Everyone Was Confident (Please Recommend and Collect!)

After washing up, Huang Shang emerged feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Times had changed. Back when he was with Xu Feng, he couldn't afford to slip up over even the smallest detail, or Xu Yue, watching from the shadows, would notice.

Xu Feng and Xu Yue had been the first Reincarnators to make contact with him, so his persona had to be that of an ancient from the Song dynasty.

But now, he had already been spirited away by Wu Que and Nightingale, leaving a blank stretch of time ample enough for speculation.

Even if he did something strange, the Reincarnators would surely think he had been influenced by someone else, not suspect that Huang Shang was a fake.

That had reduced the difficulty of staying undercover to a minimum.

Still, he had to know what he was doing.

When he met Wu Que, who had also finished washing up and was once again every inch the elegant young gentleman, Huang Shang asked with concern, "How is Brother Hua feeling?"

Wu Que froze for a moment, then remembered that he had a cancer-stricken persona to maintain. He hurriedly put on a haggard expression, coughed lightly, and played up his misery. "My good brother, I... sigh..."

Huang Shang's expression turned serious. He reached out and took Wu Que's pulse, sending a stream of incomparably pure innate true energy into his body. Following the circulation route of the Bright Jade Art, it began to flow.

Wu Que's body trembled slightly. Inspired by a sudden flash of insight, he circulated his own true energy in tandem. The two forces worked together, and after a quarter of an hour, his aura suddenly surged.

His complexion visibly improved, and he became full of energy. A lustrous, jade-like sheen even appeared on his skin.

The Bright Jade Art had broken through to the seventh level!

Wu Que's face lit up with delight.

Don't underestimate the significance of this breakthrough. In Handsome Siblings, although Hua Wuque at the sixth level was already a first-rate expert, there was still a gulf between him and the true powerhouses.

At the seventh level, however, he would have truly entered the ranks of the world's top experts. Even Yan Nantian and Yao Yue, when they first appeared, weren't much stronger than him.

"Thank you, my good brother! I... these past few months... I've missed you so much!"

Wu Que's tiger eyes reddened, and his voice choked with emotion.

It had all been worth it. It really had.

Breaking through with his divine art was one cause for joy, but what made him even happier was that Huang Shang truly favored him.

"Between us, there's no need for thanks."

Huang Shang withdrew his hand, feeling satisfied himself.

He hadn't neglected his cultivation during these past few months of travel and study.

He had now fully absorbed the enhancements from the Provincial Examination, and the accumulation of true energy in his Upper Dantian's Ancestral Aperture was considerable.

The idea behind Noble Spirit was brilliant: combining Literary Qi with true energy, letting each drive the other forward so they could both make rapid progress.

In less than half a year, Huang Shang's internal cultivation had reached the equivalent of several years' accumulation for an ordinary martial artist, and it was incomparably pure—worthy of being called innate true energy.

That was what had given him the ability to help Wu Que take that final step.

It really was just the final step. Wu Que's reserves had already been sufficient, and he had spent this time constantly sparring with Xu Feng. With Huang Shang, who also knew the circulation route of the Bright Jade Art, assisting him with innate true energy, breaking through had been only natural.

This also gave Wu Que something in return.

It was a small favor that cost Huang Shang little, but it was important.

The Heavens Consciousness worlds weren't Earth. You couldn't just block someone and be done with it. Even a rabbit would bite when cornered, let alone Reincarnators sent by the Main God Temple.

If he pushed them too hard and only ever demanded things from them, the Reincarnators might lash out in desperation. He'd be the one to suffer in the end.

He had to offer them a little sweetness now and then.

They had received something in return for what they'd given.

So naturally, it was time to step up what they gave next.

Seeing Wu Que looking radiant, Xu Feng's expression changed. He hurriedly dragged his stool closer to Huang Shang and gazed at him eagerly.

I'm only one step away from innate martial arts, too. Give me a hand, please!

But Huang Shang couldn't help Xu Feng.

At this stage, the cultivation method he had worked out for himself couldn't compare with the martial path, tempered and refined over countless trials in the world of Yang God.

Seeing that Huang Shang had no intention of helping him, Xu Feng looked disappointed. Wu Que immediately began fussing over Huang Shang, asking what he had been doing these past few months.

The two chatted animatedly. Xu Feng wasn't good with words and couldn't really put on an act, so all he could do was chime in now and then: "Same here!"

But Huang Shang didn't ignore Xu Feng. He soon turned to him and asked what he had been through since they parted.

Seizing his chance, Xu Feng eagerly pointed out the villain, gesturing at Wu Que. "This man is a Western Xia spy. Whatever you do, don't trust him!"

Wu Que hurriedly looked at Huang Shang, his eyes seeming to hold a thousand unspoken words.

Huang Shang thought of the film The Hunt and the look on Mads Mikkelsen's face when his character was falsely accused. He silently gave Wu Que's acting a thumbs-up. "I trust Brother Hua. He wouldn't defect to Western Xia!"

Xu Feng's heart sank. He realized that Wu Que's favor with Huang Shang had already surpassed his own. He was probably about to be eliminated.

But then Huang Shang added, "You two may have had some misunderstandings before. I'm willing to mediate and help you settle your grievances."

