Wounding Zhongyong

The study in the backyard of the Jiannan Circuit government office.

Liu Jing frowned upon hearing her subordinate's report, "You mean, before you could stop them, Li Qi personally arrived and, using the Emperor's decree, stopped the crowd?"

"Yes, the situation was rather critical at the time. We saw that things were not going well and were about to step forward when..."

When asked, the two subordinates recounted what had happened in front of the Examination Hall. The more they spoke, the more Liu Jing frowned.

"This Li Qi is truly not to be underestimated; he's far superior to Xiang. He's personally taken action and even received an imperial edict. He's trying to win Qiu Yan over..."

Thinking of this, he got up from his seat, walked around the room, and seemed somewhat agitated.

Seeing this, the aide stood up and said, "Sir, I have heard that Qiu Yan studied under his father and did not become a disciple of any Confucian School. Although he has a long-standing Chancellor Ma, he is not a Historians' School. Now that he has passed the provincial examination, he will be going to the capital for the metropolitan Metropolitan Examination next spring. Naturally, he needs to study diligently. If you are so inclined, why not write a letter to Qiu Yan and the young master to study under the Master of the Imperial Academy in the Eastern Capital Principle Sect? This would be a good thing for him."

Upon hearing this, Liu Jing's eyes lit up, and he stroked his beard and smiled, "Ming Kang is absolutely right. Qiu Yan is a talented scholar from Shu Region, but the imperial Metropolitan Examination gathers the best talents from all over the country, and it is not easy to stand out. However, if he can study under Grand Confucian, he will have more opportunities, and if he can achieve a good ranking, it will further demonstrate the civilization of Shu Region. Hmm, I will write a letter now."

After saying this, he sat back in his chair, spread out the paper, and began grinding the ink to moisten his brush.

On the other side, in a private room at Across-the-Gorge Tavern, the atmosphere was heavy.

Fang Ziyan and Mr. Li sat facing each other across the table.

"You want me to serve Qiu Yan tea and apologize?" Fang Ziyan's expression was displeased. After a long while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth.

"Mr. Li, are you mistaken? Why should I apologize to Qiu Yan? And why should I lower myself to that level?"

It is always the younger generation who serves tea to the elders. Serving tea as an apology is a sign of extreme humility, often used to show sincerity. How could Fang Ziyan proud and arrogant, possibly accept this?

Mr. Li smiled and said, "Young Master Fang, let's not beat around the bush. The release of the Provincial Examination results almost caused a commotion. We both know the reason behind it, and even Qiu Yan has guessed it and mentioned it to the Censor in person."

"Wait!" Fang Ziyan's expression changed, and he hurriedly interrupted. "Qiu Yan mentioned it to the Censor in person? What does that mean? Could it be that Qiu Yan visited the Censor's residence?"

"It seems you know nothing," Mr. Li shook his head. "Do you think Qiu Yan got the top score this time because of Qi Zhengyuan?"

Fang Ziyan an eyebrow and said arrogantly, "Isn't that right? I've seen Qiu Yan's previous essays too. They were simple and unadorned, lacking in vocabulary. I could have written such essays when I was ten years old. If it weren't for Qi Zhengyuan, how could Qiu Yan have become the top scholar?"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Li laughed instead, "Young Master Fang, do you think this imperial Imperial Examinations is some kind of Scholar Forest? Qiu Yan's policy essay quelled the rebellion in the southwest, reaching the Emperor's ears directly. Even the Emperor praised him as a national talent. With that evaluation, what essay is considered lacking in literary style, or even if the sentences are incoherent? What essay is qualified to surpass it?"

"What do you mean by that?" Fang Ziyan's eyes showed surprise. "His Majesty praised Qiu Yan? When did that happen?"

"This isn't a secret. The trouble caused by the Marshfolk is about to subside, and it won't be long before news of it spreads throughout Shu Region," Mr. Li said, not intending to hide anything. "You should already know about the Swamp Barbarian raids on the border, but do you know why this raid was quelled so quickly?"

"Could it be because of... Qiu Yan?" Fang Ziyan wasn't stupid; he'd just been blinded by fame. Now, upon hearing this, he was greatly shaken, but also became a little clearer-headed. Thinking of what the other party had just said, he immediately understood the reason. "Could it be his military strategy?"

Fang Ziyan's face was slightly distorted, looking incredulous.

"That is indeed the case. I have said all I have to say. Offering tea and admitting my mistake is actually a strategic retreat. A true man can bend and stretch. Even if revenge is needed, it is never too late. Why bother with something that happened just now?" Mr. Li said, standing up and taking his leave.

Fang Ziyan even forgot to see him off; he sat in his room, his mind in a daze.

"A military strategy? To quell the war? To reach the Emperor's ears? How is that possible? How can I compare to him? Am I not as good as him?" He said in a low voice, his voice hoarse.

Just then, the door, which was not yet closed, was knocked on again. Before Fang Ziyan could respond, the person knocking had already entered; it was a young scholar.

However, Fang Ziyan's expression changed drastically the moment he saw the man's face clearly.

"Qiu Yan! What are you doing here?"

"Brother Fang, please calm down," said Qiu Yan, who had just entered. He spoke as if meeting an old friend, sitting down and looking at Fang Ziyan across the table. "I've come here to return the gift."

"A return gift?" Fang Ziyan raised an eyebrow.

"Not bad," Qiu Yan said, his aura subtly filling the room and imperceptibly infiltrating Fang Ziyan's heart. "Brother Fang has provoked me several times, and now you're even instigating others to start a popular uprising, trying to ruin my career. I ask you, I have no grudge against you, why would you frame me like this?"

