Chapter 330: Chapter 337: So Ridiculous! (Fifth Update)
Translator: 549690339
Everyone looked at Yang Zhen with expressions of disbelief, their faces a mixture of incredulity and bewilderment.
In such a situation, Yang Zhen didn’t go along with Palace Master Liu’s intentions and broke Ning Wuque’s plot, only to plunge into it himself, could he really be naive?
Even Palace Master Liu was taken aback, he had not expected Yang Zhen to say such a thing. He laughed heartily and shouted, “Good, you have spirit and courage! Truly worthy of being from our Spiritual Studies Palace!”
A chill ran through the hearts of the crowd. The meaning behind Palace Master Liu’s words was that he was no longer going to interfere with the matter, instead letting Yang Zhen and Ning Wuque resolve it themselves.
Among the more than two thousand people present, only Ning Wuque was elated, a trace of glee flashing across his face. How would he present a more impressive gift?
Beyond the legendary Mountain and River Map, what other intellect treasure could be compared to the Half Mountain Map?
The old palace master watched Yang Zhen with interest, evidently admiring Yang Zhen’s courage and judgement. He spoke, “The hot and spicy soup made by young friend Yang is famous even among older women like me. For this alone, I am already gratified.”
Upon hearing this, everyone was again taken by surprise, and their gaze towards Yang Zhen was filled with unmistakable envy.
Yang Zhen stood alone on the stage, not only gaining the favor of Flower Spirit Girl and Mo Lingnu, but also winning the acknowledgement of both Palace Master Liu and the Old Palace Master. Such treatment was unmatched by almost anyone else present.
In contrast, the attention on Ning Wuque was nearly insignificant in front of Yang Zhen, causing everyone to feel a sense of unreality.
Hua Youyue and Mo Xueling exchanged glances, both looking at Yang Zhen with some surprise.
Especially Mo Xueling, who said sourly, “This guy seems to be the center of attention wherever he goes.”
Hua Youyue smiled, said nothing, but her gaze towards Yang Zhen became even more steadfast.
At that moment, Ning Wuque, who had been frowning, suddenly began to laugh. Fan in hand, he stared at Yang Zhen and said, “The Old Palace Master has always loved ink treasures. I presume that the gift Brother Yang is about to present will be related to the Way of Literature and Quill?”
Everyone looked at Ning Wuque in astonishment. Even the hot-tempered Hu Tao could not help cursing, “Ning Wuque, this bastard, has he no shame?”
Expecting a chef to produce a gift related to the Way of Literature and Quill was nearly impossible; everyone looked at Ning Wuque with scorn, their earlier admiration completely gone.
Ning Wuque remained oblivious to the questions and scorn around him. He simply smiled eerily, stared at Yang Zhen, as if he had Yang Zhen all figured out.
The Third Lotus Seat of Beigu Institute frowned, sighed, and said, “Wuque’s nature is not enough, after his return to Beigu Institute this time, he will be locked in the ground cave for three years!”
Upon hearing this, everyone from the Beigu Institute turned pale.
What kind of place was the ground cave?
It was almost unfit for human habitation.
However, considering how the matter had spiraled to this point, it should not be completely blamed on Ning Wuque, he had already painted himself into a corner. Even if both sides ended up losing, he could not let Yang Zhen steal all the limelight.
Moreover, among all the people present, the vast majority believed that Yang Zhen would not be able to offer an intellect treasure that could match the Half Mountain Map.
Although Ning Wuque had been a bit shameless, he had indeed forced Yang Zhen into a dead end.
Facing such circumstances, Yang Zhen almost had no chance of winning. His face was pretty much lost.
Then, the Third Lotus Seat suddenly took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice to Yang Zhen, “Young friend Yang, that’s some bravado you have there. To actually say that Beigu Institute casually brought out some broken goods. The Half Mountain Map, though it is likely a ruin, is nonetheless a rare intellect treasure. In other places, it would certainly cause a sensation and is no different from being complete.”
“Since young friend Yang thinks it’s just mere broken goods, then where in the world are things not just broken goods? Or is it…does young friend Yang plan to personally draw an intellect treasure that isn’t broken, to present to the Old Palace Master as a gift?”
Upon hearing the words of the Third Lotus Seat, everyone present cried out in surprise again, looking at Beigu Institute with astonished faces.
This time, even the Old Palace Master showed a look of displeasure, staring deeply at the Third Lotus Seat, the smile in her eyes growing even more profound.
On the other hand, Ning Wuque burst into wild joy, looking at the Third Lotus Seat with gratitude, as though on the verge of bowing in thanks on the spot.
