Chapter 15 - The Gongshu Family.

“Flying chicken?” Hearing Xu Xuan’s words, Mo Li subconsciously looked up, then let out a string of delightful laughter: “Hahahaha, it really looks like a chicken!! A flying chicken, that’s a very interesting description. But strictly speaking, that should be a mechanical bird! It’s said that these mechanical birds can travel a thousand li in a day. They are quite formidable artifacts.”

“Uh…” Hearing her words, Xu Xuan recalled the giant mechanical bird that had just flown over their heads. He couldn’t help but feel surprised: “I thought the Mohist School’s mechanical arts were already very impressive, but I didn’t expect there to be other mechanical masters in this world.”

“Yes, after all, mechanical arts are just a branch school of our Mohist School, and the purpose of our research is to make life more convenient for the common people,” Mo Li said with a smile. “But this family is different; they dedicate their entire lives to studying mechanical arts.”

“Dedicating their entire lives to mechanical arts?” Based on Mo Li’s description, a name surfaced in Xu Xuan’s mind: “Gongshu?”

“Yes, it’s the Gongshu family. Among the Hundred Schools, they are the strongest in mechanical arts. Even to us Mohists, the Gongshu family’s techniques are incredible,” Mo Li said with emotion.

“I can’t believe it’s really that Gongshu,” Xu Xuan muttered to himself, hearing her words. He realized his understanding of the Gongshu family was limited to what he knew from his previous life. Especially from an anime he watched in his previous life, he learned that Lu Ban was Gongshu Ban.

Especially that classic saying: “When bronze speaks, one must consult Gongshu.”

“It’s a pity that the Gongshu family mostly serves the privileged class, and they are unwilling to teach many of their techniques to the common people,” Mo Li said calmly, looking at the mechanical birds flying overhead from time to time. “However, we are not in a position to criticize them. The practice of not passing on techniques to outsiders is quite common among the Hundred Schools. I just lament that these good things can only be used to serve the powerful and cannot truly benefit the common people.”

“Are you saying the Gongshu family has always been loyal to the powerful?”

“All the Hundred Schools have the aspiration to emerge, develop their doctrines, and ultimately bring peace to a chaotic world. The Gongshu family is naturally no exception, and to pacify a chaotic world, they must emerge and assist a monarch.”

“Huh? But your Mohist School doesn’t seem to be like that.”

“That’s why our Mohist School is one of the few oddities among the Hundred Schools. Since people from the Gongshu family have arrived, it seems my trip to the Eastern Chu State will be troublesome.”

“Huh? Speaking of which, I’ve never had the chance to ask, what exactly are you here for?”

“I’ve come for the people of both nations, to admonish the King of Eastern Chu.”

“For the people? Indeed, the people of this Eastern Chu State have suffered quite a bit.” Xu Xuan frowned, looking at the ragged commoners entering and exiting the city gates, and then at the stone idol that had just been carried into the city by an eight-bearer sedan chair, with a large amount of delicious food and fine wine offered below it.

“Once we enter the city, I will go to meet the King of Eastern Chu. You can leave then,” Mo Li said to Xu Xuan with a smile, as if she had thought of something.

“Oh…” Xu Xuan was about to agree, but then he suddenly remembered a certain allusion he had learned in his literature class. Could it be that this allusion was going to be re-enacted in this world? If so, he absolutely had to witness it. He was also very curious about what kind of wondrous scene it would be for Mo Li and the Gongshu family to compete in mechanical arts in this world; Xu Xuan inexplicably wanted to see it. With this thought, Xu Xuan abruptly retracted his words: “Since it’s for the people, I’ll go with you.”

“If we go, we might not come back~” Mo Li said with a smile, hearing Xu Xuan’s words.

“For the people, I must go and see, no matter what. How does that saying go? ‘Though a thousand men stand against me, I shall go forth.’ Hahaha,” Xu Xuan said, walking towards the city. Hearing Xu Xuan’s words, Mo Li merely smiled. Then, she led Xiaoyu and Xu Xuan into the city gate together.

Upon reaching the city gate, Xu Xuan noticed that the soldiers guarding it had a completely lifeless aura; talking to them felt nothing like speaking to living people. They would say one word when two were possible, and they didn’t thoroughly question those entering the city, merely letting them pass after collecting an entry fee.

“Why do I feel like the atmosphere in this city is strange?” Xu Xuan finally couldn’t help but ask Mo Li, looking at the bustling crowds in the surrounding city and market, and the goods sold by the vendors.

In this city, every household had a plaque dedicated to the Chitu God hanging outside their door. Even roadside vendors had statues of the Chitu God enshrined beside them. Moreover, that idol gave Xu Xuan a strange feeling. Unlike any idol he had seen before, this one had only one giant hand, with six eyes growing in the center of its palm. Around the hand were various gold and silver treasures, making it look quite bizarre.

Amulets and similar items related to the Chitu God were ubiquitous in this city. Even more absurdly, Xu Xuan saw two robed figures with obscured faces on the street, charging fees from passersby and vendors, claiming it was an offering to the deity.

However, throughout their journey, what surprised Xu Xuan most was that he and Mo Li were not harassed by the two strangely dressed cultists, and they arrived safely outside the palace gates of Eastern Chu City.

