The Novel Path?
Lin Ke looked at Qi Ye in the sky, his expression breezy and unruffled, then at the somewhat handsome Yu Kong.
That thick-browed, big-eyed fellow Qi Ye had actually learned a thing or two. He was no longer as hidebound as before.
But Lin Ke was not so easily manipulated either. "How do you compare to Qi Ye on the Novel Path?"
"Me?"
Yu Kong remained composed. "Brother Qi and I each have our strengths. We are evenly matched."
Lin Ke guessed that Qi Ye and Yu Kong might know each other. Yu Kong had come to probe Lin Ke's Novel Path, and whether he won or lost, Qi Ye stood to benefit.
If Yu Kong won, Qi Ye could learn from the contest while also draining Lin Ke's creative ideas and inspiration.
After all, writing poetry and prose was much the same: inspiration was finite, works were finite, and once used, they were gone.
If Yu Kong lost, everyone would be even happier.
In short, Yu Kong's decision to compete with Lin Ke in novel writing before Lin Ke's contest with Qi Ye was sinister at heart.
"There's a penalty for losing. What about winning?"
His earlier contest with the woman surnamed Yu had not specified what would happen to the winner or loser. Thinking back, Lin Ke felt it was rather a shame.
That woman's Guqin was a treasure and looked quite lovely. It would have made a nice gift for Minister Qi's daughter.
"Winning?"
Yu Kong had never considered that he might lose, since he had come well prepared.
Still, Lin Ke had a point.
"If you win, you may have my Red Jade Brush."
Gritting his teeth, Yu Kong took out his brush.
It was a red writing brush, crystal clear throughout, its