Chapter 180: White Hair Goes to Beijing

Evening, Qingyao Garden.

Ye Tinglan, back in his Imperial Advisor attire, stood silently with hands clasped behind his back in front of the stone tablet inscribed with "Jianzi Mulan Hua," saying nothing for a long time. As Pei Chuyun had thought when she witnessed it that day, this poem could move more than just literati.

"Is there still no news about who composed this poem?" Ye Tinglan quietly asked those beside him.

"Everyone guesses it was written by a heroic figure who has recently found great success, a 'Hundred-Foot Hero of Lingxiao' expressing their ambition through the scenery," his attendants speculated. "Some even wonder if it's Qi Tuizhi, the top-ranked newcomer; it certainly fits his spirit."

"It wouldn't be him," Ye Tinglan shook his head. "He doesn't have that kind of breadth."

"Then we can only ask the garden owner."

"Has the garden owner arrived?"

"Please wait a moment, Imperial Advisor. The garden owner holds public office and should have just finished duty."

"Oh? Someone with such an open-minded and detached spirit holding public office? Who might that be?"

"It's said to be Chief Editor Sheng's garden."

Ye Tinglan: "?"

From a distance, a young woman in official uniform with a ponytail ran over, panting, "Imperial Advisor, were you looking for me?"

Ye Tinglan turned to look at the energetic young woman and couldn't help but smile with relief. If one spoke of "Hundred-Foot Heroes of Lingxiao," these vibrant young people might all qualify. Although Sheng Yuanyao's inherited cultivation wasn't among the strongest, she was undoubtedly one of the era's elites overall.

"Indeed. Yuanyao should know what I want to ask."

"Oh, I've been bombarded with questions these past two days. Lu Xingzhou said it would be popular when he wrote it, but I never imagined it would be *this* popular!" Sheng Yuanyao said, feigning slight annoyance, though her joy practically spilled from her eyebrows. She had made a fortune these past two days! If this momentum continued, by the time the Trumpet Vines bloomed, the place would likely be packed with people. Little Lu was truly her lucky star.

Ye Tinglan: "...So this was written by Lu Xingzhou?"

"Yes. It's not that I deliberately kept it a secret; Lu Xingzhou didn't sign it himself, and I wasn't sure what he intended—whether he wanted to hide it or reveal it... Anyway, he's good in every other way, but he's just not straightforward; he always likes to keep things hidden. Since I didn't understand his intentions, I couldn't just announce it freely." Sheng Yuanyao whispered, "Imperial Advisor, please don't spread it either, or he'll say I have a big mouth."

Just as Ye Tinglan was about to speak, voices of several Imperial Academy students drifted from afar: "I can't believe 'Jianzi Mulan Hua' was written by Lu Xingzhou; he admitted it in the dining hall today."

"Why didn't he say so before, only to admit it suddenly?"

"Because Miss Pei asked him, and his attitude suggests he might be interested in Miss Pei..."

"Pah, that scoundrel!"

Over here, Sheng Yuanyao was also cursing, "Pah, that scoundrel! So he admits it the moment Pei Chuyun asks, huh? All that effort I put into keeping it a secret for him was wasted!"

Ye Tinglan looked at Sheng Yuanyao's jumping fit, a rare smile appearing in her eyes. Youth is truly wonderful.

Sheng Yuanyao said, "Imperial Advisor, Imperial Advisor, you and Madam Ye are friends, right? And Madam Ye is a lecturer at the Alchemy Academy now, right? Could you please tell Madam Ye to keep a closer eye on Lu Xingzhou, especially to keep him from getting too close to that 'stinky tea' from the Pei family? I can't intervene easily..."

Ye Tinglan chuckled, "The academy naturally doesn't encourage romantic relationships, as they can hinder studies... But it won't be easy to get Madam Ye to manage this. Madam Ye isn't Lu Xingzhou's mentor, so she doesn't have the proper authority."

Sheng Yuanyao said, "Lu will definitely choose Madam Ye, one hundred percent, don't worry."

Ye Tinglan asked curiously, "Why?"

"I've inquired, Madam Ye is the only lecturer in the Alchemy Academy who is..."

"First-rank?"

"Female."

Ye Tinglan: "..."

"Oh dear, many guests have arrived. Imperial Advisor, please amuse yourself; I'll go attend to them." Sheng Yuanyao darted off.

Ye Tinglan watched her retreating figure expressionlessly, then burst into a silent laugh. Her beautiful eyes returned to the stone tablet as she murmured to herself, "If it's him, then it makes sense. It seems this person's ambition and spirit exceed my expectations. However... 'Hundred-Foot Hero of Lingxiao' could refer to many people nowadays..."

