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A chill ran through Lin Enzhe's heart as he realized that Chen Zhaohui's words were not empty threats. Chen Zhaohui's eyes darted around, and with a sinister expression, he said to Lin Enzhe, "However, there is a way to save your son's life, but it requires a person with exceptional internal strength to extract the poison from his body by using their own internal energy at the wound. Then, they must transfer their own blood into your son’s body. But there are three essential conditions that must be met. The first condition is that the rescuer must possess extremely high internal strength; otherwise, even the slightest mistake could cause the poisoned person's blood to backflow and lead to their immediate death. The second condition is that the rescuer and the poisoned individual must be close relatives, like father and son or brothers; otherwise, differing blood types would render the effort futile. The third condition is that once the rescuer gives their blood to the poisoned individual, they will perish from blood loss."
After finishing his explanation, Chen Zhaohui fixed his gaze on Lin Enzhe, waiting for his reaction. He had calculated this perfectly; if Lin Enzhe was willing to sacrifice his life for Lin Ning, it would eliminate a strong rival for the position of leader of the martial arts world. If Lin Enzhe refused to give up his life to save Lin Ning, the pain of losing his son would surely leave him disoriented, significantly increasing the chances of defeating him in the upcoming tournament.
Lin Enzhe was in turmoil. He thought that if he and Lin Ning were truly father and son, he would certainly give his life to save him. However, now he faced an insurmountable obstacle with the second condition—there was no way he could fulfill it. Seeing Lin Enzhe silent and unresponsive, Chen Zhaohui sneered inwardly, thinking that Lin Enzhe's reputation as a hero was merely superficial; his son’s life was hanging by a thread, yet he refused to act while pretending to be a champion of justice.
At that moment, Bai Songpeng laughed heartily and said, "It’s understandable that Master Lin wouldn’t want to sacrifice his life for his son; after all, everyone only has one life. I actually have a good idea—Master Lin can save your son's life without sacrificing your own." Upon hearing Bai Songpeng's words, Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan grasped onto them like a drowning person clutching a lifeline. They almost simultaneously exclaimed, "Please enlighten us, Brother Bai!"
Bai Songpeng replied seriously, "I never engage in transactions that leave me at a loss. I agree to help save your son’s life, but you must agree to one condition." Miao Shuyan quickly responded, "As long as it can save Ning'er’s life, we will agree to any condition—even ten of them."
Bai Songpeng stated, "The Bai Family wishes to marry one of your daughters." It turned out that after meeting Lin Xiu at Min's residence last month, Bai Songpeng had taken a liking to her innocent and carefree nature. Seeing that she was around the same age as his son and also the daughter of the renowned Lin Enzhe from the Enze Gang made her even more appealing. If their families were to unite through marriage, their combined influence in the martial arts world would be unmatched. Thus, he had seized this opportunity during the martial arts tournament in Zhongyuan to bring White Jade Peak along with him. If he could secure the position of leader of the martial arts world and arrange for White Jade Peak to become engaged to Lin Xiu, it would truly be a double blessing.
Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan initially thought that Bai Songpeng would demand that Lin Enzhe give up his pursuit of the position of the leader of the martial arts world. To their astonishment, his condition was that Lin Xiu marry White Jade Peak. The couple was taken aback by Bai Songpeng's proposal. Although White Jade Peak was handsome and skilled in martial arts, the Penghe Gang had a notorious reputation in the martial world. Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe were known to associate with the powerful figures of Later Jin, threatening the stability of the Great Ming Dynasty. As a prominent family that constantly considered the safety of the Ming Dynasty, how could the Lin family possibly become in-laws with the traitorous Penghe Gang?
