Chapter Sixty-Eight: Meeting Pan Wenhao Again

Kong Zhong spoke thus, and the students nearby could not help but feel a pang of envy, especially those who had yet to gather their literary force; each of them crowded forward, eager to inquire.

“Kong, what is it like when one gathers literary force?”

“Kong, how did you compose your last essay? How did you approach the topic?”

Their voices overlapped, full of curiosity, and Kong Zhong began to answer. When he revealed that the six characters were drawn from the Analects, albeit with the order slightly rearranged, everyone was suddenly enlightened, and a few even felt a sense of regret.

Song Mu listened to Kong Zhong’s method of tackling the topic and found it correct, though the final intention was slightly off; still, it mattered little.

Having finished his explanation, Kong Zhong turned to Song Mu with a smile, asking, “Song, would you say my answer was right?”

Song Mu nodded with a smile, and beside them, Shao Le’s eyes lit up, looking expectantly at Song Mu as he asked, “Song, how did your essay turn out? Surely you’ve become a Scholar as well?”

At this, the others looked over, and seeing Song Mu nod, their excitement grew; they were about to ask how many times the Literary Star had moved for him when Master Xun stepped forward to ease the situation, and a voice rang out from the side.

“Indeed, after the exam in the classics, there are four new Scholars this time. Our Shiyang County Academy has truly achieved something.”

Today’s examination produced, besides Song Mu and Kong Zhong, two more Scholars—both men in their thirties from Shiyang County.

Hearing this, everyone turned to see Ouyang Hong standing nearby, smiling. At once, they straightened, clasped their hands, and greeted him respectfully.

“Master Instructor.”

Ouyang Hong waved them off and swept his gaze across the group, lingering briefly on Song Mu’s face. Their eyes met, and Song Mu knew Ouyang Hong was fully aware of his situation.

The moment passed, and Ouyang Hong addressed them, “It’s getting late. There’s another exam tomorrow. You’d best return and rest; the rest will become clear when the results are announced.”

The group bowed and, urged by Master Xun, departed for their lodgings. Song Mu and Kong Zhong boarded the carriage back to their residence.

Inside, both unconsciously lifted the window curtains and exchanged a smile.

“The literary force, once gathered, brings refinement and purification. Now, we two must smell quite terrible to others,” Kong Zhong joked, and Song Mu nodded.

Kong Zhong’s gaze lingered on Song Mu a moment, his lips moving as if to speak, but he held his silence.

Song Mu understood what Kong Zhong wanted to ask and spoke, “Are you wondering how many times the Literary Star moved for my essay?”

He expected Kong Zhong to press the question, but instead, Kong Zhong smiled lightly and replied,

“Actually, I already guessed. Song, the essay that caused the Literary Star to move five times around the hour of Shen—that must have been yours, yes?”

Song Mu was surprised; he hadn’t expected Kong Zhong to have perceived it.

Seeing Song Mu’s half-amused expression, Kong Zhong shook his head with a wry smile. “The subtlety of it—I suspect only I could discern.”

He spoke without a trace of jealousy, instead looking at Song Mu with keen interest. “If you can maintain this tomorrow, and gather literary force again in the exam, composing essays and poetry, perhaps you’ll have a shot at being top of the list.”

At this, Kong Zhong allowed himself a moment of imagination.

Song Mu smiled calmly at his words, though his gaze drifted out the window. He, too, harbored such hopes.

Kong Zhong continued, “Tomorrow you should be secure. Even the masters praise your essays; as for poetry, that is your strength. I suspect there may be some extraordinary phenomenon.”

Hearing this, Song Mu was somewhat speechless. “Nothing is certain yet. Didn’t several others achieve four movements of the Literary Star today? By tomorrow, they may surpass me.”

Kong Zhong nodded in silence; it was true. Even in this small prefecture, talent was abundant, and there were some sharp minds whose performance he could not predict.

Still, Kong Zhong said no more, but added, “I’ve spoken to you about the Demonic Sect. You ought to consider this carefully.”

“Now your reputation carries weight. With five movements of the Literary Star today, if you truly become top of the list when the results are announced, you must be all the more cautious.”

Seeing Kong Zhong’s serious expression, Song Mu nodded solemnly. “Thank you, Kong. I will be mindful.”

After a brief conversation, they returned to their residence. Kong Zhong had already arranged matters beforehand, so upon arrival, two large tubs of hot water were ready for them to wash.

Song Mu bathed and changed into clean clothes, emerging refreshed, and only then noticed his stomach grumbling.

Kong Zhong was already in the hall, and the servants had set out hot food. Song Mu joined him, unceremoniously, and both began to eat.

They devoured their meal ravenously; the gathering of literary force seemed to have consumed much of their strength.

Halfway through, Uncle Wang approached Kong Zhong and spoke.

“Master, a young scholar has arrived outside, seeking Master Song.”

“Me?” Song Mu was startled, putting down his bowl. The old servant nodded hurriedly.

“Yes, the young man’s name is Pan Wenhao. He asked for you specifically. Is it… urgent?”

Both Song Mu and Kong Zhong paused, exchanging a look that revealed their mutual confusion.

Kong Zhong nodded, “He’s our classmate. Let him in.”

The servant responded and soon brought Pan Wenhao to the hall.

Dressed in plain robes, Pan Wenhao entered, immediately fixing his gaze upon Song Mu, eyes locked and intense.

Song Mu finished the last grains of rice in his bowl, set it aside, and looked up at Pan.

Kong Zhong was unconcerned, not even considering offering tea.

“You’ve become a Scholar?” Pan Wenhao asked directly from the doorway.

Song Mu met his gaze, merely nodding.

At that moment, Song Mu sensed Pan Wenhao’s breath grow heavier; the hand beneath his sleeve clenched tightly into a fist.

Kong Zhong, face calm, spoke, “If you came just to ask that, now you know. Please leave.”

The dismissal was clear, but Pan Wenhao stared at Song Mu, as if pondering something deep.

Seeing Pan Wenhao’s frozen expression, Kong Zhong set aside his bowl and stood.

Pan Wenhao snorted and turned to leave.

Song Mu called after him, “Pan, I’ve never considered you an enemy. There’s another exam tomorrow—apply yourself, and you’ll surely have a good result.”

He added, “And let’s call off our wager.”

…