Chapter 34: Let's See How Many Moves You Can Take From Me!

Zheng Yongtai's words made Pei Min smile secretly, though Zheng Yongtai's shock was entirely natural.

Song-style characters emerged to accommodate the development of printing technology, representing the crystallized wisdom accumulated over the Sui, Tang, Song, and Yuan dynasties. Song-style characters were born precisely for carved printing: their horizontal strokes were thin and vertical strokes thick, with dignified structures, appropriate spacing, and a clean, orderly beauty that made them extremely pleasant to look at. Although they lacked artificial poetic resonance, carved scripts had no special requirement for such qualities in the first place.

Zheng Yongtai was indeed a master carver of this era, but pitted against a font evolved over generations through the research and refinement of hundreds of other carvers, he could only feel inferior, leaving him with no other redundant thoughts.

"Master Zheng is too modest! This is merely a sudden inspiration of mine, which cannot compare to Master Zheng's fifty years of genuine, unremitting effort. Today, I have also come to ask Master Zheng to help me craft a plaque to serve as a constant warning and self-admonition," Pei Min seized the opportunity to state his purpose.

Zheng Yongtai responded without the slightest hesitation, "Provided that Commissioner Pei imparts the method of sword-script to this humble commoner, I am willing to pick up the carving knife once more for the Commissioner."

"It's a deal!" Pei Min agreed without a moment's hesitation. Although he had not specifically studied Song-style characters, the default fonts for various documents in the twenty-first century were predominantly Song-style. Encountered daily and witnessed constantly, he could certainly manage a thing or two.

"However..." Zheng Yongtai said in a deep voice, "If I pick up the knife again, the original rules cannot be altered. I still require calligraphy worthy of my blade. I wonder whose calligraphy the Commissioner wishes me to carve?"

Without answering, Pei Min handed him the sample scroll and said, "Judge for yourself whether it is worthy, Master Zheng!"

Carefully taking the scroll, Zheng Yongtai unrolled it to reveal four striking characters: "Matchless Under Heaven." His expression involuntarily grew a bit grave. General carved plaques mostly featured warnings or blessings, such as "Restrain Yourself and Return to Propriety," "Review the Old and Learn the New," or "The Five Horses Flowing Fragrance." A plaque with such an overbearing inscription as "Matchless Under Heaven" was exceedingly rare. Carving according to a text like this required not only carving the literal words, but also imbuing them with the corresponding artistic conception. This was the most difficult part, and the four characters "Matchless Under Heaven" were utterly imposing and the hardest to carve. Glancing at the signature at the bottom—Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji—his hand could not help but tremble slightly.

As a carver for over fifty years, he had seen the genuine calligraphy of many masters. Strictly speaking, Li Longji's *bafen* clerical script was indeed quite good, yet compared to true historical masters of calligraphy, it fell somewhat short. By his standards, the calligraphy was slightly mediocre, but did he dare say the current Emperor's writing was unqualified? Recalling the sword-script Pei Min possessed, he nodded and said, "His Majesty wrote these four characters with exceptional vigor, and carving them will not be easy. This humble commoner will do his utmost to engrave these characters with absolute precision... I just wonder what purpose the Commissioner has in commissioning this plaque?"

Pei Min said solemnly, "Naturally, it is to warn myself. His Majesty bestowed these four characters upon me, saying my swordsmanship is matchless under heaven. I naturally cannot take this lightly, and I use it to remind myself never to neglect my swordsmanship or prove unworthy of His Majesty's favor."

Zheng Yongtai understood and said no more.

Having secured his promise and unafraid that the master would renege, Pei Min explained his understanding of Song-style characters point by point, and took the opportunity to demonstrate using the Sword of Qin Shi Huang on the spot. The Qin Emperor's sword cut through iron like mud, surpassing the Qiushui Sword from the Wild Goose Pagoda by more than a margin, making his movements even smoother.

