Chapter 330 Don't Blame Me for Being Unjust (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"A peerless master..."
Xie Tingyun's eyes sparkled, unconsciously revealing a hint of envy.
In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second.
No one who practices martial arts doesn't want to reach the pinnacle.
Xie Tingyun naturally wanted to as well.
Bai Daxian is the highest mountain, standing tall in the martial world for decades, looking down on all heroes.
Even if one cannot defeat him, being able to stand opposite him and exchange a move or two is something many people dream of.
"If only Master Bai were to actually have a martial arts contest with someone in Shuzhou."
"Ideally, he should be a swordsman."
That's all.
If a swordsman were to fight Bai Daxian, it would be equivalent to watching a martial arts demonstration for a swordsman like Xie Tingyun.
Perhaps when the time is right, she will have an epiphany and make great progress in her swordsmanship.
Shen Huatang remained calm. Her martial arts cultivation and skill level were too low; even if she went to watch Bai Daxian fight with someone, she wouldn't be able to understand anything.
Xiao Die, Juan'er, and Cui'er need not say more; they simply treated it as if they were listening to a divine tale.
Only Huan'er and Chunying smiled without saying a word.
Lin Zhong took in the expressions of the group and shook his head, saying, "For those people, a duel is both an opportunity and a test for the onlookers."
Xie Tingyun paused in his act of picking up food, his face falling. "You're right."
She was being somewhat presumptuous.
Although her martial arts skills and techniques were quite impressive in the martial arts world, she was also known as the "Fairy of Tingyun".
But upon closer reflection, her talent was simply not worthy of the attention of someone like Master Bai.
Let alone watching from the sidelines, even gazing at it from afar is a luxury.
Moreover, when masters of that level spar, those without skill simply cannot withstand the aftershocks of their fight if they get too close.
They died without even knowing how they died.
"I've heard that before a duel, those kinds of people will each choose a rising star of similar strength to spar with?"
Lin Zhong smiled and nodded, "There is indeed such a rule."
"Just like a few years ago, before the duel between the two seniors, the Sword Saint and the Blade Demon, they each chose one of them."
"The Sword Saint chose his closed-door disciple. Although he is a child, he has already entered the realm of swordsmanship."
"Everyone in the martial arts world says that her future achievements will definitely rival those of the Sword Saint..."
After Lin Zhong finished speaking briefly, he turned his attention to Chen Yunfan inside.
Xie Tingyun, however, became even more interested, and chattered away with Shen Huatang.
The dining table inside the wooden building.
Chen Yunfan had heard Lin Zhong's words. Although he wasn't interested in high-ranking figures like Bai Daxian, he could at least use this as a topic of conversation.
Especially in front of Chen Yi.
So, taking advantage of a break in Xiao Wan'er and Cui Qingwu's conversation, Chen Yunfan raised his teacup to Chen Yi and said with a smile:
"Brother Yi, have you heard the real reason why Master Bai came to Shu Prefecture?"
Chen Yi, of course, also heard the conversation between Lin Zhong, Xie Tingyun, and the others, and casually asked, "What?"
Seeing that Chen Yi looked completely unaware, Chen Yunfan smiled and said:
"A master has challenged Bai Daxian to a duel in Shuzhou."
"I see..."
"If you are interested, Brother Yi, I will take you to see it together."
"No need, I'd better keep my distance from such extraordinary figures."
Chen Yunfan said with a smile, "I forgot, Brother Yi is a bit too weak. I'm afraid you'll have a hard time getting close to those experts in a fight."
“What you say is true, brother, but…aren’t you also a scholar?”
Chen Yi really didn't want to tell the truth and make Chen Yunfan feel ashamed.
He not only knew Bai Daxian's purpose in coming, but also knew that the person who was fighting Bai Daxian was a swordsman.
Chen Yunfan was not annoyed but rather pleased, his smile becoming even more pronounced.
Brother Yi, you think you know my secrets, but you don't know that I also know your secrets.
