292 I Will Abuse You Till I Don’t Die! (1/2)

”Young Master Jun, our two Masters are very graceful. They've always considered victory and defeat to be like mist. Therefore, they aren't bothered about such temporary gains or losses. I disdain the very thought of coming down to your level, however… I think it is impediment to ask Third Young Master — what is the appropriate counter-verse to your riddle? If an exceptionally good counter-verse exists… kindly tell us and broaden our minds,” a tall scholar from the Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute spoke as he stood up. Apparently, he wasn't convinced of their defeat.

”Or are you a bigger hypocrite than that Li You Ran?”

Jun Mo Xie looked at him with a stunned expression on his face, ”I request that you please use your brain before you speak. Please don't use your butt to deal with every problem! Would I deliberately make things difficult for everyone if I had an appropriate counter-verse? Were you kicked by a donkey in your childhood? How can the Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute produce an idiot such as you?!”

”Oh I see… are you deaf apart from being stupid as well? I clearly stated that no one has been able to solve it before I set this problem before everyone! I merely borrowed it; from which ear did you hear that I created that verse myself? I think that you either have no brains… or that it suffers from a fungal infection! You want me to provide you with a counter-verse? You have some nerve to open your mouth! This institute demands payment when it wins, and starts a fight when it loses? Isn't this unreasonable?”

No one spoke in rebuttal when Jun Mo Xie said these words. After all… he had clearly stated that the verse wasn't his own… but someone else's. It showed 'how tough it was to bring the man to book'. The scholars were unable reply to the verse. Therefore, one of them had asked this question in an attempt to bring back some measure of honor to their Institute. Nevertheless, it was a failed scheme. What's more… his attempt provoked a few scoffs from others.

That scholar turned red with anger.

The others had no idea what to do. Then, Li You Ran suddenly opened his eyes. [What's the matter with this man? He has somehow involved me in his problem… What do you mean by ”A bigger hypocrite than Li You Ran?”]

[Damn it! What is this guy even saying? How was I being a hypocrite?]

”Is it possible that the Masters may have turned around to send an apprentice to raise a scene after they conceded their defeat? Is it possible that the Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute is a sore loser?” Jun Mo Xie appeared very angry as he spoke, ”Anyway, it doesn't make any difference to this Young Master if you can't accept a defeat. I may not be a good man, but I respect the wise and venerate the worthy.”

[So you've known that you aren't a good person?] Everyone in the great hall rolled their eyes.

[Do you respect the wise and venerate the worthy in practice? It seems like you're trying to pull those two old men's image down to hell.]

”Yan Feng, stand down! A defeat is a defeat; it's pointless to argue. Why would you try for an incomplete victory? This is merely the first level; do you believe that our Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute can't pull-back in the next opportunity?” Kong Ling Yang's lips trembled as he used those harsh words to scold and discredit his disciple.

[We don't aim for half gains…] The venerable Master Kong was unable to keep his thoughts to himself due to his anguished state of mind. This was the way it was — there was always victory or defeat. However, he had seemingly lost the respect accorded to a Master. He had always attained comprehensive victories in the past. However, this feast had always been held on an island in the middle of the Moon Lake. And the Emperor would never be present for the occasion. However, the venue was the Imperial Palace this time around. Therefore, the Emperor was present… moreover… there was no shortage of the Empire's high-ranking officials. The importance of this feast was much larger than before. However, he had lost this time…

How could he not feel depressed…?

Fatty Tang had seemingly been the debauchee whom the entire Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute had hated the most. However, the Fatty had suddenly gone down those rankings, and had been replaced by the Young Master Jun at the top. It seemed that the people at the Wenxing Heavenly Literature Institute would never forget their hatred for him… even after tens-of-thousands years. Their hatred for Jun Mo Xie had suddenly been embedded in their very bones.

”He he… respected Master Kong spoke the truth. A scholar only ponders on counter-verses during his leisure time. The true embodiment of an educated man's talent resides in his poems of accomplishments…” Li You Ran smiled without batting an eyelid, and continued, ”Is it possible that the Institute won't be able to match up to the Young Master Jun in this regard as well…?”

This sentence was very vicious.

If the Wenxing Institute was to concede at this point of time… in front of every civil and military leader of the country… wouldn't it be akin to admitting that the entire Institute didn't possess the skill to match a great debauchee like Jun Mo Xie? How could the Wenxing Institute fall to such a level? How could they agree to leave the matter be?

They drew their daggers once again.

[I can see it now. This Li You Ran's intentions aren't good. This pretty boy doesn't mean well. He forced that Master's dagger in an effort to compel me to show my cards!]

