Chapter 162: White-Haired Goes to the Capital

Evening, Green Jade Garden.

Ye Tinglan, restored to his Imperial Preceptor guise, stood before the stone stele inscribed with the poem "Reduced-Jian Zi Mu Lan Flower," hands clasped behind his back, standing silently for a long time without speaking.

Just as Pei Chuyun had thought when she witnessed it that day, this poem could move not only literary scholars.

"Who wrote this poem? Still no news?" Ye Tinglan asked his attendants in a low voice.

"All guess it must be a hero who has recently enjoyed great success; the current 'Hundred-Foot Hero of Lingxiao' borrows the scenery to express his full feelings," the attendants speculated. "Some guess it might be Qi Tuizhi, the number one new talent, which fits this grandeur."

"It cannot be him." Ye Tinglan shook his head: "He lacks this scope."

"Then we can only ask the Garden Master."

"Has the Garden Master arrived?"

"Imperial Preceptor, please wait a moment. The Garden Master holds an official post; he should have just finished his duty now."

"Oh? Among official posts, there are also such open-minded, world-transcending figures? Who is it?"

"It is said to be the garden of Editor-in-Chief Sheng."

Ye Tinglan: "?"

A girl in official uniform with a ponytail ran over from afar, panting all the way: "Imperial Preceptor, did you call for me?"

Ye Tinglan turned to look at the young girl's energetic appearance and could not help but smile with relief. If speaking of the current 'Hundred-Foot Heroes of Lingxiao', perhaps these young and spirited ones all count; although Sheng Yuanyao's family cultivation is not of the particularly strong tier, overall she is undoubtedly one of the current group of heroes.

"Yes, Yuanyao should also know what I wish to ask."

"Sigh, these past two days my head has almost been asked off. When Lu Xingzhou wrote it, he said it could become popular, but I didn't expect it to be this popular!" Sheng Yuanyao spoke as if slightly dissatisfied, but in reality, the joy overflowed from her eyebrows.

These past two days have been profitable! If this momentum continues, by the time the Lingxiao flowers bloom, it will probably be a sea of people.

Little Lu is truly this Young Lady's lucky star.

Ye Tinglan: "……So this was written by Lu Xingzhou?"

"Yes. Not making it public was not me deliberately hiding it; Lu Xingzhou himself did not sign his name. I couldn't figure out what he meant, whether he wanted to hide it or reveal it…… Anyway, this man of his is good in every other way, just not straightforward; he always loves to hide things. Since I didn't understand his own thoughts, I couldn't casually promote it." Sheng Yuanyao whispered: "Imperial Preceptor, please don't promote it either, otherwise he will say I have a big mouth."

Just as Ye Tinglan was about to say something, the conversation of several Imperial Students came from afar: "I didn't expect that 'Reduced-Jian Zi Mu Lan Flower' was written by Lu Xingzhou; he admitted it in the canteen today."

"Why didn't he say so before, and suddenly admit it now?"

"Because Miss Pei asked him; that attitude of his probably means he has feelings for Miss Pei……"

"Tsk, you dog thief!"

Over here, Sheng Yuanyao was also cursing: "Tsk, you dog thief! As soon as Pei Chuyun asked, he admitted it, right? When I helped you hide it, my head almost exploded!"

Ye Tinglan watched Sheng Yuanyao stomping her feet in anger, and a rare smile appeared in his eyes.

Youth is truly good.

Sheng Yuanyao said: "Imperial Preceptor, Imperial Preceptor, you and Lady Ye are friends, right? Lady Ye is now a Mr. at the Alchemy Academy, right? Please help say a word to Lady Ye, keep an eye on Lu Xingzhou, especially don't let him get too close to that stinky tea from the Pei family, okay? I can't go in there……"

Ye Tinglan smiled: "The academy itself does not encourage romantic love, as it affects cultivation progress…… However, asking Lady Ye to manage this is not easy; Lady Ye is not Lu Xingzhou's mentor, so the name is not right and the reason is not sound."

Sheng Yuanyao said: "The surname Lu will definitely choose Lady Ye, rest assured."

Ye Tinglan asked curiously: "Why?"

"I have investigated; among the Mr. s at the Alchemy Academy, only Lady Ye is a……"

"First Grade?"

"Woman."

Ye Tinglan: "……"

"Oh my, many guests have arrived; Imperial Preceptor, play by yourself, I'll go attend to the guests." Sheng Yuanyao ran off in a flash.

Ye Tinglan watched her back with a blank expression, then immediately let out a silent, helpless laugh.

