manynovel Page 307
Page 307
After everyone returned to their rooms to pack their luggage, Xu Changqing went to the innkeeper to inquire about Liu Jinyuan's identity. He was relieved to learn that Liu Jinyuan was indeed the top scholar in the imperial examination.
"That's strange. My junior brother was with us yesterday, and none of us saw Young Master Liu. How did he see him?"
"Could it be another magic weapon given by the sect leader?"
"Just how many magical treasures does my junior brother possess?"
Xu Changqing had always treated Chu Yang like a brother, and at this moment he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. He also wanted to receive such favor.
While the others were packing up their things, Chu Yang chatted with Liu Jinyuan in the lobby.
As the top scholar in the imperial examination, Liu Jinyuan had a wealth of knowledge. He didn't expect Chu Yang to be just as knowledgeable. No matter what he said, the other party could always find something to talk about.
Although brief, it is thought-provoking, as if it were a summary of countless experiences.
Gradually, their conversations became increasingly eclectic, ranging from astronomy and geography to governance policies and poetry.
The conversation between the two gradually evolved from simple chat to a discussion of mutual advice, and Liu Jinyuan's admiration grew stronger.
After Li Xiaoyao and the others came down, the group left the inn and headed to Lin Family Fort.
On the way, Liu Jinyuan continued to ask Chu Yang for advice, and his attitude became more and more respectful, just like a student meeting a teacher.
Li Xiaoyao was curious about what they were talking about, so he sneakily approached them. After a while, he retreated, his face full of confusion.
Zhao Ling'er asked curiously, "What are Master Chu and Young Master Liu talking about?"
Li Xiaoyao shook his head, "I recognize all the words they say, but I don't understand what they mean when they're put together..."
Zhao Ling'er burst into laughter.
Xu Changqing explained with a smile, "Because my junior brother has limited talent in cultivation, he has read many miscellaneous books in the Scripture Pavilion since he was a child. There is no one on Mount Shu who can talk to him. Today, he met Young Master Liu and they hit it off immediately."
No sooner had he finished speaking than Liu Jinyuan, who was in front of him, suddenly knelt down and said loudly, "Master, please accept my bow. I hope you will accept my bow."
Xu Changqing's smile vanished abruptly.
Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao were dumbfounded.
"Is this what they call... instant connection?"
It wasn't until Liu Jinyuan knelt down that Chu Yang realized he had said a bit too much.
He was just chatting casually at first, never thinking about how his knowledge would impact Liu Jinyuan, an ancient person.
The problem is that Liu Jinyuan knows too much and has too strong an ability to learn.
Communicating with him feels like talking to someone from ancient times.
This led Chu Yang to have a misconception.
"Please rise, Young Master Liu. I was just talking nonsense, please don't take it to heart!"
Chu Yang reached out and pulled Liu Jinyuan up from the ground.
“What you say, sir, are all wise words that will benefit the country and its people. How could they be nonsense?!”
"Please sir, teach me!"
Liu Jinyuan's eyes were as determined as if he wanted to join the Party.
"Young Master Liu, please don't joke. My junior brother is a mountain dweller. Our sect has rules, and we don't concern ourselves with the affairs of the dynasty or the secular world."
Xu Changqing stepped forward and said with a smile.
Liu Jinyuan carefully observed Chu Yang and Xu Changqing's attire and suddenly realized that they were monks. He immediately beat his chest in regret, his feelings overflowing.
After hesitating for a long time, Liu Jinyuan asked, "Can't I return to secular life?"
Xu Changqing's lips twitched, and he looked at him with an unfriendly expression, as if he wanted to punch him.
Li Xiaoyao rolled his eyes. "Are you crazy?! My brother Chu is going to cultivate immortality and become a god. Who's going to go with you to become an official? That would be stupid!"
Liu Jinyuan closed his eyes in anguish; nothing in life could be more painful than this.
What a talented person! If he could serve as an official and bring benefits to the people, it would be a blessing for all the people of the world.
Zhao Ling'er was impressed but didn't understand. However, from Liu Jinyuan's reaction, she could sense that Chu Yang had talent that was no less than that of the top scholar.
With the apprenticeship controversy over, Liu Jinyuan had no choice but to suppress his regrets and continue leading the group forward.
A moment later, they saw the arena where the martial arts contest to choose a husband would take place.
The willful girl in red from yesterday has now transformed into a female knight-errant dressed in a smart outfit.
He exuded heroic spirit.
Even the girls passing by couldn't help but swoon over him.
It's so beautiful that it appeals to both men and women.
