Poem I was forced to write for English Class

It is likely that the traditional use of narcissi for the treatment of cancer was due to the presence of isocarbostyril constituents such as narciclasine, pancratistatin and their congeners.

Acetylcholine esterase inhibition has attracted the most interest as a possible therapeutic intervention, with activity varying by a thousandfold between species, and the greatest activity seen in those that contain galantamine or epinorgalanthamine.

The rodent repellant properties of Narcissus alkaloids have been utilised in horticulture to protect more vulnerable bulbs.

In the West, the narcissus is perceived as a symbol of vanity, in the East as a symbol of wealth and good fortune, while in Persian literature, the narcissus is a symbol of beautiful eyes.

Western Culture
In western culture, the daffodil is also associated with spring festivals such as Lent and its successor Easter. In Germany, the wild narcissus, N. pseudonarcissus, is known as the Osterglocke or "Easter bell." In the United Kingdom, the daffodil is sometimes referred to as the Lenten lily.

Although prized as an ornamental flower, some people consider narcissi unlucky, because they hang their heads implying misfortune. White narcissi, such as N triandrus "Thalia", are especially associated with death and have been called grave flowers. In Ancient Greece, narcissi were planted near tombs, and Robert Herrick describes them as portents of death, an association which also appears in the myth of Persephone and the underworld. 

.The poet Ovid also dealt with the mythology of the narcissus. In his Metamorphoses, he recounts the story of the youth Narcissus who, after his death, is turned into the flower, and it is also mentioned in Book 5 of his poem Fasti. This theme of metamorphosis was broader than just Narcissus; for instance see crocus, laurel, and hyacinth

"The poem I will recite now about myself, you must all have read in your English class. It was written by William Wordsworth."

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake, beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.

The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee: –
A poet could not but be gay
In such a laughing company:
I gazed – and gazed – but little thought
What wealth the shew to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

Although there is no clear evidence that the flower's name derives directly from the Greek myth, this link between the flower and the myth became firmly part of western culture. The narcissus or daffodil is the most loved of all English plants and appears frequently in English literature. Many English writers have referred to the cultural and symbolic importance of Narcissus. No flower has received more poetic description except the rose and the lily, with poems by authors from John Gower, Shakespeare, Milton, Wordsworth, Shelley, and Keats. Frequently the poems deal with self-love derived from Ovid's account. Gower's reference to the yellow flower of the legend has been assumed to be the daffodil or Narcissus, 

Shakespeare frequently uses flower imagery, refers to daffodils twice in The Winter's Tale and also The Two Noble Kinsmen. Robert Herrick alludes to their association with death in a number of poems. Among the English romantic movement writers, none is better known than William Wordsworth's short 1804 poem I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud which has become linked in the popular mind with the daffodils that form its main image. Wordsworth also included the daffodil in other poems. Keats refers to daffodils among those things capable of bringing "joy forever".

In the visual arts, narcissi are depicted in three different contexts, mythological (Narcissus, Persephone), floral art, or landscapes. 

Eastern cultures
In Chinese culture Narcissus tazetta subsp. chinensis (Chinese sacred lilies), which can be grown indoors, is widely used as an ornamental plant. It was probably introduced to China by Arab traders traveling the Silk Road prior to the Song Dynasty for medicinal use. Spring-flowering, they became associated with Chinese New Year, signifying good fortune.

In India, the daffodil is commonly known as Nargis or Yemberzal (in Kashmiri). The importance of this flower for the Kashmiri people and other mountain regions is that it declares the arrival of Spring after the long harsh months of Winter. This white petalled beauty is also considered a symbol of good health and prosperity. A popular Kashmiri folk song, derived from the first-ever Kashmiri opera performed- Bombur ta Yemberzal, is illustrative of the love story of the Narcissus (Yemberzal) and the Bumble Bee (Bombur)

Festivals
In some areas where narcissi are prevalent, their blooming in spring is celebrated in festivals. 

Commercial uses
Throughout history the scent of narcissi has been an important ingredient of perfumes, a quality that comes from essential oils rather than alkaloids. Narcissi are also an important horticultural crop and source of cut flowers (floriculture).The Netherlands, which is the most important source of flower bulbs worldwide is also a major centre of narcissus production.

The largest Daffodil plant waving its flowery head and said that this was all that he could say. 
If more information, is needed then the children can go home and search the internet to get a lot of information or they can go to a horticulture expert who will tell them a lot of things.

The daffodil then said that it would be getting to be evening soon and as soon as the sun goes down and they switch over to sleeping/resting/ respiratory mode. Hence, they cannot answer any questions. Tomorrow, when the sun comes then the plants, trees animals, birds, etc. will be in a position to answer your questions.

The Daffodil asked if there were any other questions. We did not have any was the reply given by Chris.

Our 4 flying cars had parked on the grass and when the drivers saw that we were ready to leave,  the cars glided towards us hovering a few inches above the grass. Zen again wondered what sort of fuel was being used by the flying cars, it must be environment-friendly, as the cars did not seem to emit any smoke. They bid thanks and bye to the grass, the lake and the Daffodils saying they will come again tomorrow to get information about the birds, frogs, fish, trees, squirrels, butterflies, etc.

What would happen if you got stuck in Time?

Zia has completed her Ph.D. in Botany and has applied for the post of lecturer/ Professor. She joins a High school as a temporary teacher and is entrusted with the task of leading a group of students on a trekking /camping expedition. 

On the way they meet a guy who seems to be a trouble maker but later, he proves to be a pillar of strength. Early morning their camp is attacked and they flee taking a different route. But they are lost.

