Chiba Michiko nervously looked at the charcoal fire that was slowly rising in front of her.
This was not an ordinary charcoal fire.
It was a spirit fire.
To be more precise, it was the spirit charcoal that she had been constantly infusing her own spirit power into the charcoal over the past few days.
Although it was only the most basic spirit charcoal, it looked like a miniature psionic power tide but when it burned.
The surging psionic power swept and roasted along with the flames.
In the small kitchen, light shone brightly.
“Michiko, you’re really amazing!” Beside her, Chiho Fujiwara, who had already changed into Jiang City University’s uniform, opened her beautiful big eyes and looked at Chiba Michiko in surprise.
“This is nothing!” Chiba Michiko looked at the burning spiritual fire. As she controlled the speed of the fire, she carefully flipped a pork chop in her hand.
She was currently at a critical moment.
Using spiritual charcoal and spiritual fire to grill food was not considered innovation.
Many people could do it!
But, using spiritual fire to grill ordinary food to change it.
This was an unprecedented innovation!
Although she had succeeded a few times in the past two days, this pork chop was for ling-san.
It had to be perfect!
As a result, Chiba Michiko’s attention was extremely focused.
She slowly flipped the pork chop in her hand.
A faint red color quietly appeared in the depths of her eyes.
It was the result of her hard work in cultivating these past few days!
It was the crystallization of the entropy controlling technique recorded in the spirit food.
Relying on this technique, it was described by the spirit food as the beginner’s technique.
She was able to know and grasp the strength between the pork chop and the spirit fire in her hand at any time.
However, she was still too weak.
Therefore, after roasting it for a while, she had no choice but to move the pork chop away and rest for a while. At the same time, she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“Chiho Fujiwara!” She turned around and looked at Chiho Fujiwara, asking, “I heard that the physics department of River City University is allowed to listen in, right?”
Upon hearing that, Chiho Fujiwara nodded.
All the universities in the Federal Empire were allowed to listen in.
Of course, the prerequisite was that they had permission to enter and leave the campus.
Chiba Michiko blinked her eyes and asked, “Then… where can I apply for the audit hearing of River City University? Have you inquired about it?”
“Yes!” Chiho Fujiwara said, “I’ve already made some inquiries for you! It’s in the Office of the school administration office at the South Gate… You can get the audit hearing if you pay 1,500 yuan a month!”
The audit system was an invention of the federal empire.
The original intention of its creation was to provide a way for scholars from humble families to enter the university. The first university in this country was reformed from the Imperial College, and the subsequent universities were basically reformed from the previous official schools.
For example, the famous Yuelu University was formerly known as the Yuelu Academy. Up until now, Yuelu University had established the ‘eight-legged institute’.
Thus, these universities were set up one by one.
A serious problem was exposed in front of the great ancestor at that time.
The tuition fees were not cheap, and the educational qualifications were controlled by the higher-ups.
Hence, there was a system of listening in.
This was also a tradition in the past.
In the past, outside the windows of private schools, there were often examples of cowherd children studying hard at the windows, and finally getting ahead.
The great ancestor of the Federation institutionalized it.
At first, auditing was even free.
As long as one wanted, everyone could take a small stool outside the classroom to listen in.
However, as the country became richer and stronger.
The compulsory education law was fully implemented.
The system of listening in gradually changed its flavor.
It became a ‘curve-saving’route for many foreigners who couldn’t get into the country’s universities.
Many people relied on their tourist and business visas to go to those famous schools they fancied and then freeload in classes.
Regarding this, the federal empire was also helpless, so they could only introduce the system of paying for listening in students.
As for abolishing it?
That was something that no one dared to do.
The legal status of the ancestors was similar to that of the constitution, and could not be easily touched.
Unless it was absolutely necessary, no one would have the courage to take the risk of being attacked by the conservative faction to do so.
Once the label of ‘disloyalty’ was put on, it would be very difficult to remove it.
Moreover, on the other hand, the education system actually quite liked the system of auditing students.
There was no discrimination in education. This was the teachings of a saint.
Whether it was the Datong Party, which claimed to be the disciples of Confucius and Mencius, or the Republic party, which claimed to be the inheritors of the spirit of Duke Zhou and Gonghe party, they all liked and welcomed ‘ambitious people’ who sought knowledge through their own efforts.
On this point, both parties had a consensus.
That was why the hearing was so cheap.
In other words, it was only slightly more expensive than the tuition fee.
“Michiko, do you want to listen in?” Chiho Fujiwara asked.
“Yes!” Chiba Michiko nodded.
The ‘Spirit Food’ that she obtained was the supreme gourmet secret manual that ling-san had imparted to her.
There were enough mysteries within it that she would never be able to learn in her lifetime.
And if she wanted to grasp and understand those mysteries…
Not only did she need to possess great strength as a transcendent being…
She also needed knowledge!
Especially knowledge in physics!
Otherwise…
She knew that she would probably never be able to truly learn the secret techniques within!
For example, the ‘entropy control’ that she had just learned.
Not only did it require extremely fine psionic power control techniques.
