On Unwittingly Becoming the Scholars' Queen Bee - 2
"Listen up! A debate shall take place here today!"
The morning at the Water Mirror Academy was bustling.
Sima Hui pondered the topic.
Ma Su had burst in out of nowhere, bringing up a public debate—and his opponent was none other than Chen Soyoung.
"Why do you wish to hold this debate?"
"If water cannot flow, it stagnates and rots. The same goes for knowledge, so how could I neglect my studies?"
Insight and zeal far beyond his years.
Arrogant and presumptuous, yes—but that was simply the boy's vessel.
Even Kongming had started his eccentric ways once he grasped the principles, so it wouldn't do to restrain this seven-year-old for acting the same.
Ma Su treated him with utmost respect, so he wasn't some rude warrior ignorant of manners, nor did he harbor twisted thoughts.
With age and experience, he'd change on his own, Sima Hui believed.
That was why he cherished Ma Su.
"But, Master, might I ask what topic you intend to assign?"
"Are you really this excited?"
"Yes. That woman Chen Soyoung is so crude and vulgar in her ways—she has no place here."
"If you're that worried, why not pick the topic yourself?"
"That would be unfair. The point is to fairly clash our ideas and see who prevails. I earnestly asked you to choose because that woman's thoughts are utterly base—if you give her something too difficult, she won't even be able to speak properly."
Sima Hui could only chuckle at Ma Su's bold words.
"Is that your true intent?"
"Yes, indeed. She thinks like a beast, so the topic must be simple enough for even beasts to grasp."
This was the first time Ma Su had ever trashed someone else like this, so Sima Hui felt a spark of anticipation.
"Very well. I'll grant your request, so worry not."
"Thank you!"
The hour of the cricket fights drew near.
"Ugh, I really shouldn't have stepped away."
"Spilled milk, ain't it?"
Shi Dao regretted it.
He'd been so struck by Chen Soyoung's words that he'd wandered off deep in thought—only for that brazen genius to stir up trouble after all.
"Still, it'll be fun, right? I've been dying to see this."
Even Choi Jupyeong's nonchalant tone grated on him.
"Jupyeong! How can you say it so lightly?"
"What, should I say it all serious-like? Who you betting on?"
"...I'm throwing my vote to Chen Soyoung."
"Whoa, you've gotten bold, kid. What'd she say to make you bet on her over Ma Su?"
At the Water Mirror Academy, they wagered on debates.
In a world where people bet on cricket fights for coin, scholars weren't all that different.
"So, how do you think it'll go?"
"One of 'em wins, duh."
Shi Dao wasn't just regretting, though. He was pretending otherwise, but dopamine was coursing through him. As the two chatted amiably, Meng Jian strolled over.
"I've saved seats—let's watch together."
"Meng Jian, can't you just watch alone?"
"How can you say that so heartlessly? I thought of you all and came early to snag good spots!"
"What a pain."
Guided by Meng Jian, the three sat down.
"But... poor Lady Soyoung. Ma Su won't go easy on her."
"Meng Jian? Shi Dao bet on Chen Soyoung."
"Shi Dao? Why? I'm dying to know. Why're you staring at the floor? Spill it..."
Shi Dao shot up, slamming his seat.
"Meng Jian!!! I'm thinking—stop yapping and ruining my focus!!!"
"Why're you snapping?"
Jupyeong wedged between them to mediate.
"Hey, he's acting weird. Weirder than you, so leave him be."
"...I've never seen Shi Dao yell like that."
Shi Dao reflected on his brief dopamine high and sank into gloom.
Chen Soyoung, daughter of Kongming, was the child of my dear friend—and now tangled with Ma Su. If I got excited about this, the young master would surely scold me.
"Why am I so hyped, anyway? My training must be lacking—my mind and body are clouded, no doubt!"
"See? He's off."
Meng Jian nodded vigorously in agreement with Jupyeong.
"Shouldn't we call a healer? He's rambling out of nowhere..."
"What's that?"
Choi Jupyeong's gaze fixed on a procession of carriages barreling through the main gate.
"...Is that Kongming's kid?"
Adjusting his robes, Zhuge Kongming descends from the carriage. Holding his scholar's feather fan, he surveys the academy and steps forward.
Sumptuous silk-draped carriages follow in splendor.
