Chapter 024: The Companion System
Long Tian ordered his soldiers to guard Chen Rong and her daughter closely.
These women were treasures now, and they had to be protected.
During the previous night’s affairs, Chen Rong had completely submitted.
She had begun to treat herself as his woman, serving him with the devotion of a wife.
She also shared details about her family and revealed an important piece of information:
She had a son named Fa Zheng, who was currently away in Chang’an pursuing his studies.
The Fa clan was not considered a top-tier noble family in Xiliang, hardly even qualifying as a powerful family.
Yet their reputation was far from insignificant.
The clan patriarch, Fa Zhen, was still alive, a renowned scholar of great prestige currently residing in Luoyang.
Chen Rong’s husband had served as an official in Luoyang, dying of illness while in office.
Following his wishes, she had returned to their ancestral home for the burial.
But, they had been caught in the rebellion, and most of the Fa clan had been slaughtered.
Chen Rong and her daughter were captured and brought here.
Fortunately, because the rebel leader, Bian Zhang, wanted to recruit scholars to his cause, they hadn’t been mistreated, merely “kept” in the manor.
Though they had endured many lewd insults, Long Tian had snatched them away and claimed them before Bian Zhang could ever lay a hand on them.
This was vital news: Fa Zheng!
He was a legendary strategist, a man whom even Liu Bei would eventually hold in the highest regard, a talent whose brilliance was said to rival even Zhuge Liang’s.
It was no exaggeration to say that had Fa Zheng not died young, Liu Bei might never have met his end at Baidi City.
He was a pivotal figure in history.
With this knowledge, Long Tian began to calculate his next moves. He would not remain a subordinate forever.
Yet now was not the right time to strike out alone.
The more he integrated into this era, the more he understood the necessity of “acting with a righteous cause.”
Even if it was completely bullshit, it was necessary.
Standing on the moral high ground to criticize others provided an unparalleled advantage.
That was precisely why a just cause was necessary.
And for the same reason, when Bian Zhang and Beigong Boyu rebelled, they claimed they were purging eunuchs, restoring the Han dynasty, and cleansing the court of corrupt advisors, never revealing their true motives.
No one dared to simply admit they were in it for the power.
Long Tian didn’t have a grand, unwavering conviction about conquering every province of the Han.
What he wanted was a territory of his own and women to enjoy. That was enough.
But to achieve that, he first needed his own base and his own army.
Dong Zhuo’s ship was undoubtedly unsuitable for the long term. This army’s specialty was entering a city to slaughter, burn, and loot.
While such methods kept the soldiers satisfied, it made the territory impossible to govern.
Long Tian had no intention of staying on this sinking ship.
Finding the right moment to jump and flee was the wisest choice.
[Ding! Quest: Unstoppable Valor Complete.]
[Ding! Reward Granted: Companion System.]
[Companion System]: Your companions will stay by your side for a lifetime, sharing in your joys and sorrows. Please cultivate your companions well so they may become your capable assistants.
Activation: Only after a formal marriage ceremony (including private vows of lifelong commitment) can a woman become a “Companion.”
Benefits: Each companion will randomly grant you three of her unique skills.
Lifespan: Your companions’ lifespan will be synced to yours.
Loyalty: Companions will never betray you, but you must maintain a high Intimacy level.
