Regarding Huo Fenglie’s speculation, Bai Su disagreed.

“Shrewd fellows like Rong Shiming like to play with these things the most, and there are rumors that he is skilled at it. Didn’t Lao Qin and the others propose asking him to try unlocking your brocade box?”

However, subsequent investigation revealed that although Rong Shiming was good at it, he was far less capable than the mechanism-breaking master they had found before, so they gave up on the idea.

“Although we don’t know much about Liu Xiaozhu, did you hear what his two cousins just said? And he’s also lost his memory, so the possibility of winning is too low……it’s so pitiful that he’ll be forced to lose face before leaving. It’s fortunate that he’s actually leaving, and the humiliation will only be temporary.” Bai Su said encouragingly: “Otherwise, how about you go forward later and waive the excessive punishment?”

Huo Fenglie didn’t answer.

Bai Su saw Huo Fenglie’s reaction and said with surprise: “You really think he will win?”

Huo Fenglie paused, then said: “Looking at his expression, he doesn’t seem to think he will lose.”

Not only did he think this way, but his eyes were narrowed and the corners of his mouth were slightly raised. He was trying to feign weakness regardless of the embarrassment in order to measure the competition and gain advantages for himself.

Bai Su was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said: “Why don’t we make a bet? If he really beats Rong Shiming, then…..let him try to unlock the brocade box for you?”

Huo Fenglie was taken aback, and there was finally a difference in his reaction when he looked at Bai Su.

Bai Su teased: “It’ll be a miracle if he wins. Perhaps this kind of miraculous person will be able to give you a miracle, and also let us see what secrets that mysterious master hid in the brocade box back then.”

Huo Fenglie did not respond to the bet. The crowd had already discussed the competition method.

A few relatively impartial people would go and select two groups of small toys, nine in each group. The two people would randomly select a group, and there would be little difference in difficulty. It would depend on their luck whether they encountered familiar ones. The two of them would then select the tenth toy for each other, which would be considered the final level. The harder it was, the better.

They would start solving at the same time, with a time limit of one stick of incense to see who could complete their ten first. Of course, if someone couldn’t solve it midway, they would be considered the loser.

Two long tables were arranged in the square, and ten trays covered in red cloth were placed on the tables in sequence. The two people were not allowed to observe in advance. They must complete one before they were able to see the next.

Before the game even started, Rong Shiming was making wild remarks. “It doesn’t matter if you can’t finish the first nine. I’ll give you a chance. As long as you can finish the last one, you’ll win.”

Liu Zhenqing raised his eyebrows. This young man was quite confident. “Then, thank you very much.”

The mechanism box he chose for Rong Shiming was at least the most difficult among the small toys he saw. He looked at the red cloth at the farthest end of his row, which was also something square and upright. He guessed that what Rong Shiming had chosen for him was also a mechanism box.

With everyone watching, the competition officially began. As soon as the order was given, Rong Shiming quickly lifted the red cloth and saw that it looked familiar. He felt proud for a moment, thinking that the heavens were on his side. This kind of iron frame lock could be solved in three breaths.

Rong Shiming had already begun to imagine that Liu Zhenqing would fail to defeat him later, so he pinned his hopes on the last piece of red cloth. After it was opened, he would see what kind of wonderful expression the other would wear when he saw what it was.

As he thought, the thing in his hand loosened and split into two parts, and was solved smoothly.

Not a moment after, he heard gasps of surprise all around him.

Rong Shiming sneered, and was about to give Liu Zhenqing a contemptuous look when he saw a pair of fair and slender hands put down an irregular iron ring.

Rong Shiming’s pupils shrank. He quickly raised his head and saw Liu Zhenqing smiling at him, already preparing to uncover the next piece of red cloth.

There was only a slight difference in speed between the two of them. Rong Shiming took a glance and found that the contraption was no simpler than the one in his hand. It turned out that the astonished exclamations just now were also for Liu Zhenqing.

Rong Shiming cursed inwardly, but didn’t feel panicked at all. He just thought Liu Zenqing got lucky.

