However, because today's poetry gathering was hosted by the Crown Prince, no matter how dissatisfied they were, they didn't dare to show it openly.
Just then, a procession of honor guards approached from a distance.
Ye Qinghe and the others stood up one after another, watching with respectful attention.
The newcomer was none other than the Crown Prince, but many people's gazes fell almost unanimously on the graceful figure beside him.
"It really is Fairy Yu!"
"Her face is truly breathtaking. In the Daxia Capital—no, not just the Capital of Daxia, even in countries like Qingsong, Guhe, Longdu, and Yizhou, there is probably no woman who can compare to her!"
Someone muttered to themselves.
Hearing this, Goddess Xiao's face immediately revealed a sneer as she quietly began to appraise Fairy Yu. Initially, she felt deeply unconvinced, but upon seeing Fairy Yu's appearance, a flash of astonishment inevitably crossed her eyes.
"Can such a woman truly exist in this world? This face looks as though she were naturally born, like an immortal who has transcended the mortal realm..."
Goddess Xiao was secretly shocked in her heart.
The scholars from Guhe and other nations were now also captivated, staring blankly.
"Fairy Yu, with you here to add to the festivity today, this poetry gathering can finally be considered complete," the Crown Prince said with a soft smile.
His gaze swept across the crowd, immediately spotting Fang Chen, and he withdrew his eyes without changing his expression.
Fairy Yu also saw Fang Chen, a faint smile appearing on her face. "His Royal Highness flatters me. For this humble one to be able to attend today's poetry gathering is an immense honor."
The Crown Prince chuckled, observing Fairy Yu's face from the side while a flash of greed secretly flickered in his eyes.
Chapter 29: Utterly Nonsensical
The Crown Prince led Fairy Yu to her seat. The moment the two of them arrived, it marked the official beginning of today's "Ceasefire Poetry Gathering." Everyone exerted their utmost effort, planning to trot out the poetry they had prepared over the past period and make a name for themselves in one stroke!
"Military God Fang, how is it that you have the leisure to come here today?"
After taking his seat, the Crown Prince swept a seemingly casual glance at Fang Chen and smiled.
Tao Yu answered on Fang Chen's behalf: "Your Royal Highness, Military God Fang said he wishes to immerse himself in the cultural refinement of ink and brush."
"So that's how it is."
The Crown Prince realized: "That's fine too. Since Military God Fang won't be able to enter the imperial court or lead troops in the future, he might as well abandon martial arts for literature to add a bit of luster to our Daxia. Military God Fang is a martial arts prodigy, so I suppose switching to the literary path won't be any weaker than any of you here."
"Your Royal Highness, have you ever seen a butcher compose poetry?"
Ye Qinghe couldn't help laughing.
This remark instantly provoked a burst of uproarious laughter at the scene.
Fairy Yu's brows furrowed involuntarily. She memorized in her heart everyone who had laughed aloud just now, particularly Tao Yu and Ye Qinghe.
Looking utterly bored, Fang Chen waved a hand. "I am here to soak up the cultural refinement of poetry and ink, not to chat idly with you lot. Hurry up and start reciting poetry."
The expressions of the crowd shifted slightly. Seeing this, the Crown Prince no longer paid attention to Fang Chen, and instead smiled and addressed the assembly:
"Today's poetry gathering has the theme of 'Ceasefire.' I wonder who will step forward first to claim the top prize?"
Hearing this, someone immediately jumped out, reciting a poem they had already prepared, which instantly drew applause throughout the hall.
"Utterly nonsensical," Fang Chen muttered to himself, then smiled and clapped his hands, though his gaze casually sized up the attendants brought by the Crown Prince.
As poem after poem about a ceasefire was presented, the atmosphere of the gathering gradually reached a peak. No one cared about Fang Chen's presence anymore; they all wanted to seize today's opportunity to gain a shred of superficial fame for themselves and leave an impression on the Crown Prince, hoping to use it for future advancement.
"His attendants are all martial artists, and their highest cultivation is merely Peak Qi Burst. There is indeed no sign of the Blood Spirit Cult, but..."
A flash of amusement crossed Fang Chen's eyes.
