Translator: Lordbluefire
“Huh? Turns out that Princess Ziqi is suspecting that Princess Qiyun has cheated! The problem is serious now!”
The ceremonial officer’s voice rang through the sound amplification stone and clearly spread out across the Victory Public Square.
The people from the Nine Provinces were like people from Ancient China. They viewed honor with high regard. This was especially so for the royalty. If a commoner dared to scold a member of the royalty, they’d be beheaded or in lighter cases, be exiled.
“Eldest Martial Sister, go at her!”
Qin Yaoguang wasn’t afraid to blow up the situation and shouted loudly. However, Lu Zhiruo and Xianyu Wei held onto Sun Mo’s sleeves worriedly.
“Teacher, think of something!”
Li Xiu was a little anxious too. Such reprimand might bring a diplomatic conflict. “Great Teacher Sun, if you know about it, then hurry up and expose Xia Qiyun’s cheating ways!”
“Ziqi will take care of it.”
Sun Mo’s composed look almost drove Li Xiu to death. Left with no choice, she could only look toward Han Cangshui with a hopeful look on her face.
Han Cangshui looked to the front, pretending that he hadn’t seen anything.
The truth was that he had no idea what Xia Qiyun had done.
(It’s one thing for Li Ziqi to be able to notice Xia Qiyun’s cheating method because she is close to her. But how did Sun Mo, who is the same distance away from the arena as I am, notice it? Could it be that Sun Mo is really stronger than I am?)
At the thought of this, Han Cangshui felt gloomy and so disgusted that he felt like puking as if he had eaten a fly.
“You’re using Gu Technique to cheat!”
When Li Ziqi said this, she looked very composed, as if everything was within her control. The truth was, she was secretly observing Xia Qiyun’s reactions and was even focusing on listening to Xia Qiyun’s heartbeat.
As expected, for a short instant, Xia Qiyun’s pupils contracted abruptly and her right hand’s fingers paused for a moment. However, she immediately smiled coldly.
“I can say that you’re using Gu Technique to cheat too!”
Xia Qiyun was mentally prepared to be discovered for cheating. She had even practiced means to react to this a few times and used it very smoothly.
However, she still showed some slight reactions. After all, Li Ziqi was on point in calling out her cheating method.
This was really too astonishing.
Therefore, Xia Qiyun revealed some reactions due to her inevitable jealousy toward Li Ziqi’s talent and experience.
Most other people would definitely miss out on Xia Qiyun’s fine reactions, but Li Ziqi’s observational skills were too detailed.
“The color of your face is too red compared to your neck. This is a sign of gu bugs’ frequent activities. Therefore, I can be sure that there are gu-bugs in your head!”
Li Ziqi explained.
There was one other thing. Xia Qiyun’s eyeballs would occasionally dart around subconsciously. This was an uncontrollable action from having one’s nerves interfered with by gu-bugs.
“This is absurd! If I have gu-bugs in my brain, then won’t I be dead?”
Xia Qiyun retorted.
However, great turbulence rose in her heart. It was because Li Ziqi was spot on.
There was an amazing gu-bug in her brain that was planted by a Gu Technique grandmaster. Its effect was to clearly transmit the Gu Technique grandmaster’s words clearly into her brain and not be overheard by others.
Xia Qiyun’s cheating method was to have a grandmaster in Go watch the live broadcast on the wooden tablet and play the chess match for her.
He would tell the Gu Technique grandmaster the move to make, and then the Gu Technique grandmaster would inform Xia Qiyun through the gu-bugs.
If Xia Qiyun could win, she’d definitely not cheat. However, after ten or more moves, the Go grandmaster came to the assessment that Xia Qiyun wasn’t a match for her opponent and thus decisively took over.
To put it simply, the current Xia Qiyun was just a tool.
The audience whispered amongst themselves, feeling that Li Ziqi might have made a mistake. It was because gu-bugs were extremely dangerous, and a princess didn’t have to go to the extent of implanting one into her brain just to win in chess.
