This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

Chapter 152 My own path

Xiao Xingchen erupted in a torrent of curses, like a volcanic eruption.

After Ruoxue rushed to the prison, she told him everything she had heard outside.

When he heard that someone was trying to use him as a substitute for Xiao Jianren, his feelings were indescribable. He not only cursed loudly, but also insulted Emperor Wu's ancestors for eighteen generations. This made the jailers outside tremble with fear and break out in a cold sweat.

However, this outburst of anger did not last long. Xiao Xingchen was perfectly aware of what he should do; now was not the time to lose his temper.

"They couldn't find Xiao Jianren, so they dragged me out as a scapegoat. Emperor Wu is about to take action against the Xiao family."

After calming down, he said coldly, "It's not early, it's not late, but at this critical juncture that you've made me take the blame. This is undoubtedly an attempt to use the influence of the Poetry Festival to ruin the Xiao family's reputation."

"What should we do then?" Ruoxue panicked and asked blankly.

Xiao Xingchen shrugged and said nonchalantly, "What can I do? Since they insist on making me Xiao Jianren, why not just be one? Since they're using me as a pawn, it means I still have value. This prison sentence is over, and I'll be out soon. Do you believe me?"

"Should I continue to apply to the Talent Showcase?"

"Go ahead. Since we're going to create momentum, I might as well go all out." Thinking of the title the Emperor was about to bestow upon him, the title of "King of the Mountain" was unavoidable. Now that he was already the King of the Mountain, what was there to fear?

Is this what they call fate? Like a net from which one cannot escape, no matter how much one struggles, it is difficult to break free.

After his rebirth, he was like a lost lamb, wandering around in the labyrinth of fate, trying his best to avoid the tragic fate of Xiao Jianren in his previous life, and hoping to open up a new path.

However, fate, like a merciless director, brought him back to square one. This caused a surge of unease within him. Is a person's fate truly as immovable as a rock?

Despite all that he paid, he ultimately embarked on the path he least wanted to take.

To say he felt no sense of loss would be a lie, for once he embarked on this path, he would have to face that terrifying human sword once more, and that horrific memory would haunt him forever.

However, upon further reflection, he realized that he already possessed the means to rebel in this life. He had not yet found Daji, so how could he willingly degenerate?

Human sword, martial emperor—as long as one's own battle sword is cultivated to perfection, all of this can be reversed.

With that in mind, he asked without hesitation, "What exactly is the core question of the second Talented Persons Examination?"

"filial piety.

Ruoxue's answer was concise and clear, like a sharp sword that pierced the heart.

“Alright! This is Xiao Jianren’s opinion. We don’t need to guide it deliberately. Let it develop freely and spread as it pleases. But I must ascend the Terrace of Talents! If you ascend as planned, I will compose some poems for you. I refuse to believe that anyone can surpass me in writing poetry.”

"That's my idea too. Write more for me. Whenever I go on stage, if anyone is dissatisfied, I'll throw them a copy and make them admit defeat."

Seeing that Xiao Xingchen only lost his composure for a moment, Ruoxue's worries about this man instantly vanished.

Although she sometimes couldn't understand why Xiao Xingchen insisted on getting rid of the Xiao family's halo, judging from his reactions, there must be some unknown secret hidden behind it.

So she wisely chose to remain silent and fully cooperate with him.

"Please wait a moment, I'll start writing now."

The brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were already prepared. Today was precisely to wait for the exam questions to be released so that I could write a poem to present to Ruoxue.

Although there were some unexpected events along the way, his determination was unwavering, like a sword that charges forward without ever retreating.

Just as the illusory figure said, as long as he forges ahead, any schemes surrounding him will be drawn to his path like a magnet.

For him, the topic of filial piety was something he could come up with effortlessly.

He sometimes couldn't help but laugh at himself, thinking that if this were an era of ordinary people, he could probably win the top scholar title just by relying on his poetry and prose skills.

Unfortunately, he had transmigrated to a supernatural world, and clearly, reciting a few ancient poems wouldn't save his life.

When he handed the fifteen ancient poems to Ruoxue, she was stunned, as if struck by lightning. After reading the contents, she was even more astonished. She knew he was very talented, but she never expected him to write so many in one go. It was truly amazing.

Even she, a master of the fifth level of cultivation, was filled with curiosity about this young man. His literary talent was probably something even the academy's teachers would envy.

