Chapter 6: First Volume, Chapter 6: I Am Naturally a Wastrel

First Volume, Chapter 6: I Am Naturally a Wastrel

This fellow is clearly calling Scholar Xie ugly—what a vicious tongue!

Scholar Xie didn't even speak a word before Qin Feng retorted, turning his face crimson, wishing he could crawl into a crack in the ground.

The Qin Family Wastrel violates martial ethics, openly attacking a scholar's character.

Scholar Xie trembled with rage, pointing at Qin Feng and shouting: "I was going to spare you a shred of dignity, but since you insist on humiliating yourself, don't blame me…"

Before Scholar Xie could finish, Qin Feng widened his eyes in mock shock: "I'm this handsome—do I even need you to spare me face?"

This time, not only did Liu Hongyan cover her mouth and giggle, but even those who looked down on Qin Feng couldn't suppress their laughter.

Li Rui couldn't help muttering to himself: others who had water in their heads were dull and vacant, but how did Qin Feng turn it completely around—sharp-tongued, quick-witted, as if he'd become a different person?

Seeing Scholar Xie's breathing quicken and his whole body shake, on the verge of collapsing from rage, Li Rui didn't dare delay—he gave a quick signal.

Scholar Xie then stammered out: "You… you're a Wastrel! That poem 'Exiting the Frontier' is clearly my own work! Your Qin Family used the prestige of the Ministry of War to threaten and bribe me, forcing me to surrender it! Now that Young Master Li is here to uphold justice, how could I possibly fear you anymore!"

Scholar Xie secretly sneered—he was Li Rui's man all along.

Earlier, selling the poem to Liu Hongyan was secretly ordered by Li Rui, meant to emerge at the critical moment of the Poetry Contest and deliver a fatal blow to Qin Feng, utterly crushing him.

But he never expected this guy didn't use his poem at all—instead, he somehow got another one, far superior by countless levels.

Originally, Scholar Xie had been panicked, fearing he couldn't prove Qin Feng had bought the poem to cheat the exam, meaning he'd lose the twenty thousand taels of silver Li Rui had promised.

But soon, Li Rui instructed him to stick to one story: that this poem 'Exiting the Frontier' was his own, but he'd been forced by the Qin Family to sell it cheaply to Qin Feng!

As soon as he heard this, Scholar Xie's eyes lit up.

With border defenses urgent, morale needs lifting right now.

If he could claim 'Exiting the Frontier' as his own and bring it to His Majesty's ears, the Emperor would surely be delighted.

Who knows—he might even be promoted and enter the Imperial Court!

Where else in the world could you find such an opportunity to gain both fame and fortune?

After all, no one would believe a Wastrel could write such a masterpiece.

But I, a graduate of the imperial examination, once this is 'confirmed,' I'll surely gain broad public approval.

So the moment Li Rui suggested it, he didn't hesitate a second—he immediately agreed, leading to what just happened.

Cheng Fa seized the chance and pushed further: "Qin Feng, how dare you trick me with Scholar Xie's inkwork? You made me call you Master—this is utterly shameless!"

The surrounding students, now convinced.

Some lamented they'd misjudged him; others openly threw stones at one who had fallen.

"Hmph! I said it all along—how could this Wastrel famed in Jingdu write such a fine poem?"

"I saw through him from the start—Qin Feng never had this talent."

"Shameless!"

Seeing the Temperament Control was just right, Li Rui stepped forward as mediator, reaping a wave of admiration.

Under the awe-struck gazes of all, Li Rui waved his hand with grandeur: "Gentlemen, hear me out—Sages said, who among men is free from fault?"

"Besides, both our fathers serve as Ministers of the Imperial Court. Won't you all grant me a favor and stop condemning Qin Feng so harshly?"

As he spoke, Li Rui glanced at Qin Feng with a hidden sneer: "To recognize one's error and correct it is the highest virtue. If you're willing to bow and apologize, given our schoolmate bond, I'll plead to the Dean on your behalf—I'm sure your fellow students will also give Brother Qin a chance to make amends."

Liu Hongyan was already seething—Scholar Xie was too shameless, taking advantage from both sides.

Since this obstacle couldn't be avoided, with Liu Hongyan's fiery temper, she was ready to go all out—pull out the proof of Scholar Xie's deal.