They enter a world where people are living, in hiding, for over 250 years. Their technology is much advanced as compared to ours. Their world was initially a Utopia but now it is changing due to an oppressive ruler.

They are trapped in the time of this hidden world and want to help the people there fight against the oppressive ruler and his cronies. The oppressive ruler wants to make a number of Time Machines by using the brains of the scientists who had died in harness at the site of the experiments. 

They all decide to help the good citizens of the lost world. The huge brains are destroyed and the Orbs of the scientists escape to help the rest in their mission. 

In the process, the crystals that are used in the hypnotizing guns are almost finished and to get more they split up to go to the 'Magical World' through a curtain which is a portal. The Magical World is a flat  man made Earth-like satellite, which was made as a joke to taunt the scientists 7000 years ago, and which is still operational. Here they meet the inhabitants.  They are fascinated with the advancement of science especially the talking chips and the flying cars.They see a completely different world where animals, plants, rocks, water etc can talk. Before you touch anything you need to seek permission.

They also meet the Aliens called the 'Crocodile Race' who have come to the Magical World (the flat satellite) to get supplies. They see spaceships being guided to land by the scientists of the Magical World.

At present they are narrating to the Aliens, what they have undergone till date. 

Read on to experience their adventures, their fears, and their courage, to deal with various situations and how, after meandering through various secret passageways, encountering adventures, they finally come back to their time.
****************************
Trying to post a chapter in a week now.

Huang Xuan felt bad luck. He had caused a mess with a spring water bottle, and the girl before him had been the direct victim. He hadn’t recognized her, but now his smile had given him away.
Paulino was teaching the class passionately. Huang Xuan shrank his head and asked in English, “You are?”
“Galatea.” She smiled again. Her eyes and brows all turned into new moons.
With Rolin’s help, Huang Xuan responded quickly, “The Goddess of the calm seas?”
Galatea was the name a Greek sculptor gave to his best sculpture. Later, he fell in love with Galatea, but when Galatea woke up, she regarded the sculptor as her father. Many suitors fought for her or even for just one look at her. The kind Galatea cried so much that she became blind. She thought she didn’t deserve to have come to the world, so she jumped into the river one evening and killed herself. After her death, she was called “The Goddess of the calm seas”.
Rolin had explained the meaning of the name as plainly as he could. Huang Xuan thought that Rolin’s chatter had never been so useful as right now.
Galatea was surprised. In Greece, her name could be understood by many people, but now it was Brazil, and the teenager who was even younger than herself wasn’t even a westerner. 
At this moment, Paulino was teaching the Spanish wording structure. Huang Xuan said in a low voice,
 “We missed each other, and you decided to look beside,
“The blue eyes just passing by are looking at you,
“From the moment I saw you,
“The glimpse, the silence.”
Although the intonation was jerky, Galatea was smiling, showing her white teeth.
The Chinese writer Li Ao had once said that when a man saw a beautiful woman, all his body parts became soft except one. It was such a simple thought. Huang Xuan wasn’t a grown-up yet, but he thought he had become a man. Now the fact spoke louder.
“I am Huang Xuan,” the “man” introduced himself slowly in English.
“I understand Spanish.” Galatea seemed to have forgotten what had happened at the airport. “We can communicate in Spanish.”
Huang Xuan shrugged. Finally, he saw the importance of languages Rolin had been talking about, but he barely knew anything about Spanish. 
“I…” he squeezed out in English.
Then he shut up again. Galatea craned his neck, with her hair hanging down softly. 
“Rolin, can you help me learn foreign languages really fast?”
Rolin complimented Huang Xuan on his spirit. “There are no such ways. Even when the base reaches level 21, it will still need two months.”
That gave Huang Xuan something to expect in the future. He decided to give Galatea a good impression first. He looked at his phone, stood up and said, “Sorry.” Then he rushed out from the back door.
On his way home, he kept reminding Rolin, “Remember Galatea’s looks and then tell me her phone number.”
“No problem,” Rolin gave a pleasant answer.
Huang Xuan decided to work hard on foreign languages. It occurred to him that he didn’t even know where Galatea came from.
Huang Xuan wasn’t used to cutting school. He sat there, panting. He wanted to do something, anything, but his mind was in a mess. He just sat there, absent-minded, until dinner was ready.
“Rolin, should I write her a letter?” 
“To whom?”
“Galatea!” Huang Xuan pronounced that name smoothly.
“That will be a love letter,” Rolin said honestly. Huang Xuan’s face went pink. He mumbled something and started writing. Then came the problem. Since he had never written a love letter before, and he wasn’t good at writing, writing a love letter to a foreigner seemed beyond him.
“Hey, any good ideas?” He had to ask Rolin for help.
“What?” 
“The love letter. Do you know how to write one?”
“No,” Rolin said bluntly.
“I am hurt. I can’t believe you refused to help me when I need you so much,” Huang Xuan pretended to grieve.
Rolin didn’t fall for it but still offered his help: “I suggest you translate an ancient Chinese love poem.”
“Poem?” Poems were good. His father loved literature. Huang Xuan nodded his head in satisfaction. “But which one to translate?”
“An Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River by Cao Zhi1,” Saying this, Rolin started translating it and displayed the Chinese and Greek versions to Huang Xuan by energy projection. Meanwhile, he read in a low voice,
“She has a thin neck and fair skin,
She doesn’t wear make-up and ties her hair up high,
Her eyebrows curve slightly,
Her lips are red and her teeth white, 
Her eyes are sparkling,
With dimples in her cheeks, she is so beautiful and elegant,
She speaks gently and charmingly…”
Although Huang Xuan had heard the story that Cao Zhi had been able to write a poem when he had been seven years old, he had never heard of An Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River. He had spent most of his time fooling around with Liu Penggang.
Even though he didn’t get it, the poem moved Huang Xuan. Art was similar. Whoever could appreciate beauty could do art too.
Rolin was imitating Huang Xuan’s tone as he read the poem. Then he started to read the Greek Version of it, which had been translated beautifully in a classical style. It sounded uncertain, misty, and as peaceful as the moonlight.
Huang Xuan was lost for a minute. When Rolin finished reading, he asked, “Will she believe that I wrote it?”
“She doesn’t know you. As long as you possess this quality when you see her again, it is yours.”
Huang Xuan was encouraged, but he knew himself well. Not to mention writing a poem in Greek, he could barely write an article in Chinese. He couldn’t even finish a composition in months. He didn’t understand why Rolin had insisted on letting him learn foreign languages.
He spread his hands and said, “Fine, I will learn Greek from you, but I can stop it anytime.”
“OK,” Rolin agreed, as long as Huang Xuan was willing to take the first step.
“When shall we begin?”
“The upgrade of the base to level 21 will take about one week. Just wait.”
 
