"If it's not written on paper but on the table, how am I supposed to take it away? I can't just carry off a Huawel Sect table." Li Ying bent down, carefully examining the ink traces on the stone table, and lightly touched them with her fingertip. "Ah!"
She gasped softly as the spot with the ink impression sank, and stone dust actually clung to her finger.
The Chess Devil blew a puff of air, sending a layer of dust flying from the table, leaving clear carved characters on the stone surface.
"The brushwork penetrates the stone, effortlessly profound—what excellent skill." The Chess Devil's eyes grew even brighter.
"I heard that Zhao Mu and Wei Zhanyang, the most outstanding performers in the Calligraphy and Painting Examination, had to meditate for half an hour to regulate their breath to its peak before they could write on the cliff wall, each composing a single line of poetry. Yet this person picked up the brush and wrote all four lines in one go—doesn't that make him more impressive than both of them?" Li Ying clapped her hands.
She took out ink and white paper, carefully making a rubbing of the carved characters on the table: "This is perfect, saves me from having to move the table."
Seeing her delight, the Chess Devil sighed affectionately: "At such a young age, encountering such a figure may not necessarily be a good thing."
Li Ying only half-understood but smiled anyway: "When will you take him as your disciple, Master?"
"I thought I could find a better disciple than Wei Ping, but after seeing the poem carved on the stone table, I'm not so sure." The Chess Devil recited, "'Who in this world can rival the heroes?' Such an arrogant temperament—what master could tame him?"
"He hasn't taken a master anyway. There aren't many cultivation methods available in the Huawel Sect's Outer Sect. Where did he learn the Chess Way and Calligraphy Way on his own?" Li Ying wondered.
"You've already guessed who he is?"
"Song Qianji!" Li Ying's eyes sparkled. "Earlier, those people wearing Huawel Sect Outer Sect disciple robes called him Senior Brother Song and practically wanted to carry him away. In the Huawel Outer Sect, who else but Song Qianji could command such respect and authority?"
"Is he famous?" asked the Chess Devil. "What made him renowned?"
Li Ying enthusiastically began with the stories most popular among young cultivators, like picking flowers at Yaoguang Lake and storming the tower during the Flower Appreciation Gathering.
Then she mentioned what the sect leaders and elders were most concerned about:
"The entire Huawel Sect Outer Sect has been thrown into chaos by him, with strikes breaking out every few days. During this Grand Audience Assembly, other sects may not say anything openly, but behind closed doors they mock the Huawel Sect leader for being incompetent, unable to control even a group of outer sect disciples."
Hearing this, the Chess Devil's expression grew even more solemn as he murmured to himself:
"This is difficult."
With a temperament like Song Qianji's, would he truly be willing to become someone else's disciple?
If he were willing, he would have already taken the double championship in both the Chess and Calligraphy examinations at the Grand Assembly of Distinguished Appraisals.
"I've never seen Master so worried before," Li Ying said. "Is it really that difficult?"
"I'm not the 'Sentimental One'—I'm not as narcissistic as him. He's grown accustomed to being praised by those foolish students at the academy, thinking everyone in the world wants to call him master. Nor am I as cunning and suspicious as him—he schemes endlessly and still doesn't know where his disciple is, while I sit in this pavilion and a genius comes to me of his own accord."
The Chess Devil felt both pleased and worried—concerned about how to take Song Qianji as his disciple, but happy to have finally beaten the Calligrapher Sage to it.
...
Supported by others, Song Qianji mumbled incoherently: "Ah, life, how many times must life be wounded by the past, while mountains remain unchanged, resting against cold streams."
He still turned back to look at the stone pavilion. "Old man, we'll meet again if fate allows! We'll compete another time!"
Meng Heze said softly, "Senior Brother Song, you're alone on the mountain. Where did the wine come from?"
How could they let Senior Brother Song drink such strong liquor alone? What if something happened to him?He snatched the wine jar from Song Qianji's hand, mustered his courage, and took a tentative sip...
The sweet and sour flavors of grapes and plums, mingled with the rich fragrance of peach blossoms, filled his mouth.
Fruit juice?!
No, there was an aftertaste of wine—it was indeed fruit wine. But this wine was far too weak!
Meng Heze's gaze toward Song Qianji instantly shifted.
So it turned out Senior Brother Song was not omnipotent.
"From now on, no one is allowed to give Senior Brother Song alcohol!" he declared to the outer sect disciples.
"Yes!"
