Chapter 1360

"Really? All of them like Pingyang?"

"Yes and no." Liang Qu's mind raced, his tongue sharp as a river in flood, "Every sacred statue, according to its orientation, is shaped differently. Take Yixing — closest to the east, bordering the East Sea, naturally it gazes steadily afar. The far west, where the folk customs are fierce, brandishes a saber on horseback, rearing up. The central places like Anlan, situated in the Central Plains, stand holding the imperial seal!"

"All different?"

"All different!"

The Sage Emperor's eyes flickered.

Liang Qu had already caught his hint; striking while the iron was hot, he fanned the flames: "Your Majesty tours the realm, once in decades, once in a dozen years you leave the Imperial Capital. Since you've come all this way, to miss this chance — what a pity!"

The Sage Emperor sighed: "Thirteen fiefs, one event every three days — that's a whole month————"

"What harm is there? Your Majesty, the saying goes: one wrong thought, and a hundred deeds feel false; prevention must be like a floating bladder crossing the sea, not allowing a single needle's leak."

"Your Majesty's inspection tour is precisely to travel the realm, observe the people's suffering, plug gaps and fill omissions. Miss one fief, slight one place; miss ten fiefs, slight ten places."

"Among the fiefs, a little over half lie east of Peng Ze, all overlapping routes. In other words, at most half a month's route is outside the plan, and it's not staying in one place for half a month. In this minister's view, it's just right!"

The Sage Emperor's face showed conflict, seemingly unable to decide, and he looked toward the Grand Secretary.

"What do you all think?"

The words had been spoken to this point; from the Sage Emperor's appearance these past days standing on the Mianliu watching the sunrise, even a fool would know his mind.

"This minister believes King Huai's words hold much reason; governing requires a comprehensive view, one cannot argue from a single angle. Your Majesty's southern tour is to inspect the realm; the northwest has always been remote, and one should properly follow the course upstream."

"Precisely. Attend to the great body first, investigate to the very source. Ride the one to command the ten thousand, lift the essentials to manage the complex. Whether left or right, half a month — the Huaijiang has always been our Great Shun's lifeline; Your Majesty traveling along the river to personally observe the sacrifices is also to pray for favorable winds and rains, an act of compassion————"

"The principle of things must be analyzed to the minutest detail within the things themselves before the principle is attained. Things come from the past; even if a sage faces them, without careful examination one cannot exhaust their reality————"

One sang, one harmonized; reasons listed, classics cited.

Su Guishan stood on the wharf with hands tucked in his sleeves, watching the water beasts, cursing inwardly.

"Truly interesting. One wants to go, one wants to host — hurry up and decide so the race can start."

"Good. Hear widely and grasp the essentials; see broadly and choose well." The Sage Emperor seemed finally persuaded, unable to refuse, and waved his sleeve, hands behind his back: "In that case, trouble you Grand Secretaries to rediscuss the itinerary."

"Good, widely heard and grasping the essentials, broadly seen and choosing well." The Sacred Emperor seemed finally persuaded, unwilling to refuse, he flicked his sleeve and clasped his hands behind his back, "In that case, then let the esteemed Grand Scholars take the trouble to reconsider the itinerary."

"Yahou!"

The little man in his heart shouted, leaping and bouncing, landing on the ground and breaking into a tap dance.

A sky-sized pie smashed onto Liang Qu's head, leaving him dizzy and muddled.

He hadn't even thought up reasons to persuade the Sage Emperor, yet the Emperor himself proposed going!

Face red, heart pounding.

First the immortal pill, then the favor————

Do it!

Do it big!

Must do it spectacularly!

The Sage Emperor just wants to see some marvels, what's wrong with that? Just wants some amusement, what's wrong with that? Excessive? Excessive??"

"Liang Qing, among this river dolphin, dragon sturgeon, and sea wolf, which is faster?"

"Liang Qing, among this river dolphin, sturgeon, and sea wolf, which is faster?"