Jun Mo Xie rolled his eyes and leaned to one side. In fact, he nearly came intimately close to Dugu Xiao Yi's face. Then, he smiled and nodded as he brought out his pre-planned card, ”The WenXing institute has brought several scholars, but we also have a large talent pool on our side. How could the Young Masters from each of the great families shy away at this juncture? This will be a charming tale since this Young Master and Young Master You Ran have joined hands to face the Wenxing Institute — regardless of who the final victor is. In However, Young Master Li You Ran has just spoken that he admires this Young Master for many things. He he… this means that this Young Master has surpassed him. In other words… I'm much better than Young Master Li… he he he… did everyone hear that? Therefore, there's no reason to challenge me if you're not even on the same level as Li You Ran. This Young Master is very busy; each moment of mine is measure in gold. Therefore, I shouldn't waste it!”

These words had made for a beautiful counterattack. Not only did he tie in every Young Master present to his warship in one move — he had made Li You Ran the primary scape goat. These words had played an offensive role and a defensive role. In fact, he had executed this move very cleanly.

Everyone exclaimed and changed their gaze. However, the object of their attention wasn't Jun Mo Xie — it was Dugu Xiao Yi. Jun Mo Xie had leaned towards her, nodded, smiled, and then spoken those words. These words had allowed him room to attack, and then retreat. Even a dumb person could see that he had been trapped in a tough spot. They could make-out that he had brought Dugu Xiao Yi's pretty face inside the frame as a distraction. [How could such a shameless bastard speak such a long phrase without half-a-trace of obscenity in it?]

[This guy's words were unnatural for his nature. It sounded like a general endorsement of himself, but there was not a single word of profanity in it! That was bizarre. It seems like he had practiced this beforehand!]

Everyone watched as Jun Mo Xie fell back onto his chair and closed his eyes. It was evident that he wouldn't explain what he had done even if he were inquired. Everyone from the Wenxing Institute felt powerless. Therefore, they turned to Li You Ran since they didn't have a better option. ”So, we turn to Young Master Li You Ran for advice in the second round.”

Li You Ran stood up and nodded his head slightly, ”I am extremely honored.” He surprisingly didn't hold any resentment towards Jun Mo Xie for pushing him to the front in this manner.

The Young Master Jun had won that round in all honesty. It didn't matter whether the victory was glorious or not. A win was a win. He believed that he was the heaven's favored child. So, how could Li You Ran defeat him?

The Emperor's gaze invariably flitted across the hall from atop the Imperial throne, and settled on Li You Ran. However, he continued to observe Jun Mo Xie, who sat beside Dugu Xiao Yi, from the corner of his eyes. His inner thoughts were incomprehensible.

”We've heard the opposite side's verses. But everyone knows about Young Master Li's famous flute songs. So, how about we compare the melody of our instruments? I, Jin Yin Zhen, hope to ask Young Master Li for guidance on the notes,” A scholar got up and walked towards the Emperor and the big shots. He then turned to face Li You Ran after he had adhered to the necessary ceremonies. He calmly moved his hands and lightly took out a white, jade-shafted, flute.

”Young Master Jin Ying's tunes can move the heaven and earth! How can this You Ran ever hope to compare with you? We needn't compete this round; I admit defeat,” Li You Ran smiled bitterly. However, Li You Ran's deliberate admission of defeat had a different purpose behind it. He didn't wish to exert himself unnecessarily. After all, he was in presence of the Emperor at the moment. Therefore, he wanted to form a favorable impression on him. He was looking to achieve the same with a timely effort.

However, Jin Ying Zhen was a formidable opponent. It would be extremely difficult to beat him in this particular field. Every man in his family was handed-down the traditional flute skills after they turned fifteen. Their music was well-known in the entire continent. So, how could Li You Ran possibly win this match? The Wenxing Institute had dispatched him with the hope that he'd win-back a round, and tie the two sides in a draw. This battle had started to turn rough.

”He he… Young Master Jun and I are ashamed. Our skills are inferior in this aspect, and we're willing to concede defeat.” Li You Ran's expression didn't change as he continued, ”The next round will be taken by Young Master Jun. Li You Ran wishes the Third Young Master the very best.”

[I, Jun Mo Xie, says fuck off! This brat made no efforts. He straightaway conceded his defeat. This is too much… If I had gotten a tough opponent — I would've still roared-out a popular song from my throat! I'd prefer to die than to be intimidated to death!]

These feasts would usually start with mutual provocation by poetry. That was generally followed by the regales of the many accomplishments of great and learned men. After that, it would be time for strategies, tactics, welfare policies, foreign policies, etc. — till every art had been deemed as 'discussed' in its entirety.

Jun Mo Xie's words had prepped the two factions for a mutual confrontation by now. However, the gun powder like acrid smell of their rivalry was much more intense than of any confrontation he had experienced in his previous life. Each person who had previously participated in these feasts was aware that the Young Master Jun and Tang Yuan were participating in such a fierce competition for the first time. Therefore, they lacked the obvious experience.