His people had already taken action; today, they would be able to confirm the relationship between that Daoist and the Crown Prince.
If the Crown Prince was connected to the Blood Spirit Cult, then the nature of this matter would change completely.
"Weapons and armor as steeds ascending the cloud peak,
Bones buried in the Three Realms, ten thousand loyal souls.
Old deeds have already vanished with the wars of old,
Only the sound of families weeping, soaking their collars with tears."
"Fine poetry!"
"As expected of Daxia's premier talent! Listening to this poem, I can practically see countless loyal souls weeping, unable to ever return home to joyfully reunite with their families!"
"Brother Tao, if you can step into the grand halls in the future, you will surely lead Daxia to truly halt warfare—just like my Guhe, which has not known conflict for a hundred years and enjoys celebrations year after year!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, continuously praising Tao Yu's poem. It was as if they could witness with their own eyes the tragic deaths of countless loyal souls during that battle at the Three Realms Mountain!
Tao Yu smiled faintly, gently waving his folding fan, while his gaze fell upon Fang Chen.
This poem had a pointed meaning.
Everyone could hear it as well. Having long since ceased to care about Fang Chen's presence, upon hearing this poem, they all looked at him with resentment, grievance, dissatisfaction, and contempt.
Goddess Xiao was slightly startled before she, too, looked at Fang Chen, a deep sense of anticipation welling up in the depths of her eyes. What would Fang Chen do next?
Tao Yu reciting this poem in front of Fang Chen today was clearly a reprimand, a sneer, a mockery!
Fairy Yu glanced at Tao Yu, a strange look flashing in her eyes.
Sensing something, Tao Yu looked back at Fairy Yu, smiled softly, and nodded in acknowledgment, while feeling somewhat secretly pleased. His poem had clearly won Fairy Yu's favor.
"Fairy Yu, what do you think of Brother Tao's poem?" the Crown Prince asked with a smile.
"Please enlighten us, Fairy Yu," Tao Yu said, cupping his fists.
"This poem..."
Fairy Yu pondered slightly.
Everyone's eyes lit up, eagerly anticipating how Fairy Yu would evaluate Tao Yu's poem. Today's gathering was bound to become a legendary tale!
"This poem... is utterly nonsensical."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Fairy Yu said with a deadpan expression.
The crowd froze slightly, astonishment appearing on all their faces as they looked at each other in bewilderment.
Did they mishear?
Or did Fairy Yu say the wrong thing?
Tao Yu, who had been waiting for Fairy Yu's praise, found his expression freezing. The Crown Prince's expression shifted as well, though possessing some composure, he said indifferently:
"Fairy Yu, what do you mean by that? I actually think Tao Yu's poem captures the tragedy of war to the fullest. With today's theme being ceasefire, this poem rightfully deserves to be ranked first."
"Your Royal Highness, this humble one does not understand affairs of state. This humble one only knows that while a lack of war is naturally best, Daxia is currently facing stormy times. Unilateral calls for a ceasefire will likely become a weakness in the eyes of our enemies.
Facing ferocious enemies, we citizens of Daxia ought to bare our fangs, transforming ourselves into butchers, wielding blades to sever enemy heads and swords to shatter enemy armies."
Fairy Yu smiled faintly: "Only by doing so—by beating the enemy until they dare not bare their claws or launch arbitrary invasions—can we trade for a peaceful and prosperous age."
The crowd fell silent.
A flash of astonishment crossed Goddess Xiao's eyes, and she couldn't help taking a few extra looks at Fairy Yu, thinking to herself that this woman indeed had a very clear perspective.
The Crown Prince's expression turned somewhat unsightly. Today's theme was a ceasefire, yet the Fairy Yu he had invited turned out to be a proponent of war!
This was tantamount to delivering a heavy slap to his face, but given her status in the Daxia Capital, as the Crown Prince, he couldn't very well scold her on the spot.
"If it's like this... who can the casualties among our soldiers ask for an explanation?" Tao Yu spoke slowly, his gaze falling upon Fang Chen.
Fairy Yu looked at him: "When enemy armies invade, who can the casualties among the common people ask for an explanation from? You? Young Master Tao?"