Note:
Cao Zhi (192-232), a poet and essayist of the Han Dynasty.


Many people felt frustrated by the lack of knowledge after time travel.

Many took their laptops with them during time travel and fell into an awkward situation with deficient electricity.

Many others took the troops with them and found that there were only logistics of 19th century.

Countless predecessors had died on the way, numerous on the land of another world. 

A large number of people had achieved both success and fame after time travel, but failed to find the way back home. 

Do you still regret not remembering the formula of glass?
Are you still confused about the ingredients of gunpowder?
Are you still trying to perfect the shape of mirrors?

Nowadays, a lot of colleges and universities are rushing about, looking for sponsorship; many institutions are drifting along the wave of bank notes; a host of experts’ and professors’ subjects have been brought to a halt  because they are short of funds.

There is a solution to every problem.
...



"I'm sooooooo bored!! Ughhh....." lazily complained a young woman with startling white hair that was wearing a fur coat as it was winter currently. She was lying flat on her back, staring at the ceiling aimlessly while fiddling with a mandarin. Her name was Wang Xinya.

She laid behind a wooden table that had 2 teacups arranged neatly on a porcelain plate together with a teapot; one cup had the phrase: "So many times you felt sad about the past, yet the mountain still sits there when the cold wind blows."(1) written on it(this is the English translation of a part of a chinese poem, PS: this translation is not actually very accurate), drawn around the phrase were beautiful white and yellow chrysanthemum blossoms, threaded between the chrysanthemums were peach blossoms, blooming around the peach blossoms were beautiful yet tragic red spider lilies. The other teacup had sprawling branches of plum blossoms curved around a phrase combined with the plum blossoms were delicate orchids, perched upon the plum blossoms were a magnificent and imposing yet lonely phoenix, written inside this cage of flowers was the phrase: "While the wildfires rage, once the spring wind arrives, the wild grass will bloom again."(2)(Again, this is just part of a whole poem but a very famous poem about wild grass, it's actually: While the wildfires rage, once spring wind arrives, they will bloom again.) but barely noticeable; written beside the phrase was a small character that meant betrayal.

(Author's note: This is some heavy symbolism so....you better start googling. Cuz I'm foreshadowing)


"Miss, if you're so bored, why don't you do these paperwork yourself." replied another woman, she had looks that could cause the downfall of nation, you could have easily mistaken her for being a goddess if not for the fact that she was sorting through some documents with a wry smile. 

"Remind me, what did I hire you for?" replied the pessimistic young woman groggily, as she slowly got up, stretching sleepily, letting out a wide yawn before turning around to face her subordinate. She slammed the mandarin in her hands on the table lazily.

"To be your bodyguard?" answered the subordinate.

"Nope! To do my paperwork!" 

"Miss, since you're so bored, how about returning?"

"Returning? Where?"

"Miss...don't play dumb. You know where. The capital of course, where else."

"Are you crazy? What for?"

"What if the Master notices something wrong with Qiu Rou's disguise?"

"Oh. I would be flattered if my 'dearest' father even payed enough attention to me, his bastard 'son'!" she snorted sarcastically.

"Miss...the Master genuinely cares for you, he just doesn't know how to show it."

"Hmph! That damned drunkard father of mine cares for me?! If that happens, then the sun must have risen from the West! Not like that would happen in a million years!" 

"Miss...y-"

Just then, the door slammed open, a burly youth stood at the door, huffing and puffing, "Miss-" he was about to say, but then, a stunning young lady barged in. 

"You have to help me!" the young lady declared.

"Uhh....who are you?" Wang Xinya said with a tilt of her head.

"Wait..." the young girl's eyebrows were knitted together in confusion as she muttered to herself, "Could it be!? That I'm at the wrong place? But...I'm sure this is where 'The Red Spider Lily of The Alliance of Heroes' stay at...hmmm. I know! I'll ask them for directions!" She turned around and said "Hi, uhmm, sorry for barging in, I think I got the wrong place. Can you please tell me where is 'The Red Spider Lily of The Alliance of Heroes' stay?"


"Why? Are you looking for her?" she asked, a smile tugging at her lips, finally! She wouldn't be so bored now! 


"Uhh, yeah! Do you know her?"


"Of course I would know myself! Hmm...I never thought my nickname would be so famous, right...Qiu Hua?"


"Uhhh....Miss, I think it would be quite the contrary, uhh...you know: infamous.. Yeah..."


"You know...."


