Chapter 769: Chapter 769
The Emperor owned a famous building, known as the Purple Gang Tower.
The Purple Gang Tower was not a green building, but instead it was an elegant place. Most of the women within the tower composed poetry and wrote books. They were skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
This tower only permitted entry to high-ranking officials. If not, one was forbidden to enter. However, exceptionally talented scholars were an exception. If one could answer the questions displayed on the three banners hanging outside the Purple Gang Tower, they would be warmly welcomed and treated as distinguished guests!
Who knows who the owner of the Purple Smoke Tower is? The tower mysteriously appeared a decade ago, rising to prominence in the country and even beyond.
Scholars and aristocrats felt exhilarated to be able to enter the Purple Smoke Tower, for the tower itself was a symbol of identity and recognition. The talented women inside fulfilled their dreams.
Li Qingyu was visiting for the first time. At first, he had thought it would be some kind of green house. Then, upon hearing his elder brother's explanation, he felt disappointed. It seemed like he didn't belong here without reason.
Li Qingyun's carriage arrived directly at a familiar alley near the second floor, where they entered into a staircase-side area, sitting inside. From Li Qingyun's familiarity, it was clear he had frequented this place.
The Purple Smoke Tower had five floors. The first was for wealthy merchants, the second for children of prominent families, the third for royals. As for the fourth floor—death awaited those who entered! No one had ever gone there.
Li Qingyu's interest was piqued. "Oh, so the royals don't go up there?"
"Heh, you can't access the fourth floor just based on identity. Do you see those three banners outside? You must answer their questions correctly to be honored as a Purple Smoke Tower guest worthy of the fourth floor. Unfortunately, no one has answered those questions over these years. As for the rumored fifth floor, you can imagine it's completely out of reach."
Li Qingyu hadn't paid attention to the three questions displayed outside the Purple Gang Tower when he arrived. He had purchased their attention, but not understood why so many scholars gathered for this matter. It started as mere research.
But hearing his elder brother speak, Li Qingyu grew even more intrigued by the Purple Smoke Tower and chuckled, saying, "Brother, how about we go take a look?"
"Even Third Brother doesn't want to give it a try?"
"Hahaha, let's go take a look. Eating later won't matter. Maybe today, Brother intends to charm his way to the fourth floor lamp!" The rıghtful source is ⓝovelFire.net
"Li Qingyun, Li Qingyun?" Around the corner on the third floor, Zhao Wuji stared fixedly at the two people downstairs, his gaze flashing first with astonishment, then with boundless murderous intent.
"Which one is Li Qingyu?"
Beside Zhao Wuji stood a girl wearing a purple veil. Her striking figure stood out as she donned a long purple gown. Her voice was icy, distant as though from a thousand miles away, giving an unapproachable vibe.
"The cheapest laugh comes just !" Zhao Wuji grit his teeth, clenching his fist in rage, showing just how much he despised Li Qingyu.
"No wonder I'm someone who runs toward death itself!" Zhao Wuji looked again at the girl. "Starting today!"
"What, kill them both?" The girl asked casually.
"Let's see if you can kill them!"
"Of course, no problem, but it'll cost extra money. You only pay for what you want."
Who truly knows about the Purple Empire Building, the famed Five Empires' bloodshed? The supervisor of the Purple Smoke House, Mo Yunshan, was the master of bloodshed—one in the light, the other in the dark.
Zhao Wuji had also uncovered this secret, though it was merely an error of Yin Yang.
Outside the Purple Gang Tower, Li Qingyu and Li Qingyun heard the sound of approving cheers upon arrival. As they squeezed through, they heard the surrounding chatter.
"Prince Bernie is truly remarkable. Who would've thought after so many years of silence, today he answered all three questions!"
"Indeed, Bernie's talent is unmatched and unparalleled in comparison to what I've seen!"
Li Qingyu glanced around and sure enough, the three banners hanging outside the Purple Smoke Tower had been removed, indicating they had been answered.
Li Qingyu's face darkened, and he muttered under his breath, "Where did you even come from? Are you just here to show off?"
All the answers seemed to be childish taunts.
Li Qingyun exhaled deeply. "This Cui Boen is the second son of the Cui family, a household in the Capital closely connected to the Emperor. At three years old, he could read and write. By five, he recited poetry and composed proper verses. His gifted reputation has spread far and wide. Clearly, this is a name everyone should know. It's said Cui Boen is not only talented, but also well-cultured!"
This was enough to make Li Qingyu feel challenged—he knew what this meant.
"Cui Boen and Brother Cui are indeed extraordinary. Tell me, didn't you attend last night's banquet at the Queen's Garden!"
Cui Boen knit his brows upon hearing this because he hadn't gone yesterday. The Cui family was merely second-tier in the eyes of the Emperor, with dining arrangements often limited; he had narrowly missed being on the guest list.
"What does the prince mean? Surely he's not mocking Bernie?"
"How could that be? I deeply apologize, didn't you hear my words!" Li Qingyu said regretfully.
"Then Bernie must focus entirely on the matter now!" Cui Boen visibly looked insulted.
Li Qingyu smiled faintly. Civilized men understand propriety at this stage. Even if dissatisfied deep within, they must preserve decorum in both words and conduct. How could one not feel exhausted?
"These remarks don't merely apply to Mr. Cui Boen—they're suitable for everyone here. Truly, I'm not singling anyone out. I'm simply saying everyone present here is nothing but trash!"
Silence. Absolute stillness.
Though Li Qingyun had heard of what transpired at last night's banquet, hearing such words directly from Li Qingyu himself sent shivers down his spine.
Could such insanity exist without allies?
Nevertheless, Li Qingyun felt emboldened, mentally noting everything. Later, when he faced conflicts with other nations like the Guangwu Empire, he would remember this scene and declare steadfast dominance!
Cui Boen's composure was certainly admirable, far surpassing that of his earlier ancestors. All he did was smirk at this matter.
Did someone truly need to speak loudly to draw such notice?
Scholars have their own pride, and Cui Boen was no exception. If one wished to shatter their dignity, it could only be achieved by defeating them at their expertise.
"If you refuse to ignore me and insist on this uproarious nonsense, let's see how you impress Prince Bernie—choose any poem or lyrics to compete against!"
Cui Boen slowly shook his head. Before he could speak, someone sneered, "The talent of Prince Bernie is evident to all. You, a clown swinging down from some beam, wish to compete with him?"
"Exactly! Are you even aware of your worth?"
Suddenly, voices erupted, but Li Qingyu's expression remained unchanged, undaunted, as he quietly observed the situation.
A metallic clatter rang out, followed by the synchronized march of a troop of soldiers approaching from the distance.
"Reportedly, someone at the Purple Gang Tower is causing disorder and deliberately damaging public property—can this be true?"
"Yes, he's the one causing trouble and intentionally destroying the pavement in the street!"
The captain arrived, noticing cracks on the street pavement and gritting his teeth in frustration. Someone had been causing chaos, leaving him no choice but to deal with this annoyance. As the crowd pointed in Li Qingyu's direction, all eyes turned his way.
Just as the captain was about to issue an order, his gaze fell upon Li Qingyun standing beside Li Qingyu. At that moment, he froze.
"General Li of the family!" The captain saluted respectfully, then cautiously inquired, "Why…is he…here?"
"He's my third brother!"