Троецарствие и бесчисленные царства

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A Compendium of Handsome Men in the Martial World (Online Name: The Post-Martial World Era of Male Beauty)

Author: Ge Yang

Prologue: The Grand Tournament at Yunge Pavilion - A Difficult Match for a Green-Clad Woman

Chang'an Avenue.

In peaceful times, the people are prosperous, and everywhere is filled with song and dance. The capital city is the most prosperous city in the land, with countless extraordinary people and events. Although it is not as wealthy as the south of the Yangtze River, nor as fierce as the north, it has the advantage of a broad perspective. Ordinary festivities are unlikely to attract a large crowd of onlookers.

However, this event today caused hundreds of thousands of people throughout the capital to spread the news and marvel at it. Yunge, the premier restaurant on Chang'an Street, was completely surrounded by crowds. Even the Prefect of the Capital was alarmed and specially dispatched two hundred soldiers to maintain order.

Above the Cloud Pavilion, a diverse mix of people gathered. There were the most renowned scholars and literati, the young talents from various martial arts sects, the famously beautiful female warriors, and even nobles and royalty incognito. Of course, some idle commoners, out of curiosity, also squeezed into good spots to join in the fun.

Four scholars, dressed in scholar's robes and turbans, stood in the hall. Their handsome faces, usually so refined as they discussed poetry and literature, were now ashen, like defeated roosters. They faced a small table, behind which stood two maids, each holding an exquisite round fan, gently fanning the fragrant tea in a porcelain cup on the table. The steam from the tea rose slowly, dissipating, seemingly out of place in the tense atmosphere…

So, what left all the onlookers dumbfounded was either the four Confucian scholars, the two maids, or Xiangming?

Of course not.

The person whose gaze was focused suddenly sighed softly and gracefully rose from beside the small table. She extended her jade-like foot, clad in expensive silk shoes, and took two slow, deliberate steps forward, every movement drawing the breath of everyone present. However, the words that followed left everyone speechless.

"In this vast world, there is not a single person who can match my poem. There are thousands upon thousands of people in the world who call themselves talented, but it turns out they are all just empty words."

The four scholars' faces turned from green to white, then from white to green again, but they couldn't find the words to refute this arrogant statement.

The woman before him had her black hair half-gathered and half-loose, with a jade and gold hairpin tucked into her hair. Her face was softly covered with a layer of yellow gauze, revealing only her two slender phoenix eyes that shone with a sharp light.

The atmosphere was heavy for a moment before one of the scholars reluctantly spoke: "I have long heard that Miss Yin is exceptionally talented, not inferior to any man. Meeting her today, I know the rumors are true. She truly deserves to be called the most talented woman in the world. I am convinced."

Miss Yin chuckled lightly, her eyes remaining completely still: "It is the newly appointed top scholar, Lord Deng Qinghui. No wonder he has such a magnanimous spirit. However, today's matter cannot be resolved so easily with just a simple 'I admit defeat' from the top scholar."

A hint of annoyance flashed across Deng Qinghui's refined face. He barely managed to suppress his dissatisfaction and still said politely, "Miss Yin, isn't the purpose of today's Yunge Poetry Competition to make me bow my head and admit defeat? I am willing to admit defeat, so please, Miss Yin, stop here."

Miss Yin laughed again: "Is the top scholar blaming me for being too demanding?"

Deng Qinghui hurriedly said, "I did not mean that, Miss Yin has misunderstood."

"A misunderstanding?" Miss Yin sneered, her expression suddenly changing. "The day the top scholar gathered all the scholars in the land to humiliate my sister Mansi, is that considered a misunderstanding? Women are all ignorant and illiterate, is that considered a misunderstanding? Although my sister Mansi disguised herself as a man to become the second-ranked scholar, she did so through genuine talent and learning. Even the current emperor recognizes her talent, yet you bunch of pedantic scholars forced her to abandon her official post and leave the capital, wandering outside. Is that considered a misunderstanding?"

"This..." Deng Qinghui was speechless with shock, her heart filled with trepidation. So this was the reason she had set up the Cloud Pavilion challenge today!

This young lady, named Wuxiao, could compose poetry at the age of three, write prose at seven, and even write poems on the topics of the imperial examinations at the age of twelve. Her poems were read by chance by the prime minister, who was amazed by them, and she was thus awarded the title of the most talented woman. By the time she reached marriageable age, her poetic fame had spread throughout the capital, and students preparing for the examinations all used her poems and prose as models.

The Yin family had been booksellers for generations, but their fortunes declined after the early death of Yin's parents. Yin Wuxiao had no siblings and took charge of the household at the age of twelve. After Yin Wuxiao took over, the Yin family's business prospered day by day. Within five years, everyone in the capital knew that the Yin family had a prodigy who could excel in both literature and business, making them the richest family in the world.

"You scholars, gentlemen," Miss Yin said loudly, "Since you all spoke so arrogantly and looked down on women, don't blame me for being so competitive today. Yin Wuxiao has no other request than to ask all of you here to bear witness, and I also ask you, the scholar, to admit that women's talents surpass those of men."

