No, gentlemen also guard against

Chapter 865: Brother Liu is almost there too?
There was total silence at the dinner table.

Everyone was digesting this rumor.

Miss Yu noticed from the corner of her eye that Big Brother Liu was not eating any slower. He was not bothered by the gossip at all and was eating with gusto... Big Brother Liu was really amazing, really amazing.

At this moment, in her mind, when it comes to focusing on eating, Big Brother Liu is just as good as the girl named "Yue" who left the valley in 88 breaths... Miss Yu quickly picked up the bowl and followed.

Song Zhian looked at Brother Liu and Sister Yu who were busy eating, then quietly picked up her bowl and ate her rice in small bites.

Seeing this, Lu Jinghong and Sha Ergou, who were originally shocked, seemed to remember that they were having dinner, and they picked up their bowls and chopsticks and focused on what was happening at hand.

There were only four seats at this stone table, so Ouyang Rong simply ate while standing. He did not fight for a seat and gave it to the four of them. Song Zhian and Sha Ergou felt a little embarrassed and wanted to give up their seats, but he declined silently.

Among the five, he is the oldest. Except for Lu Jinghong who calls him "Brother Liu, Brother Liu", everyone else calls him Brother Liu.

Lu Jinghong couldn't help but ask:
"What about you, Miss Song? How long did it take you to get out of Taogu?"

Song Zhian sighed and shook her head. Before she could speak, Miss Yu beside her hurriedly said:

"Sister Song is amazing. Not only did she explain the first chapter of the sword art to me, but she also got out of the valley in just 101 breaths."

Miss Yu's face was flushed, and it was unclear whether it was because of eating or because of her excitement. She was proud of Sister Song:

"She's almost there. Even Senior Sister Yuan, who was in charge of the test and had a stern face, was a little hesitant. She even discussed with the other senior sisters whether to let Sister Song do it again to see if she can reach the Hundred Breaths mark."

Ouyang Rong, who was half full, put down his chopsticks for the time being and looked at the helpless Song Zhian together with the glaring Sha Ergou.

Senior Sister Yuan is probably the cold-faced Yue woman. She presided over the first round of assessments for both male and female groups today.

Lu Jinghong's expression changed slightly, and he immediately clasped his fists and said:

"Miss Song is not only beautiful and kind, but also gifted. This time, Miss Song will definitely pass the Yue Women's Assessment and will definitely be able to pass the exam."

Miss Yu smiled and said:

"My mother's vision is correct. She said long ago that it would be easy for Sister Song to enter Jianze...

"In our batch, apart from the two top-notch girls who entered 100 breaths, there are only 11 girls who can enter 110 breaths. Sister Song is at the front with 101 breaths, and she is tied for third with another girl."

Lu Jinghong looked at Song Zhian with a different look in his eyes, and said with some regret:

"What a pity. She is just one breath away from reaching the Hundred Breaths level. Luck plays a big role in these two breaths. If she could enter the valley once more, Miss Song would most likely have entered. Or maybe Miss Song is already at the Hundred Breaths level..."

Young Lady Yu nodded: "That's right, I'm only four breaths away from the ninety-eight breaths of Sister Chen in front. Well, it's just the time to eat two bites of food."

Sha Ergou was convinced and scratched his head and said:

"My goodness, how did you do it? There are so many monkeys in the valley, how come I only have a head full of bruises after walking there... within a hundred breaths, it's scary just thinking about it."

Song Zhian looked helpless and waved her hand to stop him:
"It's not as simple as you say. A hundred breaths of penetration means a hundred breaths of penetration. Between a hundred and a hundred and twenty breaths, it can only be considered as a person with superior talent in swordsmanship. There is no excuse for it.

“Moreover, this is everyone’s first time entering Taogu, and Senior Sister Yuan also said in advance that this is a test of one’s talent in swordsmanship, and what is being observed is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, which is the most realistic reaction.

"How can I give someone a second chance? The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is certainly not true. The first time is the same. Besides, if we talk about luck, isn't there a component of luck in my 101 breaths?"

Song Zhian was sensible and gracious. After she finished her modest explanation, she sighed softly:
"Besides, a hundred breaths is an important threshold. Every breath forward is a chasm. It's not as easy as you say."

She paused, her eyes complicated:
“This further proves the strength of the tattooed girl. The gap between her and the second place is ten breaths, like a horse galloping far ahead.

"In a sense, eighty-eight breaths may be Taogu's limit, not the limit of her talent..."

Lu Jinghong interrupted:
"Miss Song is too modest. You know that the highest level in our Bamboo Hall exam is only 105 breaths, and there are only three people who can get within 115 breaths.

"Miss Song is already the best among us."

