Chapter 129 – The Youths Standing Before the Sun
Translated by: bbkgs
Edited by: bbkgs
TLCed by: bbkgs
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
The Mausoleum of Books was located in the Capital and the Capital was the heart of the Zhou Empire, the heart of humanity’s realm; perhaps, even the heart of the entire continent.
Only through the Grand Examination or those few with special privileges, had the right to enter the Mausoleum and contemplate The Way. Thus, the Grand Examination was the world’s most important event, more so than the Grand Meeting of Zhu Shi that happened once every three or five years.
This year’s Grand Examination was being held at Li Palace as usual; early morning, before the stone pillars of Li Palace, there was already a gathering of the masses numbering in the thousands and above.
Peddlers were selling snacks such as nuts, seeds and fruit; baked goods and meat; and some were even selling benches. Under careful observation however, you would notice that peddlers selling water were the most numerous.
Citizens of the Capital could spectate the Grand Examination every year and were used to its schedule, most of them were currently home, while the masses currently gathered here were from various parts of the continent and solely here for merriment, one could only imagine how things would look once the Grand Examination properly started; with everyone congregated outside of Li Palace, that scene would be extremely festive.
Students that were participating in the Grand Examination had arrived earlier than the spectators. Before the stone pillars of Li Palace, a section, tens of kilometres wide had been cordoned off, brimming with carriages. Under the light of dawn, teachers from the various schools were busy giving their last words of advice to students, while some students had their eyes shut and were resting their thoughts.
Sectioning off this area from the masses that had gathered for merriment was a long yellow tape, made of silk; logically, this taping should not have been enough to keep the masses away, nor should it be able to stop peddlers from naturally trying to occupy prime locations for the peddling of their wares, yet the strange thing was, neither the masses nor the peddlers dared to attempt crossing the cordon.
This was because hundreds of court officials and imperial guards were stationed around the outer perimeter of the cordoning, with stern expressions on their faces. More importantly, at the end of the cordoning was a carriage that was drawn by a Black Rhinoceros, everyone on the continent knew of only one carriage that was drawn by a Black Rhinoceros and that the carriage would always only have a single passenger: His Grace, Zhou Tong, from the Ministry of Personnel.
Disciples from the Southern Domain arrived the earliest.
Disciples from all branches of the Longevity Sect were in attendance; Gou Han Shi and the three other disciples from Li Mountain stood at the front with calm expressions, as if today was like any other. With the rays of dawn shining upon their faces and a morning breeze fluttering their garments, they exuded a feeling of relaxed confidence that captivated the gaze of countless eyes.