Quite a few scholars revealed thoughtful expressions.
The scholars from the three nations of Guhe, Longdu, and Yizhou had originally intended to join the fun and befriend these talented scholars and ladies of the Daxia Capital, never expecting to witness such a scene.
A woman slowly spoke up: "Fairy Yu, you are mistaken. If your Daxia is unwilling to fight wars, there would be no enemy nations. It is precisely because my Guhe does this that we have not experienced warfare for a hundred years."
With that, she looked at the Crown Prince: "Your Royal Highness, inviting courtesans to this Ceasefire Poetry Gathering will only tarnish the atmosphere of this place."
Everyone fell silent.
This woman's background was also extraordinary; she was a member of the Long family, the premier aristocratic clan of the Guhe Empire. Because Guhe and Daxia frequently engaged in mineral trade, Long Huixin was the person responsible for this matter in the Daxia Capital.
Fairy Yu glanced at Long Huixin, smiled faintly with an indifferent gaze, and had no intention of arguing with her.
Unexpectedly, Fang Chen looked slightly toward Long Huixin: "The subjects of your Guhe Empire number barely ten million, residing in barren and remote lands, yet you possess rich mineral veins.
Every year, you tribute seventy percent of those veins to an upper-rank grade eight nation, having them step forward to ensure Guhe's safety. That is why you have enjoyed a hundred years of peace without warfare."
At this point, Fang Chen changed the subject, his words becoming a bit sharper: "I wonder if this act leaves you aristocrats free from worries about food and clothing, while your common people go hungry and lack warm garments? Having peace without a prosperous age—what is the use of that?"
Chapter 30: If Only the Flying General of Longcheng Were Here!
Fang Chen's words immediately caused the expressions of the Guhe scholars present to change drastically, a trace of annoyance appearing on each of their faces.
Long Huixin's expression shifted repeatedly.
In truth, the scholars of Daxia knew nothing about the current affairs of the Guhe nation; what they knew was merely one-sided hearsay.
They did not even know that within the Guhe nation, not everyone was allowed to study, nor was everyone allowed to join the military.
Commoners remained mere miners for their entire lives.
The children and grandchildren of the common folk could only inherit their fathers' professions.
Only the children of these great clans were born free from worries about food and clothing, possessing the qualifications to climb upward. The social hierarchy was strict and sharply defined!
In fact, the Guhe nation even kept a tight grip on martial arts within the hands of the aristocratic clans; no matter how talented a commoner was, they might not even have the qualification to touch it.
Their nobility directly cut off all paths of upward mobility for their common people.
"So, what qualifications do you have to rant and rave here? If our Daxia abandoned the common people below, threw the country's entire strength into continuously paying tribute to the upper-rank nation every year, do you think Qingsong would still be able to bully us?"
Fang Chen smiled faintly.
Long Huixin's face turned alternately pale and green, and she finally said in anger: "Fang Chen, stop spouting nonsense! When did the common people of my Guhe nation go hungry and lack warm garments?"
"It is a fact. Use your own eyes to see it. Even a blind man like me can see it clearly. As a member of the Long family, have you truly never heard of it?"
Fang Chen sneered: "When we in Daxia wage war against Qingsong, it is for nothing more than to ensure our common people have a full meal to eat and a basket of warm charcoal in the winter.
I think what Fairy Yu said is correct. Not even understanding current affairs, and not even knowing what kind of days your own common people live—what qualifications do you have to sit here and talk about ceasefire poetry?"
Fairy Yu's eyes lit up. She stole a quiet glance at Fang Chen, feeling quite pleased inside. She knew her heir now disliked drawing attention to himself, and his speaking out to scold Long Huixin just now was also because of that woman's "courtesan" remark!
As a woman, Goddess Xiao possessed a keen sensitivity and vaguely sensed something. She couldn't help looking at Fang Chen, then at Fairy Yu.
Fairy Yu seemed to have noticed as well, her gaze suddenly falling onto Goddess Xiao with a contemplative flash in her eyes.
She remembered that the heir previously had no maidservants by his side; why had he suddenly brought along a servant girl today?
Things were not that simple!