You're still too green to act with me here.
“Brother Yi is right, I was inconsiderate…”
Chen Yi glanced at him, put down his chopsticks and said, "Brother, aren't you busy with official duties today?"
"Yesterday, Brother Huaigu came to visit and said that you haven't been to the yamen for some time and that you've been sick. Is that true?"
Chen Yunfan's smile froze, and his eyes swept over Cui Qingwu, who had a half-smile on her face. He felt a strange sense of panic in his heart.
"Yi-di, are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Oh? Perhaps I've remembered it wrong."
Chen Yi noticed his gaze, looked at Xiao Wan'er beside him, and asked with a smile:
"Have the disaster victims outside the city been evacuated?"
Xiao Wan'er didn't understand his intention, but she nodded in agreement and said:
"They left yesterday. I heard that with the cooperation of the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Prefectural Government, everyone received rations to return home before they gradually dispersed."
"And grain prices, I remember they've dropped quite a bit too."
“This morning, Cui’er was saying that a shi (a unit of dry measure) of fine grain is now worth less than a tael of silver. Many people who bought grain a few days ago were so angry that they went to the grain store to argue with them.”
"The Provincial Administration Commission intervened?"
"I heard it was Lord Yang Ye and Scholar Li who went..."
After hearing this, Chen Yunfan's lips twitched, and he gave a dry laugh: "Is that so?"
"I never imagined so many things would happen while I was away from the government office, haha."
Cui Qingwu gave him a reproachful look, then leaned closer to Xiao Wan'er and said:
"Sister Wan'er, I have to go home for the holidays. How about we go to Tonglin together sometime later?"
Xiao Wan'er glanced at Chen Yi subconsciously, and seeing him nod slightly, she smiled and agreed.
"I wonder how many renowned doctors have come to attend the invitations that were sent out earlier."
"Sister Wan'er, don't worry. Even if those people don't come, my Cui family can find a suitable candidate for the dean."
"That would be great, but..."
Seeing the two women change the subject, Chen Yunfan breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but glare at Chen Yi.
Brother Yi, if you are unrighteous, don't blame your brother for being unjust.
"I just heard from Yi that he's not confident about the upcoming annual examination?"
"Then you'd better work harder, lest you lose your academic achievements and become a laughing stock in the world."
Chen Yi paused, his eyes also glancing at Xiao Wan'er beside him. Guessing Chen Yunfan's intention, he feigned confidence and said:
"It's just a policy essay."
Xiao Wan'er glanced at his expression and, seeing that it didn't seem feigned, didn't say anything to instruct him.
"Qingwu, why don't we wait until the dean of the Medical Academy is chosen before we go to Tonglin?"
"good……"
We chatted and laughed until we finished lunch.
Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er held umbrellas and saw off Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu, respectively, while Lin Zhong and the others followed behind.
The rain intensified, pattering incessantly against the umbrellas, drowning out the sound of footsteps.
They couldn't even hear each other's voices clearly.
Seeing that Cui Qingwu's attention was elsewhere, Chen Yunfan turned to look at Chen Yi and said through gritted teeth:
"Brother Yi, why bring up something you shouldn't have said? You're making me feel awkward!"
Chen Yi glanced at Xiao Wan'er, lowered his voice and chuckled, "Brother, we're alike."
"Hmph, thanks to you, I'll be going to the yamen to work this afternoon."
"That's how it should be."
Chen Yunfan snorted, turned around and boarded the carriage.
Before entering the carriage, he turned back and reminded him, "Don't forget to come with me to greet Father and the fourth and sixth brothers when they come to Shuzhou."
Chen Yi, holding up an oil-paper umbrella, said, "Don't worry."
"Just like when you came to Shu Prefecture that day, didn't I go to the north gate to greet you?"
Chen Yunfan hesitated before saying, "Father's visit this time is quite grand. You... never mind, I'll let you know when the time comes."
Chen Yi nodded in agreement, watching him and Cui Qingwu walk into the carriage.
