Make a Poem and You Won't Die

"Never mind, never mind!" Shang Chaozong said with an awkward smile.

Seeing that Shang Shuqing had no intention of taking a seat, Niu Youdao hurriedly invited her as well. "County Princess, please sit!"

Shang Shuqing declined with a soft laugh. "This young lady's face is rather ugly, and I'm afraid it will spoil the Daoist Master's appetite. I'll sit by the side and play the qin for him." With that, she walked over and sat beside the qin stand, adjusting her posture and that of the instrument.

Niu Youdao had to admit that this woman's appearance was indeed somewhat frightening. Calling her unattractive would have been mere courtesy; in truth, she really could affect one's appetite. If she sat down to eat, she would certainly have to remove her Gauze Hat. Wouldn't that spoil everyone else's appetite?

Then again, a woman who could smile and calmly admit that she was ugly had an exceptionally strong heart. Even after living two lifetimes, he had rarely met a woman like her. Shang Shuqing had drawn his attention even more.

Hearing this, Shang Chaozong looked somewhat downcast. If his sister had truly missed her chance to remove the evil blotches when she went to the Shangqing Sect last time, she might have to bear them for the rest of her life.

Seeing Shang Chaozong lost in thought, Lan Ruoting coughed dryly. "Ahem!"

Shang Chaozong came to himself, raised his cup, and invited him, "Daoist Master, you've traveled all this way, and I never properly entertained you. Allow me to make amends today. Please drain this cup!"

"Prince, you make me ashamed. I'll toast you!" Niu Youdao raised his cup and was about to drain it first as a gesture of respect.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Gang suddenly pressed one hand onto his shoulder and reminded him, "Daoist Master!"

There was no need to say more. It was not only Niu Youdao—even Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting understood that he was warning Niu Youdao to be careful, that there might be something wrong with the wine. The two of them could not help watching to see how Niu Youdao would respond.

Niu Youdao said nothing. He simply tipped his head back and drained the cup, then showed the empty bottom to the two men opposite him, displaying his frankness.

Seeing that he would not listen, Yuan Gang removed his hand from Niu Youdao's shoulder and said nothing more. He only needed to give the warning and fulfill his duty; there was no need to nag. He believed the Daoist Master could make his own decision.

As for Yuan Gang's behavior and distrust of them, the others could understand it. After all, they were not familiar with each other, and it was not excessive to be suspicious when someone suddenly and rashly invited them to drink. What puzzled Shang Chaozong's group was that Yuan Gang looked every bit like Niu Youdao's subordinate or accompanying guard, not a fellow villager. Judging by his appearance, Yuan Gang even seemed older than Niu Youdao.

What puzzled them even more was that Yuan Gang had addressed Niu Youdao as "Daoist Master" time and again throughout the journey. Would brothers who had grown up together in the same village need to address each other with the word "master"? Niu Youdao was so young, and calling him "Daoist Master" was truly a little excessive.

The gentle notes of the qin rang out. Shang Shuqing stroked the strings, doing her best to draw out a soft, slow melody and timely covering up the awkwardness in the air.

Moonlight slanting in from outside the pavilion poured over Shang Shuqing like liquid mercury as she sat upright playing the qin, faintly cloaking her in a hazy radiance. Her elegant, graceful profile as she played made Niu Youdao glance sideways and sigh inwardly. This woman had truly been ruined by that face of hers. He did not ask for her to be beautiful—only normal enough not to frighten people. With her inner qualities, she could probably attract quite a few men. What a pity. Sometimes, Heaven really was unfair!

With the beautiful qin music accompanying them, the atmosphere indeed became much livelier.

Taking advantage of the good mood, Lan Ruoting deliberately tried to probe him, asking about the Shangqing Sect, his connection with Dongguo Haoran, and even his cultivation. Niu Youdao fended off every question. It was not that he was being disloyal; as he had said, he truly knew nothing about the Shangqing Sect. His affair with Dongguo Haoran involved that Bronze Mirror, and he did not want to say much about it to outsiders. As for his cultivation, his progress over five short years had been too fast. If he explained it, he could only tell lies. Since he was unwilling to lie, all he could do was fob them off.