A trace of threat stirred in Fairy Yu's heart, and the look she directed at Goddess Xiao carried a hint of coldness.
"Military God Fang, this is a poetry gathering, and Miss Long and Fairy Yu merely had a few arguments over poetry. That's quite normal.
Since you don't understand poetry, shouldn't you refrain from meddling?"
Ye Qinghe spoke up to smooth things over.
The expressions of Long Huixin and the others were somewhat unsightly. They looked as though they intended to get up and leave, but were persuaded to stay by the scholars from Longdu and Yizhou.
As the host of the poetry session, having his poem judged by Fairy Yu as utterly nonsensical and thus provoking this dispute, Tao Yu gradually suppressed his inner anger and redirected it toward Fang Chen:
"Military God Fang, you've spent quite a bit of time soaking in the atmosphere here. Since you hold a ceasefire in disdain, I wonder if you possess any literary talent that can let us witness your attitude?"
"You want me to write a poem? That is truly a difficult task. However... I once saw a poem in an ancient text that I felt quite matched my state of mind.
How about I recite it to share with everyone, and you all can see what you think?"
Fang Chen smiled.
"Then go ahead and recite it for us to hear," the Crown Prince said indifferently.
The gazes of the crowd fell uniformly upon Fang Chen. A flicker of curiosity appeared in the eyes of both Fairy Yu and Goddess Xiao at the same time. Based on their understanding of Fang Chen, he ought to be completely clueless about poetry, let alone someone who would browse through collections of ancient poems.
Closing his eyes, Fang Chen pondered for a moment. A smile suddenly broke out on his face as he said calmly:
"The moon of Qin and the passes of Han,
Ten thousand miles of long campaigns, men have not returned.
If only the Flying General of Longcheng were here,
He would not allow the barbarian horses to cross Yinshan."
His calm voice, driven by spiritual power, clearly reached into the ears of everyone present.
Hearing this poem, the crowd pondered it for a moment, and their expressions changed drastically as they looked at Fang Chen in disbelief.
"What place is Qin? Where is Han?"
"What are barbarian horses?"
"The Flying General... is he referring to himself?"
"What a fine poem," Fairy Yu couldn't help murmuring.
"I have made a fool of myself. This poem was not written by me, nor is it about Daxia, so you all need not guess."
Fang Chen smiled, stood up, and began walking outside.
In his mind, however, a fragment of memory that he had suppressed for more than twenty years came surging up.
Goddess Xiao hurriedly followed him, her expression somewhat solemn. She had a lingering suspicion that these "barbarian horses" were Fang Chen's designation for Qingsong!
"Your Royal Highness, I am feeling a bit unwell, so I will head back to rest first."
Fairy Yu also stood up to take her leave.
The Crown Prince nodded slightly and intended to have someone escort her, but Fairy Yu softly and politely declined.
Fang Chen had left, and Fairy Yu had left as well.
Yet each of them had left something behind at today's Ceasefire Poetry Gathering.
The crowd fell into a deep silence; some were still muttering the verses Fang Chen had left behind.
Tao Yu's face was livid. His poem had been dismissed by Fairy Yu as utter nonsense, while Fang Chen's poem had won her praise, causing him to lose all face today.
"Ahem... Fang Chen said this poem wasn't written by him," Ye Qinghe gave a light cough. "Everyone shouldn't dwell on it."
The crowd glanced at him and remained silent.
The poem wasn't written by Fang Chen?
Then why had they never heard this poem before?
"Everyone, today's theme is a ceasefire. Let us continue the poetry gathering," the Crown Prince said.
Though everyone nodded silently, seeing their current expressions, the Crown Prince knew that the Ceasefire Poetry Gathering he had hosted today had failed.
He glanced in the direction where Fang Chen had departed, a flash of coldness gleaming in his eyes.
"If only the Flying General of Longcheng were here? If a flying general like you is no longer around, that would truly be a good thing."
The Crown Prince muttered softly to himself.
Leaving the banks of the Daxia River, Fang Chen went to the teahouse he frequently visited. Seeing this, Goddess Xiao couldn't help asking in a low voice:
"That poem just now—was it written about Daxia and Qingsong?"
