Chapter 16: Dual Contest

Just as everyone was intoxicated and unable to extricate themselves, a faint xiao flute sound actually came from inside the house, harmonizing with it. The sound went from nothing to something, from weak to strong, yet it was also an indescribably lingering and melodious.

But that xiao flute sound, rather than saying it was harmonizing, it would be truer to say it arose to suppress the youth's zither sound.

The youth's zither melody, under suppression, became low and disordered, like a prisoner long trapped in a cage, unable to free himself, struggling to climb; the melody sank so low it was almost inaudible, nearly drowned out.

On the youth's absolutely beautiful face, at this moment, he actually revealed, in a fleeting haze, the perfect smile of having found a kindred spirit.

Suddenly, a burst of dawn-like sound arose, and in an instant it forced the xiao flute sound to be unable to move.

The zither sound was like stars, like sunlight, breaking the cage's curse and rescuing the trapped soul. In that moment, although the xiao flute sound remained supremely beautiful, it became merely an accompaniment, actually pulling that lone soul even higher.

Everyone was intoxicated, unconsciously closing their eyes to listen, fearing to desecrate this noble soul, this soul's master. Only then did they realize that the youth had not exerted his full strength in that recent trial.

Yet the zither sound stopped abruptly without any warning.

The xiao flute sound in the room seemed full of doubt, yet it had to gradually fade and stop.

Everyone was startled, reluctantly snapping back to awareness, looking at each other, none knowing what had happened.

A calm, low voice sounded from inside the house: 'My lord, why did you stop at the crucial moment?'

The Divine Doctor Youth showed an amused smile and said: 'Please excuse me, sir; I merely wanted to remind my companion behind me, who seems to have forgotten what he ought to do.'

The girl standing behind him blushed and spat: 'What's there to be proud of? You haven't been flawless either.'

Only then did we recall that in the second trial just now, it was also that girl's singing. Or rather, it was lyrics never before heard, shocking everyone; such literary talent truly deserves the title of 'remarkable maiden'.

Thinking of this, everyone couldn't help but feel excited and eager for the wonderful events to come.

The zither sound rang out again; this time the xiao flute sound inside the house did not harmonize, as if it too were silently awaiting the arrival of a greater miracle.

The girl's clear, pleasant voice sounded at this moment; whether for me, for the people present, or for the still-unseen master, this song truly conquered everyone present.

When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup and ask the blue sky.

I do not know what year it is tonight in the heavenly palaces.

I wish to ride the wind and return, yet I fear the jade towers and crystal halls—high places are unbearably cold.

I dance and play with my clear shadow—how could it be better than being in the mortal world!

Turning past vermilion pavilions, lowering latticed windows, it shines upon those who cannot sleep.

There should be no resentment; why does the moon always become full when we are apart?

People have joy and sorrow, parting and reunion; the moon has waxing and waning; this has always been hard to perfect.

May we live long, sharing the beauty of the moon across a thousand miles.

The zither sound ceased, and the Divine Doctor Youth stared in slight shock at the girl who had just finished her song, as if he were meeting her for the first time.

The girl smiled sweetly; her eyes, bright as stars, were indescribably captivating: 'Fortune turns like the water—thirty years east, thirty years west. This time it ought to be your turn to slip up, right?'

The youth blinked, then helplessly rose and ruffled her hair, wryly saying: 'I really can't do anything about you.'

The three of Wu You ignored everyone else, while the crowd remained lost in the music, unable to awaken. The house fell silent for a long time, then suddenly a loud slap on the table was heard; the low voice, no longer indifferent as at the start, even slightly hoarse and trembling, exclaimed: 'Haha, haha! People have joy and sorrow, parting and reunion; the moon has waxing and waning; this has always been hard to perfect... Alas, I, Yin Ziheng, proud of my romantic life, am still not as perceptive as a little girl. What a fine line: May we live long, sharing the moon across a thousand miles!'

Before his words had finished, a scholar in Confucian robes walked out from the house, bowed with fists clasped, and said: 'My lord's zither, the lady's song—I today admit defeat wholeheartedly!'

The Divine Doctor Youth slightly turned his body, smiling: 'Your Highness Yin, please don't be polite; may we proceed to the next venue?'

