Chapter 36: A Sure Thing?

Chapter 36: A Sure Thing?

At the foot of Green Mountain, inside the humble study.

Su Changqing was meticulously painting, a grand landscape slowly unfolding on the desk before him.

Though it was a simple painting, if one gazed at it for long enough, it truly seemed as if they were standing amidst a continuous range of mountains, where the Dao's essence was ever-present.

Soon, the final stroke was laid, completing the landscape, making it seem both real and surreal.

"Brother Changqing's improvement is truly awe-inspiring."

Shuhuan, who had been watching intently, picked up the scroll from the desk, his face filled with admiration.

Su Changqing's progress was visible to the naked eye, with each painting showing a significant improvement in his artistry.

"Brother Shuhuan is also very impressive. You've only been following Teacher for half a year, yet your painting skills are almost at the Dao level."

Su Changqing said sincerely.

Shuhuan's face darkened. Was this a compliment or an insult?

"Changqing, Shuhuan, we're going out today."

Li Qingchen, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and spoke.

"Going out? Outside Green Mountain Village?"

Su Changqing's eyes lit up with excitement. He had barely ever left the range of the Green Mountains and was very curious about the outside world.

Shuhuan, on the other hand, seemed to understand something. "Is it the literary contest between Changqing and Lingsi?"

Li Qingchen nodded with a smile. "Two years have passed. It's time for Changqing to meet some people."

This contest would also be a good opportunity for Changqing to meet his senior master.

Though Wei Cang and Li Qingchen didn't get along, if anything happened to his disciple in the future, Wei Cang would be the first to step in and fight.

"Leave in an hour. Bring only your brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Nothing else."

With that, Li Qingchen turned and walked out of the door.

He needed to inform Su Nan about taking Changqing out to put his mind at ease.

"Brother, how strong is the person I'm competing against?"

After Li Qingchen left, Su Changqing asked with a hint of nervousness. This was his first time competing, and he had no confidence at all.

"Um..."

Shuhuan was at a loss for words.

Was this a question someone who had mastered all four Confucian arts should be asking?

The opponent might be strong, but it wouldn't matter because the person he was facing was Su Changqing.

"Relax."

Shuhuan patted Su Changqing's shoulder and sighed. "In the future, don't ask such questions. As long as the opponent is a scholar, you can go ahead and face them."

Su Changqing frowned and thought for a moment before asking, "Brother, are you telling me not to fear challenges?"

"Even if the opponent is stronger, you should still move forward bravely?"

Shuhuan's lips twitched. While the interpretation was a bit off, it wasn't a big problem.

After all, among scholars, Su Changqing wouldn't likely encounter many who were stronger than him.

Soon, Li Qingchen returned, bringing a carriage from somewhere.

Su Changqing and Shuhuan closed the study and were about to get in the carriage when Er Niu's surprised voice came from nearby.

"Huh? Are you guys going out?"

Er Niu had come to challenge Shuhuan, but seeing Changqing about to leave, he was puzzled.

The family head was letting Changqing go out? Where to?

"Brother Er Niu, I'm going out with Teacher to visit a friend. I'll be back in a couple of days."

Su Changqing explained but didn't mention the literary contest. After all, it would be embarrassing if he lost.

"Oh, I see."

Er Niu nodded in understanding. Two years had passed, so it made sense that Ruxian was about to leave.

Before leaving, it was reasonable for Changqing to meet some Confucian elders.

"Have fun on your trip."

Er Niu waved and then glared at Shuhuan. "Bookworm, I'll beat you up when you get back."

Shuhuan smirked. "Barbarian, I'll take care of you when I return."

With that, Shuhuan cracked the reins, and the carriage disappeared in the distance.

Er Niu, left alone, felt a bit bored and even lost interest in practicing his sword skills.

"Well, I'll enjoy the next couple of days and spend some time with Qingqiu."

With that thought, Er Niu picked up a communication charm and sent a message.

Er Niu: "What are you up to, Qingqiu? Still reading?"

Qingqiu replied shortly after: "I'm not reading these days. The contest is starting, and I need to do my best for Teacher!"

Er Niu: "Take down that jerk!! Good luck!"

Qingqiu: "Ha, with your poems, I should have no problem winning."

Qingqiu: "I'm heading to the Southern Region. After the contest, remember to introduce me to that gentleman. I want to thank him properly!"

Er Niu: "No problem, just don't be scared when you meet him~"

Er Niu chuckled. If Qingqiu knew he was going to meet Ruxian, would she be surprised?