Seeing that this fellow still had not uttered a single reliable word, Shang Chaozong once again gave Niu Youdao a poor mark in his heart!

Lan Ruoting was, after all, seasoned and steady. He did not take Niu Youdao's nonsense to heart. Seeing that the other man intended to avoid these matters, he also did not want the conversation to turn cold, so he changed to a lighter topic. "I heard the County Princess say that the Daoist Master is richly talented and can compose poetry at the drop of a hat. Might you be willing to let us witness your elegance?"

Niu Youdao continued waving his hand evasively. "The County Princess flatters me. I was only spouting nonsense offhand."

Lan Ruoting laughed heartily. "What harm would there be in spouting another poem offhand?"

Niu Youdao still declined. "Poetry is merely a minor path, unfit for the grand stage. It cannot compare with the Prince's iron cavalry sweeping across the land. Let's not mention it!"

Lan Ruoting said, "That is mistaken. How could poetry be a minor path? As the saying goes, martial prowess can pacify the realm, while learning can bring peace and order to the country... Perhaps that puts it too grandly. To be more practical, a good poem might inspire the soldiers' morale. To put it more vulgarly, in the Capital City, a good poem is worth a thousand pieces of gold—enough to keep an ordinary person clothed and fed for a lifetime. The vulgar and the refined share the same source. How could poetry be unfit for the grand stage?"

Niu Youdao's eyes lit up, and he cautiously asked, "It's worth a thousand pieces of gold? That valuable?" He was already muttering inwardly: If that's really the case, Monkey's financial problems can be solved later. Someone with an 'archaeology' background like me may not have much else, but I've got a belly full of ancient things. I tested the merchandise with Song Yanqing, and it should work.

"Of course!" Lan Ruoting smiled and invited him again. "The County Princess is personally playing the qin for you, Daoist Master, and we are blessed with such a beautiful evening. Surely you won't spoil the mood!"

"I truly don't know poetry." Niu Youdao still meant to conceal the truth, but seeing that the other man had brought out a reasonable argument, he decided to put on a reluctant performance and avoid endless pestering. After all, he had eaten their food, and he might need to borrow their help with certain matters later. Thus, he pointed behind him at Yuan Gang. "But this brother of mine knows a little. Let him do it in my place!"

Yuan Gang, who had been secretly observing his surroundings and keeping his ears open in vigilance, froze when he heard this. He stared blankly at Niu Youdao, thinking he must have misheard. You want me to compose a poem? Daoist Master, are you sick in the head?

Shang Chaozong, however, grew interested the moment he heard this. His interest in Yuan Gang was clearly greater than his interest in Niu Youdao. His eyes lit up. Could this man be skilled in both civil and military affairs? He immediately raised his cup and invited him. "I await your wisdom!"

Yuan Gang shut him down with one word. "I can't."

"..." Shang Chaozong was awkward once more, unable to decide whether to put down the wine cup or keep holding it.

The atmosphere turned awkward again. Niu Youdao immediately turned around and scolded him. "I say, Monkey, are you trying to be difficult? Can't you just make up any poem?"

Yuan Gang glared at him, wanting to curse his ancestors for eighteen generations. What poem could I possibly make? I don't know the first thing about this. Where am I supposed to get one? Can something like this be forced out?

"Hurry up! Just give us anything. Come on!" Niu Youdao urged him without turning his head, while giving him a meaningful look.

The two worked together with decent tacit understanding. Often, a single glance was enough for one to understand the other's thoughts. The instant Yuan Gang saw that profound look, he understood. How could the Daoist Master not know he could not compose poetry? Since he was forcing him like this, it seemed he was not asking him to compose a poem at all, but to plagiarize one!

Yuan Gang cursed inwardly, Fine, you win. He glanced left and right, let his gaze linger on the river outside for a moment, then turned back. Expressionless, he raised his brows and looked at Niu Youdao, his eyes filled with meaning.

