Zhang Zai's face was livid, his clenched fists already cracking. He looked ready to "reason" with someone.
Quick-eyed and quick-handed, Wei Nisheng grabbed him and whispered into his ear.
"You are no Qin Gong. Throw that punch, and your future will be buried along with it."
Hearing this, Zhang Zai had no choice but to force himself to steady his breathing.
After calming Zhang Zai, Wei Nisheng walked straight to the table opposite Wang Kan.
"Brother Wang, you just said you would not debate this examination's eighteenth-place candidate."
Wei Nisheng sat down without hesitation, his eyes like lightning as they bore straight into Wang Kan's face.
"Then what place did you take?"
The corner of Wang Kan's mouth stiffened.
"Third," he spat out woodenly.
"Third," Wei Nisheng repeated.
"The third-place candidate tells the eighteenth-place candidate, 'I will not debate you,' because his ranking is too low to make him worthy of debate."
"Then allow me to venture one more question, Brother Wang."
"You placed third. What gives you the right to pass judgment on me?"
At those words, the entire second floor fell even quieter than before.
Wang Kan's face went from flushed red to livid.
He had just used those words to silence Zhang Zai, and now Wei Nisheng had silenced him with the very same words.
If he said them again, wouldn't he...
Become a monkey in a street show, slapping his own face?
Meanwhile, Xie Lin's teacup hung suspended in his hand, neither rising to his lips nor returning to the table.
His gaze moved between Wei Nisheng and Wang Kan, thoughtful.
Seeing that the moment was ripe, Wei Nisheng abruptly softened his tone.
The blade had left its sheath, its keen edge fully revealed.
"Of course, I mean nothing else by this.
I merely wish to