The thought excited him, as it might help him get closer to Qingqiu.

Qingqiu: "I'm heading to the Southern Region. Talk later."

Er Niu: "Let me know when the contest is over, and I'll tell you how to come."

Shutting off the communication, Er Niu rushed to Changqing's house, his face beaming with excitement.

In the past, outsiders would never have been allowed to enter Greenhill Village. But now that Changqing is about to complete his studies and embark on his cultivation journey, the village's existence is no longer necessary.

It shouldn't be too hard to ask the family head to let Qingqiu and the others visit for a while.

...

As Li Qingchen and his two companions left Greenhill Village, another group led by Wei Cang arrived in the Southern Domain.

However, unlike Li Qingchen's smooth journey, their luck seemed to be much worse.

"Slash!"

As soon as Wei Cang and his group set foot in the Southern Domain, a cold and fierce voice echoed through the heavens.

Boom!

A blade of light thousands of feet long seemed to split the sky. In the distance, a group of monks roared in anger, and a blinding golden light surged into the sky.

A towering golden Buddha statue instantly enveloped the group.

However, as the terrifying blade of light descended, the golden Buddha shattered like broken porcelain.

"Spit!"

The monks spat blood and retreated in shock.

But one of them reacted quickly, his eyes brightening at the sight of the suddenly appearing Wei Cang and his group. He shouted, "You're here! Move quickly!"

Without waiting to see if their plan would work, the monks turned and fled.

Wei Cang and his group were speechless. Could they really be so unlucky?

But it seemed the monks' judgment was poor.

"Stop!"

Wei Cang spoke softly, and an overwhelming aura of righteousness instantly filled the air. The fleeing monks froze in their tracks without even a chance to react.

The monks' eyes widened in terror as they looked at Wei Cang.

They hadn't expected their delaying tactic to meet such a formidable opponent.

Before they could beg for mercy, a young man with blood-stained clothes and wild black hair, wielding a long sword, suddenly descended.

Boom!

The monks' bodies were obliterated, leaving only a glowing fragment that floated into the young man's hand.

"You just killed them after I stopped them, kid."

"Doesn't that mean we're now entangled in the karmic debt of the Buddhist sect?"

Wei Cang said, somewhat frustrated.

He hadn't expected the young man to act so swiftly and ruthlessly, leaving him no time to react.

"If the Buddhist sect seeks revenge, let them come to the Southern Domain's Su family. We'll be ready to welcome them."

This young man was none other than Su Zian.

Changqing was about to emerge from seclusion, but Su Zian still needed one last item to complete the opportunity he had prepared for him.

He had found it in the Forbidden Abyss of the Great Void, but a group of monks had stolen it.

He had pursued them all the way here and finally retrieved the item.

"With this fragment, the inheritance should be able to open."

Su Zian looked into the distance, his blood-stained hair fluttering, a smile on his face.

"I'm waiting for you to emerge, brother."

Seeing Su Zian's brazen attitude, Wei Cang and his group frowned.

But when the young man revealed his identity and they saw his long sword, they all understood.

"You are Su Zian, the second son of the Su family."

Wei Cang sighed, "So, it seems we can't avoid this misfortune, can we?"

The Su family—forget about the White Deer Academy; even the entire Scholarly Dao couldn't touch them.

"Sounds like I'm bullying you."

Su Zian raised an eyebrow, "Judging by your righteous auras, you must be from the Central State, traveling across domains for important matters."

"You didn't need to act just now, but you did help me."

"The Su family doesn't bully the weak. If you have any requests, I can assist you once."

Wei Cang replied helplessly, "We appreciate your offer, but we only have a literary competition with Ruxian in the Southern Domain, with no other needs."

"Oh? Ruxian?"

Su Zian's eyes lit up, "Given Ruxian's status, you're clearly not a match for him."

"So, you must be competing with his disciples, right?"

Ruxian's disciples, a literary competition in the Southern Domain—that must be his little brother.

Wei Cang's face darkened. While it was the truth, it still stung.

"That's right," he said, annoyed.

"What are your chances of winning?"

Su Zian twirled his long sword, his eyes narrowing.

"Since we dared to come, we have a hundred percent chance!" Wei Cang said confidently.

"A hundred percent?"

Su Zian's eyes narrowed further, a faint aura of menace surrounding him.

A hundred percent chance?

That means his little brother is definitely going to lose?

"My brother is competing for the first time. If it's a sure loss, then—"

Su Zian smiled, his white teeth suddenly looking chilling.

These people, who seemed tolerable just a moment ago, now irritated him to no end!

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