The Blade-Wielding Legend-Chapter 1376 - 711: Qiankun Academy (Part 2)

"Yes, after the sea trade opened, there are even more of them, spread across the six streets and nine neighborhoods. Some legitimately stay in post houses and guild halls, while others are scattered renting in civilian homes, and some have long since taken root, marrying Han women, raising families, and hiding among the streets. Now, they deliberately keep a low profile to avoid attention, making their whereabouts even harder to trace."

"What’s more dangerous is that these people have deep connections. The local brokers, the Cao Gang and ship gangs, those vassal merchants doing sea trade from Fujian, Zhejiang, and Guangdong Chambers of Commerce... which one hasn’t benefited from these vassal merchants?"

"Those posters that spread overnight all over the Xizhimen vegetable market, without these local ruffians helping to cover their tracks and pass on messages, how could a few unfamiliar Hu people have achieved such speed and secrecy?"

"Even with more manpower at the Captain Bureau and the Law Enforcement Hall, they still have to feel their way inch by inch through this muddy water. There’s no quick knife to cut through the mess! Right now, it’s a game of patience, seeing who slips up first, or if we’re lucky enough to catch those distributing the posters."

"These vassal merchants... they’re really slick!"

Hearing this, Li Yan also frowned.

There are indeed many people involved. If it really is Zhao Qingxu’s doing, he must have taken precautions in the middle. This line won’t be easy to untangle.

"Let’s do it this way."

Thinking of this, Li Yan said in a deep voice, "Brother Luo, keep searching. We will head to Qiankun Academy tomorrow. No matter what tricks Zhao Qingxu is playing, the target is the Academy’s Divine Artifact, and he will inevitably expose himself."

"That would be for the best. Everyone, please be careful."

...

Leaving the Xuan Sacrificial Officer, it was already the third watch of the night.

Exhausted from the journey, everyone returned to Rouyuan Post House and went straight to sleep.

The next day, before dawn, Li Yan was already awake.

Hearing the rustling sound outside the window, he opened the window to find that the continuous drizzle had been falling all night.

He first practiced the Red Fist Ten Great Disks in the room as usual.

Buzzing sound!

Unlike last year, he had now entered into Dan Strength, and while practicing, his body emitted a rumbling sound.

That was the sound of energy and blood running wildly.

Even an old boxer with decades of Dan Strength would not dare to act like this. A slight mistake would lead to damage to the meridians.

However, Li Yan had no concerns, as if walking a tightrope.

His reliance, of course, was the Daluo Dharma Body within him.

Crack!

Just as he was pushing the limits, another crack appeared on the Daluo Dharma Body.

Li Yan frowned slightly and quickly stopped to breathe and circulate his energy.

The current Daluo Dharma Body was already in a terrible state, not daring to act recklessly as before.

However, speaking of which, Zhao Lvzi went to Qiankun Academy, and logically should have returned a long time ago, but when they returned to Rouyuan Post House last night, he was nowhere to be seen.

Feng Feiyan was quite anxious, and even though the Academy had sent word that Zhao Lvzi was fine, she couldn’t sleep at night.

Could something unexpected have happened over there...

After tidying up briefly and having breakfast, Li Yan set out with Sha Lifei.

The main purpose of this trip to the Academy was to assess the situation first.

They had a lot of luggage, many of which were valuable items, so they had to leave Wang Daoxuan and Lv San to look after them.

...

The drizzle was like a woven cloth, and the cold seeped through the skin.

Hooves broke through the muddy official road as Li Yan and Sha Lifei, one in front and one behind, galloped towards the East Suburb.

The rainwater dripped from the edge of their bamboo hats, blurring their vision into a gray curtain.

Upon reaching the hilly area of the East Suburb, the atmosphere abruptly changed.

At the fork in the official road ahead, three temporary wooden fences had been set up, with barriers lined up ominously and spikes glinting coldly in the rain.

Wearer of armor and armed soldiers of the garrison stood solemnly in the rain, their armor covered with a thin film of water, their eyes scanning the surroundings like hawks.

This was the official road, but no traces of idle carriages or horses could be seen on the muddy path.

"Halt! Entry to the East Suburb is restricted to authorized personnel!"

The leading Colonel gave a cold snort, and his subordinates immediately drew their bows and nocked arrows in unison.

Sha Lifei muttered a low curse: "Damn, they’re guarding this place like the Forbidden City."

"Enough with the nonsense!"

Li Yan whispered a caution, then pulled his reins, reaching into his robe to retrieve an object.

It was a token, made of Black Rosewood as the base, with gold cloud patterns embedded at the four corners, and the words "Communication Research" clearly engraved in the center.

Below, there was a small inscription, "With this, access East Suburb, unobstructed."

This was a passage permit that Luo Mingzi had helped apply for.

The East Suburb of the Capital not only housed the Qiankun Academy but also the Divine Machine Camp, hence the permanent checkpoint setup by two garrison units.

