Chapter 354 - Chapter 354: Chapter 361: This Is Clearly (2/2)
Although alone, Shangguan Wuyou fought equally with Yiyang Prefecture’s Four Great Talents. The battle was a see-saw, neither side yielding. The Four Great Talents used the same difficult riddle that stumped the eccentric old man against Shangguan Wuyou, who managed to guess it correctly.
The Four Great Talents, under strict orders to win the Lantern Riddle Contest, initially took pride in their learning. After a protracted struggle that went nowhere and Shangguan Wuyou’s increasingly difficult riddles, they found it quite a challenge to counter. They felt their wit coming to an end. If the contest went on, they feared they would lose confidence. The four exchanged glances, recalled the riddle given to them by that person, and decided to use it.
Given that person’s demand, one of the Four Great Talents approached the host to negotiate. They requested that this particular riddle be handwritten, kept secret from the public, and that afterwards, those who knew it should not reveal it.
The crowd below, curious about the riddle the Four Great Talents would propose, could only wonder as the arena host agreed. With no say in the matter, the host gave a response. Once Shangguan Wuyou and the four agreed, the Four Great Talents wrote the riddle on a piece of paper and handed it to him.
Seeing the riddle on the paper, Shangguan Wuyou’s previously composed and confident demeanor changed to one of difficulty. Clearly stumped, he furrowed his brows in thought. The host and the Four Great Talents patiently waited without urging him.
“Seems to be quite difficult,” Ye Xinxin commented, seeing Shangguan Wuyou like that. Not wanting to disturb his thoughts, she didn’t take the paper with the riddle from his hand but craned her neck to look. Han Yu and Su Wenyue also focused on the riddle on the paper.
Experts see the intricacies while laymen enjoy the show. To Ye Xinxin and Han Yu, the riddle on the paper felt like just a challenge, nothing more. Undoubtedly, it must be difficult if even Shangguan Wuyou couldn’t solve it. However, Su Wenyue was stunned when he saw the riddle—it was clearly…
“Young Master Wuyou, time is up. If you have figured out the answer, there’s no need to say it aloud; please write it on the paper,” the host, seeing that time was almost up and Shangguan Wuyou still deep in thought, had to remind him. There were time limits for answering after all.
The crowd below was abuzz, curious about the riddle and whether Shangguan Wuyou could solve it; various speculations abounded. Hearing the host’s question, they all quieted down, waiting for Shangguan Wuyou’s response.
Shangguan Wuyou, having his train of thought interrupted, showed no displeasure. With no clue in sight and racking his brains in vain, he was reminded of the saying, “There is always someone better,” acknowledging the Four Great Talents’ well-deserved reputation for presenting such a difficult riddle, although it was a bit strange they didn’t want it made public.
“I admit my talent and learning are insufficient; I’m willing to concede…”
Shangguan Wuyou was not too proud to admit defeat. Since he couldn’t figure out the answer, he was ready to concede graciously, but as he was about to continue, he paused upon seeing Su Wenyue’s actions. Han Yu and Ye Xinxin were also astonished to watch Su Wenyue step forward, take up the brush, and write two characters on the paper.