Chapter 210 - 151 The Drum King Convention

"Everyone here seems to have been enjoying quite the limelight recently..."

Manager Wan took a sip of tea, his face beaming with a smile, "I used to tell people everywhere that you guys had bright futures ahead."

"And look now, you just arrived in Chang’an and your fame has skyrocketed, what with the Fire Bear Gang duel and the vanquishing of evil at Xiangji Temple. It’s like the saying goes, ’A golden scale is not common in the pool, once a dragon meets the wind and clouds...’"

"Manager Wan, you jest."

Li Yan shook his head, "That kind of talk is fine for outsiders, but among ourselves, who know each other’s backgrounds, there’s no need for such mockery."

"Eh~"

Manager Wan waved his hand, "This is not empty talk on my part, you few have the most resonant reputations in the pugilistic world these days."

"Especially young Brother Li, sporting youthful charm, spending a fortune at Huawei Building, leaving countless people green with envy."

"I’ve heard that all the Oiran in the buildings around Chang’an City are scheming to find out more, wishing to subdue you, the merry casanova."

"Truly inherited from your father, that charm..."

Li Yan was dumbstruck, "All I did was drink some wine, sing some songs, haven’t touched a single woman, how did I become a merry casanova?"

"Still have the gall to say that!"

Sha Lifei got worked up, "A whole thousand taels, do you think money comes with the wind?"

"I’ve inquired about it, the manager at Huawei Building sent up girl after girl, but you didn’t fancy a single one, just drinking and singing, while generously throwing around money."

"What you did was not simply enjoying the pleasure quarters, but rather a slap in the face, implying that none of the beauties at Huawei Building caught your eye?"

"The manager of Huawei Building was livid, and naturally, the girls in the other buildings were delighted. If anyone could lure you into their pavilion, wouldn’t they have their moment in the sun?"

Manager Wan clicked his tongue and shook his head, "That’s why I say you don’t see the big picture."

"Brother Li, this is clearly a strategy of ’desiring to capture by feigning retreat.’ In the future, won’t you be treated as a VIP wherever you go? Many a seasoned visitor to the pleasure quarters lacks this skill..."

Sha Lifei was startled, "That’s true as well."

"Alright, alright."

Li Yan chuckled helplessly, "Where does one even begin, I was just merrily drinking, shouting out a few tunes, how did things turn out this way?"

"Let’s forget about this; Manager Wan, with the New Year approaching, have you come to Chang’an to purchase new year’s goods?"

"There’s no need for me to worry about that."

Manager Wan shook his head, "This trip to Chang’an isn’t about other matters but for the Drum King Assembly."

Li Yan frowned in confusion, "Isn’t that meant to start during the Lantern Festival?"

"This time is different from the past!"

Sha Lifei’s spirits lifted on hearing this, "I just got wind of some news. This year’s Lantern Festival is unlike previous ones, and it’s going to make a big stir. These past few days, performers from the pugilistic world outside the state have been heading to Chang’an."

"Mhmm, exactly."

Manager Wan smiled, "For one thing, the new Governor Li has taken his post, and another matter is related to the Mystical Sect."

"At the beginning of the Great Xuan Dynasty, to pray for peace and prosperity, each Cave Heaven Blessed Land crafted a batch of spiritual currency, kept in Famous Mountains and Great Rivers, offered incense day and night, waiting for the time to be unveiled."

"This spiritual currency is serious tender for the Mystical Sect, some ward off evil, others protect the bearer, and are indispensable in crafting Magic Artifacts. The orthodox sects and the court will take half, and the rest will flow into Magic Veins and side doors."

"Thus, whenever the spiritual currency is unearthed, it’s considered a grand event for the Mystical Sect. The state where it occurs will also host a large ritual event, praying for blessings for the coming year."

"But the slots to purchase the spiritual currency have to be fought over to prevent private fights to the death among different Magic Veins, the Mystical Sect established a set of rules, using local folklore and fire festival performances as a base to determine winners."

"Like last year, in Min State’s Huotong Grotto Heaven, they selected the Divine Travel ceremony; numerous Mystical Sect members converged, displayed their powers in Min State, suppressed evil from all directions, leading to the coast of Min State being free of major disasters this year."

"What a pity, Min State is too far away, and I’m too old with too many duties. Even if I wanted to witness it, I couldn’t make the journey."

"Such a grand event?"

Interest piqued in Li Yan, "What has Chang’an selected for this year?"

"This year they’ve chosen the Divine Tower of East Village, Han City!"

Manager Wan stroked his beard with a smile:

"This tradition stems from the Ancient Shang ’Yu Dance,’ where people carry the statues of literary and martial deities praying for rain, accompanied by gongs and drums, creating a formidable parade, requiring the cooperation of many."

"Guanzhong has always had little rain, fearing drought the most. There have been some ominous signs this year, thus, the Divine Tower has been chosen to pray for rain, ideally utilizing the strength of various Mystical Sects to ensure a year of favorable weather for Shan State."

"Of course, the major Magic Veins of each region have their pride and will seek to obtain slots from the orthodox sects. So, the participants are all from side doors and minor Magic Veins."

"My visit to Chang’an this time is to gather forces, form a team, and compete for a slot."

"Little Brother Li, having inherited the Qin and Han War Drum King legacy and adept in spells and martial arts, you’re the one to play the critical drum."

"I thought it was something serious."

Li Yan laughed, "Such a grand ceremony is a must-see. Since you hold me in such regard, I will certainly give it my all!"

"Oh yes, another matter. I entrusted someone to send a message to Brother Zhao Lvzi, but they couldn’t find him on several attempts. What has he been busy with recently?"

Manager Wan chuckled, "Naturally, he’s also busy with this matter."

"The timber for the Divine Tower can’t be substandard. I’m going all out this time, many old friends will lend a hand."

"Well then, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

"Won’t you stay for a meal, senior?"

"Eh~ Where’s the time for that? I still need to find others. Once everyone is gathered, I’ll host a grand meal for us to drink to our hearts’ content!"

"That sounds good, safe travels, senior."

After sending off Manager Wan, the three looked at each other.

Sha Lifei burst into laughter, "And here I thought we could relax for the New Year, but it turns out I have to deal with the relic, Brother Yan has to play the drums, and Daoist Wang probably has his hands full too."

Wang Daoxuan stroked his beard, smiling, "Landlord Du has introduced me to several gigs, all are for New Year blessings, house cleansing, and dispelling disasters. I can handle them alone; you all should get busy with what you need to."