***

A certain wine house in the city.

Outside a private room, guards stood solemn; inside, Qi Tuizhi sat opposite another young man, drinking in silence.

"Brother Qi, why the gloom?" the young man asked with a refined smile, refilling his cup.

Qi Tuizhi sighed, "Pei Chuyun showed no respect in public; she's not as approachable as I imagined. I fear it will be difficult to fulfill Prince Jin's expectations."

The young man opposite was indeed Prince Jin, Gu Yicheng. He was Gu Zhanting's eldest son, barely two months younger than his elder sister, Gu Yitang, and as the Empress's legitimate son, he was far more distinguished than Gu Yitang, who was born to a concubine. His cultivation wasn't bad either. Before the incident at Tianxing Sword Sect last year, he broke through to the lower fourth-rank at the age of twenty-two, ranking twenty-first on the Newcomer List. Soon after his breakthrough, Tianxing Sword Sect and Shen Tang had their troubles.

A twenty-two-year-old in the lower fourth-rank, ranked quite high on the Newcomer List, he would have been considered a fine hero. Unfortunately, he had an even more extraordinary sister, Gu Yitang. She was barely two months older than him and was now a third-rank cultivator. She was no longer playing on the Newcomer List; she was on the Heroes' List... they were simply not in the same league.

But as long as there was no Gu Yitang... or if Gu Yitang remained a cripple, his position as crown prince would be relatively stable. Most of his younger siblings were very young; only two, Prince Qi and Prince Chu, were adults. Prince Qi had already been stripped of his title and confined to his home, while Prince Chu was only seventeen this year, his cultivation still hovering around the upper sixth-rank, far from catching up.

Given Gu Yicheng's status, his influence naturally extended quite far. The Huo family's secret wager was on him; his shadow was behind the Fenxiang Tower incident, and he was also behind Jin Mingxiu, the former Hall Master of Jianfeng Hall at Tianxing Sword Sect. Currently, the top-ranked newcomer Qi Tuizhi and his sect, Lingtian Pavilion, also had his backing.

Unfortunately, the Pei family had not placed a bet, and in Gu Yicheng's eyes, the Pei family was more important than the Huo family. Previously, there was no avenue to approach them, but now an opportunity arose: the Pei family had unexpectedly produced a daughter. If he were to propose a marriage alliance himself, his imperial father might not agree. The Pei family was already powerful enough, and his father wouldn't want them to become even more influential through marriage, which would be troublesome. Furthermore, Gu Yicheng himself didn't think highly of a daughter born out of wedlock; even if she was from the Pei family, he couldn't possibly marry someone born to a concubine to be his princess consort. Therefore, having one of his subordinates attempt a marriage alliance was a good option, and Qi Tuizhi was quite suitable.

The top-ranked newcomer, an Imperial Academy student, truly adept in both scholarly arts and martial prowess, and with good looks. He had thought seducing a country girl, a concubine's daughter brought back from outside, would be effortless. But unexpectedly, this "country girl" was extraordinary; she could even climb to third on the Newcomer List... her vision would naturally be higher than ordinary people's.

"Pei Chuyun is the third-ranked newcomer, so her standards are bound to be a bit higher," Gu Yicheng consoled him. "But no matter what, Brother Qi, you are first. If Pei Chuyun wants a husband who can surpass her, then who else but you, Brother Qi?"

Qi Tuizhi sighed, "I don't compose poetry. This Pei family daughter seems to value that more."

"Brother Qi, you worry too much. In a world of cultivation, poetry is merely a minor art. Who would truly bring it up as a serious matter? I think Pei Chuyun is just playing coy," Gu Yicheng chuckled. "You should know that her third-place ranking on the Newcomer List has no actual battle achievements; only Sheng Yuanyao claims to have seen her fight, and others don't refute it out of respect for the Demon Suppressing Division's credibility."

Qi Tuizhi was stunned. "Your Highness's meaning..."

"My meaning is, she probably doesn't have much actual strength. The Demon Suppressing Division is simply giving face to the Pei family and forcefully boosting her. Otherwise, think about it: Pei Yu is only ranked twelfth on the Newcomer List, and her younger sister is third? If this isn't the Pei family's own doing, who would dare to rank them so arbitrarily, putting Pei Yu's face where?"

"Uh, on the surface, Pei Yu is older than Pei Chuyun, but his cultivation isn't much higher. According to the rules of the Newcomer ranking, younger people are indeed more likely to be ranked higher."

