Chapter 171

"I can beat a Sixth Life," Yang Yan said this for the second time.

"Alright, but I hope you don't get the chance," Seeing Pei Ye smiled. He looked up; Bowang Garden was already before them.

"What about you?" Yang Yan suddenly asked.

"Me?"

"Hmm, I've only sparred with you; can you tell me your standing?"

"Me, I should be in the top four," Seeing Pei Ye thought and smiled. Before the Martial Competition, there probably wouldn't be enough time to reach the Fourth Life.

"That's about what I thought," Yang Yan nodded.

"What about you? You haven't been put on this list yet."

"Me?" Yang Yan looked at him strangely. "I'm obviously number one."

"... We're here," Seeing Pei Ye changed the subject. "Let's go."

Before them was the garden gate.

Seeing Pei Ye showed the attendant the small Cuiyu token and walked into the garden.

After learning Qijiao Shang Huaitong's location, he headed straight there. To defeat an enemy, one must know their plans; besides figuring out Qijiao Shang Huaitong's lodging and routine, Seeing Pei Ye would carefully record any other news about him, without the slightest omission.

Actually, Yang Yan had deeper experience in "scouting," but his so-called secret paths were actually the paths of gangs, and gangs were precisely the eyes and ears of the Seven Serpents.

So it was better to conduct secret business through open paths.

Arriving here again after a day, yesterday's chaos had dissipated; the ground had been cleaned, and the broken building walls had been hung with curtains for temporary concealment.

But what remained was not tranquility—another kind of bustle had replaced it and occupied the place.

If yesterday's Dan-Singing Society was a grand event of the martial world, today's Bowang Garden was preparing for the literary world's Jade Pool. Green-robed attendants shuttled back and forth; silk, colorful satin, plaques, brushes, ink, seals, and literary trinkets... thousands of things of various shapes were being loaded onto small boats by the lake in an orderly fashion amidst the busyness.

Looking into the distance, several small boats were already moving back and forth on the lake, and their destination on the other side was a small island in the center of the lake lush with flowers and trees.

The so-called "Five-Mile Luzhou Opens, Bowang Loses Literary Talent"—the Luzhou Poetry Society, held three times a year, could sweep up all the famous literati of the entire Bowang City and even Bowang Prefecture each time. It was held in reliance on the "Three Competitions," and in a sense, it could also be considered the literati's Three Competitions.

Literary talents from all over the prefecture came for its reputation, and the initial fame came from the initiator of the poetry society back then—the most famous talented woman in Bowang Prefecture, the Qi Qi Jushi Under the Lake.

This talented woman became famous in literary societies in her youth. At twenty-one, she refused a marriage arrangement from her family and went to the Divine Capital for further studies. Two years later, she returned with her sharpness restrained; at various elegant gatherings, she often hid her cleverness and was happy to help others achieve fame.

It was under these circumstances that the woman's reputation grew higher and thicker, and students from the academy eagerly gravitated toward this beautiful figure, not just out of the gimmick of a "talented woman," but also with genuine respect and yearning.

To this day, the reputation of the Luzhou Poetry Society might have already surpassed the name of the "Qi Qi Jushi Under the Lake," but countless scholars still sought to participate in this society just to catch a glimpse of the beauty.

At this moment in Bowang Garden, many scholars from the academy in white robes and black caps gathered in one place, either painting or copying texts. Once finished, they placed them aside to let the ink dry, waiting for attendants to collect and load them onto the boats.

Seeing Pei Ye saw this scene, paused for a moment, and then walked toward them.

Based on his understanding over the past few days, these academy scholars liked to inquire about martial affairs, had contact with people of a higher level, and often had inside information. At the same time, it was difficult for them to have any substantial connection with martial sects like the Seven Serpents, and they had no martial world schemes, making them a quite safe and convenient source of information.

Seeing Pei Ye saw several people talking from afar and wanted to go over to interject, but just as he was about to reach them, the young man suddenly tilted his head to look toward the Moon-Catching Tower, was stunned for a moment, and stopped.

In front of the calligraphy and paintings, the conversation continued.

"Busy all morning—didn't they say we'd be able to see the Qi Qi Jushi?"

"The Qi Qi Jushi is so busy, how could she come?"

"It's not that they said the Qi Qi Jushi would come," the third person said, "it's that they said the Qi Qi Jushi lives here."

"Is that so? How could the Qi Qi Jushi live here?"

"Naturally, it's because Luzhou is about to open," the second person said.

"This, actually, that's not necessarily..."

These words were hesitant, with some lingering flavor left unsaid. The second person was about to ask, when the first person suddenly said: "Brother Leifang, you have a seat at this Luzhou Poetry Society; what poems have you prepared?"

"Sigh, how could I prepare anything worthy? I only wrote two for the Autumn Competition. As for the others, it's nothing more than autumn colors, lake water, bright moon, street washing; if I touch upon them slightly, that's all there is to it. What else can I do?"

"This Brother Leifang," the person beside him said in a low voice, "the Qi Qi Jushi is right here; why not ask her for some pointers?"

"... This, that's a bit inappropriate, right?"

