Chương 255: How Long Has the Bright Moon Been There?

The Moon-Gazing Pavilion. The two dark, bald heads, Song Que and Hui Wu, stared at each other with black faces, not saying a single word. They simply lowered their heads and silently drank their tea, making the atmosphere at the table quite awkward. The Yun siblings had wanted to build a connection with Hui Wu, but seeing this situation, they wisely kept their mouths shut.

Master Song originally thought they would just sulk and sit there all day, but unexpectedly, the flames of war from somewhere else suddenly burned their way to him.

"Everyone, since we're free right now and there's still quite some time before the banquet, why don't we have a poetry contest to liven up the atmosphere?" Zhu Yinming, who had been pretending to be cold and aloof all morning, suddenly stood up and shouted loudly, taking a high-profile stance.

"Excellent, this idea is not bad!" The men sitting around him immediately praised loudly, and the beauties on the other side also clapped their hands in agreement, their eyes lighting up. Who wouldn't like a talent accomplished in both literary and martial arts? They also wanted to take this opportunity to see the literary grace of the young talents beside them. If they found someone to their liking, they wouldn't mind moving things forward.

"Since the idea was proposed by this humble one, and everyone has no objections, allow me to make a fool of myself and offer a short poem first. I wonder what everyone thinks is the most suitable topic for today?"

"We are at the Yaochi Tea Party, so let's compose poems about tea," one beauty suggested.

"Not good, tea is too dry. Why don't we compose poems praising flowers or describing the spring scenery?" The members of the Hundred Flowers Valley suggested, their eyes brightening.

"I say, we are in the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, so why not use 'Moon' as the topic? What does everyone think?" Lin Zhenjie spoke up. His suggestion was immediately met with enthusiastic support from the men, and the beauties felt it wasn't bad either, so they raised no objections.

"Alright, since everyone is in agreement, allow me to begin and cast a brick to attract jade." Having said that, Zhu Yinming put on a pretentious act, closing his eyes and taking a few slow steps. With his handsome face, quite a few young maidens were captivated by him. If it weren't for Junior Sister Zheng sticking closely by his side, he might have been able to spend a spring night with some beauty tonight.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Old Zhu opened his eyes in a flashy manner and sighed softly:"The earth has just fallen into soft slumber, The wind releases the song of the night. The stars... hide themselves in illusion, While the crescent moon drapes across the veranda."

"Bravo! Excellent! Brother Zhu is truly a great talent!" Lin Zhenjie and his group of brothers didn't skimp on their praises, immediately howling and cheering loudly. This poem did have a bit of poetic imagery. The women on the other side also appreciated it and offered several rounds of applause. Song Que even noticed that the little fangirl Zheng Shuang was looking at her senior brother with eyes so watery they were about to overflow with the spring tide. There's no saving her!

Truly a jasmine flower stuck in a pile of cow dung. The fragrant piece of shit, Song Que, shook his head in regret.......

"Thank you all for your support!" Having received enough praise, Zhu Yinming cupped his hands indifferently, showing neither arrogance nor flattery, and returned to his seat.

"I wonder who will be next to offer a poem for everyone?" He asked and looked around. Seeing no one taking the initiative, Lin Zhenjie stepped forward.

"Brother Song, I was completely convinced by my defeat to you earlier. Furthermore, I heard that Brother Song is accomplished in both literary and martial arts, excelling brilliantly in all aspects. Unfortunately, everyone here is not yet very familiar with you. Why doesn't Brother Song compose a poem next to broaden our horizons?" It's here! So after all that beating around the bush, they were still targeting me, wanting me to make a fool of myself in front of everyone.

There are truly always treacherous commoners wanting to harm Us! Master Song secretly rejoiced in his heart. While he couldn't guarantee other topics, he knew quite a few poems about the moon. These 'good teammates' couldn't wait to hand him an assist, could they? Thinking this, Scumbag Song still put on a somewhat modest appearance:"This... this humble one is passionate about martial arts. I only take a few quarters of an hour before sleeping every day to study literature and poetry.