Song Qianji slurred, "I want to drink!"
"Senior Brother Song, where did you go after the exam? We've been searching everywhere for you." Meng Heze confiscated the purple jade wine jar and changed the subject. "Everyone made a banner for you. Bring it out quickly and let Senior Brother see!"Meng Heze had a competition today, so the outer sect disciples split into two groups: the main force went to the square to cheer for Senior Brother Meng, handling props and stage effects, while a smaller group went to the Colorful Stone Stream to unfurl the banner and welcome Senior Brother Song after his exam."
With a rustle, the banner unfurled in the wind—a full ten zhang long, with black ink on a white background and characters as large as fists:
"Warmly Celebrating Senior Brother Song's Successful Participation in the Calligraphy and Painting Examination."
To those in the know, it was a welcome celebration; to the uninformed, it looked like a roadside protest for unpaid wages.
Song Qianji was shocked—this was even more embarrassing than being carried through the outer sect square on a recliner.
He could only be grateful he had slipped away early.
"Just wandered around, listened to some qin music, played a game of chess," Song Qianji said. "It's nothing."
Meng Heze nodded. "As long as you're truly fine.Song Qianji usually spent most of his time buried in farming, but today was unusual—he hadn't returned to Song Courtyard even after nightfall.
Meng Heze feared someone with ill intentions might take advantage of Song Qianji being alone to cause trouble.
He had performed excellently in the martial exam, and many sect elders had expressed interest in taking him as a disciple, coming to sound him out tonight. But he had no mind to deal with them.
He mobilized the entire outer sect, dividing them into six teams to search, almost turning Huawel Sect upside down.
This provoked glares from the Discipline Hall and complaints from the Enforcement Hall.
"Senior Brother Song, Brother Meng, something bad has happened!"
Two figures came running toward them, shouting.
Song Qianji focused his eyes—it was those two gamblers, Xu Kanshan and Qiu Dacheng, again.
"No gambling today!" he waved them off.
Xu Kanshan urgently said, "This is the Star-Picking Platform Domain! By Huawel Sect's ancient rules, outer sect disciples are forbidden to set foot here! Deacon Chief Zhao Yuping knows you've come and is bringing his subordinates and a team of Enforcement Hall disciples to arrest you for interrogation!"
"Why are you still dawdling? Leave this place quickly!" Qiu Dacheng urged.
Meng Heze's expression abruptly changed.
He had been wondering why a deacon had kindly hinted they should come to the Star-Picking Platform to find someone.
"Who can leave now?" a cold laugh rang out.
Rapid footsteps echoed, shadows flickered, and the mountainside was instantly illuminated by lanterns.
Over a hundred Enforcement Hall disciples, swords and knives at their waists, surrounded Meng Heze and the others.
Zhao Yuping stepped out slowly from the shadows:
"Outer sect disciple Meng Heze, the sect has long known of your rebellious intentions but tolerated you repeatedly out of appreciation for your talent. But today, you have led people to trespass on the Star-Picking Platform—a grave mistake has been made. Will you not surrender peacefully?"
He deliberately targeted only Meng Heze, not mentioning Song Qianji, confident that Song Qianji would never stand by idly.
Last time, his covert scheme was thwarted by an unknown white-clothed female cultivator wielding a large blade.
This time, with an open move, they would see whether Song Qianji truly had a second Golden Core expert guarding him tonight.The night wind howled, rustling through falling leaves.
A group of Outer Sect disciples with modest cultivation found themselves surrounded, exchanging panicked glances.
Meng Heze sneered, slowly drawing his sword.
The blade scraped against the scabbard, emitting a piercing screech.
As if responding to a command, all Outer Sect disciples simultaneously unsheathed their swords.
Song Qianji pressed down on Meng Heze's sword hilt.
Still intoxicated, he mumbled indistinctly: "Where's the Focusing Light Talisman I gave you?"
Meng Heze's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration.
A brilliant beam of light shot from his palm, streaking straight into the night sky.
Zhao Yuping had initially assumed Meng Heze was revealing a Magical Artifact and was prepared, but seeing it was merely a glowing Talisman, he froze momentarily.
Within moments, the earth shook and mountains trembled from all directions, accompanied by thunderous shouts echoing across the ridges:
"It's Senior Brother Meng's Talisman!"
"They've found Senior Brother Song over there!"
Outer Sect disciples searching for Song Qianji from Yaoguang Lake, Windy Smoke Valley, countless mountain peaks, and numerous ravines converged upon the location, drawn by the Talisman and guided by the light.
