Chapter 123: Is This Really the Name I Go By?

Chen Xiang suddenly became the center of attention. The crowd began to murmur, some speculating about his background, while others dismissed him as being hopelessly out of his depth.

Young Master Zhang and Young Master Li were also affected; they frowned as they looked over, their faces clearly showing their displeasure.

"Who are you? This is no place for you to intrude. Get down at once!" Young Master Zhang barked in a deep voice.

The commotion on the second floor had already disrupted his train of thought, though it had ended before he could discern the cause. Now, another unknown interloper was disturbing him, igniting a flicker of rage within him.

Young Master Wang also glared at Chen Xiang with a dark expression. Though he said nothing, his attitude clearly mirrored that of Young Master Zhang.

Miss Xiao watched Chen Xiang with an expression of deep anxiety, but with so many eyes upon her, she felt too embarrassed to call out to him.

"Hey, where did you come from? Didn't you hear Young Master Zhang tell you to get down? Hurry up!"

"Indeed, you are interrupting our chance to watch the two young masters compete!"

"The topic up there is beyond your capabilities. Just come down!"

"Sigh, what an ignorant fool."

...

As soon as Young Master Zhang spoke, many in the crowd chimed in. Young Master Zhang clearly relished the adulation, and his expression softened slightly. Young Master Wang merely cast a cold glance at the intruder before returning his focus to the topic at hand, lost in thought.

Chen Xiang shook his head and sighed, looking quite helpless. "Sigh, may I ask what is happening here?" he inquired.

"Pfft, we are exchanging poetry, obviously. Don't tell me you don't even know what's going on here?" someone immediately retorted.

A roar of laughter erupted from the crowd, impossible to contain.

"Hahaha, this kid dares to step onto the stage without even knowing the situation? Is he a fool?"

"I can't take it; he must be here to provide some comedy. He certainly succeeded in making me laugh."

"I suspect Miss Xiao thought we were tired from the competition and hired someone from a theater troupe to provide us some amusement."

...

Chen Xiang smiled at the person who had spoken. Ignoring the mocking laughter, he said lightly, "Since this is an exchange of poetry, what are you all doing? Watching a play?"

"Hmph, we are here to witness the exchange, and with Young Masters Zhang and Wang present, we dare not interrupt. They are renowned talents of the Dongliu Academy. What? Do you actually think you can compare to them?" the man sneered.

"Them? No," Chen Xiang replied with a detached expression.

The crowd shook their heads and sighed, finding Chen Xiang’s behavior incomprehensible. Except for a small minority, the rest sneered, believing Chen Xiang at least had the self-awareness to admit he could not compare to the two young masters.

Young Masters Zhang and Wang enjoyed a high reputation here. As long-standing rivals, the quality and quantity of the poetry they produced were remarkable, making them the representatives of the local literati. Wherever they were, other scholars would not dare to disturb them unless they had a specific piece of work requiring expert appraisal; instead, they would stand by and watch, waiting to witness the birth of a classic.

However, Chen Xiang was not angered by the crowd’s attitude; he simply found them somewhat ignorant.

"I am not targeting the two of them," Chen Xiang continued, "I am saying that everyone here is trash!"

His words plunged the room into silence. Chen Xiang smiled as he swept his gaze across the room, observing the stunned faces. When he caught sight of Miss Xiao’s dumbstruck expression, he slapped his forehead and said with a realization, "Oh, except for Miss Xiao!"

At this, Miss Xiao’s cheeks turned crimson, and she slowly lowered her head.

The crowd gradually snapped out of their shock, no longer able to maintain the composure of scholars.

"Preposterous! You dare to insult us? I challenge you to a duel!"

"A complete disgrace to civility!"

"Kid, you have ten breaths to apologize to us immediately!"

"So arrogant! You will never amount to anything!"

...

The crowd was incensed, hurling accusations at him. Even the two young masters on the stage wore icy glares. Everywhere they went in the Dongliu Academy, they were treated with respect. When had they ever been called trash? And in front of so many people? They felt they had suffered a grave humiliation.

"Heh, and what might your surname be, brother?" Young Master Wang stood up, offering a cold, insincere smile as he cupped his hands toward Chen Xiang.

Seeing Young Master Wang speak, the crowd quieted down, though they still glared at Chen Xiang, hoping the young master would teach him a lesson on their behalf.

"Heh, you want to know my name?" Chen Xiang chuckled, brushing his sleeves.

"What? Are you afraid to say it?" Young Master Wang asked with a faint, disdainful smile.

The crowd sneered; if he was too afraid to even state his name, he certainly wasn't any talented scholar of note.

Chen Xiang stood with his hands behind his back and said with a smile, "Heh, listen closely. My name is not something a nobody like you would remember. Being able to hear it is your good fortune!"

At these words, the crowd gasped, their eyes narrowing.

Was he actually someone of great importance? They had never seen him before, yet he was acquainted with Miss Xiao—a member of a prominent family in Liuxin City. Clearly, he must be someone extraordinary. And given his arrogance, perhaps he really was a famous figure.

Those who had previously criticized him felt a sudden prickle of unease.

Miss Xiao listened with a puzzled look. Isn't he called Chu Liuxiang? Is he really that famous abroad?

Young Masters Wang and Zhang, hearing the confidence in Chen Xiang's voice, straightened up and listened intently.

Chen Xiang smiled slightly and announced loudly, "Listen well! My surname is Shu, and my given name is Haoshu! Don't you dare get it wrong!"

"Shu Haoshu? I've never heard of such a person in Liuxin City," Young Master Zhang muttered, lost in thought.

Many in the crowd whispered the name repeatedly, trying to rack their brains to see if he was a famous scholar. But some realized the truth immediately.

Young Master Wang was among them. His face darkened, and he roared, "Audacious! You dare to mock us?"

His shout caused many others to realize they had been played. Young Master Zhang understood as well; having just repeated the name aloud, his face flushed a deep, liver-like purple.

"You! Kid, no matter who you are, I will not let you off!" Young Master Zhang pointed at Chen Xiang, trembling with rage.

Miss Xiao pondered the name as well. Once she said it a second time, she realized the play on words. She burst into a giggle, covering her mouth as her shoulders shook, a sight that left the men nearby utterly bewildered.

"This person dares to trifle with us! We must not let him go unpunished!"

"That's right! Young Masters, please help us teach him a lesson!"

"He cannot be spared!"

...

The crowd clamored, their faces full of indignation.

Chen Xiang shook his head with feigned helplessness. "Sigh, how did I mock you? That is my name. Is there something wrong with that?"