Chapter 665: Do You Submit?

“Wait a moment!”

A calm voice suddenly rang out.

Chen Tao’s expression instantly turned cold as he looked toward the speaker.

The one who had suddenly spoken was, of course, Hong Yu!

A calm smile graced Hong Yu’s face, his eyes glinting with amusement and mockery. Chen Tao had waited for everyone else to finish their work before making his move, trying to create a shocking effect.

‘And wasn’t that my idea as well?’

Hong Yu smiled. “Your Majesty, I haven’t had my turn yet. Why has the literary duel concluded?”

“Hmph!”

Chen Tao snorted coldly, glancing at Hong Yu with disdain. “Who the hell do you think you are? Don’t tell me you actually believe you have a chance of surpassing me?”

“Heh, in the arts, there is no absolute first place. Not even the Zither Saint or the Poetry Immortal would dare claim that no one could surpass them. Who the hell do you think *you* are?” Hong Yu shot him a cold glance and sneered.

From the very beginning, this Chen Tao had been nothing but hostile toward him.

He had even tried to kill him on several occasions. Hong Yu had long since found him unbearable.

Originally, he had just thought it would be quicker to take on all five at the end.

But now, he was determined to utterly humiliate Chen Tao—to slap his face so hard it would be unrecognizable!

“You…”

Chen Tao’s face alternated between green and white.

He was a magnificent Divine King of the North and South Divine City, his power unmatched. When had anyone ever dared to insult him like this?

But a glance from the corner of his eye caught Mao Mei’Er’s gaze, and he could only suppress his rage. He said coldly, “I won’t stoop to a war of words with you. Since you’ve stepped forward now, you must believe you can defeat me in all five disciplines. Very well. I’ll make a bet with you today. If you cannot surpass me in all five disciplines, you will immediately kneel before me, cut your own throat, and beg for forgiveness.”

“…”

Hong Yu stared at Chen Tao as if he were an idiot.

Chen Tao’s face flushed with anger. “What are you looking at? If you have the guts, accept! If not, then get the hell out of my sight and stop being an eyesore!”

“I really can’t fucking figure it out. Which dumbass forgot to tie his belt and let you slip out?” Hong Yu said with a look of utter contempt.

“What belt?”

Chen Tao asked stupidly.

It was Mao Mei’Er who reacted first. A blush spread across her beautiful face as she muttered softly, “This Beichen is truly something else. He can curse without using a single dirty word and still manage to trap Chen Tao…”

“Belt?”

Bear Tao blinked, then actually tugged at his own belt in front of everyone, pulled it out for a look, and burst into laughter. “Hahaha, Chen Tao, you idiot! He’s calling you a little dick! Hahaha, Beichen, I’m suddenly starting to like you! Haha, the great Divine King is just a little dick that slipped out because someone forgot to tie their belt! Hahaha…”

“Pfft!”

“A little dick…”

“The belt…”

The few who had just lost to Chen Tao and were feeling utterly dejected also burst out laughing one after another.

“…”

Chen Tao trembled all over, his face beet red.

His fists were clenched so tightly they creaked. He was furious to the extreme, veins popping on his forehead, and he wished he could rush over and annihilate Hong Yu that very instant.

But he knew Mao Mei’Er would never allow him to do so. He took a deep breath, reining in his rage, and glared viciously at Hong Yu. “You filthy-mouthed bastard…”

“Who are you calling a bastard?” Hong Yu’s eyes widened.

“The bastard is cursing you!”

Chen Tao roared.

Hong Yu nodded, his face a mask of contempt. “Tsk, tsk. To think you’re actually a bastard!”

“I…”

Chen Tao’s face was ashen, absolutely hideous, as if he had just fallen into a latrine pit. He opened his mouth but didn’t dare curse again, afraid of falling into another one of Hong Yu’s traps. He snorted coldly and said, “If you’ve got the skill, then beat me in all five disciplines. Otherwise, stop your incessant whining in front of me.”

“Fine. Today, I’ll make you accept your defeat, body and soul!”

Hong Yu nodded, then waved his hand grandly. “Bring the Four Treasures of the Study!”

A Cat Maiden brought up a brand-new set of the Four Treasures.

Hong Yu took a deep breath.

His mind couldn’t help but drift back to his time on Earth. He had been a hardcore otaku, the type who loved to delve into all sorts of strange and unusual skills and hobbies.

For instance, he had once seen a movie where that certain Mr. Tang painted with such dazzling brilliance.

He had even tried to replicate it, creating his own “Ten Thousand Miles of Mountains and Rivers Map.”

He had heard the timeless masterpiece “High Mountain and Flowing Water,” and after three months of self-study, he had managed to capture some of its essence.

He had also studied ancient chess manuals for three years, achieving Minor Achievement in the way of chess.

He had even learned some of the essence of the Cursive Script of the Calligraphy Sage.

‘I never thought that after being reborn in another world, I’d have a chance to use the skills I once tinkered with.’

He sat down, his posture perfectly upright and formal.

And then, all of a sudden…

Hong Yu opened his eyes.

The first thing he did was not to pick up a brush or touch the zither, but to kick off his boots with two sharp THWACKS. He then hooked a brush with each foot, dipped them in ink, and began working with both feet at once—his right foot painting a picture, his left foot writing a poem.

Even though he was only using his feet,

his calligraphy was wild and unrestrained, unbound by worldly conventions.

It was fierce and powerful, the brushstrokes like soaring dragons and coiling snakes, flowing with breathtaking speed and grace.

The poem “Man Jiang Hong” poured onto the paper, so magnificent that one couldn’t look away…

My hair bristles with rage in my helmet, I lean on the rails as the pattering rain ceases.

I raise my eyes, and toward the sky I let out a roar, my breast filled with fierce passion.