"Yeah? Know what?"


"I really want to strangle you..."


"You're joking right? Right? Right, Miss?"


"I'm not joking, try me!"


"Miss....don't stress your body!"


"Haha. You think that'll work on me? Obviously, you won't lay a hand on me at all. So....I can bully you all I want! Mwahahahahahaahahaha!"


"Miss..."


"As long as you beg me...maybe I'll let you go?" And so begin cat and mouse chase between the master and subordinate.

They call her the Red Spider Lily of The Alliance of Heroes; they say she is vicious, cruel and ruthless but...what they don't know is that: she is easily bored, pessimistic and slothful, she lives a boring life. That was how she lived, until...she meets her perfect foil: a truly hard-working, innocent and forgiving daughter of a 'treacherous' general. The 2 embark on an adventure to restore the former glory of her father.

"A riddle?" I asked.

"Yep. Four of them to be exact. One for each side of the brazier." she sighed. "And they really gave a thought to it! Because some actually has a rhyming scheme when translated to English!"

"Four?" I asked again. I then proceeded to read the first one out loud.

"A passage that goes around
Will lead one on what to be found
Guess the Right answer so you may find
The treasure I wish to leave behind
One I wish to protect"

I paused then a bulb lighted on me head and realized something.

"The map of the tomb!"

They all gave me a skeptical look.

"Look," I showed them the map I recreated from memory. "As you can see, it's very confusing right? Especially with many traps along the way. I have always wondered why there were many corridors and pitchfork paths and somehow some of them lead to nowhere! So that's why! It's a maze! And the only path to the main chamber is actually a spiral!"

"A what now?"

"Guys… look… we are here." I pointed at the box that was at the very beginning of the map. "This is the first chamber. Once we exit this one there will be a long corridor where dangers may lurk. After that there will be two separate roads." I sighed. "After that I'm not too sure anymore. The correct path can be the one on the left or it could be the other one."

"How about… we find the exit of this place first?" Seven suggested. "Then we think of something about that later."

"Good idea." Artemis said.

"Uh guys?" Calvin's voice echoed inside the chamber. "Is this supposed to be like this?"

We all turned to his direction.

"The fire's dying out."

We all gathered around the brazier and saw that the fire was really getting dimmer and the surroundings started getting darker. Torches on the walls started lighting up one by one like a sequence with blue fire.

"How did that happen?" I heard Mister Fa murmur.

"I think… it will be better not to know." Kyle commented.

As the fire dimmed in the brazier, the fire on the torched burned brighter. It continued to do that until the blazing inferno in the brazier totally burned out.

"Uhm… Where's the ash?" Blake asked.

I looked down at the bottom of the brazier and saw that it was spotless. There were no ashes nor coals or even a speck of dust. But then…

"There are letters." I said. "English letters."

"What? How the hell did a two thousand year old tomb inscribe English letters?" questioned Xander.

I didn't know how to answer Xander's question. I was as stumped as he was on that note.

"It seems to be buttons." commented Jessa.

I studied the image and true enough the English letters were inside a square.

"Do you think one of the poems is a clue?" Artemis asked.

I scanned the four poems. Then one of it caught my attention.

"The password is as simple as can be
You never thought it would be
Among the seasons of earth
Let me give you a clue
My last name is Liu but my middle name is Shen"

And everybody was confused again.

"Seasons of the earth. This poem is the clue to solve the password problem. One of the four seasons is the answer!" I said.

"So," Calvin paused. "Which one? Spring, summer, winter or fall?"

"But he left a clue though." Blake interrupted. "Remember? He stated his last name and middle name. Wait, do they even use middle names back then?"

"Liu… Liu…" Xander kept muttering.

"Liu? Six?" Kyle questioned. "Liu is green, well at least there is a character that translates to that."

"Green. Green…"

"Spring?"

"No. Spring time brings abundance of colors because flowers bloom in that season." Mister Fa suggested. "So it should be summer."

"Summer…" I muttered. "But why did he mention his mother's family name? His middle name?"

Wait… middle?

""Midsummer!"" Artemis and I exclaimed at the same time.

I pushed the letters that spelled midsummer. There was a low rumble and a section of the wall on my left opened like an elevator door.

"Good job Lei!" Artemis exclaimed.

"Okay, everybody let's go." Fa Xiao Min ordered.

I eyed my friends and we entered.

***

After walking in the dark corridor for what seemed to be hours while dodging traps along the way we finally reached the forked path.

"So which way?" asked Jessa.

"What do you think Calvin?"

Calvin only looked at me confusedly but he did not retort. He actually stopped for a few seconds to think.

"Well separating will be dangerous so why don't we take the right." he said.

"Why the right?" Kyle asked.

"Err… The first poem. There was a line that said 'Guess the Right answer so you may find'. Now what if the word right isn't just referring to the correct answer but also the direction?"

I was impressed. Calvin actually thought of something. I agreed with his decision and we chose the path to the right. About an hour later we reached a door. It was made of a big slab of stone with dragon designs on it. The door was very massive like a bank vault door and it definitely looked very impressive.

One of Mister Fa's men tried to open it but the door didn't budge.

"Well?" he turned to me.

I rolled my eyes and stepped forward. I shined my flashlight to the door to look for clues. The longer I stared at the door I could make out the ancient Han characters for poem and polite. It was hastily scribbled to the door like somebody carved it using a knife or something.

"Poem about politeness?" I scanned my notes for the poem again and found one poem about it.

"Politeness lets you be treated nicely
Courtesy is used scarcely
The two let you earn respect in society
Be careful not to be feisty
But do choose carefully who to be really polite with"


""So… Be polite?"" Xander and Blake asked at the same time.

