First Glimpse

"People, what's the prize? Show us so we can decide if it's worth trying to win!" Someone called out. It looked like they recognized the middle-aged man on stage.

"Yeah, yeah! Let us see it! We want a look too!"

Others joined in, eager to see the prize.

"Fine! I'll show it to you. But remember, I'm doing this for everyone's benefit."

A servant carried a redwood box up to the stage.

After Mr. Liu took it, he opened the wooden box and showed it to the audience.

"Isn't this just a piece of ink?" Someone in the crowd said.

"Yes!"

Mr. Liu shook his head and smiled: "What you may not know is that I got this ink by chance. I got two in total. This ink is different from ordinary ink. Writing with this ink is not only smooth but also dries quickly. Another big advantage is that the words written with this ink will not smudge when it comes into contact with water and are still clearly visible."

"Master Liu, are you telling the truth? Is there really ink that doesn't smudge when it comes into contact with water?" Someone asked in surprise.

"Yes, I, Liu, am quite famous in Qingyun City. Have I ever cheated anyone?" Said Mr. Liu.

"If that's the case, would Mr. Liu really be willing to take it out?" Another person raised the question.

Mr. Liu said: "It is not a disgrace to give precious ink to a talented person. As long as someone can find the right answer, I will give it away willingly."

Most of the people below were scholars. After hearing what Mr. Liu said, they all coveted the ink. However, they were not talented enough to think of how to write the second couplet.

The people competing on the stage also became interested in this ink.

Master Liu said again: "We will only give you half an incense stick of time. If no one can answer it, we can only move on to the next question."

"Master Liu, what if I pay for this piece of ink?" Wen Yuan on the stage asked, holding a folding fan.

Master Liu bowed and said: "Please forgive me, Master Wen. I will not sell this piece of ink. Money cannot measure its value."

Wen Yuan was not angry, and smiled faintly: "What you said makes sense, but I am the one who is vulgar."

Time passed by, and still no one could think of a suitable second line.

Xu Wenwu smiled and said: "This ink is good."

Qibao asked: "Brother, do you want this ink?"

Qian Xuedong asked: "Could it be that Wenwu has thought of the second line?"

"Brother Xu, if you can really match it, why not give it a try? This is a rare precious ink!"

Xu Wenwu smiled and asked: "Qibao, do you think I should give it a try?"

Qibao replied: "Brother, if you want this ink, go and try it."

Xu Wenwu said: "Okay!" Then he said loudly to Master Liu on the stage: "I have thought of a couplet. Master Liu, would you like to hear it?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was a teenager, and they became suspicious.

Master Liu raised his eyebrows in surprise and said: "Sir, please feel free to speak."

Xu Wenwu spoke calmly: "With head held high and steps bold, ambition soars through the skies, daring to challenge all."

"Brilliant! A perfect match!"

The auditorium fell silent for a moment, then erupted in applause, though no one could say who made the first exclamation.

All eyes turned towards Xu Wenwu, their faces full of admiration.

Master Liu laughed heartily: "Excellent, excellent! You've truly proven yourself, young man. My respect is well placed! Your couplet is both skillfully crafted and powerful; I'm very pleased. Any objections from the others? If you have a better solution, by all means, share it with us."

From the stage, Wen Yuan and Zheng Yaoyang also looked down in amazement at Xu Wenwu. Despite being younger-looking than them, this youth had outshone everyone with his exceptional talent.

"Miss, isn't that the same young master we saw at Juxiang Pavilion?" Yuan'er asked: "I never expected him to be both so handsome and so knowledgeable."

Miss Wen, standing next to her, couldn't help but admire Xu Wenwu's intellect. She murmured: "I wonder what his name is."

Yuan'er, standing close enough to hear, said with a giggle: "Shall I go ask him for you?"

Miss Wen blushed: "No, we're women. How can we go ask a man we don't know for his name? What about a girl's modesty?"

"Fine! I won't ask." Yuan'er replied.

After a while, Master Liu said: "Since no one else got the right answer, this inkstone goes to the young master!"

He stepped down from the stage and handed the red wooden box to Xu Wenwu, asking: "May I ask your name, young master? How should I address you?"

Xu Wenwu accepted the box and said: "I'm Xu Wenwu!"

"Young Master Xu, you truly are a young hero!"

"You flatter me!"

The competition wasn't over yet, so Master Liu returned to the stage.

"Let's go home." Xu Wenwu said.

Qian Xuedong said: "Wenwu, why are you in such a hurry to leave? The competition isn't over yet!"

Xu Wenwu replied: "We've already made enough of a splash. It's not wise to stick around too long. Besides, we've got our ink. This trip hasn't been a waste at all."

Everyone nodded, and the group squeezed their way out of the crowd, drawing the attention of all those who watched.

"It's them! Wangcai, go stop them for me!" Gao Yuan also saw Qibao and his group through a gap in the crowd. Thinking about what happened last night, he was convinced that it was they who caused his half-broken tooth to be broken.

"Yes, Young Master!" Since the two had been at the front, by the time Wangcai cleared the crowd, the group he was supposed to find had vanished without a trace. He could only return and report back to his young master.

Needless to say, Gao Yuan let out a stream of curses at the news.

The group returned to the Juxiang Pavilion. It wasn't yet time for the next meal, so the main hall was empty save for a few servants tidying up.

When they reached the courtyard, they found the old man still sitting with the Dean and the teacher, enjoying their tea and conversation.

Noticing their return, the Dean asked: "Back already? How was it? Did you see many students from different regions?"

"Sir, you have no idea! Today, Xu Wenwu stole the show. He left everyone completely astonished!"

Confused, the Dean asked: "What happened?"

So, they told the Dean and others about the incident on the street.

Upon hearing the tale, the headmaster was overjoyed. Wenwu was the most gifted student he'd encountered in his long teaching career, and he had high expectations for him.

The old man also wore a proud expression but still advised: "Wenwu, remember there are still a few days before the exam. It's best to keep a low profile. Stay indoors these next few days and get plenty of rest. Save your energy for the exam."

"Yes, Grandpa!"

The Dean then asked: "Wenwu, can I take a look at that ink?"

Xu Wenwu immediately took out the redwood box and placed it in front of the Dean.

The Dean carefully picked up the ink, admiring it. It was intricately carved with beautiful patterns, black and glossy, and gave off a fragrant scent.

The Dean nodded: "This is a fine piece of ink, quite valuable!"

Xu Wenwu said: "Dean, please accept this piece of ink as a birthday gift from me. I hope you'll take it."

The Chancellor was touched, it wasn't common for students to remember his birthday. Still, he declined, saying: "Wenwu, you earned this ink through your own skills. Keep it safe. The gesture is enough."

Xu Wenwu replied: "I originally planned to give this ink to you, sir. I know you rushed overnight to Qingyun City just because you care, wanting to personally escort me to the exam. You've always shown kindness and care for me at the academy, and I can't repay you properly, but this ink is a small token of my gratitude."

The old man nodded with a smile: "Come on, Dean, accept it. It's Wenwu's heartfelt gift."

Beside them, Master Sun also chimed in with a smile: "Please, Dean, accept it! That way, I can share the benefit too. I'd love to try writing with this precious ink someday."