Chapter 53 Real Cheating

Liu Xuan’s divine soul had just slipped out of his body and landed beside Gu Fangchen when he unexpectedly heard those words. He nearly lost his spiritual platform and collapsed right there on the spot.

This was no longer a mere doggerel; it was pure nonsense!

Just as Liu Xuan managed to steady his spiritual platform, he suddenly sensed an aura locking onto him.

He froze, a sinking feeling of dread washing over him.

Liu Xuan turned his head, and sure enough, he found Gu Youren staring coldly at him.

Anticipating that he might be discovered by Gu Youren, he had concealed his aura in advance, intending to make a swift move and—while everyone's attention was focused on Gu Yuandao—whisper the poem he had composed to Gu Fangchen.

Instead, he had been so utterly shocked by Gu Fangchen’s world-shaking poetic talent that his aura had leaked out.

With a frosty expression, Gu Youren looked toward Liu Xuan’s physical body and said coldly, "I never knew that the 'Poetic Vein' could somehow become someone else's personal connection!"

Everyone had been discussing Gu Yuandao’s poem, offering praise and flattery amidst a lively atmosphere, when they suddenly heard Gu Youren’s harsh and severe remarks. They all fell silent, looking over in confusion, completely bewildered.

Wasn't the "Little Poetry Immortal" feeling unwell and unable to compose poetry, hence resting? Why was Gu Youren suddenly launching an attack?

Gu Youren had always been upright in character, speaking her mind directly without beating around the bush.

Judging by her words, had the "Little Poetry Immortal" pulled strings for someone?

People exchanged glances, yet none of the poems recited just now seemed to match Liu Xuan’s usual standard.

Liu Xuan: "..."

He sighed, returned to his physical body, and biting the bullet, stood up and bowed to Gu Youren. "I have no idea what Master Gu is talking about. Could there be some sort of misunderstanding here?"

If he had already handed his poem over to Gu Fangchen at this moment, he would naturally accept his defeat and ask Gu Youren for forgiveness.

Yet at this moment, he had said nothing and had no time to do anything.

Naturally, he had to keep up a bold front and deny it.

Besides, since his cheating plan was clearly ruined now... things had reached this point, and neither arguing nor remaining silent could change the ultimate outcome of being expelled from the sect.

He certainly wasn't going to saddle himself with an uncommitted crime.

Gu Youren frowned. After all, she hadn't actually caught Liu Xuan in the act of cheating, and it appeared Liu Xuan hadn't spoken yet either.

She decided to let it go with just a warning...

Though she found it even harder to understand why Liu Xuan would suddenly help Gu Fangchen, she had already experienced such "sudden" occurrences a full three times.

By now, she was no longer surprised by such strange events.

Gu Youren said indifferently, "Perhaps it is a misunderstanding. I only hope the 'Little Poetry Immortal' still remembers the Master's teaching that a gentleman does not deceive even in a dark room."

Liu Xuan let out a long sigh, feeling deeply ashamed in his heart, knowing full well that this whole mess was ultimately his fault.

He had been momentarily blinded by temptation... yet the mere thought that Gu Fangchen was about to win "first-class" honors with "Lots of lotus flowers are taking a bath" made him feel as though countless predecessors of the "Poetic Vein" were crawling all over his skin...

***

Gu Youren had raised her voice high only to let the matter drop lightly, yet her strange attitude still allowed those present to guess a thing or two.

Even so, they still couldn't figure out who the Little Poetry Immortal was pulling strings for.

Who on earth had such enormous clout that they could sway someone as notoriously willful as him?

By now, only a few people had yet to recite a poem.

Surely it couldn't be that good-for-nothing playboy up there who didn't even know the first thing about writing poetry, could it?

There were quite a few cultivators present, and Gu Youren’s two lines of doggerel teasing Qingjian had naturally been overheard by them, prompting stifled laughs on all sides.

Immediately, a student who loved watching the drama unfold stood up and jeered, "I seemed to hear earlier that His Highness the Heir apparent has already finished his poem. Why not recite it so we can all appreciate it together?"

Gu Fangchen set down his wine cup, a hesitant expression crossing his face as he said, "Are you sure you want me to say it? My turn hasn't even been drawn yet..."

That person immediately retorted, "A drinking game is merely a game after all. Could it be that Your Highness the Heir apparent can't afford to play?"