"His words speak the truth." I commented.

"How do we act polite? To a door." Calvin asked.

"Simple." Artemis stepped forward. "We knock. Gently."

Artemis walked to the door and knocked on it gently thrice. At first nothing really happened but a few seconds later the doors swung open on its own.

"See? Be polite. So next time, try to knock and be nice on people instead of kidnapping them." she flipped her hair and started walking.

I only smirked at her actions and was amused at Mister Fa's miffed reaction.

We all entered the door and were greeted by yet another long corridor. I could hear the complaints of the younger ones, namely Blake and Calvin. We were about to walk further when an arrow suddenly came out of nowhere and struck one of Fa Xiao Min's men. It hit him right on the throat and immediately died.

"Traps." I muttered. "Everybody stay where you are!"

I looked around and found out that it was Fa Xiao Min himself that stepped on the trigger.

"And don't move."

I took out the map and studied the traps that were found along the corridor.

"So there should be poisoned arrows, a pit full of spikes and poisoned strings at the very end. Kind of like laser beams except its strings. And it's also color coded. I read one of my family's books about poisons written by Zhang Li Er himself and was co-authored by General Shen Yu. Red will knock you out, yellow will make you hallucinate, blue will make you dizzy and black will immediately kill you."

"HA?!" was Calvin's reaction.

"It's a family thing or maybe an inside joke between them, Anyway according to the information I have for this kind of trap, three will have to get to the other side first to disable the traps."

"We'll need nimble people for this one." Kyle voiced out.

"I'll go." Artemis replied.

"What? No!" her older brother immediately reacted. "Healers should stay in the rear! Not charge into danger!"

"Sounds like you don't trust me big brother."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know, but who else can actually go there? I'm very nimble and flexible and I suppose Jessa as well. I'll be fine Kyle. Trust me, okay?"

Kyle turned to Mister Fa. "If something happens to my sister I'll flail you alive."

The sight would've been comical since Kyle towered over Fa Xiao Min for like a foot and the latter had a very terrified expression on his face but the place was full of danger and nobody really dared to laugh.

In the end Artemis, Jessa and Calvin were the ones who would disable the traps. Jessa volunteered while Calvin was forced to do it. But the guy was nimble since he also used to do parkour before becoming a trainee. Plus to disable the traps a drop of blood from the Liu bloodline was needed.

"Okay these commlinks should work. When you get there just point the camera to anything that seems suspicious. I'll talk you guys through." I said.

"Can't you come with us?" Calvin asked. "It'll be easier you know."

"I can't. Once you get there should only be three platforms. The extra person will be ejected or worse, killed."

"Then replace me." he cried.

I looked at him with a blank expression and gave him a flat out no.

***

Artemis dodged an arrow and jumped as the floor she was about to step into vanished. Jessa, who was just right behind her, followed suit and landed safely. Calvin though really surprised us. He moved at a fast pace and was the first one to reach the poisoned strings. He was able to dodge all the other traps at a hair's width.

The three of them carefully entered the trap of the strings. They took careful steps to avoid any of it.

"Jessa! Watch out!" I heard Calvin yell. I watched the feedback from Calvin's camera and saw that Jessa lost her footing and was about to fall on a red string. Luckily, Calvin caught her, well he sort of hugged to save her and also to make up for the tight space.

"Thanks." I heard her over the comms.

"Uhm… Yeah…"

I just heard Artemis scoff then the three of them continued making their way to the other side of the strings.

A few minutes later just as they were about to exit the trap, I heard Calvin yelp. I took a look in the camera and saw that he got cut.

"Calvin!" I called. "What color did that?"

"It was blue, I think." he said uneasily. "I feel… kind of dizzy."

"Artemis! Jessa!"

""On it!""

I watched as the two held Calvin and dragged him on one of the pedestals found in the room. The two then went to the other two.

The pedestals were stuck to the wall with a hole at the wall it was stuck into. I told them to put their hands on the hole.

Jessa complained about it but Artemis shushed her and the three of them put their hands inside. Another yelp came from Calvin and the entire corridor shook.

The automatic crossbows died down, the holes on the floor got sealed up and the strings retracted to the walls.

Once we made sure that it was safe we all took our things and rushed to the three's direction.

When I arrived, I saw Artemis tending to Calvin who was complaining about how dizzy he was and that how much he wanted to vomit.

"Give me a sedative to calm him down." Artemis ordered. "He can just sleep it off and when he wakes up, he will no longer have that feeling."

Kyle gave her a syringe which she immediately injected to the groaning Calvin. A few seconds later he calmed down and fell asleep.

"He needs rest. We all need rest so let's camp here." she said.

Nobody complained. We were pretty tired.

Everyone set up their gears and lied down. I, on the other hand headed to the next chamber. I decided to check it out to make some plans but with what I saw the idea was immediately thrown out the window.

When I woke up the next day (it was… I checked it with Jessa's phone) I went back to the chamber with my gear. The rest of my companions followed suit.

"Welcome to the second chamber." I announced. "The Sphinx's Room."

"Ha?" Xander exclaimed. "Wait… isn't the sphinx a creature from western mythologies? Why would an ancient Chinese tomb have it?"

"Well I'm as clueless as you on that one, but if it's true that the mysterious lady, Hauria, really did exist and that she was from the future then there's a possibility that she was the one that influenced them with all… this." I said.

"Now, we have to answer riddles?" Blake whined. "I hate riddles. I suck at them."

"Sush. The sphinx will ask us five riddles. If we answer four correctly, then we can pass."

"Did you find that in your family's files as well?" Kyle asked.

