Arbitration

His words were so teasing that the whole hall burst into laughter. The Heir of Prince Xiang's face turned icy, and he glared furiously at Xu Yi. "You really are a shameless villain!"

Xu Yi cupped his hands. "You flatter me, you flatter me!"

The laughter in the hall grew even louder.

The Son of Heaven of Great Yue applauded from his throne and praised him. "Lord Xu is quite a character."

Having failed this challenge, the Heir of Prince Xiang had already lost. Yet Xu Yi gave him no chance to catch his breath and pressed on. "For my second question, I think the Heir would be better off not listening. We wouldn't want him spitting blood again and needlessly wearing himself out."

The Heir of Prince Xiang reined in his anger. "Soldiers come, and I'll meet them; floods come, and I'll block them with earth. Go ahead and ask. Whether I can answer is my concern. We agreed from the start that you would ask and I would answer. Or are you afraid that if you let others hear one more question, you'll lose a little more confidence? Could your title of Poet Immortal, Word Sage, and these strange brainteasers all have been stolen?"

Though spoken in anger, his words had inadvertently hit the truth: Xu Yi really had stolen them, though from another world. Even gods and Buddhas could do nothing about it.

Xu Yi said, "Why must the Heir lash out in shame and anger? I remember how graceful you were when you set questions to test our newly appointed jinshi of Great Yue. Yet now your face is red, and your words are heated. Could it be that you simply can't bear to lose? Very well, I'll make one more concession. If you answer my