Chapter 305: Turbulence at Mingsha City

“Hmm!”

Someone replied.

“How is that possible? H Country’s contestant just clinched the title at the Medium Magic Competition, and Jin Shanfú is a top seed—the outlook was outstanding.”

The tourist peering through the binoculars looked utterly bewildered.

As a die-hard magic fan, he had truly hoped to witness an epic showdown between four top masters in Mingsha City.

“The exact reasons are unclear, but this is definitely true. The International Magic Competition committee has already issued an announcement! Moreover, H Country has shared it. They can’t declare a withdrawal one moment and then backtrack, can they?”

“Let me check it out!”

It wasn’t just the visitors near Mingsha Fudi who were shocked. As soon as the announcement went live, the internet burst into heated discussions.

Some expressed regret, while others were incredulous.

Of course.

But none were more frustrated than a few contestants from H Country.

Inside the Ancient Building Courtyard where the Mingsha Ge and the H Country team were based, the atmosphere was utterly silent. Most of the team’s luggage had been hastily packed.

Meanwhile, team leader Cui Xiaozhong was lingering in a corner, still on the phone.

“President, it’s clearly Park Dong-hee’s fault. Why drag us into this? Mr. Jin had already reserved a spot a couple of days ago, perfect for showcasing the Sunlit Gold effect.”

Judging by his tone, Cui Xiaozhong was on the verge of a breakdown.

“There’s nothing we can do. This is a directive from above. Besides, the Ross Consortium suspects there might be other traitors within the team. To ensure everything goes smoothly, they decided on this measure.

And on top of that, the compensation claim from Mingsha City has infuriated the higher-ups.”

The next moment, Park Qi Ye’s voice crackled through the phone.

You could hear that Park Qi Ye was equally frustrated, yet he had no choice but to follow the Consortium’s orders.

“President, can’t we have Chairman Chen mediate? Even if an investigation is needed, can’t we wait until we return home? The truth will come out—we’re ready to face a full-scale inquiry.”

Mentioning compensation just made Cui Xiaozhong feel even more stifled.

If they returned home in this dejected state, they might never recover their pride.

Before leaving the country, they were brimming with ambition, convinced that using this Magic Competition to bring down Mingsha City was a sure thing.

Yet after several rounds, Mingsha City came out unscathed—and even reaped some unexpected benefits—while they not only angered the Ross Consortium but now also faced a massive compensation bill.

No one could have foreseen such an outcome.

“Chairman Chen? Don’t even mention it! When Chairman Chen heard that Mingsha City was asking for compensation, and that a lawyer named Zhang San was involved, he hung up immediately.”

Park Qi Ye replied helplessly.

It was the first time he had ever seen the usually omnipotent Chairman Chen so bluntly reject something.

“Uh…”

Cui Xiaozhong was stunned into silence.

“Well, well…”

“Alright, whatever happens, let’s return first and investigate this thoroughly. As for the compensation to Mingsha City, I’ll report back to the higher-ups later.

But judging by the current situation, we won’t be able to dodge this compensation claim.

It all comes down to the final amount.”

After a brief pause, Park Qi Ye spoke again,

“President, I… sigh!”

At this point, Cui Xiaozhong’s face was etched with despair.

He knew there was no turning back now!

“By the way, when you return, keep a close eye on Park Dong-hee. If anything goes wrong on the way, neither of us will escape responsibility.”

“Alright!”

As the sun set and the moon rose over Yan City, in an office on the Second Ring, a top leader finished reading some documents and finally broke into a satisfied smile.

“Making H Country’s delegation pay? Not bad! Mingsha City really pulled off a magnificent display this time!”

He stood up,

and after a quick cup of tea, the top leader turned to the Deputy Leader sitting at his desk.

“Isn’t it? At last, we can breathe easy for once!”

Upon hearing this,

the Deputy Leader nodded in agreement.

“Not only did we save face for Long Kingdom, but we can also claim some compensation. More importantly, this time we avoid the mess of having to explain everything to the public like before.”

After a pause, the top leader continued,

In his view,

if things stayed as they were, the impact of Zhu You Technique would be minimized. Most people would chalk up these phenomena to human error rather than the supernatural.

“Leader, it’s like this—in fact, judging by the way Mingsha City is handling things, I was about to remind you again,

but after seeing the contestant’s entry in the Medium Magic Competition, it seems unnecessary.”

The Deputy Leader nodded in agreement.

“Yes, and with H Country’s top seed bowing out, our Long Kingdom contestant has a great chance at claiming the Large Magic Competition title. It’s a complete win for us.”

“Leader, so we…”

“Just wait for the final results! Oh, and meanwhile, keep an eye on the compensation issues for Mingsha City—don’t let H Country stiff us on the payment.”

“Understood!”

Unbeknownst to the two leaders, as they began to appreciate Mingsha City’s reliable efficiency, Xu Hao reappeared in a small courtyard within Biyou Palace under the moonlight.

