CHAPTER 136: CHAPTER 116: JING TEMPLE

Time flew by, and before one knew it, December had arrived.

In the past two months, a significant number of events had taken place. The conflict for succession among the princes of Nanzhou affected the court, making the situation in the Zhou Kingdom increasingly unstable, as if a political coup or even civil war could erupt at any moment. Consequently, some of the Zhou Kingdom’s merchant caravans were unable to return and were forced to remain in the East and West Markets of Chang’an, causing the rent for inns to rise considerably.

Next were the new inventions from the Academic Palace.

Soap and scented soap, once introduced, were widely praised. Their clean, non-greasy appearance, excellent cleaning effects, and long-lasting fragrance thoroughly surpassed the previous greasy pastes. The first few batches of soap swiftly sold out. Even after a slight price increase, the large merchants stocked up on them massively and then drove the prices back down.

With the products selling exceedingly well, the Academic Palace Patent Office took the initiative to arrange introductions. This allowed Li Ang to meet with representatives from the commerce associations in Luoyang, Yangzhou, and other places to expand patent licensing. However, it was still only licensing, not an outright sale of the rights.

While Li Ang received the licensing fees, he also worried that the massive use of alkaline soaps by the public could lead to water pollution. He proactively raised this potential issue with the Academic Palace Patent Office. Fortunately, during the previous malaria prevention effort, the renovation plan for Chang’an’s water channels had included the design of a city sewage system insulated from underground rivers, so it was unlikely to contaminate the groundwater in the short term.

Another product was degreasing cotton—an invention whose affiliation with Li Ang was concealed by the Patent Office. It also sold very well as a menstrual product. In terms of aesthetics, water absorption, and sterility, degreasing cotton completely surpassed the previous cotton cloth, hemp cloth, and even stove ashes.

Once the Imperial Palace learned that Li Ang had invented degreasing cotton, they did not hesitate to purchase it in bulk. Upon hearing that the palace had begun to use it, the major households in Chang’an City followed suit. This trend then spread from the elite to the homes of the common people.

This can be considered the second step in improving the livelihood of the Yu Country’s people after the malaria outbreak.

Accompanied by the bell tolls from the Academic Palace, Li Ang silently closed his book and stepped out of the classroom.

During this period, soap, scented soap, and degreasing cotton had brought him a pre-order licensing fee of twenty thousand strings of coins and a patent fee of five thousand strings of coins, most of which Li Ang used to purchase gold and silver. At the same time, to fabricate the false image to the outside world that he was extravagant and fond of wealth, Li Ang also bought Chai Cuiqiao a large amount of expensive jewelry and clothes for her to wear every time she went out.

This led to rumors that "Li Dalang, the Academic Palace Top Scholar from Golden City Square, dotes excessively on his maid," which became a kind of street gossip. Some even exaggerated the story, claiming that Chai Cuiqiao was as beautiful as a celestial being, could make fish sink and geese fall, make the moon hide and flowers feel ashamed, and was so stunning as to cause the downfall of cities and states. This left Chai Chai both embarrassed and delighted.

Meanwhile, Li Ang himself, after consuming a large amount of gold and silver, noticed new changes in the Mo Si within his body. What had initially only covered the palm of his hand could now cover his entire upper body. With the guidance of Spiritual Energy, it could even cover his face, forming a breathable mask with openings. However, at the same time, the growth rate of the Mo Si was gradually decreasing—ordinary Gold and Silver Ingots now required thirty percent more to achieve the same amount of growth. Li Ang had a feeling that once the Mo Si grew to a certain stage, consuming higher quality special metals would be necessary.

"Risheng, what are you thinking about?" Yang Yu and Li Wei, carrying their books, walked out of the classroom and patted Li Ang on the shoulder.

"I’m thinking about what to eat tonight," Li Ang said casually, then turned his head towards the noisy sounds coming from not too far away.

PUTT-PUTT-PUTT.

BUZZ-BUZZ.

SPLASH-SPLASH.

Across from the Academic Palace’s Chuiyun Lake, on the lawn, variously shaped model aircraft were flying. Some were made of wood or bamboo, while others were metal-clad, with single, double, or even triple wings. Their flying postures also varied; some wobbled and swayed from side to side, while others charged left and right in the air, struggling to make sharp turns.

After that supervisory class two months ago, Dr. Su Feng, a Doctor of Science, had submitted a request to the Mountain Master to open an elective course called Qi Science (also known as aerodynamics), specializing in how to create better-performing model aircraft. Many of the senior students enrolled in this course, and building model aircraft according to Li Ang’s method had recently become the new trend in the Academic Palace. However, the aerodynamic designs of these models they made were not very good, as many lost control mid-flight and crashed into the lake.

"Another one crashed," Yang Yu grimaced and said. "I feel like if one day they hit someone, the Sacrificial Officer will ban all these model aircraft, just like the Flying Sword, only allowing them to be played with in the Martial Arts Arena."

