Chaotic Times and Disasters: I Hunt Down Martial Arts Masters and Become a God

Sun Zhongwen was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face, and sighed repeatedly.

"I've immersed myself in poetry my whole life, thinking I'd read all the good poems in the world, but today I realize there are always geniuses out there!"

"The first stanza, which describes the grandeur of Kunlun Mountain, is already a timeless masterpiece. The second stanza, which expresses the vastness of the world and the breadth of vision, has reached a state of perfection and can serve as a model for all ages."

Ling Moxie sat upright in the chair, a smile playing on her lips, her heart pounding.

The man standing by the window reciting words... She had seen countless young talents: martial arts geniuses like An Sheng in the martial arts academy, princes skilled in political maneuvering like her second elder brother in the imperial court, and princesses with extraordinary wisdom like Yunnan Zhi in Kangguo.

But she had never met anyone like Fu Qing who could make her go from uncertainty to worry and then to excitement in such a short time.

He's bringing out the Kunlun Mountain in his heart for everyone to see!

Zhou Mengxi stood up from the desk for a while, then walked to Fu Qing and presented the wolf-hair brush with both hands, her attitude solemn and respectful.

"General Fu, I have lost!"

It wasn't a matter of skill that we lost, but a matter of perspective.

His poems contain autumn nights, lonely lamps, and the fleeting nature of life, but General Fu's lyrics contain Kunlun Mountain, three million jade dragons, and the legendary sword drawn from the sky.

He could never write such a sentence in his entire life.

He had used this pen for many years, but after today he would no longer write poetry. He wanted to give the pen to the young man in front of him as a memento.

Fu Qing took the pen, cupped his hands in greeting,

"Senior's kindness is too much for me, Fu Qing is just a martial artist. I am unworthy of it and will cherish it."

Yunnan picked up his wine glass, walked up to Fu Qing, and stood there for a while before speaking.

"General Fu, the world is fortunate to have you!"

She was always composed and confident, but at this moment she couldn't help but show respect.

She had thought Fu Qing only occasionally composed a good poem, but now she knew that this warrior from the border region possessed a spirit as lofty as the Kunlun Mountains.

The phrase "both literary and martial talents" is not enough to describe General Fu. He was not only skilled in both, but also possessed a vast and profound understanding of the world.

She was completely defeated by the three passes of the State of Jingguo, and she accepted her defeat wholeheartedly.

Fu Qing returned the greeting with a cupped hand.

"You're too kind, Princess."

She downed the wine in her cup in one gulp, and as she set down the cup, she cupped her hands in a respectful gesture to Ling Yushu and said loudly.

"Your Majesty, General Fu of Jingguo is worth ten Iron Blood Cities."

Ling Yushu laughed heartily, picked up his wine cup, stood up, and spoke loudly.

"I have seen countless geniuses, some are martial arts prodigies, some are masters of poetry, but in the past two hundred years, I have only seen one person, Fu Qing, who has reached this level in both literature and martial arts!"

"This poem, 'Nian Nu Jiao,' is a step above 'Qin Yuan Chun,' and should be rewarded! By imperial decree, Fu Qingjin is granted a golden belt and special privileges in the Martial Academy's library, where he may enter at any time to consult all the classics."

Fu Qing bowed in thanks and returned to his seat. He felt a gaze upon him and looked up.

He turned his head and met Ling Moxie's eyes.

Qingluan stood to the side, watching the two exchanging glances, and covered her mouth to stifle a laugh, almost bursting out laughing.

...

The news of Fu Qing's complete victory at the three passes spread throughout Jingjing in less than a day.

In the teahouses and restaurants on Zhuque Street, storytellers had already turned Fu Qing's three battles into anecdotes, clapping their gavel and spitting as they spoke.

When the storyteller recounted the argument that "a white horse is not a horse," he imitated Gongsun Ming's sweat-drenched brow, causing the tea drinkers to burst into laughter...

When the storyteller recounted how the Thirteen Martial Arts Techniques sent Xiahou Jun flying, he brandished a folding fan as a sword, and the tea drinkers slapped the table and cheered...

When the storyteller mentioned that the greatest Confucian scholar in Kangguo presented him with a writing brush after reciting the poem "Nian Nu Jiao", he put down his gavel, picked up his teacup, and recited the line "In a peaceful world, all under heaven share the same warmth and coolness!"

The tea drinkers applauded in unison, and some threw coins onto the stage, filling a whole plate.

Fu Qing was nicknamed "General of Three Perfections" by the common people—perfect in debating, perfect in martial arts, and perfect in poetry.

It is said that this nickname originated from the Martial Arts Academy. It was first shouted by Yu Fu in the cafeteria, which Pei Qing rolled his eyes at. Later, even students from the Imperial Academy started using it, and Pei Qing could no longer roll his eyes.