Fang Ziyan's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "What are you saying? Don't spout nonsense!"

"We both know the truth of the matter. As I said, I'm only here to return the favor. I, Qiu Yan, have no intention of fighting in officialdom, but I cannot be manipulated by others. Since you've made your move, you must pay the corresponding price..."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and made a grasping motion, and the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone that were not far away flew through the air and landed on the table in front of the two of them.

Upon seeing this bizarre scene, Fang Ziyan was startled and tried to get up, but as soon as he moved, he found that he was too weak to stand up!

"What's going on! What exactly do you want to do?!"

At this point, he finally realized that the situation was out of control, but he still remained somewhat calm and asked in a low voice.

Qiu Yan replied, seemingly unrelated to the question, "Brother Fang, how long has it been since you've calmed your mind and truly contemplated the meaning of scriptures and classic texts?"

Fang Ziyan, puzzled, stared coldly at Qiu Yan without saying a word.

"I've heard that Brother Fang achieved fame at a young age and received praise from many Confucian scholars. His poetry and prose far surpass those of Tongji University. However, in recent years, he has become obsessed with fame and fortune, indulging in the flattery and praise of others. Whenever there is a poetry gathering or literary event, you can always be found there..."

Hearing this, Fang Ziyan finally couldn't help but ask, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Qiu Yan smiled slightly, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write. With a flick of his wrist, the pen moved with the speed of the wind, and in just a few breaths, he had written an entire article in one go.

He finished writing and blew on the ink, the words on the paper drying and solidified, each character full of life and spirit, containing a mysterious charm, and exuding an eerie aura.

After finishing the article, Qiu Yan flipped his wrist and pushed it in front of Fang Ziyan.

"This is..."

Fang Ziyan stared blankly at the words on the paper. The eerie aura within the text immediately surged, transforming into wisps of black mist that seeped into Fang Ziyan's body through his seven orifices and into his heart.

His youthful days were filled with tales of romance and recent success, which brought him widespread fame. However, this time, he suffered a major setback in the provincial Provincial Examination and was even warned by the censor...

In an instant, a series of images flashed through Fang Ziyan's pupils, a fleeting glimpse, leaving him completely frozen in place.

Originally, Fang Ziyan was already shaken after the rankings were announced. Then, Mr. Li's words made him doubtful and uncertain. Qiu Yan's appearance threw him State of Mind chaos. The article in front of him completely broke down his defenses.

This article is like a nail, piercing the soul and shattering the heart.

Qiu Yan silently got up, turned around and walked outside.

"Since you want to ruin my career, I won't take your life, but I'll destroy your reputation, ruin your future, and disrupt your mind! That way, I can avoid future entanglements in officialdom and save you from wasting your energy."

Lost in thought, he stepped outside, where he was recognized by Fang Ziyan's child as Qiu Yan.

"Why did you enter my young master's room without letting me announce your arrival..." The page was interrupted by a scream!

Then, there was a loud crash, like a table being overturned.

The pageboy was startled. Recognizing Fang Ziyan's voice, he rushed into the room without a second thought, only to find the table overturned, ink and brushes scattered on the floor, staining a large area of it black.

Fang Ziyan slumped in the corner, flailing his arms and legs as if trying to drive something away, muttering repeatedly, "I am not Wounding Zhongyong, I am not Wounding Zhongyong," as if he had developed hysteria.

"Young Master, what's wrong?" The pageboy rushed forward in a panic, but was kicked away by Fang Ziyan and fell beside the table. He happened to see a piece of paper on the ground with an article written on it.

With a glance, the page knew the gist of the story: it was about a child prodigy who grew up young, became lost in praise, and eventually became just an ordinary person.

This article is entirely narrative, without any explanation of reasoning, yet it subtly alludes to something.

This article...

The scholar was startled, and upon seeing Fang Ziyan, he realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Oh no! This article was written by Qiu Yan. It has disturbed my young master's State of Mind. If it gets out, everyone will think it was written about him! His reputation will be completely ruined!"

Thinking of this, he reached out to tear up the document, but it was too late. The commotion in the room had already attracted the attention of people outside, and several kind-hearted people rushed into the room to lend a helping hand.

One of them immediately helped the page to his feet.

"Although Fang Ziyan has been lazy, he doesn't quite qualify as Wounding Zhongyong.' But that article shattered his will, using Soul Dao techniques and Heart Demon, and could actually turn him into a 'Wounding Zhongyong prodigy.'"

When Qiu Yan returned to the inn, it was already late. He first exchanged a few words with Zhou Guan and the others, and then opened the door to his room.

"Um?"

Upon opening the door, he sensed something unusual.

Who is it?

He asked aloud, but quickly caught a familiar scent and understood.

Swish!

The lights in the room turned on by themselves.

A figure stood by the wall; it was Zheng Zhongsen. Behind Zheng Zhongsen stood a boy, who was hiding behind him and cautiously observing Qiu Yan.

It turned out to be a child who looked only seven or eight years old.

Qiu Yan's pupils contracted as he sensed the surrounding area and immediately detected a faint Yao Qi and Divine Path presence emanating from the child.

"Brother Zheng, what's wrong...?" He looked up at Zheng Zhongsen. (To be continued, please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)

P. S.: Thanks to "Volcano1889" and "Blasphemer of the Clouds" for their generous donations!

Thank you "Soaring in the Sky" for the monthly vote!