The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1446 744: Leaving the Capital to Enter the Pugilistic World

Toot—!

It was 3:45 AM, and a deep horn sounded from the corner tower of the Forbidden City.

The Vermilion Bird Gate opened with a thunderous roar amidst the sounds of gears and winches.

Five hundred Xuanjia Jinwu Guards, holding vermilion lacquered plaques with bronze nails inscribed with "Silence" and "Avoid," lined both sides of the imperial path; behind them were Tai Chang Temple officials holding the nine-draped mysterious banners.

The Sui Lun True Monarch Divine Statue, over twelve feet tall, dwarfed the surrounding crowd. It was carried on a Mystic Iron Carriage by three hundred and twenty powerful warriors from the military, moving forward slowly.

This was the National Sacrifice Hall. The ritual music was solemn, and all the court officials, regardless of rank, were present. However, no one dared to make a noise, only following the procession in silence.

As the clock struck 7 a.m., the Jingyang Bell sounded within the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Xiao Qixuan, adorned in the Twelve Chapter Imperial Robe, ascended the carriage, followed by Heavenly Master Zhang from Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Zhongnan Qiu Changchun, and other serious-faced Mystical Sect Leaders.

Beneath the steps of the National Ancestral Hall, the Captain Bureau's Firearms Team formed a human wall, resting their flintlock guns on the ground. The gun barrels glimmered cold blue in the morning light.

As the Divine Statue was slowly moved into the main hall by the powerful warriors, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry recited the "Records of Examination: Chapter of Cartwrights," while twelve elderly ritual officers from the Ancestral Affairs Office shook the Mountain and River Banner adorned with copper bells.

After that was the complex Enlightenment ceremony.

Several Sect Leaders of the Mystical Sect hosted it simultaneously, marking a grandeur unseen in a hundred years—only similar to when the Great Xuan Dynasty was founded.

However, Emperor Xiao Qixuan's face consistently remained somber.

Falling short at the last step, mutually compromising, ultimately left a sense of dissatisfaction.

At that moment, there was sudden commotion outside the hall. Four giant black-dyed oxen were driven to the front of the steps, their ears tied with copper plates marked "Official Livestock of Shuntian Prefecture."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites pierced the oxen's necks with a jade dagger, and the ox blood flowed into the bronze dew collection plate. Each step adhered strictly to ancient rites.

The court officials standing outside the temple had varied expressions upon seeing this scene.

If earlier, they had some doubts about the Emperor's grand construction of a Divine Statue, the presence of the major Mystical Sect Leaders now made them fully understand its significance.

Of course, they were not privy to the details of these matters.

Most were contemplating how to position themselves at the forefront of this transformation…

...

Inside and outside the Nine Gates, the streets and markets were equally bustling and noisy.

On Vermilion Bird Street, the crowd surged thickly, piling up into a dense human wall along the imperial path cleared by the Imperial Guard, everyone tiptoeing to look toward the palace gates.

The upper-floor windows of tea houses and bars along the street were packed, with even daring children clinging to the window frames, their little heads crowded together.

In the crowd, street vendors moved nimbly like fish, weaving through the gaps and hawking: "Peach charms for your protection—brush a bit of the True Monarch's luck!"

"Mint water, sour plum soup, refreshing and thirst-quenching, hey!"

The sound of peddler's copper bells mixed with the cries of infants in women's arms and the rough chatter of men, all merging into a loud hum.

The air was filled with the wheat scent of steamed buns, the oil smoke from freshly fried fritters, blending with the sweat smell of the crowd, turning into a peculiar scent.

Moreover, the street ensembles helped liven the event, with brass bands and percussion ensembles from the Northern Land striking their gongs and cymbals with high-pitched, festive fervor.

A few acrobatic troupes had marked off a vacant area, with lion dancers leaping around to applause and restless children imitating them, draped in floral cloth strips, weaving and twisting through the crowd…

...

In South City, "Wangjiang Building" was the tallest bar.

From its four-story elegant pavilion, one could see the sails scattered over the Tonghui River, as well as hear the distant music and drumming from the Imperial City.

The scent of wine was pervasive, and the table was a mess with cups and plates.

Kuai Dayou picked his teeth, and Fatty Lin's round face was filled with smiles, diligently filling Luo Mingzi's cup with wine, "Daoist, drink this cup, and forget about those troublesome matters."

Opposite, the young scholar Kong Shangzhao was lowering his head, idly rubbing the edge of a coarse porcelain wine cup with his fingers.

Seeing the timing was about right, Kuai Dayou gave a nudge, and Fatty Lin cleared his throat, earnestly addressing Luo Mingzi, "Daoist Luo, we plan to head South to seek the legendary 'Bohai Qiu Wood', and we truly cannot succeed without Brother Shangzhao!"

"The ancient books and maps in his mind are even more comprehensive than the ship materials in my inventory! Would you consider helping us…"

The Captain Bureau was now under the control of the Chief Eunuch Zhao Wujiong.

He was a ruthless man, and with him in charge, they did not dare to implement their previous plans. Hearing that Luo Mingzi was resting at home, they brought him out to plead on their behalf.

Luo Mingzi did not immediately reply. Instead, he leaned against the window sill, gazing at the bustling dock, and let out a short chuckle, seemingly self-mocking.

He did not turn his head, gripping the wine cup with rough fingers, the knuckles turning white: "Young Master Lin, even you are trying to deceive a poor Daoist…"

He spoke, slowly turning his head, revealing a face covered in a blue stubble, and looking somewhat weary, looked toward Kong Shangzhao, calmly saying, "If you want to join Brother Li and venture into the pugilistic world, then go ahead. This poor Daoist will not stop you."

Upon hearing this, Kong Shangzhao was first overjoyed and quickly stood up, cupping his hands with a face full of guilt, "I once promised the Daoist to join the Captain Bureau, yet now I've gone back on my word…"

"No need to say more."

Luo Mingzi stopped him with a wave, tilted his head back, drank the cup of wine in one go, and then heavily set down the cup, his gaze also turning hard and cold.

"This time, the stir in the Capital…"

His voice lowered, carrying a hint of unnoticeable melancholy, "That matter with Qiankun Academy, even the Law Enforcement Hall and I have been sidelined, forcing the Mystical Sect Leaders into the Capital. Though it pressured His Majesty to compromise, there will certainly be increased suppression on the Mystical Sect in the future."

"I've heard His Majesty has ordered Zhao Wujiong to investigate the Jianmu incident, and right now this poor Daoist is neglected, and may likely have to follow orders in the future."

"I am not a man greedy for wealth, yet the Jianmu Demon is still not destroyed, the situation in the Capital is complex, and the prospects for hope are uncertain."