The Colonel verified the authenticity of the token, carefully checked the document seals and Li Yan’s appearance. Only then did his iron-hard, cold expression ease slightly. He waved and said in a deep voice, "Move along! As you proceed to the Academy and the Divine Machine Camp, there’s a patrol every five li, stay clear of restricted areas!"

With a rumbling sound, the wooden gate was moved aside. Li Yan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you."

The two of them spurred their horses forward, climbing to the top of a hill, where the view suddenly opened up.

Under the drizzling rain, two vast groups of buildings, separated by rolling ridges, gazed at each other from afar as if they were gigantic beasts lurking in the mist.

The eastern complex was built against a sheer cliff, with massive blue stone walls tall as several yards, as solid as iron barriers, unadorned and sharply linear. The top of the walls featured serrated parapets, with outlines of artillery emplacements and watchtowers faintly visible.

A massive iron gate, tightly closed, hung above with a plaque that read "Divine Machine Stronghold," the words as sharp as a drawn sword.

Even more astonishing were the several impressively thick dark cast iron chimneys piercing the rain, standing proudly, emitting thick smoke.

Clang! Clang!

Heavy sounds like dull thunder came intermittently from behind the high walls, audible even from this considerable distance.

"Good heavens, is that a blacksmith’s forge?"

Sha Lifei was startled, looking incredulous.

Li Yan also furrowed his brow slightly, appearing thoughtful.

The Divine Machine Camp was responsible for forging firearms for the Great Xuan Court, situated here in the East Suburb due to the nearby coal mines and the danger posed by gunpowder.

Judging by the appearance, could there already be a workshop?

Though it seemed impossible, in a world with the Mo Sect, who knows what formidable creations might emerge...

On the mountain opposite, separated by a valley, was the Qiankun Academy.

This academy also expanded along the mountainside, its grand scale astonishing.

From afar, it resembled the Imperial College, but much larger, with a magnificent aura.

A prominent central axis defined its layout.

Flying eaves and overlapping eaves, large halls with hipped-gable and resting hill roofs stood in close ranks, their glazed tiles losing their luster under the gloomy sky, making them appear even more solemn. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

The thick vermilion lacquered pillars were extraordinarily stout, and the expansive white stone steps ascended layer upon layer.

From afar, flanking and behind the main building complex, some uniquely shaped structures were irregularly scattered:

There were angular stone towers as sturdy as fortresses, topped with large copper pipes, unmistakably a telescope...

There were rows of workshop buildings with arched long windows, the rooftops interwoven with smoke pipes, not as thick and intimidating as those at the Divine Machine Camp, but numerous...

The entire academy, enveloped in rain, exuded an unusually tranquil, grave solemnity.

"It seems the court is truly diligent..."

Seeing this, Li Yan couldn’t help but murmur softly.

He had long heard from Yan Jiuling that the academy’s funding had been allocated repeatedly, even drawing on the national treasury.

To ensure timely completion, craftsmen and tens of thousands of laborers from various regions were specially recruited, costing a huge amount and drawing some criticism from court ministers.

Were it not for the replenished treasury after opening the sea route, it might not have been built.

The two of them reined in their horses, pausing on the hilltop, their eyes moving between the two mountains.

The Divine Machine Camp and Qiankun Academy gazed at each other across the valley, seemingly opposing yet mysteriously interdependent.

Sha Lifei sucked his teeth, shook his head, and said, "These two places, they seem like they will be anything but easy in the future!"

"Naturally so."

Li Yan murmured, "One is life-threatening, the other revolutionary. The transformation of the Human Dao might well begin here. Let’s go!"

With that, he led Sha Lifei onward, riding along the mountain path towards Qiankun Academy.

At the entrance, the gates of the academy were even more magnificent, using double infernal cast iron doors, engraved with huge diagrams of the "Qian" and "Kun" hexagrams.

Li Yan’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression turning solemn.

This academy’s Feng Shui had clearly been arranged by experts; Astra Bane Qi circulated, giving the sense of having reached a Cave Heaven Blessed Land.

Six soldiers guarded the entrance, their gazes immediately filled with scrutiny upon seeing them.

Before Li Yan could step forward, the corner gate beside the main door creaked open.

Four attendants staggered out, carrying a large rattan basket filled with peculiarly colored ores.

An elderly Daoist followed, white beard flowing, the front of his linen Daoist robe tucked into his waist, sleeves stained with cinnabar and charcoal, shouting anxiously:

"Be careful! Don’t jostle them..."

Before finishing his sentence, he suddenly sensed something, looked up, and was delighted: "Layman Li, you’ve finally come!"

Li Yan also smiled, "I trust you’ve been well, senior."

The old Daoist was none other than Wang Jingxiu, an alchemy Daoist from Wudang Mountain, also employed as an instructor at the academy.

Before Li Yan could ask more, Wang Jingxiu quickly approached and, full of excitement, tugged at his sleeve, leading him inside:

"You’ve arrived just in time, let me introduce you to a few people. Our academy is a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers..."