beside her, his breathing calm and his steps unhurried, appearing no different from any other frail scholar on the street. But Shan Wanjing's intuition told her that this was merely an appearance. Within her master's body seemed to lie a vast starry sky, boundless and unfathomable. Now that her power had greatly increased and her intuition was several times sharper, she felt even more deeply how lofty and unfathomable her master's cultivation was. It was a state of returning to simplicity, of being one with heaven and earth; she couldn't even imagine where its boundaries lay.

This realization instantly dispelled the faint sense of pride that had quietly arisen in her heart due to the surge in power, replacing it with a deeper sense of awe and... a kind of indescribable dependence mixed with affection.

Dan Wanjing quietly turned her head to look at Yi Huawei's perfect profile and his calm gaze as he looked at the magnificent scenery of Chang'an. Her heart was filled with tender emotions.

It was her master who bestowed upon her this immense opportunity, leading her to see a broader world of martial arts and even life itself. He was powerful, wise, and composed, as if no problem in the world could trouble him. This reverence and reliance had unknowingly transformed, becoming intertwined with the young girl's most sincere feelings of love. However, she was well aware of the master-disciple relationship and understood the master's lofty realm. She felt that being able to silently accompany him was already a great happiness, so she carefully hid these feelings in her heart, her eyes revealing an unparalleled respect and an admiration that could not be completely concealed.

At this moment, Yi Huawei's gentle voice rang in her ears, answering her earlier exclamation: "The prosperity of Chang'an is indeed well-deserved. And the fact that the Li clan was able to occupy this city and use it as their base is by no means a matter of luck."

Shan Wanjing composed herself and listened attentively. She knew that her master was extremely knowledgeable and possessed unparalleled insight into the affairs of the world.

Yi Huawei's gaze swept over the magnificent buildings on both sides of the street, and he analyzed in a calm tone: "Li Yuan's uprising in Taiyuan may seem to be due to the pressure of the times, the suspicion of Emperor Yang of Sui, and the support of Li Shimin, Pei Ji and others, but in reality it was a long-planned move by his family that came about naturally."

After a pause, Yi Huawei explained in detail: "Firstly, the Li family of Longxi is one of the core aristocratic families of the Guanzhong military group. They are deeply rooted and have been intermarried for generations, making their influence in the Guanzhong region extremely widespread. Their uprising was not a self-made success, but rather received extensive support, both overt and covert, from the entire Guanzhong aristocratic group. This support included money, supplies, talent, private troops, and most importantly—political prestige. In times of turmoil and the rise of many heroes, those who were truly qualified to contend for the throne were initially none other than these aristocratic families with deep-rooted foundations."

Shan Wanjing nodded slightly. The Dongming Sect had a deep understanding of the power of powerful clans through its dealings with various forces.

Secondly, it is a strategic location.

Yi Huwei continued, "Taiyuan is an important town in the north, with well-trained troops and sufficient supplies, and it can be used for both offense and defense. After Li Yuan raised his army, he did not rush to move south or east, but instead adopted the most prudent strategy—to advance westward into Guanzhong."

"The Guanzhong Plain, surrounded by mountains and rivers, is a strategically important and easily defensible region, and was once the foundation of the powerful Qin and Han dynasties. The Sui dynasty also established its capital here (Daxing City, i.e., Chang'an). Acquiring Guanzhong would mean having an extremely stable base and a legitimate claim (to uphold the Sui dynasty's calendar and establish Yang You, the Prince of Dai, as emperor). Although there were Sui troops stationed in Guanzhong at the time, their forces were scattered, and the country was in chaos with people in a state of panic. Li Yuan, under the banner of 'stabilizing the Sui dynasty,' pacified and incorporated them along the way, greatly reducing the resistance."

"Thirdly, his skill in employing people and seizing opportunities. Li Yuan, seemingly indecisive, was actually shrewd and calculating, extremely adept at weighing options and seizing opportunities. He heavily relied on capable ministers and generals, such as strategists like Pei Ji and Liu Wenjing. More importantly, he had two exceptionally outstanding sons—Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin. Li Shimin, in particular, was young and valiant, skilled in commanding troops, and had gathered a group of fierce generals under his command, as well as top strategists like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui. In the battle to capture Chang'an, Li Shimin and his forces played a decisive role. Li Yuan's ability to seize Chang'an with lightning speed before other warlords could fully react was crucial. Had he waited a year or two, allowing Wang Shichong of Luoyang, Dou Jiande of Hebei, and even Li Mi of Wagang to consolidate their power, taking the strategically important capital would have been virtually impossible."

Yi Huawei's analysis was insightful yet easy to understand, peeling back the layers of key factors that led to Li Yuan's successful uprising and capture of Chang'an. Shan Wanjing listened with rapt attention, her admiration for her master deepening even further.