“Daoist, I need to head to Yan City in the next few days. Keep an eye on things over at Wuzhuang Temple. Don’t let the workers take too many liberties, alright? Also, about the Magic Competition—although H Country’s contestant dropped out, that M Country contestant David isn’t exactly a stand-up guy.

His choice of venue said it all!”

He looked at You Gong and said,

“You’re off to Yan City?”

You Gong hesitated for a moment.

“Yes, there are quite a few matters to handle over there, so I might be gone for a while.”

Xu Hao glanced back at the towering Mingsha Ge on the mountain peak.

Although Li Jue had spoken casually over the phone, resolving matters there wouldn’t be accomplished in just a day or two—especially the merger with Su Province Traditional Chinese Medicine College, which raised numerous issues.

For instance, how would they reposition the former dean of the college? And if Taiyi Hospital’s national medical masters and doctors took on teaching duties, how would staffing and salaries be managed? After all, Taiyi Hospital and Mingsha Academy operate on different principles!

Mingsha Academy is part of the Ancient Architecture Research Institute, a formal government body, whereas Taiyi Hospital is entirely under Mingsha City’s private management.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on everything here. I’ll also fully support President Luo’s plan for constructing the Mingsha Amusement Park. As for that David… he’s nothing special!”

Regaining his focus,

You Gong quickly added,

“That’s good!”

Xu Hao nodded.

“City Master, while you’re in Yan City, work on integrating the Huangdi Neijing.”

After a brief pause, You Gong continued,

At the mention of Huangdi Neijing, a strange look passed over You Gong’s eyes, as if he were witnessing a rare prodigy.

Even the simplest Zhu You Technique takes an average person years to master, yet Xu Hao managed to weave it all together in just a few days and has already entered the second phase.

If he can fully integrate the second phase of Huangdi Neijing, Xu Hao will be ready to delve into genuinely “supernatural” arts,

like those practices often dismissed as mere superstition.

“Daoist, rest assured—I won’t stop until I master it! I aim to have the second phase fully integrated by the time I return from Yan City. I already grasp about 70-80% of it.”

Xu Hao gave a slight wave, signaling for You Gong to relax.

Unlike Zhu You Technique, the second phase requires continuous study without interruption. That’s why You Gong had stressed its importance.

“So you believe you can integrate it upon your return?”

You Gong let out the faintest sigh.

He recalled how it had taken him over three years to master the second phase, a feat even praised by his master as a rare talent.

Now, in the face of Xu Hao’s brilliance, all that meant little.

“Daoist, I’ll leave it at that for today. I still need to visit Wudi City to meet with General Zhu and President Luo; they have a lot to discuss.”

Checking his watch, Xu Hao remarked,

“City Master, you get on with your business!”

Just as Xu Hao was about to leave the courtyard, You Gong suddenly remembered something and hurried after him.

“City Master, regarding the Magic Competition…”

He inquired,

“Magic Competition? Just stick to the program you mentioned earlier. Tone it down a bit—just win the championship! Even a tiny victory counts. With the prize money, you can even add a few more features to Biyou Palace.”

Xu Hao waved his hand, signaling You Gong to keep control over the situation.

“Just winning is enough?”

After a moment’s thought, You Gong promptly replied,

“City Master, understood!”

Days passed, and although Xu Hao quietly left Mingsha City for Yan City, the buzz around the Magic Competition only grew.

On March 12th, with only one day remaining until the Large Magic Competition,

at 4 PM, Mingsha City was swarmed by an unusually massive crowd! Not only was the lakeside at Mingsha Fudi packed with visitors, but traditional hotspots like Qixia Town, Wudi City, and Langya Pavilion also drew throngs. And then there was the famed Demon-Locking Tower, renowned for capturing the unerasable image of the witch.

Of course, that wasn’t all.

Visitors by the small lake at Mingsha Fudi had even brought coats and yoga mats, planning to camp overnight.

Simply because the next day’s Large Magic Competition was set on three small islands in the center of the lake—a prime viewing spot that didn’t require a ticket, so claiming a spot early was essential.

At the Ancient Building Courtyard where Long Kingdom’s delegation was based, a few contestants were huddled around a set of blueprints, nervously discussing details.

“Ma Qian, all eyes are on you tomorrow!”

A Small Magic Competition contestant patted the shoulder of a young man beside him.

They were all feeling exceptionally frustrated this time. What was meant to be a debut in the Medium Magic Competition was overshadowed by that witchcraft magic spectacle.

So, their final hopes rested on Ma Qian.

Of course, Ma Qian had the skills to deliver.

“I hope everything goes smoothly!”

Ma Qian took a deep breath.

Tomorrow, he would perform his signature act, the ‘Transcendence Trick’.

“The draw results are in!”

Just as the group was about to continue their conversation, a voice called out from the courtyard entrance—Xie Feiyang, holding a note and beaming with joy.