Chapter 426: Just Tell Me If It's Fast or Not
In the Land of Gentlemen, the Book Mountain Society was a major force equal in reputation to the Gentlemen’s Society, both backed by Confucian teachings. Their open rivalry had long become commonplace for those around them.
Members of the Gentlemen’s Society marched toward Book Mountain Society territory armed with clubs, blades, and various Spiritual Treasures, their murderous intent palpable.
Jiang Li found this peculiar and transmitted his voice to Bai Hongtu: “Judging by their posture, are they about to fight? This doesn’t seem like gentlemanly conduct.”
Bai Hongtu wore an I-told-you-so expression: “Clearly Dong Zhongren’s Land of Gentlemen remains imperfect. These people appear reasonable, but when conflicts arise, they still settle matters with fists.”
As the Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society advanced aggressively, the Book Mountain Society proved equally formidable, emerging with their own array of Spiritual Treasures to confront them without yielding an inch.
“You apes in human clothing!” shouted a Confucian cultivator. “You kidnapped students from our Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society! Return them at once!”
During their journey, the Confucian cultivators had pieced together the incident—the Book Mountain Society had invited several Gentlemen’s Society students for an exchange visit, only to announce hours later that these students wished to defect.
“Spare us your hypocrisy!” retorted a Book Mountain member. “Talented birds choose worthy trees—these students joined us voluntarily because we offer better conditions.”
“Name your terms! Our Three Walk Together Gentlemen’s Society will double them!”
“Our students don’t get homework after class,” the Book Mountain member declared triumphantly.
Everyone knew the Gentlemen’s Society assigned the most coursework—copying Confucius Sage’s teachings ten times over was standard practice.
“…Shameless! The Confucius Sage taught that reviewing old knowledge yields new insights! How dare you abolish homework?”
“The Sage also advocated teaching according to aptitude. Who decreed homework as the only path to enlightenment? We educate through words and deeds!”
“Sophistry!”
“Frustrated incompetence!”
Tensions escalated as Spiritual Treasures hummed with power and spiritual energy surged. The thick aura of hostility suggested imminent violence.
“Only victory will settle this today!” roared a Confucian cultivator.
“Bring it on!” The Book Mountain Society stood their ground, their strongest members reaching Nascent Soul stage—surpassing the Gentlemen’s Society’s overall cultivation level.
Just as Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu anticipated bloodshed, a Confucian cultivator declared:
“Standard rules—poetry duel.”
“Agreed.”
Both sides sheathed their Spiritual Treasures, producing inkstones and brushes instead.
“???”
Baffled, Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu approached. “Friends, why put away your weapons after brandishing them?”
The Confucian cultivator smiled. “We’re gentlemen. How could we resolve disputes through violence?”
“Then why carry weapons at all?”
“For intimidation.”
He then suggested, “As fellow Gentlemen’s Society members, why not join the competition?”
“Our poetic skills are rudimentary,” Jiang Li admitted. “We only recite quickly.”
“My Tang family boasts Three Hundred Tang Poems,” Bai Hongtu added, “but I inherited no talent for composition.”
“No matter!” The cultivator chuckled. “Participation counts. If those students truly wish to stay with Book Mountain, we’ll respect their choice. This duel is about saving face.”
For fairness, the Gentlemen’s Society set the format while Book Mountain provided prompts.
Clearing his throat, the Confucian cultivator explained: “Great poetry comes by divine inspiration—expecting masterpieces under pressure invites pretentious fluff that invites ridicule. Instead, we’ll simplify: you provide lines, we’ll complete them within ten breaths. Failure means defeat.”
Book Mountain agreed. “But we add one condition.”
“Speak.”
“These two gentlemen seem new recruits. If you lose, they join us instead.”
The Confucian cultivator deferred: “Brothers Tang, Bai—your thoughts?”
“We’re indifferent,” Jiang Li replied.
With terms settled, Book Mountain began: “Complete this: ‘The waterfall flies down three thousand feet—'”
An easy warm-up prompt met instant response.
“‘…And won’t stop till the Yellow River’s reached!'” Bai Hongtu blurted.
Book Mountain members stared—the Gentlemen’s Society had recruited talent indeed.
Next prompt: “‘Fear not no friends ahead on your way—'”
“‘…West of Yang Pass you’ll meet none!'” Bai Hongtu answered first again.
Book Mountain members nearly asked if he’d murdered all potential friends.
“‘After endless searching in iron shoes—'”
“‘…There he stands where lantern light recedes!'” Jiang Li cut in.
Both societies initially found this plausible before realizing—these were mismatched lines from different poems!
“‘Outside the pavilion, by ancient road…'”
“‘…A line of egrets ascends the sky.'”
“‘A glance back reveals hundred charms…'”
“‘…Silence now speaks louder than words.'”
“‘Lifting my head, I gaze at the moon…'”
“‘…Toasting my shadow makes three of us.'”
Jiang Li and Bai Hongtu answered flawlessly without pause.
Curious students peeking at the contest were shooed away—lest they learn from these two.
Final prompt: “‘Startled upright in deathly sickness—'”
“‘…Smiling, I ask the guest his origin!'” Bai Hongtu beat Jiang Li again.
“Did the poet experience Last Glow Before Death?!” Book Mountain members fumed.
“I’m tenderhearted,” Bai Hongtu explained earnestly. “Can’t bear seeing people die.”
“That poet died millennia ago!”
“My condolences.”
Book Mountain’s composure nearly shattered. Did they think gentlemen couldn’t throw punches? Would this Nascent Soul fist teach them manners?
The Confucian cultivator whispered, “Brother Bai…none of your answers were correct?”
“Just tell me if it’s fast or not.”
Enlightenment dawned—they’d invited two uncontainable legends. Their humble society couldn’t host such deities.
With a crisp bow, the Confucian cultivator announced: “We concede. As gentlemen, we honor our loss—Tang Li and Bai Hongtu are yours.”
Book Mountain recoiled: “No no no! Speed poetry values quickness! These gentlemen’s unconventional brilliance means we lose!”
“We conceded first!”
“Book Mountain rejects your concession—we lost!”
Their mutual deference drew public admiration for both societies’ noble character in surrendering victory.