The Fall Guy

As he copied more and more poems, Xu Qi'an gradually figured out the trick to how scholars "manifest their wisdom"—answering whatever others asked was something only a fool could do.

You must whet your appetite, whet it completely.

Just like now, from number four to the patrons, from the patrons to the courtesan, from the courtesan to the maids serving at the table, everyone is watching him, waiting with bated breath.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xu Qi'an stood up and paced around the hall. After seven steps, he stopped and said slowly, "Ten years to hone a sword."

Chu Yuanzhen was taken aback. He had just said that he was nurturing his sword, Xu Qi'an immediately made this statement. There was no doubt that this poem was written for him.

Number Four was immediately moved. He had never met Xu Qi'an before, but after a few drinks and pleasantries, Xu Qi'an was willing to write a poem for him. Such friendliness and enthusiasm made him feel ashamed.

Number Three is a chivalrous and righteous scholar. Although he has some minor flaws, such as being driven by self-interest, he is generally a person worth befriending. His cousin is even more kind-hearted and generous; they are truly brothers.

At the same time, Chu Yuanzhen thought of the example of Layman Ziyang, and his heart was slightly warmed. He was also a scholar and loved poetry. When he encountered such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, there was no reason not to look forward to it.

Xu Qi'an looked around at everyone and read the second line, "The Frost Blade has not yet been tested."

"Ten years to forge a sword, its frosty edge yet to be tested." The officials present pondered this line of poetry, their faces smiling and their eyes shining.

This couplet is perfectly matched, but in terms of both charm and artistic conception, it is not as good as some of Xu Qi'an's earlier poems. However, the charm of poetry is not just about charm and artistic conception.

Ten years of honing this sword, its sharp edge yet to be tested!

In a short sentence, lofty ambitions leap off the page. Ten years of honing his skills—only someone who achieved early success like him could write something so self-assured and ambitious.

Chu Yuanzhen's eyes brightened, and he unconsciously straightened his back, leaning forward as if he were half-lying on the table, eagerly anticipating the next line.

That's so apt, so incredibly apt.

Over the years, he has traveled far and wide, broadening his horizons and cultivating his Sword Qi. This top-grade magic Law Artifact of the Human Sect has always been hidden in its sheath and has never been displayed.

It will eventually be drawn, but Chu Yuanzhen himself has never thought about what the future will bring about that would make him pull out this sword.

It wasn't until recently, when the leader of the Human Sect sent him a message by flying sword, summoning him back to fight against Li Miaozhen, a disciple of the Heavenly Sect, that Chu Yuanzhen suddenly realized that this was all for the sake of waiting for this moment.

He was filled with regret, for this sword, once drawn, would surely have been earth-shattering, and using it to kill Li Miaozhen was not what he desired.

What will be the next line of the couplet? Ten years in the making, under what circumstances will it be unsheathed?

Chu Yuanzhen thought to himself, filled with a strong desire to "learn from" this.

At this moment, Xu Qi'an shook his head and sighed, "I haven't thought of a second line yet."

"!!!"

"How could it be gone? It can't be gone! A poem can't just have the first line."

"Lord Xu, please don't be willful. We're still waiting."

"What's the second line? Think about it again, think about it again."

Inside the hall, everyone stared wide-eyed, unable to accept this fact.

Xu Qi'an shrugged, returned to his seat with his wine glass in hand, and said helplessly, "I really haven't thought of anything. How about this, I'll compose half a poem first, and I'll finish the other half for Brother Chu later, okay?"

"That's all we can do," Chu Yuanzhen said disappointedly.

The group reluctantly accepted the outcome.

The drinking games continued. Although the games were elegant, the atmosphere was a bit dull. Fuxiang suggested a finger-guessing game, which was unanimously agreed upon by everyone.

The courtesans played drinking games with the patrons, having a great time.

"How about we play pitch-pot?"

The top scholar, Chu, who had no beautiful women by his side, made a suggestion.

This banquet was specially held to welcome him and wash away the dust of his journey. He was the main character of the banquet, and he was in charge.

The rules of pitch-pot are very simple: a pot is placed in the hall, and each guest throws three arrows. Those who miss are penalized with a drink, while those who hit can order anyone in the room to drink.

After several rounds, these officials, who were not of high rank, became slightly tipsy and gradually transformed from participants in the game into spectators, and then from spectators into cheering crowds.

Only Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen were playing pitch-pot, and they hit the target every time. The two seemed to be sulking, neither willing to admit defeat.

The courtesans cheered and waved flags around the room. Whenever either Xu Qi'an or Chu Yuanzhen hit the target, they would shout with excitement, their faces flushed.

Such a brilliant pitching game is very rare.

