C250 The Storm at the Banquet(3)

This is what you call wit and wisdom!

However, being called out publicly like this, especially in the presence of prodigies from thirty-five other districts, suggests there's a flaw in his character.

A person with character issues could never lead the youth of Fairmoor, no matter how talented he is.

So, for Young Master Liang, tonight was a setback akin to trying to steal a chicken only to end up losing the rice used to lure it.

The loss was simply too great for him...

He took a deep breath.

"I just hope that Young Master Chu doesn't fail along the way and deprive me of the opportunity to seek his guidance!"

With those stern words, Young Master Liang turned to leave.

But then...

"Wait a moment..."

Chu Yi's voice rang out.

Young Master Liang spun around, his face now stripped of its former gentle composure.

"Young Master Chu, do you need something else?"

His last few words were practically clenched between his teeth.

Regrettably for him, Chu Yi seemed oblivious to the tension, maintaining a benevolent smile.

"Truth be told, I'm also to blame. I shouldn't have pointed it out so directly, causing Young Master Liang to become the object of envy."

He offered no denial, knowing that to do so would be pointless and might even invite scorn.

Young Master Liang just glared at Chu Yi.

"So, Young Master Chu, how do you plan to make amends?"

To everyone's surprise, Chu Yi nodded earnestly. "Yes, I do plan to apologize!"

"Indeed, an apology should come with the right attitude."

Chu Yi feigned contemplation, then suddenly clapped his hands as if struck by an idea. "I've got it!"

"Your greatest wish right now must be to give me a proper thrashing, isn't it, Young Master Liang?"

Naturally, it wasn't just Young Master Liang; practically everyone in the room was itching to give Chu Yi a piece of their mind.

"Let's settle this today, then!"

"That way, Young Master Liang, you'll have no regrets!"

Chu Yi's eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"Young Master Liang, this is your one and only chance!"

"Aren't you tempted?"

A slight twitch appeared at the corner of Young Master Liang's mouth.

Chu Yi's words might have been cryptic to some, but Young Master Liang, and indeed, most of the people in the hall, had understood perfectly.

Did Chu Yi lack the confidence to make it to the end of the national examination? Everyone knew that was out of the question. Young Master Liang had previously declared that if he encountered Chu Yi during the exams, he would relish a proper challenge. Yet now, Chu Yi was suggesting they fight immediately, implying this might be Young Master Liang's only opportunity. The insinuation was crystal clear: there was a chance they wouldn't cross paths in the exams at all.

After a penetrating gaze at Chu Yi, Young Master Liang remained silent. This was the moment for bold declarations or an outright challenge. But, having only known Chu Yi for a brief time, Young Master Liang had already sized him up. If he talked tough...

Well, he estimated Chu Yi would be ready to battle on the spot. And if it came to a direct confrontation...

Only the most exceptional of prodigies made it to the national examination, each one a formidable force to be reckoned with. Despite his unparalleled confidence, Young Master Liang knew he had to approach these formidable adversaries with caution. This wasn't just a one-off contest; with each victory, the battles would only multiply.

Maintaining peak condition was of the utmost importance. Clearly, Chu Yi was a fearsome adversary. Young Master Liang realized that even if he could best Chu Yi, the cost would be steep. Aside from revealing his strategies to the other competitors, sustaining an injury in the fight could jeopardize his chances in the subsequent rounds of the national examination. To lose the chance to become a leading figure among Fairmoor City's youth was regrettable, but to forfeit his shot at the national battle was unthinkable.

Young Master Liang knew his reputation had taken a hit that evening. So why agree to a fight? With this in mind, he didn't utter a single threat; he simply turned and walked away.

"Hey, hey, hey, Young Master Liang, you could at least respond!" someone called out.

"Come on, let's get to it!"

"Show some backbone!"

"Don't worry about causing any damage here. Our leader assured us that he could smooth things over even if we were to poke a massive hole in the sky. So go ahead and shine."

At that moment, the leader from the Redmarsh Half Step to War God team, cornered, protested, "I never said that, don't look at me, it's impossible."

Chu Yi's voice resonated throughout the hall, yet regrettably, it was met with silence as no one replied.

As Chu Yi's voice trailed behind him, Young Master Liang quickened his pace, vanishing from view as his figure disappeared from the sight of the crowd.

"Tsk, what is this? This guy claims to be a top prodigy of Fairmoor?"

Chu Yi's voice was soft, but it cut through the air, clear to every listener.

The prodigies from other regions watched Chu Yi with interest, merely spectators to the unfolding drama among Fairmoor's young elite.

Yet, the faces of Fairmoor's young generation flushed with embarrassment.

Sadly, Young Master Liang had already made his exit, leaving behind his peers—

In that moment, many eyes turned towards the group Young Master Liang had emerged from, focusing on several other youthful figures.

Undoubtedly, these individuals were the geniuses who had secured spots in the national examination, each one a top-tier prodigy of Fairmoor.

Young Master Liang, though formidable, was just one among the elite of Fairmoor's youth, not the sole standout.

The other geniuses now under scrutiny appeared to be every bit as formidable as Young Master Liang.

Regrettably, upon meeting the crowd's expectant gazes, these top prodigies started looking around, evidently reluctant to step into the fray.

Indeed, only a fool would carelessly get involved in such a situation.

Clearly, Young Master Liang had sought to make a name for himself and build his reputation among Fairmoor's younger generation, hoping to gauge Chu Yi's strength in the process. However, his plan had backfired spectacularly.

The others knew that if they were in his shoes, the outcome would likely be the same. Since it didn't concern them, why should they risk humiliation?

To suggest they were afraid of Chu Yi would, of course, be out of the question.

If they were to confront Chu Yi now...

The top talents certainly weren't keen on the idea.

Their reasoning mirrored that of Young Master Liang; they didn't want to jeopardize their futures over trivial matters of pride.

As the crowd thinned out, their glances towards Chu Yi carried a hint of peculiarity.

Chu Yi's demeanor set him apart from the typical scions of noble families.

Usually, even if these prodigies understood the intricacies of their world, they would never openly acknowledge them. Yet, Chu Yi had bluntly exposed them.

Such actions typically led to isolation.

To say they would be completely ostracized might be an exaggeration, but certainly, the offspring of other noble families would be cautious around someone who flouted the 'rules' so openly.

Was Chu Yi unaware of this?

Indeed, he was. And even if he were aware, it wouldn't concern him in the slightest.

What did the customs of noble families have to do with Chu Yi?

Despite being the reputed heir to the Chu family, Chu Yi had never once indulged in the privileges of noble lineage.

Moreover...

These so-called noble families were merely individuals more powerful than the average citizen.

In terms of power...

What were these noble families really worth?

Thus, Chu Yi never gave a second thought to the perspectives of these noble offspring.

Initially, Lee Zi felt somewhat self-conscious as she continued to eat and drink amidst these odd stares.

But as she observed Chu Yi's nonchalant demeanor, she too began to ease up.

Indeed, why should she and Chu Yi concern themselves with the opinions of these people?

Living well was all that mattered.

Besides, in the future...

They were bound to walk a different path from these noble scions, so there was no need to regard their views.

With this realization, Lee Zi allowed herself to unwind...

From a corner, the team leader from Redmarsh watched Chu Yi with an unusual intensity, his gaze never straying.