I Can See Your Combat Power

The greatest difference between ordinary people and exceptional ones likely lies in the fact that the more exceptional a person is, the more they can recognize the excellence in others, whereas ordinary people tend to feel superior to everyone else. Undoubtedly, Mi Shen was exceptional. Having been bested twice by Tang Luo, he acknowledged his adversary as a formidable opponent and devotedly analyzed Tang Luo’s actions, all with the intent of understanding his opponent.

The two pieces of advice he distilled from this analysis were the keys to victory that he could share with Mi Chu.

The current Tang Luo was no longer the elder of the Tang Clan, with no power to directly mobilize the fighters from the Martial Hall. Xu Shuhui’s departure had taken away all the powerful beasts from Tang Sen’s mansion, including Xiling’s top chariot and even its gilded beast chariot. No matter how he looked at it, Tang Luo had no advantage left. However, Mi Shen could not completely let his guard down, as he sensed that Tang Luo wouldn’t be vanquished that easily.

Seeing Mi Shen’s cautious and solemn demeanor, Mi Chu also felt a chill run down his spine. Although he had some grievances with Mi Shen due to issues related to the Chu River, he still deeply respected his brother’s abilities. He carefully contemplated Mi Shen’s two suggestions before finally responding, “I have noted your advice, brother.”

The Jewel Pool Returns Home, Late July

As the sons of Xiling returned to Xiling, the Wind Media, who had been waiting for half a month, discovered the major events that had transpired at the Jewel Pool Art Evaluation Conference.

The cause of the face-to-face confrontation between Xiao Ziyu, the First Transcendent of Xiling, and Young Master Chu turned out to be a Triple- Exceptional painting; this Triple-Exceptional painting was created by a painter from Xiling, who was both a good friend of Xiao Zheng and had initiated a bout with him scheduled for the first of August.

Xiling was immediately stunned. This might have been the biggest event since Elder Xu’s departure and the energetic people of Xiling were greatly excited.

The loyalty of Xiao Zheng, curiosity about the mysterious painter, admiration for the dominance of Mi Chu, and the immense interest in that Triple- Exceptional painting—it all stirred up the people’s passions.

Everyone was eager to see what a Triple-Exceptional painting might look like. The returning young masters, unable to describe the art, could still remember the poem recited.

The poem titled “Looking Forward to the Mountains” spread, offering the people of Xiling a new interpretation of poetry. They exclaimed, “So, a poem could be written like this!?”

Every warrior who heard the sublime poetry felt an overwhelming surge of heroism, so much so that the posts outside every martial arts training field in Xiling were visibly changed. It seemed incomplete without the lines: “I intend to reach the peak to have a panoramic view of smaller mountains.”

Fengqing Alley, Mi Bai’s Residence

Xiao Zheng came to Fengqing Alley, the residence of Mi Bai, in a chariot with the scroll painting the moment the Jewel Pool had returned. He explained everything candidly to Mi Bai.

“Things have come to this point due to my recklessness. I beseech you, Brother Mi, to temporarily take shelter in my residence until the duel in Jianglin on August 1st passes. We’ll decide what to do then,” pleaded Xiao Zheng, with a face full of regret.

“You needn’t fret, Brother Xiao,” Mi Bai replied, taking the scroll and comforting him. “It’s already a great achievement that you were able to bring back this painting, you shouldn’t be burdened more by this.”

In his current state, Mi Bai’s only concern was raising his child. Whether his painting was sold to a typical noble or to the sons of the Tang and Mi clans didn’t really matter to him. The original paintings meant much to him, and he valued them greatly: “If Young Master Chu wants me to paint for him, there’s no need for you to be so furious, Brother Xiao.”

Seeing the calm exterior of the scholar, all Xiao Zheng could do was force a bitter smile. The man in front of him clearly had no idea of Mi Chu’s dominance. If Mi Chu had merely wanted some paintings, Xiao Zheng wouldn’t have conveniently brought up this conflict with one of the top young masters of Xiling. But from what he had heard, it seemed Mi Chu wanted to employ Mi Bai exclusively for his mansion. How could he sit idle after hearing that? Xiao Zheng had no choice but to plead again: “What worries me is that Young Master Chu may force you.”

Young Master Chu had a domineering nature, with a strong possessive instinct. He did not tolerate anything he cherished being touched by others. He had to have everything he set his eyes on. Not only was he blessed with exceptional talent and overwhelming military capability, but his family background was also exceptional, prompting even Tang Peng, one of Xiling’s top young masters, to show him respect and submissiveness. This further bolstered Chu’s arrogance.

But Mi Bai was unaware of all this. After getting acquainted with Tang Luo and Elder Xu Shuhui, his impression of other reputed Xiling young masters was rather positive.

For instance, Xiling seemed to think Tang Luo was arrogant and aloof, someone who didn’t even interact much with his clan members. Tang Luo, an arrogant young master, appeared to Mi Bai to be the caring son of a local lord who was deeply concerned about the people of Xiling. Meanwhile, the saintly clan’s Master Xu seemed more like a heroic figure. Though both were quite different in character, they were some of the best people, in his opinion. With such an impression, Mi Bai didn’t think the famous Young Master Chu would differ much.

Being domineering might just be a misinterpretation of Chu’s character by the people of Xiling, so Mi Bai contradicted Xiao Zheng by saying, “The famous Young Master Chu wouldn’t really dare to trouble a scholar. Besides, if Young Master Chu was actually intending to harm me, as per your words, he returned to Xiling 10 days ago. He could have just abducted me, rather than waiting till today.”

As Mi Bai kept talking, his voice grew steadier as he did the math and realized that Young Master Chu had been back for over a dozen days. If Chu truly intended to use force against him, Xiao Zheng wouldn’t be here meeting him.

Having thoroughly considered this, Mi Bai felt more at ease: “Perhaps your fear of Young Master Chu is misplaced. He is a man who loves characters, and those who love characters cannot be bad people.”

“I hope it’s as you say,” said Xiao Zheng, forcing a bitter smile. He didn’t know how to respond. Though he didn’t know much about Mi Chu, based on Chu’s track record, he couldn’t classify him as a ‘good person’. Nonetheless, he sincerely hoped that he was wrong.

In the end, Xiao Zheng didn’t manage to take Mi Bai away; he could only leave a squad of Transcendent realm fighters behind to protect Mi Bai.

Beast King Residence, Front Yard

The cloudless sky allowed the cold moonlight to spread across the earth. The three squads of Transcendent realm fighters stationed in the courtyard formed an earth-grid formation, waiting for Yan Lingjing, the Left Animal Tamer, and Young Master Chu to give orders.

As the heir to the house with the most powerful Wind Media Department in Xiling, Mi Chu already had comprehensive knowledge about Mi Bai’s whereabouts, even down to the names and faces of the children. He also knew about the Transcendent realm fighters left behind by Xiao Zheng, but he was not perturbed.

Previously, if it was just about competing for a painter, he really wouldn’t have needed to act so fast. But now, this painter had become a crucial bait to lure out Tang Luo. He had to seize him. He signaled Yan Lingjing with a look, indicating that he could arrange the tactics.

As one of the two people Mi Chu currently trusted the most in the Beast King Residence, he preferred to entrust such precise tasks to Yan Lingjing.