"After capturing Chang'an, Li Yuan further coerced Prince Yang You of Dai into abdicating the throne, thus legitimately ascending the throne and establishing the Tang Dynasty."

Yi Huawei concluded, “This step maximized the use of political advantages. From then on, the Li Tang dynasty was no longer a ‘rebel’ against the Sui dynasty, but the ‘legitimate’ successor to the Sui throne. This banner played an immeasurable role in attracting talent and winning hearts and minds. So, you see the prosperity of Chang’an; behind it lies the support of powerful clans, strategic choices, military strength, and the application of political maneuvering—all are indispensable.”

Looking at the peaceful and prosperous scene before her, Shan Wanjing's feelings were completely different now. Beneath this prosperity, she seemed to see invisible swords clashing and strategies clashing. Looking up at Yi Huawei again, she said, "Master, you are insightful. Wanjing has learned a lot. I didn't know that so much turmoil was hidden beneath the prosperity of this capital."

Yi Huawei smiled slightly, his smile gentle: "The general trend of the world is nothing more than the intertwining of people's hearts, power, and the times. Once you see through it, that's all there is to it. Let's go, this Chang'an city is worth a good look."

As he spoke, he took the lead and walked slowly, blending into the crowd.

Shan Wanjing gave a soft "hmm" and quickened her pace by half a step, still keeping a half-step behind him, maintaining both closeness and respect.

The sunlight stretched their shadows long, intertwining them, as if they were meant to walk together like this.

A slight smile played on Shan Wanjing's lips, her heart at peace. Her greatest wish was to remain by her master's side, witnessing the world's wonders and comprehending the profound truths of life. Yi Huawei and Shan Wanjing appeared to be strolling leisurely, but their pace was actually quite fast. They entered Guangming Avenue, connecting Chunming Gate and Jinguang Gate, from the north gate of Shu City, heading towards the imperial city.

The area around the imperial palace was filled with powerful and wealthy people, all seeking to curry favor with the royal family. They competed to build mansions, taking advantage of convenient shopping. Thus, several neighborhoods north of Dongsi Market were known as "Golden Neighborhoods." The carriages traveling along Guangming Avenue were extremely ornate, the pedestrians were dressed in fine clothes, and the mansions were layered with courtyards, lush forests, tall bamboos, and magnificent pavilions.

Along the way, Tang soldiers were stationed at all the key transportation points in Chang'an, with strict security and everything in good order. The closer we got to the capital, the more patrolling guards we encountered, and sentry posts were everywhere.

Dan Wanjing lagged slightly behind Yi Huawei, her gaze sweeping over the imposing mansions lining the street and the seemingly ordinary yet highly skilled patrolling guards. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. She moved closer to Yi Huawei, lowering her voice to ensure only the two of them could hear:
“Master, the treasure vault contains a vast quantity of gold and silver weapons. Under such tight security, even if we know the entrance, it would be incredibly difficult to smuggle them out undetected.”

Dan Wanjing's tone carried a hint of worry, after all, that wealth was enough to support a powerful army, and it would be a real pity if it could not be used for her own purposes.

Upon hearing this, Yi Huawei laughed loudly, his demeanor carefree and unrestrained, attracting the attention of several well-dressed pedestrians nearby, but he paid no attention to it.

"Wanjing, you must remember, the most precious treasures in the world are those that can truly enhance one's own strength. Gold and silver are merely worldly commodities; even if piled up like mountains, they cannot directly translate into martial arts realms. For us..."

After a pause, Yi Huawei gave Shan Wanjing a meaningful look: "That relic essence is the priceless treasure."

Upon hearing this, Shan Wanjing subconsciously looked inward at herself, and the vast, inexhaustible true energy immediately surged forth, bringing her a sense of relief. Indeed, compared to this transformative improvement, those yellow and white substances seemed insignificant.

Yi Huawei continued leisurely, "As for the things in the treasury, they won't grow legs and run away if left there. When the Heavenly Alliance's banners point to the sky, conquer Chang'an, and the world is at peace, we can take them out to reward the army, comfort the people, and rebuild order. Wouldn't that be just the right time? Why rush it?"

Despite this, a deep and unfathomable light flashed in Yi Huawei's eyes, and a faint smile played on his lips: "However... the existence of the treasure vault itself, and its alluring wealth, is a good move. Perhaps, we can use this to lure people into a trap and let some eager and greedy people suffer a good fall."

Shan Wanjing's beautiful eyes lit up, and she immediately understood her master's intention: "Master means... to use the treasure vault as bait?"

"good."