"Oh my, you're just too pedantic! Think about it, this poetry society is held three times a year, and it's always the same people coming and going; where would all these good poems come from?" This person said, "We don't know the ropes, but those famous scholars must have gotten news from the Qi Qi Jushi long ago. Which session will have what topic, what format—it must be crystal clear! Otherwise, if they can't write it on the spot, what will they do if they lose face?"

"This..." Xu Leifang's face showed embarrassment.

"Nonsense!"

Xu Leifang's face was still somewhat troubled, when someone suddenly stood up beside him, indignantly saying: "Liu Zifang! Confucius says: Words must be sincere! Without root or basis, this is demonic talk; demonic talk confuses the masses, which is what I've heard today!"

The person wore a square Confucian cap, black clothes with white trim, and had a young and upright face; it was Fang Jidao.

"The Luzhou Poetry Society is the most elegant and enjoyable gathering in Bowang every season. Famous scholars and gentlemen gather in one hall to drink, talk, read, and create, meeting the virtuous and making friends—that is already enough joy! As for writing poems, if they are written well, everyone will chant them; if they can't be written, then just laugh it off. What is there to lose face about?" Fang Jidao said angrily, "And saying the Qi Qi Jushi leaked the topics... it's truly laughable! The Qi Qi Jushi is as clear as the wind and as bright as the moon; how could she engage in such petty things!"

Liu Zifang, who had spoken earlier, couldn't hold his head up. He tilted his head and snorted: "Naturally, naturally, Brother Fang has been to the poetry society, so naturally you are right. I was just talking nonsense; who told me I couldn't get a group of people to recommend me so I couldn't get into Luzhou?"

Fang Jidao glared suddenly: "Our Wind-Chanting Pavilion Poetry Society is clearly fair and open—"

"Alright, alright," Xu Leifang hurriedly stood up and said, "In public, there's no need to argue, no need to argue."

"Everything I see is dirty; I should wash my own eyes! Hmph!" Fang Jidao flicked his sleeve and turned to continue writing his calligraphy.

Liu Zifang wanted to speak again, but suddenly closed his mouth and looked toward the Moon-Catching Tower. And as he became quiet, everyone else looked over too.

The people around, whether they were participating in the conversation or not, all stood up in unison.

A woman of elegant and graceful bearing was walking over steadily. She had a beautiful head and moth-like eyebrows, lips like sandalwood, a skirt fluttering in the light wind, and hair like blue clouds. Once she was close, that deep and elegant aura was like a clear breeze brushing against their faces.

It was precisely the premier literary talent of Bowang.

"Why does it seem like there's some dispute?" The woman held a large scroll of books, placed them on the table, used her jade fingers to gather them into a pile, and smiled lightly.

The scene was quiet for a moment. Liu Zifang's face turned pale—given this woman's reputation, if he offended her...

Xu Leifang opened his mouth but didn't know how to say it. Beside him, Fang Jidao had already said repeatedly: "Nothing, nothing, Qi Qi Jushi, it's just a small matter."

He looked even more unwilling than Liu Zifang for the woman to hear about this. Liu Zifang cast a grateful look, but Fang Jidao didn't even pay attention. He didn't seem to be protecting his classmate, but rather seemed unwilling for those words to stain the ears of this elegant woman.

Before the woman could reply, Fang Jidao had already stepped forward: "Qi Qi Jushi, you, why are you doing this yourself..."

He subconsciously reached out to help, but the woman had already tidied everything up in a few moments, so his hands were retracted in embarrassment.

"What 'yourself' or 'not yourself'," the woman couldn't help but smile, "with so many of you willing to come and help, I am the one who is flattered."

Now even Xu Leifang and Liu Zifang waved their hands repeatedly.

"Qi Qi Jushi, is there anything else that needs moving? Just let me do it," Fang Jidao rolled up his sleeves. The sight of the woman holding a large armful of scrolls just now had simply stung him. Although this was neither his poetry society nor his scrolls, the man felt a sense of unease in his heart.

"There is too much to move; how could it be finished in a short while," the woman smiled gently, "I do have another matter, to entrust to Young Master Fang Jidao."

"..."

Several people looked at Fang Jidao, while Fang Jidao just stood there blankly, with only one thought in his mind—the Qi Qi Jushi actually remembers my name...

It wasn't until Xu Leifang gave him a gentle push that he suddenly came to his senses, and before him was the woman's gentle and smiling face.

He realized that he had been rudely staring at her while daydreaming, and hurriedly looked up and away, but his cheeks were already burning hot.

"Alright, alright!"

"You haven't even heard what the matter is."

"Oh, that, you, Qi Qi Jushi, you speak."

The woman smiled, reached out and pointed: "Can I invite Young Master Fang to talk in that pavilion over there?"

"Yes, yes!"

Fang Jidao agreed, and only then did he turn his head half a beat late to look at the small red pavilion. A flying spring slid over the top of the pavilion, and there was no one around.

For a moment, his heart floated toward the heights.