Liang Qu stepped forward in a flash: "Replying to Your Majesty, speaking in terms of a rally race, there's no saying which is faster or better. The Dao generates the ten thousand things; the fittest survive. One can only say each has its own merits. The dragon sturgeon possesses formidable power, enlightened by the Dragon Lord of old, strength boundless, short-distance explosion fierce, fearless of water beast ambushes.

The river dolphin moves nimbly, fastest over long distances, but usually acts in groups, weakest in solo combat, and lacks gills, needing to pause occasionally to breathe. The sea wolf is also a group animal, individual strength not weak, sprinting keen, merely stamina slightly less.

Beyond clan differences, individuals also vary. And beyond these three, other water beasts are not absent — there are also octopuses, porcupinefish, innate talents and methods all different————

This year is the inaugural event, so few bring their own water beasts to compete. By next year, as long as the realm meets requirements, any water beast can come participate."

The Sage Emperor and the enfeoffed kings seriously selected water beasts.

Liang Qu casually pointed to a river dolphin and a spindle-shaped racing boat style — just a game, casual was fine, could he really beat the Sage Emperor? Afterward he silently slipped out of the crowd, frantically tapping the spirit link.

Liang Qu casually pointed at a river dolphin, a spindle-shaped racing boat design—just a game, whatever would do, could he really hope to win against the Sacred Emperor? Afterwards he slipped away silently from the crowd, frantically tapping the mental link.

Was Liang Qu prepared?

Of course————

No.

But the old saying goes well: mend the pen after the sheep are lost, it's not too late!

"A Fei! A Fei! Fist! Fist! Raccoon Chief Engineer! Third Prince! Fall in! Emergency! Emergency! All hands assemble! All hands assemble!"

The Da He Li serving as judge put down his french fries; the Third Prince eating osmanthus cake took flight in a Wuhu; Fist, unable to move————

Water beasts of every description dropped their tasks and converged on the Wang Fu pond from all directions.

At the Yingchun Tower, Xu Zishuai watched the fat fish scurrying out in a rush and hurriedly grabbed the amplification spirit device to save the scene.

"Ah oh, Benbo'erba, you say you're going to prepare a surprise for everyone? Alright then, the next work will be handled by me, friends, Benbo'erba has gone to prepare a surprise for everyone, the upcoming race broadcast will be commentated by me————"

"Ah oh, Benbo'erba, you said you wanted to prepare a surprise for everyone? Well then, the following work will be handled by me, friends, Benbo'erba is going off to prepare a surprise for everyone, the upcoming race broadcast will be hosted by me for everyone——"

"Where's Benbo'erba? Where's my Benbo'erba?"

In an instant, crying and fussing rose and fell.

Children stood in the street crying and refusing to leave, rolling on the ground, causing a huge joke. Parents had no choice but to spend money to avert disaster, spending ten-odd wen to buy a Benbo'erba plushie, turning tears into smiles.

A child stood on the street crying and refusing to leave, rolling on the ground, causing a great commotion. The parents had no choice but to spend money to ward off disaster, spending several dozen cash to buy a Benbo'erba doll, turning tears into laughter.

Two ke of selection.

The wooden spindle sank, parting the waves.

Liang Qu let out a long breath, confidently grasping the reins.

He glanced left and right.

Zhang Longxiang and Su Wang chose a robust dragon sturgeon; the Sage Emperor, Liang Qu, and a Yiwei Sect royal kinsman chose river dolphins; Chong Wang and the second royal kinsman chose sea wolves.

Zhang Longxiang and Prince Su chose a sturdy dragon sturgeon; the Holy Emperor, Liang Qu, and a Yiwei Sect royal kinsman chose the river dolphin; Prince Chong and the second Yiwei Sect royal kinsman chose the sea wolf.

Besides the six Wang-ranked princes, there were also the Sky Feather Guard Commander Meng Qiang, Pingyang Prefecture Lord Su Guishan, and a whole series of high officials.

