129: Self-destruction

“I even thought I had mistaken you, little girl.”

Hearing the familiar voice transmission, the young woman paused.

The two looked at each other for three breaths, then Jiang Hanwen released her hand, shielding her behind him, facing Xiao Fu alone.

The young woman froze, slowly lowered her head, and the round bead in her hand disappeared.

Only then did everyone notice that the young man who had just been severely criticized was standing beside the young woman at some point.

A broken carriage with broken wheels, mocking smiles flickered in everyone’s eyes.

“You like to critique poetry, don’t you? I have a poem here; you can critique it!” Jiang Hanwen said with a smile:

“Listen carefully!

Silver saddles gleam on white horses, swift as shooting stars.

Ten paces, one kill; a thousand li, no trace.

When the deed is done, brush off the clothes, deeply hide both self and name!”

Good poem!

Xiao Fu’s eyes lit up, stunned by the heroic Killing Intent in the poem, repeating in his mouth, “Ten paces, one kill; a thousand li, no trace.”

Beside him, Lin Xibing remained silent, silently reciting the verses, his eyes gleaming with wild joy, looking at Jiang Hanwen in surprise, cupping his fists and giving a thumbs-up.

Besides him, Jiao Mengde was also savoring the poem, his eyes shining with admiration.

“Such an imposing poem.”

“This Young Master is truly an Immortal Master who doesn’t reveal his true abilities…”

Amidst the profusion of praises, a harsh, grating voice rose again.

“Little brother, your poem is just so-so, only a little better than the previous one.

It’s not grand enough. Why didn’t you write it as, ‘One step, ten kills; ten thousand li, no trace’?”

After his critique, Xiao Fu looked arrogant, his chin held high.

Was the poem good?

Of course it was good, so good that he couldn’t write it.

But why should he admit it!

Instead of improving himself, it was better to trample on others.

After hearing the critique, Jiang Hanwen smiled. “Not grand enough,” indeed.

If poems were all modified like that, then Li Bai would have to concede three points to him. Would he need you?

People are willing to believe in perfection, but in this world, talent and virtue are never on the same channel.

This Xiao Fu, in terms of his poetic ability, was indeed not bad. It was just that he lacked any of the integrity a scholar should possess.

Being narrow-minded and hostile towards him was one thing.

But to mock and personally attack the little girl for her bad poem, that wasn't just a simple petty person, but truly malicious!

Those who knew were aware that he had just been accepted as a student by the academy. Those who didn’t might think he was already the dean. How could he let him off easy?

Just then, Jiao Mengde on the side sighed heavily and said to the crowd below:

“Everyone, this old man has always spoken truthfully. This young brother’s poem is unchangeable, and in my first half of life, none has surpassed it.

Today’s poetry gathering should be judged by its excellence.”

As soon as his words fell, Xiao Fu’s face instantly darkened. Just now, he had scorned it, and then the instructor turned around and admitted the other party wrote well. Wasn’t this slapping him in the face in front of everyone?

But under someone else’s roof, one had to bow their head. Xiao Fu could only suppress the resentment in his heart and maintain a smile on his face.

He thought that would be the end of it.

But Jiao Mengde’s words were not finished.

“The academy promotes talent, but virtue comes first.

As everyone can see, Xiao Fu is narrow-minded and hurts others with cold words. The academy is too small to accommodate such a great Buddha as him.

People must have self-awareness. I think, let’s stop here.”

Jiao Mengde gave Jiang Hanwen and the young woman an apologetic smile, returning Xiao Fu’s mocking words exactly as they were.

A bolt from the blue struck Xiao Fu from head to toe. He froze, his mind turning gray, like snow swept by a cold wind.

He stared blankly at Jiao Mengde, as if to say, “How can such cold words come from your 38-degree mouth?”

Thinking that he hadn’t even made it to the academy today, Xiao Fu felt his world collapse.

“Ah, what a pity, he was clearly already favored by the academy.”

“If you ask me, he deserved it. The other person’s poem was good, and he critiqued it haphazardly. instructor’s decision is correct.”

… Jiao Mengde gently stirred the pot, and in the blink of an eye, public opinion completely reversed, and everyone started criticizing Xiao Fu again.

