Chapter 171 – Three Blades of the Fisherman’s Song (1/2)

The two faced and formally greeted each other.

The battle that was about to start will be the last, it will also be the match that determines first place upon the First Banner for the Grand Examination; thus, in comparison to the previous matches, the atmosphere was naturally a little different.

The second floor window was opened and the important personages were all by the window side; the Li Palace clergy tasked with supervising the exam had also moved to the balustrade.

This wasn’t for getting a better view, but a sign of respect for the two examinees that were participating in this match.

Once again, Chen Chang Sheng and Gou Han Shi did a formal greeting, but this time, it was towards those up on the second floor.

It was at this moment that a creaking sound could be heard within the tower, subsequently, the clergy could be seen gesturing a formal greeting as they all slowly gave way. The personages had a change to their expressions and they turned to meet the source of the sound.

Leader of the Orthodoxy’s tradition faction – His Eminence, Archbishop Mei Li Sha, had personally arrived at the arena.

Due to his age and seniority, but even more so, due to his opposition against the Pope, His Eminence’s standing within the Orthodoxy had risen inexorably over the past half a year.

Prince Chen Liu and Xue Xing Chuan paid their respects; Xu Shi Ji did a formal greeting; finally, the two Archbishops of the Holy Church who were from a different faction than Archbishop Mei Li Sha, half rose from their seats in acknowledgment.

His Eminence looked at Mo Yu and gave a light nod.

Mo Yu understood the intent behind this Elder personally arriving at the scene, her expression became even colder but she didn’t say anything.

The second floor became somewhat busy, with the personages all giving their greetings in turn; seating was rearranged, tea needed to be brewed and fruit needed to be brought in; for a while, the main leads, Gou Han Shi and Chen Chang Sheng, had been slightly neglected.

For the moment, it wouldn’t be appropriate to start fighting, thus, the two of them started a conversation.

Gou Han Shi said: “You have given a lot of people a surprise.”

Chen Chang Sheng said: “Your luck in the drawings has been fairly good.”

This was the truth and not modesty, neither was it modesty with intent to be conceited.

Gou Han Shi quietly looked at him and said: “With your ability, your past half a year in the Capital has been far too peaceful, you shouldn’t be so placid; you have the qualifications to live a little more freely.”

Chen Chang Sheng replied: “I didn’t expect you to advise me.”

Gou Han Shi lightly laughed and said: “As people who enjoy reading, we are indeed not overly fond of going out, but this was advice given to me by Senior some years ago. I find it rather sensible, thus, I’ve conveyed the same words to you.”

His senior was obviously Qiu Shan Jun.

Chen Chang Sheng pondered for a moment, but didn’t continue this line of conversation, instead, he replied to Gou Han Shi’s first topic and said: “I need to live carefully and cautiously, therefore I’ve gotten used to living carefully and cautiously.”

Gou Han Shi didn’t agree and said: “Being careful and cautious is not far from being draconian.”

Chen Chang Sheng shook his head, resolutely saying: “It is being careful and cautious.”

Gou Han Shi remained silent for a moment, then asked, in a slightly baffled tone: “Why?”

“This is something people don’t understand, neither is it something I can explain,” said Chen Chang Sheng.

Gou Han Shi said: “Living carefully and cautiously definitely doesn’t include taking first place upon the First Banner.”

Chen Chang Sheng gave a glance towards the second floor and then said: “You were also there that day; you know those words were not said by me.”

Gou Han Shi stared at him directly and said: “It wasn’t said by you, but is it something you have to do?”

Chen Chang Sheng didn’t say anything, tacitly admitting it.

Gou Han Shi continued: “That’s why I find it rather contradictory.”

Chen Chang Sheng replied: “As I said before, this is something people don’t understand and something I can’t explain, but it’s not contradictory, because no one enjoys living carefully and cautiously.”

At that moment, the clergy member’s voice floated down from the second floor.

It was the same line that had been repeated countless times today.

“The both of you… are you ready?”

Before the start of the battle, Chen Chang Sheng said some words of apology to Gou Han Shi.

“I have to take first place, for this, I’m willing to do anything. Zhe Xiu… received money from Orthodox Academy; I did a transaction with him and he promised me to try his best to defeat you, or at the very least, weaken you. If he was to match against me, then he would just directly concede.”

Gou Han Shi felt startled, he remained silent for a time, then said: “No wonder why he was so tenacious.”

Upon finishing his words, he started to cough, with his brows lightly clenched, evidently in pain. He then looked at Chen Chang Sheng and asked: “You’re not someone that cares for hollow fame, why are you so adamant about the Grand Examination?”

Chen Chang Sheng replied: “As I said before, a lot of things cannot be explained.”

Gou Han Shi didn’t ask further.

Chen Chang Sheng hadn’t finished speaking however, he looked at the sword strapped to Gou Han Shi’s waist and asked, with some uncertainty: “Can the complete sword manual be exchanged for anything?”

The complete form for Li Shan Sword Arts can be exchanged for many things, especially when it comes to disciples of Li Shan Sword Sect.

Not mentioning first place in the Grand Examination, even things that are far more important, Gou Han Shi would be willing to give them up.

Gou Han Shi knew that the full form for Li Shan Sword Arts used to be kept at White Emperor City and that it was now at Orthodox Academy, but he never could have expected Chen Chang Sheng to make this type of suggestion.

He remained silent for a long while, then shook his head and said: “I am a disciple of Li Mountain, therefore I cannot accept; since it’s our sect’s sword art, in the future, us disciples will use our own strength to return it to Li Mountain instead of using it in a transaction.”

Hearing him refuse Luo Luo’s suggestion Chen Chang Sheng didn’t feel any disappoint, in contrast, he felt slightly relieved.