Chapter 116  : Chapter 116   Disgrace to Scholarliness

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“Greetings to Elder Ji!”

In the crowd, Sun Yushi, with a straight face, shouted loudly, and bowed deeply as befits a disciple. He was flawless!

Upon seeing this, Bian Liang quickly imitated, “Greetings to Elder Ji!” “Greetings to Elder Ji!”

In a blink, the resounding greeting echoed everywhere. Everyone was shouting at the top of their lungs, fearful that Ji Shulin might not hear them.

Compared to them, a little girl in the crowd holding a piece of drawing paper seemed somewhat flustered. Hastily, she put down her drawing paper and, like the other practitioners around her, paid homage to Ji Shulin.

Yang Zhen looked on in surprise, recognizing the sweetly-smiling little girl as Tian Rou.

Tian Rou, with a sheepish look on her face, wanted to lower her raised hands yet glanced anxiously at the drawing paper beside her, not daring to do so.

With everyone around paying homage to Elder Ji, how could she, a little girl, make such an outrageous gesture. She was visibly uncomfortable, her small face filled with conflict and awkwardness.

Yang Zhen, amused, took a quick glance at the scroll. Instantly his expression changed to one of surprise and rising interest.

On the scroll, an artistic aura shimmered faintly. It seemed a bit weak and incomplete, as if it wasn’t finished yet.

After landing, Ji Shulin nodded and said, “Today, I will preside over the literary event. Feel free to express yourselves. Those who have insights may get the chance to enter Sea Tower, and even join me in Turtle Serpent Island.”

Upon hearing these words, everyone expressed their assent eagerly and joyously.

Ji Shulin turned his gaze towards Sun Yushi and Bian Liang. He gave them an approving nod, then walked to the entrance of the Sea Tower and seated himself in a high chair.

A hint of smug satisfaction crossed Sun Yushi’s face as he walked up to Bian Liang, and addressing everyone, announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, modest Sun here is willing to lead by example. Who among us all dares to challenge me today?”

The crowd was stunned and shook their heads unanimously.

Sun Yushi was renowned for his talents, especially in painting. Lauded highly even by the Empress of Water Spirit Country, who would dare challenge him and invite discomfort?

Although it was a literary meeting, everyone present knew that the title of the most outstanding scholar would probably be between Sun Yushi and Bian Liang. No one wanted to lose face in front of Elder Ji. So, they just sat silently in their seats, immersed in their thoughts about their works.

Bian Liang, as a proud disciple of the Sword and Book Sect, also blessed with remarkable talent, was not about to let Sun Yushi steal the limelight. He chuckled lightly and proposed, “Brother Sun has always been known for his profound accomplishments in calligraphy and painting. How about we have a competition here, judged by our fellow practitioners and finalized by Elder Ji?” Upon hearing this, everyone halted their activities, their faces filled with excitement as they looked towards Bian Liang and Sun Yushi.

The rivalry between the two was inevitable, and the impending duel was a certainty.

Sun Yushi laughed heartily and declared, “I intend exactly so!”

Having said that, Sun Yushi turned towards Ji Shulin and respectfully said,

“Please grant me the opportunity, Elder Ji.”

Ji Shulin nodded, stood up from his high seat, and remarked, “Since ancient times, there has never been a rank in literature, nor a second place in martial arts. Since you two are willing to compete, I will serve as the judge.”

Exchanging smiles, both Bian Liang and Sun Yushi took action almost simultaneously.

They held their wolf’s hair brushes, which glowed with aura, and caught each other’s surprised glances.

“They’re actually magical treasures, those… those wolf’s hair brushes in their hands, they’re all four-star magical treasures, truly extravagant!”

“This is getting interesting, we get to witness a duel between two four-star magical treasures.”

“Who do you think will win?”

“Without a contest, it’s naturally impossible to tell. But Bian Liang, known for his modest demeanor and wide-ranging talents, and Sun Yushi, who flaunts his devotion to literature, seem to be evenly matched. It would appear Bian Liang has the edge!”

The crowd was buzzing with discussions, opinions varying between Bian Liang and Sun Yushi, each one weighing in based on their own bias. For a while, the arguments were endless.

