083 Group fight

Guchi's curiosity was piqued.

Savoring his tea, he watched the wisps of rising mist, his eyes shimmering with specks of light, serene and harmless. "...To make even Qi Yuanliang utter the word 'dread' about someone's literary prowess, I would like to meet that person. Surely, the possessor of such talent is no ordinary individual?" 

Qishan responded, "Indeed, he is no ordinary individual."

"Who is it?"

Qishan replied, "The one who destroyed your homeland."

Guchi fell silent. After a moment, he muttered, "So it's him... sweeping through the northwest countries, indeed, the phrase 'ordinary individual' does not apply... But, didn't he possess literary talent?"

The path of literary prowess is not accessible to every literati.

Attainment is linked to one's literary rank, unrelated to innate talent, irregular, beyond mortal influence. Some may possess extraordinary talent yet never find their path of literary prowess in their lifetime, while others of mediocre aptitude may awaken to it after a night of revelry.

Though some literati conceal their path of literary prowess, others choose to reveal it, enhancing their own influence.

The individual mentioned by Qishan had admitted personally to lacking the path of literary prowess, stating that it had no bearing on his achievements regardless.

"Shen Xiaolang once said a witty proverb — 'A scholar's tongue, deceiving as a ghost.'" Internally rolling his eyes at Qishan's naivety, Guchi couldn't believe that Guchi would fall for such a notion. How could someone capable of sweeping through the northwest countries, engaging in countless battles against various literary strategists, and emerging unscathed from numerous assassination attempts, possibly lack the path of literary prowess? "If I were to claim I lacked the path of literary prowess in your presence, would you believe me?"

The northwest countries, in their struggle for survival, employed every means at their disposal, from overt battlefield confrontations to covert espionage and assassination. The individual in question was a particularly high-priority target.

And the outcome?

No one had succeeded.

Guchi replied, "Naturally, I wouldn't believe you."

"So, I don't believe it either," said Qishan.

Guchi puzzled, "How do you know he possesses it?"

If one were inclined to conceal it, surely it would invite suspicion or other hazards. Recalling his network of contacts and information, Guchi was certain that Qishan had only encountered that person fleetingly, at most bearing a superficial relationship as "student and mentor." How could Qishan know about this confidential matter?

Qishan's hand hesitated as he served tea, his tone indifferent. "Coincidence."

"And what is his path of literary prowess?" Concerned that Qishan might be withholding information, Guchi continued, "Considering his age, he should be retired by now, unlikely to return to service. I heard he disappeared after resigning from his post several years ago. A little insight wouldn't hurt."

"There's nothing I can't say, and I'm not sure about the specific effects, but one thing is certain — if he employs his path of literary prowess, regardless of friend or foe, anyone within a certain distance of him will sense it. His path of literary prowess seems capable of discerning friend from foe..."

Guchi's lips twitched.

No wonder the northwest countries of that time couldn't win, watching as Xinguo grew stronger — if even their own subordinates were transparent to them, lagging behind in understanding the battlefield situation by several steps, they'd already lost before the battle even began. Honestly, if that old man weren't so old and if Xinguo had competent allies, another ten years and a reliable ruler, unifying the northwest wouldn't just be a dream.

This path of literary prowess, while not terrifying in itself, certainly posed a headache on the battlefield.

Guchi took a deep sip of tea.

"It's a pity," he said.

A pity, but more envy.

Looking at others' paths of literary prowess and then at his own, there was no comparison. That person's path of literary prowess inspired more fear in enemies than his own, while his own only instilled fear in allies. Sending him for negotiations might yield remarkable results.

But in troubled times, it was all superfluous.

Qishan's fearlessness stemmed from this reason.

Mind reading?

Hmph ╭(╯^╰)╮

As long as he didn't consider Guchi as one of his own, there was nothing to fear.

With this thought, Qishan found Guchi much more agreeable.

Even expressing genuine concern for Guchi's health.

Perceptive individuals could see that he was in poor health, exhibiting signs of a short-lived consumption disease. Qishan speculated that it was likely related to his path of literary prowess, which was both feared and envied.

Guchi responded nonchalantly, "I can manage for now."

Ever since the path of literary prowess emerged, he lived each day in a noisy environment, surrounded by malice, unable to find peace even at night, as strange and fantastical dreams invaded his ears. If not for his remarkable perseverance, he would have gone mad long ago.

Qishan remarked, "I have a solution."

Guchi raised an eyebrow, silently asking what the solution was.

"Disable the Dan Mansion."

The operation of the path of literary prowess also depends on the Dan Heart.

Without the Dan Heart, there would be no path of literary prowess.

If it couldn't be shut down, it would be forced to shut down!

Guchi: "..."

If upbringing didn't restrain him, he would've wanted to splash the remaining tea in this fool's face. What kind of absurd ideas was he proposing?

Although Guchi didn't splash the tea, downstairs, there was a commotion and high-pitched screams.

Qishan's heart skipped a beat.

He couldn't be bothered with teasing anymore, getting up quickly, he pushed open the tall window, taking in the scene unfolding below. Guchi moved slower. "Why the hurry? It might not even be your friend Shen Lang... um, it really is him causing trouble..."

Qishan: "..."

If Shen Tang could hear this, he'd surely protest.

What do you mean she's causing trouble?

Clearly, trouble sought her out.

"Shen Xiong, two barrels of wine."

A familiar young voice came from above.

Shen Tang tilted her hat and saw the customers in front of the stall, sighing, "Why do I always run into you wherever I set up shop?"

Did Zhai Le install a tracker in his nose?

"This shows that we're fated to meet." Zhai Le handed over a corner of silver, nonchalantly removing the red cloth wine stopper, sitting on the bench, and pouring himself a hearty drink, gulping down most of the barrel in a few swigs, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "Drinking is truly exhilarating!"

Shen Tang rolled her eyes directly.

"How did you end up here?" Zhai Le gestured towards the direction of the county office. "Ah Xiong is presenting his greetings to the county office, but I didn't want to watch him and the officials exchange pleasantries, so I decided to wait outside until Ah Xiong is done. Didn't expect to see you

 here, selling wine. It seems our fate runs deep."

Shen Tang: "..."

She felt like it was a curse.

Zhai Le chuckled, "Let's go hunting outside the city when we have time."

"Just for a change of scenery outside Xiao City? I heard the peasants have already scavenged every last bit of mud, what's there to hunt? You'll be lucky to catch anything."

Zhai Le's enjoyment of the wine seemed to wane upon hearing Shen Xiong's words.

"Ah, Shen Xiong does have a point."

Just as he was feeling melancholic, a group of ferocious-looking men came running over, their target being Shen Tang and Zhai Le. In no time, they had thoroughly ransacked the small wine stall. Shen Tang was still bewildered, while Zhai Le seemed to have expected it.

Shen Tang stood up and clasped her hands, "Gentlemen, what's the matter with you?"

The leader's face turned green, waving his hand and shouting, "Alright, smash this stall!"

Shen Tang: "???"