Creating a plaque could not be accomplished overnight; it required selecting materials, cutting lumber, detailed planning, and other preparatory steps, followed by choosing the appropriate rubbing method based on actual circumstances. Pei Min was a layman in all these matters, nor did he care about the quality of the plaque itself—spreading word of this endeavor through such means was his true objective. Therefore, he left all matters concerning the plaque entirely to Zheng Yongtai, completely washing his hands of the details.

That evening, Pei Min received news from the Imperial Censorate: Lu Pei, the Imperial Prince's Attendant, aiming too high and derelict in his duties, had been demoted to a Literary Assistant, lowering his official rank by two grades. This was the truly formidable aspect of the Imperial Censorate, which possessed the authority to submit memorials based on rumors. This so-called "relying on rumors" meant that an informant could file accusations based on hearsay without producing concrete evidence. Right and wrong were judged entirely by the Emperor; if the Emperor deemed the target guilty, they were punished, but the Censors would not be penalized if found innocent. For an expendable official like Lu Pei, once impeached, he would inevitably suffer a certain degree of punishment.

As for subsequent developments, Pei Min temporarily ignored them. He and Wang Ju kept to their own rivers, not interfering with each other. If Wang Ju truly disregarded his warning and continued to target Yan Yuansun or make things difficult for him over this matter, next time he would not target merely Lu Pei alone. He believed that, as fellow founding meritorious subjects, Wang Ju would not antagonize him over a mere Lu Pei.

After a day of rest, Pei Min's mother had recovered greatly in spirit. Pei Min accompanied her for two days, taking her to enjoy the snow scenery of Ba Bridge, visit the Great Ci'en Temple to worship the Buddha, and climb the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to take in the heights. Naturally, this included admiring his own sword-script and taking in half of the Eight Views of Guanzhong. As for scenic spots requiring strenuous mountain climbing, such as the Immortal's Palm of Mount Hua and the Accumulated Snow on Mount Taibai, Pei Min naturally bypassed them.

Just as Pei Min was enjoying himself to the fullest with his mother, a piece of news spread through the scholarly circles of Chang'an: the master carver Zheng Yongtai had picked up his carving knife once more.

Although Zheng Yongtai was not a scholar, he held a unique status. Nearly all famous scholars and prominent families in Chang'an had commissioned him to carve plaques and stone steles, granting him immense fame within Chang'an's scholarly circles. Countless literary figures and scholars were consumed with curiosity: just who was it that possessed such extraordinary prestige to make Zheng Yongtai pick up his knife again? Was it the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi or Chu Suiliang?

Countless people made guesses, inquiring everywhere, hoping that if it truly were a peerless piece of calligraphy, they might catch a glimpse of the ancient sages' ink treasures.

The client requesting the plaque: Pei Min. The inscription: Matchless Under Heaven. The answer was soon revealed.

Ever since Pei Min placed top in the imperial literary examinations, he had first been embroiled in a scandal with Princess Taiping, then claimed top honors in the military examinations, achieved meritorious service in establishing the new dynasty, and been elevated to the rank of a state duke...

This continuous string of experiences ensured he always maintained unparalleled exposure, remaining a trending topic over tea and conversation—much like the traffic-driving celebrity idols of later generations, brimming with presence. The moment this matter was linked to him, it spread instantly without requiring any deliberate artificial manipulation. Scholars were largely indifferent; having achieved top honors in both literary and military examinations, Pei Min was already viewed in their eyes as a rare all-rounder and a leader among men. Literati had been given to exaggeration since ancient times and loved to boast; to them, "Matchless Under Heaven" truly meant outstanding and exceptional, rather than its literal, absolute meaning. At most, a few young maidens harboring romantic thoughts began to view the dual-talented Pei Min as their ideal match. Commoners merely clicked their tongues in wonder upon hearing it, adding a fresh topic to their post-meal chats.

However, men of the jianghu could not remain calm upon receiving this news. They were extremely sensitive to such titles and cared deeply about them. Their internal code of righteousness formed a world of its own, and they looked down upon generals who claimed unmatched valor through mere ruthless surprise attacks. Pei Min had merely launched a sneak attack to kill a mediocre general; by what right did he deserve the four characters "Matchless Under Heaven"?

