As he copied more and more poems, Xu Qi 'an gradually grasped the trick of "showing one's divinity" as a scholar. He had to answer whatever others asked. This was something only a fool could do.
He had to keep them in suspense until they were satisfied.
Just like now, from Number Four to the customers, from the customers to the courtesan, from the courtesan to the serving maids, everyone was looking at him in anticipation.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xu Qi 'an stood up and paced in the hall. After seven steps, he stopped and said, "Ten years to sharpen a sword."
Chu Yuanzhen was stunned. He had just said he was sharpening a sword and Xu Qi 'an immediately said this. There was no doubt about it. This poem was written for him.
Number Four was touched. He had never met this Xu Qi 'an before, but after a few drinks, he was willing to compose a poem for him. It was shameful for him to be so friendly and warm to others.
Number Three was a chivalrous scholar. Although he had a small problem of pursuing profits, he was still a person worth befriending. His cousin was even more warm-hearted than him. They were indeed biological brothers.
At the same time, Chu Yuanzhen thought of Recluse Zi Yang. He was also a scholar and loved poems. There was no reason for him not to look forward to such a rare opportunity.
Xu Qi 'an looked at the crowd and read the second line, "The frost blade has not been tried."
Ten years to sharpen a sword, the frost blade has not been tried … The officials chewed on this line with smiles on their faces and their eyes lit up.
This couplet was neat. In terms of charm and mood, it was not as good as Xu Qi 'an's previous poems. However, the charm of a poem was not only in charm and mood.
Ten years to sharpen a sword, the frost blade has not been tried!
It was a short sentence, but it was filled with lofty aspirations. Ten years to sharpen a sword, this kind of arrogance could only be written by someone like him who had achieved success at a young age.
Chu Yuanzhen's eyes lit up. He unconsciously straightened his back and leaned forward, looking forward to the next couplet.
It was too appropriate, too appropriate.
Over the years, he had traveled far and wide, broadened his horizons, and nurtured his Sword Qi. This superb magical instrument of Renzong had always been hidden in the scabbard and had never been displayed.
It would eventually be unsheathed. However, Chu Yuanzhen himself had never thought about what kind of situation would force him to unsheathe this sword in the future.
It was not until recently that Taoist Renzong sent a flying sword message to summon him back to fight against Tenzō's disciple, Li Miaozhen, that Chu Yuanzhen suddenly realized that he had been waiting for this moment.
However, he was filled with regret. Once this sword was unsheathed, it would definitely shake the heavens and the earth. Using it to slay Li Miaozhen was not what he wanted.
"What's the second line? Ten years of sharpening a sword, under what circumstances will it be unsheathed? "
Chu Yuanzhen muttered in his heart. He was eager to learn from this.
At this moment, Xu Qi'an shook his head and sighed, "I haven't thought of the second line yet."
“！！！”
"Why, why is there no second line? It can't be gone. How can a poem only have the first line? "
"Your excellency Xu, don't be capricious. We are still waiting."
"What's the second line? Think again, think again …"
In the hall, everyone's eyes widened. They could not accept this fact.
Xu Qi'an spread out his hands and returned to the table with a glass of wine. He said helplessly, "I really haven't thought about it. How about this, I'll write half of it first and give the other half to Brother Chu later. What do you think?"
"… That's the only way," Chu Yuanzhen said disappointedly.
Everyone reluctantly accepted this result.
The drinking game continued. Although it was elegant, the atmosphere was a little dull. Floating Incense proposed a finger-guessing game, which was unanimously approved by everyone.
The courtesans played the finger-guessing game with the drinkers and were having a great time.
"Why don't we play pitch-pot?"
Chu Zhuangyuan, who was not accompanied by a beauty, suggested.
This banquet was specially prepared for him. He was the protagonist of the banquet, so he had the final say.
The rules of pitch-pot were very simple. A pot would be placed in the hall, and each drinker would be given three arrows. Those who did not hit the target would be punished with drinking. Those who hit the target could order anyone in the hall to drink.
After a few rounds, this group of high-ranking officials became slightly tipsy. Gradually, they turned from game participants to bystanders, and then from bystanders to cheering and cheering crowds.
Only Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen were playing the pitch-pot. Every arrow would hit the target. The two seemed to be in a fit of pique, and neither was willing to admit defeat.
The courtesans waved their flags and cheered at the side. If either Xu Qi'an or Chu Yuanzhen hit the target, they would cheer loudly, their faces flushed with excitement.
Such an exciting pitch-pot duel was very rare.
In the beginning, the top courtesans were still able to treat each other fairly and not take sides. Slowly, however, the twelve top courtesans were divided into two camps. One side supported Chu Yuanzhen, while the other side were Xu Qian's fans … They were all women that Xu Qian had slept with before, such as Fu Xiang, Ming Yan, Xiao Ya, and so on.
