Chapter 127: Very Persuasive!

Chen Xiang accepted the invitation with an air of indifference, while those around him cast looks of envy, jealousy, and resentment his way.

The two young masters, in particular, looked as if they wanted to devour him whole. After all, this invitation was supposed to belong to one of them!

"Haha, Young Master Chu, we only managed to solve two of the four riddles from earlier. Would you be so kind as to share the other two answers with this old man? To be honest, even if I were to rack my brain now, I doubt I could figure them out," Master Qingliu said, offering Chen Xiang a kindly smile.

"Yes, Young Master Chu, please do tell us the answers to the other two! I... I am very curious as well," Miss Xiao added, looking at him with a blushing face and a soft voice.

The others also gazed at Chen Xiang with eager eyes, hoping to hear his explanation.

Young Masters Zhang and Wang looked sullen, huffing coldly and turning their heads away, though they still listened intently.

Ignoring the others, Chen Xiang smiled at Miss Xiao. "Hehe, since Miss Xiao is asking, I shall reveal the answers."

Seeing that Chen Xiang was addressing only her, Miss Xiao’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, and she lowered her head. *Master Qingliu is still here, yet he is looking at me while he answers. Could this be some hidden implication? What is happening? Why is my heart beating so fast?* Miss Xiao’s mind raced.

Master Qingliu, indifferent to such subtleties, only cared about the answers, which were driving him mad with curiosity.

Without further ado, Chen Xiang picked up a brush and wrote four large characters on a piece of paper. Before he could speak, Master Qingliu leaned in immediately to look.

Upon seeing the answers, he was suddenly struck with realization and burst into laughter. "Haha! Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! I never imagined the answers would be so simple—things we see every day, yet none of us thought in that direction."

After a moment of hesitation, Master Qingliu sighed. "Sigh, it seems my cultivation in this art is still lacking. Young Master Chu has provided me with true inspiration; everything has its own characteristics and nature. I shall take my leave now. I feel the need to return to the academy for a period of retreat. Farewell!"

With that, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Master Qingliu exited Tianxiang Pavilion.

Chen Xiang did not stop him, though he felt a sense of admiration. This man was truly a scholar of great learning; had he lived in a world where literature was prized over the cultivation of immortality, he would surely have become a great master.

"Master Qingliu is actually going into retreat?"

"He must have been inspired by Young Master Chu’s riddles. I imagine his riddle-solving skills will reach a new level by the time he emerges!"

"Master Qingliu’s skills were already among the best in Liuxin City. What will happen if he improves further?"

"In any case, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see Master Qingliu’s riddles again!"

"And this Young Master Chu is extraordinary, too!"

"Indeed, to be able to enlighten Master Qingliu—he is truly remarkable and destined for greatness!"

The crowd whispered among themselves, astonished that a few simple riddles could inspire Master Qingliu so deeply. This only increased their respect for Chen Xiang, and some even began to harbor intentions of befriending him.

Chen Xiang’s lips curled into a faint smile. Master Qingliu had given him a great assist; this little stunt had earned him over two hundred prestige points—not bad at all.

Miss Xiao, having recovered, looked at Chen Xiang with newfound admiration. Unable to contain herself, she stepped forward to see the answers.

"Ah! Young Master Chu, you are truly a man of great talent! How did you ever come up with these?" Miss Xiao exclaimed, unable to stop herself. Even though she had been prepared, the answers shocked her, for they were such common living creatures, yet none of them had thought of them.

"Miss Xiao, please hold up the answers so we can all see!" someone shouted, and the crowd echoed the request, their curiosity piqued.

Blushing, Miss Xiao nodded and held up the paper for everyone to see. It read: "Frog, Horse, Fish, Snake." They were all incredibly common animals.

"So that’s what they were. It’s so simple."

"A frog does indeed sit in the same posture regardless of the situation. Why didn't I think of that?"

"The same goes for a snake. It isn't particularly rare, yet everyone knows it."

The crowd analyzed the answers, mostly filled with frustration. They all knew these animals, yet only two of them had managed to guess even one correctly.

Seeing the answers, Young Masters Zhang and Wang turned pale. Feeling too ashamed to remain, they hurriedly slipped out of Tianxiang Pavilion.

Chen Xiang remained calm. That was the nature of riddles; they seemed impossibly difficult, but once the answer was revealed, it all clicked, and one felt foolish for not seeing something so familiar. The blank paper Master Qingliu had presented earlier was the same—a "wordless heavenly book" that only required a shift in perspective. That was why one could never reveal the answers to a riddle, lest they become worthless.

With the invitation in hand, Chen Xiang saw no reason to stay.

"Eh? Where is that awkward-looking honest fellow? Didn't he say I was dreaming? I just pulled an invitation out of a dream; I really wanted to show it to him," Chen Xiang said with a look of feigned confusion.

"Pfft!" Miss Xiao couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle at his words.

"Young Master Chu, that man left long ago. It seems he won't be able to see your invitation," she said, her face flushing slightly again. Watching Chen Xiang on the stage had made her curious and impressed, and she felt a genuine sense of relief.

Chen Xiang knew full well that the honest scholar had left, slipping out the back door while everyone was focused on the stage. He didn't intend to hold a grudge; the man was just a mortal, while he was a cultivator. A little trick to give him a three-day stomachache was quite enough.

"Hehe, since he won't look, perhaps you would, Miss Xiao? Would you do me the honor?" Chen Xiang stepped closer, standing two paces away, and smiled into her eyes.

"Young Master..." Miss Xiao retreated, her face as red as an apple, unsure of what to say. This Young Master Chu was far too bold! He dared to say anything, yet she didn't find it unpleasant.

Chen Xiang smiled at her reaction but did nothing more. He wasn't the type to fawn over beauty, and while this young lady was delicate and charming, his own Qin'er was better. At the thought of Qin'er, his heart stirred.

"Miss Xiao, since there is nothing left to do here, I shall take my leave. We shall meet at the literary gathering in three days!" With that, he turned to leave.

Seeing him depart, Miss Xiao grew anxious. "Young Master Chu, at which inn are you staying? Could... could I visit you later?"

Chen Xiang paused and looked at her with surprise. Seeing the sparkle in her eyes, he understood. *So this young lady wants me to tell her about the world outside. How naive. Do I look like the type to tell stories?*

He smiled and replied, "I only arrived in Liuxin City today and have yet to find an inn."

Miss Xiao was overjoyed. "Really? Then Young Master Chu can stay at my home!"

Chen Xiang’s expression turned serious. *Stay at your home? How could that possibly work? I am a man of such striking handsomeness and extraordinary temperament—what if you can't control yourself and sneak into my room? For the sake of my reputation, I certainly cannot agree. Don't even think about it!*

"Very well," Chen Xiang said with a serious, convincing nod.

"To be continued..."