Chapter Fifty: Displaying Literary Prowess

Upon hearing the news, Song Mu was somewhat surprised and followed a group of fellow students toward the county academy. Once inside, he immediately saw that the roof was undergoing extensive repairs. Song Mu walked over, greeted several familiar senior brothers, and made his way to the front, where he found Master Xun standing inside, engaged in conversation with an elderly carpenter.

Seeing Song Mu approach, Master Xun promptly looked up and called out to him. “Song Mu, you’ve come at just the right time. The county is planning to build a pavilion here, and we’re considering what to name it. Why don’t you choose a name?”

Song Mu stepped forward and respectfully replied, “Master, I am but a humble student. Matters within the county academy should all be decided by you.”

“No matter. This pavilion is being built for you. In hundreds of years, Shiyan County has never produced a poem of such extraordinary talent. You deserve this honor.” Master Xun’s manner was calm and unconcerned as he beckoned Song Mu closer. Song Mu was somewhat taken aback, but still spoke up.

“Such matters are best left to your discretion, Master. If you truly wish for me to contribute, then when the pavilion is completed, I shall boldly inscribe the poem I composed that day upon it.”

Master Xun pondered for a moment, then nodded deeply in agreement, his face breaking into a joyful smile.

The poem Song Mu composed that day had already caused a stir in literary circles. It would not be long before it was published in the Journal of Literature and spread widely, making Song Mu’s name resound throughout the land.

As for the robe upon which Song Mu first inscribed the poem, Master Xun dared not ask for it. It was said that the Literary Pavilion only obtained the second written version. If the third, written personally by the author, could be placed here, it would surely become a splendid destination for wandering scholars in the future.

Master Xun, beaming with delight, gazed at Song Mu with increasing fondness. Previously, he had regarded Song Mu as just another student, but now, in such a short time, Song Mu had astounded everyone with his achievements, time and again.

Master Xun became curious about what kind of person Song Mu would become in the future.

“Well, since you say so, I shall not overstep. When the time comes, I’ll consult with the instructor and county magistrate about the name.” Master Xun said cheerfully, walking over to stand beside Song Mu, carefully examining him, a knowing smile on his face.

After composing such a remarkable poem, Song Mu had received the blessings of the literary spirit, which added a resolute look to his features and a confidence to his bearing. Coupled with his tall stature, he was even more striking.

“Excellent, what a talented young man! Song Mu, when you go to the academy examination in a few days, let me be the first to wish you swift success.” Song Mu bowed repeatedly, overwhelmed by the honor.

“Thank you for your kind words, Master. I will do my utmost to attain the title of Scholar.”

Master Xun nodded, his gaze full of affection. He then glanced at the surrounding students and, with a flourish, declared, “Enough. Soon you will be taking the academy examination. I’ve already explained how to condense literary energy, but today, let me show you the wonders that come with becoming a Scholar.”

“So that you may have a goal in your hearts and strive to make your names known!”

He addressed all the students who had followed him. Hearing this, everyone cheered, and the news that Master Xun would demonstrate the powers of literary energy spread quickly.

Before long, the Scholars of the county academy heard the news and hurried toward the student hall, eager to witness Master Xun’s demonstration and see the marvels of literary energy.

Such occasions were usually reserved for Scholars, who would only observe this when learning how to wield literary power. Now, all were filled with joy.

Soon, when everyone had gathered, Master Xun rolled up his sleeves and called over two Scholars, who carried a block of wood onto the platform.

Master Xun stroked his beard, glanced at the crowd, and extended a finger. Instantly, a pure white thread appeared, winding gracefully around his fingertip.

This was, of course, the literary power within Master Xun. The crowd, seeing this marvel, could not help but gape in awe, and the students were filled with envy.

“This is literary power. On the surface, it is thinner and longer than literary spirit, and its color is deeper. Within the body, it flows like a gentle stream from the dantian throughout the limbs. When it emerges, it floats like a colored ribbon,” Master Xun explained calmly, surveying the students.

“Once you condense the title of Scholar, you will experience this as well. But the wonders of literary power are far greater than you might imagine.”

“Master, is there something wrong with literary power? Or is it not easy to use?” someone asked, and others looked at Master Xun with curiosity.

He smiled and opened his palm, allowing more threads of literary power to wrap around his hand.

“No, it’s not that there’s a problem. It’s just that literary power can be summoned easily, even without using poetry to guide it.”

With that, Master Xun flipped his hand into a claw shape and directed the threads of literary power toward the block of wood. To everyone’s amazement, the threads wrapped tightly around the wood, which slowly began to float.

Such a miraculous scene drew gasps from the assembly, and someone exclaimed in wonder, “Master, you seem to be using literary power without poetry!”

Master Xun nodded approvingly, withdrew his hand, and the wood fell to the ground. He explained, “That’s right. I did not use any poetry to guide the power, yet I could perform such wonders. Literary power can be manipulated, but—” he paused, “when used this way, it is wasted greatly, and as you saw, it can move objects, but lacks true force.”

“Without poetry as guidance, it’s like attacking blindly, relying solely on raw literary power.”

Everyone listened intently. Master Xun now held a small piece of white paper, densely covered in characters.

“This is one of my favorite poems by Yuan Zai. I have already infused it with literary spirit, writing it on the paper. Now, I will use literary power to activate it.”

He sent a stream of literary power into the paper, which began to glow. Suddenly, flashes of blades and swords appeared on the stage. Master Xun waved his hand, and the paper shattered in midair, releasing tangible blades that struck the wood.

A series of sharp sounds rang out, and the wood was instantly splintered, with sword marks etched deeply into the academy floor.

“Below the level of Imperial Scholar, unless it's your own original work, to unleash the power of poetry, you must write it on paper, recite it in your heart, and channel literary power into it to activate its attack.”

Everyone exclaimed in awe, faces filled with unparalleled admiration.

Even Song Mu was momentarily stunned.

This was the marvel of the world—scholars recite classics to condense literary power, wield poetry to fight, and thereby bring peace to the realm!

Master Xun’s voice rang out once more: “When we use literary power to wield poetry in battle, it’s like employing a spell. Under its guidance, our literary power manifests in various forms of attack, amplifying its strength tenfold, a hundredfold!”

His words were powerful, and the students could barely contain their excitement, scratching their heads in anticipation.

Seeing their enthusiasm, Master Xun smiled and pressed on, “Thus, you must devote yourselves to condensing literary power, constantly sensing the abundance of literary spirit within you, its pulse and its thickness.”

“In the examination hall, you must find every way to draw upon your literary spirit to compose essays. If your writing is fluent and meaningful, it will attract the literary spirit of heaven and earth. With the aid of the celestial fragments, you can condense it into literary power in one stroke.”

“Once you have literary power, gentlemen, the great path of this world will lie open before you.”

The students listened, utterly mesmerized.

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