At that moment, an inappropriate voice suddenly rang out, “Come on, come on! Once you place your bet there’s no going back! The champion of our Water Spirit Country, full of literary knowledge, and the genius from the Sword and Book Sect, equally matched. In order to support the chosen ones in your hearts, I’ve decided to open up betting! Once you place your bets, there’s no backing out, even odds payout! After this village, there’s no more shop!”

Hearing this voice, everyone was stunned. Someone angrily located the source of the sound and saw Yang Zhen holding a big signboard with two baskets beside him. One was labeled ‘Sun Yushi,’ and the other had ‘Bian Liang.’ “How outrageous! This is such a grand event, and you are setting up a gambling den, truly disgraceful… wait, the odds for Bian Liang are that high?” “This is shameful! It’s a disgrace to us scholars. Hey, you, no pushing. I’m betting on Bian Liang; if he wins, I won’t have to worry about resources for my cultivation practice for the next three years.”

“Hmph, I have plenty of crystals. I’m betting on Sun Yushi!”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Even if Sun Yushi wins, you won’t earn much!”

“I’m betting on Bian Liang!”

“You guys are shameless! I bet… on Bian Liang!”

Yang Zhen chuckled as he saw the increasing pile of crystals in the baskets and couldn’t help but feel elated, squatting on the ground.

Behind him stood Hua Youyue, looking at Yang Zhen with an incredulous look on her face, torn between laughter and frustration, unsure of how to stop him. At the high seat, Ji Shulin’s brows furrowed, and with a scoff, he was about to stop this absurd behavior. But seeing the excited crowd eagerly placing their bets, his face turned green. He waved over a Sea Tower disciple who was gleefully watching the scene and softly said, “Go bet thirty thousand crystals on Sun Yushi to win for me. Remember, do not make a sound!”

Sun Yushi stared at the increasing pile of crystals in Bian Liang’s basket, which was almost piled up like a mountain, fixed Yang Zhen with a painfully hard stare, sneered repeatedly, looked up at Hua Youyue, who was watching Yang Zhen curiously, and his expression became even gloomier.

Ding!

A pile of crystals landed in front of Yang Zhen, and Bian Liang laughed, “Brother Yang Zhen, may I bet on myself to win?”

Yang Zhen chuckled and collected it, “Of course! Master Bian Liang, fifty thousand crystals on yourself to win!”

Sun Yushi walked over sullenly, throwing a pile of crystals, and said, “Sixty thousand crystals, I bet on myself to win!”

“Not accepted!”

Not… accepted?

Hearing this, everyone took a sharp intake of breath and looked at Yang Zhen in disbelief.

Bian Liang’s offer was taken, but not Sun Yushi’s?

Yang Zhen, was clearly holding a grudge and his ability to change his attitude was, truly freaking shameless.

“Wh…why?” Sun Yushi asked, his face pale with rage.

Yang Zhen put away the note recording the bets, looked up at Sun Yushi, and solemnly answered, “Because you’re too ugly.”

Everyone burst into laughter at this remark. Even Hua Youyue couldn’t help but laugh.

Bian Liang roared with laughter, patted Sun Yushi’s shoulder, and said, “Brother Sun, Brother Yang may have just spoken in haste, don’t mind him. The competition is what matters. I’ll go ahead first, see you!”

Sun Yushi sneered, glanced at Yang Zhen, and left without uttering a word. Watching Sun Yushi’s departing figure, Yang Zhen suddenly felt regret. This guy had conjured four scrolls of brilliance; he was almost certain to win against Bian Liang. But looking at his angry face, what if he didn’t perform well and lost? Then he would lose, wouldn’t he?

The next moment, Yang Zhen relaxed.

Sun Yushi looked disdainfully at Bian Liang and, standing by the argument table, a terrifying aura of scholarly skill burst forth from him.

The strong scholarly aura rolled and hung around Sun Yushi, with the momentum of a rainbow under his straight and tall body, it displayed a spirited and lively appearance.

Everyone exclaimed in disbelief as they looked at Sun Yushi. Even Ji Shulin let out a surprised exclamation and glanced at Sun Yushi in astonishment..