Rising Phoenix

As time had passed, the Zuo Ying Scroll had become synonymous with the insurmountable – all scholars held it in awe and admiration, but it was considered too lofty to touch.

After disappointment after disappointment, the Emperor grew tired of the sham answers and released an Imperial Edict. Only those with confidence in their answers could attempt the scroll, and no aspirant hopefuls could waste time by “trying.” An offense was punishable by death, for the charge of deceiving the Emperor. After the Imperial Edict was proclaimed, no one had dared risk their lives on the scroll.

Bringing the scroll out today represented a symbolic pursuit, rather than any real attempt at finding a scholar. It was an image.

The golden thread of the Zhuo Ying Scroll danced in the air, and hungry eyes looked up at this golden staircase to the heavens. All eyes burned with passion, and heads were raised longingly, but no one dared step close.

Suddenly, a thought entered Feng Zhiwei’s mind.

All this time, she had tried to protect herself by shying away from the limelight and keeping a low profile. But now a looming threat of death hung over her, and a way out, however uncomfortable, had presented itself. If the choice was between death and scrutiny, Feng Zhiwei was clear which one she preferred.

The difference between life and death hanging on a single play, and if her bones were not ground into dust, then she would step onto a path to the sky.

Ning Yi, you forced my hand—

The wind sent waves through the golden scroll, and the eunuchs arm’s ached as he held it up. Finally, the Emperor called calmly through the gauze: “Looks like the results are the same this year. Bring it back.”

Just as the eunuch was beginning to refold the scroll, someone called out in a high voice, “I will try.”

Under the shelter, a young man wearing thin cyan clothes stood bravely, his cuffs flowing in the wind. It was Feng Zhiwei.

She stood with composure as the eyes of every person turned to her. Without any sign of impatience, she turned to face the frowning Ning Yi and smiled.

Her smile was soft and gentle, but clearly hid a well of fortitude and force. At this moment, a glimmer of something that lay in the deepest parts of her person appeared, and Ning Yi could see a hint of that toughness that she only revealed when she faced adversity. Though tens of thousands came to attack her, she would still take her path forward. He could just stay obediently and watch —

Prince, thank you for your hospitality. Until we meet again.

Ning Yi watched as the young man stood up and called out towards the eunuch, and could do nothing he turned and smiled before firmly walking forward.

Ning Yi could not explain it, but his first reaction was not anger that his prey had escaped, but an ineffable anxiety, as if a tiny bird had broken through its cage, and with a twist in the wind, unfurled itself and became a phoenix.

Or perhaps, he was a hawk hiding his strong wings and sharp talons, biding his time for the moment to let loose, pierce the air, and strike?

He shook his head and cleared away the ridiculous thoughts. Calming his mind, he slowly leaned back into his chair, his narrowed eyes following the young man as he walked towards the Jin Bang, his back as slim as a waning moon.

Courting death was also a solution…

He should be happy.

But layers of dark clouds hung in his mind, and refused to leave.

When Feng Zhiwei walked on stage, she could hear the vague sounds of someone yelling out in surprise. It sounded a lot like Lin Shao, and he seemed to be trying to rush forward as another person pulled him back.

As eyes followed Feng Zhiwei as she stepped forward, they were no longer filled with envy or jealousy or disdain. There was only sympathy and amazement — a shock at someone courting death.

The Zhuo Ying Scroll had existed for over six hundred years, and no one had ever been able to understand the question. This was already an understanding hammered into the people – this matter came from the heavens, and could not be touched by ordinary men.

Feng Zhiwei’s eyes were clear and forthright, and she ignored all the gazes locked on her, and composedly approached the stage.

A faint sound of surprise came from behind the sheer yarn veil, and the other indolent Imperial members also straightened and peered forward at this bold young man, the first daring hopeful in many years.

“Do you understand the rules?” The eunuch holding the golden scroll asked, glancing sidelong at Feng Zhiwei.

“Failure means death.” Feng Zhiwei smiled.

Her tone was light, but her words shocking to the core. Ning Yi straightened, and his long eyebrows furrowed.

Acting with swift ferocity and a soft and gentle attitude – this style was very similar to that of another person that he knew…

The eunuch turned to the yarn gauze and waited for orders before unraveling the golden yarn on the golden thread scroll.

The long scroll had three sections, and a single question in each. Even though man people had attempted the scroll, the Imperial Court had commanded their silence, so no one had ever leaked out the contents. These three questions were still a mystery to the people, and countless curious eyes focused on the scroll.

Feng Zhiwei looked over, and her expressions were… colorful.

First Question.

 “Why is Panasonic not as good as Sony?”

…

Even with all her control, Feng Zhiwei could not stop her mouth from twitching – for six centuries, this had been the most famous scroll under heaven? This was the so called Zhuo Ying Scroll that could choose Peerless Scholars?

Indeed, anyone who could answer this question could not have an equal – since this was not a question from this world?

Everyone watched Zhiwei’s expressions, and when she bit her lips as if the question was too hard, a collective sigh of disappointment spread throughout the crowd. Even though no one had expected her to succeed, a dream of a miracle had already spread.

Ning Yi leaned on his hand and watched Feng Zhiwei. Even though this result had been what he had expected, his mood did not improve – that looming depression and frustration only seemed to grow heavier.

The silver bamboo embroidery on moon white cloth fluttered gently in the wind and caressed his face. It was soft and cold, just like his mood… Had he pushed this cunning and witty man too hard, and forced him onto this path of death?

While he reflected, the young man on the stage suddenly smiled.

The smile appeared out of nowhere, and the plain face that could only be described as with a somewhat stiff fineness and delicacy was transformed. The gleam in his eyes was as the dawn rising above the sea and illuminating the sky, and burned too bright for mortal eyes. His ordinary face suddenly possessed a surpassing beauty.

Ning Yi was dazed by that smile, and as he was stunned, the young man walked forward without hesitation and took up the brush. She wrote quickly, and then stepped away with a faint smile.

The eunuch stepped over with disbelief, and kept his eyes lowered from the answer. Carefully, he brought the writing to the window and presented it before the white yarn gauze. Behind the sheer covering, a group of learned men from the Imperial Academy immediately gathered around, staring at Feng Zhiwei’s answer.

Her response had been short, but incredibly odd – perhaps even stranger than the question. On the sheet was a combination of strange, twisting symbols — PANASONIC.

The scholars examined the symbols with confusion, but after a long period, no one could decipher the answer. There eyes turned together to the acclaimed number one talent under heaven, but Xin Ziyan’s beautiful face twisted in unhappiness. “I am not a Taoist, I don’t understand their magical figures!”

The Emperor had no choice but to send someone back to the Imperial Court to retrieve the answer sheet – an answer sheet that had never been needed, and had been forgotten.