Chapter 162: Composing Poetry, Wang Bei Dao's Poem

After hearing Hua Xiangxi's arrangements for the Heroic Wine Banquet plan, the audience below could hardly wait.

"Shopkeeper Hua, don't say more about that, hurry up and start."

"Yeah, we've already been impatient."

Seeing everyone so anxious, Hua Xiangxi gestured slightly, and a group of waitresses in uniform filed out.

Their steps light, they steadily held pots of heroic wine, delivering them orderly to every table in the hall.

"Ladies and gentlemen present, I know you're eager, but don't rush yet!"

Hua Xiangxi raised her volume and said again: "The literary contest of this Heroic Wine Banquet will officially begin shortly."

"These heroic wines were specially prepared for everyone by Miss Yu Xianer."

Hearing that, the crowd loudly thanked Yu Xianer, and the atmosphere grew even more heated.

"Now, let us invite Miss Yu Xianer to announce that the literary contest officially begins!"

Hua Xiangxi turned her head and gave Yu Xianer a slight nod.

Yu Xianer stepped forward gracefully, first bowing slightly to the audience below.

Then she lightly opened her vermilion lips and said: "This wine is a little token I specially prepared for everyone; I hope you can drink freely at the Heroic Wine Banquet literary contest and fully display your poetic fervor."

Her voice was gentle and pleasing, like a trickling stream, refreshing the heart.

After speaking.

Yu Xianer changed the subject: "Next, I will explain the rules of this literary contest."

Only seeing her jade hand wave, a green sword instantly appeared before her.

She steadily suspended the sword in midair above the high platform; its blade glittered with a cold light under the fluorescence.

"The rule is simple: whoever's poem can make this sword resonate will be the first place winner of this literary contest."

"At that time, Xianer will not only open a private heavenly‑character‑sized room alone, but also share a long drink with the first‑place winner."

"Xianer will also present a heavy gift to the first‑place winner."

As soon as Yu Xianer's words fell, the whole hall erupted in an uproar.

After all, as the saying goes, it's better to reward Yu Xianer with a dance than to cling to the myriad blessings of Lofty Clouds Palace.

Who wouldn't be moved by the rare chance to drink alone with Yu Xianer?

Thus, fighting spirit ignited in everyone's eyes; they all clenched their fists, hoping to win first place.

Even the recently heartbroken Bei Wangdao rolled up his sleeves; Yu Xianer is indeed not bad.

If he could win her over, the heart wounded from losing favor wouldn't hurt so much.

He immediately was eager to give it a try.

"Everyone, let's begin!"

With Yu Xianer's command, the literary contest officially opened its curtains.

Thus, everyone in the hall, whether they could compose poetry or not, was now composing poetry.

Only Mo Jie, inside the heavenly‑character‑sized private room, remained calm, holding his wine cup lightly, sipping slowly.

A flicker of barely noticeable contempt flashed in his eyes, as if he didn't regard anyone in the hall at all.

After all, his learning from studying to enter the martial way was profound; to him, composing a startling poem that would make the green sword resonate was no difficult task.

However, he, well versed in the way of poetry, did not rush to present his own work.

Anyone who has written poetry knows that to stand out among many works and take the lead, one needs a reference.

Only by building on the momentum of the preceding poem, and contrasting with it, can one's own poem shine more excellently.

So he waited, patiently awaiting others to first display their talent.

Not far away, Jiang Suan and A Jiao were also secretly scheming; their eyes met, and the corners of their mouths curled with a determined smile.

Likewise, they were not rushing to act, but waiting for an opportunity—a chance to step on Mo Jie's "head" and put on a show of pretension.

After all, the Read Heaven Gate clan is the strongest family outside the Five Great Sects of Central Prefecture; some even said its overall strength actually surpassed the God‑Controlling Sect, the lowest of the Five Sects of Central Prefecture.

And as a member of the God‑Controlling Sect, he naturally must suppress Mo Jie to prove that his sect can dominate the Read Heaven Gate.

All of this requires the "Ode to the Goose" to be realized.

At that moment, while some were pondering and others were furiously writing.

A splendidly dressed handsome young man rose to his feet.

He wore a brocade long robe, held a folding fan, his bearing graceful and his demeanor extraordinary.

"Since everyone is being so modest and unwilling to take the initiative, I, Wen Liang, the young master of the literary‑scholar family, will presume to make the first move."

He picked up his carefully composed verses, glanced—intentionally or not—at the lovely Yu Xianer, and then a faint blush rose on his face as he said:

"Miss Yu Xianer, then I shall present my humble effort."

Yu Xianer nodded slightly, smiling with her eyes, her gaze carrying encouragement.

Wen Liang cleared his throat, his voice clear and melodious as he read aloud: "The precious sword on the stage glints with cold light,"

"Just like the Milky Way appearing before me. Cutting down all injustice in the world, wandering with the sword through endless ages."

Hearing this, the crowd first stared in surprise, then began to whisper among themselves.

"I thought this literary‑scholar family's young man was merely an empty reputation, but I didn't expect he actually possesses some genuine talent."

"Especially that line, 'Cutting down all injustice in the world, wandering with the sword through endless ages,' it is truly grand in momentum and bears the bearing of a hero."

"Yeah, yeah, I don't know if it can move Miss Yu Xianer's sword."

Yu Xianer also nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation appearing in her eyes.

As for Wen Liang's poem, she regarded it favorably.

However, that green sword remained still suspended above the high platform, showing no reaction.

Yu Xianer let out a slight sigh, apologetically telling Wen Liang: "I'm truly sorry."

Young Master Wen, though your talent is outstanding, it's a pity you couldn't make the treasure sword resonate.

This challenge ended in failure.

Wen Liang's eyes flashed with a hint of loss, he let out a heavy sigh; although he felt unwilling inside, he could only helplessly sit back down.

Yu Xian'er looked around the hall and continued, 'Is there any other talented youth willing to try again?'

Upon hearing that,

Some of the scholars offstage exchanged glances, all showing hesitant looks.

After all, Wen Liang's poem was already quite good, yet even so, it still failed to meet the requirement of making the sword resonate.

They inevitably felt a little nervous in their hearts and dared not try lightly.

Just then,

Bei Wang Dao sprang to his feet, his bulky, sturdy frame like a small mountain, his face full of impatience as he said, 'A bunch of finicky scholars—normally just obeying orders is fine, but I never thought composing poetry would be so timid and shrinking.'

Really annoying to watch, Miss Xian'er—I'm a rough man, but I also have a poem I specially dedicate to you.

Yu Xian'er remained calm, gave a faint smile and nodded, saying, 'Then I'll listen attentively to Lord Wang Dao's verses.'

Bei Wang Dao scratched his head, raised his voice and recited: 'Seeing your lovely appearance like a flower, it stirs my feelings tangled like hemp. May I become a gentle breeze that constantly surrounds you, accompanying you to watch the sunset together.'

Upon hearing that, Yu Xian'er's mouth twitched slightly, and she secretly smiled bitterly.

Having agreed to provoke the sword's resonance, Bei Wang Dao instead clearly aimed to provoke her resonance.

Aren't you afraid Senior Jiang Yuehu will get angry?

She lightly raised a hand to her forehead, suppressing a smile, and said, 'Sorry, Lord Wang Dao, you also failed.'

As expected, that green sword remained utterly still, producing not a hint of resonance.

Bei Wang Dao let out an angry sigh and said, 'Women are just so annoying.'