A Challenge!

At Lin Fengshuo's words, almost everyone in the West Wing courtyard froze once again.

Even Gu Zhiyan's eyes flickered with surprise.

Lin Fengshuo was clearly asking whether Jiang Xiaobai had come to wash away his reputation as a wastrel, or to contend for something greater.

Or perhaps he had some other purpose.

After all, the doors of the world encompassed far too much.

Power, reputation, status...

If Jiang Xiaobai's answer failed to satisfy Lin Fengshuo, his attempt to become a disciple would end right here!

For a moment, quite a few of the students present sank into thought.

Yes, they were also considering how they would answer if the question were put to them.

If they sought the doors of the world, Lin Fengshuo's door would close!

For the people Lin Fengshuo despised most were those who pursued fame and fortune.

But if they claimed to have come solely for Lin Fengshuo's door, they would seem utterly insincere, and devoid of ambition.

In that case, becoming his disciple or not would hold little meaning.

Even Xiao Qingxiu pondered it, his brows knitting!

As expected of a venerable scholar. That question was truly thorny.

But... the thornier, the better. That way, Jiang Xiaobai would not clear this hurdle so easily.

Li Zhiwei, on the other hand, did not dwell on it. She merely watched Jiang Xiaobai, her eyes filled with both nervousness and curiosity.

She was curious how Jiang Xiaobai would answer.

While everyone wore different expressions, Jiang Xiaobai smiled again. "Then I must ask whether your door, Elder Lin, can stand for all the doors of the world!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Lin Fengshuo asked, "And what if it cannot? What if it can?"

"Heh, if it cannot, then I will enter your door, Elder Lin, and I will also go and see the doors of the world!"

Jiang Xiaobai paused before continuing, "If it can, then I... would be even more eager to step inside and have a look!"

Here, Jiang Xiaobai paused again and looked Lin Fengshuo straight in the eye. "To see whether your door is forged from walls of bronze, Elder Lin, or whether... you intend to bar the whole world with nothing but your mouth!"

Hm?

As Jiang Xiaobai's final words rang out, almost everyone in the courtyard raised their heads at once.

Gu Zhiyan nearly pulled out several strands of the beard he was holding.

For Jiang Xiaobai had plainly turned the question back on Lin Fengshuo himself!

It had to be said, Jiang Xiaobai had some nerve!

Others seeking to enter a master's door would usually approach with their heads bowed!

But Jiang Xiaobai? He stood outside and tried to tear down the door, walls and all!

He was truly one of a kind!

Yet there was no denying that Jiang Xiaobai's answer was excellent, its two parts reinforcing each other.

Accept him, and all was well. But if you shut him out, then you... were barring men of ambition with nothing but your mouth!

Li Zhiwei also stared blankly at Jiang Xiaobai. She truly had not expected him to answer like this.

Or to have the courage to give such an answer!

Xiao Qingxiu narrowed his eyes, studying Jiang Xiaobai closely, trying to discern something.

After hearing those words, Lin Fengshuo remained silent for a long time. Leaning on his long staff, he simply watched Jiang Xiaobai.

Neither joy nor anger showed on his aged, habitually stern face.

And precisely because of that, the atmosphere throughout the West Wing grew increasingly oppressive.

No one knew whether Lin Fengshuo admired him, was angered, or was reassessing this outrageously bold young man.

A long while passed.

Only after a long while did a faint ripple finally stir in Lin Fengshuo's eyes, as deep as an ancient well.

"Good."

Lin Fengshuo's answer was still just one word.

But this time, that word brought unusual expressions to quite a few faces.

Everyone could hear that this "good" praised nothing else-it praised the person!

Then Lin Fengshuo spoke again, looking at Jiang Xiaobai. "However, my door is merely an old door. It cannot bar the people of the world, nor can it bear the weight of all the world's doors."

"You need not think too highly of it. And of course... do not think too little of yourself!"

As he spoke, Lin Fengshuo smiled. "In short, if you enter this door, just make sure you do not regret it!"

"Heh, you jest, Teacher!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled. "As the saying goes, an old door has its own old character. It does not block those who come, nor bar those who leave."

"And most importantly, an old door stays close to the earth, so... this disciple likes it very much!"

With that, Jiang Xiaobai solemnly knelt before Lin Fengshuo.

Seeing this, Lin Fengshuo's face broke into a smile for the first time, his gaze full of approval as he looked at Jiang Xiaobai.

He, too, had heard of Jiang Xiaobai's reputation.

A wastrel, dissolute, ignorant and unskilled. Yet today's performance had made him see Jiang Xiaobai anew.

Though he did not know why Jiang Xiaobai had hidden his abilities before, or why he was now displaying his sharp edge so openly.

His courage alone was enough for Lin Fengshuo to accept this student!

Meanwhile, Zhang Xinnian, who had been following Jiang Xiaobai all along, was first shocked. Then admiration appeared on his face as he looked toward Jiang Xiaobai.

Their heir truly had changed.

Through his own efforts, he had actually persuaded this venerable scholar, who had closed his doors to new disciples, to accept him.

Who else could accomplish such a feat?

His heir could!

For a moment, his heart swelled with pride.

While he was brimming with excitement, Lin Fengshuo reached out and helped Jiang Xiaobai up. "There are certain rules you must follow upon entering my door!"

"Let Wei'er explain the details to you!"

"Yes!"

Smiling, Jiang Xiaobai turned his gaze toward Li Zhiwei. "Then... sorry for the trouble, Senior Sister Wei'er!"

Li Zhiwei gave a soft acknowledgment.

"Heh, congratulations, Elder Lin, on gaining another gifted disciple!"

Gu Zhiyan addressed Lin Fengshuo, envy showing on his face.

After witnessing this exchange, his appreciation for Jiang Xiaobai had only grown.

Had Jiang Xiaobai not come specifically for Lin Fengshuo, he would absolutely have snatched this student up!

Courageous, knowledgeable, and possessed of such outstanding literary talent-with proper guidance, his future achievements would certainly be considerable!

After Gu Zhiyan spoke, the other three elders offered their congratulations as well.

Only Xiao Qingxiu's expression was somewhat dark. Finally, he looked at Lin Fengshuo and said, "Elder Lin, I still have some matters to attend to. I shall take my leave!"

With that, Xiao Qingxiu swept a glance over Jiang Xiaobai and departed.

Watching Xiao Qingxiu's retreating figure, Jiang Xiaobai frowned. The guard who had been following him leaned closer. "My lord, you must be careful around that young prince!"

Whatever else might be said, his heir had certainly humiliated the young prince more than once today.

If the young prince found an opportunity, he would surely retaliate.

They had no choice but to be cautious.

"Yes, I know!"

Jiang Xiaobai acknowledged him.

Afterward, under Lin Fengshuo's lead, they began discussing Jiang Xiaobai's four poems once more.

Listening left Jiang Xiaobai rather embarrassed. Eventually, he glanced toward Li Zhiwei and moved closer.

Li Zhiwei noticed Jiang Xiaobai, but turned her head away rather than approach him.

"Senior Sister!"

Upon reaching Li Zhiwei's side, Jiang Xiaobai smiled. "Shall we go somewhere else to talk?"

"I... I'm not going!"

Li Zhiwei shook her head, her delicate hands clutching her dress, clearly betraying her nervousness.

"Teacher told you to explain the rules to me!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked perfectly earnest. "It's not as though we'll discuss anything else!"

"Of course, even if we do, at most... we'll only discuss our marriage!"