Seeing Lin Enzhe and his wife looking troubled, Bai Songpeng coldly smiled and said, "Master Lin, if you are unwilling, just pretend I never mentioned it." Miao Shuyan quickly replied, "We can consider marrying Xiu'er to your son, but we must ask Xiu'er if she agrees." Lin Xiu blushed as she stood to the side and murmured, "A daughter's lifelong matters should be decided by her parents..." She stole a glance at White Jade Peak, who still wore a slight smile, his obsidian-like eyes sparkling with determination and confidence. After a moment of silence, Lin Enzhe finally said, "Alright, since Xiu'er agrees to this marriage, I have nothing further to say."
At that moment, the unconscious Lin Ning suddenly opened his eyes and weakly said in a voice barely above a whisper, "No, Xiu'er, you can marry White Jade Peak, but I don't want you to marry him..." After speaking, Lin Ning fainted again from weakness.
Although Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan were deeply reluctant to see Lin Xiu marry White Jade Peak, they could not bear to lose Lin Ning. Lin Enzhe urged, "Brother Bai, please tell us what method can save Ning'er's life." Bai Songpeng took out a large dried Snow Lotus flower from his bosom and said, "This is a Thousand Year Snow Lotus from my White Jade Mount. It took me most of my life to find this treasure. This Snow Lotus has the power to bring someone back from the brink of death. If your son consumes it, it will temporarily prevent the poison from eroding his heart and lungs. However, it cannot completely resolve the Silkworm Poison in his body. After seven days, the Silkworm Poison will resurface. Whether he can survive then will depend on his own internal strength and fate."
Miao Shuyan carefully took the Snow Lotus flower, instructing the servants to brew a potion for Lin Ning to drink. After half an hour, Lin Ning finally slowly opened his eyes. Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Lin Ning glanced at Hu Xueyan and Lin Xiu, who had been crying until their eyes were red, and comforted them, saying, "I'm fine." He then turned to Lin Enzhe and Miao Shuyan, saying, "Father, Mother, please do not let Xiu'er marry White Jade Peak."
Lin Ning's first impression of White Jade Peak was not good. Being a man himself, he could see through White Jade Peak's reckless and arrogant nature at a glance. He believed that Lin Xiu marrying White Jade Peak would not lead to happiness. White Jade Peak retorted angrily, "If it weren't for my father using the Snow Lotus to save you just now, you would have already met the King of Hell. You Lin family have gained such a son-in-law as me because your ancestors accumulated eight generations of virtue." Bai Songhe chimed in from the side, "What Peak'er said is correct. In terms of martial arts and knowledge, which of the three siblings from the Lin family can match Peak'er?"
Su Dongliang could no longer hold back and shouted, "Who says my three junior brothers and sister are no match for White Jade Peak? My junior brother Ning is superior to White Jade Peak in both knowledge and character."
White Jade Peak raised his sword-like eyebrows slightly, intrigued by Su Dongliang's words. "Is that so? Then I, White Jade Peak, would like to challenge Young Master Lin Er. If I lose, I will automatically break off my engagement with Lin Xiu." Lin Xiu's heart raced; she knew that Lin Ning was exceptional in both literary talent and martial prowess among his peers. Although White Jade Peak was strong in martial arts, he might not necessarily defeat Lin Ning. If they were to compete in literary skills, aside from Hu Xueyan, there would be no one in the world who could match Lin Ning.
The first time Lin Xiu saw White Jade Peak, she was captivated by his bright and handsome appearance and his charming demeanor. When she learned that she could marry such an ideal partner, she felt like the happiest person in the world. Now, with this unexpected challenge arising out of nowhere, she felt frustrated with White Jade Peak's frivolity while also blaming Lin Ning for meddling.
Lin Ning said firmly, "A gentleman's word is as good as a horse's reins; we cannot go back on our word. If I lose the match, I will no longer obstruct your marriage to Xiu'er. However, if you lose, you must give up on marrying Xiu'er."
White Jade Peak replied confidently, "Alright, it's settled then. Since you are injured today, I will not take advantage of you. Rest well for a day; once you have regained your strength, we will settle this tomorrow." He thought to himself that he had easily defeated Lin Cheng with just two or three moves; dealing with Lin Ning would be no problem at all. A victorious smile crept onto his face.
