Chapter Three: Manifesting Divinity Before the Crowd—A Triad Battle at the Bell Tower

Finally, the day of the literary gathering arrived. The two of them woke up especially early and were already on the road, beginning to daydream about making a dazzling impression in front of everyone. The rogue, in particular, walked along chuckling softly. After about fifteen minutes, they arrived at Ruzhou’s largest restaurant—the "One Bell Tower." This establishment was the property of Zhu Shengzhiyin and also the venue for today’s event.

“This place doesn’t even have a bell. I don’t get why it’s called that. Zhu Shengzhiyin must be out of his mind,” the rogue scoffed.

“Careful what you say. Don’t offend Zhu Shengzhiyin before even meeting him,” Ji replied cautiously. With that, the two found a table inside the restaurant and began observing their surroundings. Suddenly, the rogue shouted loudly, startling nearby patrons.

“Sorry, sorry!” Ji quickly apologized.

“What’s the big fuss about?” Ji asked, slightly annoyed.

“Look at what’s written on the wall!” The rogue’s expression turned complicated as he looked over.

“The wall… what could possibly be on the wall?” Ji turned his head to look and gasped. This startled the nearby customers again, causing Ji to apologize once more. On the wall was a Confucian saying: “The wise are not confused, the benevolent are free from worry, the brave fear nothing.” It was truly inappropriate for this phrase to appear here!

“Do you think Zhu Shengzhiyin might also be a time traveler? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before,” the rogue said anxiously, glancing at Ji.

“Whether he is or not, we can test him later. But be careful—I’m afraid he might kill us to keep secrets since he is a master at the Yuan level. There’s no way we’d escape!” Ji adjusted his nonexistent glasses.

“Got it. I trust him. He’s a good man!” the rogue said confidently. (Remember this line.)

Captain Zhu arrived, and with a shout, everyone looked toward the second floor. There sat a bald man around fifty years old on a throne. To the two men’s surprise, he was not accompanied by any maidens but by three handsome youths. The rogue exchanged a meaningful glance with Ji but said nothing.

“Today's topic is: Write a poem or lyric about ambition,” Zhu Shengzhiyin announced without hesitation.

“Half an hour time limit, begin now!” With his command, everyone hurriedly began composing, except for Ji and the rogue, who remained very relaxed. The rogue was even daydreaming about what to eat for lunch. Soon, half an hour passed, and one by one, participants recited their works. As poems and lyrics echoed through the room, only three remained: Ji, the rogue, and another man—Ruzhou’s top talent, Fan Wei Ji. Wearing a confident smile, Fan recited his poem:

“Lofty ambition soaring like the rainbow,
Riding the waves and wind, a hero across ten thousand miles.
With iron will upholding justice,
A loyal heart illuminating the heavens.
I seek not fame or fortune’s gain,
Only wish to see the land adorned in splendor.
Resolute and unwavering in pursuit of dreams,
Singing boldly, proud beneath the vast sky.”

“The title is — Song of Lofty Ambition.”

“Excellent! Well written! Young Lord Fan is surely the champion today!” the crowd praised.

“All right, the remaining two need not present; they can’t match Lord Fan anyway. Let’s conclude here and enjoy the food and drink!” Zhu Shengzhiyin rose to leave.

“Wait, my poem will definitely crush this little Lord Fan!” the rogue exclaimed urgently.

“Oh? Recite it, then,” Zhu Shengzhiyin sat back down.

“Listen carefully. My poem is titled ‘Little Pine.’” At the title, laughter broke out among the crowd. “You think you can beat Lord Fan with this? Dream on!”

But as the rogue recited:

“A stubborn sprout hidden in deep grass,
Now gradually emerging among the weeds.
People fail to recognize the soaring tree,
Only when it rises do they call it tall.”

Everyone was stunned into silence. Even Zhu Shengzhiyin, who had just been about to leave, was momentarily speechless. Ji then said, “I, unworthy, shall also offer a poem—‘Chrysanthemums After Failing the Exam.’” Before the crowd could react, he began:

“When autumn comes on the eighth day of the ninth month,
My flower blooms, outshining all others.
A fragrant storm sweeps through Ruzhou,
The whole city clad in golden armor.”

The audience was dumbstruck. “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!” Zhu Shengzhiyin exclaimed thrice.

“Though I’m a rough man, I can still recognize good poetry. These two poems, while not adorned with flowery language, brilliantly use imagery to express ambition. What are your names?” Zhu Shengzhiyin asked the two.

At that moment, the two realized Zhu Shengzhiyin was not a time traveler, or he would have known the famous poems immediately. As for the Confucian quote on the wall, it must have been a coincidence.

“I am Ji,” one answered.

“And I am the rogue!” said the other.

“Rogue? That name sounds familiar,” Zhu Shengzhiyin pondered, then suddenly exclaimed, “Ah, you are the adopted son of the Southern King, Lord Chi! I’ve heard much about you! Quickly, please come up and drink with me!” he instructed his subordinates.

The two exchanged a glance and slowly ascended the stairs.

“Ha ha ha, Lord Chi, I’ve long admired your reputation. What brings you two to Ruzhou?”

“Oh, my brother Ji is originally from Ruzhou. As for me, I have come to discuss great matters with you.”

Then the rogue began outlining the plan involving Ji and himself. Throughout, Ji continuously added details, and Zhu Shengzhiyin’s strategist, Fan Wei Ji, analyzed the pros and cons. Soon, the three reached an agreement. However, Zhu Shengzhiyin proposed a friendly duel with the rogue, intending to use only minimal power. For the sake of the partnership, the rogue agreed, and Ji requested to join the fight as well, stating that as a novice at the Hu level, he would not affect the outcome much.

“I can’t believe you’ve already reached the Hu level. Truly a genius!” the rogue whispered to Ji.

“Since my brother wishes to join, so be it. Captain Zhu, you have no objections, right?”

“Ha ha ha, of course not. Let me see the strength of you young men!”

He sent a servant to prepare the arena on the first floor, and the fight quickly drew many spectators. Once everything was ready, Zhu Shengzhiyin stood with his hands behind his back, his aura restrained and seemingly ordinary. The rogue and Ji exchanged a knowing look, then simultaneously struck from the left and right.

The rogue’s punches roared like dragons, while Ji’s movements were elusive and ghostlike, his swordplay agile and unpredictable.

At first, Zhu Shengzhiyin responded effortlessly using only minimal power, but as the two’s attacks grew fiercer, he gradually unleashed more strength. Dust flew as their figures intertwined in increasingly intense combat. The rogue and Ji cooperated seamlessly—one attacking while the other defended—gradually forcing Zhu Shengzhiyin to retreat. Suddenly, Ji took a risky move, thrusting at Zhu Shengzhiyin from a cunning angle; a slight misstep could have led to his own downfall.

However, as Ji predicted, Zhu Shengzhiyin had to release his suppression to block the move.

“Sigh, I lost! I thought you only wanted to gain some experience, but I didn’t expect you to be a genius rivaling Lord Chi. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!” Zhu Shengzhiyin looked at Ji, his eyes shining in a way that made Ji uneasy.

Afterward, Zhu Shengzhiyin hosted a banquet for them. The rogue returned to the Longteng Inn, while Ji went back to his own home.

“Home is truly the best,” Ji thought as he reviewed the day’s achievements and planned the next steps, eventually falling asleep without noticing.