Chapter 72

As the light screen on the cauldron flowed, it finally settled.

【Hint: Congratulations on obtaining two wisps of Mother Qi of Mediation; they have been collected. You can obtain them again in ten years of this simulation.】

A smile appeared on Yu Ke's face.

Equipment drop!

He obtained such an item just by playing a game against the Daoist in green.

Last time, two wisps of Mother Qi of Mediation helped him repair his meridians and break through the circulation of a small heavenly cycle in one go.

Now!

The simulation had just begun, and he had directly obtained the guaranteed two wisps of Mother Qi of Mediation; he was truly overjoyed!

"Yes!"

Yu Ke cheered in his heart, looking forward to whether he could use this to change the world's situation within ten years and reap rich rewards again.

When this simulation ends, he believes he can open all his acupoints and complete a full cycle of the great heavenly cycle.

Stepping into the Perfected State of the Second Heavenly Ladder!

Then, he would have to face the same situation as his predecessor.

Charging the Spirit Heaven Acupoint + Foundation Establishment.

If the acupoints are opened, the two-month outer sect assessment seems to be no problem.

The simulation continues.

【"Young Lady?"】

【Feng Long was slightly puzzled and looked over.】

【Just look!】

【In the temple, fifty or sixty soldiers were clad in armor and holding sharp blades, standing solemnly; there were no emblems on their armor.】

【Clearly, they were not regular imperial troops, but private garrison troops.】

【This is not something an ordinary family can afford to support; only hereditary noble families whose ancestors performed military exploits and who have had Metropolitan Graduates within three generations are qualified.】

【Feng Long was greatly surprised; he did not expect this woman in the green dress to have such a high family status.】

【Although he was also from a wealthy local family, his servants would never dare to walk through the city carrying weapons so openly.】

【Let alone such intimidating private garrison troops.】

【You must know!】

【In Daqing, privately raising troops is a grave crime; once discovered, it means the execution of one's entire clan.】

【Since the founding of Daqing, to consolidate imperial power, they collected weapons from all over the world and melted the gold to build twelve golden statues.】

【They value scholar-officials and slight military generals.】

【This has made Daqing the most economically prosperous among the five nations, but its military strength has always been the weakest.】

【This is a hidden danger left behind by Daqing over hundreds of years!】

【Zou Lin was still immersed in the previous chess game, unable to extricate himself; he was a man who loved chess, and seeing the two play like this filled his heart with joy.】

【Zou Shuning was thoughtfully looking at the chessboard; although the Daoist in green had left, the game remained.】

【This person's chess skill might be truly terrifying.】

【She couldn't help but take another look at the middle-aged man who played chess; his attire was not outstanding, and although his clothes were clean and tidy, they were not expensive and were even washed until they were faded.】

【Zou Shuning secretly pondered; the Jiangnan region is rich and prosperous, with countless young ladies and masters in brocade and fine clothing, their clothes always looking new.】

【The people in the temple, except for the woman in the green dress and her companions, even her own nephew, were dressed exquisitely, and the value of their clothing was enough to cover the expenses of more than ten ordinary households for a year.】

【Even the two scholars, although their clothing was simple, used high-quality fabric, clearly not something ordinary families could easily possess.】

【In contrast, what this middle-aged man wore seemed somewhat shabby.】

【People rely on clothes, horses rely on saddles!】

【When traveling, one always prepares the best clothes.】

【Could it be that this person comes from a humble background?】

【In Daqing, there are indeed a few talented people from humble backgrounds who are not valued.】

【She was still pondering, remembering that these two were also heading to the capital!】

【I wonder what for.】

【The thin scholar on the side saw this and hurriedly took out pen and ink, carefully copying the situation on the chessboard move by move, page by page.】

【He named it in his heart: "The Broken Temple Rain-Shelter Game," and couldn't help but feel happy.】

【At this moment!】

【You and Lu Yu were ready to leave.】

【The woman in white cast a curious glance at the two of you, but she did not like such elegant chess games.】

【She yearned for the heroes of the Jianghu, for swift vengeance and freedom.】

【However, she was quite curious about the identities of the two of you.】

【Someone who could be so highly praised by a Grandmaster must be extraordinary.】

【The fat scholar wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, feeling the joy of surviving a disaster:】

