Chapter 117: Severe Punishment

Lu Xin was consumed by uncontrollable rage. If he stood by and watched Luo Binwang be surrounded and killed without lifting a finger, he feared he would never find peace in his heart.

Breaking free from the scholar’s grasp, the young man drew his sword and stepped decisively into the fray. At this moment, Luo Binwang was already completely overwhelmed by the Yuancong Imperial Guards; the ink-black aura that once enveloped him was dimming, leaving only his will to resist. Upon entering the battle, Lu Xin moved with the grace of a swimming dragon, swiftly reaching Luo Binwang’s side and severing every horizontal blade that encircled him.

This scene struck terror into the Yuancong Guards, causing many to hesitate in their assault.

The Northern Yard was the emperor’s personal guard—the Imperial Forest Army. Each member was a handpicked elite from vast military camps, one in ten thousand. Their swords were forged from the finest weapon steel, crafted exclusively by the Ministry of Guards. Yet the sword in the youth’s hand effortlessly cleaved through these masterfully forged blades—a feat nothing short of miraculous.

Cui Xiangrong, positioned closest to Luo Binwang, watched Lu Xin’s charge with clear astonishment. The scion of the illustrious Boling Cui clan was visibly shaken.

“The Yuancong Guards’ blades are all forged from superior obsidian steel—sharp enough to split hair, incredibly durable. Moreover, these guards were specially selected to protect the imperial examination halls, their swords coated in the court’s secret whale oil to resist sorcerous spells. But this young man’s sword bears no magical aura; its material quality alone far surpasses obsidian steel... Weapons of this caliber are rare even among the seven great noble families. If such treasures exist, they are revered heirlooms, never entrusted to mere juniors. Who exactly is this youth?”

As Cui Xiangrong pondered, he instinctively took two steps back, his gaze shifting toward Zheng Huiming and his companions. At that moment, the faces of nearly all the noble scions darkened. Particularly among the prominent families, all were keen-eyed and widely experienced. Lu Xin’s every move—his martial skill, his swordsmanship—evoked profound and unsettling thoughts.

Wang Xiding and Lu Houze, who had earlier questioned Lu Xin’s identity, now found themselves awkward. They had hoped their high birth would overshadow this youth’s audacity, but his background appeared even more distinguished. At the very least, neither of them possessed a weapon capable of cleaving iron like butter.

“Didn’t I tell you to leave? Why are you back again?” Luo Binwang lifted an eyebrow, his tone icy despite his weakening breaths. His voice was cold and deranged, as if he had already resigned himself to death. This dreadful state revealed that Luo Binwang had lost all will to survive.

“Fool! Do you think I care about saving you? It’s just that I cannot bear to see a future great poet perish unjustly!”

“A great poet? Hahaha... Stop joking. Haven’t I already been mocked enough? What nonsense poet—this world belongs to princes and nobles. I once thought the imperial exams were the way out for commoners like us, but upon arriving in Chang’an, I realized: though the world is vast, there is no place for Luo Binwang.”

“No, this world belongs to all its people. I heard your poem at Yanxiang Tower: 'Mountains and rivers stretch over a thousand miles, city gates rise ninefold. Without witnessing the grandeur of the imperial residence, how can one know the honor of the Son of Heaven?' When you first arrived, how ambitious you were. Live on, live on—there is hope.”

“Heh... my poetry? Imperial palaces, the hills of Xiaohan, quail fields, Dragon Mountain, and Marquis Dianfu. The five constellations align and stars gather, eight rivers diverge, crossing the earth’s axis. Who else but you knows my poems? I’ve barely written a tenth of the Imperial Capital series, yet I suffer injustice in this cold Chang’an. What hope remains under such a court? Such poems are better left unwritten!”

Upon hearing Lu Xin recite two lines of his own poetry, Luo Binwang’s eyes glazed over and he laughed toward the sky. Yet within his gaze and voice, no spark of desire to live remained. Lu Xin fought off the Yuancong Guards while recalling the scant verses stored in his mind.

Luo Binwang was one of the Four Talents of early Tang. To live up to that name, he must have left a vast corpus of poetry. Yet before traveling through time, Lu Xin had never been an outstanding student; of the Three Hundred Tang Poems, he remembered only a few lines.

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Sun Dianyu watched Lu Xin’s masterful swordplay as he single-handedly held off vast numbers of Yuancong Guards, his expression complex. Having long roamed official circles, he was a seasoned veteran and recognized the youth’s extraordinary origin, unwilling to provoke him.