But a second exclamation sounded at the same time he solved the second level. Rong Shiming’s heart shook. He looked over and saw parts scattered on the table.

It was about the same time once more. Liu Zhenqing had just finished it.

Rong Shiming immediately started the third one. This time he went all out, no longer doing it casually, with the fastest speed and the most focused attention.

But this time, the exclamation sounded just before he solved it.

The fourth, fifth, and sixth, before, after, or at the same time, the progress rate was tight.

Rong Shiming was confused. Since he had started playing this game, he had never been chased so pressingly, nor was he overtaken by anyone. This was a fatal blow to his self-confidence, and he couldn’t help but panic in his technique.

He seemed to be able to hear the discussions around him.

“Isn’t Young Master Rong the best at Thousand Locks?”

“But Young Master Liu seems to be even more capable, ah.”

“Is it that he’s lucky?”

“How can it be that someone who doesn’t play much can still play so well? He must have some skills.”

“That’s true. I don’t know how to solve several of them. This Young Master Liu is truly capable. I’m at a loss, it’s incredible.”

“You can say that again. This was supposed to be a show of power, but it turned into a slap to the face. It’s really funny.”

Rong Shiming’s pupils shrank uncontrollably. Thinking of Liu Zhenqing’s strange attitude before, he panicked. Could it be that his investigation got it wrong, or that Liu Zhenqing had been hiding his strength? In fact, he was the one pretending to be a pig to eat the tiger.

Rong Shiming was suddenly angry at being tricked. He grew impatient, and his hands became even more disorganized. Now his mind was filled with thoughts about when the other party would finish next. Especially when he was reaching the completion stage, his thoughts became more and more uncontrollable, and he would think, is the next exclamation about to come?

At the seventh and eighth levels, Rong Shiming’s obviously disordered mind slowed down his speed. Although he solved them, it took many attempts.

Rong Shiming’s heart beat wildly. He felt that he should be far away from the other party, but suddenly found that the other person was at the same place as him.

He took a sneak peek, and it seemed that Liu Zhenqing was also looking at him.

Was he watching his progress because he couldn’t finish it and was worried about being left behind? So he had just gotten lucky before? Now the fact that he was no good at it would finally be revealed?

Had he just frightened himself before?

Rong Shiming suddenly gained a little more confidence and regrouped. Even though he was still closely followed, he still felt that he could get rid of the opponent on the ninth level.

The ninth one was also a mechanism type, and was a bit difficult. When Rong Shiming was halfway through earnestly solving it, a sudden exclamation caught him off guard.

He turned his head in disbelief and saw with wide eyes that Liu Zhenqing had already completed it. 

This time, he had actually surpassed his speed.

“Im…..impossible. You must have…..” After a closer look, Rong Shiming couldn’t say a word. The people who chose the toys were fair, and they were all around the same level of difficulty.

There were constant exclamations all around. Many people looked closely, but had to admit that Liu Zhenqing had won.

Liu Zhenqing raised the mechanical toy in his hand and said with a smile: “I lucked out and happened to get this one. Young Master Rong, I won’t wait for you.”

As he spoke, he went to uncover the last piece of red cloth.

And Rong Shiming watched him with eyes wide open, forgetting to unlock the remaining mechanism in his hands. It wasn’t until Liu Zhenqing touched the last red cloth, underneath which was the “death penalty” he had personally selected for him, that a twisted smile appeared on Rong Shiming’s face.

Let him see if Liu Zhenqing dared to win!

The First Princess was also among those who wore expectant expressions.

Everyone else was anxiously awaiting the last level of the competition, watching curiously to see what puzzle Rong Shiming had prepared for Liu Zhenqing.

The two brothers of the Liu family had already excitedly gathered around Liu Zhenqing on the left and right as protectors of the law. They had never expected that Liu Zhenqing could be so capable, capable enough to suppress others. And he looked very relaxed when he went up. Their dignity was saved!

Bai Su was also amazed as he sat in his seat. “I didn’t expect your guess to be right. He actually won. Young Master Liu usually hides his skills, but he’s so capable. Ai, Zanyuan, you…..”