Thirty years of fame and glory are but dust and dirt; eight thousand li of journey, through clouds and moonlight.

Do not tarry, lest a young man’s hair turns white, and all that’s left is empty regret…

It was completed in a single, fluid motion. The calligraphy was good, but the poem was even more magnificent!

At the same time,

his right foot had already completed a painting. It was a “Battlefield Inspection Map.” A towering general, clad in Battle Armor, stood majestically on a high platform.

A fierce wind howled, and banners blotted out the sky.

The General raised his arm, and three thousand blood-robed soldiers followed him. Between life and death, his heroic spirit pierced the clouds.

As the poem and painting were completed, Hong Yu had already set up the “Seven Marvels of the World Chessboard” and gestured for Chen Tao to approach.

Chen Tao stepped forward. Looking at the board in front of him, his brows furrowed in deep thought.

His expression gradually grew dark and ugly.

Hong Yu, however, paid him no more mind. He slapped the table, and a Seven-Stringed Zither landed before him.

TING-TING, DONG-DONG…

His palm swept over the strings, and a clear, crisp melody echoed through the hall.

Then, Hong Yu suddenly pressed down on the strings. It was a fierce strike, yet executed with incredible precision—just forceful enough to bring the zither’s sound to its maximum intensity without damaging the instrument.

He then began to play, his fingers moving like phantoms.

TWANG-TWANG-TWANG, DING-DING-DING…

The music was incredibly stirring.

Looking at the painting, reading the poem, and hearing the passionate, heroic music, everyone fell silent.

Even the graceful and noble Mao Mei’Er narrowed her eyes, unable to stop herself from sitting up straight and staring intently at Hong Yu.

An image of a battlefield seemed to materialize in their minds.

Yellow sand filled the sky. The spring wind blew across Jade Gate Pass. An army was at the city gates—a countless horde of enemies whose banners blotted out the sky, their killing intent palpable. They had powerful Chariots, terrifying experts, and formidable weapons. And their numbers far surpassed those of the defenders.

A General in blood-soaked robes stood atop the city wall.

Behind him, not a single soldier remained. All had died on the battlefield.

The General was covered in wounds, dripping with blood, like a blood-soaked Asura.

He held a Fangtian Halberd in his right hand, standing askew. In his left, he clutched a military banner. It was an unyielding banner, an undying Military God, an… immortal military soul!

“With high resolve, we feast on the flesh of our foes; laughing, we drink the blood of the Xiongnu. Let us start anew, to recover our lost lands, and pay homage to the court…”

The General roared at the heavens, tears of blood streaming down his face, his spirit soaring to the sky.

He leaped from the towering city wall and charged into the enemy ranks, plunging in and out of the million-strong army seven times.

His blood stained Changsha, his battle reached the nine heavens. Wherever his Battle Saber pointed, he was invincible!

The General suffered countless injuries. His flesh was mangled, his bones exposed, and even his internal organs were spilling out. The ground beneath his feet was piled high with corpses, a mountain of bodies, and the General stood at its peak.

He was utterly exhausted.

He looked to the north, toward the Imperial Capital where the emperor resided. He roared at the sky, a cry of grief and helplessness.

“Kill!”

Countless enemy soldiers were already terrified, but under the command of their leader, they charged again, swarming like ants from a disturbed nest. One after another, powerful warriors were cut down by the General, their bodies piling up like mountains.

Until the General was truly, completely spent.

He could no longer even grip his Fangtian Halberd. His body couldn’t stand straight, and he had to use the halberd as a crutch just to stay upright.

The General’s body bore over a hundred blade wounds, dozens of Arrows were stuck in his flesh, and two Broken Blades were lodged in his very bones…

The wind blew. Blood flowed. Bodies tumbled down.

The General’s eyes gradually grew hazy, turning a cloudy gray as all signs of life faded from them.

And so he stood, gripping his Fangtian Halberd, the fluttering military banner planted beside him propping up his body. He stood atop the hundred-meter-high mountain of corpses, proud and motionless.

But the remaining hundreds of thousands of enemy troops had had their courage utterly shattered by the slaughter.

Gazing from afar at that blood-soaked Military God, they broke. They threw down their helmets and armor, their army collapsing like a landslide…

As the vision reached this point, some were already in tears.

Some were sighing in sorrow.

Others stared blankly, rendered speechless…

Their hearts were heavy with grief.

TWANG!

The final note of the zither rang out, jolting everyone back to their senses.

Bear Tao wiped his eyes. “I… I was actually crying?”

“That is a Military God, worthy of our awe and respect!” Tiger Wei said gravely, his arrogant demeanor gone.

The expert from the Golden Ancient Ape Clan had a brilliant light in his eyes, his fighting spirit blazing like a flame. “If that General were alive today, I, Ape, would be willing to serve as his mount!”

The crowd was in an uproar.

The Golden Ancient Apes were immensely powerful and proud, refusing to bow their heads even to the First War Clan. For one of them to now offer to become someone’s mount was a testament to how deeply the General’s image had moved him, earning his complete submission.

“Hooo…”

Mao Mei’Er let out a long breath, studying Hong Yu intently, her eyes filled with wonder. ‘Just what kind of young man is this? Was that General a real person? Or was it merely an Illusion Realm he created?’

Just then,

Chen Tao, who had been wracking his brain over the unsolvable chessboard, let out a miserable cry. “Ahhh…!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood. His Heart Spirit had actually been wounded from his failure to solve the puzzle.

“Why? Why can’t I solve it?”

“It’s impossible! How could I possibly not be able to solve it?”

Chen Tao murmured in agony, unable to bear the pain.

Hong Yu slowly stood up. With steady steps, he walked over to Chen Tao, looking down at him. His gaze was peaceful as he asked faintly…

“Do you submit?”