Before she could show it, Qin Feng pressed her hand back down.

Qin Feng's expression remained as carefree as ever—as if the sky falling would just make him chuckle dumbly.

"Sis, why rush? If you produce the evidence now, aren't you just admitting you cheated?"

Liu Hongyan frowned, gritting her teeth: "Besides this, do you have another plan?"

Qin Feng blinked, offered no explanation, and stepped straight up to Scholar Xie—then slapped him across the face.

Pah! The sound was crisp.

Not only was Scholar Xie stunned, but the surrounding students were dumbfounded.

Li Rui, however, rejoiced inwardly—Good! Hit him hard!

Cheating on poetry, plus assaulting a living graduate of the imperial examination—this double blow, this fool is literally begging for death!

He was thrilled inside, but he couldn't neglect appearances.

Li Rui put on a look of heartbroken outrage and sternly rebuked: "Qin Feng, how dare you! You've already cheated and deceived—and now you dare assault a graduate of the imperial examination in public? Even I can't save you now!"

Qin Feng stuck out his pinky, dug in his nostril, flicked it away—making Li Rui and others scramble back in alarm.

"Save me? Heh, Young Master Li, are you imagining things?"

Ignoring Li Rui's furious glare, Qin Feng looked down at the dazed Scholar Xie: "You can eat anything, but don't speak nonsense. Was that poem 'Exiting the Frontier' really yours? I'll give you one last chance—speak truthfully."

Scholar Xie's face flushed red, glaring:

"Qin brat, you forced me to sell you my poem—and now you dare deny it? This poem was written by me, Xie!"

Pah!

Another slap.

Qin Feng sighed, exasperated: "You're so old—how can you lie with your eyes open? One last chance."

Scholar Xie clutched his swollen cheeks, furious: "I am a graduate of the imperial examination of this dynasty—how dare you…"

Before he finished, Qin Feng slapped him again, spreading his hands: "My father's the Minister of War—got a problem with that?"

Scholar Xie trembled inside—he dared not challenge the Minister of War, yet his rage burned too hot to contain—he stammered: "Y-you… you're a Wastrel!"

Qin Feng was genuinely surprised: "Whoa, you figured that out already?"

As he spoke, he swung back and slapped him again—sending Scholar Xie collapsing to the ground, dazed and unable to recover.

Everyone in Liang Capital knows the young master is a Wastrel—did you just find out? Your news is terribly outdated.

Qin Feng turned his head to Li Rui, who was staring in shock, and said angrily: "I am the son of the Minister of War! How dare a mere graduate of the imperial examination defy me and speak disrespectfully? Li brother, should he be taught a lesson?"

Li Rui took a deep breath and finally suppressed the fire in his heart.

This was no longer about stealing ink treasures—it was about the son of the Minister of War publicly assaulting a graduate of the imperial examination. But then again, so what if he beat him?

Li Rui had never dreamed Qin Feng would use such a shameless, thuggish method to sidestep the trap he had carefully laid.

Liu Hongyan covered her mouth, her eyes filled with disbelief.

Is this really my brother—the one who couldn't do anything right and ate everything he touched?

Under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Feng stared seriously at Scholar Xie and pointed to his own head.

In my head, I hold thousands upon thousands of poems and verses. You, a graduate of the imperial examination, dare to steal others' work as your own—I ask you one thing: do you even have a shred of decency left?"

"You claimed this poem 'Exiting the Pass' was yours? Then let me show you what true poetry and verse truly are!"

Qin Feng smirked and turned toward the re-examination hall.

Li Rui's face flushed red and pale by turns, but he could only grit his teeth and pretend nothing had happened.

The difficulty of the Second Pass re-examination was nothing like the preliminary selection.

To prevent cheating, candidates had to compose poetry on the spot, and the topic was strictly confidential.

Upon entering the re-examination hall, they discovered the grand hall hung with over a dozen paintings—the prompts were hidden within them.

The students who passed the preliminary selection rushed to try—and within one incense stick time, half were eliminated.

Qin Feng's attention, however, was entirely off the paintings; this man was utterly heartless—he had just flown into a rage, and now his eyes were fixed greedily on the female student beside him.

He kept slurping drool…