Wen Wen Shi Yun even squeezed into a contestant slot; counting the normally participating You Ren, the scale directly reached a terrifying three hundred-plus people, vast and mighty.

No, one cannot say three hundred-plus people.

Apart from people driving water beasts————

"Don't you croak at this Elder here!" The old toad slapped a webbed foot hard, put a bridle on the yellow-skinned big frog, grabbed its frog head and pressed it to his face, "One thousand taels of gold, do you know how many mu of ponds that can buy, how many lotuses can be planted?

The shore encircles the great marsh; it concerns my frog clan's prosperity and glory. If you can't get it, you're done for! Quick, get first place, and you're a hero; I'll give you two bullhead butterfish! Fail to get it, and the frog clan's future rests on your webbed feet!"

The yellow-skinned big frog looked gloomy and miserable.

Atop the Yingchun Tower, the preparation scene at the dock was playing on the Dragon Spirit Gauze, sweeping past each contestant one by one, while Xu Zishuai introduced them passionately.

On the dock, a sea of people; treasure ships of all kinds lined both sides of the queue. Liang Qu's Creation Treasure Ship had also been rented out; ticket-holding spectators were already waving flags and shouting, beautiful women pressing against the railings, leaning out halfway and waving little flags.

The Sheng Huang wore a smile, waving left and right, nodding lightly.

Both sides immediately erupted in thunderous cheers.

"Sheng Huang! Sheng Huang! Sheng Huang! Sheng Huang!"

The vicious sun hung high in the blue sky; the great marsh was a blinding white expanse.

Contestants looked up, gripped the reins tight, palms full of hot sweat.

At the very front of the three hundred race boats, the Jin Mao Monkey King held the banner high, swaying left and right; the fluttering banner occasionally blocked the sun.

At the side of the formation, Ta Ta checked the reins and wooden shuttles of each contestant one by one, confirming no cheating, climbed ashore, shook water off its short tail, and raised its sharp claws.

The Monkey King bared its canine teeth, spread both arms wide, and pressed down hard.

Pa!

The flagpole cleaved the air, letting out a sharp whistle; the flag face snapped with a crack.

"Hong!"

White spray flew up, tossed into the sky, scattering a faint rainbow.

Jiang Tun, sea wolves, and dragon sturgeons thrashed their tails with all their might, tearing through the great marsh like arrows loosed from bowstrings, shooting out.

The Sheng Huang rode alone at the front, the wind whistling past.

Xu Zishuai shouted: "The race has begun! Wow, our contestants are truly swift as the wind and lightning————"

"Quick quick quick! Charge! Charge! The frog clan's future is in your webbed feet!"

The old toad leapt up and down; the yellow-skinned big frog kicked its legs against the water, pulled the wooden shuttle, and darted out.

Although they cannot use extra assistance, those with supremely high realms have inconceivable control of all kinds; they can perfectly sense the hull's rhythm, control their bodies, coordinate together, making the water beast feel no pressure at all, even borrowing the rise and fall of the waves to reduce weight.

Under such circumstances, the few Yao Long naturally led by a wide margin.

Zhang Xiang and Su Wang stared fixedly at the Sheng Huang, "relentless pursuit," occasionally edging slightly ahead, then quickly falling back, biting close, truly tense and intense.

Only one person, initially behind the Sheng Huang, in no time at all overtook him, so dashing, so cool, successfully drawing everyone's gaze.

It was none other than Huai Wang!

"Elder, charge!" On the treasure ship, Long Yao and Long Li raised their arms and cheered.

"Roar roar roar, our most respected Majesty, one fish leading the charge, the opening momentum is excellent; every current negotiated just right, flawless, simply the art of piloting. Wait, Huai Wang! It's Huai Wang! What is Huai Wang doing?

Is he sprinting early? But the race just started; such stamina allocation — is it some unique tactic? Or is Huai Wang too young and likes showing off?