"No. It's written there." I pointed to the wall where ancient Han characters were written.

"Oh."

"We have to get closer." I announced.

We all made our way closer to the sphinx statue. Once we were only a few feet away, the sphinx's eyes glowed bright green.

"Answer my questions and thou shall pass." it said in a taunting voice. Well the mouth wasn't moving but there was a voice coming out from the sphinx.

"Hey, is it just me or the voice is familiar?" Jessa asked.

All eyes were suddenly on me.

"What?"

"The voice from the sphinx, it sounds like you." Jessa said.

I only stayed silent because somehow it was true but before we could argue about it, the sphinx already asked its first question.

"During the 21st century, what is the capital of Japan?"

"Uhm…Tokyo?" Kyle answered with a tone of uncertainty.

"Correct! What is the symbol for the element potassium?"

"K!" Blake answered.

"Wait! Wait! Wait!" Artemis interrupted.

"What is it child? I still have three more questions to ask you know."

"What kind of questions are those? You're pulling a Mark of Athena right now! Aren't you supposed to ask riddles? Like, 'what walks four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?' And the answer will be 'man'?" she reasoned.

"Well Hauria said that it will be obvious and predictable so we changed it to this."

"Hauria?"

"Yes. Hauria, Fen, Li Er and I created this entire place after all."

His words made me stop and work the cogs of my brain.

"You're Liu Qing!" I exclaimed.

"Nothing but a remnant I'm afraid. Something Hauria calls a mere memory. Anyway, next question! If x is equals to 6 then what is the answer to this equation? Three x squared plus x minus 3? You have thirty seconds…"

"A hundred eleven!" Xander shouted almost immediately which made us turn our heads to him. "What?"

"That fast?" Seven asked.

"Well, it was easy. And I like math." he grinned.

"Fourth question. How many months in a year have twenty-eight days?"

We got stumped on this one… It wasn't even a riddle or a simple question. It was a trick question.

"Twelve!" Xander exclaimed again.

"Are you sure?" Blake asked him.

"Very."

"Correct! Would you like to answer the last question?" asked the sphinx.

"What do we get in return?"

"Nothing really. I'm only a guardian."

"Then pass." I answered.

"Okay then! You answered four questions correctly! Give a reward to that kid who answered two questions. You may pass."

"Wait!" I shouted. "If you're really Liu Qing's remnant, just who is Hauria? And why do you have Rexon language in your tomb?"

The sphinx was silent but then I heard him chuckle.

"I see… Well, figure out the answer yourself. It will come to you sooner or later. You're smart, I'm sure you can. You already have enough clues and help to get to my chamber, do your best."

The glow in the sphinx's eyes died down and everything became silent for a moment. Seven tapped my shoulder.

"You okay?" I nodded. "What did you talk with the sphinx anyway? None of us could understand it."

"Huh? What are you-"

"You spoke in a language none of us could understand."

I then realized that I just conversed with the sphinx in Rexon.

'Just who the hell is Liu Qing?'

Lei Zhang has always known what he wants and it is not to be what his father wanted him to be. Armed with memories not of earth, he tries to cope with the fact that the friends he has now were the same friends he used to have in his old life, only quite different. Same faces, but entirely different people. When he thought he had finally escaped his fate and started living a mundane life, his destiny came chasing him, and the friends he came to love got dragged into it. Let's not forget one Artemis Hunter who turns out to be more unordinary than she already is.


************
A/N: I appreciate honest and helpful opinions.

Xoxo,
White_May (Bai_Wu_Yue)