His beautiful eyes fell upon the stone stele again, and he murmured to himself: "If it is him, no wonder. It seems this person's ambition and spirit even exceed expectations. However…… the current 'Hundred-Foot Heroes of Lingxiao' could refer to many people……"

…………

A certain restaurant in the city.

Outside the private room, the guards were strict; inside, Qi Tuizhi sat opposite another young man, drinking gloomy wine.

"Why is Brother Qi so depressed?" the young man asked, smiling elegantly as he poured more wine for him.

Qi Tuizhi sighed: "Pei Chuyun gave me no face in public; she is not as easy to approach as imagined. I am afraid it will be very difficult to fulfill Prince Jin's expectations."

The young man opposite was indeed Prince Jin, Gu Yicheng. He was the eldest son of Gu Zhanting, less than two months younger than his older sister Gu Yitang, and he was the legitimate son born of the Empress, far more noble than Gu Yitang, who was born of a concubine.

His cultivation was not bad either…… Before the Tianxing Sword Sect incident last year, at the age of twenty-two, he broke through to the lower stage of the fourth grade, ranking twenty-first on the New Talent List. Shortly after breaking through, the Tianxing Sword Sect and Shen Tang encountered trouble.

A fourth-grade lower stage at twenty-two, with a very high ranking on the New Talent List, was originally considered a fine hero; unfortunately, he had an even more heaven-defying older sister, Gu Yitang.

She was less than two months older than him, now at the third grade, no longer playing the New Talent List with them, but playing the Heroes List…… They were simply not figures of the same dimension.

But as long as Gu Yitang did not exist…… or if Gu Yitang remained a cripple, then his position as Crown Prince would be relatively stable.

Most of his younger brothers and sisters were very young; only two, Prince Qi and Prince Chu, were adults. Prince Qi had already been stripped of his title and imprisoned at home, while Prince Chu was only seventeen this year, his cultivation still circling the upper stage of the sixth grade, far behind.

With Gu Yicheng's status, his hand naturally reached quite far.

The Huo family secretly bet on him; the Burning Incense Pavilion incident back then was his shadow behind the scenes; behind Jin Mingxiu, the former Sword Hall Master of the Tianxing Sword Sect, was also him.

Now, the number one new talent, Qi Tuizhi, and his sect, Lingtian Pavilion, are also behind him.

Unfortunately, the Pei family did not bet; in Gu Yicheng's eyes, the Pei family was more worthy of attention than the Huo family. Previously, there was no way to make a move, but now an opportunity has come; the Pei family has suddenly produced a daughter out of nowhere……

If he were to seek a marriage alliance, the Emperor might not agree. The Pei family is already powerful enough; the Emperor does not want them to become imperial in-laws again, which would be very troublesome. Secondly, Gu Yicheng himself did not quite look favorably upon a daughter of a concubine; even if she bore the Pei surname, he could not marry a woman born of a concubine to be a princess.

Having a person under his banner attempt a marriage alliance was not a bad choice; Qi Tuizhi was very suitable.

Number one new talent, an Imperial Student, truly proficient in both civil and military arts, and his appearance was not bad either.

Originally, he thought wooing a village girl brought back from outside, a concubine's daughter, would be a piece of cake, but he didn't expect this village girl to be different; she actually managed to climb to number three on the New Talent List…… Naturally, her vision would be higher than that of ordinary people.

"Pei Chuyun is number three on the New Talent List; her vision is inevitably a bit higher," Gu Yicheng comforted him. "But regardless, Brother Qi, you are number one. If Pei Chuyun wants to find a husband who can surpass herself, then who else but Brother Qi?"

Qi Tuizhi sighed: "I cannot compose poetry. This Pei family woman seems to value this more."

"Brother Qi worries too much. In the world of cultivation, poetry is a minor art; who would truly bring it up as a matter of substance? I think Pei Chuyun is merely striking a pose," Gu Yicheng smiled. "You must know that her number three ranking on the New Talent List has no battle record; only Sheng Yuanyao claimed to have seen her fight. Others did not refute it out of respect for the credibility of the Demon Suppression Bureau."

Qi Tuizhi was stunned: "The meaning of Prince Jin..."

"My meaning is that she likely possesses little strength; the Demon Suppressing Bureau is merely giving the Pei family face by forcing her up. Otherwise, think about it: Pei Yu is only ranked twelfth among the new talents, yet his younger sister ranks third? If this weren't the Pei family's own maneuvering, who would dare arrange the rankings so chaotically, leaving Pei Yu's face where?"

"Uh, on the surface, Pei Yu is older than Pei Chuyun, yet his cultivation isn't much higher. According to the rules of the new talent rankings, the younger ones are indeed more likely to be ranked higher."

