The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 120 - 117 Various Schemes

Chapter 120: Chapter 117 Various Schemes

January 4th.

After three days of negotiations, Mountain River Academy finally announced that its freshmen would participate in this year’s Literary Arena competition. The exact number of participants had not yet been revealed. However, the start date was announced.

It was to begin on January 7th, just three days later.

"Since the Literary Arena competition is about vying for the legitimacy of the Confucian position, definitely no scholar participating can be someone who cultivates other types of Martial Arts. Those from Mountain River Academy must have mastered ’Vast Righteous Qi,’" Lu Qifeng explained the details of this mission to Qing Yu inside the Guest House.

"According to our intelligence, among the Academy’s own students, only three have mastered ’Vast Righteous Qi.’ In the Philosophy camp, they say there are three of the same age, but in reality, there is a fourth. That’s your opportunity. When the time comes, you just need to step forward and display the True Qi you’ve disguised, and you will naturally join the competition for a position in the Literary Arena."

The lecturers at Mountain River Academy were not monks, and they would have their own wives and children. These children were personally instructed by the lecturers from a young age and would often far surpass the externally recruited scholars, becoming one of the main sources of core scholars.

In their year, although no one had heard of anyone cultivating ’Vast Righteous Qi’, it did not mean there were none. It simply meant that these three scholars had become core scholars as soon as they entered, and the ordinary ones were none the wiser.

’Sure enough, Lu Qifeng’s method is for me to expose myself on the spot, to forcefully join the competition for the Literary Arena in a highly dubious manner. But by doing so, my identity as a scholar would almost certainly be wasted afterward,’ Qing Yu thought to himself.

Fortunately, arrangements had been made early. Otherwise, not only Zhuge Longsu and his peers would be confused at that time, but Qing Yu as well.

"My lord, with Philosophy imposing such conditions, how could Mountain River Academy agree?" Qing Yu asked in surprise.

They had moved up the date for the Literary Arena competition and posed all sorts of conditions for participation, creating endless difficulties. How could Mountain River Academy acquiesce so meekly? It was indeed a curiosity.

"Ha-ha," Lu Qifeng laughed, "Qing Yu, you are still too inexperienced in the affairs of the world. Don’t you know that, in the end, force speaks the loudest?

Mountain River Academy naturally did not want to agree, but they had no choice but to do so. Because our fist... is bigger than theirs..."

Lu Qifeng raised his fist, "In the past, only people from Philosophy participated, and as consistent losers in the Literary Arena competition, they naturally had no right to impose any conditions. Frankly, it’s them who should be grateful not to be imposed upon by Mountain River Academy.

But this time is different. This time, Philosophy represents us, Daqian. Emperor Daqian places great emphasis on Emperor Martial Arts, so much so that an edict was issued, mandating that Emperor Martial Arts must be obtained. If not for our wariness of Meng Shanhe, do you think we would have to employ such a roundabout method to achieve our goals?"

Yes, a strong fist was the real argument. Qing Yu felt this simple yet infinitely practical principle once again. In a world where even scholars must roll up their sleeves and engage in combat for status, was there any principle more compelling than the might of a strong fist?

The years of peace in Northern Zhou were held up by the forceful Meng Shanhe, who was Divinely Communicative. Otherwise, just relying on the Northern Zhou Court or a Mountain River Academy without Meng Shanhe could hardly withstand the march of Daqian’s iron cavalry.

However... The thought had barely formed when another idea suddenly occurred to Qing Yu. For a matter of such importance, could they really just rely on those in Philosophy? At least Qing Yu was not aware of any other arrangements made by Daqian aside from his own secret role. The ones apparent on the surface were only those of Philosophy.

If these young scholars from Philosophy were all of the same caliber as Xie Guangran, then the outcome of the Literary Arena competition would remain unchanged, even if he, the secret pawn, were to betray them.

"My lord, is there really no risk of me being discovered?" Qing Yu feigned great anxiety.

"Don’t worry, you won’t be discovered," Lu Qifeng smiled, "We’ve laid out so many conditions, and Zhuge Longsu naturally wouldn’t suffer a loss without responding. He also put forth his conditions. The location of this Literary Arena competition will be held in a Small Secret Realm."

A Small Secret Realm... Qing Yu had heard of this term.

Supreme beings within the Divinity Realm could create small, livable spaces. These spaces, cultivated by people and enhanced with Arrays, could replicate scenes from the real world, resembling as idyllic retreats, hence referred to as Secret Realms.

And Meng Shanhe was one of the few Supreme beings in the Divinity Realm of the world listed on the Heavenly List as eighth.

The worldly society had three lists—Heaven, Earth, and Man—recording the top ten of each corresponding Realm. The Heavenly List corresponded to the Divinity Realm; those in the Divinity Realm could leave the ground behind, soar at will, transcend mortality with Martial Arts Divine, existed above the world, thus the name Heavenly List.

Below the Heavenly List was the Earth List, corresponding to the Dan Realm. Those of the Dan Realm, also referred to as "Land of Immortals," were the pillars of the various forces in the worldly society. Their ranking was known as the Earth List, and it was indeed a fitting name.

Following that was the Man List, corresponding to the Divine Origin Realm. Below heaven and earth were humans; there was nothing more to say. (Making do (〃’▽’〃))

Moreover, there was the list of young dragons and chicks—the Dragon and Phoenix List. As the younger generation was in a period of rapid skill development, rankings often changed. Except for a few individuals, it was hard for others to command universal respect. So, while it resonated the most in the worldly society, it was mostly regarded as gossip, lacking the credibility of the other three lists.

After all, who knew when a young person in deep secluded cultivation would suddenly emerge and break into the Dragon and Phoenix List.

"So, you have nothing to worry about. As long as your disguise isn’t penetrated when entering the Secret Realm, even if they suspect something after you enter, they will be powerless to do anything," Lu Qifeng reassured him.

I’m not worried, but I’m not at ease.

The more Lu Qifeng talked in this manner, the stranger Qing Yu felt. After all, that was Mountain River Academy’s Secret Realm. Weren’t you a bit too unperturbed? Were the edicts issued by Emperor Daqian all fabrications?

In any case, it seemed like Lu Qifeng was excessively confident.

With myriad thoughts whirling in his mind, Qing Yu could only keep them to himself. Because he knew that even if he voiced his doubts, Lu Qifeng would not respond, rather he would just issue a warning.

Moreover, Qing Yu was not too concerned about this dispute. He was indifferent to the outcome of Emperor Martial Arts. Lu Qifeng and Zhuge Longsu had their plans, and Qing Yu had his own.

Entering the Secret Realm to struggle also aided Qing Yu’s plans. Since everyone thought the location of the Literary Arena was beneficial to themselves, it was decided that it would be in Mountain River Academy’s Secret Realm.

"After you enter the Secret Realm, someone will contact you. Then, you’ll need to adapt accordingly."

"Yes, my lord."

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