Chapter Eleven: The Eccentric Emperor of the Great Wu Kingdom

"Mr. Zhao!" Li Wenxuan hurried forward, cupping his hands in a respectful salute, apologizing, "I ran into a bit of trouble and am late. Please forgive me, sir."

"Oh, it’s no problem; we’ve only just sat down and had a few sips of tea," the Martial Emperor replied with a smile in his eyes, carefully appraising the young man before him.

This boy truly appeared unharmed in the slightest!

So, was he really a mid-ranking officer from the Northern Army, weak and easily defeated?

Or was this youth naturally gifted with divine strength?

Chief Steward Li was nearly startled into exclamation. You beat up the sons of so many powerful nobles in the capital and call that a minor matter?

You... as an overseer of the Eastern Depot, daringly pointing a blade at the officials, even that seemed bold beyond reason.

And where exactly did you learn such exquisite martial skills?

Despite the many spies the Eastern Depot had in the Western General’s residence, they could uncover nothing.

Could it be that there really were people born as masters?

"Your jade pendant, sir!" Li Wenxuan took out the jade pendant and handed it back to the Martial Emperor.

The Martial Emperor casually hung it at his waist, smiling, "Come inside with me."

Zhang Xiaogui watched Li Wenxuan stride in with such vigor and pride alongside this distinguished gentleman, his eyes full of envy.

Li Wenxuan, as they passed, winked at him—consider it a greeting.

Once everyone entered, Zhang Xiaogui, who had been tense as a spear, finally showed a look of envy and whispered, "How nice, another one who’s got a lifetime ticket to loaf and do nothing..."

Inside the Golden Tower, the literary and martial academies were separated: the Martial Academy on the left, and the Literary Academy on the right.

The Martial Emperor naturally led Li Wenxuan toward the Literary Academy.

But Li Wenxuan politely stopped him, "Mr. Zhao, please this way."

"Hmm?" The Martial Emperor glanced at Li Wenxuan in surprise. "Your poem yesterday alone could dominate the whole field. Why not go to the Literary Academy?"

Li Wenxuan couldn’t say that he had already inquired with the gatekeeper Zhang Xiaogui and learned that the entrance exam for the Literary Academy was an official test set by the Great Martial Kingdom, requiring filling in blanks from ancient classics and extensive memorization of original texts.

But he only had a rough grasp of common characters; even slightly obscure characters confused him.

Not to mention those designated ancient classic anthologies, which he might never have even heard of.

As an outsider, copying a few poems to bluff was one thing.

But if he was forced to write himself...

His true illiterate nature would be exposed immediately.

This was the reality, but Li Wenxuan couldn’t say it aloud.

He looked at the Martial Emperor and declared with conviction, "Fame and merit are won on horseback; truly, a hero and a man of valor! I have ambitions to command on the battlefield, so I wish to enter the Martial Academy."

‘Fame and merit are won on horseback; truly, a hero and a man of valor!’

The Martial Emperor’s eyes brightened instantly. This boy... spoke in such fine phrases!

If someone like you isn’t going to the Literary Academy, that would be a real waste. No way—come with me to the Literary Academy!

"Who says a civil official cannot command on the battlefield? Didn’t our Great Martial Kingdom’s Chancellor personally command the northern frontier seventeen years ago and oversee the legendary Battle of Shanhaiguan?"

A trace of nostalgia crossed the Martial Emperor’s face. What he didn’t know was that Li Wenxuan’s birth mother had been captured during that battle...

"Ah? That’s..." Li Wenxuan shook his head. "Though you say so, sir, I still wish to enter the Martial Academy."

"Ah, you stubborn child! Why so obstinate?" The Martial Emperor grasped Li Wenxuan’s arm with a smile. "The Literary Academy is far more enjoyable. I... truly do not deceive you. Let’s register first and then talk!"

Li Wenxuan wanted to resist, but Mr. Zhao was too enthusiastic...

Snatching away one’s hand so abruptly would wound such a passionate heart; if it displeased Mr. Zhao and he refused to recommend him, that would be a great loss.

At worst... he could claim to be good at practical affairs but only slightly familiar with the classics?

Yes, that would be his decision.