These past few days, Yu Fu has been walking with a swagger around the martial arts academy, telling everyone he meets that he had long seen that Brother Fu had the potential to become a king. From the first day Fu Qing entered the academy, he crushed Pei Qing's hand with one hand, and he was convinced that this person would become a great man. He had already recognized him as his elder brother.

Pei Qing listened from the side, his lips twitching. He wanted to refute but couldn't find the words. His hand, which had been pinched, still ached slightly on rainy days.

Yu Fu patted Pei Qing on the shoulder and added earnestly,

"Senior Brother Pei, don't be discouraged. Everyone who's been beaten by Brother Fu has become stronger. Look at Senior Brother An Sheng, after Brother Fu pierced his shoulder, he's already at the peak of the seventh level of the Meridian Opening Realm, almost at the eighth level. That's a good thing!"

Pei Qing's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot. He turned and left, and Yu Fu's laughter came from behind him.

...

Ling Yushu held a celebration banquet in the Taiji Hall, which was much larger in scale than the previous imperial banquet.

Inside the hall, two long tables stretched from the foot of the imperial steps all the way to the entrance, laden with imperial dishes, and even the wine jugs were aged wines that had been stored in the imperial cellar for decades.

All the civil and military officials of Yasukuni gathered, and the Kang Kingdom delegation was also among those invited.

Fu Qing was seated to the lower left of Ling Yushu, only half a notch below the Crown Prince. This arrangement made the assembled court officials sense something unusual.

The lower left seat has always been the position of the first person after the crown prince. What kind of person does Your Majesty intend to groom Fu Qing for?

Several princeling officials exchanged glances, while the prince's advisors whispered amongst themselves in a corner.

Crown Prince Ling Moqian sat at the upper right, a polite smile on his face. He stood up to pour wine for Fu Qing.

"General Fu has brought glory to our nation, I toast you."

Fu Qing raised his wine cup and clinked it against the Crown Prince's. "Your Highness is too kind," he said.

Yunnan was seated in the head guest position. Today, she was dressed in a silver-white palace gown, and her hair was adorned with an extra phoenix hairpin.

She took the initiative to pick up her wine glass and walked to Fu Qing, her steps composed, and spoke in a clear voice.

"General Fu, my father often says that heroes emerge from among the young. I didn't believe it before, but now I do. The gates of Kang are wide open to Your Majesty. If General Fu is ever willing to visit Kang, the entire nation will treat you with the respect due to a national hero."

These words were spoken casually, but everyone present understood the underlying meaning.

Ling Yushu smiled without saying a word, holding her wine cup, while the Crown Prince's expression darkened further.

The several military officers from Jingguo exchanged glances. Yu Guangtian, sitting in his seat, picked at his toes and muttered gruffly.

"This girl is here to poach your husband's wife, Your Majesty, you can't let her go."

Ling Yushu laughed heartily, raised his wine cup, and gestured towards the distant Yunnan.

"I appreciate Princess Yun's kindness on behalf of Fu Qing, but Fu Qing is my pillar of support and the only bloodline of the Prince of Zhenbei. I am reluctant to let him go."

...

After the banquet, Yu Fu pulled Fu Qing and An Sheng out of the palace through a side door.

The chubby boy drank quite a bit tonight; his face was as red as a ripe persimmon, and he walked unsteadily, his eyes full of excitement.

He pulled the two of them into the shadows outside the palace walls, lowered his voice, and mysteriously announced that he would take them to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment district) tonight to broaden their horizons!

"That's the best place in all of Jingjing. Ordinary people can't get in even if they have money. I stole my dad's pass."

An Sheng's brows immediately furrowed.

"That kind of place isn't for respectable people."

Yu Fu patted his chest and guaranteed,

"You're overthinking it, Senior Brother. It's definitely not that kind of place. My father often goes there too. He said that the Jiaofangsi is not a brothel, but the largest cultural exchange venue in Jingjing. There are people playing the zither, singing, dancing, reciting poetry, and all sorts of things there. It's a proper place for respectable people."

Fu Qing leaned against the palace wall and thought about it. Since he had nothing to do tonight anyway, he smiled and nodded.

An Sheng tried to refuse, but Yu Fu grabbed his sleeve and dragged him away.

...

The Jiaofangsi (Imperial Music Bureau) was located in the east of Jingjing City. It was a three-story vermilion pavilion with two strings of large red lanterns hanging at the entrance, and the clear and melodious sound of a guqin (a seven-stringed zither) could be heard from upstairs.

Yu Fu was clearly a regular customer. As soon as he stepped across the threshold, a still-attractive madam greeted him with a wide, toothy smile.

"Oh my, it's been so long since you've been here, Young Master Yu. Did you bring a friend today?"

Yu Fu puffed out his round belly. "Speak less, arrange the best private room, bring out the finest wine and food, and call in a few skilled courtesans to entertain us."

"Look at me, everyone's looking at me..."

The old woman chuckled and led the three of them upstairs. "We just got a few maids these past few days, but I haven't been willing to let them serve anyone. You've really lucked out today..."