Everyone was even more shocked; this exalted person actually belongs to the imperial family—the power of Wangjiang Tower is indeed not to be underestimated.

Yin Ziheng is the Fourth Prince of Yin Kingdom; his literary talent, martial prowess, and reputation surpass those of his several brothers, though he has no interest in state affairs—this is known to all.

The Fourth Prince nodded, smiled faintly, and said: 'Next round, we'll compete in gambling skill.'

The girl exclaimed in surprise: 'We didn't choose this, did we?'

'But I, however, am increasingly wanting to get a full glimpse of the three of you?'

The girl's small face fell as she said: 'Then you also cannot build your happiness on others' pain, right? Or perhaps let us eat first before competing?'

The Fourth Prince this time was taken aback, then laughed loudly: 'It's my oversight; there are elegant seats on the third floor—please, all three of you!'

Only the four of them were eating; attendants brought the dishes, and Lord Lin and Miss Su also attentively served.

We were unwilling to disperse, so we gathered at the doorway; the Fourth Prince then ordered several more tables of food and drink set up on the third floor, inviting us to sit.

A meal lasted about half an hour before it ended.

The gambling match had already been set up, but we did not know which of the three would take the challenge, nor who would host it for Wangjiang Tower.

This round is still taken by the youth, the Divine Doctor, while the Wangjiang Tower side is the person known as the 'Gambling Devil King', Qi Tian.

They were playing dominoes (pai jiu); each had ten stacks of tokens, and whoever first lost all of the opponent's tokens would win.

In the first round, Qi Tian was the banker, the stake was one stack of tokens, the youth followed. A pair of heavens versus mixed five—Qi Tian won.

In the second round, the youth still demanded Qi Tian be the banker, the stake was two stacks of tokens, the youth followed. A pair of earths versus mixed five—again Qi Tian won.

From the third round through the end of the sixth, Qi Tian won six in a row, leaving the youth with only one stack of tokens; the originally relaxed crowd began to worry about the youth, for losing one more round would mean his doom.

The youth's complexion remained unchanged, still calm and composed, while Qi Tian's forehead showed a faint sweat. Because the youth had lost six rounds straight, each roll being a mixed five.

At the start of the seventh round, the youth became the banker, the stake was one stack of tokens, Qi Tian followed. The roll turned out to be Heaven and Earth Supreme, and the youth finally won a round.

In the eighth round, still the youth as banker, the stake was two stacks of tokens, Qi Tian followed. Again it was Heaven and Earth Supreme, and the youth won.

In the ninth round, the stake was four stacks of tokens, the roll was still Heaven and Earth Supreme, and the youth won.

In the tenth round, Qi Tian declined to follow.

In the eleventh round, Qi Tian requested to be the banker, the stake was eight stacks of tokens, the youth smiled and fully followed. The roll was still Heaven and Earth Supreme, and the youth won.

By now Qi Tian's forehead was not just slightly sweaty; it was drenched in sweat.

In the twelfth round, Qi Tian still demanded to be the banker; he carefully threw the dice. Gritting his teeth, he pushed all four stacks of tokens forward.

The youth looked at those four stacks of tokens, smiled, and said: 'If I don't follow, will you be in a difficult position, sir?'

Seeing Qi Tian's expression change, he added: 'But I'm afraid I'll disappoint you.'

He shoved forward the four stacks of tokens and said: 'Follow!'

Qi Tian's face flushed red then white; he finally trembled as he took his tiles, but before he could look at them, the youth's hand was already revealed—Heaven and Earth Supreme!

We only felt our vision blur; not knowing who started it, everyone broke into applause.

Qitian's face was ashen; he forced out a sentence: "Sir, you truly have skill; I've wandered the gambling halls for over ten years, and no one has ever toyed with me to this extent."

The young man set down the cards in his hand, shook his head, and said: "I have no intention of mocking you, old sir; as for the mixed five in the first six rounds, that was a deliberate ploy to create confusion."

Having said that, he ignored him, turned to face the Fourth Prince, and asked: "May we proceed to the next venue?"

The Fourth Prince wore an expression of admiration, nodded, and said: "Please, sir; the next round is in the Martial Arts Arena."

Saying that, he gave a meaningful look to the black-clothed man who had stayed silent and stone-faced all along.