Roar, Huai Wang comes from behind and actually overtakes His Majesty; is this the distortion of human nature, or the degeneration of morality?" Xu Zishuai exclaimed with passionate fervor.

Commoners who couldn't grab spots near the boats gathered under the Tian Bo Tower, in an uproar.

"This kid, what trick is he up to again?"

Su Guishan didn't believe this kid intended to snatch first place; he only felt Liang Qu was sticking his butt out again, preparing to take a dump.

And what no one expected.

Before the crowd had run seven or eight li, watching the gap between the Sheng Huang and Liang Qu grow wider, a mysterious aura actually rose from the Jiang Tun pulling the Sheng Huang's wooden shuttle!

"This is————"

Zhang Xiang, slightly behind, saw his pupils slowly dilate.

Su Wang and the Imperial Clan Wang forgot to fine-tune for a moment.

They stared wide-eyed, personally witnessing the aura of the Jiang Tun pulling the Sheng Huang rise step by step, its speed rapidly increasing, gradually matching the sprinting Liang Qu!

Chong Wang nearly dropped his jaw.

"Mid-battle breakthrough??"

No, this————how the hell did this happen?

"Wow!" Xu Zishuai, full of passion, roared, "What happened? What happened? His Majesty the Sheng Huang's Jiang Tun, how did it catch up to Huai Wang? Could it be His Majesty is also high-spirited, not planning to reasonably allocate the water beast's stamina?

What? Master, you say it's not a sprint? It's actually breaking through from the middle stage of Great Yaoguai to the upper stage of Great Yaoguai? What on earth is going on? In this river? Quick let me flip through the rulebook."

Atop the tower, the He Li surrounding the Feng Xianyu, engaged in the forging competition, all raised their heads in unison.

"Ah, found it. The Jianghuai Rally rules only require the participating water beast to be at the middle stage of Great Yaoguai — what we commonly call the middle stage of Wolf Smoke; there is no rule forbidding a breakthrough after the race starts. In other words, this is all permitted within the rules! Heavens, how could it be such a coincidence? A mid-battle breakthrough!

Water beasts below the Hu Hu stage cannot speak; they can't tell their own condition, and the selection is fair. If the same water beast is chosen, lots decide. Could it be————

My god, it's our Sheng Huang Majesty with eyes like torches; among the vast water beasts, he spotted this Jiang Tun's extraordinariness at a glance? Saw this Jiang Tun's future? I understand, I fully understand.

Worthy of being our Great Shun Sheng Huang; no wonder our Great Shun brims with talent — first the Long Xiang Wang, then the Huai Wang; it's all because of His Majesty!

Thousand-li horses are common, but Bo Le is rare; therefore it is said————"

Hua!

Endless uproar.

Among the horse merchants of the Southern Frontier and Northern Court, there were no lack of experts, even spies who had come to probe upon hearing of the Sheng Huang's southern tour.

If the development of Great Shun merely shocked them, the current commentary completely terrified them.

This, this is the Great Shun's Emperor Your Majesty?

At Yingchun Tower, Xu Zishuai was completely immersed in his own artistry; having finished reciting "On Horses," he began popularizing the past of Zhang Longxiang and Liang Qu: "Before the Prince of Early Huai entered the Pass, His Majesty personally bestowed an official post; the Prince of Early Huai rode a swift horse, and His Majesty personally issued a verbal edict — how could an ordinary person possibly receive such treatment? So everything was already predestined? His Majesty's wise eyes are like torches; he saw through it all at a single glance!"

In a split second.

Da Shun's rapid rise, the rapid decline of the Southern Frontier and the Northern Court over ten-odd years —

Everything, everything has an explanation!

Goosebumps rose on the spies' bodies; they held their breath, drenched in sweat.

"Hahaha, hahaha, so that's how it is, so that's how it is — the Sage Emperor, is it all because of the Sage Emperor?"

E Qirui laughed toward the sky.

He was right; he had chosen correctly.

