"Look, what is she doing over there?"
The "Exquisite" type of stone wall was deserted at this moment, and many people only glanced at it before quickly moving on to the "Craftsmanship," "Skill," and "Technique" types.
But they had all left, and there stood the carpenter named "Aqing" alone, quietly standing in front of the "absolute" stone wall.
Her unique actions didn't make them think she was particularly impressive; instead, they thought she was just putting on an act.
"Could it be that she can't understand the questions about crafts, skills, and techniques, so she's given up on herself... But she's standing in front of the absolute questions, what's she trying to do?"
"Who knows what she's thinking? She can't possibly think this will attract attention. I heard she didn't even pass the craftsman exam; she's just a level-one carpenter."
"Really? No way, I've heard that when her dragon carriage was exhibited, it was unprecedented and never to be seen again. The total number of votes for all our shortlisted exhibits was far less than hers alone."
"Heh." Yu Manyi heard their whispers and sneered, "Who can prove that the dragon carriage was made by her alone? Theft? Stealing? There are countless people in Ye Kingdom who are just trying to gain fame and reputation. Otherwise, do you think that someone who is not even a master craftsman could build such a dragon carriage?"
The more he spoke, the more indignant he became: "She worked with the craftsmen of Ye to create this dragon-carved chariot, while we all competed individually. Ye's victory was unfair. What is there to compare? It's just that those charlatan merchants who think it's amazing."
If his words of denigration and dissatisfaction are true, fine; but if they are fabrications, then his intentions are despicable.
Upon hearing this, the other finalists looked at Zheng Quchi with utter disgust and loathing, and their contempt for the Ye Kingdom craftsmen grew even stronger.
Upon hearing this, Yu Hai felt immediately dissatisfied. He tried to speak, "No, no, don't talk nonsense."
Yu Manqi swept his gaze across the scene, and the ruthless man made Yu Hai take a sharp step back in fright.
"I...I'm not afraid of you. You have no evidence, so don't make baseless accusations against others..."
Seeing his frail and timid appearance, Yu Manyi laughed and said, "What's your relationship with her? Why are you speaking up for her like this?"
After he finished speaking, he deliberately glanced at Zheng Quchi, wanting to see how she would react to his words.
Yu Hai also cautiously glanced at Zheng Quchi out of the corner of his eye.
But they were both destined to be disappointed.
Because she slightly raised her chin, her gaze was fixed intently on the stone wall, like a star in a high river, her feet treading on the breeze, upright and calm. Even without a deafening shout, there was an inexplicable sense of awe and determination about her.
She was completely focused on the topic, and whatever they said, laughed, good or bad, went in one ear and out the other.
People are always affected by other people and trivial matters, but Zheng Quchi is not. One of her few virtues is that once she makes up her mind to do something, she will go all out.
Seeing that Aqing ignored him, even though he was speaking up for her, Yu Hai felt so bad that he wanted to cry, but he still mustered up his spirits and said to Yu Manyi, "We have no relationship whatsoever."
"Then you should mind your own business. Look at her, she doesn't appreciate it at all. Maybe she's self-aware enough to avoid losing face even more, so she simply shuts up and lets herself be mocked," Yu Manqi said sarcastically.
Others thought so too.
"It's fortunate that the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild is lenient and didn't set a minimum threshold, which allowed a craftsman of this level to get in. Well, consider her lucky to have made it into the top ten. But from now on, it's all about real skills. She's probably out of ideas, so let's not waste our time on her and hurry up and answer the questions."
Although they didn't take "Aqing" seriously, there were still eight opponents present, each of whom was determined to defeat the champion, so they stopped being distracted and focused on solving the problem.
Inside the protective railing of the white jade round altar, the master craftsmen sat high up, using a screen with a mountain bird and kui pattern as a screen to watch over the final competition below, taking in every move of each craftsman.
The actions of the other eight were all normal, but one young man with almond-shaped eyes and a scar remained standing in front of the "absolute" question, refusing to move, which puzzled them.
Why did she remain standing still in front of the absolute question?
"I know this person. She is the craftswoman of the Panlong Carriage. I suppose she thinks she is among the best and is therefore overly ambitious. Such unusual questions are always used as filler questions. She only focused on answering them from the beginning. How many questions can she answer after the incense has burned out?"
The master craftsmen were well-informed and had seen many people, but they could only feel regret and disappointment towards someone as self-important as this young man.
Those who go far in history are not only geniuses, but also humble, diligent and ambitious people.
"Everyone else has started writing, but she probably hasn't even finished reading the question yet."
"Perhaps... she wasn't arrogant, but rather she had some skill, which is why she dared to make such a challenge."
"Hahaha... Master Gang, we both came from the Jichun Craftsmen's Guild back then, didn't we? I wonder how many of the extraordinary questions you answered correctly?"
The kind and benevolent craftsman, who was also the one who spoke up for Zheng Quchi, was speechless for a moment after hearing this.
At this moment, Gongshu Jiruo picked up the rosin jade cup that had been set aside, his eyes as white as snow, and placed it on the table with a crisp "thud".
The sound was like accidentally crushing a dead tree in the vast white snow. All fourteen master craftsmen were startled and turned to look at his location.
He said, “The Jichun Craftsmen’s Association has been held for twenty-four sessions to date. Every year, new difficult questions are added, and there are now eighty-six questions. The number of craftsmen who have participated in these twenty-four sessions is countless. However, the highest number of correct answers achieved by a single person is fourteen.”
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