There is Only One Immortal Poet

"This Peach and Plum Garden Banquet is merely a pretentious display of literature by Situ Da Bao."

Tao Liu Liu said with a disdainful tone.

Xu Lu's expression was peculiar; it would be fine if someone else said this, but coming from Young Master Tao's mouth, wasn't it a bit hypocritical?

Speaking of pretentiousness, who could surpass you?

"Situ—Da Bao, is she the City Lord's daughter?"

Xu Lu asked.

It was rumored that City Lord Situ Dao Sheng had only one daughter. He seemed like a scholarly old man, so why would he give his daughter such a name?

Da Bao? (Big Treasure)

"Precisely, it is she."

Tao Liu Liu's face was full of disdain, "Her formal name is Situ Yan Qing. When she was little, she looked round like a bun, very lovable, but who knew she would grow up uglier and with a terrible temper—
Let's continue, this Peach and Plum Garden Banquet is a game she initiated. Everyone gives face to her father and comes to cheer her on a bit. She is narrow-minded and even turned this banquet into an audition for the Shangyuan Lantern Festival..."

Tao Liu Liu's reasons were not much different from what Chen Si Ming had told Xu Lu earlier, only with a few more details.

This so-called Peach and Plum Garden Banquet could be entirely understood as a poetry gathering for the upper class.

The talented scholars of Jiangdu City gathered in one place, reciting poetry and composing odes. That night, a champion would be chosen, and the champion would receive a monetary reward personally bestowed by the City Lord.

Of course, the value of this champion could not compare to the Huadu Scholar.

This champion was merely an entertainment for a segment of the people, while the Huadu Scholar was a grand festival for the entire Jiangdu City.

"Brother, this time, you must help me extinguish that little Situ Da Bao's arrogant spirit!"

Tao Liu Liu said angrily, "Last year's Peach and Plum Garden Banquet, she somehow got hold of a beautiful poem, which made her incredibly smug!"

Xu Lu: "..."

According to Tao Liu Liu's description, an image also formed in his mind: ugly, bad-tempered, like Tao Liu Liu, fond of buying poetry, perhaps a bit arrogant...

"What a pity, if I could have found Bai Zhan Tang earlier and obtained the poem Xiang Jin Jiu, wouldn't that have made that little Situ Da Bao bow down in admiration to me?"

Tao Liu Liu's face was full of regret, "Brother, just write to the standard of Xiang Jin Jiu!"

Xu Lu's face darkened. Write to the standard of Xiang Jin Jiu?

You really think too highly of me!

Huaxia in five thousand years has only had one Immortal Poet.

Among Tang and Song poetry, the pieces that can compare to this one can be counted on one's fingers with some left over.

"Young Master, good poetry and verses come naturally. I can only say I will do my best—"

Xu Lu said hesitantly.

"I trust you."

Tao Liu Liu casually patted Xu Lu's shoulder, "My Tao Liu Liu's eyes have never misjudged anyone. Your teacher is too indecisive; I tried to buy a poem from him, and he kept refusing. I see you're not like him, very much like a brother! I await your good news!"

Tao Liu Liu, accompanied by seven or eight attendants, left like a whirlwind, not taking a single gold ingot.

"An upright person does not accept charity."

Xu Lu murmured, "If it's gold, then it's fine..."

He closed the door, picking up the scattered gold ingots on the ground, a smile also appearing on his face.

No matter what, finding money was always a joyous occasion.

"Xiao Lu, this is not a place we should be. Let's go quickly."

Zhang Bao said with an awkward expression, "I know a restaurant with delicious food; let's go eat there."

"Uncle Zhang, let's stay here."

Xu Lu said with a smile, "These past few days in Jiangdu City, thanks to your care, I can say I've found my footing. I should repay you well."

"I didn't do anything; on the contrary, you saved my life before."

Zhang Bao shook his head, "Let's not talk about these things anymore. This place is really not for people like us—"

"Uncle Zhang, a restaurant is a place to eat and drink; anyone can come."

Xu Lu held Zhang Bao, smiling, "Listen to me today, let's eat here. I can still afford one meal."

He pulled Zhang Bao, heading straight for a room on the second floor.

"Fifth Huorong, bring up the dishes."

Xu Lu winked at the waiting Fifth Huorong, then spoke.

"Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, Shi Tou, Gou Dan, please sit down, no need to be polite. Eat to your heart's content today."

Xu Lu said.

"Xiao Lu, you've really struck it rich."

Zhang Shi Tou was still quite calm. After entering the Heavenly Palace for cultivation, he had also broadened his horizons quite a bit.

"It's a pity all the reward money I received was used to buy a house. Otherwise, I should also treat my parents to a good meal here."

He mumbled to himself.

"Isn't it the same now?"

Xu Lu said with a smile, "When you become a true Warrior, eating here every day won't be a problem."

Xu Lu didn't tell them that he was the owner of Deyue Tower.

Human hearts are complex, and he didn't want too many complicated things to interfere with his relationship with Zhang Bao's family.

"Soon."

Zhang Shi Tou smiled simply, "But compared to you, Xiao Lu, I'm just getting started. I heard people say that Master Chen Si Ming is a truly great figure. Since you've become his inner disciple, you'll surely become a great figure too."