Lin Zhong and Huan'er and Chunying entered the carriage, sat directly in the driver's seat, held the reins and said goodbye to them before driving away.
Ning Yu and Niu Shan walked back.
Chen Yi waved and watched them leave.
Xiao Wan'er was the same.
Just as Chen Yi was about to take Xiao Die back to Chunhe Garden, he heard Xiao Wan'er ask, "Brother-in-law, are you not very confident about the annual examination?"
Chen Yi paused, inwardly cursing Chen Yunfan for being so talkative, but still spoke sweetly:
"Confident and well-prepared."
Xiao Wan'er smiled and said, "That puts my mind at ease."
However, she roughly understood Chen Yi's temperament and kept nagging him with advice:
“The annual examination is different from other examinations and cannot be taken lightly. If my brother-in-law loses his academic achievements, there will always be some trouble in the future.”
"Leaving aside outsiders, even your own students would probably..."
Chen Yi repeatedly said yes, "Don't worry, don't worry, I know what I'm capable of."
Xiao Wan'er sensed his implied meaning, gave him a reproachful look, and turned to walk back to the wooden building.
Xiao Wan'er was not unaware of Chen Yi's abilities, but she was worried that Chen Yi might not put in his best effort because he was indifferent or casual.
Chen Yi watched her walk away, tossed the umbrella in his hand to Xiao Die, and casually hid under it, saying, "Go back and read your book."
While holding the umbrella for him on tiptoe, Xiaodie covered her mouth and chuckled, "Young master, the young lady is right. The annual examination is a great event, so you shouldn't be so casual about it."
Chen Yi pursed his lips, "Whether it's casual or not, it's just an annual test."
Often, talented, capable, hardworking, and ambitious people do not achieve good results.
If that's the case, there won't be so much frustration and regret.
Of course, Chen Yi wouldn't explain these words; he would only curse Chen Yunfan a few more times in his heart.
Talkative and gossipy.
What a coincidence.
At this moment, Chen Yunfan was also cursing Chen Yi in his heart.
He cursed under his breath while dealing with Cui Qingwu's persistent verbal attacks.
"Brother Yunfan, you've been practicing martial arts so diligently lately, it must be really hard work."
"It's not hard at all..."
"Isn't it hard work? Then why doesn't Brother Yunfan go to the yamen to work?"
"Some things..."
"Tell me what it is."
"this……"
"Is it because Ning Yu and Niu Shan weren't doing their best? Or is it Chunying...?"
Chen Yunfan saw a fine layer of sweat suddenly appear on Chunying's forehead and suppressed a laugh:
"Neither... I'm going to the yamen to work this afternoon..."
Cui Qingwu wasn't really blaming him, and nodded with a smile upon hearing this.
"Brother Yunfan, Uncle Chen is coming to Shuzhou. You'd better behave yourself in the coming days."
"Qingwu is right..."
Helpless, Chen Yunfan got off the carriage alone when it passed the Provincial Administration Office and watched Lin Zhong drive away.
Brother Yi, just you wait!
Chen Yunfan grimaced with a headache, straightened his clothes, and walked into the Provincial Administration Office.
The constables at the gate saw him and, though they found him somewhat strange, they bowed respectfully.
"Lord Chen."
Chen Yunfan nodded and walked to the inner hall, where he sat in his fairly spacious office.
Li Huaigu, who was in the side room, looked up when he heard the sound, and breathed a sigh of relief after realizing what was happening.
He rubbed his aching shoulders, looked at the mountain of booklets on the table, and muttered, "Finally here."
Immediately, Li Huaigu perked up, picked up a stack of booklets from the table, and strode into Chen Yunfan's room.
Bang.
A stack of exactly thirty booklets was laid out in front of Chen Yunfan.
"Brother Yunfan, thank you for your trouble."
Chen Yunfan glanced at the pile of official documents, his eye twitching slightly. "Brother Huaigu, these..."
