Chapter 299 Enjoying It (2)

The five major veins of the Jingsha city-state each have their own unique characteristics. The third vein, known as the Poetry and Literature Umbrella, is naturally renowned for its literature and art. The fifth vein, "Yuqianling," may sound like a botanical garden, but it is actually Jingsha's most famous entertainment destination.

Yuqian Territory, located in the upper-middle Jingsha region, is higher in elevation than the third venation. It's named for its lush vegetation and vibrant crops. Its territory is circular, with an outer layer comprising residential areas densely populated by tropical greenery and an inner layer comprising a bustling area resembling a desert oasis.

For a long time, the Fifth Vein was filled with luxury hotels, opera houses, (legal) clubs, and other facilities. After all, with technology blocked by the Empire, no matter how rich Jingsha's material wealth was, its entertainment options were limited...

But after the new captain of the Fifth Vein took office, the local situation underwent a complete overhaul. This new captain, brimming with creative ideas and a strong sense of action, forged connections with Paradise, Dustless Land, and even Shura Island. She purchased various entertainment facilities from various islands and recruited numerous talented individuals to manage them. Finally, she built Feiyan Amusement Park, an unprecedented large-scale entertainment facility on the Fifth Vein.

This amusement park, occupying a large portion of the bustling district, integrates the Fifth Order's commercial and political hubs and has been incredibly popular since its founding. Today, Feiyan Amusement Park has become synonymous with the Jingsha City-State. Considering the constant wars and turmoil across the Shendong Realm, where recreational opportunities are scarce, Feiyan is arguably the most prestigious theme park in the Shendong Realm.

"…The above is excerpted from an excellent essay by a high school student from the Fifth Pulse, 'My Hometown of Flying Swallows,'" Fan De said. "What the essay didn't mention is that the amusement park is incredibly difficult to get into, and tickets are incredibly hard to come by."

It put the magazine containing the excellent essays back into the frame, and the cable car rattled and swayed in the wind tunnel.

Because the physical distances between veins are considerable, the citizens of Jingsha utilize "wind tunnels" for transportation. These pale green breezes drift between the branches of the sacred tree, creating public pathways crafted by Jingsha's divine power. Locals travel through the wind tunnels on ropeless cable cars, traveling to the next vein in less than an hour—much faster than flying on Earth.

Ji Huaisu was leaning against the window, looking at the scenery. Upon hearing this, he asked, "Are these tickets so expensive?"

"The ticket itself isn't expensive, but there are so many people who want to go!" Fan De explained. "Many locals in Jingsha haven't been, and tourists from outside the city are eager to see Feiyan. The amusement park itself can't handle such a large influx of people, so they have to limit the number of tickets. If you go to the official ticket office now, you can only book tickets for three months out."

"I only went there once when I was a kid." Gulibo nodded.

Chu Hengkong's focus was elsewhere: "The amusement park was built from scratch and yet it's doing so well. It seems the captain of the Fifth Vein is a very smart person."

"This kind of person's control over the territory must be strong. I think there is still room for improvement regarding the card issue!" Vander sneered.

When they first arrived in Jingsha, they thought the captain of the Divine Guard was merely the equivalent of a police chief. But after living in the city-state for so long, they had a deep understanding of the power structure there.

In the Divine Tree City-State, the Divine Tree itself remains aloof from worldly affairs. Power is primarily dispersed between the Parliament and the Divine Guard. The Parliament holds legislative power and a small portion of executive authority, while the Divine Guard controls judicial power and the majority of administrative authority. The Parliament of Jingsha often refers to the "Upper House" of the First-Section Mansa Star Fortress. The "Lower Houses" of the various major lines enact laws that tend to focus on civil matters but do not interfere with the specific administrative direction of the region.

In other words, with the exception of Mansa Star Fortress, power in the four major lines is essentially concentrated in the hands of the Divine Guards. They are the local military, the judges who try criminals, and the "government" that oversees government affairs. A Divine Guard captain like Trek even has the power to dictate the future direction of a region, effectively holding the greatest power within the vast lineage.

All captains of the Divine Guard possessed the strength of Sephiroth 5. How could a ruler with both wisdom and ability allow the contamination of the outside world to flourish in his territory?

Chu Hengkong pondered, "It seems that many demons have lived in the fifth vein in the past, which should also be a concern..."

"Then let's kill all the demons!" Ji Huaisu said happily.

"Hmmmm."

"Hey, Akong, why are you touching my head?"

"Be good."

"Fuck, are you looking down on me?"

Fander ignored the wild animals fighting with ease, and turned around with his eyes brightening: "We're here!"

"That's awesome!" Gulibo exclaimed.

Chu Hengkong and Ji Huaisu tilted their heads upon hearing this, their pupils illuminated by the light in the night sky.

Specks of light shot upward from below, exploding simultaneously as if by design. Their radiance blossomed freely, creating a shimmering sea of ​​flowers across the night sky. Red as roses, white as delphiniums, pale blue freesias, golden chrysanthemums, the vibrant autumnal glow of the night sky... The myriad fireworks merged into a single, swirling spectacle, a scene reminiscent of a thorny shrub, reflected against the night sky. The falling flames, however, did not dissipate; instead, they gathered in the wind tunnel, forming ethereal shadows.

A majestic warrior monk, a shrewd and cunning person, a dragon soaring high in the sky, a sacred tree bearing all things, and all manner of birds, beasts, and other creatures scurried about beneath the heroic statues. All of this flowed into the wind tunnel, accompanying the cable car. The passengers cheered enthusiastically, and even the knowledgeable Ji Huaisu couldn't help but exclaim, "What a grand gesture!"