Song Zhian comforted softly:
"How can they be the same? Men and women are different and cannot be compared. This Taogu test is tailor-made for the new Yue women. You are men, and you are just taking this test. Maybe men have some natural restraint, and those who are gifted are already amazing.

"As long as it is more than a hundred breaths and has reached the upper level, there is actually not much difference between men and women. Otherwise, why would we set a range? It is naturally to minimize the error."

Upon hearing this, Master Lu let out a long sigh and clasped his fists towards Song Zhian:
"Miss Song is really well-educated and sensible. What she said makes sense. I was a little obsessed before, but now I feel better. Yes, in fact, they are all about the same. But just looking at the first round of the assessment, in terms of swordsmanship talent, Miss Song is still better than us, and I am convinced."

Miss Yu was curious and interrupted to ask:

"How much interest is Mr. Lu?"

Lu Jinghong suddenly looked lonely, holding the sword, and said in a muffled voice:

"One hundred and thirteen breaths."

Song Zhian looked at Lu Jinghong, nodded and said softly:
"Mr. Lu is also outstanding."

Miss Yu nodded:
"Mr. Lu is quite capable, but why do you look so unhappy?"

“No.”

Noticing Miss Song's gaze, Lu Jinghong said calmly, as if he was willing to admit defeat:

"Miss Song's words just now are quite right. This is the first time for all of us to enter the valley. Whatever results we get is what results we get. There is no need to talk about luck. Although I am indeed unlucky today and encountered an extremely rare thing, I have to accept it..."

Lu Jinghong sighed and paused. He was planning to wait for Song Zhian and Miss Yu to show their concern and ask after him, and then he would speak as if nothing had happened.

Unexpectedly, a loud voice came out from the side:

"Miss Song, Miss Yu, have you ever been bitten by a monkey in the valley?"

It’s Sha Ergou.

Both girls shook their heads: "No."

Sha Ergou continued to ask:
"Among the people in front of you, has any girl ever been bitten by a monkey in the valley?"

"No."

Song Zhian asked curiously:

"We were only passing through Peach Valley during the assessment, and we didn't compete with the monkeys for land. Why did we get bitten by the monkeys for no reason?"

Miss Yu swallowed a mouthful of rice and rolled her eyes slightly:

"That's right, no decent person would be bitten by a monkey."

Lu Jinghong's eyelids twitched when he heard this.

Song Zhian reacted and asked Sha Ergou:
"Brother Sha, what do you mean? Could it be that someone was bitten..."

"Just say it's a rare thing. That's what I said, but Master Lu never believed it... mmm..."

Sha Ergou was halfway through his words when Lu Jinghong picked up a steamed bun, stuffed it into his mouth, and said to everyone with a forced smile:

"Haha, let's eat. If everyone doesn't eat now, the food will get cold. We should learn more from Brother Liu. Don't talk while eating or sleeping. The words of our ancestors still make sense. It's easy to choke when talking while eating. If there is anything, let's talk after dinner..."

Sha Ergou almost choked.

Song Zhian glanced sideways slightly.

With Lu Jinghong's best efforts to laugh it off, the topic was finally brought to the past.

Miss Yu was a little insensitive and didn't think much about it. However, Song Zhian glanced at Lu Jinghong's right hand, which was retracted into his sleeve when he was eating.

However, she is a person who is polite and well-educated, and she does not expose other people's shortcomings.

Ouyang Rong remained silent and had put down his bowl and chopsticks. Ever since he heard them talking about the "tattooed girl" with relish, he had not said a word and no one knew what he was thinking.

Seeing that Ouyang Rong had put down his bowl and chopsticks and was waiting for them, everyone stopped talking and quickly finished their meal.

However, Lu Jinghong kept looking at Miss Yu, whom he always thought was silly, as if he had something stuck in his throat about what he had just said.

Well, his level of disgust is almost comparable to Sha Ergou.

After dinner, when they were clearing the dishes, Lu Jinghong said casually:

"By the way, how much breath do you have?"

"Who, me?"

Miss Yu, who was helping to clean up, looked up dazedly with a grain of white rice hanging from the corner of her mouth. She pointed at her face and asked.

Lu Jinghong crossed his arms over his chest, holding his sword, and looked at her leisurely:
"Uh-huh."

Miss Yu smiled and showed her two white teeth, which contrasted with the white rice beside her mouth:
"One hundred and twenty breaths."

Lu Jinghong's eyes were slightly relieved, and his tone was calm, but encouraging:
"Oh, that's not bad, it's already great..."

“Really great!”

Miss Yu nodded heavily, without any modesty, and said happily:

"Hehe, mother underestimated me. If she knew how capable I was, she wouldn't keep saying that I was eating rice for free."

Lu Jinghong was stunned.