They had surely participated in fierce competitions in the past. But… their competitions usually centered-around topics such as… picking-up young girls. Those circumstances couldn't remotely be mentioned in the same breath as this one…

The Minister of Rights — Sun Cheng He — would now consult with others, and set a theme for poetry. The contestants would then compete fiercely, and then the winner would be adjudged based on their merits.

”The theme for this discussion is 'Knowledge'. I ask both the sides to choose their candidates,” Sun Cheng He looked at Jun Mo Xie, shook his head, and sighed. He could already judge the winner and the loser.

[Jun Mo Xie isn't going to win; he's going to make a laughing-stock of himself.]

A scholar clad in blue stood up. It could be gathered from the introduction that he was called Qin Qiu Shi. It was obvious from his name itself that his parents had an obsession, and wanted him to obtain scholarly honors to sate it.

”I request Young Master Jun to grant me a consultation,” Qin Qiu Shi cleared his throat and spoke. Half-the-incense-stick had burned down, and he had spent then entire time straining his thoughts.

The court eunuch assigned the task to write-down the poem prepared himself. He put his elbow on the desk, suspended his wrist in the air, and waited for Qin Qiu Shi to start. He was supposed to record everything.

”The brave man had scaled the sky-high icy-mountain,

He had dared to cross the sea of knowledge.

His heart was diligent — he needed no road,

The stars in the sky weren't far.

He had hoped for his country's blessing in that life,

His ardent blood had cast a rainbow bridge.

He seemed to be moving inch-by-inch,

Yet, he didn't give up — he brandished his writing brush.”

Qin Qiu Shi was very talented. He had no option since the incense stick had burnt-down to half of its length. However, this verse was rather unexpected. His creative-concept wasn't first-class, but it was well-balanced; it could be considered 'good'. He had clearly explained the concept of 'learning'. Moreover, he had showcased the country's lofty ideals, and the grandeur of his personal aspirations.

The court eunuch finished recording the poem. He then respectfully gave it to the Emperor so that he could go over the verses. The Emperor turned to look at Qin Qiu Shi's face. He looked at him in a profound manner; but there wasn't a single change in his expression. Then, he waved his hand and handed the poem to the court officials so they could pass it around until everyone had looked at it. The court officials nodded after they had looked at it; they proclaimed it to be 'good'. The officials were very talent as individuals. However, they thought that if they were in the same place as this young man… under such enormous pressure… tasked to come up with a poem… with only half an incense stick left — they reckoned they might not have been able to produce such a result.

Jun Mo Xie applauded loudly, ”I must concede defeat. You're too quick, too quick…”

”Many thanks for this praise, Young Master Jun. I have little knowledge and talent. So, you and the elders embarrass me by over-praising me…” Qin Qiu Shi spoke humbly of his profound verses. He then continued. ”Still, I must ask for the Young Master's guidance in this subject. This person wishes to hear your reply.”

”My reply? This Young Master doesn't have so much talent. I can't be that quick; it's not in my nature to finish my artwork so fast,” Jun Mo Xie hurriedly and modestly declined the invitation. However, he sounded very disorderly to everyone present.

Tang Yuan burst-out laughing. He was unable to control his laughter. He even clasped his belly after some time. His face twitched with spasm; it seemed as if he was on the verge of death. Tang Yuan had endured Jun Mo Xie's influence for a long time. He had clearly understood the concealed jab Jun Mo Xie had landed with regard to his 'lasting ability'. However, other people hadn't understood the Young Master Jun's words. Fatty, nevertheless, had understood their true meaning, and couldn't stop himself from bursting into laughter…

Everyone else looked at Tang Yuan with disdain since they hadn't understood the mystery of these words. [This Fatty is very insincere! You're here with Jun Mo Xie, but you start to laugh the moment you see his defeat… Such an individual is truly contemptable!]

”The Young Master Jun is very talented; so why did he concede defeat? This won't do; he must recite a poem so that everyone can evaluate it,” Han Zhi Dong jumped-up and shamelessly egged Jun Mo Xie.

”Does the Young Master despise the thought of competing with us?” Mei Gao Jie's eyes turned to Jun Mo Xie as he continued in an awe inspiring manner, ”This is a completely unacceptable way of treating scholars!”

”Young Master Jun belongs to a military family… So, it is unavoidable that he doesn't much literally talent,” a gifted scholar chuckled. He was brimmed with a sense of contentment and happiness at this achievement. He seemed very pleased to see Jun Mo Xie's state of humiliation, ”So, how's it surprising that he has conceded defeat in this matter?”

These lines were intended as a corny joke which wasn't supposed to make anyone laugh. However, everyone laughed; and their laughter was full of malice.

[That's a fact; I do look down on you!]