A series of fireworks illuminated the vibrant green castle in the distance. A massive Ferris wheel stood behind it, its lights swirling endlessly. Several circular theme parks, supported by giant timbers, surrounded the castle, with long tracks circling them and then passing through its center. Children clutching balloons ran and cheered beneath the whirring roller coasters.

We have arrived at Feiyan Amusement Park.

The cable car stopped steadily at the end point, and everyone was almost eager to jump back to the ground. Even Chu Hengkong felt a little excited. Employees dressed in large puppet costumes handed out balloons to the tourists one by one, and thoughtfully gave Fan De a miniature version.

"Guests, you've arrived just in time—the evening parade is about to begin, so please enjoy it!"

Chu Hengkong smelled a familiar scent as he took the balloon. The large stuffed animal distributing the balloons was actually a demon, though so weak that even Gulibo couldn't possibly defeat it. He made a mental note and held back, instead looking in the direction of the bustling crowd.

Amidst the throng, a military bugle call rang out, a resounding cry. The clatter of gongs and drums grew closer, the rhythmic footsteps like a military parade. Little soldiers in red marched in formation, the procession stretching ever so long, yet within it lay a single locomotive-like float.

Atop the float stood a woman in a long white gown with a raised collar of petals. She raised her cane and laughed heartily, "The parade is about to begin! Get your hats, your laughter, your chocolates, and—music!"

The soldiers peeled off their red uniforms, revealing their colorful costumes. The woman in the white dress, like a magician, flashed several playing cards and tossed them into the air: "Entertainment Party - Flower Parade, Streamer Light Ball, and Fudge Castle!"

"It's the Entertainment Party Deck Bo!" Gulibo jumped up excitedly.

They were none other than the cards from Extreme Battle. They floated above the parade, transforming into several extravagantly designed floats that descended, connecting one after another behind the locomotive. At the center of the parade was a fully bouncy city made of gummy bears. Small animals came from all directions, joining the parade in song and dance.

"Come on, my merry friends. Let us enjoy an evening of wonder.

Flowers turn into honey and flow down. Chocolate is pounded into a huge castle.

Soldiers danced on stage. Even those who were hoarse could sing angelic music.

Let go of all your worries for a while. Laugh out loud and witness your dreams!

Employees scattered streamers and balloons, pulling onlookers aboard the floats. The visitors, swept up in the atmosphere, joined in the singing and dancing. The floats summoned by the woman in white seemed endlessly full, with crowds of people boarding without a trace of trampling. For a moment, it was impossible to tell how many were park employees and how many were tourists.

Chu Hengkong observed carefully and whispered to Fander, "Is the information of the Floating Light Road materialized?"

Fander had already run towards the float, dragging the balloon with him, but he had forgotten all about business: "I want to play too! I haven't even gotten on the float yet!"

A little rabbit stretched out its claws and dragged Fander onto the train. Ji Huaisu and Gulibo stared at Chu Hengkong eagerly. Chu Hengkong could only nod helplessly and boarded the train with the cheering people. They happened to be on the locomotive at the front of the parade. On either side were little rabbit and dragon dolls blowing trumpets and scattering streamers. The woman in white stood at the front of the train.

Seeing everyone board the car, she stepped forward and saluted exaggeratedly, "What a coincidence! I'm Hariroya, captain of the Fifth Vein, and I welcome everyone from Huilong City to visit us!"

Captain Hariroa looked completely unconnected to those in power, like a devoted amusement park director. Chu Hengkong and the others introduced themselves, and without further ado, "Captain, do you know anything about the Devil Card?"

Hallelujah was still busy waving to the tourists, her words singing: "I know this~"

Ji Huaisu pressed on, "What does Captain Hariroa mean?"

"Of course I have to deal with something as terrible as the foreign pollution. However..." Hariroa pointed her cane behind her, "I have more important things to do, so I can't spare any time for now~"

Everyone followed her gaze and saw a group of misfits on a float. Some were paunchy like capitalists, while others were dressed in suits like politicians. Once on the float, these people seemed thirty years younger, singing and dancing with the little animals, overjoyed.

"Members of the House of Lords are visiting the amusement park for an inspection, and as its director, I have to personally greet them," Hariroa said with a smile. "So, I really haven't had time to investigate the case lately!"

Ji Huaisu was really surprised: "No, have you figured out the priorities?!"

"Miss Ji, you're right. We need to prioritize things." Hariloa circled around them. "I've heard you all have extensive experience dealing with the Outer Path, but I'm wondering if you understand the Path of Floating Light."

Chu Hengkong and Ji Huaisu, one a Returned Barbarian and the other a Supreme Barbarian, were truly clueless about the path of the mortal world. The two barbarians quickly raised the most knowledgeable Eye Demon in the team. Fander's eyes rolled, and he seemed to understand something.

"As for the 'rules' of the Holy Honor Cup, we are well aware of them."

"Great!" Hariroa clapped her hands childishly. "Then I'll trouble you all for your help in investigating the cards! If you need any assistance, please feel free to speak to the amusement park staff~"

After saying that, she threw handfuls of candy at the tourists, then jumped onto the float behind and started chatting with politicians and capitalists in a grand manner. Ji Huaisu's face turned pale on the spot: "Fuck, she must be crazy. Outsiders have sneaked in, and this person is still busy flattering!"

Chu Hengkong didn't care: "The captain has a mass of 5, and you and I have a mass of 3. Why bother pointing fingers at others? Since Captain Hariroa has no objection, let's get down to business."

(End of this chapter)