Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Blank Paper? Mo Lan’s Shock!
In front of the desk at the center of the academy.
Ling Si watched Su Changqing, who was diligently writing with an earnest expression, and hesitated with her pen.
"Second brother Su asked me to go easy, to show mercy, but how...how to go easy here."
"The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone are all ordinary, and he can’t even comprehend the righteous energy of the Confucian path. As for calligraphy, is it merely perfect in ’form’?"
"Or perhaps not even that?"
Ling Si was somewhat troubled, as the leniency and mercy she was asked to show was based on the assumption that the gap between them wasn’t significant.
But now, forget letting him win, even if she let the sea pass, Su Changqing wouldn’t stand on the same level as her.
"Oh well, let’s write at the level of mastering ’skill’, then encourage my junior brother afterwards to save some face."
Thinking of this, Ling Si picked up her pen, and line by line of delicate little characters danced across the paper.
...
At the front of the academy.
Although Wei Cang knew he would win, his expression was still unpleasant.
He looked at Li Qingchen, who was confidently composed beside him, and said coldly:
"Don’t think I don’t understand, you came here this time intending to lose to me."
"Is this charity? Or humiliation?"
"I, Wei Cang, do not eat food that is given in pity. I will definitely win against you openly and honestly once!"
Wei Cang’s voice was full of anger. Li Qingchen’s actions clearly showed disdain for him.
What? Pitying him for his age, giving him a victory?
He doesn’t need it!
Meanwhile, Li Qingchen and Shu Han beside him were both momentarily stunned by these words.
Charity?
Who is giving charity to you?
And unearned victory, unless the opposite side is the Literary Emperor, Chang Qing’s victory is not unearned.
"Ahem, Senior Brother..."
Li Qingchen’s expression turned slightly strange and said, "I didn’t intend to give charity, nor have I planned to let you win."
Wei Cang was taken aback and laughed in anger, "You didn’t plan to let me win?"
"Do you expect a child who can’t even comprehend the righteous energy, to defeat Ling Si?"
"Without the righteous energy of the Confucian path, using even the most inferior of the scholar’s tools, aren’t you clearly intending to give up?"
Mo Lan and Yi Xian, two great scholars beside them, also nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
This act, indeed, seemed too obvious.
Li Qingchen attempted to explain, yet found himself somewhat lost for words, slightly troubled.
Just then, below, Su Changqing raised his hand in indication, coinciding with Ling Si setting down her pen, announcing in unison:
"I’m finished writing."
Li Qingchen heard this and decided not to explain further, "Look at the result then."
...
To prevent cheating, Shu Han went to collect Ling Si’s writings, and Qing Feng from White Deer Academy went to collect Su Changqing’s.
Shu Han’s side was smooth. He looked at the delicate little characters in his hand, nodded with a smile.
"Junior sister has improved significantly, hope she enters the path soon."
Ling Si responded with a confident smile upon hearing this, "Thank you, Senior Brother, I will strive hard."
Shu Han nodded, handed over the article for the two great scholars to assess.
But at this moment, Qing Feng, who went to collect papers, suddenly laughed.
"Junior Brother...is this the paper you intend to submit?"
Qing Feng couldn’t help but laugh as he looked at the blank paper in his hand.
"Indeed, please trouble Senior Brother!"
Su Changqing nodded seriously.
He had given his all, whether he could win or not, was up to fate.
"Although you have connections, this is too blatant."
Qing Feng shook his head, the smile on his face turning somewhat cold.
Even with connections, submitting a blank paper is too contemptuous of others!
"Connections? Blatant?"
Su Changqing was completely puzzled, not understanding what the other was referring to.
"Qing Feng, what happened?" Wei Cang frowned and asked.
"Dean, Junior Brother submitted a blank paper." Qing Feng reported truthfully.
As soon as these words were spoken, the brows of Wei Cang and the two great scholars were tightly furrowed.
This behavior is no longer about the quality of literature, but about the problem of attitude!
Just as Qing Feng said, it’s too arrogant!
Outside the academy, under the vast sky, Su Zian also covered his face with his hand.
...
"Blank paper?"
Su Changqing was taken aback, looked at the plain paper in Qing Feng’s hand, pointed at it, and said: "Senior Brother, can’t you see?"
"See what?"
Qing Feng responded angrily, "See your arrogant and domineering attitude?"
"Never mind, Senior Brother."
Ling Si hurriedly whispered, "It’s just a literary competition, no need to be so aggressive."
Su Changqing was even more puzzled, up until now he had no idea what had happened.
On the contrary, in the front, Shu Han slapped his forehead, realizing something.
Qing Feng, of course, would see a blank sheet.
Entering the path of calligraphy, the characters do not show the mundane world, it would be impressive if Qing Feng could perceive it.
To put it in simpler terms, it’s like ’a wild boar can’t eat refined grains.’
"Junior Brother Qing Feng, you need not worry so much, just submit the paper, the elders will judge freely."
Shu Han spoke up.
"What’s to submit? The outcome is obvious, isn’t it?" Qing Feng spoke angrily.
Above, Wei Cang’s face completely darkened, he looked at Li Qingchen,
"If you don’t want to compete, you needn’t act like this, submit a blank paper? It’s absurd to think of such a thing!"
Wei Cang was almost exploding with rage, he had been nervously preparing for this literary competition for two years.
Yet others showed no concern at all, how could he not be angry?
"Qingchen, this is excessive!"
At this time, even Mo Lan and Yi Xian, the two great scholars, had darkened faces.
Li Qingchen sighed deeply upon seeing this.
Indeed, competing with opponents of different levels wasn’t possible, too high-level techniques were beyond their comprehension.
"Chang Qing, go submit the paper to the two elders."
"Let them see your blank paper!"
Li Qingchen gestured and instructed.
"Understood."
Su Changqing, full of doubt, picked up the test paper and laid it in front of the two great scholars’ desk.
Mo Lan and Yi Xian both had an unpleasant expression. What’s there to see about a blank paper?
Wouldn’t it make one seem stupid?
However, seeing Li Qingchen beside them, Mo Lan sighed, giving face to the scholarly sage, he casually picked up the blank paper on the desk.
But at the next moment...
"Clang!"
Mo Lan abruptly stood up, even toppling the wooden chair behind him without noticing.
He stared wide-eyed at the paper in his hand, his beard trembling in excitement.
That blank paper in Qing Feng’s eyes, now in his view, was a dance of fish and dragon, with everlasting Dao resonance!
The script connected in flowing elegance, like koi swimming together.
The brushstrokes powerful, iron hooking silver painting, like dragons dancing fiercely!
The two inherently contradictory realms brought together in perfect fusion, fish and dragon both present!
And when wholly immersed, each character seemed to soar skyward, with the roar of dragons echoing in one’s ears.
"Roar!"
Mo Lan, the great scholar, was visibly astonished, instinctively stepped back, his whole body trembling!
Beside him, both Yi Xian the great scholar and Wei Cang furrowed their brows upon seeing this reaction.
Mo Lan, as a highly respected senior in the Confucian path, had reacted almost inappropriately.
Furthermore, how could a blank sheet be this remarkable?
Even with respect given due to the scholarly sage, this manner seemed too exaggerated!
"Senior Mo Lan, isn’t this a bit too fake?"
Wei Cang spoke in a vexed tone.
Mo Lan completely ignored this, he instead intensely focused on the paper in his hand, murmuring in a trance-like voice,
"Divine script...Fish Dragon Dance!"