At first, the courtesans treated each other fairly, without favoring either side. Gradually, the twelve courtesans split into two camps: one supporting Chu Yuanzhen, and the other being fans of Xu Qi'an. All of them were women Xu Qi'an had slept with, including Fuxiang, Ming Yan, and Xiao Ya.

"Playing like this won't determine a winner, so I suggest we blindfold ourselves," Xu Qi'an said.

Chu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Even if we're blindfolded, every shot will hit its mark. My suggestion is that each person throw twenty arrows, and whoever runs out first wins."

They're so clever!

The drinkers and courtesans' eyes lit up, and they all expressed their agreement.

Fuxiang ordered her maid to bring a silk scarf to blindfold the two of them. Xu Qi'an noticed that the scarf was hazy and translucent, and he could vaguely see the outline of the barnacles.

He silently turned around, his back to the field.

Chu Yuanzhen was taken aback, then shook his head with a smile and turned his back as well.

The atmosphere on the field became even more lively. Not only were they masked, but they also turned around, a game they had never seen before.

"How can we play this?" Mingyan said sweetly, "Who can make the shot!"

Another courtesan giggled, "Whichever of you two wins, Mingyan will serve them tonight."

Mingyan blushed and spat, then secretly glanced at Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an, ever the habitual joker, laughed loudly while blindfolded, "No, no, the first prize is too small, I want all of you!"

The courtesans weren't intimidated at all, responding with smiles. "Lord Xu will probably have to lean against the wall to go to the yamen tomorrow."

Laughter erupted with a "boom," and the girls chattered away.

"Number Three politely declined my suggestion. He seems like a respectable person who never goes to the Imperial Academy of Music, but his elder brother is quite the opposite."

Chu Yuanzhen thought to himself, "This Xu Qi'an is indeed a romantic man. He's thriving in the Imperial Academy of Music and is more uninhibited than any scholar."

For the literati of that time, the Imperial Academy of Music and brothels were more of a place for socializing, drinking and socializing with colleagues and classmates. Restaurants were places for commoners, while those with real status would choose the Imperial Academy of Music first.

Having a talented courtesan as the official in charge, and pretty and obedient maids serving wine—that's real prestige.

But the scholar-officials, concerned about their reputation, wouldn't be too unrestrained; Xu Qi'an, however, was different.

"To die beneath the peony blossoms is to be a romantic ghost!" Xu Qi'an, his arm around Fuxiang's slender waist.

The unexpected brilliant remark drew silent admiration from everyone present; how could this person possess such terrifying talent, spouting beautiful phrases and verses so readily?

If this person were to study, he would surely become a great Confucian scholar.

Xu Pingzhi is a despicable person.

Thump!

An arrow struck the barnacle precisely, interrupting everyone's scattered thoughts and bringing their attention back to their own.

After throwing out one shot, Xu Qi'an laughed and said, "Brother Chu, let's begin."

"Alright!" Chu Yuanzhen replied calmly.

As he spoke, he casually tossed an arrow behind him, which hit its mark precisely.

"Wow"

Mingyan exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening.

Knock knock knock.

Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen each had an arrow, and every shot hit its mark. Each time a shot hit, the courtesans would gasp in amazement, feeling as if their eyes had been opened.

Pitch-pot is just a simple game, but the two of them made it into something special.

One after another, when Xu Qi'an finished throwing the tenth ball, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown thirteen balls, leaving him with only seven balls in his hand.

When Xu Qi'an had five guns left, Chu Yuanzhen only had two.

It seems the outcome is already decided.

Fuxiang and Ming Yan, the courtesans who supported Xu Qi'an, looked gloomy, unable to hide their disappointment.

Meanwhile, the courtesans who supported Chu Yuanzhen applauded in advance, offering their applause to this top scholar of the twenty-seventh year of the Yuanjing era.

The officials observing from the sidelines seemed to have anticipated this outcome, and their smiles were the least pronounced.

Chu Yuanzhen was a legendary figure. When he was still a student, he stood out from his classmates with his outstanding talent and appearance. Later, he abandoned literature to pursue Daoism. No one thought highly of him, and one of his closest friends was so angry that he severed ties with him.

But who would have thought that in just a few years, he would soar to great heights, challenge Zhang Kaitai of Jinluo, and though he lost, he was still honored, and was praised by Wei Yuan as the number one swordsman in the capital.

In their eyes, such a peerless genius was naturally far more outstanding than Xu Qi'an, who was only good at investigating cases.

At this moment, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown the penultimate arrow, which accurately landed in the pot.

Fuxiang pursed her lips, turned her gaze away from the barnacle, glanced at Xu Qi'an, and was surprised to find that the corners of the man's mouth were slightly raised. She was very familiar with this expression; Xu Qi'an would always slightly raise the corners of his mouth when he was in a good mood.

Is he confident?!

