Literary Contest

Young and reckless-what young man did not want to show off his talents and steal the limelight? Who did not want to display his best side before the goddess of his dreams and win her favor?

Thus, some who knew they lacked talent for cultivation devoted considerable effort to literary studies, hoping to make their mark in that field.

The great families also valued literary ability. A good result in the contest could bring greater prestige to their family. In short, even in this world where martial pursuits reigned supreme, plenty of people still studied poetry and the classics.

Cloud City's most renowned literary talents still came from its major families, such as Wu Jin of the Wu Family, Qin An of the Qin Family, and Liu Zhi and Liu Hailian of the Liu Family.

After roughly the time it took an incense stick to burn, all the contestants had taken the literary stage.

At that moment, someone below shouted, "There's no one from the Tang Family!" Everyone turned to inspect the stage. After looking for a while, they confirmed that not a single member of the Tang Family was there.

Naturally, Old Master Tang heard such a loud shout as well.

Old Master Tang felt somewhat embarrassed. The Tang Family had no younger generation to field, while Mo Yanjun was obsessed with martial arts and had little interest in literary studies. In previous years, Old Master Tang had been the only one in the entire family who regularly dabbled in writing. However, the Literary Contest barred anyone over thirty-five from competing. He truly had the will but lacked the means.

Suddenly, he remembered the love poem Tang Yan had written for Lin Dongxue last time, its handwriting bold and forceful. Perhaps he should have Tang Yan go up and try?

But seeing Tang Yan sitting there looking utterly uninterested, Old Master Tang could only suppress the idea.

Old Master Tang had guessed correctly: Tang Yan had no interest in the Literary Contest. The other great families were now eyeing the Tang Family like hungry tigers. As long as he demonstrated decent strength, the Tang Family's reputation would not suffer, and his goal would be achieved.

As for the Literary Contest, frankly, it would at most add flowers to the brocade. It would not do much for the Tang Family.

"Young Master Tang, that love poem you wrote for Dongxue last time positively sparkled with literary brilliance. Why have you lost your nerve now?" Wu Xuan, who seemed determined to stir up trouble, asked from beside him.

"Tang Yan wrote someone a love poem?" An inexplicable pang pierced Zi Yun's heart when she heard that. She did not understand why she felt this way, but the feeling left a bitter taste.

"Yes. He confessed his love to the City Lord's Daughter with such heartfelt devotion, and every word of the poem stirred the heart. 'Wordless, alone, I climbed the western tower; the moon hung like a hook...'" As she spoke, Wu Xuan recited the entire poem.

Zi Yun's eyes grew dreamy as she listened. Had this fellow really written such a moving poem?

She gave Tang Yan a complicated look. His languid appearance inexplicably infuriated her, and she raised her leg and kicked him off his chair.

"Well, Young Master Tang has stepped forward. Could it be that you intend to compete on behalf of the Tang Family?" Seeing Tang Yan suddenly "charge" out, Liu Zhi teased him from the stage.

"Hahaha..." At Liu Zhi's words, everyone present burst out laughing. Most people in Cloud City knew exactly what sort of good-for-nothing Young Master Tang was. He had merely stumbled into some dog-shit luck recently and somehow leaped to origin tier eighth grade.

Unlike the others roaring with laughter, the City Lord and Qin Changdao brightened at the judges' table.

Qin Changdao, in particular, had personally witnessed Tang Yan write Joy at Reunion. That graceful, handsome figure had lingered in his mind ever since.

And that poem had truly amazed him. Would Tang Yan bring another surprise this time?

At the City Lord's Residence's seating area, Lin Dongxue immediately perked up, her gaze locking onto Tang Yan.

"Why such a sudden reaction? Don't tell me you've fallen for him?" Tang Yan had given Madam Lin pills twice, greatly improving her impression of him. Moreover, these days, the name constantly on her husband's lips was no longer Liu Zhi of the Liu Family or the outstanding young men of the Wu and Qin Families, but this Young Master Tang. That had also sparked considerable interest in Tang Yan on Madam Lin's part.

"Mother, what nonsense are you talking about? How could I fall for him!" Lin Dongxue's cheeks flushed like rosy clouds.

Seeing her daughter overcome with bashfulness, Madam Lin teased, "He's quite handsome, too. If he performs well this time, you could certainly consider him."

"I'm not talking to you anymore, Mother! You're awful!" Lin Dongxue simply turned away, drawing a soft laugh from Madam Lin.

Tang Yan felt utterly aggrieved. What on earth went through women's heads these days? She'd been chatting perfectly happily with Wu Xuan earlier, so why had she suddenly kicked me out here?

Since he had already stepped forward, there was naturally no reason to retreat. Meeting Liu Zhi's gaze coldly, he said with a faint smile, "Since the Tang Family has come to the Mid-Autumn Gathering, naturally we'll compete. Otherwise, some petty scoundrels might seize on this as ammunition to maliciously slander our family. That would hardly be desirable."

With that, Tang Yan strolled onto the stage beneath everyone's watching eyes. His elegant bearing even caught the attention of several young women.

"Does anyone else wish to compete?" Zhou Ying asked.

After confirming that no one else was coming up, Zhou Ying counted the participants. There were exactly one hundred and thirty.

"Good. Then we'll divide the stage into ten groups, with thirteen people in each. The first round will be a chain of poetic lines, starting with five-character verse. After each round, the lines must grow by one character. Anyone who cannot continue will be automatically eliminated, and the last two remaining in each group will advance to the next round," Zhou Ying explained the rules.

Tang Yan paid little attention to this and simply found a table and sat down. Seeing him seated there, the others hurried over.

As Cloud City's foremost wastrel, Tang Yan's ignorance and illiteracy were hardly a secret. Sitting at his table was as good as having one fewer competitor.

Those who failed to secure a seat could only sigh and seek another table.

Thirteen wine cups stood on the table, each filled with fine wine. Tang Yan lifted one and took a sip, casually surveying the people around the table.

Soon, Tang Yan's gaze settled on one person: Liu Hailian of the Liu Family.

The feud between the Tang and Liu Families was no secret in Cloud City. Especially after the matter involving the Four Seas Gang today, the conflict between them had grown even fiercer.

Meeting Tang Yan's gaze, Liu Hailian sneered. "Now every stray cat and dog dares to come out and parade itself. What an absolute farce."

Everyone at the table naturally knew whom Liu Hailian was targeting, and their gazes fell on Tang Yan at once.

"Farce, my ass. Fuck your mother," Tang Yan muttered from his seat, making nearly everyone at the table spit out their drinks.

In all the years of the Mid-Autumn Gathering, no one had ever uttered anything so vulgar, yet Tang Yan had let it roll off his tongue as casually as could be.

Liu Hailian's hand trembled as well. Fighting the urge to slap Tang Yan, he took several deep breaths before finally calming down. Though his literary talent was exceptional in Cloud City, he had yet to enter the yellow tier in martial cultivation.

"Begin!" The people at Tang Yan's table had spoken quietly enough that outsiders had not heard them. At Zhou Ying's command, every table immediately began competing.

"The bright moon shone with the wind."

"Autumn's heart surpassed summer's pride."

"Falling leaves drifted into clouds."

"..."

"Cold dew dampened osmanthus blooms," Tang Yan casually supplied.

Hearing Tang Yan produce a line with such evocative imagery, everyone was startled. Had this fellow, with not a drop of ink in his belly, been possessed?