He once thought the old Tusi was already a peerless hero, but with such a worthy monarch in the Central Plains, how could one resist, how could one oppose?

"The race has only just begun — could the champion already be a foregone conclusion? His Majesty is both the Emperor of Da Shun and the King of the Jianghuai Rally?

The first major checkpoint is coming up right away; will the Sea Tooth King's sabotage cause any surprises in the race results? Let's first cut to this year's Sleepwalking Competition —"

Su Guishan drove his water beast, staring with mouth agape.

Taking a shit is nothing remarkable.

But how the hell did this shit come out?

Wasn't the River Dolphin chosen by His Majesty himself?

The river wind whistled past his ears; the River Dolphin surged forward, overtaking the sprinting Liang Qu; the Sage Emperor was momentarily stunned, but fortune amid misfortune — even more heroic passion welled up.

"Charge! Charge! Charge!"

"Whoosh!"

Liang Qu, who had spent over three thousand Essence to have the River Dolphin completed by the Unified Command, hid his merit and fame deep.

The evolution was too obvious; the completion was just right!

He adjusted the Water Marsh Essence again.

"Fist, are you ready?"

By the pond, Fist knocked its twin pincers; Fat Fish tugged its long whiskers.

【Water Marsh Essence: 39,650,000】

【Consumable 9,786,000 Water Marsh Essence to grow the Vajra Crab King】

【Vajra Crab King: Dwells on earth veins, nurtures earth veins and nurtures itself in turn, mutual nourishment and symbiosis.】

【Water Marsh Essence: 38,670,000】

A golden cocoon wrapped Fist.

Up to this point.

The third Upper Realm great yaoguai besides Fat Fish and Pai Xiao Xing — Fat Fist Heavy Industries complete form — was born in grand fashion!

Da He Li carried an iron hammer and jumped into the pond; the little Mirage Dragon stuffed itself with osmanthus cakes and burrowed in headfirst.

Plop plop plop.

"Boom!"

Crystal-clear cool water droplets fell on his face; the dazzling sunlight was blocked out.

Three hundred-odd wooden shuttles cleaved the Jianghuai water surface, leaving three hundred-odd white trails.

The racers widened their eyes in disbelief.

The sky-covering, sun-obscuring Sea Wolves cast shadows; the Sea Tooth King pounced fiercely, graceful in mid-air, sighed a breath, and slammed down heavily!

Huge waves surged; at that moment quite a few contestants failed to keep their bearings, rushed up the wave crests, and with the water surface's rapid undulations, went weightless and were flung flying, then fell back down; by the time they re-grabbed their wooden shuttles and climbed aboard, they had already fallen far behind the main pack.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Even Liang Qu had to concentrate fully, drive the River Dolphin, and dodge obstacles.

He seemed to return to that night when he first saw the Frog King pounce and kill the Flaming Bird.

"Is this a joke? Master sent a Yaowang to do this? No face at all?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun complained incessantly, nearly knocked flying by a huge wave; she clutched the reins tightly, drifted in a panic to dodge, then another sky-covering, sun-obscuring wave slammed down head-on.

Had I known, I wouldn't have come to the rally; I'd have gone to the Sleepwalking Competition instead — last year I at least made the top ten.

"Ah! My life is up to me, not heaven; Jiang Xiao Tun, charge for me!"

"Coming! Coming! Audience friends." Xu Zishuai shouted, "The first checkpoint of the Jianghuai Rally — the Sea Tooth King's water splash leap! With towering waves, the earlier you break through this checkpoint, the faster you escape; conversely, if you slip up, it's miserable — you might be delayed a good while."

"Hahaha, hahaha, interesting, truly interesting!"

Waves layered upon waves; the river wind vast and mighty.

The Sage Emperor laughed loudly, tugged the reins, the River Dolphin pulled the wooden shuttle, charging left and right, dodging wave crests one after another, breaking out first, a lone rider leaving dust behind!