The thought had barely formed when Fuxiang witnessed an absurd scene: Xu Qi'an simultaneously hurled five arrows into the air, where they traced a neat arc and landed perfectly in the pot.

Five arrows, only one sound: thud!

The hall fell silent instantly, and pairs of eyes stared wide-eyed.

Is this even allowed?

"Ah!" Mingyan exclaimed excitedly, throwing herself into Xu Qi'an's arms. "Lord Xu, I love you to death!"

Fuxiang frowned repeatedly.

"Incredible skill!" exclaimed an imperial censor.

"I never knew pitch-pot could be played like this! It's quite an eye-opener," another official chimed in with a smile.

The courtesans' gazes towards Xu Qi'an were immediately filled with admiration.

Chu Yuanzhen took off the silk scarf, smiled, and said, "Impressive, impressive."

The tea party lasted until early Hai Shi (9 PM) before ending. The courtesans yawned repeatedly, rose to take their leave, their skirts fluttering and their figures graceful.

Despite being somewhat tired, the beauties were still enjoying themselves, finding the banquet with Xu Qi'an and the capital's top swordsman incredibly interesting. It was a pity that they couldn't encounter such distinguished guests every day.

Mingyan secretly wrote words in Xu Qi'an's palm, trying to lure him to her Qingchi Courtyard, but was met with a few sarcastic remarks from Fuxiang and then chased away.

Chu Yuanzhen did not stay overnight at the Imperial Academy of Music and took his leave. Xu Qi'an personally escorted him out of the hospital.

Number Four is too indifferent and unrestrained, and has the integrity of a scholar. I can't find any opportunity to make him socially dead. Xu Qi'an looked at the back of the swordsman in green robes and felt very regretful.

However, scholars have their weaknesses, such as with poetry.

He kept the second line hidden for now, waiting for the right opportunity to reveal it.

Leaving the maid to clean up the mess, Fuxiang took Xu Qi'an's arm and went into the bedroom. Xu Qi'an sat at the table drinking tea, and his ears twitched as he heard Zhong Li's telepathic message.

He turned his head and glanced at the screen. In the candlelight, her graceful shadow was cast on the screen as she took off her clothes one by one and changed into a light gauze dress.

While taking a bath, Xu Qi'an suddenly said:

I'll redeem you from your servitude in a few days.

Fuxiang paused for a moment, a complex look flashing across her bright eyes before quickly settling into a light laugh. "Master Xu has just become a viscount; taking a concubine now would damage your reputation."

"That works too." Xu Qi'an said with a smile, his arm around her smooth waist.

After taking a shower, he and Fuxiang rolled around on the bed, their lovemaking intense, when suddenly they heard a "click," followed by a feeling of weightlessness.

The bed collapsed.

Fuxiang cried out in surprise and clung to Xu Qi'an, her long, white, python-like legs tightly wrapped around his waist, startling him.

Zhong Li, I'm going to ask the supervisor for a refund!

Xu Qi'an was furious.

Once outside the Shadow Plum Pavilion, Chu Yuanzhen flicked his sword finger, and the longsword on his back seemed to come alive, breaking free of its restraints like a swimming fish and stopping in front of him.

Chu Yuanzhen stepped onto the sword sheath and said softly, "Let's go."

The longsword paused slightly, then suddenly pierced the night sky and soared upwards.

The moment he soared into the night sky, Chu Yuanzhen felt countless gazes fixed on him from all over the capital, before looking away. The gaze that sent chills down his spine the most came from the towering Star-Gazing Tower.

He quickly left the inner city and flew south towards the outer city.

If he remembered correctly, Hengyuan No. 6 was at the Health Center. He lowered his altitude and searched for a long time before finally finding the Health Center in the south of the city.

Chu Yuanzhen was not a native of the capital. He studied at the Imperial Academy, passed the imperial examination, and lived in the inner city. He had never been to the outer city where the poor gathered.

He pressed down on the tip of the sword and landed lightly in the courtyard of the health center. As he leaped off the scabbard, he heard the sound of Buddhist chanting coming from under the eaves:

"Amitabha."

Chu Yuanzhen gripped the sword hilt, sheathed the sword in the scabbard on his back, and looked in the direction of the sound. In the darkness under the eaves stood a monk dressed in a simple blue robe. He was tall and strong, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and a hard-lined face.

"Master Hengyuan?" Chu Yuanzhen greeted him with a smile.

"It is indeed this humble monk. Are you number four, benefactor?" Hengyuan clasped his hands together and quietly examined him.

The two, meeting for the first time, did not appear calm. They were neither intimate nor distant. Hengyuan led Chu Yuanzhen into the house, lit an oil lamp, and then took out a jar of wine from under the bed. He also took out two porcelain bowls and simply wiped off the dust with his sleeve.

