Chapter 42: Chapter 42

"A person from Captain Guyang's family."

"Being a distant branch, we don't have much interaction."

Guyang An smiled awkwardly.

Those words seemed both genuine and modest.

"If there were no relationship, would he have invited you to this gathering?"

"Wasn't Captain Guyang originally someone who made a name at poetry gatherings too? Seems the entire family possesses poetic talent."

"I look forward to Brother Guyang's poetry."

The scholars sitting at the table accepted Guyang An's words as modesty.

Of course, it sounded different to me.

Thinking about it as words from a Demonic Cult member using water arts—

'To make it unrelated to Guyang Je.'

Like saying it's something a distant relative he didn't even usually know did.

If Magistrate Yang Daeryang were assassinated and a new magistrate friendly to Guyang Je came, things would flow that way.

Today Magistrate Yang Daeryang would return safely.

I would tie up Guyang Je and Banyang Trading and send them off as I'd firmly resolved.

"Hahahaha. You brothers are too kind. What poetic talent?"

Guyang An enjoyed the pouring attention while wearing a thoroughly satisfied smile on his face.

Wouldn't it be fine to provoke him a bit?

Psychological warfare.

A technique I'd never used before.

That technique I found fascinating whenever Zhuge Sheng used it.

New life meant new learning.

"Since you're Captain Guyang Je's relative, may I ask something I've been curious about?"

Guyang An looked at me with a relaxed smile.

If this were daily life, how could one spit at a smiling face?

But if it's psychological warfare?

When smiling—precisely then, you spit.

"All the trading companies allied with Banyang Trading collapsed. Moreover, while colluding with Black Path. Does Banyang Trading also have connections to Black Path?"

One scholar spat out the tea he was drinking.

Guyang An's face hardened.

The atmosphere subsequently turned cold.

Did that mean it was such a splendid question?

I continued playing the role of a scholar with no awareness, no sense of atmosphere, yet many words.

"Isn't that right? They say everyone really colluded with Black Path. But Black Path were subjugated and trading companies collapsed. So wouldn't I be curious about Banyang Trading? Did Captain Guyang say nothing like that?"

"Words like 'our Banyang Trading also colluded with Black Path and we'll soon collapse at this rate.'"

Words scratching insides.

Isn't that right, Zhuge Sheng?

Just as you taught me, right?

Back then I learned but never used it, but here now I'm doing well.

"Oh my, why are you two ? Please calm down."

"Scholar Bang, what are you even saying? Coming to a good day, good gathering and causing trouble."

Other scholars interjected.

"What do you mean what am I saying? Did I say something I shouldn't? Actually, weren't you all curious?"

I looked around at the scholars instead.

"Euheum, no that's..."

"What do we, why would we, be curious about such... we are though."

"No. We're not curious, though we are, not?"

Everyone avoided eyes and mumbled.

Guyang An also looked around at the scholars dumbfounded.

Right now Luoyang's hot topic was precisely 'mutual destruction of Black Path and trading companies.'

Would scholars not know this?

Moreover, since scholars aimed for government posts, they were sensitive to reputation management.

If a bad name emerged from one's hometown, it interfered with advancement.

Guyang Je colluded with Black Path?

From that day, they'd turn their backs on Guyang An too.

The good words exchanged until just now were truly mere pleasantries and sweet talk.

I threw out oblivious words again.

"Look. Everyone's waiting for an answer."

Guyang An didn't hide his displeased air.

That is, he was acting displeased.

"Everyone! How could that be? If such suspicions existed, would the Magistrate come to today's gathering? Banyang Trading is clean."

More like it couldn't be clean.

The reason the magistrate came was because I asked.

Guyang An picked on me.

"Do you all believe marketplace gossip? Scholar Bang is still someone whose learning hasn't matured, so fine. But others are people who should know better."

Picking on me roundaboutly.

Bang Yuyo was studying abroad so never made a name with writing in Luoyang.

Those words pointed that out while simultaneously—

"Bandwagon-jumping isn't what a gentleman should do. How could one handling poetry and prose be so? Don't be swayed by rumor-mongers."

—disparaging me as not only lacking reputation but a petty person who spreads rumors.

If another scholar took my side here, they'd equally become petty.

Looking at the atmosphere, didn't seem there'd be such a person anyway.

The triumphant Guyang An finally provoked me.

"Scholar Bang has good eloquence. Let's see if poetry and prose are equally excellent."

Let's see if poetry and prose are excellent.

He meant he was confident in poetry.

Sorry, but I'm also confident in my poetry.

From earlier, Guyang An had been rolling a pair of beads in his hand.

Beads to keep hands from being idle. Whatever was inside made small sounds when rolled.

"Brother Guyang, won't you make a bet?"

As I didn't back down, Guyang An frowned.

"Whether I can compose poetry and board the boat. If I board, give me those beads in your hand."

"Hmm. These? These aren't even expensive items though?"

Wouldn't understand why I'd ask for toy beads.

Have a child, then such things catch your eye.

"If you win, I'll do anything you want."

"Anything? Isn't the bet's reward difference large?"

Even losing, he'd only lose beads; winning meant anything.

Could there be such a good bet again?

"Fine, Scholar Bang. Accept."

"But we're betting on whether Scholar Bang boards—won't we bet on whether I board or not?"

"You seem like you'll board."

At the answer seeming to anticipate Guyang An's poetry, he was bewildered.

Wouldn't he deploy water arts only after boarding?

He probably wouldn't jump into the lake from here.

Now, the bet was established.

We perfunctorily passed the remaining order of events. When the magistrate raised his cup, everyone raised cups and several rounds went.

"Now time to see the rising talents' poetry and prose!"

The literatus in charge raised his voice.

