Chapter 276: Shadows Over Mingsha City
by xennovel“Mingsha City stirring up trouble again?”
Upon hearing the Chief Leader’s concerns, the Deputy Leader paused briefly. But moments later he spoke up again, resolutely affirming his idea: “Leader, for the magic contest, Mingsha City isn’t likely to cause any more disturbances. As long as we restrict them from entering the competition, there’s no chance for mischief! They’ll only be provided with a single competition venue.”
“A single venue only?”
“Exactly! And Mingsha City won’t have to host any opening ceremonies or anything of the sort. Otherwise, an opening event might provoke further commotion from their side.”
The Deputy Leader quickly added.
This plan would effectively seal off Mingsha City. With just one venue on offer, I can’t see them managing to stir up any trouble.
“But if we do that, while some issues might be resolved, it does seem a bit unfair to Mingsha City. When the Cultural Expo was quiet, it was our insistence that they ramp up the excitement. Now that there is a stir…”
The Chief Leader resumed his seat.
In truth, this Cultural Expo has already wronged Mingsha City. Had they been allowed to perform during the opening ceremony or lead the initial showcase, H Country wouldn’t have been implicated at all,
and there’d be no daily anxiety over potential mishaps in Jinlong Ancient City.
“Leader, earlier today the head of Mingsha City called, saying they don’t want the buzz around the Zhu You Technique to grow too intense. They’re likely to agree!”
“Plus, providing just a competition venue won’t disturb Mingsha City’s original project plans. Not to mention, the ancient costume exhibition hall is already set up as a ready-to-use venue.”
“And we can work out some compensation for them!”
The Deputy Leader hurriedly added.
“Compensation? In that case, could you call them and see what their thoughts are?”
After a long silence, the Chief Leader finally spoke.
“Alright, Leader!”
At 10 p.m., Mingsha City was alight with activity. Tourists bustled about, and despite the Expo’s conclusion, the city remained lively—especially around Oasis 1.
Ever since the Qingming Scroll, Protectorate of West Liang, and the Xianxia Zone gradually opened, the area around Tengwang Pavilion in Oasis 1 had drawn noticeably less attention.
But now that Taiyi Hospital was trending online, it was impossible not to be drawn to the excitement.
Just a sand dune separated Taiyi Hospital and Oasis 1, and many patients waiting for treatment had their eyes set on the guesthouses in Oasis 1.
At that moment…
At Desert Pavilion, Xu Hao and Lin Wenian were watching Taiyi Hospital from the other side. “Xiao Xu, I’m really sorry about this time. We didn’t think much of it back then, and now look at all the trouble it’s caused!”
Lin Wenian looked at Xu Hao apologetically.
Initially, when they first showcased the Zhu You Technique, nothing seemed amiss. But as one improvement followed another right before the onlookers’ eyes, the three of them were terrified, even considering calling off the performance.
Alas, with a global livestream, they had no choice but to push through.
“Old Lin, don’t blame yourselves for this!”
Xu Hao immediately waved his hand dismissively.
In truth, by this point he bore the greatest responsibility. It wasn’t really anyone else’s fault.
“But…”
Lin Wenian hesitated to speak.
Taiyi Hospital was now famous enough. Even if they’re not offering the Zhu You Department later, the people of Long Kingdom still know these doctors have the skill.
However, Mingsha City might easily be labeled as promoting feudal superstition.
“Old Lin, it’s fine. Tomorrow when the consultations start, we stick to our original plan. If any patient asks for the Zhu You Technique, simply refuse!”
Xu Hao looked at Lin Wenian and continued.
It’s a tough situation. Although healing is the hospital’s duty and Mingsha City’s expertise in the Zhu You Technique will only become more valuable, if these doctors become accustomed to using it in Mingsha City, they might start believing it’s a cure-all. And if the technique fails outside, it won’t be seen as healing but as a hindrance, so under no circumstances should it be used openly during Taiyi Hospital’s consultations.
“Don’t worry about that. We old geezers know what we’re doing! And we won’t let those young doctors use it. If anyone does, they’re fired on the spot!”
At these words, Lin Wenian hurriedly assured him.
In fact, even if Xu Hao allowed its use, he wouldn’t let it happen again.
Performance and medical treatment are two entirely different matters!
“That’s good!”
Just then, as Xu Hao was about to say something further, his phone rang.
He glanced at Lin Wenian with a nod before stepping aside to answer the call.
“Leader, you’ve arrived?”
The call was from Dong Liping. He had left Mingsha City at five in the afternoon and was already on his way back to Lanshi.