“Even if one believes in a certain deity, it shouldn’t reach this extent, should it?” Finally, Xu Xuan couldn’t help but speak.

“Yes, that’s why I’ve come to meet the King of Eastern Chu,” Mo Li said, walking towards the guards at the palace entrance.

Before the two guards could react, a name card-like item appeared in the hand of one of them.

“Mo Li of the Mohist School, here to pay respects to the King of Eastern Chu. Please help me announce my arrival.” With a puzzled expression from the guard, Mo Li cupped her hands towards him. After seeing the contents inscribed on the card in his hand, the guards present clearly showed expressions of surprise, and then one guard hurriedly ran into the palace.

“Your status and reputation seem quite significant, why didn’t you tell me?” Xu Xuan asked, somewhat puzzled by the guards’ reaction. It was clear that the two guards were shocked by the contents of the name card the moment they saw it. Their expressions changed from suspicion to extreme reverence.

“Heh heh, you never asked, did you? And I’ve never deliberately hidden anything from you; you just didn’t notice,” Mo Li said with a smile. Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

“What important figure spends all day helping old farmers harvest vegetables!!” Xu Xuan couldn’t help but retort to Mo Li’s words.

“That is the Mohist School; no matter how high one’s status, one must not forget labor,” Mo Li replied with a smile to Xu Xuan’s complaint.

At this moment, a man who looked like a eunuch walked out of the palace.

“So it is Senior Mo, who has come from afar; we are truly flattered.” The man approached and politely bowed to Mo Li: “Senior Mo must be tired from your long journey, correct? Why not come with me to the inn near the palace to rest for a day? After bathing and changing, you can then meet our Great King. After all, this is a necessary courtesy, please forgive us. The Great King will personally meet you then. Rest assured, you can tell me any needs you have.”

“May I ask this esteemed sir’s name?”

“I have no name; you can just call me Xiao Liu. I am an attendant by His Majesty’s side. If you have no urgent matters, please come with me. We can meet the Great King tomorrow. After all, you’ve traveled far and are with a child, aren’t you?” Xiao Liu said respectfully to Mo Li.

“Very well, then we shall rest at the inn for a day. Tomorrow, please be sure to take me to meet the King.”

“Please rest assured, the King was overjoyed to learn of your arrival, but due to protocol, he cannot meet you immediately. The three of you, please follow me.” With that, Xiao Liu led Xu Xuan and Mo Li towards the other side outside the palace.

“Is this the treatment for a renowned scholar? Free food and lodging wherever you go?” As he followed Xiao Liu, Xu Xuan couldn’t help but ask Mo Li beside him.

“This young brother seems to have an extraordinary presence; he must also be an extraordinary person. Apart from anything else, with your temperament alone, becoming a honored guest of a noble would certainly not be a problem.” Xiao Liu suddenly turned back to look at Xu Xuan, even winking at him: “As long as you are willing, there will be plenty of people eager to invite you as a retainer. If young brother is interested, we can find time to talk privately.”

That wink immediately sent cold sweat down Xu Xuan’s back, and he repeatedly shook his head: “Thank you for your kind offer, sir, but unfortunately, I have other matters to attend to and will be leaving soon.”

“That is truly a pity,” Xiao Liu said with some regret.

At this moment, Mo Li, holding Xiaoyu’s hand, quietly leaned close to Xu Xuan and spoke into his ear. Her breath made Xu Xuan’s ear tickle, and he could vaguely feel a wonderful softness against his back. However, as soon as Mo Li’s words finished in Xu Xuan’s ear, all other sensations vanished.

“Among the various states, some imperial attendants even share the bed with their monarchs, you know. Looking at Xiao Liu, he’s clearly that type. And it seems that a preference for men is also a certain fashion among the nobles of these states, hehe.”

“Uh…” Hearing Mo Li’s words, Xu Xuan subconsciously glanced at Xiao Liu’s backside. He had to admit, it was quite shapely…

“I originally thought that serving the powerful as a retainer only required loyalty. I didn’t expect there to be a risk of losing one’s physical integrity.”

“That depends on what aspect the other party values in you.”

After this, the group fell into an awkward silence. They arrived at a rather luxuriously built inn.

“The servants here are at your disposal, young brother. You can use the young maids inside however you wish. As for Senior Mo, if you have any other needs, or require male attendants, you can directly instruct…”

“No need, this is already too luxurious,” Mo Li interrupted directly upon hearing him. “I don’t like overly extravagant things; simplicity is fine. Just arrange two rooms for us and prepare a meal.”

“Understood, this humble one will attend to it immediately.” Hearing Mo Li’s request, Xiao Liu immediately bowed respectfully. However, he quickly turned back to Xu Xuan with a smile: “Young brother, what I said earlier still stands! I will remain at the inn tonight, awaiting your commands.”

“No need, it’s still early, and I’d like to go for a stroll…” Hearing his words, Xu Xuan quickly ran out of the inn. For some reason, he suddenly felt like his backside was being targeted: “I won’t be eating dinner at the inn. Since I’ve finally come out, I want to explore Eastern Chu City.”