Tong Li's several friends slowly backed away. They too recognized the style of that saber. Though an imperial sovereign did not rank as highly as a Half-Sage, anyone below a Hanlin Academician was nothing before a sovereign, let alone mere Licentiates like them.
Seeing Tong Li give up on fleeing, the imperial guard sheathed his saber and looked toward the dragon boats on the Jade Sash River.
After the poem "Racing Across the Waters" was completed, Fang Yun's Number Two dragon boat shot forward at a terrifying speed. It was so fast that it nearly flew over the water. The drummer's legs went weak with fright; he threw down his drumsticks and clung desperately to the drum frame, terrified of falling overboard.
In just a few breaths, Number Two closed in on Qing Kingdom's Number One dragon boat.
Provincial Graduate Qian roared, "Shi Dehong, last year you said Jing Kingdom had no one worthy of note. Do you dare say that again today?"
The two boats drew close, then separated. Everyone could clearly see the expressions on the other side.
Of Qing Kingdom's six men, only Yan Yukong's expression remained unchanged. The others looked particularly spectacular, especially Shi Dehong, the Poetry Lord's disciple. He looked as though he were sleepwalking, still unable to believe that Fang Yun had composed a war poem without the characters for "boat" or "ship," yet one that could increase a boat's speed. Even his teacher's friend, the Poetry Lord, would need a long time to write such a poem.
The dragon boat streaked past, kicking up a great spray. Everyone on Number One was splashed drenched by river water, yet no one dared speak.
Fang Yun's dragon boat continued onward. Provincial Graduate Qian turned back and said, "Fang Yun, I will never forget today's kindness