Chapter 111: He Truly Had No Habit of Showing Mercy to Others, Double Fourth Rank
The water pavilion lay silent. Ripples spread across the lotus pond, layer upon layer, shimmering like fragments of silver resting upon buried jade.
“Do you really need me to tell you how to thank me?”
Shen Yanzhou stood upon the floating bridge, tall and slender, a smile upon his face. With his other hand, he gently drew in Zhao Qingchan’s slender and graceful waist, pulling her into his arms.
From afar, the two looked as though embracing.
“You…”
Zhao Qingchan seemed to stiffen for a brief moment, a trace of unnaturalness appearing on her face, but she quickly recovered and did not resist.
“That Qi Haoran followed us.”
Shen Yanzhou lowered his head, looking at that exquisite face whose eyes had lightly closed from tension and unease. His expression carried amusement as he sent a secret voice transmission.
“I know…”
With strength not to be underestimated, Zhao Qingchan naturally sensed the subtle fluctuations of aura behind them.
She responded in the same cool manner through a secret transmission.
Though Qi Haoran’s concealment method was not bad, his Confucian realm was inferior to Zhao Qingchan’s.
One could say Zhao Qingchan clearly perceived Qi Haoran’s sneaky, tailing figure.
“Hehe, he truly does have genuine sincere affection for you. You treat him like a clown to toy with… even I feel a little sorry for him.”
Shen Yanzhou sighed, yet the hand holding Zhao Qingchan’s waist slowly trailed along the ribbon at her dress belt, deliberately attempting to loosen it.
“Don’t…”
“Not here.”
Zhao Qingchan’s delicate body froze. She quickly reached out with her other hand to press down on his restless fingers.
“How boring.”
Shen Yanzhou shook his head lightly and withdrew his hand, not forcing her.
“I… I will give you what you want.” Zhao Qingchan replied in a very soft voice transmission.
“That much, I believe.” Shen Yanzhou nodded with a smile.
Zhao Qingchan quietly exhaled, relieved. Though she had promised Shen Yanzhou, she still worried he might act recklessly tonight.
Especially since she felt Shen Yanzhou… seemed to have certain odd preferences.
Clearly, that day in the residence, she had explained plainly that she did not like Qi Haoran nor wished to have further unnecessary contact with someone of so little value.
Yet Shen Yanzhou insisted that she get closer to Qi Haoran.
Zhao Qingchan did not understand… but respected it and complied.
When it came to toying with others, she was extremely adept, especially since Qi Haoran held strong feelings toward her.
“By the way, do you enjoy this sort of thing?”
Zhao Qingchan asked through voice transmission, her delicate figure resting lightly in Shen Yanzhou’s arms. She already sensed Qi Haoran’s breathing turning rapid.
In the distance, Qi Haoran’s eyes widened completely. Seeing Zhao Qingchan held in Shen Yanzhou’s arms struck him like thunder, red veins surfacing in his gaze.
In his mind, Shen Yanzhou taking Zhao Qingchan’s hand earlier was something he could barely force himself to accept.
But now—they were already in intimate physical contact.
Qi Haoran’s breathing grew urgent, nearly losing control as he prepared to rush forward and stop it.
Senior Sister Zhao…
Senior Sister Zhao, you would allow him to take advantage of you like this?
Qi Haoran’s body trembled slightly.
“If I told you I have another purpose, would you believe it?” Shen Yanzhou asked through transmission as well. He naturally had no interest in openly humiliating someone. However, in his eyes, this was the most effective method to provoke Qi Haoran.
Everything was for negative emotions.
Over the past few days, he had already harvested several hundred points of negative emotion from Qi Haoran; tonight’s numbers were especially ridiculous.
As expected of someone from the protagonist’s group.
Negative emotions from Qi Haoran +35 +37 +41…
“Then… I suppose I’ll believe you.”
Zhao Qingchan, of course, did not believe it. She did not think Shen Yanzhou would gain anything from Qi Haoran.
