Asking the Blind for the Way

"Vicious flood dragon, vicious flood dragon..." the old man muttered to himself, his mind no longer entirely clear.

Actually, Lin Su had fled a bit too early. The vicious flood dragon roaring and thrashing in the river wasn't trying to kill him; rather, the flood dragon itself had sustained a fatal injury.

Lin Su's Seven-Colored War Poem had wounded it, but it was only a very minor injury.

However, the War Poem had another effect: the ten thousand killing intents it carried destroyed its domain, shattering its battleground. Zhang Yiyu seized the opportunity and struck with all her might, her zither strings transforming into a sword and piercing its head, plucking out its Demon Core!

With the Demon Core gone, the vicious flood dragon was surely doomed. Its final struggles were merely the death throes.

Zhang Yiyu collected the Demon Core and stood on the still-churning back of the vicious flood dragon, scanning the river surface. Where was the person who had just recited the War Poem?

Within her Zither Domain, all life in the river was known to her, but she couldn't find this person. She first searched downstream for ten miles, then turned back to search upstream, still without finding him...

It seemed he hadn't fallen into the water. As expected, a master who could heavily wound a Mutated Black Flood Dragon with a War Poem must be a senior of the Literary Way, not someone who would fall into the water so easily. But who was he?

She only remembered this War Poem, which had an imposing aura. She also remembered the structure of every character in this poem, which was vastly different from the prevailing styles in the world, making it highly recognizable. That's right, she also remembered that when this poem appeared, it was accompanied by a peculiar radiance – this was Original Sacred Light!

Original!

The problem was solved!

That person wasn't borrowing someone else's poem; he had written it himself.

A Seven-Colored Poem would naturally circulate in the world, and its creator could be easily identified.

Ahead, a tall building stood by the riverbank. Zhang Yiyu moved, her figure suddenly vanishing from the river's surface. The next moment, she appeared before Haining Tower. She stared at the words "Haining Tower" for a moment before entering.

As soon as she entered Haining Tower, a faint seven-colored radiance shimmered.

Following the source of the radiance, Zhang Yiyu saw the legendary poem: "Xiling Fine Wine Tulip, Jade Bowl Holds Amber Light, As Long As The Host Can Intoxicate The Guest, One Knows Not Where Their Hometown Is."

Exceptional poems always captivated people, and Zhang Yiyu was no exception. She stared at the poem for a long time, sighing softly, "It's been so long since I've been home. I should go back and see!"

"Shopkeeper, bring wine!"

A beautiful woman appeared before her. "Esteemed Fairy, what kind of wine would you like?"

Zhang Yiyu said, "I've heard rumors of a rare wine called Baiyunbian circulating in the martial world. Bring that wine!"

"Fairy, please forgive us. Baiyunbian wine's supply for today is already full. We regret that this establishment cannot provide it."

Huh?

"The current reservation is for ten days from now. If you must have this wine, Fairy, you can make a reservation first, and in half a month, this establishment will surely present it to you with both hands!"

Although Zhang Yiyu was a Flower of the Great Dao and usually remained calm and composed, she was somewhat annoyed at this moment. "Such a grand Haining Tower, and I have to wait half a month for a meal?"

A voice called out, "Haining Tower isn't actually that large. Qu Prefecture is quite vast, and Great Cang, the Nine Countries and Thirteen Provinces, are even larger. Although Baiyunbian is exclusively supplied by this establishment, the market is broad, and it's difficult to meet demand immediately. However, there are always exceptions. With a Flower of the Great Dao from the Bishui Immortal Sect personally here, why shouldn't this establishment make an exception? Please, this way!"

Zhang Yiyu slowly turned her head. Behind her stood an old man, who was Ding Hai.

"So it's Manager Ding! A pleasure!"

Ding Hai was no ordinary person. Although he was merely a merchant, he attended many important events. Zhang Yiyu had met him once in Wuzhou.

"Fairy Zhang, please!"

The side hall was not as noisy as the main hall. Instead, it resembled a rustic courtyard. Under a grape trellis, there was a plate of small dishes, a pot of good wine, and a poem.

