Confucianism under Heaven

Chapter 225 Round 3

Chapter 225 The Third Round

Ye Ru's move caused many people to widen their eyes. After a moment of silence, they suddenly erupted in an uproar.

"What? No way, retreating without a fight? Did I hear that right?"

"Perhaps they are aware of their own limitations. If things continue like this, it will be one win and one loss. The final literary contest will determine the winner."

"Haha, this is truly astonishing. You admit defeat, fine, but you even brought up the Tian Ji horse racing strategy. How could you possibly compare to Tian Ji's horse racing strategy?"

Many people spoke up in mockery.

Zou Tianshu's expression also turned strange, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

He originally thought that the other party could compete with him in terms of talent, so as to avenge the humiliation the other party had given him in the first round.

However, the other party has now surrendered without any hesitation.

"Brother Ye, isn't this defeat without a fight somewhat contrary to the principles of military strategy?"

As his expression changed, Zou Tianshu clasped his hands in a sarcastic gesture towards him.

"To subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest form of military strategy. I am giving Brother Zou a chance. After all, I know that if we only compete in absorbing talent, I am indeed inferior to you. Therefore, I am self-aware and will admit defeat early to avoid a crushing defeat later."

Ye Ru remained expressionless, then smiled and said.

He knew that if he simply relied on absorbing the talents of heaven and earth, he would have no chance against Zou Tianshu, who was a scholar who had passed the imperial examination. He might as well admit defeat sooner or later, since he should be able to defeat his opponent with his many methods.

"Tian Ji's horse racing strategy, haha. Ye Ru is quite clever. He knows how to avoid the limelight and how to use his strengths to deal with his opponent's weaknesses. However, this third round, which is a contest of talent, is not so easy to win. I know Zou Tianshu. His strength is much stronger than Cao Feng's."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Shuling's eyes, then she smiled.

"In this third round, Ye Ru's talent is far inferior to Zou Tianshu's, but Ye Ru was able to defeat Cao Feng, so his talent is not weak either. At least, in the competition between the two, it is still unknown who will win."

Yu Mengyang nodded and said.

"Yes, Ye Ru possesses thirty-eight profound words and the power of a single golden inscription. However, Zou Tianshu, as a member of the Yin-Yang family and a branch of Yin-Yang masters, is also a formidable force in runes, divination, and shikigami. Nevertheless, I believe Zou Tianshu has a better chance of winning, since he is still a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial civil service examination) while Ye Ru is only a Tongsheng (a successful candidate in the county civil service examination)."

Yu Mengyang pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism.

"Admit defeat?"

While everyone was whispering among themselves, Wu Huazi in the arena also frowned, clearly not expecting Ye Ru to so decisively admit defeat.

"Yes, I concede defeat in this round."

Ye Ru said respectfully.

"In that case, Zou Tianshu will win the second round."

Wu Huazi pointed at Zou Tianshu and said.

"coward."

"Shu Ru, it seems that Ye Ru has also stopped here. I think he will lose again in the third round."

“The benevolent are necessarily courageous, but the courageous are not necessarily benevolent. It seems that Ye Ru is not only lacking in benevolence, but also in courage.”

Many people also started hurling insults at each other based on the outcome of the competition.

"Brother Zou, we are currently evenly matched. Let's start this final match to see who prevails."

Ye Ru clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zou Tianshu, then looked up and smiled.

"Alright, since you want to know about this match quickly, I'll grant your wish!"

Zou Tianshu's face was gloomy as he said in a deep voice that the second match had made him furious, but he was helpless against it.

Therefore, he can only rely on this third match to regain the glory of the second match.

"Let's begin the third round."

Wu Huazi frowned as she watched the two talents surge outwards, then landed on the ground, and everyone's gaze turned to Ye Ru and Zou Tianshu.

At this moment, Zou Tianshu's talent was rising steadily, and his aura as a successful candidate in the imperial examinations made even the students below feel a sense of oppression.

"Brother Ye, please."

Zou Tianshu bowed to Ye Ru.

"Brother Zou, please make a move."

Ye Ru returned the favor with a punch.

"Riding rainbows and crimson clouds, ascending the Nine Doubts Mountains and passing through the Jade Gate..."

After a moment, Zou Tianshu took a deep breath, his hands moving swiftly, and a cloud of auspiciousness appeared beneath his feet. The next moment, he charged straight at Zou Tianshu.

This poem, titled "Mulberry by the Roadside," was written by Cao Cao, one of the Three Caos. It was a poem written by a scholar on a swift journey. Before the battle even began, Zou Tianshu had already written this poem, which shows how much he valued Ye Ru.

Although he had the arrogance of a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, Ye Ru had defeated Cao Feng with lightning speed. Therefore, if he did not go all out at the beginning, he might also suffer an unexpected defeat.

"It's actually a poem written by a scholar who passed the imperial examination. I'd like to see what Ye Ru has to say about it."

Linghu Qingfeng stroked his beard, looking at Ye Ru with great interest.

"Unless you also use the same 'Quick-Walking Poem' style, you simply can't keep up with Zou Tianshu's speed. Once your speed drops, you'll probably be close to admitting defeat."

Zhang Shuling echoed the same concern.

"Starting with a scholar's poem in a hurry, this is really troublesome."

Sensing the talent emanating from the library, Ye Ru conjured the Three Perfections Literary Brush in a flash, and immediately wrote a poem in the same style:

"With jade saddle and golden bridle, he passed the red steps; his bones were prominent and his hair was extraordinary."

"There are many fine horses in the world, but the old fat one in the imperial garden has never ridden one."

“Exhausted, how could he bear the weight of the salt cart? But Bo Le (a legendary Chinese judge of art) was moved to tears.”

"If this horse can fulfill its ambition of traveling a thousand miles, it can still reach the ends of the earth by chasing the wind."

During the writing process, a bright light suddenly emanated from between Ye Ru's eyebrows, and his writing speed decreased by one-third.

"If this horse can fulfill its ambition of traveling a thousand miles, it can still reach the ends of the earth by chasing the wind."

At this moment, Zou Tianshu's brush was almost in front of Ye Ru. His pupils rapidly magnified Zou Tianshu's figure. With the last stroke, his figure disappeared from the spot.

The instant Ye Ru disappeared, Zou Tianshu's brush arrived suddenly, carrying a fierce gust of wind, and slammed hard into the spot where Ye Ru had been standing.

This scene made many students close their eyes, but the screams and blood splattering sounds they had imagined did not appear; Ye Ru simply turned into a black shadow.

"Such speed! This poem is even faster than the Juren's 'Rapid Travel Poem'!"

When his attack missed, Zou Tianshu's pupils constricted slightly. A thought flashed through his mind, and a chilling aura came from behind him, causing him to turn around instantly and shoot out a chess piece with lightning speed.

clang!

With a crisp sound, the chess piece shot back and finally hit a stone pillar, smashing a small hole in it.

Ye Ru's figure was also revealed.

A sinister glint in his eyes, Zou Tianshu looked at Ye Ru and his cold shout echoed throughout the land:

"That's all for now..."