His footsteps were also somewhat light as he arrived under the pavilion. The woman in front of him reached out to rinse her hands in the spring water flowing down from the top. Once she stepped onto the stairs, she was taller than Fang Jidao.

"Congratulations, Young Master Fang, for entering the poetry society again this time."

"Not at all, not at all, it's all the kindness of my classmates."

The woman smiled: "You're being humble; the ones you wrote are all extremely good."

Fang Jidao's heart floated toward the heights again—she has read my poems...

But immediately his face felt hot again.

"Young Master Fang, what are your thoughts on the topics for this poetry society?" The woman suddenly asked.

"Ah?" Fang Jidao was stunned. "Isn't it still the Autumn Competition? Then there's the autumn colors—ah! I am also a participant... Qi Qi Jushi, it's not convenient to talk about this..."

This was exactly what he had been arguing righteously with Liu Zifang about just now. Fang Jidao said somewhat cautiously.

The woman smiled: "Let's not talk about the later ones, just talk about the Autumn Competition."

"Oh! The Autumn Competition." Fang Jidao breathed a sigh of relief. "Haven't the Three Competitions always been mainly about praising figures? I think it's very good. Or... oh, that's right, Qi Qi Jushi! I went to the martial arts hall that day and saw many candidates; the way they practiced those martial arts was truly memorable. I think you, Qi Qi Jushi, could also pick a few martial arts, have people demonstrate them at the poetry society, and then everyone could write poems based on that..."

Fang Jidao said, becoming somewhat excited—this idea was indeed quite good.

He looked at the woman excitedly.

The woman just smiled: "Let's talk about figures first."

"Oh, talk about figures, figures, talk about what?"

The woman lowered her head for a moment, and when she looked up, she smiled gently: "Which candidate does Young Master Fang think is the most outstanding this year?"

"The most outstanding..." Fang Jidao thought, "Naturally, it is—"

His throat suddenly stiffened, and some vague rumors that he disdained suddenly echoed in his ears. "Young Master Fang's" heart, which had been floating high, began to plummet rapidly.

"Is it?"

"It is..." Fang Jidao felt his voice was dry. "Shang, Qijiao Shang Huaitong, Young Master Shang, right?"

"Yes!" The woman's smile this time was more beautiful than any of the previous ones, but the corners of Fang Jidao's mouth couldn't curl up at all.

"So, I would like to ask Young Master Fang to write a poem for him—if Young Master Fang doesn't have the time, you can use the one I've already written, just read it out at the poetry society."

"... Then, what about after?" The feeling of falling in his heart made his throat tighten.

"Then, I will bring out a better poem."

"..."

Oh, it's to pave the way and build momentum for him.

*Plop*, it hit the bottom.

"I originally wanted to give this better one to Young Master Fang to release, but... the style and approach are not right," the woman said somewhat apologetically.

Fake poem, fake name; even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't want it.

This is deception, this is fraud; you are treating the entire Luzhou Poetry Society as a tool to build fame for him...

Fang Jidao felt the woman in front of him become a stranger for a moment, but soon this feeling disappeared, and it was still this face in front of him.

"Because on the night of the Luzhou Poetry Society, someone very important to him will come from Shaolong Prefecture," the woman identified his expression and said softly, "... If Young Master Fang is unwilling, please just keep it a secret; I will go find someone else."

"..."

"Alright, I'll go find—"

"Fine, I'm willing," Fang Jidao said gloomily.

The woman was stunned, and then for some reason suddenly burst into laughter; the expression on her face actually seemed somewhat helpless: "You're willing?"

"Hmm."

"... Then since you've agreed, you must do it well," the woman looked at him. "You won't secretly..."

"... I won't!" Fang Jidao said. "Anyway, if I don't agree... Qi Qi Jushi, you will also go find someone else."

"Alright, then, I'll trouble Young Master Fang," the woman bowed. "I will remember this favor."

Fang Jidao bowed back in silence, lowered his head, and turned to walk away. After walking two steps, he suddenly gritted his teeth and turned back.

"Qi Qi Jushi!"

"Hmm?"

"Is he coercing you?"

The woman was stunned, and this time she really burst into laughter: "What are you talking about?"

"..."

Fang Jidao turned around in silence again.

Then he saw a young man walking toward him. Normally, he wouldn't have noticed this level of external information at this time, but this figure was indeed familiar, so he looked up, was stunned for a moment, and didn't forget to raise his hand to salute: "Young Hero Pei?"

"Hmm, Brother Fang, how are you?" Seeing Pei Ye cupped his hands.

The woman under the pavilion looked over and had already nodded at him with a smile.

Fang Jidao looked back: "Does Young Hero Pei know the Qi Qi Jushi?"

"Yes, I have some words I'd like to say to Miss Qi," the young man's voice was clear. He pointed to a pavilion further away. "Miss Qi, shall we go over there to talk?"

Thanks to the boss Ice-Crack-Cracking for the Alliance Leader reward, you've spent a lot! I forgot to thank you yesterday, I'm really sorry.

That makes 34 chapters owed again.

Although it was updated 8 minutes late today, there are over a hundred more characters; everyone will forgive me, right!

(End of chapter)