For various reasons, Emperor of Great Xuan had planned to establish a new type of academic institution in the Capital, specifically for studying Yin Yang Fengshui, historical geography, and chanical firearms among other miscellaneous subjects.
The na was Qiankun Academy, aning to encompass heaven and earth.
So mbers from both Confucianism and Mo Sect were putting their full effort into promoting this academy; even so declining mbers from the Xuann Outer Alchemy Sect were highly interested.
It was currently in preparation and was expected to be established in about a year or the next.
In the midst of the Capital, many were waiting to see it beco a laughing stock.
However, Jiu Ling felt that this academy might have great potential; after the imperial examinations, if he made it to the list, he would find a way to enter the academy...
Qiankun Academy?
Li Yan looked at it and felt a hint of interest too.
According to the letters, this academy was sowhat like a comprehensive university of future generations, yet it focused on unusual talents and mystical subjects.
If there was a chance in the future, he definitely wanted to experience it...
At Parrot Island Pier, the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.
Today was another clear day, the harsh sunlight glinting on the river’s surface. The shore was crowded with people, and the dragon boats were neatly arranged beside the pier.
It was now early May, and as the competition proceeded, those teams that just joined for the fun, lacking strength, had all been eliminated.
Everyone knew that the coming few days were crucial.
Every day, a winner would stand out and on the final day, all the winners would race on the river, competing for the ultimate championship.
The champion would earn a grand title—the Foremost Leader on the River.
For the commoners and so participating teams, this was rely a grand fiesta. As long as they perford better than a disliked neighboring village, they would happily celebrate drunkenly for days.
If they won against a sworn enemy, they would even throw a lavish banquet.
The losers, on the other hand, faced humiliation, with their fellow villagers showing no kindness in their looks.
For so major powers, securing the annual title of Foremost Leader on the River was also a symbol of strength, adding firmness to their ways when speaking out.
At this mont, all the dragon boats were in position.
From dragon head to dragon tail, colorful silk was hung, and a festive banner waved in the center, a tradition known as "Dressing the Dragon."
The n on the boats, all wore the sa colored vests and belts, their muscular, sinewy arms bare, focused intently, waiting for the command.
Unlike in future generations, these dragon boats were much livelier, not only equipped with large drums but also gong players to control the rhythm.
Most importantly, the "steerers", the most experienced among them, waved the colorful flags to command, not only setting the rhythm but also navigating the route.
On the shore, a sacrificial ritual was being perford.
Rows of Duan Gong prayed, incense filled the air, and various offerings like rice dumplings were lined up, with many respected elders representing the people of the three Wuchang towns praying and performing the sacrifice.
This ritual took place before the competition each day.
Soon, with firecrackers cracking noisily, so pastries and rice dumplings were thrown into the river, marking the end of the ceremony.
Whoosh—Boom!
A giant skyrocket shot into the air and exploded.
And this was the signal for the race to begin.
In an instant, thousands of paddles struck, the dragon boats surged forward like flood dragons exiting the sea.
With the resounding drum and gong, "steerers" stood at the sterns waving the flags, and the crew mbers chanted in unison, their actions synchronized as they plunged the paddles into the water, causing splashes.
One after another, the dragon boats braved the wind and waves, racing across the river.
Thud, thud, thud!
The gong and drum played like battle drums, the dragon boats pursuing each other relentlessly, giving no quarter, as if clashing on a battlefield, stirring the blood of the spectators.
anwhile, on the shore, the crowd cheered like tides, all with flushed faces, craning their necks and standing on tiptoes, eager to watch.
Not just on the shore by the pier, even the trees in the distance were filled with people, waving their own little flags, shouting, and occasionally soone too excited would slip and fall into the river.
So dignitaries who ca to watch naturally would not crowd with commoners, near Parrot Island Pier specially constructed platforms, even covered with awnings, were erected for them.
Shi Chen from the Pai Sect was among them.
However, his attention was not on the race, but rather he was absorbed in playing with a flintlock he held in his hand, quite pleased.
A Wudang martial artist from the escort agency beside him couldn’t help but shake his head slightly, "Head Shi, though you already have a place, this weapon is still a lethal device, better not to show it off."