What he didn’t know was that Chief Steward Li’s eyes were nearly popping out.

When had His Majesty ever been so intimate with anyone?

Forget the princes and princesses, even the Crown Prince had never been this close to the emperor!

Chief Steward Li immediately raised the rank of the Eastern Depot post planned for Li Wenxuan several levels in his mind.

At minimum... it had to be at least a commander of a thousand households!

This was no ordinary Li Xiaoyou; this was Li Xiaoyou embraced by the emperor himself!

As they neared the registration desk, Li Wenxuan’s nervousness shifted from slight to full-on, then to nonchalance, and finally to a state of ‘a dead pig isn’t afraid of boiling water.’

The Martial Emperor only cared about getting Li Xiaoyou into the Literary Academy.

Li Xiaoyou, however, had many things to consider.

For example, was he truly born speaking poetry?

Or, who said that not understanding the classics meant you couldn’t write poetry?

...

In the end...

He watched as Mr. Zhao took the pen from the old scholar behind the desk and quietly instructed, "Go on, busy yourself!"

The old scholar nodded respectfully and quickly walked away, head bowed.

Mr. Zhao held the pen, smiling at Li Wenxuan, "Li Xiaoyou, most who register here change their names. Do you have a former name?"

Hmm?

Another thing to consider?

But...

"Why don’t you give me one, sir?"

"Hmm?" The Martial Emperor was slightly stunned, then laughed. "Me to give you one?"

His thoughts were simple: he didn’t want Li Wenxuan’s abilities to be exposed too soon, so he played a little trick now.

However, if he were to give Li Wenxuan a name, that would be tantamount to bestowing a name—a supreme honor.

Such a person was rare in the entire Great Martial Kingdom.

"Since you are my recommender and there’s such a rule, it’s only fitting that you name me!"

Li Xiaoyou knew how to pass the task on.

The Martial Emperor smiled faintly, seemingly agreeing.

"Ah—"

Chief Steward Li clenched his teeth, burning with envy and jealousy.

Your Majesty, do you remember your old servant?

I’ve waited for a name from you my whole life!

But the scoundrel emperor paid no heed to the resentful gaze of the chief eunuch and, with great interest, began pondering names for Li Wenxuan...

"Your name, Wenxuan, is too refined—lacks a sharp edge..."

The Martial Emperor imagined cultivating such a young man, unafraid of authority and gifted with literary grace, into his sharpest blade.

Then...

"Then you shall be called Li Invincible!"

Huh?

Li Wenxuan hadn’t expected the seemingly composed Mr. Zhao to be so childish.

Li Invincible?

You invincible?

If you truly were invincible, it would surely be lonely.

"Hmm? What’s wrong? Don’t like it?" The Martial Emperor frowned.

Boy, do you not know how many people in the Martial Kingdom have their ancestral graves smoking?

No, blazing with fire, and none have been treated like this!

Even the chancellor who risked his life commanding at the Battle of Shanhaiguan was merely one of the few granted a name by me!

"Li Xiaoyou, quickly agree!"

Chief Steward Li was scratching his head in envy.

Li Invincible! What a domineering name!

Sounds just like an Eastern Depot deputy overseer!

"No, I fear loneliness."

Li Wenxuan strongly rejected such a childish name; better to be called Li Lonely.

The Martial Emperor was frustrated. "What’s lonely about that name?"

Li Wenxuan said resolutely, "Invincibility is loneliness!"

Hmm?

Sometimes the Martial Emperor felt the job was truly lonely.

A sovereign of a nation, bestowing a name—who wouldn’t be grateful, weeping tears of joy, praying to the heavens, burning incense to ancestors?

But you, boy, not only don’t thank me,

You even dislike the name and come up with such a clumsy excuse?

Still, invincibility... did seem rather lonely.

"Fine then..." The Martial Emperor waved his hand with a hint of mischief, "You shall be called Li Fierce!"

Li Fierce?

Why not call him Wretched Fierce?

Mr. Zhao, don’t you know you have a beast of a father named Li Tiger?

Huh?

Li Tiger?

Li Fierce?

Li Wenxuan laughed. That actually seemed quite fitting!

On the contrary—it seemed perfect!