The girl behind Jiang Hanwen’s eyes widened, as if she understood something.

“instructor, Junior knows his mistake. I will definitely cultivate virtue and self-improvement in the future. Please, give me a chance.”

Xiao Fu’s expression changed like flipping a book. He immediately adopted a look of profound remorse, bowing before Jiao Mengde.

Jiao Mengde, with a hint of displeasure, pointed at Jiang Hanwen and said:

“You deliberately obstructed just now, belittling a good poem. This young brother already let you off once, but you yourself wouldn’t let go. Who do you think is to blame?”

Xiao Fu’s eyes were red, tears welling up, and he cupped his hands towards Jiang Hanwen:

“Brother, I was too hasty just now. I hope you can be magnanimous. If you ever wish to join the academy in the future, I will certainly help!”

“Do you accept his apology?” Jiang Hanwen looked at the young woman behind him. She shook her head, her eyes cold and unperturbed.

“If apologizing is useful, then what do we need laws for?” Jiang Hanwen retorted instead of answering.

Jiao Mengde remained silent, showing no intention of helping.

The crowd below stared at Xiao Fu with expressions of schadenfreude, anticipating how he would handle it.

What to do?

Xiao Fu helplessly looked at Lin Xibing, who had been selected with him. Lin Xibing kept his gaze straight ahead, not looking at him.

No one was helping him. Now it was just him alone.

If he couldn’t go to the academy this time, would he have another chance?

Once his name spread in the academy, would anyone still want him?

Women, power, money, immortality—all of this was just in his grasp, and now it was suddenly gone.

The immense disparity, like a sharp axe, heavily struck his chest. It hurt so much!

His breathing was heavy. Looking down, he saw pairs of mocking eyes.

“Let it be.” With that, Jiao Mengde turned around.

“Thud!”

Xiao Fu knelt, his head knocking against the stage.

“Please, instructor, give me another chance.”

In his unseen eyes, there was deep venom.

Xiao Fu gritted his teeth, “You just wait. I’ll kill you sooner or later, break you two star-crossed lovers apart, and rape the woman in front of you.”

One breath, ten breaths, a hundred breaths.

He heard people moving around, but no one spoke.

Xiao Fu slowly raised his head, only to see that nine out of ten of the previously surging crowd had left.

He suddenly turned his head to the side, but where was the instructor’s figure? Looking down at the stage, only the dog and bitch from earlier were still standing in the snow.

“Ah, I’ll kill you!” Xiao Fu roared, leaping down with a dagger towards Jiang Hanwen.

Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.

Jiang Hanwen gently waved his hand, and the pristine white snow on the ground transformed into a large hand, pinning Xiao Fu down in the snow. The thick snow covered all traces, as if nothing had happened.

Jiang Hanwen and the young woman walked away, neither of them bothering with Xiao Fu buried under the snow.

After ten breaths, there was no longer a trace of Qi under the heavy snow.

Jiang Hanwen was cautious to the point of being timid. If he didn’t act, so be it, but once he did, he wouldn’t leave any chance for a “thirty years east of the river” comeback.

If the grass is not uprooted, it will grow again with the spring breeze. He had already given a chance.

“Your poems are so good, have you ever been to an academy before?”

“An academy?

No, the first one was mine, the second wasn’t…”

The two blended into the crowd, chatting about the swirling snow and the interesting events of their recent blind date.

Following the riverbank, they reached another bridge. Someone was selling masks. Remembering Zheng Yunxu, who hadn’t changed her mask in years at the shop, Jiang Hanwen picked out two good quality ones and bought them.

By the roadside, the sun made the ground wet and smooth, like a series of polished mirrors.

Soon, they walked out of the poetry gathering’s area, reaching a crossroads where their paths diverged. The two stopped.

“Are you going back to the bookshop?” The young woman looked up, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“Walk a bit more?” Jiang Hanwen asked politely.

“Okay.” The young woman smiled sweetly, dimples naturally appearing on her cheeks.

Jiang Hanwen was stunned. He seemed to have only been polite and didn’t truly intend to continue. Although he had encountered a fly today, overall he was still very happy. Not only had he learned a new Spell, but also a brand new boxing technique. He wanted to go find Gong Qing for a drink.