Chapter 1840: 1837: Qingfeng Thief
Chapter 1840: Chapter 1837: Qingfeng Thief
After Hong Long and the others left, Zhao Yuan found Li Chen, appearing as if he had something to say but hesitated.
Li Chen saw this and was quite puzzled, asking, “Lord Zhao, if you have something to say, feel free!”
Upon hearing Li Chen’s words, Zhao Yuan finally made up his mind and said, “Mr. Li, it’s like this. I plan to send Qinglan and these young people to the Imperial College for further study. However, the journey to the Imperial College is far and fraught with dangers. I want to invite Mr. Li to accompany them.”
At this point, he quickly added.
“Of course, if Mr. Li has other matters to attend to and it’s inconvenient, then just forget what I said!”
“Imperial College? Is it the same Imperial College where Hong Long was?”
Li Chen, resembling Little White, casually asked.
Upon hearing Li Chen’s question, Zhao Yuan was momentarily stunned.
However, when he thought about it, it seemed understandable that Li Chen, who had followed an esteemed cultivator on the mountains since childhood and wasn’t concerned with worldly affairs, did not know about the Imperial College.
“Mr. Li, you might not be aware, but this Imperial College is one of the four major colleges of our Heavenly Dragon Empire. I’ve heard they are expanding enrollment this year, increasing spots by 50%, that’s why I want Qinglan and the others to try!”
After listening to Zhao Yuan’s words, Li Chen suddenly understood.
This Imperial College is somewhat similar to the ancient academies on Earth.
The only difference is that academies on Earth focused primarily on literary research and writing beautiful articles.
Meanwhile, this Imperial College mainly focuses on martial cultivation and Dao pursuit. Of course, it also includes some studies in literature, military strategy, and medicine.
However, in an empire where martial cultivation is universal, these are considered minor subjects, lesser paths by nature.
Only those without any Dao cultivation talent whatsoever would seek to learn them.
Li Chen realized he had nothing to do, and he was also very interested in this so-called Imperial College.
Thus, without waiting for Zhao Yuan to finish speaking, he agreed.
Seeing Li Chen agree, Zhao Yuan was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in gratitude.
The people of Zhao Village were very excited to hear that Li Chen would accompany them.
After all, the journey from their place to the Imperial College is long and fraught with bandit and villain threats. With a master like Li Chen accompanying them, their chances of safely reaching the Imperial College greatly increased.
Otherwise, if they set out and encountered death at the hands of bandits or bullies even before making it to the Imperial College, it would indeed be very unfortunate.
The Zhao Village was sending suitable boys aged between 12 to 24 to the Imperial College for testing, a total of twenty-seven individuals.
Nine were girls, and eighteen were boys.
Besides that, four adults would accompany them.
Altogether, there were six carts.
Four horse carriages for people, and two ox carts to transport supplies.
Additionally, there were eight horses.
Four horses would be ridden at the front and four at the back, mainly by those of decent skill responsible for security to prevent any encounters with bandits or bullies.
Li Chen’s riding skills were good, and he wasn’t comfortable with carriage rides, so he took a horse and rode at the front of the group.
“Mr. Li, ahead is Breeze Ridge. There resides a gang of bandits, led by a fierce character named Long Zaitian. What do you think we should do?”
The speaker was named Zhao Zhong, a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment Peak Perfect Realm, and also the village blacksmith.
In his early years, he traveled widely and was considered knowledgeable within the entire Zhao Village.
Upon hearing of possible bandit activity ahead, the disciples of Zhao Village showed complex expressions.
Among them, the hot-blooded young male disciples were noticeably excited.
After all, being righteous and eliminating evil has been their dream since childhood.
However, the girls obviously felt uneasy.
Soon, the group experienced a disagreement over the matter.
Some proposed going around, but doing so would mean detouring three thousand miles.
This way, they could very likely miss the Imperial College’s admission test.
If they miss it, then their trip would have been in vain.
Waiting for the Imperial College to enroll students again would be three years later.
Younger ones wouldn’t mind much, just exhausting themselves for three more years.
But for those who had already turned twenty-one, they wouldn’t have three years to wait.
If missed, they would be completely barred from the Imperial College.
Yet if they don’t go around, they could encounter bandits led by Long Zaitian at Breeze Ridge.
If that happens, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The parties argued, so they passed the decision to Li Chen.
However, Li Chen did not answer.
He merely furrowed his brows slightly and instinctively scanned the surrounding forests.
Then, he said with extreme seriousness, “We have no choice, they may already be here!”
Hearing Li Chen’s words, everyone present was shocked.
They instinctively looked around.
At that moment:
Suddenly, stones rolled down from the surrounding forests, blocking the road.
Zhao Zhong was stunned, urgently shouting, “Turn back, quickly!”
However, just then, a group of horse bandits charged out from the surrounding forests, dust rolling and covering the sky.
Their leader carried a banner depicting a cloud-riding Jiao Long.
Clearly, this was Long Zaitian’s flag.
Li Chen and the others were instantly surrounded, and chaos ensued.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhong quickly calmed the Zhao Village disciples, advising them not to panic.
Then, he approached to negotiate, hoping to pass safely by paying ransom.
“Long the King, Long the King, this is a little token from us, hoping we can buy safe passage, please show mercy!”
Zhao Zhong respectfully presented half of their carried goods to Long Zaitian.
However, before Long Zaitian could speak, a Great Hann with a face full of bristly beard glanced at Zhao Zhong’s offerings and flew into a rage.
“Damn it, just this little stuff, are you mocking us like beggars?”
Speaking, he couldn’t contain his anger, violently swinging his whip at Zhao Zhong.
Zhao Zhong couldn’t dodge in time and was hit squarely.
His bronze-colored old face instantly showed a bloody whip mark.
Hearing the commotion, Zhao Qinglan and some girls lifted the carriage curtain to look.
Upon seeing Zhao Qinglan’s oval face, Long Zaitian excitedly rubbed his hands.
“I’m in a good mood today, leave all your belongings, women stay, men can leave!”
Hearing Long Zaitian’s words, Zhao Zhong immediately showed a troubled expression.
“Long the King, I beg you, please show kindness and let us go…”