Tension circulated among scholars.

A chance to build acquaintance with the magistrate. If showing well to the magistrate got one invited to high officials' gatherings? A path to advancement opened.

"Lake, lake, lake..."

The scholar sitting beside prayed for lake as the poetry topic.

"Autumn, autumn, autumn..."

Another scholar prayed for autumn.

"The poetry topic the Magistrate presented is lake!"

The two scholars' joy and sorrow diverged.

Seems each had topics they were confident in.

"Until the sand in this hourglass falls completely, one period of time is given, so scholars hurry."

The proceeding warrior declared.

So they predict topics and prepare.

Swoosh, swish, swoosh.

Here and there, sounds of brushes moving over paper were heard.

Though others besides participants could continue enjoying the banquet, all sides became quiet out of consideration not to disturb.

Glancing at Guyang An— his brush was moving like flowing water.

But I also had prepared poetry.

One stroke of the brush.

I wrote the poetry down.

"Now, all the sand has fallen. Everyone stop your brushes!"

One established literatus collected the poetry.

Guyang An glanced at me and asked.

"Scholar Bang, how is it? Did poetic inspiration rise today?"

I answered without losing either.

"What about Brother Guyang? I wonder if you realized the trap hidden in the topic."

"Ah, you didn't know?"

there was no such thing.

"What are you saying? What trap could exist in the lake topic?"

"My, my, how disappointing."

Then I closed my mouth.

Now wouldn't insides burn until the announcement ended?

Guyang An's gaze fixed on the table where the magistrate sat. The magistrate, Guyang Je, and several established literati were critiquing poetry.

Making satisfied smiles.

Seems the scholars' skills were quite good.

The magistrate swallowed empty air.

His eyes unconsciously turned toward me.

'Ink Sword Hero? You composed this poetry?'

'I underwent painstaking effort.'

Guyang An also noticed the magistrate's gaze. He shifted his body anxiously.

Other scholars also looked at my face again.

"Ahem! Then I'll announce the rankings!"

The proceeding literatus came forward.

Now no one held chopsticks or wine cups.

Everyone at the banquet focused on the literatus's mouth.

"Third place. Woo Gohyeon from Sangyang County near Luoyang!"

At another table, the scholar called Woo Gohyeon rose.

His face was full of displeased air. Probably the rank didn't suit his heart.

How confident had he been to be like that?

Looking at senior literati's unfavorable expressions, life in the regional academic world would seem difficult going forward.

"Second place. Yi Sangji of Luoyang City's Chuan District!"

At yet another table, Scholar Yi Sangji stood.

"Thank you. Thank you."

His face was full of joy as he clasped hands expressing gratitude.

Guyang An's complexion was worth seeing.

Now first place remained.

Neither Bang Yuyo's nor Guyang An's names were called.

Guyang An would have known the topic beforehand, prepared, and had Guyang Je's help too, so first place was confirmed.

Yet he was needlessly tense at the 'trap' word I'd thrown.

"Scholar Guyang. Still don't know?"

"Be quiet. They're announcing first place now."

Whether well knowing scholars' tension, the proceeding literatus—

"Noooow, now it's first place. Only first place remains."

—was saying such things.

Beside him I was smiling comfortably.

Guyang An didn't know what was what, only clutching the beads.

"First place is a scholar who recently entered Luoyang!"

Guyang An's face brightened then tensed again.

Because Bang Yuyo also briefly entered Luoyang while studying.

That literatus proceeds well.

Then first place was announced.

"First place! Guyang An!"

"What? Isn't it as expected?"

Muttering quietly then—

Looking down at me, he spoke angrily in a small voice again.

"I thought there was hidden poetic talent!"

"Brother Guyang seems confident in his poetry."

"I took first place at numerous poetry gatherings. But what exactly? What confidence did Scholar Bang have that relaxed expression?"

"Confidence? Naturally I had to be confident."

"What?" Get full chapters from NovєlFіre.net

"The announcement hasn't ended yet."

The announcement hadn't ended.

At my final words, Guyang An hesitated.

"That 'could it be.'"

The proceeding literatus opened his mouth.

"Now, I announced first through third places. Then I'll announce the next rank!"

Applause congratulating first place subsided.

"Huhuhuhu, I'm excited."

"Who could it be? Must thoroughly shame them, heuheuheu."

"Will make them remove the name 'rising talent.'"

Even greater excitement circulated than when waiting for first place.

The proceeding literatus heightened the atmosphere.

"Today's worst poetry! This kind isn't even poetry! To dirty eyes by writing such a thiiiing!"

"Boarding the boat together with first through third places, before everyone's eyes, that very person who will recite their shameful poetry iiiis!!"

Magistrate Yang Daeryang looked at me with dead eyes.

Did it really have to be such poetry?

I first studied poetry two days ago. This is my best.

Then would I beat people who studied their whole lives?

No different from saying becoming a master after learning martial arts two days.

Finally my name was called.

I jumped up from my seat.

"It's me! Bang! Yu! Yo!"

Sorry, Scholar Bang's son.

Since you're studying abroad anyway, isn't it fine? When occasionally visiting home, literati will whisper, but please endure.

"I wrote such poetry!"

I was confident my poetry would rank last.

Guyang An opened his mouth looking at me.

"I'm also boarding the boat."

I extended my hand toward him.

"The beads. Our bet was whether I board or not. Didn't I win?"

I should give them to Taebok.

"Now these are mine."

Receiving the beads from him, a satisfied smile naturally emerged.

"Now, board the boat!"

The proceeding literatus shouted.

"Let's go. Brother Guyang."

I spoke to Guyang An while still smiling.

"No, in this shameful situation, why smile so cheerfully?"

"Is that so? I'm in a good mood though."