"We can't decide the winner like this. I suggest we cover our eyes," Xu Qi'an said.
Chu Yuanzhen thought for a moment and shook his head. "Even if we cover our eyes, every arrow will hit the target. My suggestion is that each person throw twenty arrows. Whoever throws all the arrows first wins."
They knew how to play!
The drinkers and courtesans' eyes lit up, and they all expressed their agreement.
Fu Xiang ordered a maid to bring silk scarves and cover their eyes. Xu Qi'an found that the silk scarves were hazy and transparent, and he could vaguely see the outline of the barnacles.
He silently turned around, his back facing the field.
Chu Yuanzhen was stunned, smiled and shook his head, and also turned his back.
The atmosphere became more lively. Not only did they cover their faces, but they also turned their backs. They had never seen such a game.
"How to play?" Ming Yan said in a sweet voice, "Who can hit the target?"
Another courtesan giggled. "Whoever wins, Ming Yan will serve him tonight."
Ming Yan blushed and snorted, peeking at Xu Qi'an.
Xu Qi'an habitually sighed and laughed with his eyes covered. "No, no, the first one is too few. I want all of you."
The courtesans were not afraid at all, and responded with a smile, "Your excellency Xu will probably go to the yamen tomorrow with his hands against the wall."
Laughter suddenly sounded, and it was like a group of orioles.
"No. 3 declined my proposal. He looks like a decent person who never goes to the Musical House, but his big brother is the opposite."
Chu Yuanzhen sighed with emotion in his heart, "This Xu Qi'an is really a romantic person. In the Musical House, he is like a fish in water, and he can be more open than any scholar."
For the current literati, the Musical House and the brothel were more of a place for socializing, drinking and socializing with their colleagues and schoolmates. The restaurant was the place where the common people went, and the real dignitaries would choose the Musical House as their first choice.
There were talented courtesans as magistrates, and there were beautiful and obedient maids who poured wine and served them. This was the appearance.
But the scholar-officials would not be too unrestrained because they cared about their face. But this Xu Qi'an was different.
"Even if I die under a peony, I will be a romantic even if I become a ghost!" Xu Qi'an put his arms around Floating Fragrance's waist.
The sudden golden sentence made everyone present secretly admire him. How could this person be so talented? He could say beautiful sentences and good poems.
If this person studied, he would become a great scholar.
Xu Pingzhi did not want to be a son.
"Dong!"
An arrow accurately shot into the barnacle, interrupting everyone's scattered thoughts and returning their attention.
After throwing one arrow, Xu Qi'an said with a smile, "Brother Chu, let's start."
"Okay!" Chu Yuanzhen responded lightly.
As he spoke, he threw an arrow behind him, and it hit the barnacle accurately.
"Wow …"
Ming Yan exclaimed and widened his eyes.
"Dong, dong, dong …"
Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen each shot an arrow, and every shot hit the target. Every time they hit the target, the courtesans exclaimed and felt that it was an eye-opener.
The pitch-pot was just a small game, but the two played it in a different way.
One after another, when Xu Qi'an threw the tenth arrow, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown the thirteenth arrow, leaving only seven arrows in his hand.
When Xu Qi'an had five arrows in his hand, Chu Yuanzhen had only two arrows in his hand.
It seemed that the winner had been decided.
Fu Xiang, Ming Yan, and a few other courtesans who supported Xu Qi'an looked gloomy, unable to hide their disappointment.
As for the courtesans who supported Chu Yuanzhen, they applauded in advance, offering their applause to the top scholar of Yuanjing's 27th year.
The surrounding officials seemed to have expected this result, and their smiles were the faintest.
Chu Yuanzhen was a legendary figure. When he was still a student, he already stood out among his classmates, with outstanding talent and appearance. Later, he abandoned literature to cultivate Taoism, and no one was optimistic about him. One of his best friends was so angry that he cut ties with him.
But who would have thought that in just a few years, he would soar to the sky and challenge Zhang Kaitai of Jinluo. Although he lost, it was a glorious defeat, and he was praised as the number one swordsman in the capital by Wei Yuan.
In their eyes, such a peerless genius was naturally more outstanding than Xu Qi'an, who only knew how to investigate cases.
At this time, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown the penultimate arrow, and it accurately entered the pot.
Fu Xiang pursed her lips and withdrew her gaze from the barnacles. She glanced at Xu Qi'an, and was surprised to find that the corners of his mouth were slightly raised … She was very familiar with this expression. Every time Xu Qi'an was proud of himself, the corners of his mouth would slightly raise.