It also required a certain level of understanding and understanding of physics.
The law of conservation of energy…
The law of thermodynamics…
Mechanics…
After cultivating for half a month, Chiba Michiko already had a deep understanding of it.
If she didn’t study hard…
She was afraid that even if she had transcendent being powers, she would never be able to enter the basic level.
This was like a Hercules.
If she did not know how to fight and scientific training, she would be a barbarian with brute force.
But if she knew how to fight and was good at using science to plan and train.
Then, she would be an athlete who could get a prize on the fighting field.
She would be more like the ancient craftsman.
Although she had fine craftsmanship, she was still a craftsman who only knew the appearance but did not know the reason.
However, they could still make some ‘strange skills and lewd tricks’, if they learned the skills and knowledge.
For example, the current high-level fitters and special technicians.
Then, they could easily make the artifacts that the Ancients thought were miracles.
However, was the strength of the Hercules inferior to the athletes on the fighting field today?
Were the craftsmanship and thoughts of the ancient craftsmen inferior to the workers of today?
That was definitely not the case.
The difference between them and the people of today was that they had already mastered science and technology and could use it to serve themselves.
The same was true for psionic power, especially when it came to food!
This was what Chiba Michiko had learned after training in seclusion these past few days!
However, Chiba Michiko did not tell Chiho Fujiwara about these things.
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her.
It was because even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to hear it!
After resting for a while, Chiba Michiko picked up the pork chop and continued to roast it on the spirit fire.
The fat was roasted by the spirit fire.
Under the effect of the ‘entropy-controlling’ technique that she activated, the spirit fire and the pork chop began to slowly resonate with her own psionic power.
The texture of the meat was changing bit by bit.
But…
In just a few seconds, she moved the pork chops away and panted heavily, dripping with sweat.
She was still too weak!
She knew too little!
Therefore, she had to slow down on this pork chops.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Chiba Michiko asked, “Cousin, these days, you deliver food to Ling San every day…”
“Has Ling San expressed anything to you?”
Chiho Fujiwara shook her head. “Every time I go, Ling-san seems to be very busy…”
She thought of the mysterious bookstore owner and sighed.
“It’s Okay!” Chiba Michiko smiled. “Huang Shi Gong also observed Zhang Liang for a long time when he tested him back then…”
“Cousin, don’t be discouraged!”
“Keep up the good work!”
“Okay!” Chiho Fujiwara nodded seriously. She was sure that the owner of the bookstore was the ‘reclusive expert’ that her cousin had mentioned.
This was how an expert looked like.
In the books, every person who moved an expert had gone through all kinds of trials and tribulations.
…
The plane slowly landed.
Zhang Hui was the first to step out of the cabin.
Song Shihui, who had been waiting for him for a long time, immediately brought Xia Ping and the others and surrounded him.
“Eunuch Zhang!” Song Shihui stepped forward and cupped his hands. “I’ve troubled you to come all the way here…”
“I’m really ashamed…”
“It’s no trouble!” Zhang Hui took off the scarf he was wearing. The Tiger of the Empire had recovered from his injuries. If it weren’t for the fact that the royal family couldn’t leave him alone, he would have run around a long time ago.
Therefore, he looked at Xia Ping and asked, “What did the Zheng family say?”
“Master Zhang…”Xia ping answered carefully, “I’ve already talked to the Zheng family and a few other financial groups that want to interfere…”
“They have already expressed their support!”
“Hmph!” Zhang Hui snorted coldly.
What he disliked the most in his life were those consortia controlled by transcendent being families that relied on their financial power and influence.
They were even seen as a threat to the country!
However, he had no choice but to endure them.
After all, the rules and regulations of the country were very clear.
The blackguard could not do things according to their own preferences.
Otherwise, what was the difference between them and those transcendent being families that relied on their power to bully others and the strong to bully the weak?
How could they convince the masses?
Therefore, he could only endure it.
However, once someone was caught by him, he would definitely not show mercy!
This was also why he was called the Tiger of the Empire.
The Tiger, howling through the mountains and forests, ruthless and merciless!
“Lord Zhang…” Song Shihui looked at Zhang Hui and quickly tried to smooth things over. “If the younger generation doesn’t know, then forget it…”
Within the Blackguard, there had been two groups with different opinions for a long time.
Song Shihui and Zhang Hui could be considered the typical representatives of these two groups.
And the two of them corresponded to the current thoughts of the Datong Party and the Gonghe party in the academic world.
For example, song Shihui didn’t like to be domineering and oppress others. He preferred to cooperate with others.
He didn’t think that powerful transcendents were ‘unstable factors’.
As long as they followed the laws and regulations.
Then, everything else could be freely played out by them.
This was a typical proposition of the Datong Party.
Zhang Hui was different.
In his eyes, every transcendent being in a group was an ‘unstable factor’.
The reason was very simple: let history serve as a lesson!
In his opinion, every transcendent family that was united together could be the ‘Wei Bo Ya Soldiers’ of the future.
They were potential rebels.