Xu Feng breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed they still held roughly equal places in Huang Shang's heart.

Now it was Wu Que's turn to feel his heart sink. But he reacted quickly and immediately said, "My good brother is absolutely right. This brother and I have no deep-seated grudge. We should let bygones be bygones, work together, and face our common enemy!"

Xu Feng clenched his fists at that, grinding his teeth in frustration.

After putting it that way, if Xu Feng started a fight again, Huang Shang would see it and inevitably dislike him.

After trading blows for two rounds, Xu Feng realized he couldn't beat Wu Que with words alone. He could only call for backup. "Sis, are you here yet?"

"I'm here!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the private room's door slowly opened.

The room they occupied at the restaurant was in Hui Xian Pavilion, the finest establishment in Capital City.

It wasn't all gilded splendor and extravagant displays. Instead, it was elegant and pleasing to the eye. Every furnishing and wall hanging was first-rate, and every detail spoke of painstaking craftsmanship.

Even so, when the two beauties walked in, the room seemed to brighten, as if they had brought it to life.

Xu Yue hadn't come alone. Nightingale walked beside her, and the two women were clearly competing with each other.

Song-dynasty clothing had abandoned the Tang dynasty's stately opulence and bold, vivid colors. Its styles were simple and unadorned, its colors light and subdued. Xu Yue was dressed just so.

A yellow sash embroidered with flowers cinched her waist, accentuating its slender curve. Over her skirt and blouse, she wore a flower-patterned beizi that concealed the curves of her chest. Her overall appearance was simple, yet somehow all the more refined and elegant.

Compared with Xu Yue's tall, graceful figure, Nightingale was much shorter. Fortunately, her proportions were excellent, and her cute, ever-smiling face made her instantly likable.

Each woman made the most of her own strengths. They were both a pleasure to behold, and after exchanging greetings and introductions, they sat down with easy composure.

"Thank goodness she didn't recognize me."

When Xu Yue saw that Huang Shang showed no reaction as Xu Feng introduced her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She had been hiding in the shadows back then because they had met by chance at the Great Xiangguo Temple, where she had bought the painting for fifty strings of cash. She had been afraid he would recognize her and suspect her motives.

If Huang Shang had known what she was thinking, he would probably have laughed in disbelief. They were both afraid of being found out—what a twist of fate.

Meanwhile, Nightingale had initially been gazing at Huang Shang with unrestrained delight. But Wu Que sent her a warning, telling her to hold back.

Being too attentive now would be counterproductive. She had to stay calm, let the other side make the first move, and respond accordingly.

As it happened, Xu Yue thought the same way.

Her eyes flickered as she observed not only Huang Shang but also Wu Que and Nightingale, considering the overall situation.

At last, she made up her mind and began to smile.

Xu Yue smiled, and Nightingale smiled.

Nightingale smiled, and Xu Yue smiled again.

For a moment, the room filled with fake smiles, making everyone uncomfortable.

Huang Shang ignored them and enjoyed the food and wine.

At this stage, his goal was to pass the Provincial Examination and the Palace Examination, then come out on top as the top scholar.

He had left Wu Que before because his strength had improved too quickly. Wu Que had grown uneasy and started trying to suppress him.

That was no longer possible.

Both Wu Que's side and Xu Yue's side were practically praying for the other to be eliminated. How could either of them hand over such a perfect excuse?

They wouldn't just refrain from holding him back; they'd do their best to support him and clear away any obstacles.

Often, it was only after losing something that you learned to cherish it.

This was just fine.

After the meal, they each returned to their rooms. Xu Feng said impatiently, "Sis, this time we have to keep a close eye on Huang Shang. We can't let the other side get him."

Xu Yue sat down and tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "Do you remember the first point of conflict in Huang Shang's original story? The scholar named Chen Sheng!"

Xu Feng thought it over, puzzled. "Wasn't he just a minor character?"

"Even minor characters have their uses," Xu Yue said. "Actually, I saw Chen Sheng back then. I taught him a lesson and made him give up his jealousy. But then he died for no clear reason. This could be our way in. Someone may be trying to harm Huang Shang."

Xu Feng's spirits lifted. "Good! Let's do that!"

Xu Yue looked at him. "You've gotten completely caught up in this, haven't you?"

Xu Feng froze.

Xu Yue's expression turned serious. "Remember, whatever you do, keep a level head. Huang Shang is a rare opportunity, but the contract for a Character Card was already extremely difficult to obtain. Now someone else is competing for him, too. It's only normal if we fail. Think of it this way: Huang Shang helped us avoid a disaster before, so consider that a return on our investment. Anything we gain from here on out is extra. If we get him, it's our good fortune; if we lose him, it's fate!"

Xu Feng gave a crooked grin. "Sis, I understand."

"No, you don't!" Xu Yue shook her head. "The more you care about something, the less likely you are to get it. If we make everything revolve around Huang Shang, we'll only ruin what we were originally trying to do. But if we take things less seriously, we can use Wu Que and Nightingale's devotion to Huang Shang to make them clear the path for us. Understand?"

Only then did Xu Feng fully understand. He nodded firmly. "Sis, I understand!"

Xu Yue smiled, then lifted her chin proudly. "Besides, if it's a fair competition, I refuse to believe anyone can beat us in the end!"