The martial arts contest to find a husband has been going on for a while now, and several of the challengers who have gone up on stage have already been knocked away.
They were all sent away immediately after just one meeting.
It is conceivable that Lin Yueru's kung fu skills were not bad, at least in the Suzhou area, they were above average.
Liu Jinyuan said with a smile, "My cousin's kung fu is all family-inherited. Ordinary people can't even get close to her. I'm afraid Uncle will have to return empty-handed again this time."
Li Xiaoyao replied, "It's just average. I beat her with only one move yesterday."
Zhao Ling'er quickly covered Li Xiaoyao's mouth.
Unfortunately it was too late.
Lin Yueru, who was in the arena, had already turned her gaze to Li Xiaoyao, and her expression suddenly changed. "You little thief, you actually dared to come!"
"You took advantage of me yesterday because I didn't have a proper weapon and won by luck. If you're so capable, let's have another match today!"
Li Xiaoyao, young and impetuous, couldn't resist being provoked and drew his sword, ready to jump onto the arena.
As a result, Chu Yang slammed him to the ground.
"That's a martial arts contest to choose a husband. If you win, you get to marry him. You think you can have two wives at once?"
Chu Yang slapped him on the back of the head, causing Li Xiaoyao to run away with his head in his hands, tears welling up in his eyes from the pain.
Li Xiaoyao said aggrievedly, "She called me a petty thief!"
His parents, Li Sansi and his wife, were renowned chivalrous thieves, so they were very sensitive to the word "thief."
Zhao Ling'er tenderly stroked Li Xiaoyao's head, gently comforting him.
Ignoring all that, Lin Yueru continued her taunts: "Little thief, too scared to come up? You've backed down now that you see I have a weapon?"
Li Xiaoyao glared at her fiercely, then turned his head away as if he hadn't heard her, while Zhao Ling'er kept comforting him from the side.
Xu Changqing clasped his hands in a fist salute towards Lin Yueru on the arena and said, "Miss Lin, please forgive me for my offense yesterday in the suburbs. I have come here today to reconcile with you."
Lin Yueru said coldly, "Who wants to make peace with you bunch of thieves? If you don't dare to go on stage, then get out of here!"
Xu Changqing looked helplessly at Liu Jinyuan.
"Everyone, please calm down. I'll go up and explain to my cousin." Liu Jinyuan tiptoed up the stage, a scene that not only made the audience laugh but also made Lin Yueru frown.
Lin Tiannan, who was watching the fight from a short distance away, was even more ashen-faced. The martial arts contest to find a husband had been turned into a joke.
Where does this leave him as the leader of the martial arts alliance?
Moreover, as a martial artist, Lin Tiannan had always looked down on Liu Jinyuan. He knew that Liu Jinyuan liked Lin Yueru, but he had no intention of helping them get together.
"Cousin, what are you doing? Get down here right now! This is a martial arts contest to choose a husband!"
The onlookers around them made Lin Yueru anxious, and she kept urging Liu Jinyuan to step down from the stage.
“Cousin, I’m here to explain to you that Mr. Chu and the others are not bad people. You may have misunderstood something…”
Liu Jinyuan finally climbed up, panting heavily.
"I don't know any Mr. Chu. I only know that they are thieves who bully unarmed people."
Lin Yueru glared angrily at Liu Jinyuan.
Liu Jinyuan was taken aback for a moment, "It must be my cousin who bullied someone who was unarmed..."
Enraged, Lin Yueru drew her sword and stabbed at Liu Jinyuan.
She didn't mean to hurt him; she just wanted to get this bookworm off the stage.
But to everyone's surprise, Liu Jinyuan neither dodged nor avoided, but closed his eyes and waited for Lin Yueru's sword to pierce him.
"Bookworm, get out of the way!"
Lin Yueru's sword thrust was very fast, and by the time she came to her senses, it was too late to retract her sword.
Lin Tiannan suddenly stood up, ready to save Liu Jinyuan.
He was dissatisfied, but after all, the other party was his nephew, and the newly appointed top scholar.
If something goes wrong, Linjiabao will be burdened with immense infamy.
In the blink of an eye, a figure appeared on the arena even faster than Lin Tiannan, blocking Liu Jinyuan's path. With a flick of his finger, he knocked the longsword out of Lin Yueru's hand.
Liu Jinyuan opened his eyes and exclaimed in surprise, "Sir?!"
Chu Yang shook his head helplessly. "Simps never get a good death. I'll save you this once because you're a decent person."
Liu Jinyuan immediately bowed and said, "Student thanks you for saving my life, sir."