This poem also radiated a seven-colored glow: "South Lake Autumn Water, Smoke-Free Night, How Can One Ride The Current Straight Up To Heaven, Let Us Borrow Moonlight From The Heavenly Court, And Use The Boat To Buy Wine From Baiyunbian."

Ding Hai personally accompanied her, pouring her a cup of wine. The wine was crystal clear, and the taste upon entering her mouth was exactly the familiar flavor...

"Manager Ding, were both these wondrous poems inscribed by the Third Young Master Lin?"

"Precisely!"

"Your friendship with him seems quite genuine."

Ding Hai's face began to contort, and he gritted his teeth as he nodded, "Yes, it's alright!"

Zhang Yiyu lifted her wine cup, took a sip, and smiled faintly. "Why do I feel, Manager Ding, that your answer is quite reluctant? Did this brat not leave you much profit from your collaboration?"

Ding Hai's pent-up anger finally broke through the dam. "No! It's not like that at all! This brat... this brat is loyal and by no means petty. In business, he's an absolute man, but... but... he's stupid, extremely stupid..."

What was going on? Zhang Yiyu was full of suspicion...

Ding Hai's belly full of bitter complaints finally poured out...

"Fairy Zhang, you are also a peerless talent in this world. Tell me, isn't there only a fine line between a genius and an idiot?"

"Could it be that geniuses occasionally have to do incredibly foolish things to prove their uniqueness?"

"Don't take offense, I'm not speaking ill of you indirectly. I'm talking about this brat. Do you know what he did this morning?"

"He participated in the Imperial Examination!"

"Before the exam, he made a bet with twenty-three students..."

"Oh, no, later a professor was added!"

"They bet on the Imperial Examination results. Whoever lost had to strip naked and run three laps around the city, shouting 'I am a waste' ten times. Additionally, the loser had to agree to one condition from the winner, answering any question posed by the winner in detail and truthfully..."

"Do you think that's something a person would do? Fool! Fool! If this brat weren't taking the Imperial Examination right now, I'd twist his head off and use it as a ball to kick..."

The frustration that had weighed on him all morning was finally released. Ding Hai let out a long sigh.

Lin Su's lips curved into an arc. "Since ancient times, renowned scholars have been unrestrained and unconventional. He probably sees this as a game... It seems you care quite a bit about him. Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I'd like to ask Manager Ding if he's heard of a certain poem..."

Zhang Yiyu was not a businesswoman and had no sensitivity towards trade secrets. Therefore, she didn't grasp the real point of Ding Hai's anger, assuming he was genuinely concerned about Lin Su.

Heaven and earth bear witness, Ding Hai truly didn't care if Lin Su ran around naked. If it didn't concern him, he wouldn't care how he ran, even if he ran to the heavens...

At this moment, upon hearing Zhang Yiyu mention a poem, his thoughts began to wander. A poem? After rambling on about that kid, she suddenly mentioned a poem. Could it be that the kid wrote another poem?

Were there any business opportunities?

Thinking of poems immediately brought to mind business opportunities; this had apparently become Manager Ding's conditioned reflex...

"How is the will of today's beheading? Starting a business is difficult, with many battles. From here to the underworld, muster the old troops. Ten thousand banners slay Yama..."

Ding Hai's eyes lit up. "What a bold and heroic poem! Did he write it? Is it Seven-Colored?"

"Is this the first time you've heard this poem, Manager Ding?"

"Yes!"

Zhang Yiyu was disappointed. This was like asking the blind about colors.

Right, the handwriting! His calligraphy was highly distinctive, very different from the fonts in the world. It was round and smooth, breaking all conventions...

What did the handwriting look like? Zhang Yiyu couldn't replicate it with a pen, but her Zither Domain was exceptionally peculiar. It had recorded the scene at the time, preserving its form.

With a thought, a manuscript of the poem appeared before her.

"This handwriting is quite strange, seemingly innovative," Ding Hai said. "Could it be a new font created by a Great Confucian? If this font were systematically organized, it could almost open a new Literary Path..."

Opening a Literary Path included creating new literary forms, new schools of thought, new styles, and naturally, new fonts...

Zhang Yiyu was once again asking the blind.

