Chapter 727: Chapter 301: The Mystery of That Year!
The first rays of spring sunshine ward the Kyoto Prefecture, waking it from its slumber.
With crowds pouring in from the east, west, and south gates, the entire Kyoto Prefecture was bustling, and most rchants entered through the west gate, flocking to the West Market. A few businesses transporting luxurious goods headed to the East Market to restock street-side shops with jewelry, clothing, and pharmacies.
Jianghu Guests, recovering from hangovers, stretched lazily as they sauntered out of the brothel, ambiguously discussing the delights of last night while scanning for food stalls.
Noble family sons in the inn, neatly attired, hastily finished their breakfast and eagerly headed toward Dakong Temple.
Having spent several days in Kyoto Prefecture, they had seen the sights and enjoyed the play. Now they rushed to Dakong Temple to secure a good vantage point for tomorrow’s grand event.
“This grand event is overseen by the Ministry of Rites, and registration closes at noon today. It’s said the number of young geniuses registered has surpassed eight hundred, even with last-minute restrictions placed on cultivation levels above rank four; otherwise, it would surely reach ten thousand.”
“There’s no way to stop the enthusiasm of these young talents, as many ca simply to broaden their horizons. Otherwise, letting cultivators in the eighth rank co to register would be a joke, wouldn’t it?”
“Indeed, rules are dead, but people are alive.”
Over ninety percent of Jianghu Guests ca rely to broaden their horizons, considering the scale of this event far exceeded those secret realms and competitions, and was much safer, with no danger like the Southern Barbarian Secret Realm.
Yet soon, with five thousand Black Armor Guards marching out from the Imperial City, led by Deputy Commander Jiang Ziqi, the order was given:
“Vermilion Bird Street, clear out!”
“Before the grand event starts, no one is allowed on Vermilion Bird Street!”
Simultaneously, the Night Watch Departnt and the two county governnts worked together, guiding the Jianghu Guests and noble family sons from the street to alleys on either side.
Behind the Black Armor Guards, standing every ten steps, the crowd cooperated, leaving silently, streaming from the street into surrounding areas.
“Commander Jiang, thank you.” Ji Xingyun, director of the Night Watch Departnt, smiled as he observed the now-empty Vermilion Bird Street.
Jiang Ziqi’s gaze was sharp, the gold and crimson thread inlaid on his armor gave him an aura of killing intent. Without looking sideways, he said:
“Serving the Holy Emperor hardly counts as ‘hard work’.”
Ji Xingyun laughed sheepishly, his sowhat delicate face showing a hint of boredom; he disliked the Black Armor Guards, always imposing.
Though he understood the protective duties towards the Holy Emperor carried by Jiang Ziqi and the others, who in Kyoto Prefecture wasn’t serving the Holy Emperor?
“This grand event makes the Kyoto Prefecture quite lively.”
“Director Ji, feel free to speak.” Jiang Ziqi said flatly.
“It’s my fault,” Ji Xingyun laughed. “The departnt caught a few spies recently, so from the West Continent Buddha Country, others from the East Continent Island, which seems unusual. I wonder…”
Ji Xingyun paused, glancing around, then asked via Sound Transmission: “I wonder if Commander Jiang knows their intentions?”
Jiang Ziqi frowned slightly, turning to him: “That should be your Night Watch Departnt’s duty, shouldn’t it?”
“My apologies,” Ji Xingyun begged, clasping his hands. “My team is too incompetent, accidentally killing two, unable to extract their secrets.”
“With the grand event approaching, I’m truly anxious, fearing those vile individuals might cause displeasure to the Holy Emperor.”
“If Commander Jiang hears any news, kindly inform so I can understand the spies’ goals better.”
Jiang Ziqi pondered briefly, then responded coldly via Sound Transmission: “Tell your people to pay attention to arrivals from the West Continent Buddha Country. Two days ago, the grand master who planned to co canceled his trip.”
Ji Xingyun’s mind spun quickly. “Buddha Country… is it related to Buddhist convulsions?”
“Perhaps,” Jiang Ziqi shifted his gaze nearby, hinting significantly: “Did you know Lord Heroic Marquis returned to Kyoto Prefecture yesterday?”
“Of course I heard. Not only did he return, but his mother and retinue did too. I must say, Lord Heroic Marquis’s cultivation and techniques are extraordinary, taking less than one incense stick’s ti to return from Beizhi to Kyoto Prefecture.”
Ji Xingyun, as the Night Watch Departnt’s director, naturally received the news firsthand of Heroic Marquis Chen Yi’s return. “Forgive for straying, does Heroic Marquis’s return relate to Buddhist arrangents… huh?”
“Are you saying, Commander Jiang, that Lord Heroic has a different strategy for Buddhist arrangents?”
Jiang Ziqi nodded slightly, transmitting: “Last night, the Great Master arrived. Before that, he visited the Duke Wuan Mansion.”
“I see.”
Ji Xingyun, deep in thought, nodded, shedding light on the recent anomalies in Kyoto Prefecture.
Previously, he believed the spies ca for the Da Wei Dynasty’s grand event, aiming to gather information on various young talents. But such transparent information hardly warranted their full force deploynt.
Now, coupling Jiang Ziqi’s remarks, it beca clear—the West Continent Buddha Country’s grand master likely foresaw Wei Dynasty’s arrangents with Buddhists and decided to cancel the trip, which led to the Buddha Country’s spies arriving.
As for the East Continent Islands… those far from the Central Plains perhaps just sought to understand Wei Dynasty’s young talents’ cultivation levels.
“Last night…”
“With this, I ask Director Ji to keep the secret!” Without further words, Jiang Ziqi rode away to patrol Vermilion Bird Street.
“…”
Watching his departing figure, Ji Xingyun felt satisfied with the information but still craved more.
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