The day after tomorrow marks the date of the martial arts tournament, and in the evening, many leaders from various factions gathered at the Enze Gang. The Abbot Zenzi from Shaolin Temple, Master Chenxu from Wudang Sect, the Silent Reverend Mother from Emei Sect, and Yang Yan, the leader of the Sun Moon Gang, all converged from different directions to join the Enze Gang. The Enze Gang was filled with skilled experts, each possessing remarkable abilities and exceptional martial arts skills. However, Lin Ning had no interest in who would become the leader of the martial arts world; he only hoped to win against White Jade Peak the next day.
Lin Ning had something weighing on his mind and couldn’t sleep well throughout the night. In the morning, Hu Xueyan noticed that Lin Ning was physically fine, which eased her worries somewhat. After everyone had breakfast, they began discussing the competition between Lin Ning and White Jade Peak. Since both families were directly involved, it wouldn’t be appropriate for either side to decide on the competition topics alone. Lin Enzhe suggested, "Shaolin Temple is a pillar in the martial arts world, and Abbot Zenzi is a highly esteemed monk. Why don’t we invite Master Zenzi to propose three questions to test Ning’er and Feng’er’s knowledge and martial skills?"
Abbot Zenzi held great prestige in the martial arts community, having reached an extraordinary level of mastery in his skills. Before becoming a monk, his secular name was Shen Yue; he was the father of the heroine Shen Chen and also the father-in-law of Yuan Qingtian, the former leader of the martial arts world who was renowned throughout Jianghu. Everyone agreed that Master Zenzi was indeed the most suitable person to set the questions.
Abbot Zenzi addressed the two families of Lin and Bai, saying, "Since both of your families hold me in high regard, I shall act as a mediator. I will only provide the topics and will not favor either side. The competition will consist of three rounds: the first round will test literary talent; the second round will test martial skills; and the third round will test archery. The winner of today's contest will be the one who wins two out of the three rounds." The crowd expressed their agreement. Master Zhi continued, "Please, the two young disciples from the Lin and Bai families, come forward." Lin Ning and White Jade Peak stepped out from the crowd and approached Master Zhi.
Abbot Zenzi glanced at Lin Ning and noticed a wisp of black mist seeping from his forehead, indicating he had been poisoned with a deadly toxin. Frowning, Abbot Zenzi clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, this young disciple is deeply poisoned, and his internal energy has been severely compromised. In my humble opinion, you should rest and recuperate, rather than exert yourself further." Lin Ning cupped his fists in gratitude and replied, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Master. I took a Thousand Year Snow Lotus yesterday, so I am not in serious trouble and it won't affect my match with Brother Bai."
After a moment's hesitation, Abbot Zenzi said, "Since you have made up your mind, I have nothing more to say. Now I shall present the first topic for the competition. You both should be familiar with the poem 'Poem of Breaking the Formation' by Li Yu of the Southern Tang dynasty, correct?" Lin Ning and White Jade Peak answered in unison, "We are familiar with this poem!" Abbot Zenzi continued, "Now let Young Master White Jade Peak recite the first half of this poem, while Young Master Lin Ning recites the second half."
White Jade Peak thought to himself, how difficult could this be? A slight smile of disdain and pride appeared on his face as he read aloud, "For forty years the family and country, three thousand miles of mountains and rivers. The Phoenix Pavilion and Dragon Tower reach the heavens, while the jade branches and crystal trees create a misty haze. How often have we known war?"
Abbot Zenzi nodded and turned his gaze to Lin Ning, who continued reciting, "Once we become subjects and captives, the waist and hair will wither away. The most frantic day of leaving the temple is when the music hall still plays the farewell song. Tears fall as I face the palace maids."
