The Path of the Sage

Tong Li's face darkened, and his worst fear had come true.

Fang Yun had no conflicts of interest with the talented scholars and presented scholars of Yuhai City.

Although his grandfather held a high position as a third-rank attendant, and had a good relationship with Li Wenying, and had some influence in Yuhai City, it was ultimately the territory of the Holy Academy and Li Wenying. Since Fang Yun had gained Li Wenying's favor, naturally Li Wenying's people would help him.

The examination for the presented scholar was held throughout Jiangzhou, so it didn't matter which prefecture Fang Yun was in. Therefore, the middle-level scholars in Yuhai City not only did not resent Fang Yun, but rather looked forward to him leaving a great literary reputation in Yuhai City. Many people even hoped to bask in his glory and leave behind a good name for themselves.

Tong Li cursed these people in his heart. No wonder they didn't remind Fang Yun even though they knew he was here. They were simply waiting for him to fall into a trap and then act as if they were united against him.

Tong Li knew his own abilities very well, so he intentionally delayed participating in the prefectural examination for two years in order to obtain the title of top talent. As for the title of "Jiexuan," which was awarded to the top scholar, he didn't even dare to think about it.

He had been preparing for the top talent title for many years and believed that this year was his best opportunity. Unexpectedly, Fang Yun suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and he couldn't swallow this anger.

Tong Li's expression quickly changed from gloomy to sunny, and he smiled, "You all saw it too. You want Fang Yun to participate in the dragon boat race, but he doesn't want to. I came here to provoke him, but it's for his own good. Can you all let me finish?"

"Go ahead," said one of the presented scholars.

Tong Li smiled and said, "Fang Yun, you may not know that the rules of the annual dragon boat race in Yuhai City originated from the holy land 'Xuehai,' right?"

"I have read about it in books, but I don't know the details," Fang Yun replied.

"That's right. In the dragon boat race in Yuhai City, the governor and the lord of the academy will use their official seals to gather the talent of the Holy Temple and envelop the river section where the dragon boat race takes place. The dragon boat race here is not about who can row the boat the best, but about who can write the best poetry and literature. The more talent in poetry and literature, the stronger the resonance with the official seals, and the more celestial and earthly energy will be generated, which will propel the dragon boat. All these rules are derived from 'Xuehai.' If you participate in the dragon boat race this year, and then pass the imperial examination and go to Xuehai to cultivate your literary heart, your efforts will be twice as effective."

No one refuted, as it was indeed beneficial for Fang Yun to participate, based on what Tong Li had said.

Tong Li continued with a smile, "But since Fang Yun doesn't care about fame, I will make a bet to provoke him. As long as Fang Yun can win first place in this dragon boat race, I am willing to give him a sacred page that my grandfather gave me as a gift. I will also kneel and apologize publicly at the Dragon Head Bridge, and do my best to clarify the incident of taking the Book Mountain quota, and give up this year's prefectural examination. If Fang Yun cannot win first place, I don't need him to kneel, but I only require him to apologize to me at the Jinghai Tower and then go back to Duyuan Prefecture to take the talented scholar examination. How about that?"

Now even the presented scholars who were helping Fang Yun hesitated. After all, the price Tong Li was willing to pay was extremely high, and it was obvious that Fang Yun would benefit from it.

Everyone looked at Fang Yun together.

Zhao Zhuzhen frowned and gave Fang Yun a signal, as if telling him not to agree.

Fang Yun did not respond to Zhao Zhuzhen and stared at Tong Li for a while before saying, "Tong Xiong, you have put in a lot of effort. If I don't participate in the dragon boat race, it would be a waste of your good intentions. Alright, I accept this bet! Which dragon boat team is willing to let me join?"

Everyone hesitated.

Tong Li immediately looked at the presented scholar who had scolded him and said, "Qian Xiong, since you are also participating in the dragon boat race, why not let Fang Yun join?"

Qian, the presented scholar, looked at Fang Yun and asked, "Brother Fang, do you really want to participate in the dragon boat race?"

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"Naturally."

"Alright. According to the rules, each dragon boat can accommodate three presented scholars and three talented scholars. We will replace one person on our dragon boat and let you join." Qian, the presented scholar, was very happy. As someone who had no conflicts of interest with Fang Yun, he wanted to befriend him.

Fang Yun arched his hand towards everyone and said, "Gentlemen, please bear witness today. If our dragon boat, including Qian Xiong and me, fails in the race, I will immediately leave Yuhai City and never set foot here again." After finishing his words, Fang Yun looked at Tong Li.

Tong Li immediately shouted, "Then I also ask everyone to bear witness. If Fang Yun can win first place in the dragon boat race, I will kneel in front of the entire city at the Dragon Head Bridge and kowtow to him three times!"

Zhao Zhuzhen said, "Tong Li, since you said that, don't blame me if you can't fulfill your promise!"

Everyone could sense the anger in Zhao Zhuzhen's heart. Most of them didn't know who this person was and how he dared to speak to Tong Li like that, while a few showed a hint of surprise.

"I, Tong Li, always keep my word! I will go to the Dragon Head Bridge and wait! Farewell!" Tong Li arched his hand and quickly left the building, followed by several child scholars behind him.

After leaving the Yuhai Tower, one of the people behind Tong Li hurriedly asked, "Tong Xiong, what happened to you today? Everyone knows about Fang Yun's literary talent. How can you be so confident that you can defeat him?"

