Chapter 202: Article Column

"He does have some skill; no wonder he has the nerve to go to the Capital City and break into the Prime Minister's residence!"

A flash of surprise flickered briefly in Hu Meiniang's eyes.

She knows Shu Mu's abilities; even the way he wields the General's Ode is crystal clear to her, and among scholars it counts as a popular offensive technique, though at minimum one must be a Juren to execute it.

But not every Juren can actually perform it!

The fact that Shu Mu can wield it shows his prowess, yet Xuanqing Daozhang can dismantle it with ease; although he also employed a powerful spell, is the General's Ode really an ordinary technique?

That alone proves Xuanqing Daozhang's strength!

Dai Zhishang asked curiously, "Hu Meiniang, Xuanqing Daozhang is so formidable—between you and Xuanqing Daozhang, who is truly stronger?"

Hu Meiniang didn't answer immediately, but retorted, "Dai Lang, who do you think is stronger, me or this Daoist?"

Dai Zhishang opened his mouth to reply; with his knowledge, to be precise, having seen Hu Meiniang's terrifying power, he thinks Hu Meiniang is stronger.

But.

Looking at Hu Meiniang's seductive appearance, she seems frail and powerless, not at all like someone with terrifying strength.

"This Daoist is indeed impressive!"

Seeing Dai Zhishang at a loss for words, Hu Meiniang smiled lightly and said offhand.

From Xuanqing Daozhang's displayed skill, she could roughly tell that he has a complete Foundation Establishment, just one step away from breaking into the Golden Core.

In a remote, impoverished mountain of Qingyang County, that counts as a formidable cultivator.

Even the Immortal Officials stationed at Qingyang County Seat or other county seats might not be as powerful as Xuanqing Daoist.

Dai Zhishang wasn't foolish; though Hu Meiniang praised Xuanqing Daozhang, he could not possibly miss her true meaning, and he asked in doubt:

"Hu Meiniang, you don't mean to say that dealing with Xuanqing Daozhang would be as easy as crushing an ant?"

Hu Meiniang cooed, "Dai Lang, that's a bit exaggerated; it still requires some effort!"

Dai Zhishang swallowed, about to say something, when Hu Meiniang suddenly spoke, "Dai Lang, this Shu the Juren looks like he's about to go all out; if you watch closely, you might gain something from it!"

"Going all out?"

Dai Zhishang was first startled, then dared not be careless, and stared intently at Shu Mu.

He saw Shu Mu, who had just been hurled by a gust of wind, struggle to rise from the ground, his eyes blood‑red, like a mad demon, glaring at Xuanqing Daozhang and shouting:

"You rogue Daoist, I'm going to fight you to the death!"

After speaking, Shu Mu spat a mouthful of fresh blood and loudly recited the General's Ode.

Seeing this scene, Dai Zhishang was instantly shocked and, in panic, said, "Hu Meiniang, Shu the Juren is risking his life, burning his essence blood to wield the General's Ode; he has no deep blood feud with Xuanqing Daozhang, so why this?"

"Man fights for a breath, Buddha fights for a single incense stick!"

Hu Meiniang smiled; Shu Mu's display wasn't entirely unexpected.

Once.

She had indeed seen with her own eyes that some people would kill over a single coin or even a petty quarrel.

Shu Mu's actions are not incomprehensible!

"Shu the Juren, Shu the Juren, don't be reckless; you're burning your essence blood, you're risking your life?"

Luo Taiqing, who had been watching the spectacle, hurriedly shouted loudly to stop Shu Mu, but at this moment Shu Mu, like a mad demon, recited the General's Ode heedlessly.

He didn't advise Xuanqing Daozhang not to act, because he knew Xuanqing Daozhang was still in a clear state; if Shu Mu stopped, Xuanqing Daozhang would stop, but if Xuanqing Daozhang stopped, Shu Mu might not.

He didn't want to affect Xuanqing Daozhang and end up causing Xuanqing Daozhang's death.

