Those still on the third floor of the Ji Family Restaurant could hardly believe it. Marquis Zhang had first destroyed the Bright State Duke Residence, then slain Gou Bao, and now he actually intended to enter the palace to meet the King of Chu. Was he walking into a trap, or did he intend to slay his sovereign?
Several scholars on the third floor discussed it in hushed voices.
"Who knows what Zhang Mingzhou intends?"
"In my view, he means to bring the might of Two Worlds Mountain to bear and cow the King of Chu!"
"No, he would never be that foolish. A mere ruler of one kingdom in the Literary World certainly cannot compare with a Grand Academician who has written Transmissible Battle Poems. In either reputation or achievement, the King of Chu falls far short of Zhang Mingzhou. But do not forget that Sage Kong divided this Literary World into seven kingdoms and the Zhou Dynasty. Sage Kong himself bestowed the hereditary royal title upon the Chu Kingdom! In a sense, the King of Chu represents Sage Kong and the Kong Family. If Zhang Mingzhou moves against the King of Chu, he will be tearing away all pretense of civility with the Kong Family!"
"That makes excellent sense. Even if the Kong Family does not openly break with him, the Sacred Academy will mete out punishment."
"Would it really be that serious?"
"A Grand Academician is still only a Grand Academician. However famous he may be, he cannot oppose the ruler of a kingdom."
"Even a Great Scholar can only force a ruler to compromise, not push him too far! After all, Sage Kong created the Literary World, and the vast will he left behind remains within it."
"Speaking of which, have you heard that rumor? Sage