My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Hiss, with the release of this 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River,' all those previous odes will probably be overshadowed!"

"Yes, phrases like 'graceful as a startled swan' and 'lithe as a swimming dragon' are words that many people could never write in their entire lives!"

"The Goddess of the Luo River is a character in a book, but I wonder when that book was published!!"

"Yeah, when it comes out, I'm going to buy one, no, ten copies!!"

The surrounding area was filled with chatter, and many people were still immersed in the poem they had just read, repeatedly reciting its lines.

On the stage, Xiao Qin stood before the desk, silent for a long time. Finally, he raised his head, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and said with a complex expression, "This poem makes me feel ashamed!"

With that, Xiao Qin cupped his hands and said, "I admire you. I... concede defeat!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Qin looked at Teng Zixiu apologetically.

Because of the successive defeats of those before him, he originally wanted to use his writing to restore some face for Beiyu.

But once the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River" was written...

How can we even compare?

It should be noted that he never submitted to anyone when it came to writing.

Even the renowned Confucian scholars of Beiyu, whom he had long admired, he never truly felt inferior to.

But when he heard "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River," he wanted to kneel down.

The difference is too big!

Teng Zixiu noticed Xiao Qin's gaze, then gently shook her head.

He didn't blame Xiao Qin, because... even he was still shaken at this moment.

From the poems preceding Jiang Xiaobai, to the wine itself, and finally to the "Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River".

Even he had to admit defeat.

One person, slaughtering all six members of the Northern Yu and Qi states?!

At the time, they only thought Jiang Xiaobai was arrogant and utterly ridiculous!

But now, he realizes that it was them who were ridiculous...

Ah Qiu's death was not unjust.

Their loss... was equally justified.

"Little prince!"

Teng Zixiu took a deep breath and looked up at Jiang Xiaobai: "We lost!"

With that, Teng Zixiu clenched her hands tightly, gritted her teeth, and said, "I will now fulfill my promise!"

He had not forgotten the agreement he made at the beginning.

Moreover, he was the one who brought it up, so he naturally couldn't break the contract.

After saying that, Teng Zixiu bent her knees and finally collapsed to the ground.

"He really did lie down?"

"A bet's a bet, and this man from Beiyu does seem like a real man!"

"Hmph, weren't they so arrogant? Today they've really lost all face!"

The crowd below began to murmur again.

Teng Zixiu lay there, her hands clenched tightly, her heart filled with shame.

But there was nothing he could do; he was the one who made the bet, so he had to do what he was supposed to do.

Otherwise, what he would lose would be far more than just Teng Zixiu's reputation.

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Teng Zixiu lying on the ground without any sympathy on his face. He slowly sat down in the chair, raised his legs, and put them directly on the long table in front of him.

Seeing this, Teng Zixiu gritted her teeth and slowly crawled over.

"Hmph, serves him right!"

Zhang Xinnian, sitting in the audience, gave a cold laugh.

Do you really think he's someone to be trifled with?

He has the backing of his family's heir, you're kidding!

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Teng Zixiu without any pity.

He instructed Aqiu to slap Zhang Xinnian, and deliberately used that slap to provoke his father.

Before the literary contest, he made another bet, intending to humiliate him in front of the entire capital.

If he hadn't won this time, he would be the one being laughed at now!

and so……

Pity my ass!

Under the watchful eyes of countless people, Teng Zixiu slowly passed under Jiang Xiaobai's legs.

Throughout the entire process, Teng Zixiu kept her head down and didn't say a word.

Only after he had completely crawled over the obstacle was he able to stand up again by supporting himself on the ground.

Jiang Xiaobai then pulled her legs back as well.

Teng Zixiu turned around, her face still grim, but her voice had calmed down: "You won!"

"Today, I will cancel both the literary and martial arts competitions!"

"Furthermore, the young master dared to come alone this time, demonstrating both courage and resourcefulness, and his talent is astonishing. I am truly impressed this time!"

Looking at Jiang Xiaobai's figure, Teng Zixiu said, "I shouldn't have underestimated your Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion, and even more so... I shouldn't have underestimated you!"

Everyone says that the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion is not as good as it used to be.

