HLnovel Chapter 129 City of Heroes
Chapter 129 City of Heroes
Chapter 129 City of Heroes
A shadow suddenly appeared in the sky outside the city gate of Zhongjie City, causing everyone to look up at the sky involuntarily.
From within the clouds, several enormous flying boats slowly descended, finally landing on an open space.
boom!
A tremendous sound, like thunder, resounded, followed by the lowering of the boat ladder, from which the group descended.
"We have finally arrived at the City of Heroes. The competition will officially begin in two days. I hope everyone will work hard and strive for good results in the national competition, adding another glory to the Holy Family!"
Kong Hexuan looked at the enormous city with a look of shock on his face, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to the crowd.
Ye Ru also clasped his hands in greeting, carefully examining the vast city.
"This city is indeed quite mysterious. A large purple crape myrtle tree forms in front of it, surrounded by waterways. Rivers flow into the city, winding like a dragon vein. The western stream encircles the city, flowing through ten bends, with the water flowing horizontally, cleansing the lungs. To the left and right are peaks and ponds, with not a drop of water leaking out. The whole layout is round, spacious, and orderly. The mountains are clear and the water is meaningful. It is truly a city that lasts for thousands of years."
Xiao Ke carefully observed the river's course, then exclaimed in admiration.
"Brother Ke, do you also have some expertise in feng shui?"
Upon hearing Xiao Ke's explanation, Ye Ru raised an eyebrow and said softly.
"I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but what we Yin-Yang School students are required to learn is Qimen Dunjia, not the teachings of Confucius and Mencius."
Xiao Ke shook his head; no one could see the face behind the mask.
Ye Ru nodded. He knew that the Yin-Yang School was a branch of Taoism, which emphasized the Five Elements and Yin-Yang. The Confucian and Mencian doctrines of benevolence and righteousness were neither suitable nor persuasive to the leader of the Yin-Yang School.
This is also why the Yin-Yang School has gradually declined, because they lacked the support of a ruler; what they wanted was a stable rule.
Then Ye Ru looked ahead again. The city gate was completely under martial law, and some armored soldiers had eagle-like eyes that scanned everyone.
After Ye Ru and the others put away the flying boat, they headed towards the City of Saints. When the armored youths saw the token of the Saints Family in Kong Hexuan's hand, their eyes suddenly became more respectful.
Upon entering the city, one finds a bustling scene with a small river flowing through it. The market is both vibrant and welcoming.
"This place is backed by the Azure Lotus Sword Domain, and most of the scholars here are addicted to wine. After all, the poet Li Bai also had another title: the Immortal of Wine."
As Ye Ru watched in astonishment as the scholars passing by all had wine gourds hanging from their waists, Kong Hexuan explained to Ye Ru.
"I see."
"Registration must go through the School of Humanities first, so let's go there first."
After Ye Ru understood, Meng Qingyang pointed to a tall and imposing building in the distance and then led the way there.
Ye Ru and others followed closely behind.
"In the distant Hongbao Tower, there is a literary treasure exchange point where you can exchange other useless literary treasures for useful ones."
After registering and receiving their number tags, Kong Hexuan suggested going to Hongbaolou, while Ye Ru, having nothing else to do, decided to exchange the Heavenly Star Chessboard he had obtained from the Four Mirrors and Three Bright Hall.
While the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all good, it is better to specialize in one area than to be proficient in all of them. Therefore, it is better to focus on Confucianism and calligraphy.
Before long, Ye Ru and the others saw an extremely magnificent pavilion. This pavilion was ornately decorated and exuded an inexplicable domineering aura. On the plaque above the pavilion, three large golden characters were written in cursive script:
"Hongbaolou!"
These three characters, written in cursive script, are quite sharp and domineering, and the characters themselves faintly carry the imposing aura of calligraphy.
Kong Hexuan and the others did not stop, but instead walked towards Hongbaolou.
There, countless guards stood watch, making it extremely heavily guarded.
"Who goes there? State your name."
At this moment, a young man dressed in brocade robes walked out and looked at Kong Hexuan and the others:
"You must be from the family of saints. We apologize for not welcoming you properly."
Upon seeing Kong Hexuan's attire, the young man in the brocade robe immediately changed his attitude, bowed, and said...
"Kong Hexuan, from the Kong family, is a lineage of Confucius."
"Meng Qingyang of the Meng family."
All the noble families present registered their names, and then Kong Hexuan whispered to Ye Ru:
"This man is named Fan Ziling. He is a descendant of Fan Li, the sage of commerce. This Hongbaolou restaurant is run by his family."
"Fan Li?"
Ye Ru was taken aback; the person in front of him was actually a descendant of Fan Li.
Fan Li was an early pioneer of Chu studies and one of the Five Sages of Nanyang. He assisted King Goujian of Yue and helped Goujian destroy Wu.
Later, he retired from the military and settled in Dingtao. He engaged in business three times and dispersed his family fortune three times, and was later known as the Sage of Commerce.
"Then let's go in."
Kong Hexuan clasped his hands in greeting and then walked in, but when Ye Ru went in, Fan Ziling waved his hand and stopped him.
"What are you doing?"
Ye Ru frowned and said.
“We will naturally not stop people from the sage families, but this gentleman looks unfamiliar and his attire is not that of a noble family, so please introduce yourself.”
Upon hearing this, some of the wealthy families and noble clans in Hongbaolou began to make a mocking sound.
Many people on the road stopped and looked at Ye Ru and Fan Ziling.
Surrounded by the crowd, Ye Ru casually said:
"Ye Ru, a man from a humble background."
"Haha, a poor scholar actually thinks he can get into Hongbao Tower? Does he really think he's some kind of chosen one?"
"A crow trying to become a phoenix is dreaming."
Some students from wealthy families shrugged and said disdainfully.
Fan Ziling seemed to have been prepared and showed no surprise:
“Fellow aspirant from humble origins, it is truly a pleasure to meet you. However, this is the domain of my aristocratic and powerful family. We do not accept literary works below the second rank. This temple is probably not large enough to accommodate a great Buddha like you. A wise bird chooses a good tree to perch on; you should seek a better one elsewhere.”
Although Fan Ziling's words were polite, they were laced with sarcasm and disdain.
What literary treasures can a poor family member produce?
"So, as long as you have the literary treasure, you can go in?"
A mocking smile appeared on Ye Ru's lips.
"What you say may be true, but you..."
Before Fan Ziling could finish speaking, a chessboard glowing orange appeared in the sky.
"A second-grade literary treasure? I'm afraid that's not enough..."
Fan Ziling's pupils contracted, but she was about to speak again.
However, at that moment, another green light burst forth into the sky, eventually transforming into a giant white tiger, its roar faintly permeating the heavens and earth.
"A literary treasure transforming into a soul? A fourth-grade literary treasure?"
Upon seeing this, Fan Ziling's expression turned extremely horrified. He clearly hadn't expected that the other party would possess a fourth-grade literary treasure.
"A fourth-rank literary talent, this fellow scholar from a humble background is truly a hidden gem. I was blind to his greatness, please forgive me."
Concealing the shock on his face, Fan Ziling clasped his hands in a fist salute and then apologized.
Ye Ru remained expressionless, but his calm words caused Fan Ziling's eyes to narrow slightly:
"Ignorance is bliss. I wonder if I am qualified to enter this Hongbao Tower to exchange for literary treasures?"