The several hundred-strong contingent of Deacons and Enforcement Hall members found themselves completely encircled by over a thousand disciples.
Zhao Yuping scanned his surroundings, sweat beading on his forehead.
While suppressing them by force would be easy, the Grand Assembly of Distinguished Appraisals wasn't over yet. He couldn't possibly slaughter them all and risk condemnation from other sects.
Adapting quickly, he shouted, "Outer Sect disciples! Three hundred Spirit Stones to whoever captures Meng Heze!"
Wealth easily moves hearts, yet no one stirred.
The Outer Sect disciples' weapons remained aimed, their expressions resolute. As if they couldn't comprehend his words.
Zhao Yuping's face flushed crimson.
When had everything started to change?
Before, he could make these junior disciples scramble and fight like dogs over mere three Spirit Stones.
Refusing to acknowledge his rising fear, he screamed even louder:
"Three thousand Spirit Stones! Plus a top-tier Inner Sect Cultivation Method and a primary-grade Magical Artifact!"
His voice, no longer authoritative, trembled with excessive tension.
Dead silence prevailed, broken only by the mournful wind.
"Better go back and rest early." Someone suddenly yawned, "It's late at night."
It was Song Qianji.
Rubbing his eyes, he urged: "Make way quickly."
Having been out all day, he missed the flowers, plants, and vegetables at home.
The string beans by the door, the cucumbers on the vines, the potatoes in the ground.
Though separated for merely a day from dawn to dusk, it felt like countless autumns had passed.
They must miss me too, Song Qianji thought, gazing at the moon.
He walked forward with leisurely steps.
The inner circle with Meng Heze and others sought to protect him, the outer circle with Zhao Yuping and company warily guarded against him in confusion, while the outermost ring of disciples remained vigilant against Zhao Yuping's potential moves.
Thus, with just a few steps, Song Qianji set the entire formation in motion, layer upon layer shifting forward with him.
Song Qianji simply minded his own path.
...
Cosmos Palace on the Main Peak.
Brilliantly lit and filled with solemn ceremonial music.
This was True Person Xuyun's main hall, where he always sat imposingly in the chief seat, commanding overall control.
But tonight the chief seat was occupied by another, forcing him to settle for the secondary position.
The white-robed elder in the host seat smiled: "No need for formalities or restraint. Since this is a celebration banquet, everyone relax." Turning to the musician striking the bianzhong bells, he instructed, "Play something festive!"
Then he drank by himself, assuming full host manners.
Seeing the Calligrapher Sage act this way, the hall's atmosphere gradually livened.
Someone came to toast the Calligraphy and Painting Examination champion. Ji Chen raised his cup and drank it all in one go.
His heart suffering torment, the taste in his mouth was naturally utterly bitter.Zhao Mu and Wei Zhanyang, ranked second and third respectively, sat behind him, glaring coldly at his back with visible resentment.
Many secretly wondered why the Calligrapher Sage had named Ji Chen the champion yet hadn't taken him as a disciple.
It was unclear whether this meant satisfaction or disappointment with him.
After three rounds of drinks, a figure suddenly rose and declared loudly:
"Esteemed Sage, this disciple has a matter to report and seeks your wise judgment."
The music abruptly ceased.
The hall fell into stunned silence, though mindful of the Sage's presence, whispers soon circulated through mental transmission:
"Whose junior dares to be so disrespectful before the Calligrapher Sage?!"
"That's Ji Chen's cousin. Everyone knows Ji Chen was once a worthless good-for-nothing. This branch family member, Ji Guang, is the true future of the Ji Family in White Phoenix County."
"Is he stepping forward now to congratulate his cousin?"
The Calligrapher Sage's smile faded. "Speak."
"The characters for 'chicken egg' weren't written by Ji Chen! He has the audacity to deceive the Sage, possessing no Talisman talent whatsoever!" Ji Guang declared with righteous fervor, his expression resolute as if ready to sacrifice everything. "I have proof—look, these are characters Ji Chen wrote before."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
Zhao Mu nearly slapped the table in triumphant laughter.
But before the evidence could be presented, Ji Chen sprang up like a cat with its tail stepped on, rushing forward to seize Ji Guang's hand:
"Excellent! Thank you for speaking up on my behalf, dear cousin! You're truly like a brother to me!"
The Calligrapher Sage's expression, however, had turned grim.
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