Unfortunately, Shu Mu had already fallen into a mad‑demon state; it seemed his mind held only the thought of killing Xuanqing Daozhang, with no other distractions.

He couldn't even hear the shouts outside!

Luo Taiqing could only turn his head toward Hu Meiniang and say, "Madam Hu, please intervene and stop Shu the Juren, lest irreparable events occur!"

"If there's excitement, just watch it; what's all this nonsense? If you don't want to watch, I still want to."

Hu Meiniang snorted in displeasure.

Dai Zhishang also urged, "Hu Meiniang, why don't you step in and stop it? Otherwise, anyone getting hurt wouldn't be a good thing!"

He had an issue with Shu Mu; he's not a good‑tempered person, and from Shu Mu's recent attitude toward him, he was wary that his own strength was inferior to Shu Mu's.

Otherwise.

He would have slapped Shu Mu already!

But that doesn't mean he could just watch Shu Mu throw away his life; it's not because he's a saintly mother, but because Shu Mu comes from a great family and Xuanqing Daozhang owes him a favor.

If Shu Mu dies, the Shu family will surely seek revenge on Xuanqing Daozhang.

In this novel, you…

"Stop? Dai Lang, you now hold me in some regard; given Shu the Juren's current state, he's almost a mad demon. Unless I use strong suppression, I have no other means."

But once strong suppression is applied, Shu the Juren will still be injured, his mindset will also be affected, leading to endless calamities!

Who knows, later Shu the Juren might bear a grudge against me!

Hu Meiniang gave Shu Mu a deep glance; she wasn't unfamiliar with battles among scholars, but a scholar in such a mad‑demon state was still rare, and she said:

"I roughly know the abilities of that Daoist; even though Shu the Juren is in a mad‑demon state, he won't be a match for that Daoist."

Thus, although Shu the Juren will still be wounded, at least his mindset won't be affected; perhaps after this crushing defeat, he'll gain the drive to become stronger!

"That would be a tremendous boon for Shu the Juren!"

Hearing this, Dai Zhishang swallowed the words he was about to say, and changed his tone, "Hu Meiniang, you mean Shu the Juren will only be injured, not face a life‑threatening danger?"

Hu Meiniang glanced at Xuanqing Daozhang and said, "That Daoist is still in a clear state, so he won't endanger Shu the Juren's life.

As for burning his essence blood, though serious, it's not without medicine to cure."

Dai Zhishang said no more, his eyes wide as he watched the impending dragon‑tiger clash.

As Shu Mu loudly recited the General's Ode, an inexplicable magic seemed to make his blood boil, giving him a surge of adrenaline.

The generals and the soldiers gradually coalesced, all in a deep blood‑red hue.

Whether it is the domineering appearance, the fierce aura, or the terrifying killing intent, it makes one feel as if they are on a battlefield.

Dai Zhishang looked toward the distance, facing Xuanqing Daozhang, who was loudly reciting the General's Ode for Shu Mu, and, without any movement, asked curiously:

"Hu Meiniang, you are well‑versed; tell me, what's the deal with Xuanqing Daozhang? Why does he let Shu Mu's General's Ode pass without seizing the chance to strike?"

"Because this Daoist wants Shu Ju people to lose so convincingly that they are won over heart and mouth, leaving no excuse to be found!"

Hu Meiniang smiled wryly.

"So that's how it is!"

Dai Zhishang suddenly understood and said.

"Ding! You listened to Shu Mu's frenzied recitation of the General's Ode; congratulations, you have obtained the skill: General's Ode 【Entry Level】!"

"Ding! The article has met the activation condition (2/2), the article tab is opening! (ps: poems, lyrics, and odes are all included.)"

"Ding! Skill: Thousand‑Character Classic 【Mastery】 changed to article: Thousand‑Character Classic 【Mastery】; skill: General's Ode 【Entry Level】 changed to article: General's Ode 【Entry Level】!"

(End of chapter)