If Shen Yanzhou wanted to kill Qi Haoran, there were countless other methods.
Was it simply to torment the other’s heart?
“Qingchan, you are so beautiful tonight. I really like you.”
Suddenly, Zhao Qingchan heard Shen Yanzhou’s voice turn unexpectedly tender. She paused slightly.
This was not a voice transmission—Shen Yanzhou had spoken aloud.
She raised her eyes, just meeting Shen Yanzhou’s slightly lowered gaze.
Their gazes met beneath the night. Shen Yanzhou looked at her moist and glossy lips with keen interest.
Even though Zhao Qingchan had prepared herself, her heart still fluttered in panic, losing her usual calm and cool composure.
“You—”
She had just begun to speak.
“Don’t speak.”
Shen Yanzhou cut her off forcefully, lowering his head and kissing her.
Zhao Qingchan’s beautiful eyes widened instantly. Having never experienced such a thing, her mind buzzed blankly, thoughts scattering like mush. The words she meant to say choked into a single “Mm”, and the hands that had been braced lightly against Shen Yanzhou’s chest lost strength.
Boom!!!
At the very moment Shen Yanzhou made his move, a surge of fierce literary qi came crashing forth, accompanied by Qi Haoran’s furious roar: “Stop—!”
No matter how much Qi Haoran cultivated composure, he truly could not endure any longer.
Senior Sister Zhao had a request of Shen Yanzhou. Forced by helplessness, she allowed him to take advantage, but how could he, watching from the side, simply stand idle?
Let Shen Yanzhou take advantage by holding hands and embracing—he had forced himself to endure. But he absolutely could not endure Shen Yanzhou actually kissing her.
Brilliant literary qi erupted in the night like a glowing mist, forming countless weapon phantoms that struck toward Shen Yanzhou.
“This guy really can’t keep his cool. At best, this is an assassination attempt on the heir; at worst, it’s a provocation against the iron laws of Great Qian—an attack on a Chilin Guards Thousand-Household Commander.”
Shen Yanzhou ended the kiss quickly. With a casual wave, his vast internal true qi roared like a dragon, blasting apart the incoming literary qi with thunderous ease. The weapon phantoms dissipated before they even reached him.
But his true qi did not cease. Like a black true-dragon, it surged across the lotus pond, shaking the bridge as it swept straight toward Qi Haoran.
Even though Qi Haoran had prepared and knew Shen Yanzhou’s terrifying power, he never expected a mere casual strike to crush his own strongest attack instantly.
Suppressing his anger, his expression turned solemn as he chanted under his breath. Bright light burst from his eyes, each spoken word forming tangible shadows in the air.
Above his head, an ancient scroll unfurled—the Thousand-Character Essay.
Every archaic character shone with radiant brilliance, as though a great Confucian sage were writing in the air, manifesting each word into a lethal strike.
The characters flew forth in layers like waves, colliding with Shen Yanzhou’s sweeping palm force.
Boom!!!
Another violent explosion resounded. The surrounding corridors trembled, roof beams cracked, and waves surged violently in the lotus pond.
“What happened?”
The ministers drinking at the other side of the water pavilion were startled, rushing over immediately.
The guards and retainers of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion moved swiftly toward the water pavilion.
Such a disturbance in the dead of night could only mean masters were fighting.
The ancient characters burst like embroidered brilliance in the night, blocking Shen Yanzhou’s palm force.
Had they been corporeal, countless fragments would have flown everywhere, the destruction unimaginable.
Qi Haoran’s face went pale; he nearly lost balance and fell into the pond. Even using the Thousand-Character Essay, he barely managed to withstand Shen Yanzhou’s casual blow. His internal organs ached as though scorched.
He quickly operated his literary qi to heal himself, and his complexion improved slightly.
“Qi Haoran, what is the meaning of this? You came to my residence as a guest tonight, yet you attempted to kill me?” Shen Yanzhou released Zhao Qingchan, standing upon the floating bridge with a cold expression.