Overawed by the grand entrance, Jupyeong couldn't look away.
"...I'm betting on Chen Soyoung too. Shi Dao, you think deep when you watch."
Meng Jian nodded with fervent agreement.
"Me too, on Chen Soyoung. What's the odds now?"
"Ma Su's at just over 1, Chen Soyoung at just over 14."
"Jupyeong, spot me some gold? I even saved these seats."
"You nuts? Why would I loan you gold?"
Choi Jupyeong suddenly smacked the back of Shi Dao's head hard.
"You little punk, you punk! We're bros, right? You the only one in the know? Can't share with us?"
"This time, Jupyeong's right. How can you ditch our brotherhood for gold? You... you've looked off since earlier— so that's why?"
Unable to bear the slander, Shi Dao yelled.
"Even if Kongming hadn't come, I'd have bet on Chen Soyoung! If I'd known he'd show, would I be like this? I'd have brought the house deed!"
"Save that for later. But why's Kongming here all sudden? Haven't seen that face in years—lost track."
"How should I know? His daughter's debating—wouldn't he be curious?"
Meng Jian, who'd rushed back after reverse-betting, chimed in.
"With Kongming here, something'll happen. Odds favor Ma Su big-time, but today's a good day!"
"Meng Jian, not the time. You bet? Then back Chen Soyoung and defend her. If she shits from the mouth, you clean it up."
Meng Jian looked baffled.
"Kongming'll handle it—why me?"
"Don't you know the rules changed? Guest speaker gets unlimited time; guest has limited. You gotta persuade Chen Soyoung to follow your lead."
"But Jupyeong, why're you so chill?"
"Dunno. Gut feeling. Kongming's got it."
Shi Dao, who'd been staring at the carriage intently, watched Chen Soyoung descend and sat back down.
"Maybe... we won't need to say a word. I sensed a glimmer of genius in Ma Su—and now in Chen Soyoung too. So let's... just watch."
Today's Chen Soyoung showed no fragility. Dressed in white-feathered ritual robes, scholar's fan in hand, she looked just like a miniature Kongming. The three fell silent, staring.
In the quiet, Jupyeong murmured softly.
"So why'd you know Kongming was coming and not tell us?"
"I said I didn't know!"
The bamboo slips unfurl elegantly.
Water Mirror Master Sima Hui reads from them, announcing the debate's start in a booming voice.
Chu's forces number five hundred thousand, while Han's are but twenty thousand. The place to defend is a strategic choke point—a narrow defile. Towering mountains loom close by, sheer cliffs behind, and jagged peaks beside. Thus, let Chu and Han pitch their camps and debate their stratagems!
I, Chen Soyoung.
Magic fan equipped. The back of this magic fan bears elegant script—high-class term: conning paper.
By the boundless grace of King Sejong the Great, I've layered on forbidden knowledge—now I'm complete!
...Wait, but why does this topic feel so familiar???
"Hey, you pick. Chu or Han?"
"You decide."
"Not this time. I picked the military topic, so you choose sides. I say you take Chu. Han's outnumbered—you as Chu benefits us both."
"Fine, I'll be Chu."
Agreement reached, Sima Hui called out.
"Thus, Chu and Han are divided—debate your stratagems!"
Ma Su, like a changed man, began politely.
"A mere foot soldier would be crushed by Chu's host, so he'd build stockades in the defile for camp—but that's the worst of bad plans. Han's forces are outnumbered, and Master Sunzi advises avoiding battle. Yet this choke point must be held—its fall means doom!"
Ma Su caught his breath and raised his voice.
"Thus, seize the heights and camp in these mountains. Holding the high ground ensures victory—charge with momentum for an unstoppable force to repel the foe. As the Art of War says, 'In death's domain lies life'—enter the land resolved to die, and you survive. Han must camp in the rugged peaks!"
Watching the earnest Ma Su, a thought struck me.
Ha... damn... why does this feel exactly like that?
"Um, but wait?"
"Your turn now. Normal to not know what to say."
"No, listen. You picked this topic?"
"No side chatter. Rude. Be serious."
This is too on-the-nose.
Yi Zhu Ma Shi. Hypothetical battle. First Northern Expedition, right?
Brought conning paper... but it's open-book. Total buzzkill.
"Kkh..."
Ah. Uncle Kongming couldn't hold it— he burst out laughing.