Miss Yu lowered her head and snapped her fingers:
"One hundred and twenty breaths... Using Sister Song's words just now, from one hundred breaths to one hundred and twenty breaths, they are all superior in swordsmanship, and they are all about the same. Hmm, but Sister Song and I are still a little bit behind. However... Master Lu, you took one hundred and thirteen breaths, right? Hmm, let me calculate... one hundred and twenty and one hundred and thirteen... two is less than three, just one less... then, that means I took less time than Master Lu!"

She raised her head, her eyes clear and bright:

"Besides, didn't you just say that men and women have different physiques, and men are stronger? So if you look at it this way... I am slightly better than you, Master Lu. Is my calculation correct? Yes, my calculation is correct, it's set in stone. I am even slightly better than Master Lu. I am really great! Master Lu, thank you for the compliment!"

Lu Jinghong: ???

Everyone:...

Lu Jinghong suddenly felt that it was a good decision not to speak while eating, otherwise he would have spat out a mouthful of rice.

Can you beat me? You are 120, can you beat me? I am 113, can you beat me?
What a rebellion against Tiangang!

Under the gaze of everyone, the face of a young man in brocade clothes was tense and flushed, and the hand holding the sword was trembling slightly.

"All right."

Song Zhian burst out laughing, then stopped smiling and interrupted Miss Yu, whose face looked surprisingly serious and confident.

She touched the girl's head:

"Have you forgotten what Madam Yu told you? Be less calculating with Jianze..."

"oh oh."

Miss Yu remembered something and muttered:
"It's a pity that the snack bag my mother gave me fell in Peach Valley and was snatched away by those monkeys."

As she was talking, she saw Ouyang Rong quietly sending the dishes to the kitchen, so she asked:
"By the way, Brother Sha, where are you and Brother Liu? How were your results today?"

Ouyang Rong went to the kitchen, and there were only four of them left in the yard.

Sha Ergou suddenly became energetic and said happily:
"I can't do it. It took me 148 breaths. But Brother Liu is amazing. It only took him 109 breaths. He was the second one to leave Peach Valley, ahead of Master Lu!"

The last sentence does not need to be emphasized.

Lu Jinghong's right eyelid twitched.

Very good, the young man with cut hair and tattoos has risen in the rankings and replaced Miss Yu, once again becoming the most hated person.

Song Zhian, who was about to go to the kitchen to help, looked surprised.

"One hundred and nine?"

Miss Yu’s eyes widened slightly.

Coincidentally, Ouyang Rong walked out of the kitchen.

Song Zhian couldn't help but look at the young man who had been silent from beginning to end.

Since returning from Taogu until now, this Brother Liu has remained silent, which made her really unable to imagine that he could have such good results.

Ouyang Rong was wiping his wet hands with his apron. He noticed the different looks from everyone and asked,

"what happened?"

Song Zhian looked away.

Miss Yu lowered her head and subconsciously counted with her fingers.

"Brother Liu took one hundred and nine breaths... one hundred and nine. Well, I took one hundred and twenty. Nine is less than twenty, so Brother Liu took less time than me. That is to say, Brother Liu is better than me. I am slightly better than Master Lu, but Brother Liu is better than both me and Master Lu!"

Could you please not bring me along?
The veins on Lu Jinghong's forehead bulged.

His face went numb when he heard this magical arithmetic method.

Miss Yu didn't notice that Mr. Lu next to her had a blank expression on his face. She put down her fingers, raised her head, and said with admiration on her face:

"Wow, Brother Liu is so powerful, why is he so silent? If we hadn't asked, Brother Liu would have said nothing. How can this be possible? As my mother said, it's better for a man to be eloquent. If he is too honest and dull, he will be easily looked down upon and bullied."

Song Zhian nodded gently:
"Sister Yu is right. Brother Liu is too dull."

Lu Jinghong was feeling a little irritated. He forced a smile and agreed with a few words, saying casually:

"Brother Liu, second place is very good. If you were first place, it would be even better. I heard that you can be recommended to enter Zhutang."

Sha Ergou was stunned:

"Admitted to the Bamboo Hall?"

After going through the first stage today, and asking his companions everywhere, Sha Ergou also understood the meaning of entering Zhutang and knew what this trip was for.

Lu Jinghong nodded:

"That's right. The first place in any of these three levels will be qualified to enter Zhutang. The others will be determined by the comprehensive results of the three levels."

Song Zhiruo showed a look of regret:
"What a pity, Brother Liu is just one spot short. It would be great if he could be recommended to Bamboo Hall and secure a spot directly. The main reason is that Brother Liu is a bit older, already nineteen, and has missed the best age for cultivation. According to past practice, the requirements for Brother Liu's three-level scores will be higher, and the senior sword cultivators in Bamboo Hall will be more picky when selecting...

"But if you can get the top spot in a certain level and be outstanding enough, then age is not a problem, as long as you are not too old."

(End of this chapter)