Chapter 5: A Mind Like a Blade
959 Words
The archery competition had ended.
But no one knew who had won.
The three arrows of Shen Lie and the three arrows of Lan Yuze were almost perfectly placed in the center.
The judges gathered around the target.
Everyone waited.
After several moments, the chief judge finally stepped forward.
"After carefully examining the targets..."
The entire field became silent.
"The winner is..."
He paused.
"Lan Yuze of the Lan family!"
For a moment, there was complete silence.
Then—
Applause erupted across the field.
Lan family members smiled proudly.
Lan Qingshan's face showed clear happiness.
Lan Yichen looked at his younger brother with pride.
Mei Lian's eyes were filled with joy.
Yuze simply lowered his head politely.
The Shen family was surprised.
They had always believed that Shen Lie could not easily be defeated.
One of them looked at Shen Lie.
"Our son finally has someone who can match him."
Another smiled.
"And that's a good thing."
Shen Lie himself remained quiet.
Usually, whenever someone defeated him, even in a small competition, his expression became cold and his temper changed.
But today—
Nothing happened.
No anger.
No frustration.
No disappointment.
He simply looked toward Lan Yuze.
And smiled.
A small, almost invisible smile.
Everyone noticed.
The princes looked at one another.
"Shen Lie lost."
"Why isn't he angry?"
"He's actually smiling."
No one understood.
Shen Lie didn't care.
His eyes remained on Yuze.
Yuze happened to look up.
Their eyes met.
Shen Lie's smile became slightly more obvious.
Yuze quickly lowered his eyes.
The announcement continued.
"Tomorrow's competition will test intelligence and judgment."
The guards placed several scrolls and wooden puzzle boxes on the table.
"The princes will be given difficult puzzles and questions."
"The purpose is to determine who possesses the wisdom and judgment necessary to become a capable future ruler."
Everyone became interested.
"Tomorrow," the guard continued, "the competition begins at sunrise."
The princes slowly began leaving.
Some were already confident.
"This time, I'll win."
"Archery was just luck."
"Tomorrow is different."
---
The next morning arrived quickly.
The competition grounds were once again filled with princes and young nobles.
This time, there were no bows.
No swords.
Only tables covered with puzzles, scrolls, and questions.
The first puzzle was placed before each participant.
It looked complicated.
Several princes immediately frowned.
"What is this?"
"This makes no sense."
One prince pushed the puzzle away.
"Are you making fun of us?"
The royal guard remained calm.
"Take your time. Think carefully."
The princes began working.
Some became frustrated.
Some scratched their heads.
Others stared at the puzzle without understanding it.
Shen Lie sat quietly.
He studied his puzzle.
A few moments later, he moved the pieces.
Solved.
He was given another.
Solved.
Another.
Solved.
He never complained.
Never became impatient.
He simply worked.
Soon, the great master sitting at the front approached him.
He was one of the most respected scholars in the kingdom.
"Prince Shen Lie."
Shen Lie looked up.
The master began asking difficult questions.
Questions about strategy.
Leadership.
Justice.
War.
The kingdom.
Shen Lie answered each one calmly.
His answers were clear and thoughtful.
The master nodded with approval.
Shen Lie gave a small smile and returned to his seat.
Around him, several princes were still struggling.
Some had solved the puzzles but couldn't answer the questions.
Others answered the questions but made mistakes.
Then Lan Yichen finished his puzzle.
The judges checked his answers.
"Correct."
Lan Yichen smiled.
Then it was Lan Yuze's turn.
He looked at the puzzle.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
He carefully studied every piece.
Then his fingers moved.
One piece.
Then another.
Then another.
The entire puzzle was solved.
The judge stared.
"Correct."
Yuze moved to the next one.
It took him even less time.
Soon, every puzzle before him had been solved.
The great master approached.
"Lan Yuze."
Yuze respectfully raised his eyes.
The master began asking questions.
Yuze answered every one.
His answers were neither too long nor too short.
He explained his reasoning clearly.
Even when the master tried to make the questions more difficult, Yuze remained calm.
At last, the master smiled.
"Excellent."
The judges gathered together.
Everyone waited.
Then the announcement came.
"The winner is..."
A pause.
"Lan Yuze."
The Lan family immediately smiled.
Lan Yichen looked proud.
Lan Qingshan nodded happily.
Mei Lian's eyes shone with happiness.
Shen Lie stared at Yuze.
He was impressed.
Very impressed.
The other princes were not nearly as pleased.
Some looked irritated.
One whispered,
"He's good at everything."
Another frowned.
"Yesterday he beat Shen Lie in archery. Today he wins the intelligence competition."
"Tomorrow is swordsmanship."
"He won't be able to win that."
The announcement continued.
"Tomorrow's competition will be swordsmanship."
The princes immediately became excited.
They looked toward Yuze.
One laughed.
"These were children's games."
"Let's see what you do tomorrow."
"You're so delicate. Can you even hold a sword properly?"
Yuze said nothing.
He didn't answer any of them.
The princes eventually left.
Shen Lie remained behind.
He walked past Yuze.
Then stopped.
He looked at him.
"Very good."
Yuze slowly raised his eyes.
Shen Lie's voice became quieter.
"Lan Yuze..."
He smiled.
"You're exactly my type."
Yuze froze.
He looked at Shen Lie, confused.
He didn't know what the words meant.
Shen Lie simply gave him a small smile.
Then walked away.
From a distance, several people had noticed the exchange.
But no one heard what Shen Lie had said.
Yuze remained standing there.
His eyes followed Shen Lie for a moment.
Then he lowered his gaze again.
Tomorrow would be the sword competition.
And for the first time, everyone was waiting to see whether the quietest member of the Lan family could stand against the strongest young swordsman in the kingdom.
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