Chapter 252 – The Startling Swan Banquet at Qian Court Peak (Six)

Ye Kuang: “How shall we compete?”

Shang Bai: “Poetry and lyrics inherently evoke different inspirations through varying artistic conceptions. But to increase the challenge, I propose composing verses about ‘trees’ without using the character for tree. We’ll create five- or seven-character regulated verses. How does that sound?”

Ye Kuang: “Agreed.”

Hearing this, Shang Bai couldn’t conceal his surprise.

The fact that Ye Kuang showed not the slightest hesitation—was this confidence or mere bravado?

This was indeed a question worth pondering!

A question worthy of everyone’s contemplation!

Ye Kuang didn’t appear to be the type of refined scholar who would compose poetry. Though his words were sharp, they couldn’t be associated with literary elegance.

Skeptical glances were everywhere, including those taking pleasure in his potential failure, and some who watched as if observing a clown’s performance—their gazes all conveying the same message: he was just courting attention.

“You first or me?” Ye Kuang asked.

Shang Bai chuckled upon hearing this: “As the host, I should extend courtesy. I’ll begin.”

Ye Kuang: “Please.”

Strum strum strum…

“This banquet hall is actually made of birch wood, so I’ll use this as my theme…” Shang Bai said.

His eyes suddenly gleamed as he recited confidently: “Basking in sun, shunning the shade, The birch stands proud in forest glade.”

The moment he finished, unanimous praise erupted.

Clearly, Senior Brother Shang Bai understood birch trees well—not only describing their growth climate but also articulating their unique qualities.

This scene naturally sparked everyone’s curiosity, leading to hushed discussions as they sought deeper insights about birch trees.

Surprisingly, all opinions converged: the birch stood unique among trees, a peerless specimen.

Ye Kuang: “Excellent verse, truly worthy of one bearing the title Little Poetry Immortal.”

As his voice faded, all eyes focused on him, clearly interested in what poetic response he would offer.

“Since you’ve described the birch’s qualities and growth environment, should I not also praise its symbolism and surroundings?” Ye Kuang mused.

His seemingly soliloquizing tone actually reflected his process of mental preparation.

“Will strong as pine through winter’s sting, Unbowed by frost that hardships bring.”

In just ten characters, Ye Kuang had effortlessly fulfilled his earlier implication—simultaneously praising the birch’s symbolism and growth environment.

Moreover, he’d used another tree for vivid contrast, perfectly illustrating the pine’s unwavering resolve and steadfast courage. The phrase “unbowed by frost” subtly conveyed resilience and uprightness, akin to pure love and indomitable spirit.

Even as Ye Kuang’s opponent, Senior Brother Shang Bai couldn’t help but nod inwardly in appreciation.

“I concede this round. Your turn.”

“You honor me.”

Ye Kuang paused deliberately before continuing: “Human emotions cannot escape the realms of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. Therefore, I shall use ’emotion’ to depict all facets of the Human Realm. Naturally, I also impose a restriction: you may not use any characters related to ‘joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure’ in your composition. You need only transform my verse into a lyrical song.”

Hearing this, Shang Bai nodded in acknowledgment.Ye Kuang waited until his opponent grasped the meaning before speaking: “In April’s sky of the Human Realm, delicate beauty blooms pure as blossoms. Gazing at the silk-thread lamps of two hexagrams, like savoring the sweetness of seasonal wine. Do not sever the bond of three lifetimes, where initial joy springs from tranquil delight. A disciple’s love spanning one lifetime, the heart remains self-possessed in its frame. Though lotus roots part in the end, jade-like life drinks deeply of intensity.”

As his voice faded slowly, it was clear all things must reach their conclusion.

Only when the last echo lingered did the crowd snap back to reality.

To their eyes, this was somewhat unexpected.

Ye Kuang had truly composed a masterpiece.

The poem seemed to narrate a noble lady stirred by scenery into melancholy, her face clouded with sorrow as if recalling certain events and people—like raising a jade cup of wine and draining it in one go, severing all emotional attachments.

From its overall essence, this was a work of emotional transcendence, ascending henceforth beyond mortal affections.

Shang Bai naturally immersed himself in the atmosphere, joy lifting his brow as a smirk curled his lips. With chest swelling in confidence, verses surged into his heart as if victory were assured.