Everyone says that the young master of the Jiang family is just a good-for-nothing who only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun.

It seems that even what people say isn't necessarily credible!

You're wrong!

As Jiang Xiaobai stood up, he looked at Teng Zixiu and said, "This young master has come here not only for the sake of my Zhenbei Marquis's mansion!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Teng Zixiu immediately sneered: "Young Master, if it's not for your Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, then... could it be for the entire Great Hua?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a mocking expression appeared on Teng Zixiu's face.

Jiang Xiaobai narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this.

Teng Zixiu's words were rather malicious.

If he admits it, it would be somewhat hypocritical; but if he doesn't, with so many people watching, it wouldn't sound good if word got out.

Seeing that Jiang Xiaobai remained silent, Teng Zixiu's sarcasm deepened. Just as he was about to continue speaking, Jiang Xiaobai's voice rang out: "Although this young master's surname is Jiang, what I care about is not just the Jiang family!"

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly, turned around and continued walking off the stage.

Just when everyone thought Jiang Xiaobai would remain silent, his voice rang out again: "This young master has come to 'establish a moral compass for heaven and earth'!"

Ok?

The mockery on Teng Zixiu's face froze instantly.

Jiang Xiaobai continued walking, his voice ringing out again, strong and clear: "I have come to 'establish a destiny for the people'."

This time, everyone around was stunned.

Scholar, student.

Even ordinary people who didn't understand much about literature were moved.

They understand what I'm saying.

Li Zhiwei stood in the crowd, staring blankly at Jiang Xiaobai's figure, and also became serious.

As Jiang Xiaobai reached the edge of the arena, he stopped and his voice rang out again: "I, too, have come 'to carry on the lost arts of the sages'!"

Upon hearing this, many people present began to breathe rapidly.

Fang Tong stood in the crowd, staring blankly at Jiang Xiaobai.

To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to establish a destiny for the people, and to continue the lost learning of the past sages.

This... is the kind of teacher he should follow!

At this moment, a gentle breeze blew by, and Jiang Xiaobai's robes swayed gently.

Jiang Xiaobai turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Teng Zixiu, over the guests of Beiyu and Qi, and finally looking into the distance.

"And so...we've come for 'eternal peace'!"

boom!

These words shocked everyone present once again.

May peace be created for all eternity!

What a broad mind one must have to utter such lofty words!

One of the elders from the Green Robe Society instantly reddened his eyes.

The students and scholars of the Imperial Academy also clenched their fists.

Most of them studied and took the imperial examinations in order to become officials in the court and bring glory to their families.

But now...

These four sentences from Jiang Xiaobai made them realize how narrow their perspective had been.

As a scholar, one should have such aspirations!

Li Zhiwei looked at Jiang Xiaobai, her eyes slightly red.

Lin Qinrou stood to the side, opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

Tang Ningshuang gripped her sword, staring at Jiang Xiaobai, her gaze lingering for a long time.

The face beneath the princess's bamboo hat also showed changes.

These four sentences...

Even the ministers in the imperial court probably couldn't say it!

Teng Zixiu stood there, his face completely pale.

His statement, "for the sake of the entire Greater China," was meant to be sarcastic.

But Jiang Xiaobai used these four lines to tell him that what people were looking at was not the Great Hua, but heaven and earth, the people, the past sages, and all ages!

Every sentence was higher than he had imagined.

"Ha, your standards are too low..."

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Teng Zixiu, a faint smile playing on her lips: "That doesn't mean everyone is like you!"

After saying this, Jiang Xiaobai didn't look at Teng Zixiu again, and walked off the stage with a smile.

Of course, he was also quite excited as he went down.

Hengqu Fourth Bureau!

Absolutely mind-blowing!

Gradually, as Jiang Xiaobai stepped off the stage, an old man from the Green Robe Society slowly came to his senses, his lips trembling as he recited the four sentences again.

"To establish a moral compass for Heaven and Earth, to secure a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations..."

Finally, the old man bowed deeply towards Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "I have learned a great deal!"

Not only the old man, but all the scholars and students present raised their hands and bowed at the same time!

"We have learned a great deal!!"