"Yes, Tong Xiong, you are not wise in this matter."

"I think Tong Li has a confident look. He must know something. Come on, tell us!" someone laughed.

Tong Li laughed and said, "You only know one thing, but not the other. I just found out yesterday that the Half-Saint disciple of Qing Nation, Yan Yukong, has also come here! The dragon boat race is not a competition for individuals, but a competition for three presented scholars and three talented scholars on the same boat. If a disciple of the Poetry Sage is not as good as Fang Yun, then with the addition of Yan Yukong, what are Fang Yun's chances of winning?"

"Ah? Is it really Yan Yukong? It is said that his talent not only surpasses the Poetry Sage of Qing Nation, but is also not inferior to the top talent of the past century, Yi Zhishi. He is the most likely candidate to become the next Half-Saint of Qing Nation. How did he come here?"

"Is he the one who became the top scholar at the age of ten, the top talent at twelve, and the Jiexuan at fourteen? It is said that he will pass the imperial examination at the age of sixteen, but his Half-Saint mentor suppressed him and personally took him on a journey around the world. This year, he will take the imperial examination at the age of eighteen. Last year, there were rumors that Yan Yukong not only wanted to compete for the top scholar of Qing Nation, but also wanted to compete for the leader of the Ten Nations! If he becomes the leader of the Ten Nations, he will definitely become one of the Six Talents, and it will be a matter of course for him to become one of the Four Great Talents of the next generation."

Tong Li's smile became even more pronounced, "You only know about Yan Yukong's talent. Although Fang Yun has a famous teacher, he can't compare to the Half-Saint's direct guidance that Yan Yukong received! His so-called famous teacher may just be a great scholar or Half-Saint who casually gave him some pointers. He himself attached himself to that person as his mentor, but that person may not necessarily want to acknowledge him as a disciple!"

"Tong Xiong is right! Fang Yun is doomed this time!"

"Tong Xiong is really cunning!"

"It's a pity. Qing Nation is willing to bring out the 'Mountain and River Chessboard.' What a waste." One person sighed lightly, and then the others realized that there was discord between Qing Nation and Jing Nation, and Qing Nation had even taken a state from Jing Nation, so they stopped talking.

Tong Li's face darkened, and he couldn't get angry.

"Tong Xiong, who is that effeminate person?"

"It seems that person is dressed as a man, Tong Xiong, who is she?"

Tong Li's face became even more gloomy, and he said, "She is a person that neither you nor I can afford to offend. I didn't want to offend her, but since she doesn't like me, I might as well compete for my top talent. She can't do anything to me!"

In the Yuhai Tower, Zhao Zhuzhen had mentioned the Half-Saint disciple to Fang Yun. After finishing, he sighed and continued, "I gave you a signal earlier to prevent you from falling into their trap, but you still agreed. With just one Yan Yukong, you might have a chance to win, but with the addition of the Poetry Sage's disciple and others, you almost have no chance."

Fang Yun asked, "Why would the Half-Saint disciple participate in the dragon boat race?"

Zhao Zhuzhen said angrily, "The Half-Saint of Qing Nation may not have ordered someone to come, but the Qing Nation royal family has always had their eyes on our Jing Nation. Last year, our Jing Nation suffered a big defeat at the hands of the Wolf Savage, and this year's situation is even more severe. Qing Nation will naturally take advantage of this opportunity to suppress our Jing Nation by using the dragon boat cultural event. To put it more bluntly, Qing Nation is promoting their own strength to the Ten Nations and our Jing Nation, preparing for the future takeover of our territory."

Fang Yun carefully looked at Zhao Zhuzhen and suddenly remembered that the royal family of Jing Nation had the surname Zhao. Could it be that this person, Zhao Zhuzhen, who disguised herself as a man, was a princess or a duchess?

Fang Yun immediately recalled the members of the royal family of Jing Nation. There were many princesses, but only one young princess, who was the younger sister of the late emperor and the aunt of the current three-year-old emperor. The other princesses were not as young as her.

"I see. It was you who asked Lord Li to invite me to watch the dragon boat race, right?"

Zhao Zhuzhen candidly said, "I asked Uncle Li to invite you, but since you didn't like the dragon boat race, I didn't persuade you further. I just didn't expect that Tong Li would provoke you like that. I really don't know whether to thank him or not. Tong Li is well-behaved when he is in the capital, but once he leaves the capital, he becomes an incompetent playboy. I really want to teach that brat a lesson on behalf of Uncle Tong."

Fang Yun didn't expect Zhao Zhuzhen to be so straightforward. They had only recently met, but she already treated him as a close acquaintance.

Zhao Zhuzhen quickly realized that she had misspoken and hurriedly explained, "I admire your poetry and literature. I have pondered over it repeatedly, and when I saw you today, I felt particularly close to you. Please don't misunderstand."

"Zhao Xiong is being too polite. I like straightforward and quick-witted people the most," Fang Yun smiled.

"That's good," Zhao Zhuzhen nodded and regained her usual composure. Then she said, "I know that your talent is not inferior to Yan Yukong's, but Yan Yukong already has the literary heart. Although the true purpose of the literary heart is for battle, as long as the literary heart is lit in the Literary Palace, it will greatly enhance various aspects such as talent, courage, and stability, which will be of great help in writing poetry and literature."

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