Nearby, Gu Yuandao tilted his head back to drain a cup of wine, a playful, faint smile touching his lips as he watched Gu Fangchen’s hesitant demeanor.

Even if Gu Fangchen happened to be some old monster in disguise—after all, he only excelled in destiny arts and mental arts, while the poetic talents in the history of Great Wei were just a handful, and those with high cultivation were even rarer; there was simply no way he could go against the Academy.

When it came to Gu Yuandao’s own domain, Gu Fangchen would still have to lower his head to him!

Gu Fangchen stood up, holding his hands behind his back, and sighed to the heavens, "Ah, very well. I originally had no wish to stand out, but since this kind brother is so pressing, I have no choice."

"However, there truly weren't any decent works just now, which is why you all were so eager for me to step in."

Upon hearing this, the crowd burst into laughter born of sheer exasperation.

An ignorant child, daring to boast so shamelessly!

On what grounds? That "Lots of lotus flowers are taking a bath" of yours? To actually claim there were no good works just now—truly, the ignorant are fearless!

Hah! Gu Youren shook her head. She had thought Gu Fangchen might have some depth to his composure, but she hadn't expected him to crack under this little bit of pressure. The more he put up a stubborn front for the sake of his face right now, the more miserably he would make a fool of himself shortly.

Seeing Gu Youren's expression, the corners of Gu Fangchen's mouth curled up.

Originally, he hadn't planned on standing out too much, but for some reason, Liu Xuan—who seemed eager to help him cheat—had handed him an opportunity.

An opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to Gu Youren.

"Then please listen well, everyone—"

Gu Fangchen took a deep breath and slowly chanted:

*“Lotus leaves and skirt of silk are dyed the self-same green,*
*While lotus blossoms part to either side where'er her face is seen.*
*Entering deep into the pond, she vanishes from sight,*
*Only when a song drifts through do we know someone is in flight.”*

The student who had the words "What utter nonsense" already resting on the tip of his tongue froze in place the moment the entire poem was completed.

***

The surroundings fell into a dead silence.

These four lines described the gathering of lotus flowers, yet they vividly conjured a boundless expanse of lotuses rushing toward the eyes. People, scenery, motion, and stillness were blended into a seamless, flawless masterpiece.

Many people had already turned their gazes toward Gu Youren.

These... these first two lines were clearly a direct counter to the poem Gu Youren had recited just moments before.

Both the artistic conception and the technique were strikingly similar, yet Gu Fangchen’s two lines were visibly superior by more than just a notch!

It was not merely a counter; it was a complete and utter crushing defeat!

Are you kidding? A Grandmaster of Seven-Word Quatrains—did you really think that was a joke?

Gu Fangchen looked at Gu Youren with a smile in his eyes: "How does Master Gu find this verse of mine?"

Gu Youren’s pupils constricted, her expression instantly turning icy cold. Her very first reaction was that she had realized it too late!

Liu Xuan had already given his poem to Gu Fangchen to help him cheat!

This time, Gu Youren was certain there was no possibility whatsoever that she had wronged Gu Fangchen.

In the current era, only a handful of people possessed this level of poetic skill. Although the quality of this verse was exceptionally high, it still did not exceed the capabilities of the "Little Poetry Immortal" Liu Xuan.

There was only one possible explanation!

Consumed by a blazing fire of anger, Gu Youren sharply rebuked, "To have Liu Xuan cheat on your behalf—utterly devoid of shame! And yet you still dare to stand here feeling so pleased with yourself!"

The others, who were still reeling in shock from the poem, snapped back to reality upon hearing this and suddenly understood.

So he had bribed the "Little Poetry Immortal" to cheat! No wonder they had thought it impossible for Gu Fangchen to write such a thing. As expected of that unscholarly scoundrel, to actually resort to such a despicable trick!

Li QingGuang anxiously blurted out, "Eldest Senior Brother! Could it be that you were threatened by Gu Fangchen? How could you do such a thing?!"

Liu Xuan opened his mouth, looking utterly bewildered and innocent, his expression even more shocked than anyone else's.

Wait, he hadn't even had the chance to cheat yet?

Then who on earth helped Gu Fangchen cheat?

And to top it off, a poem of this caliber...

Could it possibly be... that the Teacher had come personally?!

***

[Author's note: The last day of the month, begging for votes (whispering ultra-quietly)]