Only then did I realize that, after that martial arts bout ended, I had completely overlooked his presence; now I recalled how, in the first round, his ghostlike figure made my whole body shudder involuntarily.

As the match began, the stage was empty except for the three of them.

All I heard the Fourth Prince say was: "This round is somewhat different; it can be said to be a combination of literary contest and martial combat."

"How do we bet?"

"In the martial arts bout, I believe you will let the Cold-blooded Saber make a move, right?"

Both nodded.

"Then you two will handle the literary contest. The rules are as follows: atop this hall lies a hidden assassin master. When the gong sounds, he will begin attacking, while the Cold-blooded Saber must stay in place and only defend, not attack."

The girl anxiously said: "How can that work?"

The Fourth Prince chuckled: "Miss, don't rush; hear me out. At the same time, I will recite the upper couplet for you two to match; if you match it properly, and I have not yet spoken the lower couplet, you can buy him time to counterattack."

The girl's face darkened, and she said: "Are you just playing with us, Your Highness?"

The Fourth Prince was utterly unruffled, saying: "You three are simply too formidable; I merely want to preserve this building's century-old reputation."

The black-clothed man slowly drew a pitch-black slender blade and said: "Let's begin."

That blade was strange—pitch black and glossy, its body extremely thin, with the tip slightly upturned.

The drum and gong sounded, and the hall suddenly fell utterly silent; even breathing in the crowd could barely be heard.

The Fourth Prince paused not, immediately announcing the upper couplet: "A thousand gold cannot buy a thousand gold smile."

This couplet isn't hard to match; most people present could do it, seeming eager to try.

The young man, however, stared at the scene, pondering silently; the girl sat aside with a rather gloomy expression, ignoring everything. Naturally, the black-clothed man could only stand motionless in the center of the arena, his face quite calm.

Just as someone in the crowd couldn't help but want to remind him, a flash of brilliance sparked in the young man's eyes, and he quickly replied: "A myriad years easily gained, a myriad years' heart!"

Before the crowd could even cheer, they felt the air in the arena tighten; a figure descended from midair, its speed rivaling the black-clothed man's ghostlike appearance in the first round.

Only a soft "bang—" was heard, sparks scraping the air out of nowhere; then a piercing red light flashed, five seconds had passed, and the black-clothed man merely shifted his stance, still standing cold and stern, a few drops of blood trailing from the tip of his black blade.

The Fourth Prince's gaze narrowed, and he said in a low voice: "It turns out, sir, that you are the true master hiding your strength. It seems I still underestimated you; from now on, I will hold nothing back."

The atmosphere on the Martial Arts Arena shifted again; this time I finally saw that it was a man in green robes, though his features remained completely indistinct.

The Fourth Prince swiftly recited the upper couplet: "The mountain bamboo, unintentionally, bears only a few pairs of joints."

The young man, seeing a slight change in expression on the stage, immediately replied: "The river lotus has eyes, yet it does not stain even a speck of mud."

The black-clothed man, after great difficulty finding an opening to move, the upper couplet came again: "The gate opens to the nine heavens, his proud steps trace three days of victorious tracks."

Without missing a beat, the young man answered: "The stairs rise ten thousand levels, overlooking a thousand obstacles' wondrous view."

Thereafter, time could only be described as changing in an instant; the crowd had no leeway for either praise or worry.

"'Twin towers loom faintly, seven stories, eight-sided on all sides.'"

The young man said: "'A lone palm sways, five fingers—three long, two short.'"

"'South Yue Peak, maples on the summit, wind stirs the maples but the peak stands still.'"

Another blade of blood flashed, and this time it was the black-clothed man who was injured.

The young man's face turned deathly pale; without missing a beat, he said: "'North River Bridge, beneath it a woodcutter—see the woodcutter go, the bridge cannot.'"

Applause erupted.

"'Leaning on a chair, relying on a paulownia, together gazing at the moon.'"

This upper couplet, piled with homophones, is truly full of tricks; though it would normally be easy to answer, for a moment there was no fitting scene, and, worried about his companions' lives, the young man hesitated.

A vicious slash had already been carved across the black-clothed man's chest, blackness tinged with scarlet—utterly terrifying."

(End of chapter)