FRGNM -Chapter 82 Winning by Cleverness

Even more terrifying was the fact that the man’s original wounds had completely healed—every single whip mark on his body was gone, without leaving the slightest scar!

No wonder Luo Mingyu had suffered such severe injuries back then and yet hadn’t been left with even a trace of scarring. So it was because of such miraculous medicine.

But…

Ling Ruoxi knew very well that every medicine carries some poison. A drug that could heal so quickly must also have side effects—it was just unknown when those side effects would erupt.

And at that moment, she also understood something clearly.

This round, she had lost.

She lost to the pill.

Qiongyu Immortal Island possessed countless spiritual medicines—how could the North Ning Kingdom possibly compare? The herbs she gathered were only meant for treating ordinary injuries. They were nowhere near as all-purpose as that pill.

She had lost.

Smiling faintly, Ling Ruoxi felt no disappointment at all. Instead, she was wondering—if she lost all three rounds, what would Luo Mingyu do then?

“Eh? I… I’m cured?” After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the man who had been rolling on the ground froze for a moment. He pressed his hands against his legs and instinctively stood up.

His once-broken legs were completely healed, and even the nerves in his brain seemed restored. He jumped a few times on the spot, then burst into laughter.

“I’m healed! I’m really healed! I—”

Shk!

Just as the man was celebrating, a merciless sword pierced straight through his body.

The one who struck him… was Dongmei, the very woman who had saved him.

“You!” Ling Ruoxi froze. She had never expected the woman before her to kill the man she had just healed.

Dongmei pulled out a silk handkerchief and calmly wiped the blood from her blade. She looked at Ling Ruoxi with disdain and said coldly, “It’s very simple. The medicines of our Immortal Island are not something people like him deserve to consume. I merely took his life according to the rules. Your Highness, who do you think won the first round?”

Nangong Mo frowned and glanced at Ling Ruoxi standing on the platform. Then he turned his head away.
“The first round—Dongmei wins.”

“Very well.” Dongmei smiled faintly. “Let us proceed to the second round—poetry. Since I won the first round, the second question will be set by my young master. Young Master, please.”

Luo Song folded his hands on the table and raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Then I’ll present five couplets. Best of five—first to three wins. Both of you may answer freely. Luo Mingyu, does that sound fair?”

At least this way, he wouldn’t let that man lose too badly.

Luo Mingyu curled his lips and spread his hands. “Anything is fine. Ruoxi, you already yielded the first round. In the second round, don’t hold back anymore.”

This man…

Ling Ruoxi couldn’t help laughing and shook her head. “Alright, I understand.”

Couplets?

She just hoped she’d recognize them. But since Luo Song was the one setting the questions, wouldn’t he cheat? After all, Dongmei was his personal maid—she must have read countless poems and essays.

The fragrance from the lotus pond drifted through the air. Luo Song inhaled it lightly and tapped the table with his fingers.

“Then let’s use lotus flowers as the theme. I’ll improvise—Lotus stalks, roots, pods, seeds.”

Dongmei’s lips curved slightly as she glanced at the peonies and hibiscus blooming in the courtyard, their beauty dazzling.

Since they were so lovely, why waste their devotion?

She replied softly,
Hibiscus and peonies, fragrant blossoms.

Damn it!

Was he bullying her for being bad at literature?!

Ling Ruoxi almost wanted to rush over and beat Luo Song up. A man with such severe cleanliness obsession actually came up with such nauseating verses—how was she supposed to respond?!

Seeing Ling Ruoxi’s helplessness, Luo Song clapped his hands and laughed. “Very neat. Then, Miss Ling, pay attention—here comes the second question.

Refreshing air comes from the west, clouds and mist sweep away heaven and earth’s sorrow.”

“The great river flows east, washing away the sorrows of ancient and modern times.”

As if rehearsed, the two answered without hesitation.

Ling Ruoxi was so angry she almost jumped on the spot.

Damn it! If only she’d studied more classical poetry back then. Now, aside from a few famous lines, she couldn’t think of anything at all!

She stood there dumbly, almost pulling her hair out, drawing laughter from the crowd.

As if he’d had enough fun, Luo Song smiled. “Seems my questions were too difficult. Miss Ling, I’ll give you the final three chances—you set the questions. If Dongmei answers even one, we win.”

“Really?” Ling Ruoxi’s eyes lit up. She cleared her throat and smiled.

“Then I won’t refuse. Listen carefully—When the wind rises, great cold, frost descends—before the house forms light snow.”

This line made not only Luo Song, but even Nangong Mo frown slightly.

The scholars in the academy had taught such poetic riddles before. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but it secretly contained three solar terms—subtle and profound.

She could actually come up with such a couplet?!

Luo Song’s heart trembled. He frowned, tapping the table, thinking for a long time—yet unable to answer.

Dongmei frowned even more deeply. She hadn’t expected Ling Ruoxi to pose such a question and had no clue how to respond.

Shaking her head, Ling Ruoxi cracked her fingers and twisted her neck. “You can’t answer something this simple? Fine, I’ll answer it myself. The second line is—When the sun shines, Dragon Boat Festival and Qingming—under the water appears Double Ninth.”