When he turned around, he found that Huo Fenglie was no longer watching the game, but was lost in thought.

“Why aren’t you interested anymore all of a sudden? Isn’t it amazing?” Bai Su said doubtfully.

“They’re about the same level. Average,” Huo Fenglie said lightly.

Bai Su didn’t think so, because from Huo Fenglie’s perspective, he could only see the result, not the process. But Bai Su’s perspective was just right to see the look on Liu Zhenqing’s face.

If Bai Su’s conjecture wasn’t wrong…..Liu Zhenqing was like a fox. He was watching Rong Shiming’s progress from beginning to end and adjusting his speed of completion. His eyes rarely fell on the small toys in his hand. Other than a glance when he first took it, he would then look at Rong Shiming and control his hand speed while solving it.

Although Bai Su felt that at this point, it was completely possible for him to slaughter the other and there was no need to keep a low profile and give the opponent face, Liu Zhenqing maintained his slight advantage until the end. For each level, he used the shortest path to solve the puzzle. Although his hand speed wasn’t flashy, there was never an “attempt” or “repeat” situation. This was simply outrageous, freakish strength.

So in terms of strength, Liu Zhenqing should be far stronger than Rong Shiming, of the sort that could not be touched from beginning to end.

This kind of prowess was completely worth letting him try Huo Fenglie’s brocade box.

Just as Bai Su was about to explain the real situation to Huo Fenglie, the originally lively scene of the competition became eerily quiet. One could almost hear a pin drop.

It was as if the scene had been frozen, making the two look up in surprise. Following everyone’s gazes, they found that they were all watching Liu Zhenqing lift the red cloth to reveal the final puzzle.

And that was…..a very distinct jade Rubik’s Cube.

Bai Su’s face sank, and in an instant, he felt the person next to him release powerful murderous intent.

Most of the people present were frightened and flustered, not daring to speak as they cautiously looked at the three Liu cousins.

At this time, the second and third cousins were pale, even more so than when they were humiliated just now. They were even provoked to the point of losing their composure and roaring at Rong Shiming, “Rong Shiming, what do you mean by this?”

“Young Master Rong, this is a competition. What is your purpose in doing this?”

Liu Zhenqing’s feelings were not as profound, but after the last incident in the restaurant, he also knew that this taboo was likely in connection with him. Now he finally knew what Rong Shiming had here waiting for him. He had underestimated him before.

Liu Zhenqing looked at Rong Shiming, who raised his eyes and smiled. He no longer appeared as if he had suffered from a blow, and instead, he proudly completed his ninth level. “This is also one of the Thousand Locks. Why can’t it be used? Could it be that you can’t, or that you won’t, ah? Logically speaking, you should be the best at it.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the third cousin almost jumped up, but the second cousin quickly stopped him and said with difficulty: “This is clearly forbidden. Young Master Rong has gone to great lengths to embarrass us.”

“Forbidden? There is no specific law that it can’t be played with, but some people just don’t dare to play,” Rong Shiming said with a smile.

Don’t dare to play. Of course they didn’t dare!

Everyone knew that the Rubik’s Cube was brought into this world by the treacherous minister, Liu Zhenqing, and that it was also the thing he played with most often. It was said that when you saw him playing with the Rubik’s Cube that hung from his waist in court, he was about to cause trouble again, and a bloody incident would happen soon. It was simply more accurate than the King of Hell’s Book of Life and Death. So once he went to court and was seen playing with his Rubik’s Cube, everyone couldn’t help but be on tenterhooks.

Although the Rubik’s Cube itself had no meaning, for the Zhou Dynasty, which was shrouded in the shadow of the traitor, everyone still voluntarily shunned it.

Fans of it mostly played at home, so it was somewhat shocking to see one in the open like this.

What was even more frightening was that when the Rubik’s Cube and members of the Liu family appeared at the same time, who could not think of the treacherous minister?

It could be said that anyone in the Zhou Dynasty could play the Rubik’s Cube, just not the Liu family.

