Chapter 784

First Volume, Chapter 784: Ancient Absolute

Beside her, Zheng Yu, seeing her sister defeated, felt no pressure whatsoever—on the contrary, her face wore a broad smile, for her sister had merely been testing Qin Feng, and the sisters' meticulously prepared "killing move" was still hidden behind.

Zheng Yu studied Qin Feng, her voice like a oriole emerging from the valley—delicate and bright: "Please, Lord Qin, listen to my upper line!"

"South Tongzhou, North Tongzhou, south and north Tongzhou connects south and north."

The talented scholars and beauties present had gradually grown accustomed to the "game" of couplets.

They had intended to seize the opportunity to shine and earn a good reputation, but upon hearing Zheng Yu's upper line, the entire Second Floor fell utterly silent.

Even laymen understood the difficulty of this upper line; the gentlemen skilled in couplets were even more astonished.

Even the private school master pondered for a while, yet found no solution—after all, matching this upper line with perfect symmetry was by no means easy.

When the private school master looked up at Qin Feng, he was even more astonished: facing such a difficult upper line, Qin Feng's expression remained as calm as ever, as if he hadn't even noticed the couplet at all.

The private school master couldn't help muttering to himself: "Could this Qin Feng possibly contain the entire universe in his belly? His mastery of poetry and prose is already astonishing, yet even this obscure literary game of couplets—he excels at it too. Truly terrifying…"

Zheng Yu had full confidence in her upper line and gestured gracefully: "Please, Lord Qin, provide the lower line."

Qin Feng's lips curled slightly—if the sisters' couplets were all as simple as the previous one, Qin Feng had already lost interest.

Now, at last, there was some challenge; Qin Feng settled in, and under the breathless gaze of all present, spoke casually: "East pawnshop, west pawnshop, east and west pawnshops pawn east and west."

Upon his words, the room fell dead silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous applause.

Even those who hated Qin Feng could not help but be humbled by his talent.

"South and north Tongzhou connects south and north; east and west pawnshops pawn east and west—truly a perfect match!"

"East and west against south and north; pawnshops against Tongzhou—what a brilliant 'east and west pawnshop'!"

"I never thought couplets could be so fascinating—their subtlety rivals even poetry and prose."

"Qin Feng's literary depth is terrifying—he solved the lower line so quickly."

"Heavens, is this Qin Feng truly the Wenchang Star descended to Earth?"

Hearing the flood of praise from all around, Qin Feng merely shrugged indifferently—these people wanted to see him humiliated, so he would smash their faces right here!

To be praised by one's enemies was truly satisfying.

The Zheng sisters looked at Qin Feng with nothing but admiration.

Especially Zheng Yu—this upper line had taken her days of careful refinement to compose, and she never imagined Qin Feng would solve it instantly; more than disappointment, she felt exhilaration!

Could such a genius truly exist in this world?

Zheng Yu unhesitatingly pulled out her final, hidden couplet.

Excitedly, she said: "Please, Lord Qin, listen to the final couplet!"

"Wangjiang Tower, gazing at the river's flow; beneath Wangjiang Tower, gazing at the river's flow—the tower stands a thousand ages, the river flows a thousand ages."

As soon as the final couplet was spoken, a chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose across the entire Huijuan Lou Second Floor.

The previous couplet had already left everyone sweating; now, hearing Zheng Yu's final line, they felt this was truly an Ancient Absolute!

Even if Qin Feng could not answer it, no one would mock him—after all… this couplet was simply too difficult.

To craft such a couplet on the spot, against a prepared challenge, was nearly impossible; losing would not be shameful.

Yet the Zheng sisters' eyes shone with anticipation—though they had jointly crafted this upper line, even they themselves could not produce a matching lower line.

If Qin Feng could answer it, the two sisters would gladly marry him on the spot!

Seeing Qin Feng remain silent, Zheng Yu's eyes flickered with disappointment: "So even Lord Qin cannot manage it?"

At these words, everyone's emotions turned complex.

On one hand, they hoped Qin Feng would complete the lower line, creating a legendary moment; on the other, they felt a sense of relief—finally, the talented scholars and beauties of Yucheng had reclaimed their honor!

"Haha, Qin Feng, losing isn't shameful—after all, the Zheng sisters are the undisputed queens of couplets in Yucheng; no one can dethrone them."

"True enough—you may excel in poetry and prose, but couplets are clearly not your strength."

"Hahaha, losing to the Zheng sisters is nothing to be ashamed of."

Facing this chorus of throwing stones at one who has fallen, Qin Feng paid no heed—he merely regarded the Zheng sisters with keen interest.

"The Di Kingdom was founded on martial prowess; its literary traditions have always paled beside those of Shedynasty."

"But today, coming to Yucheng, my impression has changed—the literary atmosphere in the north is just as vibrant."

"This upper line is indeed exquisite—too bad it met me."

At these words, many literati in the room began to sneer inwardly.

"Qin Feng, if you lost, own it—don't make yourself look foolish."

"Exactly—if you can answer it, then answer it! Why waste words?"

"The Zheng sisters spent days preparing this couplet—I don't believe you can match it on the spot!"

Seeing their skepticism, Qin Feng couldn't be bothered to explain—casual as ever.

"Don't believe me? Then listen well!"

"Yingyue Well, reflecting the moon's shadow; within Yingyue Well, reflecting the moon's shadow—the well endures ten thousand years, the moon's shadow endures ten thousand years."

Hiss…

The entire Huijuan Lou fell utterly silent; everyone stared wide-eyed at Qin Feng in disbelief—even the Zheng sisters, so stunned, clapped their hands over their mouths, unable to utter a sound.

Yingyue Well against Wangjiang Tower…

Within Yingyue Well, reflecting the moon's shadow; atop Wangjiang Tower, gazing at the river's flow—thousand ages, ten thousand years…

Absolute! Truly an absolute!

Overcome with exhilaration, Zheng Yu trembled slightly, her gaze upon Qin Feng brimming with admiration; she bit her lips gently and bowed deeply before him, utterly sincere.

"Lord Qin, your brilliance leaves me in awe."

Beside her, Zheng Qiao also bowed quickly, her cheeks flushed red: "Lord Qin, you are truly worthy of the title National Hero of Liang Kingdom—a true literary master!"

As the Zheng sisters' praise rang out, the crowd finally snapped out of their shock.

The upper couplet provided by the Zheng sisters had already surpassed everyone's understanding, yet Qin Feng actually completed it on the spot.

Good heavens, what is this man's head made of?

Jing Ci, seated on the Second Floor of the Wine House, slowly opened her mouth in shock.

"For a thousand ages, Jiang Lou stands; for ten thousand years, the Moon Well endures…"

"The Zheng sisters offering such an upper couplet means they've given their all—but Qin Feng speaks in verse, meaning he hasn't even begun to try…"

"Could the gap between our Di literati and Liang Kingdom really be this vast?"

"To outmatch Qin Feng in military affairs was already beyond reach; now, to crush him in literature and weaken his influence, the hope seems faint indeed…"

"Qin Feng, Qin Feng… Qin Feng…" Jing Ci repeated Qin Feng's name over and over.