He was confident?!
As soon as this thought came to her mind, Fu Xiang saw an absurd scene. Xu Qi'an had thrown the five arrows in his hand at the same time. They drew a neat arc in the air, and perfectly entered the pot.
The five arrows made only one sound: Dong!
The hall instantly fell silent, and pairs of eyes widened.
How could this work?
"Ah …" Ming Yan cheered, and excitedly threw himself into Xu Qi'an's arms. "Your excellency Xu, I love you so much."
Fu Xiang frowned.
"What a marvelous skill," an imperial censor praised.
"It turns out that the pot can also be played in this way. It's an eye-opener," another official echoed with a smile.
The eyes of the top courtesans suddenly filled with worship when they looked at Xu Qi'an.
Chu Yuanzhen took off his silk scarf and smiled. "Awesome, awesome."
The tea party lasted until nine o 'clock in the evening. The top courtesans yawned and stood up to leave. Their skirts fluttered, and their figures were light.
Although they were a little sleepy, the beauties still wanted to continue. They felt that the banquet with Xu Qi'an, the number one swordsman in the capital, was too interesting. Unfortunately, it was impossible to meet such a high-quality guest every day.
Ming Yan secretly wrote on Xu Qi'an's palm, tempting him to go to his Green Pond Courtyard. But Fu Xiang gave him a few indifferent remarks, and then drove him away.
Chu Yuanzhen did not spend the night at the Musical House. He said goodbye and left. Xu Qi'an personally saw him out of the hospital.
"Number Four is too free and easy, and has the character of a scholar … I can't find a chance to make him die in society …" Xu Qi'an looked at the back of the swordsman in the cyan robe and felt very sorry.
However, scholars had their weaknesses, such as poetry.
He hid the second half of the couplet and waited for the right time to take it out.
Leaving the maid to clean up the mess, Fu Xiang took Xu Qi'an's arm into the bedroom. Xu Qi'an sat at the table and drank tea. His ears moved, and he heard Zhong Li's voice.
He turned his head and looked at the screen. In the candlelight, her graceful shadow was cast on the screen. She was taking off her dresses one by one and putting on a light gauze dress.
While taking a bath, Xu Qi'an suddenly said,
"I'll redeem you in a few days."
Fu Xiang was stunned for a moment. Her beautiful eyes flashed with a complex look, and then she quickly calmed down. She chuckled and said, "You just became a viscount. It's not good for your reputation to take a concubine now."
"That's fine." Xu Qi'an put his arms around her smooth waist and said with a smile.
After the bath, he and Fu Xiang rolled on the bed. As the white-robed general moved in and out, there was a sudden "crack", followed by a sense of weightlessness.
The bed collapsed.
Fu Xiang exclaimed and wrapped herself around Xu Qi'an. Her long, white python-like legs hooked tightly around his waist, startling him.
"… Zhong Li, I'm going to ask the Supervisor for a refund!"
Xu Qi'an was furious.
…
After leaving the Shadow Plum Pavilion, Chu Yuanzhen waved his fingers and the long sword on his back seemed to come to life. It broke free from its shackles and stopped in front of him.
Chu Yuanzhen stepped on the scabbard and said softly, "Let's go."
The long sword paused for a moment, then suddenly pierced the night sky and soared straight up.
The moment it flew into the night sky, Chu Yuanzhen felt countless eyes in the capital lock on to him, and then looked away. Among them, the gaze that sent the most chills down his spine came from the towering stargazing tower.
He quickly left the inner city and flew towards the southern side of the outer city.
If he remembered correctly, number six Hengy Yuan was in the Health Care Hall. He lowered his altitude and searched for a long time before finally finding the Health Care Hall in the southern part of the city.
Chu Yuanzhen was not born and raised in the capital. He studied in the Imperial College and passed the imperial examinations. He had lived in the inner city all his life. He had never been to the outer city where the poor gathered.
He pressed down on the tip of the sword and lightly landed in the courtyard of the Health Care Hall. As he jumped down from the scabbard, he heard a voice chanting the name of Buddha from under the eaves.
"Amitabha."
Chu Yuanzhen grasped the hilt of the sword and put it back into the scabbard on his back. He looked towards the direction of the voice. Under the eaves, in the darkness, stood a monk wearing a simple blue robe. He was tall and sturdy, with thick eyebrows and big eyes.
"Master Hengy Yuan?" Chu Yuanzhen greeted him with a smile.
"That's me. Are you number four?" Hengy Yuan put his palms together and looked at him quietly.
The two of them were not very calm when they met for the first time. They were neither close nor distant. Hengy Yuan led Chu Yuanzhen into the house and lit an oil lamp. He took out a jar of wine from under the bed and two porcelain bowls. He wiped the dust with his sleeve.