“Hmph, young man, this isn’t me being difficult. Even he doesn’t want to live, so why waste your pity? Is offending the court over a reckless, boastful child worth it?”

“The head examiner speaks truly. He’s just a brash youth. Why would the court bother with such a one?”

Hearing the words “brash youth,” Lu Xin’s heart jolted. He cut down an incoming horizontal blade and dragged Luo Binwang to a corner. The Yuancong Guards were formidable; after mere dozen breaths of fighting, he was already short of breath.

“Your poems are known to more than just me. In the future, the name Luo Binwang will be immortalized and known by millions.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“‘Goose, goose, goose, singing to the sky with a bent neck. White feathers float on green water, red feet stir clear waves.’ If I remember correctly, this was your work too, wasn’t it? Back then, the one singing to the sky was not a goose, but you, Luo Binwang!”

At this, Lu Xin’s figure blurred as he suddenly lunged at Sun Dianyu. His speed was immense, and switching from defense to offense caught everyone off guard. By the time the Yuancong Guards reacted, a dazzling long sword gleamed at Sun Dianyu’s throat.

“The head examiner is in my hands. Who dares to move?”

Lu Xin’s roar froze the guards in place. Zhang Yuzhi, Zheng Huiming, and the others all changed expressions dramatically. Even the middle-aged scholar who had remained silent opened his mouth in shock.

In Chang’an, kidnapping the chief examiner of the imperial exams was a capital offense. Such an act was unprecedented; even the scions of noble families dared not contemplate it. This was Chang’an—the imperial capital. To seize the head examiner was to slap the emperor’s face. Lu Xin’s bold move stunned everyone, most left rooted, their minds blank.

Meanwhile, Luo Binwang stared blankly at the youth nearby, a light kindling in his pupils. The recent words seemed to rekindle hope within him.

“You brat, do you know what you’re doing? Kidnapping a court official is a capital crime. Release the head examiner at once, and you may yet live!”

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Zhang Yuzhi had not acted earlier because Luo Binwang was injured and the Yuancong Guards could handle him. But he never expected the youth before him to be so ruthless, daring to take Sun Dianyu hostage. The sight terrified him.

Killing a penniless scholar might cause little imperial consequence, even if it reached the emperor. But if the chief examiner died, the emperor would order a thorough investigation. No matter how powerful Zhang Yuzhi was, he would not escape blame.

“Young hero, please hold back. The head examiner is merely following protocol. This matter has nothing to do with him. Think carefully!”

Even Cui Xiangrong, who had spoken little, could not remain silent. If Sun Dianyu suffered harm, the whole affair would explode, possibly delaying the imperial exams. Regardless of whether Luo Binwang was innocent, his fate would be sealed.

“Heh heh heh, the court has its rules, the martial world has its own. I do not wish to bear the crime of killing a court official. If the head examiner agrees to release him, I will sheath my sword. Surely, everyone here knows which weighs heavier? Head examiner, what say you?”

“Hmph, I am beyond the age of fearing death. I have lived long enough. If I can die for His Majesty, it will bring glory to my ancestors. Yuancong Guards, obey orders: these two seek to kill me. The emperor decrees that anyone obstructing the imperial examinations shall be slain without mercy!”

“Understood, sir!”

Sun Dianyu’s righteous shout revived the Yuancong Guards’ fighting spirit. One leading captain charged at Luo Binwang, utterly unconcerned for Sun Dianyu’s life. The rest of the guards encircled Luo Binwang from all sides, intent on killing him first. Lu Xin’s face darkened.

“Hahaha, truly the young are formidable! But you miscalculated. The Yuancong Guards obey only the emperor’s orders. My life is far less important than the safety of the imperial exams!”

“Heh heh heh, head examiner, you undervalue yourself. But you are right—your life is nothing compared to his!”

Lu Xin sneered, and as he spoke, he released Sun Dianyu and charged forward. At this point, he could only forcibly break the encirclement to escape with Luo Binwang. Yet halfway through, a powerful surge of magic halted his advance. Squinting, he saw a dazzling red light erupt from the corner. Suddenly, all the Yuancong Guards were blasted aside, tumbling helplessly.

Luo Binwang, once hunched in the corner, now stood upright, gazing skyward. Above his head floated an ink brush and eight flames. The red light had come from these flames.

“What terrifying talent—to break through two realms simultaneously!”