In truth, my level can only be considered passable." Heh heh heh... Still trying to make excuses? Lin Zhenjie, Zhu Yinming, and the others sneered inwardly. Just looking at this guy's background and his rugged, rough appearance, one could tell he was destined to be a meathead with a simple mind and overdeveloped limbs. Studying literature and poetry? He was just trying to put gold on his own face.

"Brother Song, there is no need to be modest. I have heard of your literary talent even before coming to Qinghe. Please, enlighten us today." Zhu Yinming stood up and gave a deep bow, his tone earnest and sincere. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident." Sigh..." Song Que began to brag endlessly:"Even the title 'Little Poetry Immortal' that I tried so hard to hide has reached Brother Zhu's ears. It truly makes me a laughingstock.

It's all just the folks in the county town giving me face and lifting me up."

"Alright, alright... Since everyone is so enthusiastic, refusing any further would simply be too arrogant. Then I shall make a fool of myself and compose one right here." Left with no other choice by their 'coercion,' the poet Song shook his head helplessly and slowly stood up. Picking up his teacup and taking a light sip, he still showed a look of regret:"Unfortunately, it is not the Mid-Autumn Festival, otherwise, I would have more inspiration and could come up with even better rhymes.

Given the circumstances today, if the poem is lacking, I hope everyone will not mind."

"Not at all, not at all! Please bestow upon us an absolute masterpiece, Brother Song!" The group on the other side, though somewhat unnerved by his confident demeanor, still didn't believe in the supernatural and eagerly waited for him to make a fool of himself. Defeated by their masochistic tendencies, Song Que sighed, strolled over to the railing, tilted his head to look off into the distance, and after a moment, opened his mouth.

His voice was melodious, rising and falling with emotion:"How long has the bright moon been there? I raise my cup and ask the azure sky. I wonder, in the palaces of heaven, What year is it tonight? I wish to ride the wind and return, Yet I fear the jade towers and crystal palaces, It is unbearably cold at such heights....... The moon may be bright or dim, full or waning, Perfection has never existed since ancient times. I only wish that we may live long, And share the moon's beauty though a thousand miles apart."

Silence! Utter silence! The crowd, which had originally harbored no expectations and mostly intended to mock him, was profoundly shaken by the Great Poet Song's literary talent, unable to recover for a long time. Although these people couldn't be said to possess incredibly high literary skills, having studied literature for years, they knew true quality when they saw it.

This poem, Shuidiao Getou, plagiarized by Song Que from a past life, might have slightly distorted its rhyme and meter due to language differences, but it didn't affect the big picture. The vast, ethereal imagery within had frightened everyone, and they were still immersed in it, unable to extricate themselves."' I only wish that we may live long, and share the moon's beauty though a thousand miles apart.' Excellent poem!

To think that Hall Master Song, apart from possessing formidable martial arts, has literary talent that is equally unparalleled. Truly a talent accomplished in both pen and sword!" A voice, crisp as striking jade and pearls, rang out, jolting everyone back to their senses. It turned out that Zhao Mingyue and her group had already arrived and had just been observing from a distance. Seeing Poet Song spit out an absolute masterpiece for the ages, she couldn't help but reveal herself to praise him.

"It is merely a parlor trick, President. You praise me too highly." Receiving the praise, Master Song showed no arrogance, merely shaking his head indifferently like a passing breeze and cupping his hands in thanks. This demeanor won over the crowd once more. Only a few people, like Hui Wu, caught the difference in how the two addressed each other. A look of realization flashed in the monk's eyes, and the bald head smiled happily for his 'cheap' Big Brother.

"No, that's impossible! Where did you plagiarize this from?! You prepared it long ago and brought it out today to deceive everyone!" A sudden shout broke the silence. Zhu Yinming seemingly couldn't believe this reality. Losing his composure, he roared, wanting to expose the little thief's hypocritical face. His tragic howl instantly plunged the atmosphere into a bizarre silence. Hearing this, Song Que wasn't angry.