Abbot Zenzi said, "Now Nurhaci is sharpening his weapons in the Borderlands, capturing cities and lands, invading our glorious Ming Dynasty. Although I am a monk, I cannot stand idly by. Only by uniting our strength can we resist the enemy and reclaim our homeland. We must not end up like the late ruler Li Yu, who regretted too late after his country fell and family perished. Now I ask both young benefactors to follow the format of 'Breaking the Formation' and each compose a piece."
At that moment, steward Linyi prepared brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for Lin Ning and White Jade Peak. White Jade Peak thought to himself, how difficult could this be? He glanced at Lin Xiu, who was nervously looking at him. A fiery passion ignited within him, and a rebellious spirit surged forth. Seeing Lin Xiu's timid demeanor, he picked up his brush and began to write:
Broken Array. Shy beauty exudes fragrance
Seductively beautiful, with a country's allure, she shames the moon and puts flowers to shame. Adorned with precious jewels and a colorful skirt, she is a sight to behold. Whose beautiful and charming daughter is this? Once you see her face, it is unforgettable. The most beautiful women are the most difficult to win over, with their modesty and charm. Her exquisite beauty is beyond compare!
Lin Xiu knew that the words written by White Jade Peak were praising her exquisite beauty. Instantly, her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, and her face appeared like delicate powder, making her even more stunning.
Having just listened to Abbot Zenzi's teachings, Lin Ning recalled how the Borderlands and Later Jin were eyeing the Ming Dynasty with greed, while the high officials and nobles of the Ming Dynasty continued to indulge in a life of decadence. Filled with sorrow and anger, Lin Ning wrote fervently:
"Breaking the Formation: Return My Rivers and Mountains
Illuminating the four seas and eight wildernesses, shining across the six realms and nine provinces!
Mountains and peaks are cloaked in green, while the waters of the nine provinces flow with elegance.
Rain and dew spread across the world!"
Once the flames of war ignite, the mountains are filled with remnants of shattered walls and skeletal remains! The silence stretches for miles, devoid of even a single crowing rooster, while rusted armor lies forgotten. Hearing this brings a pang to the heart!
Lin Ning and White Jade Peak represent two different emotions, which is why their compositions of "Breaking the Formation" exhibit such stark contrasts. Abbot Zenzi smiled as he reviewed their works, saying, "Both of your verses are excellent; your literary talents are truly difficult to distinguish between. However, I must declare that in this first competition, young Lin Ning is the victor." With a sigh, Abbot Zenzi added, "Only hero Lin understands the thoughts of this old monk."
Bai Songpeng and Bai Songhe were dissatisfied with the outcome of the first match. With a dark expression, Bai Songpeng said, "Since the Abbot believes that both compositions are equally skilled, how can he say that Feng'er lost the competition?" Abbot Zenzi replied, "Before allowing you both to compose your verses, I made it clear that I did not wish for the tragic fate of Southern Tang to be repeated in our Great Ming. Currently, the political struggle between the Eastern Lin Party and the Eunuch Faction is severe, with no one paying attention to the conflicts in the Borderlands. If this continues, I fear our Ming Dynasty will end up like Li Yu, ultimately losing three thousand miles of territory and meeting a fate of death and national destruction. Lin Ning accurately grasped my intentions, while White Jade Peak was only focused on romantic moments with his beloved under the flowers and moonlight. Though his thoughts are understandable—one must have a nation to have a home; without a country, where can one belong?"
The heroes and champions present, including Master Chenxu from Wudang and Silent Reverend Mother from Emei Sect, applauded Abbot Zenzi's eloquent speech. Lin Xiu felt deeply disappointed; her heart raced anxiously as she wondered how the next competition would unfold.
Abbot Zenzi provided the best explanation for why Lin Ning was able to win the first match, and everyone was convinced. White Jade Peak cast a resentful glance at Lin Ning, thinking to himself, "There are still two matches left. I refuse to believe I can't defeat you, a person poisoned so deeply."
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