“Xiao Xu, I just reached Lanshi. On the way, someone from the main venue called. They want Mingsha City to host a magic contest where they’d perform some of Long Kingdom’s traditional magic tricks to ease current trust issues! They even said Mingsha City doesn’t have to compete or hold an opening ceremony, and there’ll be some compensation in the end. Listen to this…”
Moments later, Dong Liping’s voice followed.
“A magic contest?”
Xu Hao’s expression shifted noticeably.
“Yeah, it seems the fuss has gotten out of hand. There’s no way to explain it anymore; they have to muddle things over with ancient magic tricks and grand illusions. In the end, they might even reveal a few secrets about these tricks to make people think the Zhu You Technique and ancient magic are essentially the same.”
Dong Liping continued, though his tone revealed a hint of discontent as he relayed the higher-ups’ message.
When the sub-venue was quiet, they demanded a huge commotion—they could cover the costs. But now with things stirring, there’s no turning back! And if the magic contest succeeds, Taiyi Hospital in Mingsha City will be indisputably implicated.
“Leader, hosting an international magic contest isn’t a problem. Truth be told, it could even help counteract some of the negative impacts of the Zhu You Technique. Even if Mingsha City’s Taiyi Hospital faces a bit of criticism, it doesn’t matter. But this isn’t fair to those in Long Kingdom who make their living performing ancient magic tricks! If they start revealing secrets, no one will pay attention to the heritage of Long Kingdom’s traditional magic.”
“Besides, only revealing our traditional magic while not exposing Western illusions won’t do. Western magicians wouldn’t let their secrets be uncovered so easily either.”
“After all, what’s the point of magic if it’s exposed? And besides, a contest is a contest—the magicians must prove themselves. Long Kingdom’s traditional magic has already been frequently attacked and discredited by Western illusions. If we go along with this plan…”
Xu Hao fell silent for a moment before sharing his own thoughts.
Although Mingsha City’s upcoming focus is on enhancing its infrastructure to become a true ancient city, fitting in a grand magic contest won’t be an issue.
“Unfair to those who make their living with traditional magic?”
Dong Liping also paused before continuing,
“That’s true. I’ll speak with the higher-ups again to see what they think.”
“Alright, Leader! We in Mingsha City can opt out of competing or hosting the opening ceremony, but we really don’t want our traditional magic to be publicly exposed! If it isn’t revealed, we can handle it.”
Xu Hao made his stance clear once more.
“Yeah!”
And so it was.
After hanging up with Dong Liping and chatting a while longer with Lin Wenian—seeing him off at the river guesthouse—Xu Hao returned to the Ancient Building Courtyard in Wudi City.
Just as he was about to freshen up and rest, his phone rang again!
It was once more a call from Dong Liping.
“Leader.”
“Xiao Xu, I’ve relayed our concerns upward. The higher-ups agree: keeping the secrets hidden is acceptable. As long as the public believes that many of these marvels are just skillful illusions, everything’s fine.”
Dong Liping continued.
“If that’s the case, there’s no problem on my end.”
Hearing this, Xu Hao immediately responded.
To be honest, he had little room to refuse at this point—especially as his responsibilities were growing. With Mingsha Academy set to begin admissions next year, his status was only set to rise.
Many matters cannot solely chase after economic gains.
“Alright then, I’ll inform them.”
“Okay, Leader!”
Days passed—the Cultural Expo finally drew to a close. Few still mentioned it, and the progress on the intangible cultural heritage project depended on the authorities, so results wouldn’t come anytime soon.
Thus, the buzz over the Zhu You Technique gradually faded online, though in reality countless patients with baffling ailments that Western medicine couldn’t cure were boarding trains to Mingsha County.
H Country. Park Qi Ye and Cui Xiaozhong exchanged glances as they read the latest messages on their computer screens. “Ha ha ha! We haven’t even started our moves here, yet they’ve already reached out to the International Magic Organization!”
Park Qi Ye couldn’t hide his delight.
After all, Mingsha City’s use of traditional medicine to showcase the Zhu You Technique hadn’t really surprised them. Their Eastern Medicine Treasure had borrowed extensively from Long Kingdom’s medical texts, which also contained related content! They thought it was unlikely and didn’t plan on performing, so they simply blacklisted that section.
But that didn’t mean they’d given up on ruining Mingsha City—on the contrary, their schemes grew ever darker.
“President, should we reply immediately or wait for a couple of days?”
After a pause, Cui Xiaozhong spoke up.
“Over the past two days, I’ve been in contact with several renowned magicians from our country. They’ve begun analyzing what’s ‘magical’ about some of Mingsha City’s performances! If they team up with internationally famous magicians, not only could they dismantle Mingsha City, but they might also take down the traditional magic of Long Kingdom—a true double whammy! Let’s wait a couple of days. Replying immediately would make it seem like we had planned this all along.”
Upon hearing this, Park Qi Ye decisively waved his hand.