Man's Way

At Zhou Ying's words, the spectators immediately perked up. This rule was interesting: if the first contestant finished quickly, the pressure on the remaining contestants would soar. Everyone also wanted to hear how these five would sing the praises of Cloud City's men.

The other four wore solemn expressions.

This topic was no simple matter. They needed to win not only the judges' approval, but also that of Cloud City's people.

Tang Yan continued drinking at his leisure, a stark contrast to the other four, who had lowered their heads in thought. By now, the crowd no longer looked at him with their earlier disdain.

In fact, his carefree bearing only made him more appealing.

"I've got it!" After downing a cup of wine, Tang Yan suddenly shouted, startling the other four.

Liu Hailian, standing nearby, had just found a spark of inspiration, only for Tang Yan's shout to scare it clean away. Frowning, he said irritably, "If you've composed something, just recite it."

"I'm afraid once I do, you won't even have the courage to compete for first place." Tang Yan dealt them another blow.

"Hmph. What fine lines could you possibly write in such a short time?" Liu Hailian said scornfully.

"Your Liu Family can't manage it, but my Tang Family can." Tang Yan drank as he spoke, his tone dripping with mockery.

Below the stage, Old Master Liu's eyes turned cold. My Liu Family can't, but your Tang Family can? In what respect?

"Since Young Master Tang has composed his piece, why not recite it for everyone? Let us see whether your Tang Family truly can." Liu Zhi smiled faintly, deftly kicking the ball back into Tang Yan's court.

"Since your Liu Family is so eager to know..." Tang Yan rose, drained his cup, and picked up the wine jug to refill it. Throwing back his head with a long laugh, he declared, "Then listen well!"

"To kill one is a crime; to slaughter ten thousand makes a hero. Slaughter nine million, and you stand a hero among heroes. Man’s Way demands ferocity. Deeds and benevolence cannot stand together. A man must kill, and kill without mercy. An immortal legacy through a thousand autumns lies wholly in the killing." Murderous intent radiated from Tang Yan. His white robes fluttered, and paired with those lines, he seemed for a moment like a ruthless conqueror of his age.

"At my side hangs a sword that shears through iron; in anger, I kill. I carve flesh from a thigh to accompany my wine; my laughter and talk startle ghosts and gods. To kill an enemy a thousand miles away, I would gladly spend ten years."

The leading figures of Cloud City's great families all sat a little straighter.

The undisguised killing intent in Tang Yan's poem sent a chill through them.

Remembering how the Tang Family had wiped out the Four Seas Gang in a single two-hour period that morning, they could not help reading more into it. Were the Tang and Liu families truly about to break with each other openly?

"Even in dreams, I still kill; my smiling face reflects the pale light. Maidens, do not ask why men are so fierce. Since ancient times, benevolence has only harmed men; righteousness has never held a shred of truth. Do you not see? Lions and tigers win renown by hunting prey, but who pities the poor deer? In this world, the strong have always devoured the weak; even being right is in vain." "Do not ask; men have their own way. Man’s Way demands ferocity. Deeds and benevolence cannot stand together. A man's work lies on the killing field, with the courage of a bear and the eyes of a wolf. Born a man, I shall kill; never shall a man's body harbor a woman's heart!"

Although Tang Yan had abridged the poem, its blood-stirring lines still shook the soul.

Many young men flushed, their breathing quickening sharply. As they looked at Tang Yan, a new measure of admiration appeared in their eyes.

"One man slain every ten steps; a thousand miles without a trace. The deed done, I brush my robes and leave, hiding deep my deeds and name."

For his final lines, Tang Yan had used the ending of Li Bai's "Ballad of the Swordsman." Then he tipped back his head and drained his wine.

Across the shores of Bright Moon Lake, nothing could be heard but the crowd's heavy breathing.

Old Master Tang's eyes were red as he looked at his grandson, his heart brimming with pride.

Now that is a true son of the Tang Family!

Tang Yan had delivered several hundred words in a sweeping torrent, every line blazing with passion, instantly setting the crowd's blood alight. To write of killing with such heroic fervor was a realm Liu Zhi and the others could probably never hope to reach in their lifetimes.

Liu Hailian and Liu Zhi seethed with frustration. They wanted to compose poems to refute him and strike back, but though their mouths hung open for a long while, not a single word emerged.

"Why so quiet? Have you finally realized that my Tang Family can, and your Liu Family can't?" Tang Yan asked with a grin.

"Hmph. Enjoy your clever tongue. Next time I cripple your Dantian, we'll see who can repair it for you." After delivering that quiet threat, Liu Zhi walked off the stage without looking back.

Watching Liu Zhi leave, everyone sighed inwardly. Tang Yan's composition was simply too commanding. Not one person present-not even the old scholars who had devoted most of their lives to poetry and books-felt capable of reaching even half its level.

With someone taking the lead, the other three stopped holding out as well. They shot Tang Yan resentful looks, then all lowered their heads and walked off the stage.

The gifted scholars who had long enjoyed great renown in Cloud City had actually been forced to concede by the city's foremost wastrel.

Such an outcome had taken everyone by surprise.

Now, apart from the Tang Family's camp, whose faces were wreathed in smiles, most of the others looked decidedly unhappy.

The Literary Contest's championship fell to Tang Yan without dispute.

What Tang Yan had not expected was that the Literary Contest champion would also receive a prize. The rewards made him beam: besides honors and some silver, there was actually a Third-Grade Beast Core.

Although he did not know why the Literary Contest offered such lavish rewards, the Third-Grade Beast Core was genuinely useful to him. His effort onstage had not been wasted.

In the Liu Family's seating area, Old Master Liu's face was as still as deep water, showing neither sorrow nor joy. No one could tell whether he was pleased or upset.

Yet the hearts of the Liu Family members tightened. Whenever Old Master Liu wore that expression, his mood had surely sunk to its lowest point.

"No matter what, get that brat Tang Yan into the martial competition. Once he goes up, whoever fights him must show no mercy. Best if they can cripple him. If they accidentally kill him, that is no matter either!" Liu Wuhui instructed in a low voice.

"Yes. I'll arrange it right away." Liu He, the head of the family, looked equally grim. He gathered all the capable members of the Liu Family's younger generation and quietly gave them instructions.

Old Master Tang was an old fox who had been watching the various families' reactions all along. Seeing Liu He's movements, he thought for a moment, then felt a jolt of alarm. He hurriedly called Tang Yan over. "Yan'er, try not to enter the martial competition. If you truly have no choice, you must not face Liu Zhi. I don't think the Liu Family has good intentions."

Tang Yan glanced toward the Liu Family's seats and reassured him with a smile. "I know what I'm doing. Don't worry, Grandfather."

Seeing his grandson so certain, Old Master Tang relaxed a little. Though the boy had once been unreliable, the maturity and steadiness he had shown lately had spared him much worry.

While everyone was still fervently discussing Tang Yan's "Man’s Way," the City Lord stepped onto the raised platform and announced in a ringing voice, "Everyone, the splendid Literary Contest has concluded. Next comes the martial competition of the Mid-Autumn Gathering."