"I'll ask you one more time: if these poems were to appear in the world, you would be in the eye of the storm, which would run counter to your original plans. Do you understand?"

Ruoxue confirmed again.

This was the question she had after seeing these poems. She originally thought they were just a few random poems and wouldn't cause any stir. However, these poems were truly amazing. Even she couldn't help but sigh when she saw them, let alone the scholars.

"Of course I know that plans can never keep up with changes. Let me tell you, these few poems are just a small test. What will truly shock the world is yet to come. Just wait and see. Emperor Wu is preparing a great gift for me."

Xiao Xingchen's lips twitched slightly, and he thought to himself, "This is nothing."

Next, the bestowal of the title of Prince Kao Shan and the marriage of the eldest princess were the truly jaw-dropping events that would leave everyone speechless.

Therefore, it is impossible for him to keep a low profile, at least not now.

"You'd better take it easy, or you might end up killing yourself."

“Uh, I know, but the search for Chen Miao’s whereabouts must not stop. We must find out exactly what happened at Chen Haoran’s residence that day.”

"Wasn't this Emperor Wu's doing? Why is there still an investigation? The person must have been imprisoned by him."

"No, Chen Miao and the others are no ordinary people. There were many guests that day. If you wanted to subdue them easily, it would be impossible without making a scene. So Chen Miao is definitely not in Emperor Wu's hands."

"Are you worried about your mute wife?"

"Nonsense, I'm worried that some reckless people will court death. You wouldn't understand,"

That's Daji, the Demon Emperor! Even though she's bound by this world and can't unleash her power, she's still an emperor!

Although he didn't know what kind of existence the Great Emperor was, just the title alone was enough to make him no ordinary person. Even if Daji wanted to leave, she would never leave him without saying a word.

The illusory figure had said that she was going to buy herself time. At first, he didn't think much of it, but after pondering it carefully last night, he still felt that there was something strange about it. If that was really the case, why would she take Chen Miao away?

This simply didn't make sense, and his doubts surged again like a tide. Perhaps Daji and Chen Miao had encountered an irresistible force.

So much so that he disappeared from the Chen residence before he could do anything.

After witnessing the mysterious priest in black robes, he could no longer view the world with normal eyes. In this world, nothing strange or unusual could happen.

The black robe was already so enigmatic; how could that mysterious Supreme Being be inferior to him? This sacrificial organization was like a fog, leaving him completely clueless.

He originally thought that the Supreme One possessed the power of a Martial Emperor, but the events of the past two days were like a wake-up call, making him realize that the Supreme One seemed to have transcended the Five Elements and Three Realms.

They not only possessed the sacrificial power that Emperor Wu had longed for, but they could also appear in the Heavenly Prison at will, without Emperor Wu being aware of it.

Even the people from the Immortal Pavilion were hunting down the black-robed man. The clues in this led him to be certain that this sacrificial organization was trying to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

He hadn't forgotten that he was a sacrifice prepared by the sacrificial organization, and that the man in black robes had disappeared without a trace after leaving that day. Did he feel that he was powerless to cause any trouble, so he temporarily put the matter aside?

Or perhaps it was delayed by other things?

He waited silently for the black-robed man. After the source runes repaired his spiritual platform, his battle sword was already gleaming with a chilling light. He longed to test the sword on the black-robed man. He concealed the sword on his body. Once the sword was unleashed, he was confident that he might not be able to kill the black-robed man, but it was very likely that he could severely injure him again.

"After I get back, I'll have someone retrieve the broken sword I left at the Flower Language Pavilion."

Thinking of this, he naturally remembered the broken sword. Ever since his spiritual platform malfunctioned, he had left the broken sword at the Flower Language Pavilion, since he wouldn't need it after losing his power.

"A broken sword? I thought it was a piece of junk and had been thrown away somewhere. Shall I get you a new one?"

"What? You actually threw it away?"

"I'll go back and look for it, I'll try my best to find it for you."

"Holy crap, no way? That's my weapon!"

"There are countless fine swords in Huayu Tower. Yours is so rusty, I thought it was one you discarded. I guess you were chopping wood in the woodshed. I'll go back and look for it; I should be able to find it."

Ruoxue's words made Xiaoxingchen feel a toothache. The Heavenly Sword was actually used to chop wood. How could she even think of that!