Li Huaigu guessed what he wanted to say and interrupted, "Brother Yunfan wasn't at the yamen earlier, so Lord Yang instructed me to handle it on your behalf."
Now that you're back, I'll leave these matters to you.
"so much?"
Chen Yunfan quickly flipped through it, his eyes narrowed, and he pointed to a booklet below, asking:
"Annual examination? Isn't this Lord Liu..."
He realized that Liu Hongying was really in trouble.
Li Huaigu, thinking he was still unaware, gestured for him to be quiet and pointed towards the depths of the corridor by the entrance, saying:
“Since the day before yesterday, Lord Liu has remained secluded at home, and all matters are currently being handled by Lord Yang, and also…”
A moment later, after learning about the current situation of the yamen, Chen Yunfan realized that Chunying's words yesterday were somewhat conservative.
Liu Hong not only stopped interfering in the affairs of the government, but his temperament also seemed to have changed.
It's like...waiting to die?
Chen Yunfan recalled what had happened some time ago: the grain store, the Five Poisons Sect, the mountain tribes, the disaster victims, the plague... Chen Yi.
Could it be that Yi Di has found something to do with Liu Hong?
Very likely.
Liu Hong and the Liu family of Jingzhou behind him have been targeting the Xiao family, so it is only natural for Yi Di to take action against Liu Hong.
But based on his understanding of Liu Hong, he knew that Liu Hong shouldn't just sit and wait for his death in this situation.
unless……
Chen Yunfan frowned as he recalled some rumors he had heard before.
Besides the Liu family of Jingzhou and Consort Liu, Liu Hong also had a powerful backer.
However, even with the power of the Chen family and the White-Robed Prime Minister, they were unable to find out the person's identity.
"The only person who could silence Liu Hong... the Nine Ministers, or..."
Several figures flashed through Chen Yunfan's mind, and he had some vague guesses.
However, he naturally wouldn't tell Li Huaigu any of this, so he could only agree to those government affairs and begin the hearings with a bitter face.
"Resettling the disaster victims cost millions of bushels of grain..."
"Relief efforts in the three counties of Guang'an have consumed a great deal of money and grain..."
"The merchants rumored to have died on the Ancient Tea Horse Road are returning... Hmm?"
Chen Yunfan looked thoughtfully at the booklet in his hand, his gaze involuntarily drifting towards the Xiao family's residence.
He had previously heard rumors that the Peacock King's bannermen had come to the Tea Horse Road, and he had thought that King Lando was really that bold.
Looking at it now... the one with real courage is still his younger brother Yi.
Thinking of this, Chen Yunfan's face showed a complicated expression.
"It seems that Brother Yi has already considered himself a member of the Xiao family."
"I don't know if Father's arrival in Shuzhou is a good thing or a bad thing... Mother, the arrangements at home were wrong..."
...
It's not yet Hai hour (9-11 PM).
Chen Yi quietly left the Xiao family and headed straight for the West Market.
Taking advantage of the rain, he concealed his tracks and soon found his way to the house behind the tailor shop.
However, he was more cautious this time than before.
Nothing more.
Along the way, he sensed the presence of four martial arts masters of the third rank.
Far exceeding what was before.
"It seems that news of Bai Daxian's duel with that person has spread. I wonder if that person leaked it himself or someone else did."
Chen Yi recalled the swordsman he had seen that night and the words he had spoken, and slightly curled his lip.
"Who has the right to come and watch the battle? Now that the news has spread, so many martial arts figures have come. I don't believe you'll be able to drive them away."
That's what he thought, but Chen Yi didn't think that person couldn't do it.
I reckon that even if he doesn't make a move, just saying a few words would be enough to deter many martial arts practitioners who aren't qualified to watch the fight.
Thinking about these things, Chen Yi suppressed his breathing and voice, and listened intently to the movements in the tailor shop.
A short while later, General's voice came from the other side.
"The Pavilion Master has ordered that we immediately take action to apprehend Liu Hong's accomplices..."
(End of this chapter)
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