“Since you aren’t willing to admit it, then I can only prove it by myself!”
Li Ziqi let out a sigh, showing off a kind girl image as if she didn’t wish to do this but she was forced to.
“Alright! Prove it!”
Xia Qiyun’s voice was very loud and she didn’t cower. She then saw Li Ziqi taking out a translucent glass bottle, opening the cork. Then a strange scent immediately drifted out.
“Hmm? What is this? It smells so good!”
The ceremonial officer was very curious.
“It’s ancient whale oil, the essence extracted from the ancient whale’s fats and bones, refined together with 16 precious medicinal herbs. It is for external applications. It can relieve pain and increase the sensitivity of the six senses. This is my teacher’s unique prescription and when used with the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands, it has a huge benefit to the human body!”
Li Ziqi explained, “To some gu-bugs, it is a great nourishment, like ambrosia of the immortals.”
If an overdose of such whale oil was used, it’d corrode the nerves and produce an intense sense of excitement. It was like a stimulant.
Gu-bugs had a sharp sense of smell and it’d be weird if they didn’t go crazy after smelling such a ‘delicacy’.
When the Qi Emperor heard this, he felt unhappy.
“Great Teacher Sun, if you have such good medicine, why didn’t you let this Emperor use it?”
The Qi Emperor looked at Sun Mo with an aggrieved look, like a woman who had been abandoned. (Even if you want money, an official post, or beauties, this Emperor can give them to you! Even if you wish to marry one of this Emperor’s princesses, it is negotiable.)
After the seven rounds last night, the Qi Emperor had become infatuated with the Ancient Dragon Capturing Hands. He was even thinking about how he could have Sun Mo stay in the palace for a long period.
“Your Majesty, be mindful of your words!”
Grand Tutor Su was shocked. (Isn’t it inappropriate for you to be saying such words in such a situation?) At the same time, he was also a little surprised.
To think that Sun Mo’s God Hands were so amazing that he had conquered the Qi Emperor in just two hours?
All the members of the upper echelon knew that the Qi Emperor had invited Sun Mo into the palace. After all, it wasn’t a difficult thing to bribe a couple of eunuchs.
“Great Teacher Sun, His Majesty has great admiration for you. His Majesty will be so sad to find out that you’ve done this!”
The empress complained.
“…”
Grand Tutor Su wanted to curse. (So my advice earlier has fallen on deaf ears. I guess I don’t need any face, huh?)
“Your Majesty, the ancient whale oil is too valuable and I usually don’t carry it on me!”
Sun Mo explained.
“So that’s how it is!”
The Qi Emperor smiled. “I knew that Great Teacher Sun isn’t such a selfish person. If you’re free tonight, why don’t you come to the palace and join this Emperor for dinner?”
“…”
The nobles and officials were all stunned. Although His Majesty was very easygoing, was it really a good idea to be saying such things in a situation like this?
(You’re the host for this event! Right now, Xia Qiyun and Li Ziqi are in the midst of a conflict. Won’t others think that you’re biased toward the Great Tang if you do this?)
(But how amazing is Sun Mo’s God Hands that His Majesty has become so impatient?)
“Your Majesty!”
Sun Mo felt a little helpless. The Qi Emperor’s actions would make ordinary citizens suspect that there was an inside story to this.
Thankfully, Xia Qiyun suddenly let out a scream at this moment and it drew back everyone’s attention.
This Great Xia’s princess was wearing a hideous expression, punching her head forcefully and repeatedly with her right hand.
“Your Highness!”
“Hurry up and save her!”
“What did you do?”
The Great Xia’s delegation all stood up, drawing their weapons.
The people from the Great Tang didn’t cower either.
Li Xiu was thinking of defending her niece when Sun Mo lashed out.
