37

After a series of intense contests, the other four stages had also gradually seen the emergence of unbeatable champions, securing their positions as stage masters.

With less than a quarter of an hour remaining until midnight, Ji Yunyi walked out slowly and asked, "Are there any others who wish to challenge our five stage masters? If no one else comes forward, I shall proceed to announce the next round of the competition."

After she finished speaking, she scanned the entire venue, but there was not a single sound from the crowd.

Cheng Zhiyuan and Yang Zhaoniang exchanged a glance, a spark of mischief in their eyes. Synchronously, they took a step back and simultaneously delivered a forceful kick to Duan Mingyu’s backside.

Propelled by the kick, Duan Mingyu flew through the air toward the third stage, landing heavily in the center.

"Who, who the hell..." Duan Mingyu turned back to look, only to see Yang Zhaoniang gazing at the sky and Cheng Zhiyuan intently studying the floor. "You, you... that's too fake!"

As Duan Mingyu was silently cursing the two of them, Ye Xun chuckled, "My friend, what is the reason for this grand kowtow?"

"What else would I be on stage for? Obviously to challenge you!" a clamor erupted from the crowd, people eager to stir up trouble.

Hearing this, Ye Xun laughed arrogantly, "Friend, you aren't skilled enough to challenge me. Return the way you came!" He let out a loud, mocking laugh.

Duan Mingyu’s rage burned. *You think you're something, do you? Today I'll show you why the flowers are so red!* Rising to his feet, Duan Mingyu pointed his folding fan at Ye Xun: "I, Duan Mingyu, challenge you!"

Once these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted into an uproar.

"That’s the new top scholar, Duan Mingyu!" the crowd buzzed.

In a private room on the fifth floor, a graceful woman sighed, "Scholar Duan still possesses a bit of spirit, not at all inferior to his days in Chang'an. No wonder the Emperor personally inscribed his name!"

In another room, Qin Zongheng, Cao Hong, Zhang Qihou, and He Sanhu all stood up simultaneously: "What? Duan Mingyu!"

Behind a screen, Wan Yanyan breathed a sigh of relief: "I knew it, I knew you would come. Otherwise, it would have been a waste of my efforts to ask Mother..."

Ye Xun looked at the young man, who was seven or eight years his junior, and said, "This is you seeking your own humiliation. Do not blame me. Listen well, my opening line is: 'Sharpening the blade to face the foe, I ask, how many heads does this young scholar have?'"

Duan Mingyu replied dismissively, "Testing the edge as it strikes, let us see what tricks you have up your sleeve."

Ye Xun’s pupils contracted. He truly had not expected Duan Mingyu to counter so quickly, and a sense of unease began to stir within him.

Ye Xun had set the line, so it was now Duan Mingyu’s turn. Duan Mingyu gently waved his fan: "Everywhere a path leads, where to go and where to stay? Seeking two meals, distinguishing between right and wrong."

Cold sweat beaded on Ye Xun’s forehead. This line was genuinely difficult. After pacing back and forth for a few moments, Ye Xun slammed his fist onto his seat: "Ha! I have it. Listen well, my matching line is: 'Everything follows the Way, who is the guest and who is the host? Eating a bowl, each heading east or west.'"

As this line was delivered, the other four stage masters covered their faces and wept, lamenting how they could ever compete. The shame etched on their faces and in their hearts was as relentless as the surging waters of the Yangtze and as unstoppable as the Yellow River.

Ye Xun let out a long breath, cursing his own carelessness. After thinking for a while, he said, "My opening line is: 'Several rounds of pipes and flutes, apricot blossoms and spring rain count the Jiangnan.'"

Duan Mingyu replied, "What is difficult about that? 'Numerous times of gold and iron, fine horses and autumn winds watch the Saibei.'"

Duan Mingyu immediately followed with his own line: "Morning and evening, the flowers are much the same; watching the river flow beyond heaven and earth."

Ye Xun fell into deep thought again. The gap between the two was obvious to any keen observer. Yet, the crowd remained strangely silent, none causing trouble or shouting, as if they wanted to hear how many awe-inspiring couplets these two could produce.

Ye Xun took longer to think this time, but eventually replied, "Your 'Morning and evening, the flowers are much the same; watching the river flow beyond heaven and earth' is exquisite, yet I can still match it. My line is: 'Year after year, the people are different; observing the mountain colors amidst the haze.'"

Ye Xun recited again: "Lin Xiangru, Sima Xiangru, named Xiangru, yet in reality, not alike."

Duan Mingyu retorted: "Wei Wuji, Zhangsun Wuji, they are Wuji, yet here, also Wuji."

Duan Mingyu, unwilling to give Ye Xun any time to react, continued: "Half a cup, half a vessel, half drunk, half sober, stealing half a day of leisure; it counts as half the joy of the human world."

Ye Xun pondered for a long time but could not come up with a response. Finally, overcome with shame and anger, he snapped, "This, this is clearly an impossible challenge!"

Duan Mingyu looked at him with disdain: "And what if I produce the matching line?"

"If you can match this line, I will withdraw voluntarily and surrender the position of stage master to you."

Duan Mingyu said, "Very well. The matching line is: 'Immortal companions, immortal friends, immortal delicacies, immortal wine, inviting immortal maidens to drink together; it surpasses the immortals of heaven.'"

"Good! A magnificent line!" cheers erupted from the crowd.

Ye Xun was utterly humiliated. He bowed to Duan Mingyu without a word, turned, and left.

In the fifth-floor room, the graceful woman recited softly, "Half a cup, half a vessel, half drunk, half sober, stealing half a day of leisure; it counts as half the joy of the human world. Immortal companions, immortal friends, immortal delicacies, immortal wine, inviting immortal maidens to drink together; it surpasses the immortals of heaven. This is not just an impossible challenge; it is a masterpiece for the ages!"

Qin Zongheng took a sharp breath and said, "Cao Hong, from this day on, you keep a close watch on this Duan Mingyu. If the opportunity arises..." He made a throat-slitting gesture.

Cao Hong replied impassively, "Yes, my lord!"

Zhang Qihou and He Sanhu wore expressions of gloating, looking at Duan Mingyu as if he were already a dead man. *You’ve offended this young master, Duan Mingyu; you are finished.*

Behind the screen, Wan Yanyan’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes turned into two hearts. She licked her lips, looking at Duan Mingyu like a cat in heat.

Ji Yunyi smiled, "Very well. Since Master Ye has withdrawn, the position of stage master falls to the top scholar. The other four, do you still wish to challenge him?"

The other four stage masters looked at Duan Mingyu, gritted their teeth, and said, "Today, even if we must..."

Before finishing, all four acted as if they had a prior agreement, fleeing the stage as if their lives depended on it. Faintly, the crowd heard the rest of their sentence: "...even if we must lose our dignity, we refuse to face such a monster!"

The entire crowd: "..."

The much-anticipated couplet contest ended with Ye Xun’s defeat and the flight of the four stage masters.

Duan Mingyu stood in the direction Ye Xun had departed and clapped his hands: "Let's see if you dare to put on airs in front of me again."