This scoundrel is a bit of a swordsman.

In Xiao Xingchen's vision, several groups of people had already appeared, but to his surprise, a figure leaped over them and charged forward.

"Be careful, Saint!"

Behind the Saint, an ordinary-looking servant suddenly sprang up, a cold glint in his eyes, and swooped down on the charging figure.

With a clang, the servant was sent flying backward, while a figure landed steadily in front of Xiao Xingchen.

The newcomer exuded an imposing aura, and a gust of wind swept across the Ten Mile Pavilion, but there was no murderous intent. This caused Daji to lower her outstretched finger.

"You still have the mood to drink tea here? Do you know how dangerous you are right now? Come with me right now."

When Xiao Xingchen saw who it was, he was a little confused. How could it be him?

Lan Beitang, the Scholar's Sword!

"How did you come?"

"Nonsense, with all the trouble you've caused, you can't stay in Yong'an City anymore. Come with me now, and perhaps our study can save your life."

Lan Beitang said anxiously,

"Why did you save me?" Xiao Xingchen was still somewhat puzzled. He knew very little about this scholar-sword master, and going with him was absolutely out of the question.

"You're a good person, you shouldn't die here. Is that reason enough?"

Lan Beitang exuded an aura of righteous indignation, which drew the attention of the people in the pavilion. The servants who had been repelled were about to rush forward again when the Sage waved his hand, signaling them to step back.

"I had long heard of the Scholar Sword at Blue City Study. Seeing it today, it is indeed extraordinary. The scholar has knowledge in his heart, and his sword strikes with great force. He is indeed worthy of being that old man's disciple. Very good."

The sage couldn't help but praise him, clearly recognizing the scholar's sword's origin from the mere clash.

This made the scholar-swordsman frown. "Hidden knowledge within, sword strikes with unyielding might"—these eight words were the scholar-swordsman's guiding principle. Only then did he notice the old man in the pavilion.

"May I ask, sir, how did you come to know about my Scholar's Sword?"

The sage calmly poured them a cup of tea, then gestured for them to sit down.

"The world only knows that scholars can only read books, but they don't know that scholars can also wield swords. When an emperor is angry, corpses float for miles; when a scholar is angry, the world is filled with righteous indignation. This righteous indignation is the very foundation upon which Blue City Study stands. How could I not understand this? How is your master?"

Lan Beitang's body trembled, realizing he had encountered a master, and he hurriedly stood up and bowed.

"Lan Beitang of Lancheng Study pays respects to the senior."

"No need for formalities. Since you possess the Study Sword, you are the Study Attendant of this generation. Please, have a seat."

Seeing the calm expression on the face of the Second Saint and the unhurried demeanor of Xiao Xingchen, Lan Beitang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had once again placed greater emphasis on Xiao Xingchen. If he were merely someone without a background, he wouldn't warrant such attention, but if he did have one…

He looked at the Sage again. Although he didn't know the Sage's name, the fact that the Sage knew the origins of Blue City Study so clearly indicated that this person was no ordinary individual; at the very least, he was someone who could speak to his master on equal terms.

"I was overthinking it. Young brother, you must be from a prestigious school. Since you have a senior to protect you, I'm the one who's been superfluous."

"Brother Lan's righteousness will be remembered. I am Xiao Xingchen. If you ever need anything in the future, please feel free to call me. I will repay your kindness today."

Xiao Xingchen wasn't stupid either. They had obviously come to save him, so he had to show his appreciation. Besides, he had just heard what the Second Saint said. This Lan Beitang was quite a figure. To concentrate resources to accomplish great things, you first need people. This person was good and worth winning over.

"My name is Lan Beitang, but..."

Lan Beitang's eyes glanced outside the pavilion, a hint of worry in them. The royal banner had arrived, and the person at the very front represented imperial power.

"A ten-mile-long pavilion, with lush green grass stretching to the horizon—you certainly know how to choose a place. Very well, when I send you to your death, I will erect a monument for you here, inscribed with the words: 'Those who defy me shall die.'"

The crown prince stared at the group at the pavilion with amusement, and chuckled leisurely.

The soldiers behind him had completely surrounded the pavilion, and on the outer edge of the encirclement, the black-clad assassins, who were barely visible, began to reveal themselves.

"What exactly did you do? Did you cause a bit too much of a commotion?"

The Second Sage wasn't stupid; how could such a spectacle be caused by a single poem?

"Teacher, I'm all alone with my mute wife, what do you think I can do? This man is the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, and he has some kind of problem. I'm a complete stranger to him, I just wrote a few poems, and he insists on killing me. I don't know if Emperor Wu is blind to such a petty Crown Prince."

Xiao Xingchen pointed innocently at his head, which made Lan Beitang secretly give him a thumbs up. He was the first person to dare to say that the Crown Prince of Daqian had something wrong with his head.

"You really didn't do anything?" The Saint still didn't believe him.

"I'd like to do something, but I don't have the ability. If you don't believe me, ask Lan Beitang. I really didn't do anything."

"Hey, that has nothing to do with me. You know what you're doing, I have no idea."

Lan Beitang quickly denied it, feeling that something was off about his words; he had a feeling that he was inviting trouble.

The Saint remained silent for a moment, then a servant approached.

"Besides the Crown Prince and the pavilion, who else is there?" the Second Sage asked.

"Reporting to the Second Sage, the leader is the Crown Prince of the Great Qian Dynasty, who is leading the city's defense forces. We also saw soldiers in golden armor inside the palace. In addition, the men in black are from several factions. Such a display..."

The attendant glanced at Xiao Xingchen, his eyes filled with suspicion as he looked at this suddenly appearing young man.

A sub-sage? Lan Beitang almost fell on his backside. Now he realized why Xiao Xingchen was so fearless; there was actually a sub-sage here.

Others may not understand the value of being a sage, but how could he, as the successor of the Blue City Study, not understand it?

Anyone who truly believes that scholars cannot wield a sword is sorely mistaken.

"Interesting. It seems like the entire Great Qian is hostile towards you. Xingchen, what exactly did you do?"

The Saint's face darkened.

Xiao Xingchen felt a chill run down her spine. She stood to the side, looking as wronged as a wronged wife, and timidly began to explain.

"Actually, I didn't do much. I just wrote two poems, which Lan Beitang can testify to. I also solved a riddle, which is said to be unsolvable. It is said that Emperor Wu said that whoever solves the riddle will be made a king."

"Anything else?" The Saint took a sip of tea, waiting for the rest of the story.

“No, that’s all. Lan Beitang can vouch for me; I didn’t do anything else.”

Lan Beitang was unusually angry. Xiao Xingchen kept saying he would testify, which seemed to be trying to drag him down with him.

He immediately explained,

“The Second Sage did indeed write two poems, but these poems are rather murderous.”

"Killing intent? What poem?"

Lan Beitang glanced at Xiao Xingchen with a troubled expression, repeatedly signaling him to speak quickly.

It's a bit dishonest to keep things hidden at this point. I've seen people cheat others before, but this is the first time I've seen someone actually cheat a Saint like Lan Beitang.

Through these conversations, Lan Beitang finally understood that the Sub-Saint seemed to have been tricked, and the young man who tricked him was currently looking aggrieved, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"How despicable!" This was the thought that Lan Beitang really wanted to say at that moment.