Chapter 8

First Volume, Chapter 8: Kneel and Call Me Master

With Qin Feng's several poems, Shenglin Academy's status in the Shedynasty was unquestionably solidified, even more unshakable than before.

More importantly, with these poems made public, which country would dare to mock Shedynasty for having been founded only ten years ago, uncultivated and barbaric?

The examiners' gaze toward Qin Feng had shifted from utter loathing to profound affection, treating him as if he were a priceless treasure.

Having passed two rounds, Qin Feng—who had once been a rat shunned by all—had not only restored his reputation but also become wildly famous.

Li Rui had planned to use the Poetry Contest to destroy Qin Feng utterly, but instead, he had lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot.

The initial swagger he had shown upon arrival had vanished completely; he was just about to storm off in fury when Qin Feng's voice rang out again.

"Eldest Young Master Cheng, what are you still standing there for? You haven't even performed the proper rites to become a disciple!"

Recalling the mannerisms of ancient masters from movies, Qin Feng stood with his hands behind his back, swaying his head and humming, making Liu Hongyan burst into laughter.

This guy is truly ruthless!

Li Rui understood perfectly well that Qin Feng was deliberately humiliating him.

He was even more furious, yet utterly powerless to respond.

Cheng Fa's face turned crimson, especially upon hearing the stifled laughter of the other students—he wished he could sink into the ground.

"Qin Feng, don't push it too far!"

Qin Feng chuckled. Was this guy admitting defeat by throwing a tantrum? Trying to bully Little Master? He clearly hadn't been beaten enough by the real world!

Qin Feng turned and glanced at the true Master of Shenglin Academy, standing hidden among the crowd.

He immediately cleared his throat twice, mimicking the old man's expression, stiffening his face into a look of weary disgust—as if he'd been betrayed.

"Wretched brat! How dare you speak your Master's name so casually? You have no manners, no discipline!"

"I'd like to ask your father: is it proper for a student to disrespect his Master, to ride the Hua Fang for free without paying, and to refuse to accept defeat after a bet?"

"Unthinkable! This is enough to make an old man explode with rage!"

The surrounding students, of course, saw right through Qin Feng's imitation of the Ancient Master—they burst into laughter.

The old Master's face flushed crimson; he flung his sleeve and left without a word.

Watching Qin Feng's brazen demeanor, Cheng Fa trembled with rage—but his family was strict, and if his father found out, he'd be beaten senseless.

Cheng Fa, utterly humiliated and ashamed, dared not resist—he bowed deeply: "Greetings, Master."

"Half-hearted!" Qin Feng lifted his chin, clearly displeased. "How can you become a disciple without kneeling?!"

"You—!"

Cheng Fa took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, and knelt on the ground, raising his clasped hands above his head, nearly sobbing: "Student Cheng Fa, pays his respects to Master."

The surrounding students snickered endlessly; even the female students who had once favored Cheng Fa now looked at him with contempt.

Li Rui's face turned ashen—who didn't know Cheng Fa was his man?

Qin Feng's humiliation of Cheng Fa was a public slap across Li Rui's face.

But that was exactly what Qin Feng wanted—he wanted Li Rui to understand: playing tricks on me? You're just a kid.

Under Li Rui's furious glare, Qin Feng beamed, reached out, and patted Cheng Fa's head with the tender gaze of a doting father.

"Good boy. Don't forget to deliver the Ten Thousand Liang of Silver to my home."

"Otherwise, once a Master, always a father—I'll strip your pants off and give you a proper beating."

His words triggered another roar of laughter.

Liu Hongyan covered her mouth, her cheeks flushed, shooting Qin Feng a scolding glance: "You're barely a child—why pretend to be an Ancient Master?"

Qin Feng feigned surprise, shamelessly replying: "Why pretend? My aura is innate."

"Pfft, shameless," Liu Hongyan sneered, though her smile grew even wider.

Today, Qin Feng had stolen the spotlight and restored much of the Qin Family's honor—Liu Hongyan was overjoyed.

Yet the moment she thought of the Poetry Competition Final in three days, her heart tightened with anxiety.

Qin Feng, however, had no interest in the Poetry Competition Final—he even disliked it. He'd rather spend that time earning more Silver.

Glancing at Cheng Fa, now as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant, Qin Feng ignored him and got down to business.

He loudly announced before the crowd: "If anyone wishes to shine brilliantly and astonish all at the Poetry Competition Final in three days—"

"I offer Poetry for sale. In the spirit of fellow students, prices are fair—no cheating, no haggling."

"Five Ten Thousand Liang of Silver per poem. Bulk discounts available."

"You all have more than enough Silver, right? Five Ten Thousand Liang is a lot—but this Five Ten Thousand Liang buys peace of mind!"

"Five Ten Thousand Liang lets your parents see you've written a masterpiece destined to be remembered for eternity!"

His words sent the crowd into uproar—no student had ever seen Poetry sold openly in broad daylight; they stared at each other in shock.

The remaining examiners heard this and nearly fainted—their faces turned ghastly.

They had truly misjudged Qin Feng: silent until now, he had exploded into fame—but poetry was a refined art! Why did it sound so vulgar, so tainted with Silver, coming from Qin Feng's mouth?

The examiners were about to rebuke him, but they noticed students already crowding around, whispering eagerly about the deal.

If this scandal spread, Shenglin Academy would become a laughingstock. The examiners pretended not to see anything and slunk away in disgrace.

Seeing the eager students lining up to order Poetry, Qin Feng, seeing the market so hot, shamelessly raised his price—from Five Ten Thousand Liang to Six Ten Thousand Liang, then, after a sudden thought, hiked it to Eighty Thousand Liang of Silver per poem, revealing his true merchant nature.

Now, Qin Feng had filled the academy's demand for prestige—students were ecstatic.

Eighty Thousand Liang of Silver? A trifle. If you could shine under the eyes of the entire nation at the Poetry Contest, wouldn't that bring glory to your ancestors?

"Don't push! Everyone gets a turn!" Qin Feng grinned foolishly at the throng of heads, thinking: Knowledge changes destiny—my teacher never lied.

Watching the former outcast turn overnight into the academy's most sought-after commodity, Li Rui held his rage in check, his eyes filled with hatred; his gaze flickered to Cheng Fa, coldly asking: "Are you ready?"

Cheng Fa, having suffered today's Disgrace and lost all reputation, hated Qin Feng with every fiber of his being. He clenched his molars, his voice dripping venom: "Don't worry! That scoundrel won't live to see tomorrow's sun!"

Meanwhile, Liu Hongyan forcibly dragged Qin Feng out of the crowd. Though he lost several sales opportunities, Qin Feng had already sold over a dozen poems—he was ecstatic, whistling a tune, strutting like a newly minted business elite of Shedynasty, brimming with pride.

Only when shoved into the carriage did he snap back to reality.

Liu Hongyan pressed her body close, staring into Qin Feng's eyes as if she meant to devour him: "Confess honestly—what exactly happened!"

Looking at Liu Hongyan, a tigress so near, Qin Feng's arrogance instantly vanished; he put on a meek, innocent expression, feigning ignorance: "Wh… what do you mean?"

"Still pretending with me!" Liu Hongyan propped one hand on the ground and gripped Qin Feng's ear, threatening:

"Were those poems really written by you? How is that possible? Even the most renowned literary masters of Shedynasty probably lack such talent! If you don't confess properly, I'll twist off your ear and steep it in tea!"