Qi Haoran knew he was in the wrong, but seeing Shen Yanzhou had let go of Zhao Qingchan, he quietly let out a breath as well.
“I merely acted out of righteous courage. Senior Sister Zhao did not wish to be defiled by you, yet you forced her through martial strength. As a scholar, how could I stand by and watch?” Qi Haoran responded coldly.
“Which of your eyes saw me forcing Qingchan?”
“I see that you, a hostage prince from Qi, simply planned to use tonight’s opportunity to assassinate me.” Shen Yanzhou asked icily.
“What nonsense are you spouting? I acted with a clear conscience. I could swear upon my Literary Heart—how could I allow you to frame and slander me?”
Qi Haoran instinctively glanced toward Zhao Qingchan. Yet he found that she still seemed unable to recover from what had just happened, appearing slightly dazed.
Even under the dim night, one could faintly see a trace of moisture upon her glossy lips.
This made Qi Haoran clench his fists even tighter, his unwillingness swelling further.
Senior Sister Zhao, whom he had always treated with courtesy, had been granted such intimacy by Shen Yanzhou.
Qi Haoran suddenly felt that Zhao Qingchan might as well have agreed to the marriage alliance with the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion. Shen Tian would clearly never dare treat her so frivolously.
“If you have anything to say, go say it in the Chilin Guards’ Heavenly Prison.”
Shen Yanzhou stepped forward several paces. His robe billowed without wind, and an invisible, overwhelming pressure poured forth. The entire floating bridge trembled violently, as though it could collapse at any moment.
Qi Haoran gritted his teeth; bearing the brunt of it, he felt like a lone leaf-boat in a storm, ready to capsize at any second.
But sheer willpower allowed him to hold on. The vast qi in his chest surged outward, forming a pale golden barrier before him.
“御。”
He bit the tip of his tongue. An old brush flew out from his chest—less than a foot long, forged in the likeness of wolf hair. Guided by his fingers, a mouthful of blood served as ink, writing into the air.
Once the character “御” was formed, a massive golden cauldron manifested, descending to suppress Shen Yanzhou’s crushing martial will.
Shen Yanzhou was not unfamiliar with the Confucian techniques of this world—nourishing righteous qi, holding vastness within one’s chest, carrying the Dao through literature, able to stabilize mountains and rivers.
As a Sixth-Rank Literary Heart Realm Confucian cultivator, Qi Haoran was indeed a prodigy for his age.
But compared to Shen Yanzhou now, he was far too lacking.
Shen Yanzhou looked at the manifested cauldron and made no extra movement. He simply punched forward. Primordial Qi roared within him, true qi surging; his fist-light thundered out, and with a sharp crack, the golden cauldron shattered into countless fragments.
Using blood as ink to forcibly form the cauldron, Qi Haoran felt as if a towering mountain had rammed straight into him.
His internal organs screamed in pain. He spat blood with a choked cry and was blasted away.
“What happened?”
The ministers who had hurried over from the other side of the water pavilion had not even seen what took place before they saw Qi Haoran’s body erupt with golden light, only to be sent flying, crashing into the eaves before falling heavily to the ground. Blood flowed from his nose and mouth, his hair disheveled, his former handsome appearance nowhere to be seen.
“Brother Haoran!”
Liu Zi’an turned pale with shock and rushed forward to help, but an old hand beside him quickly pulled him back.
Looking over, he saw it was his grandfather, the Old Duke.
The Old Duke wore a grave expression and shook his head.
The Demon Suppression King, Shen Jingxiao, frowned as he glanced first at Shen Yanzhou, then at the unconscious Qi Haoran. He, too, did not understand what had occurred here.
Just earlier all had been calm—how had it turned into a sudden battle?
“Using blood as ink to stabilize a nation’s cauldron—this ‘御’ technique has yet to reach Major Accomplishment, but it already shows some embryonic form. Unfortunately, as a Sixth-Rank Literary Heart Realm cultivator, he is far from achieving the true phenomenon of a single cauldron descending to quell all turbulence, as seen in the hands of a great Confucian.”