“When the wind rises, great cold, frost descends—before the house forms light snow.
When the sun shines, Dragon Boat Festival and Qingming—under the water appears Double Ninth.”

Luo Mingyu smiled faintly. He hadn’t expected her to know such couplets. This one was far more advanced than the previous two. If she could handle this, she should have been able to answer the earlier ones as well.

Judging by her silly expression, though, she probably hadn’t come up with it herself.

Feeling proud, Ling Ruoxi’s brain spun rapidly. “Ten mouths, one heart—thinking of you, thinking of the state, thinking of the nation.”

“……”

Dongmei frowned, clenching her fists silently, unable to respond.

Ling Ruoxi propped her chin on her hand and smiled. “Eight eyes together admire—admire flowers, admire the moon, admire Qiuxiang.”

This was one of the most legendary couplets from Stephen Chow’s movies—how could she not know it?

If she was setting the questions, she guaranteed they’d be left speechless!

There was only one question left.

If she won this, the second round would be a tie!

Final ultimate move!

Ling Ruoxi took a deep breath and laughed coldly. “Final question—quick answer!

Orioles and swallows, greens and reds—everywhere harmonious and delightful!”

“……”

Damn it, what kind of couplet was that?!

Luo Song nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. His brain worked at lightning speed, but he simply couldn’t match the rhythm.

Dongmei shot him an anxious look. They had planned to make Ling Ruoxi lose all three rounds—but they hadn’t expected her to turn the tables!

“Don’t know?” Ling Ruoxi smiled calmly and touched her nose.

“Then the second line is—Rain and wind, flowers and leaves—year after year, dusk and dawn!
I won three rounds. So tell me—who won the second match?”

Heaven is helping me!

At that moment, Ling Ruoxi wanted to shout with joy. What was supposed to be a guaranteed loss had actually turned into a comeback.

That meant she could now set conditions for the next round!

How tempting!

Heh—just wait and see!

Nangong Mo chuckled and clapped his hands. “Excellent. The second round—Ruoxi wins. Young Master Luo Song, you’ve lost this one.”

“Dongmei is merely a maid. Naturally, her learning cannot compare to Miss Ling’s.”

Anyone could hear how forced Luo Song’s tone was—especially his expression, which looked as if he’d just swallowed something foul.

Clapping her hands, Ling Ruoxi proudly looked toward Luo Mingyu. The man seated there smiled faintly and raised his thumb—at least she hadn’t embarrassed him. As for where she’d learned those couplets, even he didn’t know.

Snapping her fingers, Ling Ruoxi touched her nose and smiled. “Since it’s already decided, the third round is a contest of combat. You already know my background, so you should also know I don’t use Dou Qi. How about this—Dongmei and I fight barehanded. No Dou Qi allowed. We continue until one side admits defeat or is beaten so badly they can’t stand. What do you say, Young Master Luo Song?”

A sly smile appeared on her lips. Standing there, one hand supporting her chin, her slightly wicked grin made the onlookers freeze for a moment.

Ling Ruoxi had gone out to study medicine—no matter how skilled she was, how could she compare to a trained Dou Qi practitioner?

Luo Mingyu, however, wasn’t worried at all. He knew her abilities better than anyone—especially after what he’d seen in the forest. That frail-looking woman, light enough to hurt when held, had managed to hold out alone for so long—it was unbelievable.

“Hmph, fine.” Luo Song laughed disdainfully. Every maid by his side was a high-level Dou Qi practitioner. Against someone like Ling Ruoxi, even without Dou Qi, Dongmei could easily take her down.

It was precisely because of this overconfidence that Luo Song completely underestimated how strong Ling Ruoxi truly was.

He assumed that since she was thin and couldn’t use Dou Qi, her martial skills must be mediocre.

He was wrong.

This time, he was wrong in the worst possible way.

“Then the third round begins,” Nangong Mo said, frowning slightly. Remembering how Ling Ruoxi always ended up covered in injuries, he couldn’t help but worry. Still, without Dou Qi, it would be much safer.

He just hoped she wouldn’t get hurt this time.

Ling Ruoxi smiled faintly and casually tossed away the dagger she carried. Dongmei also threw aside her soft sword, clenching her fists as she faced Ling Ruoxi.

Ling Ruoxi didn’t rush to attack. She stood loosely, hands guarding her front—a mere stance, lacking any obvious combat aura.

“Pfft—haha! What kind of posture is that? She thinks she can fight like this?”

“She doesn’t even look like she’s standing properly. Is she mocking us?”

“She looks so thin and weak. She should attack first—maybe she could gain some advantage.”

“This round isn’t even worth watching. The opponent is a strong Dou Qi practitioner—she can probably knock her down even without using Dou Qi.”

Very few people believed in Ling Ruoxi. The crowd laughed at her movements.

Only the man seated there slowly closed his eyes.

He remembered very clearly—this exact posture was how Ling Ruoxi had sent a charging magical beast flying back then.

That power was something no ordinary person could unleash.

It rivaled an orange-rank Dou Qi practitioner.

Anyone who underestimated her would pay a terrible price.

“Aren’t you attacking?” Dongmei sneered coldly, looking at Ling Ruoxi’s seemingly ridiculous stance as she shook out her hands. “If you won’t come, then I will!”