Chapter 40: What Did You Say? I Didn't Hear You!

"Young Master Xu, though this question was set by me, your solution surpasses mine," Ke Youshan said, rising to his feet. Then, to the astonishment of all present, he offered Xu Ye a respectful bow. "In the previous round, I misjudged you, Young Master Xu. I hope you will forgive my mistake."

Witnessing this, Liu Muxuan felt as if he had plunged into an icy abyss. Even Master Ke had admitted his fault—what room was there for maneuver now?

Immediately, the hall erupted in commotion. For a grandmaster to apologize to a mere underworld envoy—should word of this spread, it would surely set the capital abuzz.

"Master Ke, you flatter me," Xu Ye replied with a gentle smile, returning the courtesy.

"Should you have the leisure, I hope you will visit my residence for a game," Ke Youshan continued. "Though I failed to unravel your endgame, when it comes to skill, I do not believe myself inferior!"

Xu Ye was surprised by the old man's competitive spirit and so deflected with a lighthearted, "Next time, certainly," before turning to Liu Muxuan, who was preparing to leave. "No need to rush off, Brother Liu."

At this, all eyes in the hall turned to Liu Muxuan. His scalp tingled and his lips twitched involuntarily. Forcing a stiff smile, he said, "Xu Ye, it was indeed my mistake to suspect you. Please accept my apology."

"That's not what you were supposed to say," Lin Buyu interjected with a cold snort before he could try to pass off Ke Youshan's words as his own.

"Recite the agreed words," Lin Buyu ordered, fixing Liu Muxuan with a stern glare. True to her upright nature, she was not about to let him get away unscathed after targeting Xu Ye repeatedly.

"Don't go too far, Lin Buyu!" Liu Muxuan retorted, eyes flashing with anger. Never before had he been so humiliated.

"Oh? Are you planning to go back on your word in front of Master Ke?" Xu Ye stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lin Buyu, arms folded, and regarded Liu Muxuan with a mocking smile.

At this, Master Ke's expression darkened. He had no wish to lose both in chess and in dignity today. He snapped, "Liu boy, if you have no shame, your father still does. Apologize, now!"

Unlike most scholars, Master Ke spoke with blunt candor.

Hearing this, Liu Muxuan finally abandoned all resistance. Turning aside, he cupped his hands to Xu Ye and, in a voice thick with reluctance, said, "Brother Xu did not cheat; it was I, Liu Muxuan, who judged a gentleman by the measure of a petty man."

"I'm sorry, what was that? I didn't quite hear you. Could you speak a little louder?" Xu Ye cupped a hand behind his ear, raising his voice.

Once again, Liu Muxuan found himself the center of attention, the weight of dozens of gazes bearing down upon him. He wanted nothing more than to sink into the ground. Resigned, he decided to put his shame aside and, in a voice tinged with grief and indignation, he declared repeatedly, "Brother Xu did not cheat; it was I, Liu Muxuan, who judged a gentleman by the measure of a petty man. Brother Xu did not cheat; it was I, Liu Muxuan, who judged a gentleman by the measure of a petty man…"

"That was truly satisfying!" Lin Buyu exclaimed with a triumphant swing of her fist as they walked along the stone path leading from the Heavenly King Hall to the Grand Hall of Great Hero.

"If you're so skilled at chess, why didn't you tell me sooner?" she complained, glancing at Xu Ye.

"Hm?" At that moment, Xu Ye, ever in the habit, was surveying the temple grounds, momentarily distracted.

"Oh, you mean chess? I told you before, but you didn't believe me," he replied, dropping his hands behind his head in a gesture of helplessness.

Lin Buyu thought for a moment and realized he had indeed mentioned it before. She quickly changed the subject. "We achieved top marks this round. For the next two rounds—lyric composition and painting—you needn't take part. Even if we only score second-class from now on, our standing is secure."

"I'm not needed? I was hoping to make a further impression," Xu Ye said with a hint of regret. He had already prepared several poems and verses in his mind.

"Don't tell me you're a master of poetry and lyrics too?" Lin Buyu eyed him with suspicion.

"Well, let's just consider this a leisurely outing," Xu Ye replied with an awkward laugh. It was just as well he wouldn't be participating in the next rounds—the poems and lyrics in his mind might come in handy in a future life-or-death ghost encounter.

"Since I won’t—"

"Big brother! Big brother!"

He was about to say he’d explore the temple, but before he could finish, a child's urgent voice called out beside him.

"Big brother?"

Xu Ye looked around in confusion but saw nothing.

"What's wrong?" Lin Buyu asked, puzzled by his odd behavior.

"Did you hear a little girl calling 'big brother' just now?" he asked.

"No, with all this noise, you must have misheard," Lin Buyu replied, shaking her head.

"Probably so," Xu Ye nodded, convincing himself it was nothing.

But just as he was about to look away, a sudden bark sounded at his feet. Looking down, he saw that a small, spotted dog had appeared beside him, rubbing against his shoe.

"Where did this little dog come from?" Xu Ye asked, pointing at the animal.

"It's probably from Lanyue Temple," Lin Buyu said, unperturbed by the dog's appearance. "There’s a monk here named Wisdom Fool who’s fond of rescuing stray cats and dogs from the city. Usually, they're kept in the scripture hall, but sometimes, if you're lucky, you'll see one or two sneaking out."

As she explained, she began to play with the puppy, eventually picking it up and, with a laugh, raised its paw to Xu Ye. "Say 'big brother.'"

Xu Ye froze. Both Lin Buyu, showing an uncharacteristic childlike side, and the puppy were adorable—but recalling the strange voice he'd just heard, a chill ran down his spine. He couldn't help but fear the little dog would actually call him "big brother."

Seeing his dazed expression, Lin Buyu realized she had let herself go, quickly turned away with the puppy in her arms, and urged him, "Come on, we need to be on time for the next rounds, even if you're not participating."

"Alright," Xu Ye replied, hastening after her while glancing uneasily around, reassuring himself silently, "It must have been my imagination…"