"Just an excuse for others to hear," Gu Yicheng chuckled. "Pei Chuyun simply lacks confidence in her cultivation, which is why she avoids conflict with Brother Qi in that regard and only talks about literary matters. Brother Qi, don't fall for her little trick."

Qi Tuizhi suddenly understood. "Your Highness's words have truly awakened me."

Gu Yicheng smiled, "From Brother Qi's tone, it sounds like you've really taken a liking to this Pei family girl?"

"She's truly beautiful, isn't she? No loss there." Qi Tuizhi lowered his voice. "I thought Your Highness would want her yourself..."

"Beauty alone is useless... If I were to pursue a marriage alliance, I'd be more interested in the direct descendant of Heavenly Jade Sacred Land, regardless of her appearance."

Qi Tuizhi said, "Surely her cultivation is reliable, then?"

"Not necessarily. Ye Tinglan doesn't even care about suppressing my imperial father in the first rank, so why would she care about her disciple suppressing anyone on the Newcomer List? The reason she's placed second is likely due to a lack of confidence. In my opinion, this current Newcomer List is the least credible one yet."

Before his words had fully faded, a clear, cold voice came from outside the door: "I heard the top-ranked newcomer Qi Tuizhi is dining here. Is he present?"

A guard stopped the newcomer. "Who are you?"

"Please inform him that Dugu Qingli wants to know why he's first."

Qi Tuizhi and Gu Yicheng exchanged astonished glances. They had just been saying that the second-ranked person "lacked confidence," and now they were proven wrong so quickly. Not only was she very confident, but she was also apparently unaccepting of the ranking and had come to challenge him directly.

Gu Yicheng cleared his throat twice. "Since it is Miss Dugu from Heavenly Jade Sacred Land, please come in."

The door opened, and a white-haired, blue-eyed girl appeared outside, her cold gaze sweeping over the two men in the room. "Which one is Qi Tuizhi?"

Gu Yicheng said, "Miss, I am Gu..."

"You're surnamed Gu, you're not the person I'm looking for." Dugu Qingli interrupted him directly, her icy sword pointing at Qi Tuizhi. "Let's see your swordsmanship."

Qi Tuizhi felt somewhat helpless. "Why don't you have a meal first, Miss? This is His Highness Prince Jin..."

"First Jin, then Gu, which one of you is surnamed Qi?"

Qi Tuizhi had no choice but to say, "I am Qi Tuizhi."

Dugu Qingli nodded. "You'll do. Draw your sword."

Outside the private room, diners gathered three layers deep. Newcomer duels were common, but a second-ranked challenging the first was a rare sight. And the first-ranked person had only been on the list for less than five days...

Under everyone's gaze, Qi Tuizhi had no choice but to draw his sword. "Then please, Miss, enlighten me."

*Whoosh!* White hair fluttered, and a blue light flashed.

Qi Tuizhi could clearly discern her sword path, but his body and blood seemed frozen by frost, his movements a beat too slow. With just that slight delay, the sword tip had already grazed his chest. They passed each other, and blood splattered. Those with sharp eyes could even tell that the sword was originally aimed at his throat but changed course at the last moment. That was a killing technique; this white-haired woman was not adept at sparring... If she hadn't pulled back at the last moment, Qi Tuizhi would have died!

Qi Tuizhi covered his chest with a shocked expression, his face filled with disbelief.

"Is this all there is to the top-ranked newcomer?" Dugu Qingli shook her head and turned to leave the room. "Disappointing. I wasted my thousand-mile journey."

The crowd outside the door parted like waves, watching the young woman depart in stunned silence. The throngs of people were completely quiet. Who could have foreseen this? The duel between the top-ranked and second-ranked newcomers was settled in one move, a difference so vast it was like an adult fighting a child. It didn't even force out Dugu Qingli's full cultivation.

Dugu Qingli walked out of the crowd, turning back to ask, "Who can tell me where Pei Chuyun is?"

Someone stammered, "At the Imperial Academy? Oh, no, at this time she should have returned to the Pei family."

Dugu Qingli nodded and departed quietly.

People watched her figure disappear, then turned to look at Qi Tuizhi, still clutching his chest in the room, as if still dreaming. Gu Yicheng had just said that this Newcomer List was the least credible one, and unfortunately, he was proven right. However, the problem wasn't with the second and third ranks as he had believed, but rather with the first. Qi Tuizhi, the top-ranked newcomer, whose seat hadn't even warmed since he made the list less than five days ago, was challenged by someone who traveled a great distance, and was defeated with a single sword stroke. He was truly the fastest "rollover" for a top-ranked newcomer in history.