Yang Muxi glared, pulling down her bamboo hat to shield herself from Jiang Chen's teasing gaze.

The feeling of having her thoughts exposed was truly awful!

Patting her flushed cheeks, Yang Muxi muttered to herself, "I must have been crazy just now to think that Jiang Yan, that bad guy, was more charming than a gentleman like Zhang Zifang!"

Jiang Chen was unaware of her thoughts.

He assumed her glare was defending Zhang Zifang and expressing her displeasure at his provocative behavior.

To be honest, at that moment, Jiang Chen felt a pang of discomfort!

The woman he was interested in repeatedly supported other men; who could bear such frustration?

A flicker of anger rose in Jiang Chen's eyes. He silently recited, "Li Bai, the Poet Immortal, Li He, the Poet Devil… forgive me, tonight I must borrow a bit of your talent!"

"Are you, perhaps, Zhang Zifang?" Jiang Chen spoke, his challenging gaze fixed on the gray-robed scholar at the head of the group.

The man, despite being regarded with such hostility, didn't seem angry. He simply bowed slightly, modestly saying, "Indeed, I am Zhang Zifang. May I ask what you wish to discuss?"

His humble demeanor and polite manners were quite admirable.

Jiang Chen returned the bow and smiled. "I am Jiang Yan. I've heard of your world-shaking talent and saintly qualities, Brother Zifang, and I've come to learn from you."

A hint of helplessness crossed Zhang Zifang's face, and he smiled wryly. "You flatter me, Master Jiang. The Great Wei is vast and filled with countless extraordinary talents. I am but a humble scholar, unworthy of such a grand title!"

"Those rumors are merely the exaggerations of classmates and teachers. They shouldn't be taken seriously."

As he spoke, Zhang Zifang took a few steps forward, gesturing an invitation with his hand, and earnestly said, "If you wish to learn, Master Jiang, you are welcome to visit the garden or even enroll in the Jixia Academy. It would be a fine thing."

As the words fell, Jiang Chen's expression turned strange, his eyebrows involuntarily rising.

*Tsk*, I wouldn't mind joining your academy, but the question is, would your dean have the guts to accept me?

Still, this Zhang Zifang is quite interesting. He doesn't get angry even when I provoke him, and he even invites this troublemaking guest into the academy… With such an open mind, he could be useful.

Lost in thought, the hostility in Jiang Chen's eyes lessened. He said playfully, "How about we have a poetry battle of a hundred poems!"

"If I lose, I'll voluntarily join the Jixia Academy and become a member of the academy. If you lose, you must grant me one condition."

Jiang Chen deliberately used his inner force when he spoke, his voice carrying far and wide, clearly audible to both sides of the river.

With so many people as witnesses, neither party could easily deny the agreement!

Zhang Zifang could see the intention behind his actions. His gentle expression finally changed, and he frowned.

"Master Jiang, using poetry to make friends is supposed to be an elegant affair. Why must you involve winning and losing?"

"Moreover, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There is no first or second place in the realm of poetry."

Jiang Chen's smile remained unchanged, but his tone was extremely arrogant. "Words are useless. Now that I've spoken, you have no room to refuse!"

"Today, you will compete whether you agree or not!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone around showed a look of shock.

They couldn't understand where Jiang Chen got the courage to utter such arrogant words!

"Humph, what big words!"

"This old man wants to see what kind of person dares to run wild here?!" An elderly man stepped forward, glaring angrily at Jiang Chen.

"You ignorant fool! Our Jixia Academy has a plaque bestowed by the late Emperor himself. Are you trying to insult the late Emperor by being so provocative?"

"Senior brother, let's go inside and ignore this attention-seeking madman, lest we help him become famous!"

"This person is truly ignorant. Just a nobody dares to provoke senior brother. He should consider whether he's worthy!"

"..."

Jiang Chen's words stirred up the crowd's anger. The students gathered at the entrance of the garden were indignant and accused him repeatedly.

Yang Muxi also had some complaints, whispering, "It's fine to compete in poetry, but why are you threatening people? That's too unreasonable!"

"While it hasn't started yet, you should apologize to Zhang Zifang… If you don't clear up this misunderstanding, your reputation will be ruined!"

Jiang Chen could sense her concern, but this solution was a little too dismissive of him, wasn't it?!

Raising his eyes to glance at her, he said, "Do you have so little faith in me? Are you sure I'll lose?"

"I've been trying so hard to help you enter the palace, and this is how you repay me? Taking the side of an outsider…"

Feeling guilty for being reprimanded, Yang Muxi quickly interrupted, "I, I didn't mean that. I said that because I was worried about you!"

"Zhang Zifang has been a child prodigy since he was young, and then he was taken in by a great scholar. Even the current Prime Minister praises him… How can you compare to him?"

Seeing her speaking so confidently, Jiang Chen was amused.

He raised his hand, reached into the bamboo hat, and pinched Yang Muxi's tender, fragrant cheek hard, assertively saying:

"Stay aside and watch how I crush this Zhang Zifang!"

After speaking, Jiang Chen withdrew his hand and walked straight ahead.

Behind him, Yang Muxi, who had barely recovered, had a look of anger in her watery eyes. She covered her delicate face that had been pinched and gritted her teeth. "Jiang Yan, you, you lecherous thief, do you have a death wish?"

This bastard actually took liberties with her in front of so many people!

Jing Yue's ears twitched slightly, and her cold gaze turned to Yang Muxi. "Sect Leader Yang, don't say such condemning words again in the future."

Her tone was calm, but it revealed a deadly threat.

Yang Muxi's heart trembled. She sensed a trace of killing intent around her and stared intently at Jing Yue, who was dressed as a maid.

Such a strong aura, this woman is not simple!

To be surrounded by such experts… Jiang Yan, what is your true identity?

Just as the two women were confronting each other, Zhang Zifang, who had been thinking for a long time, also made a choice.

He looked at Jiang Chen solemnly. "Master Jiang, I see that you have an extraordinary bearing, so your identity must be unusual."

"Although I don't know why you want to come and provoke me and compete in poetry with me, I will accompany you to the end for the sake of the academy's reputation."

"However, what exactly is the condition you mentioned?"

Jiang Chen said casually, "I can't reveal it for the time being, but I guarantee that this condition will not violate the law or morality, nor will it violate your principles as a person, how about that?"

Zhang Zifang's expression relaxed, and he nodded readily. "Alright, if that's the case, then I agree!"

"Excellent!" Jiang Chen clapped his hands and applauded, shouting, "Someone, bring wine and prepare brush and ink!"

Zhang Zifang smiled slightly, striking a pose ready to fight.

His every move revealed confidence, confident in his talent.

Seeing that the poetry competition was about to begin, the atmosphere on both sides of the Huai River was instantly ignited!

Hundreds of talented men and beautiful women rushed to the scene, wanting to witness this extraordinary event with their own eyes.

Even the painted boats on the river were no exception. Countless boats carrying famous courtesans and flower queens approached the garden, wanting to see the demeanor of the two men.

Looking from afar, the lights were brilliant and extremely dazzling!

Some flower queens who were skilled in fine brushwork even leaned their hibiscus-like faces out of the window, wanting to record Jiang Chen's extraordinary demeanor with their brushes...