"You!" Anger flashed across the faces of the four scholars simultaneously, and a clamor erupted throughout the Cloud Pavilion. From ancient times to the present, only men have been superior to women, and men have been noble while women are lowly. This Miss Yin actually dared to publicly demand that the top scholar of the imperial examination acknowledge that women are superior to men…

"Yin Wuxiao, you woman are far too arrogant!" A crisp, delicate shout suddenly broke the silence of the room.

A fragrant breeze wafted by, and to everyone's surprise, a young girl in red appeared on the spot. She was beautiful, her clothes flowing gracefully, and she carried a subtle fragrance.

What superb lightness skill! Some discerning people present sighed inwardly, recognizing that this woman was none other than the second young lady of the Yuwen family, a martial arts family, Yuwen Hongying, also known as Red Dew Hands.

In today's martial arts world, where powerful figures abound, the most influential are undoubtedly the "One Prefecture, Two Gangs, and Three Families." The "One Prefecture" refers to Baili Prefecture in Jiangnan; the "Two Gangs" are the Beggars' Clan and the Qiao Clan; and the "Three Families" are the Yan Family of Shanxi, the Zhang Family of Sichuan, and the Yuwen Family of Hubei. Yuwen Hongying's recent fame surpasses that of other members of the Yuwen Family, not because of her stunning beauty or her masterful Red Bell Flying Technique, but because of her undisguised infatuation with the young master in blue from Baili Prefecture.

The young master in blue robes from Baili Prefecture was of noble character and kind nature. His flawless appearance was breathtaking. The *Records of Handsome Men in the Martial World* testifies to this: "Boundless spring colors veil the blue-robed one, winter snow lingers, parting from his azure eyes; a cool autumn meets the bright moon, a summer night's carefree intoxication steals hearts." These four lines represent four exceptionally handsome men in the martial world, with Baili Qingyi at the forefront. Many young women in the martial world secretly admired Baili Qingyi, but none dared to express their love as boldly as Yuwen Hongying.

Why would Yuwen Hongying seek trouble with Miss Yin, who is outside the martial arts world? No one present could answer that question.

Miss Yin paused for a moment before saying leisurely, "So it is Miss Yuwen. What virtue or ability do I possess to trouble Lady Yuwen to come all the way from a thousand miles away to scold me? Alas, I am truly ashamed."

Yuwen Hongying gritted her teeth. This Yin Wuxiao was indeed sharp-tongued!

Without further ado, she pulled a scroll of paper from her sleeve: "Yin Wuxiao, you call yourself the most talented woman in the world, so you must have some skills. Let me ask you, can you match the absolute verse of the Hundred-Li Mansion's Green Robe?"

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

Miss Yin was also taken aback.

Everyone knows that the young master in blue from Baili Prefecture is the epitome of a refined and elegant gentleman, the dream lover of every woman in the martial world. And that young master in blue, that young master in blue…

That poem, "The Verse in Green," was written by the young master in green when he was twenty-two. It is said that he once declared that whichever woman could match the poem would be his destined lover.

That absolute in blue robes was actually the absolute choice of the young master in blue robes for a wife...

It is said that the perfect couplet is engraved on a screen wall in Baili Prefecture, but very few women have had the opportunity to see it. Of all the women who have seen it, none have been able to match the two stanzas, hence the name "perfect couplet."

Now, Yuwen Hongying has copied it down and given it to Miss Yin. What is her intention?

Yin Wuxiao pondered for a moment before saying, "Is this the legendary Azure Robe Absolute?"

“That’s right!” Yuwen Hongying’s eyes gleamed with a strange light. “If you have the guts, then come and challenge me to a duel, so that everyone can see whether your title of the number one talented woman is just an empty name!”

Yin Wuxiao lowered her eyes and remained silent. For women of the martial world, fighting and killing were commonplace; when it came to composing couplets, few were truly skilled. She pondered that this woman in green might not actually possess any particularly rare and excellent lines.

She took the scroll of poems, but without unfolding it, she slowly raised her head and teased, "If I were to match the poems, wouldn't that embarrass you?"

Yuwen Hongying raised her chin and smiled disdainfully: "If you are a match for me, I, Yuwen Hongying, will hand over the Green-Clad Gentleman to you!"

"Give it up with bare hands?" Yin Wuxiao repeated in a low voice with a strange expression.

Two pretty maids behind her interjected, "Giving it away with bare hands? First of all, it has to be your own thing before you can talk about giving it away, right?"

"That's right. Besides, even if she wanted to give it up, our young lady might not be willing to accept it!"

"What did you say?" Yuwen Hongying was furious. These words had offended both her and the young master in blue. How could she possibly contain her fiery temper? Just as she was about to erupt, she was stopped by Yin Wuxiao's clear voice.

“Jiu’er, Shi’er, don’t be rude. What kind of person is the young master in blue? How can we presume to comment on him?” She nodded to Yuwen Hongying. “Miss Yuwen, how about this? Between us, it will only be a discussion of poetry. Whether I can come up with a matching couplet or not, it will have nothing to do with the young master in blue.”

Yuwen Hongying was stunned. Could it be that Yin Wuxiao was so arrogant that he didn't even care about the young man in blue?