“We’re in public. Isn’t everyone seeing it for themselves whether or not Ziqi has played any tricks? Or are you guys blind?”
Here it was, here it was. It had been very long since their teacher had lashed out at others like a wild dog that had broken free from all reins.
Qin Yaoguang was very agitated. She even took out a little notebook, wanting to take down the words Sun Mo used to lash out at others.
“Someone come and help her down! We’ll give up this match!”
Xia Taikang threw a glance at his younger sister and then instructed.
However, it was too late. Before the maid came, Xia Qiyun bent over and smashed her forehead hard into the chessboard.
Splash!
All the chess pieces were messed up.
When she raised her head again, a huge gush of blood shot out from her mouth and nose. Then, a green bean-sized blood droplet immediately shot toward the glass bottle in Li Ziqi’s hands.
Pffft!
The blood droplet flew in, and Li Ziqi corked up the bottle.
“Xia Qiyun, the evidence is right here. What more do you have to say?”
Li Ziqi raised the bottle. The blood droplet in it was washed off by the ancient whale oil and then a small beetle could be seen.
Xia Qiyun’s countenance was pale and she wanted to seek help from her royal brother. However, at the thought of Xia Taikang’s brutal nature, she instinctively held it in.
Xia Taikang’s countenance was very grim.
Right now, there were two choices placed in front of him.
The first one was to refuse to admit it no matter what. He could claim that this was done by the Dark Dawn’s dark great teachers, and both he and his royal sister didn’t know about it at all. They were victims too and she didn’t cheat.
The second one was to sacrifice the rook to save the king, letting Xia Qiyun take the blame.
People would find it hard to believe the first scenario. Even if they didn’t say anything, they’d have an idea what kind of character the Xia Country had. However, if he were to pick the second choice, Xia Qiyun’s life would be over.
As a princess, if she had such a stain to her name, it’d be hard for her to get a good marriage, let alone acknowledge a good great teacher.
Xia Taikang got up and walked over.
“Royal… Royal Brother!”
Xia Qiyun didn’t even dare to meet Xia Taikang’s eyes.
Pa!
Xia Taikang slapped hard on her face.
“To think that you used such despicable means just to win! You really disappoint me!”
Xia Taikang reproached, “Apologize to your opponent and then scram back, shut yourself up and reflect on your mistakes!”
“I…”
Xia Qiyun felt very aggrieved.
“Apologize!”
Xia Taikang insisted.
“I’m sorry!”
After saying that, Xia Qiyun dashed down the arena unsteadily.
Xia Taikang took a long look at Li Ziqi because this was his first time assessing this young girl seriously.
She was very pretty and had a small and sharp face that showed a hint of her charm. She’d definitely become a devastating beauty in the future.
Of course, her looks were nothing compared to her intelligence and talent.
“I will remember you!”
The princes and princesses who were in the midst of chess matches near them raised their heads in surprise when they heard this. It was because they knew that Xia Taikang was too arrogant and never cared for those in his generation.
His words meant that he was treating Li Ziqi as his rival.
Li Xuan was very disappointed and angry. (I’m the one who should be Xia Taikang’s fated rival.)
Seeing that the incense continued to burn but Xia Taikang still didn’t show any intention of returning to his seat, the Great Xia’s delegation was very worried. However, none of them dared to speak up to persuade him.
“Your Highness, please continue with the match!”
The ceremonial officer stepped in and then smiled as he looked toward Li Ziqi. “As everyone knows, Gu Technique is Nanyue’s secret art that isn’t passed down to outsiders. How did Your Highness detect it?”
This was also something that everyone felt was strange.
All sorts of Gu Technique were precious secret arts and it wasn’t even accessible to just any student in the Myriad Spirits Academy. They’d at most be able to understand some simple Gu Technique briefly.
Since Xia Qiyun dared to cheat in front of so many people, it showed just how amazing this Gu Technique was and that it wouldn’t be easily discovered. Hence, how did Li Ziqi know of it?