"Fairy, please enjoy your wine here with peace of mind. This old man has matters to attend to. It's all because of this kid... He's turned a clear path to prosperity into one fraught with crises. It's uncanny; I'm truly at my wit's end with him..."

He was in a hurry to deal with tomorrow's affairs. Tomorrow afternoon would be the announcement of the rankings. Once the rankings were posted, the Baiyunbian secret recipe would no longer be secure. This major event required early planning. Tonight, he might be able to communicate with the elders of those 23 households in advance. If the secret recipe fell into their hands, he needed to find a way to become the 24th person in the secret recipe alliance!

The situation was urgent and full of difficulties, but Haining Tower couldn't just wait to die.

After drinking in the restaurant, Zhang Yiyu admired the two poems again before leaving the building.

If she hadn't met with Ding Hai, she might have gone to the Lin residence that very night. But after this meeting, she abandoned the idea. Third Young Master Lin was not at home; he was still taking the Imperial Examination. What was the point of going to his house?

It was better to catch him after the rankings were posted tomorrow...

As for Lin Su, after leaving the small grove, he and the old man were bewildered and clueless. Where were they?

They were lost!

Emerging from the woods, they finally found a hunter. The hunter told them this was Big Mist Mountain, and the way out from here led to the Refugee Riverbank.

Oh, Refugee Riverbank? That place sounded familiar!

The two walked along the thatched path and reached the entrance to the Refugee Riverbank. The old man pointed across the Yangtze River and said his home was there. "Young man, I need to cross the river to go back. This boat trip was the only time this old man has failed in his life, almost costing you your life. I am so sorry, so sorry..."

He bowed repeatedly and retreated to the riverbank, preparing to cross.

"Old man, your ferry was destroyed because of me. I'll compensate you for a new boat, otherwise, you'll have no livelihood."

The old man was greatly alarmed. "No, no! The ferry accident was my fault; this old man was blind and didn't observe the water conditions. Almost harming you is already a great sin. How could I dare to let you compensate me? Absolutely not, absolutely not..."

"Take it. It's not for any other reason than one: I make money much more easily than you!"

A small pouch was handed to the old man. He tremblingly opened it and his expression changed drastically. Inside was a silver ingot, a full fifty taels!

Fifty taels could buy ten boats like his original one!

He couldn't earn fifty taels even if he worked as a ferryman for ten years.

"Young man..." the old man cried, holding the silver. "Please wait..."

Lin Su strode forward, already far away.

Suddenly, from the darkness behind the old man, a group of people galloped forth. With a swift movement, an arm flew high into the air. A hand reached out in mid-air, grabbed the severed arm, picked up the silver ingot, and the rider on the horse let out a hearty laugh.

Lin Su suddenly turned his head and witnessed this tragic scene.

The Blood Essence in his body surged violently, then retreated, and he rushed to the old man's side, holding the old man who had fallen headfirst.

The riders circled their horses, surrounding them in the middle.

"There's another kid? Did you give him this silver ingot?"

"How much more do you have on you? Hand it all over!"

Lin Su's eyes gleamed sharply. "In broad daylight... under the bright and vast heavens, you dare to commit robbery and murder? Are you mountain bandits?"

"Haha, what broad daylight? What bright and vast heavens? You, a peasant, dare to quote scholars? Hand over everything you have immediately, or we'll kill you and search your bodies!"

The four simultaneously brandished their knives menacingly.

Lin Su had just narrowly escaped death from the river and was covered in mud. His scholar's scarf was also gone. These people truly mistook him for a peasant.

Lin Su suddenly moved. In an instant, he was in front of the fiercest-looking attacker. That person reacted extremely quickly, raising his hand to slash at Lin Su's head.

Lin Su shot up into the sky. With a thump, he punched down. The man flew backward, crashing heavily against the river embankment, his brains splattering.

He turned in mid-air and with a kick, the chest of another person caved in deeply. He couldn't catch his breath and died on the spot.

The remaining two were greatly alarmed. "Who are you..."

Swish! A blade cut through the air, and a head flew off.

The fourth person shouted, "We are from the Zhang family of Haining..."