Volume One, Chapter Nine: Walking Someone Else’s Path, Leaving No Way Out for Others

The woman referred to by Xin Qiji as "Talent Li" did not seem stage-frightened. As the crowd parted to form a path, she walked toward the stage.

Bowing slightly to Xin Qiji, she said, "Young Master Xin, your eyesight is truly remarkable. I was standing so far away, yet you spotted me at a single glance."

Bai Chou noticed a faint blush flicker across Xin Qiji's face, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared. *So,* Bai Chou thought to himself, *Xin Qiji actually has feelings for her.*

After indulging in this bit of gossip, he heard Xin Qiji reply, "Talent Li is too kind. It was merely a stroke of luck. Please, present the topic."

The woman pondered for a moment before saying, "With the ongoing wars at the borders, our soldiers are suffering and the common people are in great misery. How about we take 'The Frontier' as our theme?"

Bai Chou immediately thought of Xin Qiji’s own military career and his years spent campaigning at the borders. Xin Qiji was renowned for his frontier poetry, especially the masterpiece *Po Zhen Zi*, which was a mandatory recitation in middle school. Thinking of this, Bai Chou asked, "May I recite first?"

"Recite?" Xin Qiji asked, puzzled.

"No, no, I meant, may I compose first?" Flustered by his slip of the tongue, Bai Chou quickly corrected himself.

"Of course. Brother Bai is truly quick-witted. No sooner had Talent Li announced the topic than you were ready with your response. In this, I admit you surpass me. I am all ears," Xin Qiji replied.

Bai Chou recited the poem silently in his heart first, surprised to find that even after more than a decade, he could still recall it perfectly. Mimicking the mannerisms of the scholars he had seen in television dramas, he swayed his head and began to recite slowly:

"Drunk, I trim the lamp to inspect my sword;
Dreaming, I return to the bugle-calls of the joined camps.
Dividing the roasted meat among my men under the banners,
Fifty strings play the music of the frontier,
As the autumn parade of troops unfolds on the field of battle.
My horse flies as swiftly as the legendary Liu Bei's steed,
My bowstring twangs like a thunderbolt.
Having fulfilled the monarch's affairs in the world,
I have won fame before and after death.
Alas, my hair is turning white!"

Silence.

A long, heavy silence.

On and off the stage, everyone—from the brilliant Xin Qiji and Talent Li to the onlookers in the crowd—seemed to be holding their breath.

After a long while, someone began to applaud.

Then, everyone followed suit unconsciously. Thunderous applause erupted, mingled with countless exclamations of praise.

"Brother Bai? Was this poem truly composed on the spot?" Xin Qiji’s face was filled with shock.

"Hm? Is there a problem?" Bai Chou asked, feigning innocence. He knew that even if the original author stood before him, as long as he spoke the words first, *Po Zhen Zi* would be considered his own creation.

"Drunk, I trim the lamp to inspect my sword; Dreaming, I return to the bugle-calls of the joined camps..." Xin Qiji repeated the entire poem in a daze.

He then closed his eyes, as if savoring the impact of those lines. After a long time, he sighed in admiration, "Wonderful! Simply wonderful! Brother Bai, please do not take offense, but I truly believe that without years, or even decades, of military life, one could never compose such a poem! The technique of blending the real with the imagined makes it feel as if the fierce battles and the heroic images of the soldiers were displayed right before my eyes. This piece is worthy of being called an eternal masterpiece! I am truly in awe!"

Years, or even decades of military life?

*I don't have that,* Bai Chou thought, *but I do have nine years of compulsory education. And besides, this poem was a middle school requirement.*

Thinking of this, Bai Chou almost burst into laughter. He quickly replied, "A mere trifle, Brother Xin, you flatter me. Now, please, let us hear your composition!"

Xin Qiji gave a self-deprecating smile, bowed deeply to Bai Chou, and said, "There is no need. I have already lost, and I concede wholeheartedly. Even if I were to compose something now, it would surely pale in comparison to yours."

Watching Xin Qiji concede voluntarily, a thought popped into Bai Chou’s mind: *Walking on someone else’s path so that they have nowhere left to go!*

At this moment, Talent Li, standing below the stage, also sighed in admiration, "This poem is, as Brother Xin said, truly an eternal masterpiece! Your loss is well-deserved, Brother Xin! My full name is Li Qingzhao. Today, I have learned that there is always someone better, and mountains beyond mountains!"

Li Qingzhao?!