They were pressed for time!
They had to race against the clock!
"So who's going on?"
"Only Teacher Zhang can do it."
"There's no time left. Old Zhao is still waiting, so let's hurry up and decide. We're in a foreign country, and every move we make will affect our country's image. We cannot afford to lose here."
"Didn't Teacher Zhang already say that he can do it?"
"Then it's settled."
"Teacher Zhang, we're depending on you."
Everyone came to an agreement.
Zhang Ye looked at them. "I'll be taking the stage then?"
Amy sighed. "There's no one else anyway."
Zhang Ye nodded and said, "Alright, but I don't have a band."
Xu Meilan said, "A band?"
Big Qi said, "Yeah, how are we going to handle the band issue?"
Suddenly, Zhang Ye asked, "Amy, I heard that you can play the drums?"
Amy was taken aback. "Ah? Ah, yes, I can."
Zhang Ye looked at Xiaodong. "Sister Dong, your skill on the bass hasn't been lost, right?"
Xiaodong was dumbfounded. "Ah? It's still OK."
Zhang Ye glanced at Li Xiaoxian. "Classmate Xiaoxian, you can still play the guitar, right?"
Li Xiaoxian was taken back. "Uh, I guess."
Zhang Ye snapped his fingers. "Alright, our band has been formed!"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
The members of Spring Garden exclaimed, "No, we can't do it. This is a heavy metal performance. We haven't even tried much of rock 'n' roll before, much less heavy metal. Teacher Zhang, please don't pull us down with you. You should get someone else, or maybe borrow a band from the organizers?"
Zhang Ye glanced at them. "Do you guys think that I'm asking you because I want your level of playing? It's just that there isn't anyone else I can ask and the organizer's in-house bands are all foreigners. It's not like I had any practice in advance with them, nor can I properly communicate with them about the tune. There isn't enough time either, so the three of you will have to make do!"
Big Qi said, "Yeah, there are only the three of you amongst us who are professional musicians."
Ning Lan laughed and said, "Surely you all can't expect Old Jiang and me to do it, right?"
Xiaodong finally crumbled. "Alright."
Amy was on the verge of tears. "I'll give it a try."
Zhang Ye then called them over. "I'll briefly explain it. I'll be the lead guitarist, so Xiaoxian will accompany me. This is how the melody will sound like in general: When I increase the pitch, you'll follow me—Sister Dong, this is your part—Amy, I don't care what you do, just improvise—It doesn't matter whether you can remember it or not as long as you keep up with my rhythm. Don't mess up the tempo; hold steady. When we reach verse b, repeat these notes. All good?"
He explained and wrote it.
The members of Spring Garden were stunned.
Amy exclaimed, "Which song is this?"
Xiaodong also asked, "Why doesn't it feel like I've heard this melody before? Does this song exist?"
Zhang Ye rolled his eyes. "Why do you care what song it is. I'm the one singing it."
Li Xiaoxian was the most obedient one. "OK, I got it, Teacher Zhang."
Zhang Ye checked his watch. "Come on, let's go!"
Xiaodong facepalmed. She could only bite the bullet and follow Zhang Ye.
Amy clenched her teeth and stared. It was like she was staring Death in the eye.
Ning Lan watched as they walked into the distance and laughed. "These guys, why do they look like they're walking onto the execution grounds?"
Big Qi said worriedly, "W-Will this work?"
Xu Meilan smiled and said, "Whether it works or not, it still has to be him."
Big Qi said, "I'm just afraid that with Teacher Zhang's English, he'll make a fool of himself. Singing a song in English and pronouncing it wrong would be so embarrassing. There are so many foreigners watching in the audience today."
Jiang Hanwei kept shaking his head. This last-second band was too thrown together.
Backstage.
Zhao Wuliu was pacing around.
Chen Guang was also with him to discuss a way to handle the problem.
At this moment, Zhang Ye arrived with his people. "When do we go on stage?"
Chen Guang was startled. "What are you guys doing here?"
Xiaodong gave a wry smile. "We're here to save the day."
Zhao Wuliu was astounded and surprised. "This is great! We must depend on our own people at such crucial moments! Teacher Zhang, are you the lead singer? Do you really know heavy metal?"
Zhang Ye laughed and said, "I know a lot."
Chen Guang said, "Can you sing in English?"
Zhang Ye smiled but did not say anything.
Zhao Wuliu said, "Regardless, I'll go and tell the organizers so that we can switch out."
He brought along the interpreter to look for them and settled it after much discussion.
During this time, Zhang Ye seized the opportunity and communicated further with the members of Spring Garden about the song. He spoke to them on when to get into the flow and when to increase the power, detailing everything to them. It was a good thing that they were all longtime friends and had also performed on the same stage before, so they had some mutual understanding.
At this moment, a Korean staff member came over from the other side and said a few words.
The interpreter immediately relayed, "It's your turn!"
Zhang Ye smiled. "Comrades, let's go!"
Xiaodong said, "Alright!"
Amy said, "Hell, let's do this!"
Li Xiaoxian said, "I'm gonna try my best too!"
Chen Guang called out to him, "Hey, why didn't you change your clothes? You're still wearing those Chinese clothes!"
But Zhang Ye just reached up and adjusted the collar of his Chinese jacket[1]. "There's no need to change!"
Chen Guang looked really helpless and dared not imagine what sort of a performance they'd give.
The four of them took a deep breath backstage before Zhang Ye stepped up and led the others onto the stage!
It was a large venue!
There were nearly 10,000 people in attendance!
Everyone's attention was suddenly on them!
…
The American audience.
"What?"
"Who is he?"
"I don't know."
"Why do those clothes look so weird?"
"Is he Chinese?"
…
The Korean audience.
"Ah, isn't that Spring Garden!"
"It's them. That's Xiaodong, Amy, and Li Xiaoxian."
"Did they come to the wrong place?"
"Yeah, this is a heavy metal music festival, not some pop concert!"
"Who is that guy?"
"I know him, it's Zhang Ye!"
"What? He is that Zhang Ye? That Heavenly King from China?"
"Yeah!"
…
The Chinese international students.
"Ahhh!"
"Zhang Ye!"
"It's Zhang Ye!"
"Damn, what is that guy doing here?"
"Even Spring Garden is here?"
"What are they doing up there? Where's Teacher Zhao Wuliu?"
"Why is there a change to the lineup?"
"How can Zhang Ye possibly know how to sing heavy metal!"
"That's right. This fellow's English cannot even be compared to a middle school student's!"
"Is he wearing a tangzhuang?"
"That's an updated form of it, right? How is he going to perform a heavy metal song wearing that? Shouldn't he at least change into leather pants?"
"Pfft, what an unprofessional guy!"
"He must be trying to create trouble!"
…
