Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 29: Utter Rubbish

The crown prince led Jade Fairy over, and the two of them took their seats.

Their arrival marked the commencement of the Non-aggression Poetry Festival. The participants were more motivated than ever, as they intended to leave their mark with the poem they had prepared beforehand.

War God Fang, what brings you here today? the crown prince casually eyed Fang Chen and asked.

Tao Yu answered on behalf of Fang Chen, Your Highness, War God Fang said that hed like to surround himself with the scent of brush and ink.

I see. The crown prince nodded. Thats good too. Youre not allowed to join the imperial court or lead an army, so it might be good for you to develop your literary talents and elevate our Great Xias rich culture. You are a prodigy in martial arts. Who knows? Your talents might spill over to poetry too.

Your Highness, have you seen a brute reciting poetry? Ye Qinghe laughed.

Quite a few in the crowd laughed as well.

Jade Fairy frowned. She made sure to remember the faces of those who had laughed, especially Tao Yu and Ye Qinghe.

Fang Chen leisurely waved his hand and replied, Im here to immerse myself in the festival, not to have idle conversations with you. Hurry up and begin.

The crowd was startled by his rudeness.

The crown prince ignored Fang Chen and instead addressed the crowd with a smile, The theme for todays poetry festival is non-aggression. Is there anyone who would like to start things off for us?

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A person volunteered himself and recited the poem he had prepared. His poem won loud applause and cheers from the crowd.

Utter nonsense. Fang Chen applauded with a smile as he nonchalantly kept an eye on the crown princes servants.

As more non-aggression poems were recited, the atmosphere in the poetry festival slowly crescendoed. No one paid any attention to Fang Chen anymore. They were focused on making a name for themselves and leaving an impression on the crown prince, in hopes that it would benefit them in the future.

His servants are martial artists, and the strongest one is only at pinnacle Ki Explosion. I dont see any traces of the Blood Spirit Cult, though Fang Chens eyes narrowed.

He had already mobilized his men. They would be able to uncover the relationship between the daoist and the crown prince by today, if any. The nature of this matter would change if the crown prince was related to the Blood Spirit Cult.

Zealous knights trudge up cold cloud peaks, loyal souls buried deep in Three Realms.

Ambitions fade under the tragedy of war, only cries of kin echo in somber.

Great poem!

I expect no less from our Great Xias number one scholar! After hearing this poem, I can almost see countless valiant souls lamenting their eternal separation from their family members.

Brother Tao, I believe Great Xia will come to know true peace once you join the imperial court in the near future. May Great Xia be blessed with a century of peace and merriment, just like our Guhe.

Roaring cheers broke out, as the crowd offered high praises for Tao Yus poem. It was as if they had been brought to the battle of the Three Realms Mountain, witnessing the death of countless loyal soldiers.

Tao Yu gracefully waved his fan with a smile, but his gaze fell upon Fang Chen.

This poem was alluding to him, and the crowd knew. Many of those who had been ignoring Fang Chens presence turned to him, their eyes reflecting anger, resentment, dissatisfaction, and contempt.

Celestial Xiao also looked at Fang Chen expectantly, curious to know his next move.

Tao Yu was clearly criticizing and mocking Fang Chen by reciting this poem in front of him.

Jade Fairy glanced at Tao Yu. The latter sensed her gaze and responded with a nod. He felt gleeful to have won Jade Fairys favor through his poem.

Jade Fairy, what do you think about Brother Taos poem? the crown prince asked.

Do offer me some pointers, Jade Fairy. Tao Yu clasped his fist.

This poem

The eyes of the crowd shone in anticipation. They were curious to hear Jade Fairys opinion of Tao Yus poem. It could become a highlight of this poetry festival.

This poem is trash, Jade Fairy earnestly replied after a moment of thought.

The crowd was taken aback. They looked at one another in confusion.

Are we hearing things? Or did Jade Fairy misspeak?

Tao Yus face stiffened up.

The crown prince was startled, but he quickly recovered and asked, What makes you say so, Jade Fairy? I think Tao Yus poem reflects the tragedy of war well. Its a fitting take on our theme of non-aggression.

Your Highness, I am not as well-learned as the young masters and misses here. I know war is tragic, but Great Xia is in shambles after the storms we have weathered. A one-sided desire for peace will only make us an easy target for our enemies.

I believe our people should bare their fangs and cut down the enemies that covet our land and resources. Only when our enemies dare not lay their claws on us can we push for true peace, Jade Fairy said.

The crowd fell silent.

Celestial Xiao was surprised. She took another look at Jade Fairy. This woman is wise.

The crown princes complexion turned awful. The theme he had chosen for this poetry festival was Non-aggression, but little did he expect that the guest he had invited was pro-war!

He felt like he had been viciously slapped on the face, but it wouldnt reflect well on him if others learned that he had lashed out at a dance artisan, so he had no choice but to hold himself back.

What about the soldiers who died? Whos going to take responsibility for that? Tao Yu asked as he glanced at Fang Clen.

Jade Fairy looked at Tao Yu and asked, Countless civilians will die if our enemies invade us. Are you going to take responsibility for that, young master Tao?

The scholars revealed looks of contemplation.

The scholars from Guhe, Longdu, and Yizhou hadnt expected to see such a scene. They had come to this poetry festival to join in the commotion and become acquainted with the ladies of Great Xias capital.

Jade Fairy, Great Xia will have no enemies if it refuses to fight. That was how our Guhe enjoyed a century of peace, a woman from Guhe argued. She turned to the crown prince and said. Your Highness, the secular woman you have invited will only sully the atmosphere of your poetry festival.

The crowd fell silent.

This woman Long Huixin, and she was from the strongest clan in Guhe Empire, the Long Clan. She was stationed in Great Xias capital to facilitate ore trade between Guhe and Great Xia.

Jade Fairy smiled at Long Huixin with placid eyes; she had no intention of debating with the latter.

To her surprise, Fang Chen turned to Long Huixin and said, Your Guhe Empire is rich in ores, but your people live in poverty even though your country has no more than ten million civilians. Thats because you offer 70% of your ores as tribute to a grade-8 state, and the grade-8 state ensures your safety in return. That was how you and your people enjoyed a century of peace.

It was then that Fang Chens voice suddenly became sharper. Your nobles and aristocrats sleep in peace thanks to the deal you have struck, but how many of your civilians are cold and starving? Whats the use of peace without prosperity?