The reason why they were obedient was because they were ‘under the influence of power’.
Once there was a time when there was no power above their heads, it would be too late.
The Wei Bo Ya soldiers could immediately enter the capital and depose the emperor. They could even directly support Jiedushi in the local area.
Therefore, Zhang Hui had always been inclined to suppress and strike forcefully.
There was no sand in her eyes!
She had to get rid of Evil!
These two attitudes were reflected in the politics of the masses. This was the different stance of the Datong Party and the Gonghe party towards capital.
The Datong Party embraced capital. They believed that as long as they didn’t break the law, they could do whatever they wanted with their capital and spend their money however they wanted.
This was because they believed that only in this way could they encourage innovation and allow everyone to display their wisdom.
The Gonghe party was different.
In the Gonghe Party’s eyes, capital was almost like a worm.
They believed that if capital was not strictly controlled, capital would bring disaster to the country and the people.
In their opinion, every big capitalist was a potential criminal.
They had either already committed a crime or were preparing to commit one.
Just like the Jin merchants at the end of the previous dynasty.
It was also as the great ancestor said: Merchants had no country!
They had to keep a close watch on them!
Whoever dared to reach out would have their hands broken!
Therefore, the Datong party was more popular in the metropolitan territory, while the Gonghe party’s base was overseas.
Fortunately, no matter what the Datong Party and the Gonghe party thought about other issues.
But there was one thing they all agreed on: the Middle Way!
The Empire’s design was also the embodiment of the middle way.
Furthermore, they were basically elites, all gentlemen.
Just like Zhang Hui and Song Shihui.
Gentlemen were harmonious but different.
Even if they had different opinions, they would still shoot at each other.
They would not shed all pretense of cordiality.
Moreover, in the field of governance, there was the emperor’s checks and balances, suppression, and the Council of Ministers and physicians to compromise.
And in the field of transcendent being.
The governor-general could reconcile conflicts with the commander-in-chief, and there was the Blackguard’s executive meeting to compromise.
Moreover, whether it was the affairs of the commoners or transcendent being, there was still the supreme authority, the Supreme Court, that could decide!
Therefore, even after 300 years, the Empire still maintained its unity no matter how noisy the internal strife was.
Zhang Hui looked at Song Shihui and smiled. “With the general here, I shouldn’t have said anything…”
“It’s just that their generation is too ridiculous!”
“If we don’t suppress them, they might even forget about the Emperor!”
The Wei Bo Ya soldiers did not exist now.
It did not mean that they would not appear in the future.
Song Shihui smiled. “What Duke Zhang said is not without reason!”
Although he was a moderate.
But…
He supported Zhang Hui’s swift and decisive action on this issue.
After all, even if it was the officials of the Datong Party who embraced capital, if they found out that capital actually dared to interfere with and influence the country’s justice?
I’m sorry…
“I’ve already ordered the Blackguard to immediately station in all the project teams to carry out the review…”
“Before the final safety confirmation…”
“All the projects will be suspended indefinitely!”
Zhang Hui nodded, “It’s best if they know what’s good for them!”
It had been more than two hundred years since the recovery of the spirit aura, so the conflict between the consortium and the transcendent being family was getting deeper and deeper.
To a certain extent, the consortium was the white glove of those powerful transcendents.
This was not only the case for the Federal Empire.
It was the same for the entire world.
The difference was that in the federal empire, the transcendents could only make their capital obey them.
In many other countries, the transcendents were the masters of the country and the masterminds behind the scenes.
Even Song Shihui would never allow such foreign matters to happen in his own country.
…
Ling Ping’an looked at the clock on the wall.
It was already one o’clock.
But the electric donkey still didn’t come.
He felt a little hungry.
“Hmm…” He stood at the door and looked around. “It’s delicious, and I’m not afraid of being late…”
“Thousand night sauce came so late, there must be something delicious!”
Before he could finish his sentence, Chiba Michiko, who was riding on the electric donkey, came into view at the intersection ahead.
He became happy.
He couldn’t help but rub his hands together.
“I wonder what delicacies Chiba Michiko is cooking today?”As he thought about it, he could no longer hold back the tears at the corner of his mouth.
Soon, Chiba Michiko, who was riding on the electric donkey, reached the entrance of the shop.
The young girl from Fu Sang stopped the electric donkey and pulled out the key.
Then, she saw Ling Ping’an and smiled sweetly. “Ling San… Ling San…”
She held the food box in her hand and walked over quickly.
Fu Sang’s beautiful hair slowly swayed behind her head.
Behind her, under the sunlight, there was a small fox tail swaying.
However, Ling Ping’an did not care about this.
He had already smelled the delicious food.
Tears could not help but flow out.
He went forward and asked, “Thousand night sauce… today… That’s delicious?”
He asked expectantly.
Fu Sang raised the food box in her hand. Her face was flushed red. She did not know if she was shy or happy, but she bowed deeply and presented the food box to him. With the attitude of a subordinate to a superior, she said very seriously, “Ling San!”
“Charcoal grilled pork chops!”
“Please taste it!”
“Please!”