【"Haha, I can also be considered a Jianghu hero who has played against a Grandmaster."】

【The woman in the green dress looked somewhat disgusted; if you hadn't stepped in at the end, I'm afraid few people would have survived today.】

【Seeing that the two of you were about to leave, Zou Lin hurriedly stepped forward and said sincerely: "I must thank you both for your help just now!"】

【His voice was full of sincere gratitude.】

【You gently picked up your bamboo hat, put it on your head, and responded with a smile:】

【"You're welcome, it was just a small effort."】

【Zou Lin asked further: "May I ask your honorable names?"】

【The six people in the temple also cast curious glances; based on that level of chess skill, you are definitely not ordinary people.】

【You smiled and said indifferently: "I am just a commoner from Huainan, not worth mentioning."】

【The six people in the temple did not believe it, just feeling that you did not want to reveal your names.】

【Su Ziyin, however, seemed anxious; she walked up to block the two of you, seemingly having something to say.】

【You raised your eyes to look over.】

【Su Ziyin met your gaze and couldn't help but blush.】

【Su Ziyin felt uneasy; she didn't know how to speak, not wanting you to leave just like that!】

【From now on, across the vast world, it would be hard to meet again.】

【You looked at the woman in green standing before you, somewhat at a loss.】

【You walked around her and said, "Farewell."】

【Li Ran saw the young lady's intention, and a dozen soldiers blocked your path.】

【Lu Yu frowned slightly.】

【Su Ziyin walked up and hurriedly asked the soldiers to step aside.】

【"Uncle Li, do not be rude."】

【At this time!】

【Zou Shuning's voice sounded: "If you two are going to the capital, why not ask this young lady?"】

【To be able to dispatch such soldiers at the Yuetang River, they must be a truly great clan.】

【Having just heard about building a pontoon bridge, they are likely crossing the river.】

【After hearing this, Su Ziyin hurriedly confirmed with Li Ran: "Uncle Li, is Father building the pontoon bridge really for crossing the river?"】

【Li Ran nodded and replied: "Indeed, to build this pontoon bridge, ten thousand men have been mobilized, suspension bridges have been set up on both sides of the river, and more than five thousand laborers have been conscripted."】

【The six people in the temple were all surprised to hear this news. They could not imagine that such a large-scale force and labor would be used to build a pontoon bridge.】

【"More than three thousand people from our family have also been urgently called up."】

【The others all showed curious expressions.】

【Su Ziyin said: "Could it be that some great personage is coming?"】

【Li Ran shook his head: "Li Ran does not know the reason, but today that Master Qin Wu brought more than twenty adopted sons and led seven or eight hundred heroes, and they are already at the bridgehead."】

【Zou Shuning continued: "If you detour from here to the confluence of the Great River, I'm afraid it will delay you for a day."】

【"If you two are in a hurry, why not take this pontoon bridge."】

【"Ride fast, and you can enter the capital tonight."】

【"However, if that's the case, the capital might be under curfew and the gates closed."】

【Hearing this, you pondered slightly.】

【Seeing you pondering, Su Ziyin hurriedly said:】

【"I will go beg my father to let you cross the river."】

【Lu Yu looked at you, a flash of inquiry in his eyes.】

【Entering the capital today, time is tight; crossing the river as soon as possible is naturally the best choice.】

【You nodded slightly.】

【Seeing this, Su Ziyin was overjoyed and hurriedly ordered: "Uncle Li, you lead the way." Then, she turned to look at Zou Shuning and the others in the temple and invited: "You are all heading to the capital, right? Why not go together?"】

【Zou Shuning and the other four were not in a hurry, but they were quite curious about your and Lu Yu's mysterious identities and wanted to find out.】

【"Then thank you very much!" Zou Shuning agreed.】

【The fat and thin scholars took their leave, as they had other fellow villagers heading to the capital for the exams, so it was inconvenient to travel together.】

【Zou Lin, as well as Zou Shuning's group of four, and the strong man with the saber had slowly stood up after the Daoist in green left.】

【His face still carried a dreamlike expression; after all, Grandmasters are rare in the world.】

【You walked out of the temple and saw the clouds and mist disperse, the sky as if washed clean.】

【The official road was becoming more and more lively, as everyone knew about the pontoon bridge and was bustling toward the riverbank.】

(End of chapter)