The ministers sensed the lingering literary qi traces in the air and commented.
These were high-ranking officials—whether scholars or warriors, all possessed sharp judgment.
“Yanzhou, what happened earlier? Why did you end up fighting him?” Shen Jingxiao asked.
“Qingchan and I were admiring the moon in the water pavilion, and this fellow suddenly attacked me for no reason.”
“I suspect he infiltrated tonight’s gathering of honored guests precisely to wait for such an opportunity. His Majesty entrusted me with investigating the major case of recent days—entangled with many forces. Perhaps someone intends to eliminate me through him.” Shen Yanzhou said casually.
Shen Jingxiao remained silent.
The other ministers also said nothing. Even the Old Duke sighed softly and tightened his hold on his grandson.
Liu Zi’an stared blankly at the distant Qi Haoran, unable to speak.
It was obvious to any sensible observer that Shen Yanzhou was placing the highest possible accusation on him.
If the Duke’s Residence did not immediately distance itself, they, too, risked being implicated.
At that moment, Qi Haoran—lying on the ground—felt as though his chest had exploded. He did not know how many ribs were broken. He barely propped himself up, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, and shouted angrily, “Do not spew nonsense!”
“I have acted righteously and properly! If not for your earlier impropriety toward Senior Sister Zhao, how could I have struck out in indignation?”
“Shen Yanzhou, Heaven and Earth hold righteous qi, manifesting in myriad forms. If you do not restrain yourself, those who commit injustice will meet their own end.”
The moment he finished speaking, he coughed out another mouthful of blood, staining his robes red.
“What nonsense? Did you not just attempt to ambush me? As a disciple of the Confucian Courtyard, cultivating your Literary Heart, nurturing righteous qi—yet your Literary Heart just now was dimmed, and even your Haoran Righteous Qi no longer pure.”
“And you dare call yourself righteous?” Shen Yanzhou let out a soft laugh.
The ministers cultivating the Confucian path all sensed Qi Haoran’s condition and shook their heads inwardly.
Shen Yanzhou had not lied—Qi Haoran’s Literary Heart truly had dimmed, and his Haoran Righteous Qi was indeed impure.
Regardless of why he attacked, that attack was now an established fact.
Attempting to ambush the heir of the Demon Suppression Prince’s Mansion—who was also a Thousand-Household Commander of the Chilin Guards—
Tsk, tsk…
Even with Qi Haoran’s remarkable talent, his future was now bleak.
Qi Haoran’s expression stiffened. He naturally knew the reason for his dim Literary Heart and impure righteous qi, but how could he explain it at such a time?
“Senior Sister Zhao, I… tonight, I…”
He looked toward Zhao Qingchan, hoping she would explain on his behalf.
But Zhao Qingchan merely pressed her lips together, glanced at him, worry in her expression, mixed with embarrassment. In the end, she gave him a helpless look.
Qi Haoran froze. Then a bitter smile tugged at his lips. Tonight he truly had acted impulsively.
If Senior Sister Zhao claimed she had been forced, then all her behavior at the banquet earlier would be meaningless.
“Men, take him away. He will be delivered to the Chilin Guards tomorrow.” Shen Jingxiao ordered.
Although he valued Qi Haoran and wished for him to befriend Shen Tian, such impulsiveness was unbecoming of a scholar.
Several guards quickly stepped forward, shackled Qi Haoran’s limbs, and dragged him away.
Before being taken off, Qi Haoran shot a cold glare at Shen Yanzhou—a hatred etched in his bones.
Yet Shen Yanzhou did not care at all. He did not even look at him.
He was tallying tonight’s gains.
