Li Qingguang frowned in confusion.
"Senior Brother, what's wrong with you?"
Since the banquet had turned into a poetic drinking game, for those of the "Poetry Branch," this was naturally a chance to showcase their talents before the gathered scholars.
Given Liu Xuan's usual love for showing off, by now he should've already been in high spirits. But to everyone's surprise, he looked troubled and gloomy.
Not only Li Qingguang found it odd, but even the other academy students nearby noticed that the "Poetry Branch's" senior brother's attitude was off. They began whispering among themselves.
"Poetry Immortal" Li Wangji was one of the academy's most famous "Three Absolute Arts of Poetry, Calligraphy, and Painting."
The most famous of his deeds was fifty years ago, when he faced the Qiongman army. With a poem as his sword, he gathered his literary aura, which took shape as two azure serpents that cut off the Qiongman ghost general Yelü Ren's head.
Before that battle, the Qiongman had exploited a traitor within the court, breaking through the border of Half the Rivers and Mountains, nearly capturing the Six Northern Circuits in one swift strike.
Had Li Wangji not sent his spirit out of his body and entered the enemy camp to fight to the death, the war's outcome might have been drastically different.
But that spirit projection strike was discovered by the Great Tiansa, who nearly shattered his spirit platform. His cultivation had declined since, and he was still in recovery.
As his true disciple, Liu Xuan's name naturally shone among the younger generation.
At twenty-six, he was already at the Fifth Grade of the Divine Path.
Though not as dazzling as the Gu siblings, he was still considered a true genius. His poetic aura was no less than his teacher's, earning him the title of "Little Poetry Immortal."
To Li Qingguang, her senior brother was fine in every way, except for his big mouth. Especially that terrible drinking habit.
Whenever he drank too much, he'd spout nonsense and offend people.
But today, Liu Xuan was unusually quiet. It made her uncomfortable and slightly worried.
Liu Xuan gave an awkward laugh, pressing a hand to his forehead as if in pain.
"Uh... Junior Sister, I... I might have drunk too much last night. My head hurts, my thoughts are scattered. I don't think I can compose a poem today."
Li Qingguang froze for a moment, then sighed and muttered under her breath, "I told you not to drink so much, but you wouldn't listen."
Hearing that, others around them burst into amused laughter.
The "Poetry Branch" senior brother's love for drink and the trouble it caused him was a well-known tale among scholars.
No one knew that inside, Liu Xuan was in agony, groaning inwardly.
Teacher, I've failed you!
He covered his face and slammed his forehead onto the table, his expression twisted beyond words.
If today were just about offering congratulatory gifts one by one, it would have been fine.
Giving his gift to Gu Fangchen might have been inappropriate, but he could still pass it off as drunken arrogance or rashness.
Later, he could apologize to his teacher, kneel, and meditate in repentance for a few months until his teacher's heart softened.
After all, he'd caused plenty of trouble before...
But this time, Gu Youren had proposed a poetic drinking contest!
And that Gu Fangchen, he was famous for being lazy and uneducated. Asking him to compose poetry? It'd be a miracle if he could even string together a doggerel!
If he started spouting nonsense and made a fool of himself in front of everyone, it would be an utter disgrace.
And if, in that very moment, Liu Xuan were to give his "First-Class" seal to Gu Fangchen...
The "Poetry Branch" senior brother froze.
He couldn't even imagine that scene.
Before all the literary elders at the Qionglin Banquet, the entire Poetry Branch's reputation would be ruined.
At that point, it wouldn't just be a matter of repentance, it would be grounds for execution by his own teacher, a formal purging of the sect!
Even the retired elders of the Poetry Branch might be roused from seclusion.
No.
Liu Xuan shuddered. A man should at least not cause such a catastrophe.
He lifted his gaze to where Gu Fangchen sat calmly, sipping his wine as if nothing around him concerned him, and steeled his expression.
There was still a way to fix this.
Taking a deep breath, Liu Xuan feigned discomfort, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
In the next instant, his spirit left his body, flashing beside Gu Fangchen.
So what if that ignorant wastrel couldn't write poetry,
He would do it for him!
...
Gu Fangchen sat in the second seat, poured himself a cup of wine, took a sip, and smacked his lips.
The wine was called "No Evil in Thought," famed for its light fragrance and elegant aftertaste. It was popular among scholars, and even high officials enjoyed pretending to be cultured by drinking it. It was not cheap.
The original Gu Fangchen, who often frequented brothels and pleasure houses, naturally drank plenty of wine. He had nothing against this one's taste.
But to Gu Fangchen himself...
It just didn't compare to cola.
He fell into deep thought.
He vaguely remembered that in the game, some player who had joined the Demonic Cult's "Crafting Path" had managed to recreate a cola-like drink. The reactions from NPCs after drinking it had been identical to cola's effects.
Later, once it spread widely, it even managed to win over many cultivators of Great Wei to the Demonic Cult.
Now, what was that recipe again...
As Gu Fangchen dazedly pondered, the poetic contest below grew livelier.
After a few rounds of warm-ups among the scholars, it was finally Gu Youren's turn.
With her talent, there was no suspense. After a brief pause, she recited:
"The lotus parts, revealing the boat's ripple; the waves open, and egrets trace their path. Never seeking a guest's praise, what need has it for fragrance rich?"
It was a simple verse, yet its imagery was serene and refined, filled with quiet grace. Naturally, it drew waves of applause from the students below.
The poetic drinking game wasn't an examination. It didn't demand masterpieces; it tested one's quick wit, like composing a poem in seven steps. For most, creating one with proper parallelism was already impressive.
Still, the quality revealed one's skill.
For Gu Youren, this was nothing more than routine. After sitting down, she glanced at Gu Fangchen, who remained calm, and inwardly sneered.
All show and no substance. Surely, by now, he must be panicking inside.
What good were a sharp tongue and quick words?
In the end, such tricks amounted to nothing but petty cleverness.
The Sage said, "The petty man seeks from others, the gentleman seeks from himself."
Even if he had earned their master's favor, what use was that? Soon enough, when that lazy fool embarrassed himself before everyone, we would see how ugly his fall would be.
Soon, with everyone watching, it was Gu Yuandao's turn.
Gu Yuandao smiled calmly, pacing a few steps before speaking:
"I am not well-versed in the Way of Poetry. Allow me to present a humble verse titled 'Withered Lotus.'"
His eyes gleamed coldly as he chanted:
"The frost-blade has felled ten thousand trees, yet one dry stem resists the western breeze. The world holds no shortage of splendor bright, then let me claim the first great deed!"
His voice rang firm and sonorous. At once, several old ministers slapped the tables in approval.
"Good! Excellent poem!"
"As expected of the son of the Saint of War, such grandeur! The spirit of youth and the edge of steel! To make merit, one must indeed seize the first glory!"
The younger scholars were also excited.
"As scholars of Great Wei, we must all serve the nation! This poem stirs the blood!"
As the atmosphere reached its peak, Qingjian glanced at Gu Fangchen, who still looked perfectly composed, and couldn't help but ask, "My lord, can you compose poetry?"
Gu Fangchen's expression grew serious. He suddenly felt like teasing this Xiyin Attendant.
"Of course I can. Here, let me give you one right now."
"When one needs the book, one regrets it's few, so many lotuses are taking a bath..."
"Pfft-cough, cough!"
From beside him came the sound of someone choking violently on their drink.