"Speaking of which, Risheng, why didn’t you sign up for the Qi Science class?" Li Wei asked curiously. "If you had attended, Dr. Su Feng would have definitely granted you a large number of credits—after all, that course was developed through discussions between you and him."

"Hmm... better not. I’m busy with other things," Li Ang waved his hand and said.

The model aircrafts built by the upperclassmen didn’t fly as well as his, partly because their aerodynamic performance was inferior, and partly because their sensitivity to Fine Gold wire wasn’t as acute as Li Ang’s.

Perhaps this is also an effect of the Mo Si. My ability to sense and control special metals has already surpassed that of some cultivators in the Rain Listening Realm and Cloud Patrol Realm, though my total Spiritual Energy is still within the Body Concealing Realm. Li Ang reflected silently. Maybe it’s time to find an appropriate moment to reveal that I’ve reached the Body Concealing Realm.

A few days ago, Pei Jing was the first to break through to the Body Concealing Realm, followed closely by He Fanshuang; they both received credit rewards. The Academic Palace’s requirement for new students in their cultivation was to break through to the Body Concealing Realm within half a year to a year of enrollment, and anyone faster than this standard would receive credits. Advancing to the Body Concealing Realm finally allowed the use of some relatively "practical" talismanic magic, but it also meant that newcomers needed to choose a Dao Path that suited them.

Talismanic Sword Thought Body—which one or two should I pick? Li Ang pondered this question as he walked out of the Academic Palace West Gate. The trio then took Yang Yu’s family carriage back to Chang’an—since the weather was cold, Li Ang no longer rode the Red Horse to and from the palace.

The carriage entered Chang’an through the West Kaiyuan Gate, passing through Yining Square. Yang Yu and Li Wei were discussing which Dao Path to pick if they were promoted to the Body Concealing Realm. Li Ang lifted the carriage window, stuck his head out, and breathed in the cold, fresh air. His gaze flitted across the buildings with white walls and black tiles. Li Ang subconsciously caught a glimpse of a structure, drew his head back in, and called for the coachman to stop the carriage.

"What’s the matter, Risheng?" Yang Yu asked instinctively, thinking something had happened.

"Just visiting Jing Temple," Li Ang said, thinking of the date. He jumped off the carriage and stood in front of the temple with its white walls and black tiles.

Jingjiao was a sect of Christianity. The Jing Temple was, in a sense, a church. At this time, a group of Persians dressed in white robes were distributing eggs, candies, vegetables, wooden crosses, and paper scriptures to the citizens queuing outside the temple. Prayers from inside the temple also sounded more fervent than usual.

Li Ang declined the temple staff’s invitation to lead a tour. Accompanied by a puzzled Yang Yu and Li Wei, he entered the temple and looked around. Today was Christmas. An inexplicable emotion rose in Li Ang’s heart—the white walls and black tiles of the Jing Temple, its flying eaves and upturned arches, were no different from the pavilions and terraces of Chang’an. There was even a Grand Hall. On the walls of the Grand Hall were not paintings of the Virgin Mary but portraits of past Emperors of Yu Country—these paintings had been granted by the Royal family as a reward to the Jing Temple.

"...Our Trinity, the Wondrous Being, the Primordial True Lord, God Almighty, who by the sign of the cross establishes the four corners of the world, stirs the primeval wind to birth the dual energies, exchanges void for space and thus the heavens and earth open, the sun and moon proceed and bring forth day and night, and all creatures are crafted, thus humankind originated..." From deep within the temple came the intonations of Chang’an official speech. This was not some secret Jingjiao cultivation scripture but Genesis being recited by a Jingjiao Priest: "God said, ’Let there be light,’ and there was light. He separated the light from the darkness, creating all things and humanity..."

Li Ang felt an unreal sensation. It was Christmas Day, yet there were no evergreen trees, no Christmas stockings, no Christmas carols, and no Christmas presents. He couldn’t find the shadows of the memories he had. Recalling the scenes from the fragments of his memory, Li Ang shook his head in slight disappointment.

"Would the three young masters from the Academic Palace care to wear the cross and listen to the scriptures?" A gentle voice in the official language of Chang’an sounded from a corner of the hall. A young Jing Monk with Persian features and curled hair approached with a kind and friendly demeanor. Judging by his attire, he was also a Priest.

"No need to trouble the Priest. We’re just visiting and will be leaving now," Li Ang declined, as he had simply wanted to experience the Christmas atmosphere from his memory fragments.

The young Jing Monk’s amiable smile did not fade as he continued, "It would be best for the three young masters to stay awhile, listen to the scriptures, and calm your minds. I see that your foreheads are darkened, and it seems there might be signs of bloodshed in the near future."

Signs of bloodshed? Yang Yu and Li Wei’s expressions became strange. A Persian Jing Monk earnestly telling them that their brows were darkened and predicting bad luck in the near future—no matter how they thought about it, it felt inconsistent.