Meeting the gazes of everyone around him, he nodded honestly, sighed, and admitted:"Literature is inherently crafted by heaven; a skilled hand merely stumbles upon it by chance. Brother Zhu is right. We mortals merely steal a wisp of inspiration from heaven and earth to write these poems. It was never truly our own." Tsk tsk, what broad-mindedness! You flower-crazed girls, aren't you going to worship me?

After saying those pretentious words, Song Que was immensely pleased with himself, secretly scanning the area to see if any beauty's heart had been swayed by him. I am a man of true talent! Possessing both wealth and ability in one body, do I really have to worry about not having girls chasing me? Unfortunately, it seemed these girls had skin that was too thin. None dared to shout out a confession on the spot, leaving Grandee Song secretly disappointed.

However, Mingyue, the Enchantress, looked at him in a new light."' Literature is inherently crafted by heaven; a skilled hand merely stumbles upon it by chance.' Song Que, your words truly flow like a string of pearls, always bringing joy to the mind and eye. What is the name of this poem?"

"President praises me too highly. It is called Shuidiao Getou." Murmuring the name of the poem a few times, Zhao Mingyue nodded in satisfaction:"A beautiful name. This will undoubtedly become an absolute masterpiece for the ages. Everyone here is truly fortunate to be the first to hear these verses." Speaking up to here, the beauty couldn't help but smile faintly:"As for saying this was plagiarized? That is pure nonsense. If such miraculous verses had appeared in the world, they would have instantly become famous.

It is absolutely impossible for such a brilliant pearl to remain obscured, unrecognized by anyone here." As she spoke, she didn't forget to cast a look of disgust at Zhu Yinming, causing the group on his side to shudder in fear, shutting their mouths tightly, not daring to say another word. Given her personality, speaking this much at once was already rare.

The Enchantress merely explained a few sentences on behalf of her newly recruited subordinate before paying the matter no further attention, walking gracefully toward her main seat. Master Song was also satisfied. Having finished posturing, shouldn't he quickly make his escape? If someone suddenly caused trouble and demanded he spit out another poem or two, wouldn't his glorious image be ruined? This kid knew to quit while he was ahead.

Receiving dozens of worshipful gazes, he obediently and happily returned to his table.

"Brother Song, congratulations!" Hui Wu finally offered his blessings. Smiling and nodding at him, Song Que naturally understood what the bald monk meant. Earlier, he had stayed behind to discuss matters with Zhao Mingyue. Exactly as Hui Wu had predicted, the Enchantress was exceptionally satisfied with his performance today. Master Song had gloriously become one of the first founding members of the Phoenix Society, holding the position of Hall Master.

The Society hadn't officially been established yet, and the rest of the personnel hadn't been fully filled out. But according to Senior Brother Jiang Ping's explanation on her behalf, the Phoenix Society wouldn't have more than five Hall Masters. After all, it was merely a transitional organization and didn't need to be too bloated. Song Que was now one of the top ten most powerful figures in the Society, second only to President Zhao Mingyue.

Considering they would be recruiting factions from all over the Southern Region in the future, this position was already incredibly promising. Furthermore, what satisfied him the most wasn't this, but rather that in the coming period, he and the Moon-Lacking Pavilion would receive the secret backing of a colossal behemoth—Alliance Leader Zhao of the Nine Rivers Alliance.

When the Enchantress came here to enjoy tea today, upon entering her room, Song Que had used his Domain and sensed a terrifying aura—suspected to be a 9th Grade martial artist—hiding behind the curtains to secretly protect her. This showed just how much her father cared for and doted on this beauty. Following a boss like this, did he have to worry about anyone daring to bully him? He could confidently and boldly develop his faction without living in constant fear of others coveting his assets.

Naturally, to gain this, he had to pay a corresponding price: a monthly tribute of 10, 000 silver taels, and participating in joint operations under the President's command twice a year. But all of this was just fleeting clouds; with the harvest from this trip, Master Song was more than satisfied. My good brother Hui Wu didn't lie to me. Coming to this Tea Party was absolutely the right move!