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, his gaze casually sweeping over the stone lions in front of an imposing mansion, as if admiring their carving skills. He murmured, "News can be leaked 'inadvertently,' but the entrance mechanisms and internal pathways—the truth and the falsehood—can be controlled by us. Li Yuan and his son covet this treasure trove to replenish the national treasury and military supplies; Dou Jiande, Wang Shichong, and even Turkic spies, if they hear the news, will swarm like sharks smelling blood. At that time, this Yang Gong treasure trove can become a huge vortex, causing them to suspect, fight, and deplete each other… Even, if handled properly, it wouldn't be difficult to make them suffer heavy losses and lose some of their elite troops. This is far more worthwhile than us personally laboriously moving that gold and silver."

Dan Wanjing listened with a trembling heart, as if she could already see the various forces fighting openly and secretly for the illusory treasure as bait, falling into the trap. She admired her master's strategy immensely; it required not only wisdom but also a transcendent spirit that could manipulate the world's trends and people's greed at will.

Just as the two were talking in hushed tones, a slight commotion arose at the street corner ahead. A group of about twenty elite cavalrymen in black armor, their helmets gleaming and their killing intent palpable, were conducting their routine patrol, led by a tall, resolute-faced general. The general's eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he scanned the passersby, exuding an aura of battle-hardened iron and blood.

Dan Wanjing's senses were now far sharper than before, and she immediately perceived the elite status of the cavalry, especially the leading general, whose profound inner strength and composed aura indicated he was no ordinary military officer. She subconsciously adjusted her breathing, concealing the surging power within her, and slightly toned down the otherworldly and sharp qualities in her demeanor, becoming closer to her usual self. However, the deep-rooted tranquility and nobility could not be completely concealed.

Yi Huawei remained calm and composed, as if he hadn't seen the elite cavalry, and continued walking leisurely.

The commander's gaze paused slightly as it swept over Yi Huawei.

Yi Huawei's temperament was too unique. He had a face like jade, young and handsome, yet possessed a depth and composure that did not match his appearance at all, like an ancient well that had weathered many storms, calm and undisturbed. In this region full of powerful and wealthy people, such a person was rare. However, he did not detect any fluctuations in internal energy or any suspicious signs, simply assuming that he was a young master from a prominent family with excellent manners.

When his gaze then fell upon Shan Wanjing behind Yi Huawei, a clear look of surprise flashed in his eyes. Shan Wanjing's appearance and temperament were simply too outstanding. Even though she had tried to restrain herself, her inner radiance was still difficult to completely conceal, like a pearl covered in dust, its brilliance still undiminished. Especially her clear, deep, and spirited eyes, which were not possessed by ordinary women. This general, with his discerning eye, was secretly astonished: Whose young lady is this? How could she have such an air of elegance? He seemed to have never seen her in Chang'an before.

But he was on duty, and seeing that although the two men were dressed in fine clothes, they were not officials and were not accompanied by a large number of servants, so they did not seem to be important people, and their behavior was not unusual, he only glanced at them a few more times, pulled on the reins, and led the cavalry past them to continue his inspection.

After the cavalry had passed, Shan Wanjing whispered, "Master, that person just now..."

"Li Jing."

Yi Huawei casually uttered the name, his tone tinged with admiration: "He is indeed a talent, strict in military discipline, and has keen perception. However, he cannot see through us."

Shan Wanjing suddenly realized that it was Li Jing, the rising star of the Tang army. No wonder those soldiers looked so different.

After this brief incident, the two continued on their way. The closer they got to the imperial city, the more solemn the atmosphere became. High walls and deep courtyards, numerous sentry posts, and an invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air.

Looking at the tight security and recalling the intricate and perilous structure of Yang Gong's treasure vault, Shan Wanjing felt even more strongly that her master's strategy of "using the vault as bait" was truly brilliant. Forcibly taking the treasure would indeed be unwise.

"Then, Master, how should we 'lay the bait' next?"

Dan Wanjing asked curiously, already somewhat looking forward to seeing the various forces being manipulated at will.

Yi Huawei smiled slightly: "No rush. The bait must be laid naturally and skillfully to make people believe it without a doubt. Some information will be 'accidentally' leaked through the most appropriate channels. And some people will naturally come to us on their own initiative."

"Let's go, let's find a place to rest first. Chang'an is a deep place, it's a good opportunity for you to use your newfound power to adapt to the real world."

As Yi Huawei spoke, his steps remained relaxed, as if he were not in the capital city, a place teeming with danger, but rather taking a stroll in his own courtyard.

Shan Wanjing nodded in agreement and followed closely behind.

With his master strategizing by his side and his own strength greatly increased, it seemed that he could handle Chang'an City, and even the entire world, with ease. (End of Chapter)