"No," Fang Chen shook his head. "Your Qingsong isn't worthy."
Goddess Xiao's face instantly turned livid, and she said coldly: "What was your purpose in attending this poetry gathering today? Have you sent people to investigate the origins of that Daoist from last night?"
"What's the rush? Let's sit down at the teahouse and talk."
Fang Chen smiled.
The two of them quickly arrived at the teahouse. The people here seemed accustomed to Fang Chen's arrival, though over the past few days, upon learning that his cultivation had recovered, their attitudes had also shifted somewhat.
"Military God Fang, your tea."
The waiter immediately served Fang Chen his favorite tea, then glanced at Goddess Xiao and obediently stepped back.
Fang Chen picked up his teacup, underneath which lay a slip of paper.
With her sharp eyes, Goddess Xiao had already seen what was written on it:
Six years ago, the Daoist had made an appearance at a banquet hosted by the Crown Prince, at the time following among the entourage of the Fifth Prince.
Fang Chen paused slightly. The Fifth Prince? His memories were becoming increasingly clear. Would that leisure-loving prince, who had always remained aloof from worldly disputes, serving as the abbot of Dahua Temple and having retired to a life of leisure early on, actually be entangled with the Blood Spirit Cult?
"There's something wrong with your Fifth Prince. With such a powerful figure in his retinue, how could he willingly and contentedly handle chores for your Daxia Emperor?"
Goddess Xiao said softly.
Chapter 31: Heir, You Must Keep Your Word!
"It might not be the Fifth Prince," Fang Chen said calmly.
He had intentionally gone to the Ceasefire Poetry Gathering today to see if there were any cultivators by the Crown Prince's side, and the result was none. However, that proved nothing.
It had already been confirmed today that the Daoist from last night had indeed stayed in the Daxia Capital for quite some time.
Having read the Blood Spirit Arts, he knew full well that for a cultivator of this sort to practice, they could not do without human vital blood. With that Daoist staying in the Capital for so long, how many Daxia common people had died at his hands?
"From this aspect, we should be able to find a trace of a clue."
Fang Chen murmured softly.
A few breaths later, he glanced not far away at Xu Ge: "Send her back to the estate, and have Old Huang keep an eye on her."
Hearing this, Xu Ge immediately stepped forward and grinned at Goddess Xiao: "Let's go."
"What are you going to do?" Goddess Xiao frowned.
"What business is it of yours?" Fang Chen smiled.
"I'm coming with you." Goddess Xiao's eyes shifted slightly.
"We did reach an agreement, but that doesn't mean you can follow me wherever I go. If you don't understand this principle, I'll send you away from the Capital right now."
Dropping those words, Fang Chen stood up and walked away.
Goddess Xiao fell silent at once.
Seeing this, Xu Ge grinned broadly: "What's this? Did you really think our heir married into your Xiao family? Don't forget, you're our hostage right now."
"Hmph," Goddess Xiao snorted coldly, and without another word, she left alongside Xu Ge.
The Hidden Courtyard.
Fang Chen stood quietly for a moment before a figure silently appeared behind him, cupping their fists in a bow:
"Heir, what are your orders?"
"Chief Judiciary Zhao, among the case files at Dahua Temple over the past few years, are there any that seem abnormal?"
Fang Chen turned to look at the other person, a faint smile on his face.
The newcomer was none other than the superior of all senior investigators at Dahua Temple, Chief Judiciary Zhao. Yuan Zhuang was one of his subordinates, and it was he who had originally dispatched Yuan Zhuang to arrest Fang Chen.
Chief Judiciary Zhao's expression shifted. Why had the heir suddenly asked about the case files of Dahua Temple? Pondering it carefully, he lowered his voice and said:
"Heir, if we are talking about anything strange, there are indeed a few case files that are rather unusual."
"Tell me about them." Fang Chen nodded.
"Just two years ago, someone came to Dahua Temple to report a crime, saying that his younger sister had gone missing for many years from her master's household without a trace.
We investigated and found out that his younger sister was a maidservant in the residence of the Junior Minister of Rites. My subordinate, Yuan Zhuang, went to investigate and learned that her sister might have eloped with someone."