"Just a reason told to others," Gu Yicheng smiled. "Pei Chuyun simply lacks confidence in her own cultivation, so she avoids any tug-of-war with Brother Qi on this matter, speaking only of literary affairs. Brother Qi, do not fall into her petty tricks."

Qi Tuizhi suddenly saw the light: "Prince Jin's words have awakened a dreamer."

Gu Yicheng smiled: "Judging by Brother Qi's meaning, you truly have taken a fancy to this Pei family daughter?"

"She is truly beautiful, isn't she? Not a loss." Qi Tuizhi lowered his voice: "I originally thought Prince Jin himself would want her..."

"Looking only at beauty is useless... If I were to arrange a marriage alliance, I would actually look more forward to that direct disciple of the Heavenly Yao Holy Land; regardless of appearance, it would not matter."

Qi Tuizhi said: "This person's cultivation should be reliable, right?"

"That is not necessarily so. Ye Tinglan didn't even care about suppressing the Emperor while ranking first; how could he care if his disciple suppresses someone on the new talent list? The reason she is placed second is likely that she herself has little confidence. In my opinion, this year's new talent list is the one with the least credibility."

Before the words had fully fallen, a cold voice came from outside the door: "I heard the number one new talent, Qi Tuizhi, is eating here; is he present?"

The guards blocked the newcomer: "Who are you?"

"Please announce me; Dugu Qingli wishes to know on what basis he is number one."

Qi Tuizhi and Gu Yicheng looked at each other in shock.

They had just spoken of this second-ranked person having "little confidence," and unexpectedly, the slap in the face came so quickly.

Not only did she have plenty of confidence, she was actually dissatisfied and came to challenge right at the door.

Gu Yicheng coughed twice dryly: "Since this is Miss Dugu of the Heavenly Yao Holy Land, please enter."

The door opened, and a girl with white hair and blue eyes appeared outside, her cold gaze sweeping over the two men in the room: "Which one is Qi Tuizhi?"

Gu Yicheng said: "Miss, I am Gu..."

"You are surnamed Gu, so you are not the person I seek." Dugu Qingli interrupted directly, pointing her ice sword at Qi Tuizhi from afar: "Show me your sword technique."

Qi Tuizhi felt somewhat helpless: "Miss, why not dine first? This is Prince..."

"Now Prince, now Gu, which one of you is surnamed Qi?"

Qi Tuizhi could only say: "I am Qi Tuizhi."

Dugu Qingli nodded: "As long as it is you, draw your sword."

Outside the room, a crowd of diners surrounded the place, layer upon layer, inside and out.

Duels between new talents are actually common, but it is still rare to see the second-ranked challenger the first-ranked. Moreover, this number one had only been on the list for less than five days...

Under the gaze of all, Qi Tuizhi could only draw his sword: "Then I beg Miss to instruct me."

"Whoosh!" The white hair lifted slightly, and blue light flashed suddenly.

Qi Tuizhi clearly saw through her sword path, yet his body and bloodline seemed frozen by frost, his movements lagging by a beat.

With just this tiny hindrance, the sword tip had already sliced across his chest; the two passed each other, and blood sprayed out.

Those with sharp eyes could see that the sword had originally been aimed at the throat but changed at the last moment.

That was a killing technique; this white-haired woman was not skilled in sparring... Had she not held back at the critical moment, Qi Tuizhi would have died!

Qi Tuizhi covered his chest with a shocked expression, his face full of disbelief.

"Number one new talent is just this?" Dugu Qingli shook her head, turned, and walked out the door: "Disappointing; it was a waste of my journey of a thousand li."

Outside the door, the onlooking crowd parted like a wave to make a path, watching the girl leave with wide eyes; the crowd surged, yet not a single sound was made. Who could have foreseen this? The duel between the first and second new talents ended with the first being defeated in a single move; the gap was so vast it was like beating a child, and they couldn't even force out Dugu Qingli's specific cultivation level.

Dugu Qingli walked out of the crowd, turned back, and asked: "Can anyone tell me where Pei Chuyun is?"

Someone stammered: "At the Ta... Tai Xue? Oh no, at this time she should have returned to the Pei family."

Dugu Qingli nodded and quietly departed.

People watched her back disappear, then turned to look at Qi Tuizhi inside the room, still covering his chest, feeling as if they were still in a dream.

Gu Yicheng had just said this year's new talent list was the one with the least credibility; unfortunately, his words proved true, except the problem did not lie with the second and third ranks as he believed, but rather with the first...

Qi Tuizhi, the number one new talent who had been on the list for less than five days, hadn't even warmed his seat before someone came from far away to challenge him, defeating him with a single sword strike; he can be called the new talent number one to suffer the fastest downfall in history.

(End of this chapter)