"It’s not good to hurt soone on a joyous day."
"Murder weapon?"
Shi Chen chuckled dismissively, "To us in the pugilistic world, a knife is a murder weapon, a stick is a murder weapon; even these hands are murder weapons. Do you suggest we chop them off and keep them at ho?"
"This thing is for deterrence. What’s the use of hiding it? If displayed openly and honestly, it could intimidate the petty thieves."
"Li, the head of the household, don’t bla for being outspoken, but with this device, the dynamics of the pugilistic world have changed."
"Those escort masters under you, training in the heat of sumr and the cold of winter, how many of them really make a na for themselves? Most are nothing more than diocrities, and still you need to painstakingly train them."
Saying this, he lifted the flintlock in his hand and proudly said, "With this device, I just need to spend more silver and can imdiately set up a Firearms Team that can bring down anyone with a single shot!"
The head of the escort agency, his face suddenly turned sour, retorted, "This is just an object, no matter how good it might be; it still requires a person to use it..."
"Enough, enough."
Shi Chen impatiently said, "I’m tired of arguing with you. Confucian scholars study and martial artists practice martial arts, distinguished from ordinary people for a reason. What do you think the court is planning by releasing this device?"
"If in the future, martial artists get shot dead by ordinary people wielding guns, how many do you think will still be willing to endure this hardship?"
Upon hearing these words, everyone around fell into silence.
They had heard plenty about firearms, but after securing a quota and testing a few, they understood many things.
The device might not pose a threat to them.
But for ordinary disciples who had not trained long, it was unstoppable.
And since ordinary disciples were in the majority, it ant that governnt officials equipped with firearms could suppress them.
And that’s just referring to ordinary firearms.
With a few of the new-model guns, even they, if not careful, could end up riddled with bullets.
The landscape of the pugilistic world had indeed changed.
There were so experts who even the new-model firearms could not handle, but how many experts were there, after all? The pugilistic world was ultimately made up of ordinary people...
For a while, everyone’s minds were uneasy, lost in thought.
anwhile, the competition on the river continued, and after an intense contest, the Pai Sect again erged victorious.
"Ha-ha-ha..."
Shi Chen, filled with satisfaction, got up and stuck the flintlock in his waistband, addressing those around with a bow, "Gentlen, thanks for letting us win. I have arranged a feast at my house today, and I invite everyone to grace the occasion."
"Of course."
"I’ll certainly co for a cup of wine."
That was how he spoke; everyone had grown accustod to it, but since the Pai Sect exerted no small influence on the river, they had to speak politely whether they planned to attend or not.
No other way about it; that’s called not offending the petty.
Shi Chen laughed heartily, and with his n, he left Parrot Island Pier and returned to Wuchang City.
Leading the way, over the years, he had amassed quite a fortune, constructed residences which even in Wuchang City were quite impressive, and married several concubines, fathering a multitude of children.
Now in his mansion, stages had already been set up, troupes of perforrs alternated on stage, and as soon as news of the victory erged, a banquet was promptly arranged.
"Greetings to Chief Shi!"
"Brother Shi, congratulations!"
Visitors coming to offer congratulations all stood up to greet him.
"Ha-ha-ha, congratulations to us all!"
Shi Chen laughed heartily, making his rounds and toasting at each table.
anwhile, at a secluded corner table, twins from the Fu Family sipped their wine, smiling as they watched Shi Chen from a distance...
"Benefactor Li, this way please!"
Guided by a young novice monk, Li Yan entered Baotong Zen Temple.
Unnoticed, two days had passed; he had waited a long ti at the Chamber of Comrce, and only when the sun set did he receive the ssage to co to Baotong Zen Temple.
Tong Xuan, the Zen Master, said that today he would present him with an opportunity.
When this matter was first ntioned by Mingzhu, Li Yan did not take it seriously, but now that Tong Xuan brought it up again, his interest was piqued.
It seed this opportunity was no trivial matter.
Even though night had already fallen, Baotong Zen Temple was still bustling; monks busy back and forth, but upon reaching the Great Hall, Li Yan sensed sothing was amiss.
Not a soul was in sight here, and the noises from outside seed to be completely muffled, eerily quiet...
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