A sneak attack!

In the eyes of martial arts heroes who prided themselves on righteousness, this was the most despicable tactic. Did someone who built his achievements on such base methods deserve the title "Matchless Under Heaven"?

In an instant, the martial arts community within Chang'an surged like wind and clouds, filled with dissatisfaction, contempt, and disdain toward Pei Min.

The "Matchless Under Heaven" plaque was still in the material-selection stage and had not yet begun construction, yet it had already stirred up monstrous waves in the jianghu of Chang'an.

At a Huji tavern in Baoning Ward where martial arts figures liked to gather, numerous valiant young chivalrous knights of the jianghu had gathered to discuss this very matter.

"To hell with peerless swordsmanship! It was clearly the petty behavior of a sneak attacker, yet the world has puffed him up into someone with peerless swordsmanship. If I were to actually fight him, twenty—no, ten moves—and I could defeat him!" A green-robed swordsman wearing a long sword drank a bowl of wine with bold spirit. To prove his words were true, he slammed the bowl heavily onto the table, his words ringing with finality. He was not completely foolish and refrained from openly criticizing Li Longji's "Matchless Under Heaven." No matter how much martial arts men despised imperial law, none dared openly question the words of the Emperor Li Longji in such a public place.

"Brother Pang speaks the truth!" As soon as the green-robed swordsman's voice fell, someone immediately echoed him, "Though I use a saber, I likewise look down upon such cowards who dare not engage in frontal combat and only know how to launch sneak attacks. A true hero and husband should fight openly to determine who is superior... launching sudden strikes when people aren't paying attention, what kind of hero and good汉 is that?"

The green-robed swordsman addressed as Brother Pang looked toward the voice and saw Wu Yuan, the successor of the Wu family's swift saber. Prior to this, Wu Yuan was the most famous fast-blade artist of the younger generation in Chang'an, enjoying the reputation of the premier swift saber. Although just a few days prior someone had defeated him with an even faster blade, his own strength was still commendable—at least here in Chang'an, among the younger generation, he ranked near the top.

Filled with bold spirit, the green-robed swordsman filled his cup to the brim and raised it in a toast to Wu Yuan.

Wu Yuan filled his own cup in return, and the two of them drained them with heroic fervor, evoking a strong sense of heroes recognizing heroes.

Not only them, but people all around were discussing this matter, especially jianghu figures whose weapon of choice was the sword. The sword was the most common weapon in the jianghu, and the number of swordsmen in the martial world far exceeded the total of those wielding all other weapons combined. Although they dared not openly question Li Longji, discontent lingered secretly in everyone's heart.

"There's a saying in the jianghu: mules or horses, you have to lead them out to walk before you know. Without any achievements to speak of, anyway, my sword is the first to refuse to submit!" Another white-robed swordsman patted the sheathed sword at his waist, speaking with an aloof expression. His name was Ye Gu, and his master was a disciple of the Quanzhen Sect on Mount Zhongnan, having inherited the Tiger-Slaying Sword Technique all the way from the Northern Sect's second patriarch Zhong Liquan, enjoying great renown throughout the Guanzhong region. With such a master, Ye Gu naturally possessed his own pride. Limited by his talent, his swordsmanship was not considered top-tier, but in his heart, his master was truly invincible. As for Pei Min, he was merely a petty man who relied on sneak attacks—matchless under heaven, indeed!

The martial arts youths throughout the tavern chimed in one after another, growing increasingly angered the more they spoke.

Ye Gu said, "Whether he is worthy of those four characters can only be known after a test. Why don't we go find him together and test just how much capability he really has?"

Hearing this, Wu Yuan's eyes lit up. Having suffered a crushing defeat the day before, his reputation had taken a heavy blow, and he was precisely in need of an opportunity to prove himself. With the alcohol rising to his head, he abruptly declared, "I will go find him and issue a challenge right now, to see how many moves of mine his 'peerless swordsmanship' can block!"