【Techniques: The True Explanation of Primordial Unity (Incomplete, Second Realm 1/16)】
【Name: Shen Yanzhou】
【Secret Arts: Selfless Sword Heart (Fragmented, Minor Accomplishment 1/4), Grand Ascension of Five Emperors, Immovable as the Mountain Art, Dragon-Seizing Force…】
【Daoist Arts: Void Escape Art (Can be deduced to completion), Concealment in the Void (Can be deduced to completion), Five-Element Base Method (Can be deduced to completion), Minor Art of Reversing Yin and Yang (3/4, can be deduced to completion)…】
【Realm: Martial Path, Fourth Rank; Daoist Path, Fourth Rank.】
【Available Basic Points: 0 (619.24/100)】
He saved 2 points for later use; the remaining 4 points were added directly to his techniques.
Mid-stage, late-stage, peak—
Silently, Shen Yanzhou’s realm had reached the early stage of dual Fourth Rank in both martial and Daoist cultivation.
The smile at the corner of his lips faded. He was getting closer to his First Rank goal.
This farce left the ministers somewhat amused, though their interest soon faded.
A hostage prince from Qi was not worth their attention—unless the great Confucian of the Hanlin Academy appeared in person.
Shen Jingxiao also did not lecture Shen Yanzhou further. He simply ordered servants to repair the damaged corridors and bridge tomorrow, then went to escort the remaining guests.
Zhao Qingchan truly did not understand Shen Yanzhou’s intentions tonight. Was he really targeting Qi Haoran, intending to imprison him in the Chilin Guards’ Heavenly Prison?
“Qingchan, it’s late. Time to go home.”
Before she could question Shen Yanzhou, her parents arrived together, ready to take her away.
Shen Yanzhou personally sent them out of the mansion.
Only Divine Martial Marquis Zhao Jinghe treated him somewhat coldly, while the Divine Martial Marquis’ madam smiled warmly and exchanged light conversation with him along the way.
“Good chance to use Qi Haoran as a test—see how long I can harvest him.”
Shen Yanzhou returned to the mansion. He always felt that both Shen Tian and Qi Haoran could provide him with large amounts of negative emotions because they belonged to the protagonist group and carried strong fortune—commonly referred to as luck.
But clearly, such luck was not unchanging. Certain events could steer it off its original course.
In the original plot, Qi Haoran would become the protagonist’s strategist, win first place in the metropolitan exam, enter the Hanlin Academy as Editor, and be cherished by a great Confucian, becoming his disciple.
He would later win the literary competitions of the nine provinces held at the Temple of the Sage and Jixia Academy, obtain the nine-tier ritual altar, learn the Art of Fengshan, condense his Literary Appearance, and greatly benefit Qi Kingdom—boosting its national fortune beyond neighboring small nations, making it the strongest after Beiyu and Great Qian.
But now, in Shen Yanzhou’s eyes, Qi Haoran would no longer reach that future.
His mindset had crumbled; his Literary Heart dimmed; his righteous qi impure. The great Confucian of the Hanlin Academy would certainly not risk offending Shen Yanzhou for his sake.
“So in other words, the process of collapsing Qi Haoran’s mentality is, in essence, the process of cutting down his fortune, preventing him from reaching the achievements he was meant to have.”
“Fortune is truly unpredictable.”
Shen Yanzhou shook his head. He still did not know how much more negative emotion he could harvest.
Perhaps once Qi Haoran completely collapsed, he would no longer yield any negative emotion—or fortune.
Lost in thought, Shen Yanzhou did not go to the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard that night. Instead, he waited quietly in the water pavilion.
When the last of the ministers were sent off, Shen Jingxiao finally returned. The two met eyes; without the need for acting in front of others, both wore cold expressions.
“Now you should behave, shouldn’t you? I told you before—you cannot escape my grasp. Even if you silently removed the threat of the Nether Gu.”
“If I wish to control you, I have countless ways.”
After a moment, Shen Jingxiao said lightly, confidence filling every word.
“But I don’t think you were like this earlier.”
“Are you rejoicing now, or simply relieved?” Shen Yanzhou smiled faintly in return.