“What? When did Yang Dingtian say he would personally create an ink treasure?”
“Are you joking? Not to mention Yang Dingtian is just a chef at the Void Cultivation Stage, even a great scholar at the Tribulation Crossing Period would not be capable of creating a treasure comparable to the Half Mountain Map, isn’t this an impossible task?”
“As the proverb says, the old ginger is the spiciest. With these words, the Sanlian Throne immediately cornered Yang Zhen into an unwinnable situation.”
Among the crowd, the faces of Mo Xueling and Hua Youyue turned serious. They both fixed their gaze on the Sanlian Throne.
Mo Xueling’s phoenix eyes flashed with indignation as she whispered, “It’s bad enough with Ning Wuque. Now even the Sanlian Throne is targeting Yang Zhen. Does Beigu Institute not care about its reputation anymore?”
The old woman from the Ink Pool Peak coughed heavily, casting a meaningful glance at Mo Xueling.
Mo Xueling halted, she wanted to retort but held back, giving a light huff and turned her head away.
Hua Youyue shook her head, murmuring to herself: “Even if it leads to censure, the Sanlian Throne can only proceed this way. The Beigu Institute can afford to embarrass Yang Zhen and box him into a corner, but it cannot afford to fail!” “On what grounds?” Mo Xueling snapped angrily.
Hua Youyue chuckled softly, gazing at Yang Zhen and murmured: “Now, what will you do?”
All eyes watched with uncertainty as Yang Zhen, not to mention unrelated bystanders, reacted with furrowed brows, apparently helpless under the prevailing circumstances.
But to everyone’s surprise, Yang Zhen didn’t show any signs of panic. Instead, the smile on his face deepened.
Just as everyone was filled with doubts, Yang Zhen suddenly addressed the Sanlian Throne and Ning Wuque, “Rumor has it that Confucius was a man of integrity. But today I, Yang Dingtian, see only hypocrites who claim to be his followers. You all have thoroughly smeared his name.”
“Impertinence!”
The Sanlian Throne was livid, and a terrifying surge of energy burst from his body, overshadowing everything and churning like a savage storm.
Faced with this scenario, everyone’s face changed. They gasped with amazement and retreated, looking shocked at the scene before them that was beyond their imagination.
Yang Zhen had provoked a figure from the Tribulation Crossing Period, which was nearly equivalent to courting death.
And if Yang Zhen lost face that day and offended the Beigu Institute, even the Spiritual Studies Palace wouldn’t be able to save him.
Everyone stared at Yang Zhen in confusion, failing to understand why he would behave so arrogantly, so ignorant of the consequences.
Under numerous gazes, Yang Zhen, despite the oppressive energy, remained unbothered and said with a smile, “You’re right, today this Sao Saint will show you what real wisdom and strategy are.”
As he spoke, Yang Zhen walked over to the table with talent treasures, smirked at the Sanlian Throne and Ning Wuque, “Do you think this Sao Saint is belittling you?”
Yang Zhen, with a wolf-hair brush in hand, burst into laughter. His clothes fluttered as if a gale was blowing, and he dipped the brush into the ink, full and rich, staring at the two men, “Beigu Institute’s honorable head and a young genius, do you believe me when I say that even this Sao Saint scribbling a few characters will leave you clueless?”
“What a joke!” Ning Wuque burst into derisive laughter. Hearing that Yang Zhen intended to write characters in front of everyone, Ning Wuque somewhat relaxed.
Under this circumstance, how could Yang Zhen win? Regardless if he wrote a few characters or thousands, as long as they’re legible, how could anyone fail to recognize them?
Whish whish whish!
The brush danced like a dragon and a snake. Yang Zhen, at an extremely fast speed, rapidly penned eight characters onto a piece of paper, flawlessly, without any pause, leaving the crowd utterly astonished.
No one expected Yang Zhen would dare make a public display of his calligraphy, and execute it both swiftly and steadily.
Clearly, Yang Zhen intended these characters as a gift to the old Palace Master.
Everyone held their breath, straining their eyes towards the characters that Yang Zhen was writing. Suddenly, they all looked puzzled.
Eight characters were revealed before everyone, causing Ning Wuque’s face to abruptly change. He blurted out, “Grab a frog, squeeze out urine?”
“You scoundrel, Yang Dingtian, how dare you write such absurd words as a gift for the old Palace Master?”
Upon hearing Ning Wuque’s words, each and every person present changed their colors, staring at Yang Zhen incredulously.
Damn it, you could have casually written any characters, it’s the old Palace Master’s birthday, and you actually gave…. such a vulgar gift?