The Way of Spiritual Journey

Chapter 36, Not Selling Poetic Spirit

"Buy poems?" Li Lang was genuinely surprised to learn of Zhu Huaiyu's intention.

Back then, it was understandable that Li Lang sold his poems at Qifeng Tower. Given the circumstances and the moment, it was like an arrow on a bowstring, and when the moment was right, he had no choice but to release it.

At this moment, Zhu Huaiyu bluntly revealed his intentions, catching Li Lang completely off guard.

"What I want is a masterpiece like 'The Bright Moon in the Sky,' a work that has never been created before and will be passed down through generations." Zhu Huaiyu nodded with a smile.

"No, Young Master Zhu, there might be some misunderstanding. I've already said that it's not my work." Li Lang denied it without hesitation.

"Hmm." Hearing Li Lang's words, Zhu Huaiyu's smile widened. "You know what? That's what I admire most about you. No matter who asks, you always deny it to the death. My requirement is the same."

Upon hearing this, Li Lang was utterly speechless, thinking to himself, "What difference does it make whether I admit it or not?"

"Although I am somewhat literate, I am probably not capable of creating a masterpiece as you say, sir." Alright, since I can't refuse, let's talk business. And when it comes to business, we should act like business. Li Lang pondered for a moment, then shook his head, looking troubled.

"Here is a thousand taels of silver. Is that enough?" Zhu Huaiyu didn't waste any words. He took out a thousand-tael silver note and placed it on the table. Then he silently looked at Li Lang.

"Hmph!" Looking at the thousand-tael silver note, Li Lang subconsciously let out a disdainful "hmph" and blurted out, "Young master, you must have read the classics. Haven't you heard the saying, 'A good article can be passed down for ten thousand generations, but a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy the essence of poetry'?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Lang paused, thinking to himself, 'Hey, that's quite frank. And there was no plagiarism. Could it be that my writing skills have improved?'

Upon hearing this, Zhu Huaiyu was taken aback, his eyes revealing admiration mixed with a hint of shame. It seemed he understood what he meant.

Zhu Huaiyu did not refute, but took out a thousand-tael silver note from his pocket and gently placed it on the table, still remaining silent.

"I see. If there's no specific intention behind it, then it's worth considering." Li Lang isn't a poet, so he doesn't have any poetic talent to offer.

In his view, Tang and Song poems can be sold, but not cheaply; otherwise, it would be disrespectful to our ancestors.

Of course, selling at a high price is different; it's about bringing fame and glory to our ancestors.

"I have a specific purpose in mind. I have taken a liking to a talented woman who doesn't care about gold or silver, but only admires literary talent. That's why I've come to you here out of necessity. If you can help me, I will be eternally grateful." As he said this, Zhu Huaiyu's face showed expectation, and he clasped his hands in a bow.

"Sigh, it's not easy. A woman who can keep a spoiled brat like Zhu Huaiyu from even being bribed with silver notes is truly admirable!" Li Lang sighed inwardly, a thousand emotions welling up within him. "Women in ancient times were so simple..."

"That means we're writing a poem on a given topic. That's more difficult!" Li Lang nodded, then hesitated slightly.

"The young lady's name is Yun Ruoshui. I hope to include her name in the poem." Li Lang hesitated, and Zhu Huai was secretly pleased. This showed that Li Lang was sensible. He then took out two thousand-tael silver notes and placed them on the table.

"Alright, give me three days, and I'll definitely be able to consider it carefully." Li Lang was overjoyed when he saw the silver note, exclaiming that this pig's head was truly fat!

"Three days, no, no, I can't wait three days. I want it today, right now." Upon hearing "three days," Zhu Huaiyu's expression changed, and he shook his head repeatedly.

"No, do you think writing poetry is as easy as eating? It requires using your brain, okay? First, you need to have emotions, then you need to let them brew, then you need to repeatedly consider them, and only then can you possibly create a work... Sigh, it seems I'm not destined to have your money." Seeing Zhu Huaiyu shake his head, Li Lang didn't indulge him. He widened his eyes, raised his voice, and finally shook his head and sighed.

"Pah! Shameless merchant!" Zhu Huaiyu was furious when he saw Li Lang shaking his head and sighing. He had spent a lot of money today. He had never seen such a shameless person.

Zhu Huaiyu gritted his teeth, took out two more silver notes and placed them on the table. His fat face twitched visibly, showing how much he was hurting.

"Young Master Huaiyu, please wait a moment." Li Lang grabbed the silver notes on the table, left those words, and departed without looking back.

"Hmph, if you don't hand over something that satisfies me later, I'll turn your poetic bones into corpses." Zhu Huaiyu looked at Li Lang's despicable back and gritted his teeth in hatred.

A moment later, Li Lang returned and handed a piece of paper to Zhu Huaiyu.

"Having seen the vast ocean, other waters seem insignificant; having beheld the clouds of Wushan, other clouds are not worth seeing; I idly stroll through the flower-filled paths, too weary to look back; half my heart is devoted to cultivating the Tao, half to you."

With just one glance, Zhu Huaiyu was filled with shock. Yun Ruoshui, in just a moment, this masterpiece with her name added has already been created.

Zhu Huaiyu trembled with excitement. He had some doubts, but seeing the ink that was not yet dry, he realized that it had just been made and there was nothing suspicious about it.

"Hahaha, young master, you are truly talented! This six thousand taels of silver for your writing is definitely well spent!" Zhu Huaiyu held the poem and couldn't help but laugh heartily. It seems he does know how to distinguish good from bad.

"I'm ashamed, young master, you flatter me." Li Lang was secretly delighted, but he showed a look of shame on his face, as if he had really sold his literary talent, but fortunately, he hadn't sold it too cheaply.

"Hehe, in that case, I'll have to accept your thanks." Seeing Li Lang's attitude, Zhu Huaiyu thought to himself, "How pretentious," but decided to stop while he was ahead.

"Please name it, young master," Zhu Huaiyu said, just as he was about to leave, when he suddenly remembered something.

"Well, since you are seeking a virtuous woman, why not name it 'Phoenix Seeking Its Mate'?" Li Lang thought for a moment and then chose the poem's name.

"Phoenix Seeking Its Mate! Excellent!" Zhu Huaiyu was overjoyed to receive this poem's title and did not want to linger there for even a moment, so he immediately prepared to leave.

"Young master, please wait!" Li Lang's voice rang out again at this moment.

Zhu Huaiyu turned around, full of doubt, "Is this guy going to ask for more money?"

Li Lang certainly wanted to ask for more money, but adhering to the business philosophy of taking things slowly and steadily, he simply couldn't bring himself to ask.

Li Lang took out two exquisite porcelain boxes and handed them over.

"What is this?" Zhu Huaiyu asked, even more puzzled.

"This is a good thing. Consider it a small gift for your arrival, young master." Li Lang smiled, then whispered something mysteriously in Zhu Huaiyu's ear.

"Really, really that amazing?" Upon hearing Li Lang's whisper, Zhu Huaiyu's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"You'll know once you try it, young master," Li Lang nodded with a smile. He was very confident that in this ancient world where people had never seen the world, a small bar of soap could bring such a shocking impact.

"If that's the case, Huaiyu will definitely repay you handsomely in the future." Zhu Huaiyu didn't stand on ceremony and nodded solemnly.