“My teacher taught it to me.”
Li Ziqi explained.
“Great Teacher Sun?”
The ceremonial officer wasn’t the only one who was surprised. Many people had gotten to know of Sun Mo’s information by now, and Gu Technique wasn’t listed on it.
“I repeat. Right now and in the future, I’ll only have Sun Mo as my personal teacher to whom I’m indebted!”
Li Ziqi frowned. “And the outstandingness of my teacher isn’t something that you guys can imagine. He has no limits!”
Wow!
A commotion broke out. It was because Li Ziqi’s boast was too exaggerated.
In fact, when Sun Mo imparted Li Ziqi with the knowledge about Gu Technique, she was surprised too. This was especially when those contents were very detailed and comprehensive. She felt that even Gu Technique grandmasters in the Myriad Spirits Academy wouldn’t know about the details of the foundational knowledge as much as her teacher did.
The little sunny egg was right. The [First Glimpse into the Origin of Gu] that Sun Mo had received from the system was the most detailed entry-level book in the Nine Provinces.
“Alright, I won’t be disturbing everyone’s matches then.”
Li Ziqi came down from the arena and returned to the spectators’ stand. She immediately hugged Sun Mo’s arm.
“Teacher, I’ve won!”
The little sunny egg added in her heart. (I didn’t embarrass Teacher.)
“Eldest Martial Sister, you’ll be up against the Chess Sage Qing Wuzi next. If you win against him, your reputation will spread across the world!”
Lu Zhiruo encouraged.
“If Secondary Saint Zhou could see this scene, he’d probably feel extremely regretful.”
Many high star-level great teachers gloated a little. They would very much want a student like Li Ziqi.
Wei Wu`an hadn’t planned on using his great teacher halos. But after seeing how outstanding Li Ziqi was, he didn’t wish to lose to her and thus applied Sudden Insight and Composed Calm onto himself.
The former could let him be struck with a sudden inspiration when he was thinking, giving him a very high chance of making an amazing move. The latter would ensure that he wouldn’t be affected by the external environment and could constantly maintain his composure, being in his optimal battle state.
Li Xuan’s chess skill was a little better than Wei Wu`an, but his improvising skills were too weak. He lost again for this match.
His original plan was to defeat three crown princes and one princess, shooting to fame. However, he ended up losing three matches. He only won against Jiang Yuzhen but no one took that very seriously.
As a result, he brought himself great embarrassment.
On the contrary, Li Ziqi’s performance was exemplary and won her a lot of cheers.
Thankfully, Li Ziqi was a girl. Otherwise, Li Xuan was afraid that his position as the Great Tang’s crown prince would be unstable.
In the first round, Xia Country won the most number of matches and only lost once in which Xia Qiyun was up against Li Ziqi. Wei Country came in second, with Wei Wu`an winning all his matches. The Great Tang came in third, all thanks to Li Ziqi’s great effort in winning his matches. Qi Country was ranked last.
“If we win against the Chess Sage, we still have a chance to turn the tables around!”
At dinner, Li Xiu encouraged her nephew, but Li Xuan looked very dispirited.
(Win against a Chess Sage?)
(You’re thinking too much. Moreover, taking into consideration of the Xia Country’s morals, they’ll probably use some dirty tricks again.)
…
Right now, at the base of the Great Xia’s delegation.
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In the bedroom, Xia Taikang sat by the window ledge, looking up at the starry sky. “How are the preparations going?”
“We’ll definitely win tomorrow. But will it be too much of an exaggeration to be doing this?”
There wasn’t anyone in the bedroom except Xia Taikang. However, there was another person’s voice ringing out.
“My goal is to have a tie. But if Li Ziqi were to show an outburst, then I must win the match.”
Xia Taikang didn’t want to have such a high profile either. However, this Great Tang’s princess kept giving her a very dangerous feeling. He had to keep his guards up against her..