With a click, Rong Shiming’s ninth level was completed, and he continued on to his tenth level with a smile on his face. Even if Liu Zhenqing had chosen the most difficult one for him, he was still at a standstill, unable to withstand his opponent in the end.

“Why, if you don’t hurry up, you’re going to lose,” Rong Shiming said with a sly smile.

Touching the Rubik’s Cube incurred fear in the Imperial merchant Liu family.

But if he didn’t touch it, he would lose the competition, and the three young men would lose all their dignity.

The second and third cousins were unwilling to give up, and asked those around them to speak a word of fairness. 

This was the correct “recognition of social rules,” so nobody dared to stand up and defend the three Liu family members. If they said anything, it would seem to be indirectly helping the traitor escape guilt.

In the end, the two of them were stupid enough to ask the First Princess to make the decision.

The First Princess only said lightly: “It’s a normal competition, what do you want me to do?”

The two people were desperate. Suppressing their resentment, they could only look at Liu Zhenqing.

“Admit defeat!”

The Liu family desperately wanted others to forget their relationship with the traitorous minister, and didn’t dare touch it. If word reached the ears of the court that Young Master Liu was adept at the Rubik’s Cube, just like the traitor back then…..just thinking about it made their heads feel unsteady on their necks.

They would rather be humiliated.

Liu Zhenqing looked at them with some surprise. Just as he was about to speak, he heard that villain Rong Shiming say: “Are you giving up? First Young Master Liu, I advise you to give it a try. Perhaps you can succeed. Hahaha!” Rong Shiming smiled proudly and raised his eyebrows at Liu Zhenqing, tilting his head in the direction of Huo Fenglie. The meaning was obvious.

No one will help you this time!

Hadn’t Huo Fenglie helped Liu Zhenqing repeatedly?

Then let Huo Fenglie reminisce. The Liu family was related by blood to the treacherous minister. He had recognized an enemy as a friend. The Huo family’s blood debt should never be forgotten!

Perhaps Huo Fenglie had now begun to regret helping Liu Zhenqing before.

Liu Zhenqing rather admired Rong Shiming’s conspiracy. One move put him in a dilemma, and also instantly made his most likely backer unclear about who was friend or foe. Now that things had come to this, he didn’t expect the guy who had dug up his grave to lend a helping hand. Just as long as he didn’t spoil the happy event of him leaving tomorrow.

As for admitting defeat…..Liu Zhenqing refused. It was only that this time it was a little bit troublesome, and he had to think of a foolproof solution.

Liu Zhenqing’s silence seemed to everyone to be a sign of his inner suffering and struggle. He probably didn’t want to be humiliated, but didn’t dare touch the Rubik’s Cube. This was really the end of the road.

The First Princess said impatiently: “Young Master Liu, either give up or continue, don’t waste everyone’s time.”

Rong Shiming smiled and said: “Cousin, I am willing to give him some time to accept his fate.” This sort of deathbed struggle was what he liked to watch the most! He still hadn’t seen Liu Zhenqing’s expression of pain and despair yet.

There was a lot of discussion going around, most of it urging Liu Zhenqing to accept his fate.

Suddenly, Liu Zhenqing’s eyes gleamed and he started to reach for the Rubik’s Cube. But in the next second, there was a flash of cold white light and a bang.

The table on which the Rubik’s Cube was placed split in half before Liu Zhenqing, and the items on it instantly rolled to the ground. The loud bang frightened the people around, and they backed away.

Looking closer, it could be seen that the white light was a teacup lid. It had split the table in half, and finally hit the foot of the First Princess, who was sitting in front of the table. She froze in fright, and the guards instinctively moved forward.

And the only person present capable of doing this was……

Everyone turned their heads and looked over in horror, only to see that at some point, Huo Fenglie had walked over from his seat to stand there, his gaze like a sharp sword unsheathed as he looked at everything with a lack of anger that was nonetheless frightening.

Sure enough, the treacherous minister was General Huo’s weak point.

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Chapter Twenty-One << Table of Contents >> Chapter Twenty-Three