Chapter 354 - 190: Three Years Later, the Polo Match
After the apprenticeship ceremony, Yang Wenqing remained at his master’s sanctuary for several more days, cultivating alongside him and listening to his tales of the upper echelons of the Cultivation Realm.
By the time he returned to Lingshan New District, ten days had passed. Just as Deputy Director Qi had predicted, after the dust had settled on all the cases, Wang Yanzhi was quietly parachuted into Lingshan New District to oversee its transition from a district to a county.
Yang Wenqing cooperated fully, gradually stepping back from his leadership role in the New District to a position behind Wang Yanzhi. He settled into a simple daily routine of cultivation and office work.
「Three years passed in the blink of an eye.」
「Coral City.」
The September sky was a brilliant, cloudless blue. The air was filled with the unique salty tang and warmth of a sea breeze. Across the city, large, well-maintained Temperature Control Arrays skillfully neutralized the sweltering heat, leaving behind only a pleasant warmth.
For the entire Coral City, and especially for its countless citizens who loved competition and excitement, today was a special day.
It was the day of the Coral City regional final for the triennial Donghai Province Polo League. This match would decide which team would represent Coral City at the Provincial Government to compete for the ultimate honor of Donghai Polo Champion.
The final was held in a colossal arena built specifically for major sporting events, capable of seating fifty thousand spectators.
The entire arena was oval-shaped. Its outer walls were constructed from a mixture of local coral stone and sturdy alloys, reflecting a brilliant yet dignified luster under the sun.
Inside, the tiered spectator stands surrounding the massive green field were divided into several sections. Closest to the field were the pricey VIP boxes and premium seats. Above them were the well-equipped first and second-class sections, and at the very top were the more economical general admission stands.
An hour remained before the official start of the match, but the arena was already buzzing with a thunderous roar, both inside and out.
A river of people flowed through the grand main entrance. Spectators from every district and county of Coral City clutched their tickets, streaming orderly through the security Arrays and into the arena under the guidance of uniformed staff.
The fifty thousand seats inside were filling up at a visible rate. The VIP boxes held well-dressed merchants, officials, and their families. The first and second-class sections were filled with more middle-class families, ardent fans, and supporter groups for each team. They waved their teams’ flags, wore iconic accessories, and their faces were etched with anticipation and nervousness.
The general admission stands at the top were the most raucous. This was the domain of ordinary citizens and students. They brought simple food and water, called out to friends, and discussed the upcoming match with unabashed enthusiasm.
The crowd gathered outside the arena was even larger than the one within. Several massive, ten-zhang-tall projection screens floated in the air above the surrounding plazas, clearly broadcasting the events inside in real time.
Those who couldn’t get in or were unwilling to pay the high ticket price gathered beneath these screens, craning their necks to watch with just as much relish, forming spontaneous seas of people.
Vendors weaved through the crowds, selling snacks, drinks, and team memorabilia. Their hawking cries rose and fell, adding to the lively, urban atmosphere.
The two teams vying for Coral City’s sole qualifying spot today were both formidable.
On one side was the Lingshan County polo team, a team that had risen meteorically in the past three years. Ever since Lingshan New District was successfully upgraded to a county and welcomed the well-connected and iron-fisted County Magistrate Wang Yanzhi, the county’s financial investment in cultural and sports programs had increased dramatically.
Wang Yanzhi clearly understood the principle of "using culture and sports to set the stage for economic growth." He saw building a powerful polo team as a crucial way to raise Lingshan County’s profile and showcase its developmental achievements.
He spent heavily to hire top-tier coaches and players and equipped them with the finest runic horse tack and training facilities. As a result, the Lingshan County polo team underwent a complete transformation in just two or three years, evolving from an unknown squad to a force that cut a swath through the competition to reach the city finals.
Most of their supporters were dressed in blue and white, holding high banners emblazoned with images of ocean waves and pickaxes. Their presence was immense.
On the other side was Coral City’s veteran powerhouse, the Yuzhi Team, which boasted a rich history. Yuzhi County was famous for producing beautiful, jade-white coral. Its economy was equally robust, and its people were prosperous and self-assured.
Their polo team had a long history and mature tactics, making them frequent winners of the city-level league championship. The team’s colors were pure white and a faint cyan, symbolizing their pride in their white coral and the ocean.
Their fan base was just as large and loyal. A white tide surged through the stands, standing in stark opposition to the blue and white of Lingshan County.
"Lingshan Team! Victory!!"
"Yuzhi Team! Champions!!"
The two waves of cheers were already clashing in the stands, filling the air with tension and anticipation.
In the VIP box section, the boxes with the best views had long been booked solid. In one of the most optimally positioned boxes, the curtains were half-drawn. Two figures in casual attire, yet possessing an extraordinary air, stood leaning against the railing, gazing down at the seething stadium and the sea of people below.
One of them was none other than Yang Wenqing, Director of the Lingshan County City Defense Bureau. He was dressed in simple, dark casual clothes. Perched on his shoulder was the magnificent Lan Ying. By now, Lan Ying had fully matured, looking no different from an adult Blue-feathered Night Owl. Furthermore, with the help of the Spiritual Qi fed back from Yang Wenqing’s Golden Core, it had naturally entered the Qi Cultivation Stage.