So this "Talent Li" was none other than Li Qingzhao, the representative figure of the "Graceful School" of the Song Dynasty. No wonder that even in plain robes, she could not hide her peerless elegance and grace.

Bai Chou immediately responded with modesty, "Talent Li, you are too kind. Perhaps my experiences are simply more varied than Brother Xin’s, but in terms of pure literary talent, I certainly cannot compare to him!"

"So young, yet not arrogant about your talent—truly rare! I have a small request: I would like to invite you both to my residence to discuss literature further. Would you do me the honor?" Li Qingzhao asked.

"I would be honored to accept," Xin Qiji replied immediately, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

Receiving an invitation from Li Qingzhao, with Xin Qiji for company—how could Bai Chou refuse? He replied, "Then we shall impose upon you. However, I came to Qizhou City with a friend. I would feel quite remiss if I left him behind."

"Since he is a friend of yours, Brother Bai, he must also be a remarkable person. It would be my honor to make his acquaintance as well," Li Qingzhao replied.

Qizhou City, also known as the City of Springs, was famous for its numerous springs and abundant water, earning it the reputation of having "seventy-two famous springs." Li Qingzhao’s residence was located beside the Baimai Spring in the east of the city.

Bai Chou knew that Li Qingzhao’s family was wealthy, with generations of officials in the imperial court, but it was not until he reached her doorstep that he realized just how affluent they were.

Two stone lions, each two people tall, stood at the entrance. The vermilion gates were studded with gleaming copper nails, and two servants in fine silk robes stood at the door with a hint of arrogance, showcasing the influence of the Li family in Qizhou City.

Entering the gate, one found winding corridors and lush gardens, with elegant pavilions and cascading waterfalls. It was clear the owner was not only powerful but also refined, possessing a high standard for quality of life.

In the inner hall, after the four of them took their seats, servants quickly brought out various delicacies, snacks, and soups, placing them perfectly before leaving only one attendant behind.

Ever since crossing over to this world, Bai Chou had been traveling with Zhao Yun, living on dry rations and wild fruit. He hadn't had a proper meal in days. Seeing the table full of delicacies, his stomach growled instantly.

Li Qingzhao chuckled and said, "Since everyone is hungry, let us eat and talk. Please, help yourselves."

With that, she picked up a piece of green vegetable and began to eat. Seeing her start, Bai Chou and Zhao Yun no longer felt hesitant and began to dig into the feast before them.

"Come, let me offer a toast to the three talented gentlemen," Li Qingzhao said, raising her cup.

After they finished their drinks, Xin Qiji asked, "I heard from Brother Bai and Zilong earlier that you are not from these parts. What business brings you to Qizhou? My father governs this region; if you have any small matters to attend to, perhaps I could be of assistance."

Bai Chou and Zhao Yun exchanged a glance. They did not know the relationship between Wei Tianpeng and Xin Qiji, but they knew Wei Tianpeng’s foster father was the Chancellor of the Tang Kingdom. Since everyone knew that officials protect one another, they certainly could not reveal that they had come to Qizhou to assassinate Wei Tianpeng.

Bai Chou said, "We have been traveling and learning, simply to see the customs and cultures of various places in China. That is all."

Xin Qiji set down his glass and smiled, "It seems Brother Bai is not telling the whole truth. But very well."

Bai Chou looked at Xin Qiji, "Brother Xin, what makes you say that?"

Xin Qiji glanced at the servant behind him. Seeing Li Qingzhao nod in agreement, the servant left the hall and closed the door.

"First, you two are not wealthy; one can tell from the way you ate just now that traveling requires money. Second, I am quite well-traveled myself, and from your movements, I can see you have no formal martial arts training. These are troubled times; the world is not peaceful. Without money, without skills, and having fabricated the purpose of your journey—I simply do not believe you are merely here to sightsee," Xin Qiji said.

Bai Chou had not expected Xin Qiji to be so sharp. He could analyze the essence of a situation just from a few observations. Yet, no matter how clever he was, he could never guess that they were here to assassinate Wei Tianpeng.

Bai Chou simply raised his glass and took a sip, neither confirming nor denying.

Li Qingzhao, seeing the stalemate, smoothed things over, "Never mind Brother Bai, let us look at you, Brother Xin. I don’t believe that you held this martial arts tournament simply to compare skills with others."

"Indeed. With you, Qingzhao, I never hold anything back," Xin Qiji said, taking a sip from his cup as if to hide his embarrassment at using her given name.

Once he finished, he flushed red and stared at Li Qingzhao, saying, "I held this tournament specifically to find capable people to help me assassinate Wei Tianpeng!"