Chu Yuanzhen never refused alcohol, and he always drank it down in one gulp. He was just a little curious. "Can Buddhist School disciples drink alcohol?"

Hengyuan calmly replied, "Martial monks are not averse to either meat or vegetables."

There's a subtext to this statement: monks don't need to observe precepts.

I saw Number Three today.

Chu Yuanzhen regretted not bringing peanuts; with wine but no food, he felt something was missing.

Hengyuan nodded.

"Number Three pretended not to recognize me. With his intelligence, I'm sure he recognized me right away, but I don't know why he pretended not to."

Chu Yuanzhen shook his head helplessly and said, "Eighth-grade Self-Cultivation Realm, your cultivation is a bit too shallow."

However, he knew the secret of Number Three. Number Three was related to the Pure Qi Soaring to the Sky of the Sub-Saint Temple. One cannot simply look at the surface when dealing with Number Three.

Master Hengyuan took a sip of wine and pondered, "Compared to Number Three, I feel more at ease with Lord Xu. You may not know this, but he didn't die in Yunzhou."

After Number Six finished explaining Xu Qi'an's resurrection, Chu Yuanzhen nodded. "The Rebirth Pill is good, but it has too many limitations. He survived because of his own luck."

"I just met Xu Qi'an at the Imperial Academy of Music. I had a good impression of him. I suppose it's because I've heard you discuss him so many times in the fragments of the Earth Book that I don't feel unfamiliar with him."

After a pause, Number Four smiled and said, "I haven't spent much time with Number Three, but Xu Qi'an is definitely to my liking."

After finishing the turbid wine in the jar, Chu Yuanzhen suggested going to see the child. After seeing him, he looked quite depressed.

"Although I don't like Buddhist School, they have a very good point: the world is like a sea of suffering, and all living beings struggle in it," Chu Yuanzhen said with emotion.

Master Hengyuan glanced at him.

Chu Yuanzhen quickly replied, "No offense intended."

Hengyuan then withdrew his gaze.

"The second round of the imperial examination is in three days. Let's go see Number Three together," Hengyuan said. "Number Three doesn't want to reveal his identity to us. He said that if we meet, a smile is enough."

"I see." Chu Yuanzhen suddenly realized.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

As dawn broke, Xu Erlang, accompanied by his family, arrived at the examination hall.

"The Confucian School Nine Ranks are based on the ability to remember everything they see. This exam tests the meaning of the classics, so Erlang should have no pressure," Xu Qi'an encouraged him, patting his shoulder.

Second Uncle Xu and his aunt smiled.

According to Erlang himself, he performed very well in the first day's policy questions, as he was good at policy questions, and he also had no major problems with the second session on classical texts.

In the eyes of his second uncle and aunt, Erlang's becoming a tribute student was a sure thing.

Xu Xinnian raised his chin slightly and said arrogantly, "There are many talented students in the world, so we cannot be careless. There may be people even stronger than me."

Xu Qi'an might also think to himself, "You're really good at showing off."

After bidding farewell to his family, he headed towards the entrance of the examination hall, intending to queue for entry. Just then, a loud voice rang in his ears. "Amitabha."

Xu Xinnian turned his head and saw two people standing on the side of the street: a burly monk and a swordsman in a blue robe carrying a sword.

Upon seeing him look over, both the monk and the swordsman revealed enigmatic smiles.

Xu Xinnian's face froze. He lowered his head and hurried back to his father and elder brother, feeling a sense of security.

"Father, elder brother, I suspect someone is plotting against me," Xu Xinnian said in a deep voice.

Upon hearing this, Xu Pingzhi's eyebrows immediately rose, his gaze sharp as lightning. "Who?"

He was a member of the Imperial Saber Guard patrolling the city and knew that a large number of martial arts heroes had recently flooded into the capital, posing a significant threat to public order.

The most obvious change is that there are more thieves now. Those lowlifes who have spent all their money in the capital and have no other way to make a living, their first choice is to steal and rob.

"A monk and a swordsman." Xu Xinnian turned around and pointed to a certain spot behind him.

Xu Qi'an looked around for a moment and said, "Where is anyone?"

"???"

Xu Xinnian's face showed horror. "It was just there."

"Alright, you say you're not under any pressure? I think you're hallucinating." Xu Qi'an patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said:

"Erlang, you must not pay any attention to those unfamiliar people who are behaving strangely."

As he spoke, he reached out and gently lifted Xu Xinnian from behind.

Xu Erlang looked behind him, puzzled, and asked, "What does this mean, brother?"

"It's alright, I'll help you carry the pot."

P. S.: I finished cleaning today, and I'm soaked in sweat. I felt dizzy and almost passed out, so I quickly turned on the air conditioner to save my life. Air conditioning really is my lifesaver. It's so damn hot!