"You know Master Chen?"

Xu Lu said in surprise. Although he had told Zhang Bao's family about becoming a disciple, Zhang Bao didn't know a single character and had no idea who Chen Si Ming was.

Moreover, Chen Si Ming's usual disheveled appearance made it very difficult for people to associate him with a great figure.

"Of course. I heard it from my fellow cultivators."

Zhang Shi Tou nodded, "They said Master Chen is the champion of the literary world. Hearing you're Master Chen's disciple, they all asked me to introduce them."

He had an expression of basking in reflected glory.

Xu Lu hadn't expected Chen Si Ming to have so many admirers.

He smiled and said, "No problem."

While they chatted, wine and meat were served like flowing water, all special dishes from Deyue Tower, with chicken, duck, meat, and fish aplenty.

The Zhang family, including Zhang Shi Tou, had never seen such a lavish meal.

After a moment of hesitation, the four immediately began to eat like hungry tigers.

Xu Lu smiled as he watched them. The Zhang family were the first people he befriended after coming to this world. Now that he had the ability to help them, his heart was also filled with joy.

"Xiao Lu, can you help me with something?"

Zhang Shi Tou asked, looking up while eating noisily.

"Tell me."

Xu Lu said with a smile.

"Please ask Master Chen for me, to help me choose a name..."

Zhang Shi Tou said.

"Shi Tou!"

Zhang Bao shouted, "Xiao Lu just became a disciple; how can we bother his master with our small matters? Later, I'll spend some money and find a fortune teller to help you change it!"

"Uncle Zhang, it's fine."

Xu Lu couldn't help but laugh; he thought it was something major.

"Shi Tou, why do you suddenly want to change your name?"

Xu Lu asked.

Although the name Zhang Shi Tou was indeed very rustic, Zhang Shi Tou had been called that for decades, so why the sudden desire to change it?

"Well—"

Zhang Shi Tou scratched his head a little awkwardly, saying, "Our Marquis said my name isn't good and told me to change it."

"So that's it."

Xu Lu said, "But in the future, you'll be a great Warrior. The name Shi Tou is indeed a bit unfitting."

People are often superficial; a name can sometimes be very important.

"This doesn't need to bother my master."

Xu Lu pondered, "If you don't mind, how about I help you change your name?"

"That would be wonderful."

Before Zhang Shi Tou could speak, Zhang Bao hastily said, "Xiao Lu, you can read now, so your names will definitely be good!"

"Uncle Zhang, you flatter me."

Xu Lu smiled. He looked out the window, pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
"Only Yuan Shan is long, Yun Shan is chaotic, Xiao Shan is clear.
Shi Tou, from now on you will be called Zhang Yuan Shan.
Gou Dan, you will be called Zhang Yun Shan.
Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, if you two can have a third child in the future, it would be perfect to call him Zhang Xiao Shan. What do you two think?"

"I get one too?"

Gou Dan exclaimed excitedly.

"Zhang Yuan Shan, Zhang Yun Shan... Beautiful names!"

Zhang Bao and his wife were uneducated, but they also found these names much better than Zhang Shi Tou and Zhang Gou Dan.

"Xiao Lu, well done!"

Zhang Shi Tou patted Xu Lu's shoulder, saying joyfully, "As expected of Master Chen's disciple, Zhang Yuan Shan! Heh, from now on I'll be called Zhang Yuan Shan!"

The entire Zhang family of four beamed with smiles.

"Clap, clap, clap—"

Suddenly, a round of applause came from the adjacent room.

"I had long heard that Brother Si Ming had taken in a naturally gifted poetry student. I initially thought it was an exaggeration, but meeting him today, his reputation is indeed well-deserved."

A magnetic voice sounded, "Only Yuan Shan is long, Yun Shan is chaotic, Xiao Shan is clear—this line is worth a big toast!"

Xu Lu frowned. This person was truly impolite; why was he eavesdropping on others' conversations?

"My apologies, the soundproofing isn't very good. Hearing such a fine line, I couldn't help myself."

The voice from next door continued, "Little brother, grant me an opportunity; how about I penalize myself with three cups?"

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a knock on the room door.

The four members of the Zhang family looked at each other. They had never experienced such a situation and were momentarily flustered.

Xu Lu didn't know the other party's status, so his attitude shouldn't be too rigid.

"Uncle Zhang, everyone, wait a moment."

Xu Lu pondered for a moment, then said to the Zhang family, and pulled the door open, not letting the other party in, but stepping out himself.

In the corridor, a middle-aged man stood there, a wine glass still in his hand. Seeing Xu Lu come out, he smiled and raised his wine glass.

"May I ask your name?"

Xu Lu clasped his hands in greeting, asking.

"Lu Tian Bo."

In the corridor, the light was somewhat dim, and the noise from the restaurant seemed to automatically recede.

The middle-aged man's eyes were clear, and he spoke with a gentle smile.

Xu Lu's back felt like it was about to explode, a chill running straight up his spine to the top of his head. He felt goosebumps all over his body.

"Lu Tian Bo, ranked one hundred seventy-two on the Dragon-Tiger Ranking, Ninth-Rank Secret Cultivator!"

A sentence from the inherited knowledge left by Lu Tong En flashed through Xu Lu's mind.