She glanced at her reluctantly, but still nodded.

Yin Wuxiao pursed his lips and gently unfolded the paper in his hand.

The whole world seemed to hold its breath.

The most talented woman in the world, veiled in mist, glanced around gently, but the smile in her eyes slowly faded...

Across from Yunge, in a small, sluggish restaurant, two people sat by the window.

One of them smiled and fanned himself, saying, "Tell me, can the most talented woman in the world match the Qingyi couplet perfectly?"

The other person frowned and said, "But I want to know why Yuwen Hongying is able to challenge us with the Green Robe."

Neither of the two individuals, nor even the others within the Cloud Pavilion, could have foreseen that this seemingly unrelated literary contest would become the beginning of a bloody storm. That very night, over twenty people from the Yin household, including the steward, maids, servants, and wet nurse, were brutally murdered. And Miss Yin herself vanished without a trace.

The name Yin Wuxiao has become both a tragedy and a legend.

Chapter One: The Man in Green Robes in the Peerless Beauty Pavilion (Part 1)

If we're talking about the place where beauties from all over the world gather, Luoyang's Jueshe Tower is undoubtedly the best. Here, there are wealthy merchants who spend lavishly and unrestrained chivalrous heroes. Just like every day before, it's filled with the heroic spirit of drinking heavily and disregarding kings and nobles, and the tender affection of peacocks in the spring breeze and jade screens.

Today, the annual grand event of the two most beautiful courtesans showcasing their talents is taking place, and Jinniang, the head of the household, is extremely busy.

However, Jinniang stopped in her tracks, a hint of confusion appearing between her brows. Her gaze fixed on the white-clad man sitting alone by the window. He had many wrinkles around his mouth, the air of a romantic young master, and although his clothes were made of expensive fabric, his appearance was shabby. He carried a jug of wine, poured himself a drink, and muttered to himself, as if he were detached from all the clamor of the world…

As if sensing Jinniang's gaze, the man in white turned his eyes and met her gaze.

A big smile spread across his lips.

Jinniang, a veteran of countless battles, blushed.

She quickly looked away, touching her burning cheeks, only to see Xu Dade, one of Luoyang's most famous and wealthy men, stride in, gleaming with gold. Xu Dade owned the largest pawnshop in Luoyang and liked to wear all the jewels from his pawnshop to highlight his extraordinary and refined demeanor.

Jinniang took a deep breath and was about to go forward to greet them.

Xu Dade stood in the hall, like a giant lantern. The lantern slowly turned a circle, instantly illuminating the entire hall.

The lantern paused for a moment.

Huh, where did this little beggar, who looks like a speck of black mud, come from? How dare he stand in the middle of the Peerless Pavilion as if no one else is around? And he even has his hands behind his back, his head tilted to one side, carefully examining Xu Dade.

Is this the legendary vicious bully? The little beggar blinked, his eyes filled with intense curiosity. He stretched out a shiny black hand and gently tugged at the hem of Xu Dade's sleeve, which was adorned with gold sequins.

"Grandpa, I'm hungry."

Xu Dade paused, staring at his sleeve, then back at the little beggar.

The little beggar blinked, then stared back pitifully.

After a brief standoff, tears welled up in Xu Dade's eyes.

"Why are you touching me? How disgusting! How disgusting!"

The little beggar's calm eyes suddenly widened, and he gave a spectacular jerk from his toes to his head. This bully was... not quite like the legends.

The servants of the Xu family rushed up and slapped the ten-year-old beggar across the face, knocking him to the ground.

"You've got some nerve! How dare you, a lowly slut, touch Young Master Xu's body?"

Xu Dade clutched his sleeve, tears glistening on his mustache, a pitiful sight to behold.

"His...his sleeve got dirty...hit him, spank him hard!"

Jinniang saw all the guests at the Jueshelou Pavilion looking in their direction with surprise, and a bitter smile appeared on her face.

"Uncle Xu, aren't you ruining my business? Please forgive him this time for my sake, Jinniang's sake."

Xu Dade lowered his head and wiped away his tears, remaining silent. The servants of the Xu household shrugged their shoulders and grinned as they lifted a chair from the table.

Jinniang glanced at the little beggar with some pity, but didn't say anything to stop him. Xu Dade was the number one scoundrel in Luoyang. Although he was a bit mentally challenged, his uncle's brother-in-law's father-in-law was a high-ranking official in the capital. He couldn't afford to offend a small brothel.

The little beggar covered his face and fell to the ground, as if he were stunned, the chair he had raised high was about to smash down...

"Stop!" A man in white casually strolled past with his hands behind his back.

Jinniang's mouth dropped open. Wasn't this the mysterious guest by the window?

The man in white slowly surveyed his surroundings, an aura of righteous indignation rising from him. He coughed lightly, then recited, as if reciting a poem, "In broad daylight, under the clear sky..."

"Attack!" Xu Dade shouted.

"Huh?" The man in white stared wide-eyed, unable to believe that there was such a tyrant who wouldn't cooperate with his chivalrous deeds, not even letting him finish his opening remarks. His eyes were round and quite cute, and the surging, righteous aura immediately crashed to the ground behind him.