It was said that Wenren Yang was a presence that even the esteemed teachers of several academies questioned their abilities over. No one dared to accept him as a pupil. Not only was he beyond their capacity to teach, but also getting outshone by him constantly could lead to early hair loss or premature aging. Even if they liked him, they would avoid him at all costs.

Thanks to Wenren Yang, no matter how talented a student was, they could no longer afford to be arrogant. If anyone dared to get conceited or show off, the teachers would happily call Wenren Yang over to teach them a hard lesson.

After engaging in a debate with Wenren Yang, the lucky ones would find themselves wandering in indescribable confusion for days, drowning in self-doubt. The unlucky ones might be so devastated that they could never study again.

As long as it wasn’t you being schooled, who wouldn’t be curious to meet someone like that?

In this situation, encountering Wenren Yang, and seeing him actively “seeking advice” from others, made the onlookers’ blood boil with excitement.

“You want to stick up for someone, huh? Is that girl your mistress?” one of the men taunted.

Wenren Yang remained calm, though his gaze carried a certain sharpness like a blade. “Mind your words, sir. My elder sister is not to be disgraced.”

The spectators glanced at the man with pity. Even if you are capable of ranking the first in the imperial exams, offending someone like Wenren Yang in such an unmeasured way was foolish. Maybe this guy came from a rural area and didn’t know Wenren Yang’s reputation, but this insult would surely cost him. Did he truly think his background could protect him?

The emperor was wise and valued the virtue of his ministers. If a family produced an unruly heir who violated laws and caused trouble, even a high-ranking official would be called back home to discipline their children. If they failed, they wouldn’t return to public office. Thus, no matter how wealthy or privileged, no one dared act recklessly in the capital. Even the few who enjoyed the highest tolerance from the emperor wouldn’t dare to cause a death outside.

And here was someone from elsewhere, thinking he could rely on his background to oppress people—what a joke. With this conduct, even if he had the talent for becoming a top scholar, the emperor would surely lower his rank. He might even lose his chance at an official title altogether.

Standing tall, the man laughed arrogantly, “So, you’re standing up for your sister, huh? If you lose, how about you hand over your sister to be my concubine?”

The people from Wenren family could barely contain their fury and almost lunged forward to tear him apart, regardless of the consequences.

Wenren Yang replied, “If I lose, I will kneel, serve you tea, offer my apologies, and never take another imperial exam. But if you lose,” Wenren Yang’s eyes sharpened visibly, “do you dare stake your future on it?”

Those unfamiliar with Wenren Yang thought the wager was too extreme. The purpose of studying was to acquire skills to serve the emperor. Vowing never to take the imperial exams would be cutting off one’s own future—how could they gamble on such a thing so casually? Especially the older men, who were perplexed and angry, slammed their tables and criticized.

“This is none of your concern. If any of you want to stake your own futures against mine, feel free to join in. If not, shut your mouths,” Wenren Yang retorted bluntly.

Nearby, Wenren Ying whispered to Wenren Xu, “Elder brother, I never expected Xiao Si to behave so assertively.”

“I didn’t either.”

Despite his sharp tongue, Wenren Yang had always remained calm, even when debating to the point of making people spit blood. For him to lose his composure now clearly showed that he had been thoroughly infuriated.

In a corner, someone muttered, “I didn’t expect Wenren Yang, the bookworm, to have a dark streak. If he wanted to take the imperial exam, he could have done it ten years ago. Clearly, he never planned to enter government service. Now he’s turning this into a trap? I also used to think he was just a bookish scholar, but maybe he’s got some real fire in him.”

The person sitting next to him let out a vague “Ah” and stared into the distance, lost in thought.

“Hey, even though you were once defeated by Wenren Yang, it’s been years. Are you still hung up on that?”

The dazed person finally snapped back to reality and gave a cold glance. Only those who had firsthand experience had the right to give an opinion. “Isn’t he eighteen now? How does he still have an unmarried elder sister?”

“Are you seriously thinking about that in a situation like this? Who knows?”

With the others silenced, the original troublemaker adopted a rare serious expression. “So, you’re not even a candidate for this year’s exam, and yet you want to ‘teach’ me? That’s beyond absurd.”

Wenren Yang coolly responded, “It’s none of your business. The question is: do you dare?”

There was an undercurrent of rivalry in Wenren Yang’s tone, and although the shift in his expression was subtle, it was also unmistakable. When young men get heated, it’s not uncommon for them to lose their heads. However, those who knew Wenren Yang were cursing inwardly. His bookish persona had deceived many. They had fallen into his trap without realizing it.

“There’s nothing I’m afraid of.”

As soon as the man agreed, Wenren Yang flashed a nearly imperceptible smile.

Those who knew him no longer pitied the man; instead, they shook their heads and sighed. This time, the man might really have ended his own career. Even if he tried to backtrack afterward, Wenren Yang wouldn’t let him. Although Wenren Yang had no official position, he had connections…

Now that the man had accepted the challenge, Wenren Yang didn’t hold back. But he didn’t bully him either. Starting with the topics expected in the upcoming exam, Wenren Yang laid out the first few points, and the other quickly seized the upper hand.

However, Wenren Yang remained unhurried. Did this guy think that sticking to those points would be enough? Too naive. That was only the beginning. Wenren Yang began diversifying the topics, leading the debate into various directions.

The man was indeed confident in his knowledge. He sparred back and forth with Wenren Yang, citing historical references and engaging in discussions of policy. It made for an entertaining exchange, and the bystanders enjoyed it thoroughly.

But as time wore on, Wenren Yang gradually introduced new angles that steered the conversation further and further off course. Unbeknownst to the other man, Wenren Yang had taken complete control. Since this was a debate where Wenren Yang had sought the other’s “advice,” there were no preset topics, so shifting the focus was perfectly reasonable. No one questioned it.

However, the young man was not faring so well. Not only was he feeling led by the nose, but a growing sense of helplessness began to surface—”What’s this? I don’t know!”

When Wenren Yang said three sentences, the man could barely stutter out one. Soon, Wenren Yang spoke ten sentences, and the man could only give half a response at best. Eventually, all the man could do was think and think, but no matter how much he racked his brain, covered in sweat, he had no answers left. And let it be known, Wenren Yang wasn’t deliberately setting him up with impossible questions. Everything Wenren Yang brought up, he could thoroughly explain the sources and context.

It wasn’t just the young man sweating. Several others in the crowd were feeling the heat too. Every now and then, someone who happened to know one of Wenren Yang’s points would feel a smug sense of satisfaction, just like when students impressed their teachers with their knowledge. But when they realized how off-track they had been led, their faces turned ashen.

“Not sure of that? How about we switch to another topic—policies and governance, regional customs, economic development, trade at the borders, geographic surveys, astronomy. We can discuss any of these. Do you want to pick first?”

Pick first? Pick what?