Chu Yuanzhen never said no to wine and drank it immediately. He was curious. "Can Buddhist disciples drink wine?"
Hengy Yuan answered calmly, "Martial monks don't abstain from meat and vegetables."
There was a hidden meaning in this sentence: Martial monks don't have to abide by the precepts.
"I met number three today."
Chu Yuanzhen regretted not bringing peanuts. There was wine but no vegetables. It felt like something was missing.
Hengy Yuan nodded.
"Number three pretended not to know me … With his intelligence, I believe he recognized me at that time. I don't know why he pretended not to know me."
Chu Yuanzhen shook his head helplessly and said, "Eighth-class Body Cultivation Realm. His cultivation is a little shallow."
However, he knew the secret of number three. Number three was related to the Pure Spirit Soaring Spirit of the Secondary Holy Temple. Therefore, he couldn't treat number three simply on the surface.
Master Hengy Yuan took a sip of wine and said in a low voice, "Compared with number three, your excellency Xu and I are more congenial. You may not know, but he didn't die in Yunzhou …"
After number six explained the resurrection of Xu Qi 'an, Chu Yuanzhen nodded. "Although the Reincarnation Pill is good, it has too many restrictions. He survived because of his luck.
"I just met Xu Qi 'an in the Musical House. I have a good impression of him. I think you have discussed him too many times in the fragments of the Book of the Earthly World, so I don't feel unfamiliar with him."
After a pause, number four smiled and said, "I haven't met number three, but Xu Qi 'an is really to my taste."
After drinking the turbid wine in the jar, Chu Yuanzhen proposed to see the child. After seeing him, he looked quite depressed.
"Although I don't like Buddhism, they are right about one thing. The world is like a sea of bitterness, and all living beings are struggling in the sea of bitterness," Chu Yuanzhen said with emotion.
Master Hengy Yuan glanced at him.
Chu Yuanzhen hurriedly said, "I didn't mean to offend you."
Only then did Hengy Yuan withdraw his gaze.
"The second round of the test will be in three days. Let's go together to see number three." Hengy Yuan said, "number three doesn't want to reveal his identity to us. He said that if we meet, we only need to smile at each other."
"I see." Chu Yuanzhen suddenly understood.
…
Time flew, and three days passed in a flash.
At dawn, Xu Erlang, accompanied by his family, arrived at the examination yard.
"Ninth-rank Confucian scholars have a photographic memory. This round will test the meaning of scriptures. Erlang shouldn't feel any pressure." Xu Qi 'an patted his shoulder and encouraged him.
Second Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu smiled.
According to Erlang himself, he had performed well in the first round. He was good at it, and the second round of scriptures shouldn't be a problem.
In Second Uncle and Aunt Xu's eyes, Erlang's becoming a scholar was already in the bag.
Xu Xinnian slightly raised his chin and said proudly, "There are many talented scholars in the world. I can't be careless. There might be people who are stronger than me."
There might be … Xu Qi 'an thought, You're still better at posturing.
After saying goodbye to his family, he walked to the entrance of the examination yard, planning to line up and enter. At this time, a loud voice came to his ear, "Amitabha."
Xu Xinnian turned his head and saw two people standing on the street. One was a tall and sturdy monk, and the other was a swordsman in a green robe with a sword on his back.
When they saw him look over, the monk and the swordsman both revealed secretive smiles.
Xu Xinnian's expression froze. He lowered his head and hurried back to his father and brother, feeling a sense of security in his heart.
"Father, Brother, I suspect that someone is plotting against me," Xu Xinnian said in a low voice.
Hearing this, Xu Pingzhi immediately raised his eyebrows, and his eyes flashed like lightning, "Who?"
He was a patrolling Imperial Blade Guard, and knew that large numbers of jianghu swordsmen had recently poured into the capital, which was a very unstable factor for public security.
The most obvious was that there were more gentlemen on the roof. Those jianghu scoundrels had spent all their money in the capital and had no way to make a living, so their first choice was to steal and rob.
"A monk and a swordsman." Xu Xinnian turned his head and pointed to somewhere behind him.
Xu Qi 'an looked for a moment and said, "Where?"
“？？？”
Xu Xinnian showed a look of horror, "They were just there."
"Well, you said you weren't stressed. I think you're hallucinating." Xu Qi 'an patted his little brother's shoulder and said,
"Erlang, you must ignore those who don't know and behave strangely."
As he said this, he reached out to support Xu Xinnian's back.
Xu Erlang looked behind him and said in confusion, "What do you mean, Brother?"
"It's nothing. I'll take the blame for you."
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