Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 618 Literary Showdown

Chapter 618 Literary Competition

Ye Ru's words were met with complete silence; no one had expected Ye Ru to speak to Ye Liang in such a manner.

Ye Liang's face also had a slightly gloomy look on it. Then he smiled, a smile that made everyone feel cold.

"Alright, no one in this academy has ever spoken to me like this before. You are the first. In that case, let's have a contest. If you can beat me on the literary platform, this study room will be yours from now on. But if you can't beat me, you will have to apologize to me in public and avoid me whenever you see me. How about that?"

"Sorry, I'm not interested."

Ye Ru said calmly. He knew that they couldn't fight in private, so he was sure that Ye Liang wouldn't dare to make a move.

"Hmph, so he's just a coward. I thought everyone who came to this Holy Palace was some kind of big shot, but now it seems he's nothing special."

Upon hearing this, Ye Liang sneered, but then said, "You must be from the Yanhuang Kingdom, right? You're a disgrace to your country. Otherwise, it seems that my Jin Kingdom's ability to surpass your Yanhuang Kingdom is indeed true."

Ye Ru raised an eyebrow at these words. He could say that about him, but about the Yanhuang Kingdom, that was unacceptable. He then opened the door and said, "You mean you want to have a contest on the literary arena? Here's the deal: if I lose, I'll avoid you when I see you. But if you lose, you have to say in public that your Jin Kingdom is inferior to the Yanhuang Kingdom, and that you'll also avoid me when you see me. Do you dare?"

"Alright, a promise is a promise. If you win, you shall do as you say."

Ye Liang nodded, a cold glint in his eyes. He had studied in the Holy Palace for so many years, and no one had ever been able to match him. This was also an important prerequisite for his plan to become a great Confucian scholar.

Although he is currently only a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination), if his strength were placed in the Confucian and Taoist Continent, even a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) might not be his match.

"Let's go then."

Ye Liang turned and walked towards the literary arena, and the onlookers, seeing this, followed closely behind with a hint of schadenfreude.

Ye Ru also stepped towards the literary arena.

After a while, everyone arrived at the literary arena. When they saw Ye Liang about to attack a freshman, they became interested. When they saw Ye Ru's immature face, they all laughed at him for overestimating himself.

"I'll give you one more chance. If you leave now, I can forgive and forget what happened before. But if you remain stubborn, then don't blame me."

Ye Liang and Ye Ru stood on the literary duel platform, facing each other from a distance. The former had a somewhat gloomy expression on his face, and then he spoke.

"Well, I'd rather not take this opportunity. Show me what you're capable of. I'd also like to see just how amazing the scholars studying in this Holy Palace really are."

Ye Ru shook his head, a hint of disdain on his face.

"Did this guy get squeezed by a door? Ye Liang is part of the Great Confucian Plan. If he loses this time, he'll lose face big time."

"Perhaps he's just young and impetuous. After all, newly arrived scholars are often arrogant. But in all these years, he's probably the only one who's dared to confront Ye Liang head-on."

"Ah, the saying 'a newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger' is absolutely true."

Many people looked at Ye Ru and then started discussing among themselves.

"If that's the case, then you can't blame me."

Ye Liang was also enraged by Ye Ru's attitude. He released his talent continuously, which finally turned into a strong pressure that slammed down on Ye Ru.

Sensing this oppressive force, Ye Ru narrowed his eyes, and his Cloud Water Zen Heart circulated continuously within his body, ultimately resisting it.

"bring it on."

After resisting the oppressive aura, Ye Ru beckoned to Ye Liang with his finger, and a folding fan appeared in the latter's hand. The fan was engraved with dragons and phoenixes and carried an extremely powerful aura.

"Today I'll show you what proper etiquette is!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Liang stomped his foot, and the folding fan in his hand spun silently like a sharp blade. In an instant, Ye Ru's figure disappeared from the spot. The next moment, he appeared in front of Ye Ru and stabbed fiercely at his neck with the folding fan in his hand.

Seeing this scene reflected in his pupils, Ye Ru's lips curled into a cold smile. Then, dragon scales appeared on his neck, golden dragon scales that directly blocked Ye Liang's attack.

clang!

A clang of metal clashing resounded here, and the recoil caused Ye Liang to take two steps back, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes.

"How can this be?"

With surprise in his heart, Ye Liang turned around again and appeared above Ye Ru. He opened his folding fan, and countless silver needles rained down on Ye Ru.

"Humph!"

Upon seeing the silver needles, Ye Ru narrowed his eyes, then stomped his foot hard and disappeared from the spot. The silver needles all clattered and shot to the ground, creating a hole in the ground.

Those around swallowed hard at the sight. Ye Liang's attack was truly terrifying. If they were actually pierced by these silver needles, they would probably be seriously injured even if they didn't die.

"I have to say, this is quite impressive compared to the new students."

A scholar murmured, "Ye Ru's talent is something that even people who have been here for a year or two cannot match."

Moreover, he can rival Ye Liang.

"Ye Liang hasn't really made a move yet. If he had, the situation would probably be very different now."

"Yes, I remember someone offended another scholar from the Great Confucian Project, and as a result, that scholar almost destroyed the entire Book Palace. Can't you see how powerful these people from the Great Confucian Project are from this?"

Another scholar smiled dismissively and then continued.

"That's true, these people can't be judged by common sense, but this new guy is really strong."

Many people frowned as they saw that Ye Ru was able to hold his own against Ye Liang, and they couldn't help but marvel at it.

In the arena, Ye Liang and Ye Ru were engaged in a fierce battle. In the shadows, several scholars were watching, two of whom were none other than Dean Song and Lin Ru from before.

"Dean, is it really okay to be so reckless?"

After watching the battle unfold, Lin Ru slowly spoke.

The dean has never been interested in the literary duels, but now the other party actually wants to see Ye Ru's fight?

"Hehe, it's nothing. Young people are competitive, which is in line with our teaching methods. Let them go. Although Ye Ru is extremely talented, if his combat ability is not strong, it will be a fatal flaw for the Supreme Saint Project."

After they finished speaking, the dean and the others continued to look at the stage.