Niu Youdao felt his heart tremble under that look. He knew him far too well. Monkey was no good sort either—he was absolutely the kind of man who could kill without batting an eye. It felt as if Monkey were plotting something nasty, and Niu Youdao regretted forcing him into this. Feeling somewhat guilty, he turned back and silently savored his wine.

Yuan Gang suddenly blurted out stiffly, "The mighty Yangtze flows eastward, its waves washing away heroes..."

At that single line, Niu Youdao could not help coughing under his breath. He nearly choked. He had never expected Monkey to come up with this ci lyric.

"Right and wrong, success and failure, all vanish in an instant. The Green Mountain remains as ever; how many sunsets have reddened it? White-haired fishermen and woodcutters upon the river islet have grown accustomed to autumn moons and spring breezes. A pot of rough wine, happy to meet. How many events from ancient to modern times? All are consigned to laughter and conversation." After reciting it stiffly, Yuan Gang shut his mouth. A superb ci lyric had emerged from his mouth entirely devoid of rhythm or beauty.

Even so, Shang Chaozong and Lan Ruoting were completely stunned. The ci lyric was simply too fitting—too perfectly fitting. A little contemplation sent countless emotions surging through their hearts!

The qin music had also stopped. When the ci lyric reached its middle, Shang Shuqing, who had been playing, had unconsciously ceased and listened. Now she turned her head toward the expressionless Yuan Gang. Her bright eyes beneath the veil were vacant with distraction as she stared at him, then suddenly bloomed with an astonished brilliance. She looked him up and down. Who would have thought? Who could have thought!

"What a fine lyric! I must drink a great cup!" Shang Chaozong shouted his praise, rising excitedly with his cup raised.

Lan Ruoting rose with his cup as well and shook his head in amazement. "I never expected Brother Yuan to conceal such profound talent!"

"Heh heh! A fine lyric, a fine lyric!" Niu Youdao also stood with his wine cup, wearing a somewhat smug grin.

Yuan Gang added blandly, "When have I ever been able to compose poetry? This lyric was written by the Daoist Master before. I merely recited it."

Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Shang Shuqing all stared blankly at Niu Youdao.

"Stop fooling around. If you wrote it, then you wrote it. Make a poem and you won't die." Niu Youdao waved a hand at Yuan Gang and glared at him. So this fellow had been laying an ambush here! He then turned back and smiled at the three of them. "It really is a fine lyric. I must drink a great cup. Come, drink, drink!" He lowered his head and gulped down wine.

Who would have thought Yuan Gang would coldly add, "Not only was this lyric written by the Daoist Master, he even composed the music for it. It sounds wonderful when played and sung! I'm a straightforward man who knows nothing of worldly ways and never tell lies!"

"Pfft..." Niu Youdao could not hold back a mouthful of wine. He spat it out and began patting his chest repeatedly, coughing as if he had nearly choked to death. He had thought Monkey had finished his dirty tricks, but he had not expected an even fiercer move to be waiting. He regretted everything!

The three people opposite him stared blankly at the wine he had sprayed across the table. It was all that fellow's saliva, and they probably could not eat the food anymore.

By comparison, the three of them were more inclined to believe Yuan Gang. They all found Niu Youdao's words rather unreliable.

Lan Ruoting wiped the wine splashed across his face and cautiously asked, "Played and sung? Daoist Master, you also know musical instruments?"

Yuan Gang continued driving in the final nail, his voice still icy. "He doesn't merely know them. There isn't a classical instrument he can't play. He is best at playing the Erhu!"

"Ahem..." Niu Youdao, still coughing without pause, could not recover for a moment. He waved repeatedly at Yuan Gang, signaling him to shut up.

"What is 'playing the Erhu'?" Shang Shuqing asked curiously. There was no Erhu here, and she mistakenly thought "playing the Erhu" referred to the name of a musical instrument, unaware that "playing" was a verb.

This was simply another knife to the heart. Niu Youdao coughed violently, nearly losing his breath. He hurriedly steadied his emotions and circulated his energy to suppress it.

P.S. Rolling around on the floor, begging for recommendations and favorites!