“Beyond worldly attachments, I still see you—in the Human Realm, clear wine alone fills my cup.”

“When cups are exchanged and drained, from this moment, the supreme path is without emotion.”

As Shang Bai’s words fell, the venue plunged into inexplicable awe.

Particularly among some female disciples—at an age brimming with boundless yearning for love—they couldn’t help but feel a strange sorrow and resonance within the poem’s artistic conception.

In this world, love and hatred inevitably revolve around the character “affection.” Does love truly begin with affection, and hatred end with it?

Many reached this contemplation, yet none noticed the awkward expression on one face in the crowd—someone struggling to suppress laughter.

And who could this be but Ye Kuang!

As his opponent, Shang Bai was the first to detect this subtle anomaly.

“Junior Brother Wu Kuang, why does your expression seem slightly off? Could it be that the song I composed fails to capture the poetic essence?”

Ye Kuang declared resolutely: “Precisely.”

What?

Before Shang Bai could react, the venue erupted in widespread criticism.

“Brat, who are you pretending to be? This is clearly a poem of emotional transcendence. How dare you claim Senior Brother Shang Bai’s verses miss the mark? Are you just a sore loser?”

“Exactly! We’ve seen pretentious fools, but never such a trashy poser. We thought he had some talent, but he’s just another fraud. Disgusting!”

“Young man, you’ve gone too far. Losing one round isn’t shameful—what’s tragic is a loser who can’t accept defeat.”

Hearing the uproar, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but sigh in resignation.

He seemed weary of the world’s deceit, having seen through the desolation of human hearts, comprehending that life’s vicissitudes pale before “public opinion melting metal.”

Witnessing this, Shang Bai shuddered involuntarily.

For Ye Kuang’s demeanor mirrored the instructive expression his Honored Master had worn during final enlightenment before passing.

“Xiao Bai, never underestimate anyone in this world. Your path remains long. The title ‘Poetry Immortal’ may seem glorious, but it is also a shackle—it can bring supreme reverence, yet also immense vanity. This is my final lesson: do not look down on others. Maintaining humility and perseverance is the only true path for you…”

A silent thunder seemed to crash through his consciousness.Shang Bai felt as if struck by lightning, and in his fury, he roared, “All of you, shut up!!!”

A thunderous boom echoed in their ears as a powerful shockwave erupted upon landing, overturning all the surrounding tables and chairs.

It was at this moment that Ye Kuang finally realized the terrifying extent of Senior Brother Shang Bai’s power.

He had actually reached the Dao Inquiry Realm!

In an instant, everyone was struck with awe, involuntarily falling silent and staring in astonishment at Senior Brother Shang Bai, who had suddenly lost his composure.

Shang Bai, however, seemed to pay no heed to their reactions and demanded, “Tell me then, in what way is the theme of my poem mismatched? And where exactly did I go wrong?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but fret inwardly. He then used his finger as a brush, channeling sharp energy into it, and bellowed in response, “Then, everyone, watch closely.”

In the blink of an eye, as his finger swept across the ground floor, a masterpiece abruptly appeared on the floor:

In the Human Realm’s April sky, delicate beauty pure as blooms.

Gaze upon the twin yao lamps, like seasons knowing wine’s sweet taste.

Do not sever three-life bonds, where beginnings are pure delight.

Vainly clinging to one-life love, the heart remains self-aware.

Surface ties will end at last, while jade-like life drinks deeply strong.

But that was not all. Ye Kuang then sank his energy into his Dantian and suddenly pointed at the masterpiece, explaining, “I wonder if any of you have heard of the ‘reverse writing method’?”

What?

At that moment, Shang Bai felt as if struck by lightning once more. Snapping back to reality in an instant, he couldn’t help but gaze at the masterpiece on the ground.

In that brief span, his eyes became extraordinarily vivid!

People gaze, do not cling to surface,

Between threads, sever and connect the lotus root.

Four, two, three, one—all things end,

Moon’s yao gives birth to worldly ties.

Heavenly lamps, bonds of love extinguished,

Delicate as the initial jade-like heart.

Beauty seasons rise from life,

As knowing is the investigation of things.

Flowers, wine, purity—drink of the self,

Pure sweetness, joy, ever strong!