The heavy metal bands from the different countries were all shaking their heads.
Especially the bands from Japan and Korea. They were very opinionated.
"What is this?"
"Are they even here to sing heavy metal?"
"You wouldn't think so just by looking at them."
"Where did they pop out from?"
"Are they Chinese? But China has no metal of their own."
"They're definitely going to cover a song. How uninteresting."
"Of all the acts that this music festival is featuring, why did they choose to invite the Chinese? Are they trying to mess around?"
"Just because the song they prepared was performed by someone else, they don't have any other songs they can perform? Trash tier."
"What do you mean?"
"One of the Korean bands changed songs for their performance, which clashed with one of the songs the Chinese selected."
"That happened? So they can't sing it anymore? And had to change their lineup? Well, I guess it's not surprising. The Chinese don't have their own metal. How many songs could they possibly know?"
…
In the VIP seating.
Chen Guang and Zhao Wuliu came over to join the others.
Ning Lan told them, "Take a seat, it's about to start."
Chen Guang was not looking forward to this at all.
Zhao Wuliu's heart was pounding as he silently cheered them on.
Xu Meilan's pair of beautiful eyes were staring at the stage.
Big Qi shouted, "Come on! Come on!"
…
On the stage.
Zhang Ye stood there calmly.
Xiaodong and the others were behind their instruments.
Seeing the audience muttering, hearing the lukewarm applause from them, Zhang Ye was very unhappy. The bands that appeared before them did not receive the treatment that they were getting. Was it just because of his Chinese jacket? That they assumed he didn't know heavy metal? Just because he was Chinese, they thought that he didn't know heavy metal?
Zhang Ye found this ridiculous and sighed.
Thinking back to the prosperous Great Tang, how mighty was China back then?
What did we not have at that time?
What could we not do at that time?
Who was not convinced by us at that time?
Change clothes?
Change into something that would befit metal?
Don't be stupid!
Today, this is what I'll wear!
Today, I'm dressed in this Chinese jacket!
I'll let you all listen to China's heavy metal!
Zhang Ye's electric guitar rang out!
A deafening melody filled the arena. It was a melody that carried a strong feel of heavy metal in it as it stirred everyone who heard it up in surprise. All of them raised their heads and stared straight in a stunned manner at Zhang Ye who was up on stage!
The sound of the bass came in.
The drums started playing as well!
The melody's pitch was getting higher and higher!
Zhang Ye's face had a reminiscent look on it. He suddenly shut his eyes and a voice that was heavily laced with a sense of heavy metal suddenly rang out across the venue. The moment he opened his mouth, the entire audience at the venue exclaimed. The foreign Chinese students were dumbfounded, Chen Guang was dumbfounded, Xu Meilan was dumbfounded, Ning Lan was dumbfounded, and even the trio of Spring Garden who were playing with Zhang Ye were so shocked that they nearly took their hands off from their instruments!
Zhang Ye sang[2].
"Chrysanthemum, sword, and wine![3]
"Infused into the noisy garden via coffee!
"Another nation worships the ancient moon at a sun altar!
"The Kaiyuan[4] golden age charms people!"
Everyone was stunned!
It was in Chinese!
Jesus!
Why was it in Chinese!
Chen Guang and Zhao Wuliu looked at each other, stunned!
Ning Lan gasped!
Big Qi stared with wide eyes!
Xu Meilan leaped to her feet!
Zhang Ye sang in his head voice[5].
"The wind! Can't blow away sorrow![6]
"Flowers! Can't satisfy nostalgia!
"The snow! Can't reflect the land!
"The moon! Can't fulfill old dreams!"
He then raised his right hand and unfurled his fingers, singing loudly.
"Our fate's imprinted in the lines of our palms!
"Tonight is sober and dreamless!
"Following my destiny, going toward a myth!
"Dreaming of the Tang dynasty-y-y-y!"
A dream?
Of the Tang dynasty?
A majestic picture was painted for all to see!
Instantly, the Chinese international students stood up and started screaming madly!
The Western audience stood up in shock. How was this possible!
The Korean audience was at a loss for words as they gave expressions of disbelief!
God!
This was China's heavy metal?
This was China's very own heavy metal music?!
But that was impossible!
Didn't China not have its own heavy metal music!
This was not possible at all!
Why does this song sound even more complete than our heavy metal music?
A lot of people were stunned!
Zhang Ye sang loudly.
"Tonight's goblet reflects the bright moon!
"Feudal peoples, a busy Silk Road!
"Tonight's goblet reflects the bright moon!
"A collection of treasures and talented people!
"Tonight's goblet reflects the bright moon!
"The smell of paper and ink, the artist's soul flooding out!
"Tonight's goblet reflects the bright moon!
"Heroes radiating courage to the universe!"
Amy could feel her blood pumping as she drummed furiously!
Xiaodong was playing the bass and was captivated by the music!
Zhang Ye suddenly switched to an operatic style of singing and growled.
"Reminiscing about golden ages!
"Close friends from all over the world!
"A vision of a borderless world!
"If only millions of manors could be built![7]"
He fist-pumped his right hand!
Chen Guang raised his hand!
Zhao Wuliu raised his hand!
Big Qi raised his hand!
Even someone like Ning Lan who did not enjoy heavy metal got caught in the moment and raised her right hand!
The atmosphere had hit a fever pitch!
The entire venue responded!
One hand!
100 hands!
1,000 hands!
Zhang Ye took a deep breath and howled.
"Our fate's imprinted in the lines of our palms!
"Tonight is sober and dreamless!
"Following my destiny, going toward a myth!
"Just like returning to the Tang dynasty in a dream-m-m-m-m-m-m!"
This magnificent scale!
This resplendent sight!
These overwhelming emotions!
These towering heroics!
It was crazy!
Everyone had gone crazy!
Chen Guang and Zhao Wuliu could feel their pulse coursing!
The Chinese international students' tears were streaming!
This is our very own style of heavy metal!
Today, China has finally truly gained its own identity in heavy metal music!
…
On this day.
On this date.
This pioneer heavy metal piece from China in Zhang Ye's previous world, this most classic heavy metal piece that made everyone go crazy over it, "Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty" debuted!
Dressed in a Chinese jacket.
And with "Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty."
Zhang Ye roped in Spring Garden with him and shocked Asia!
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tangzhuang
[2] https://youtu.be/CEG1LAySYgg
[3] These are the representations of the traditional cultures of China.
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Xuanzong_of_Tang#Kaiyuan_era_(713%E2%80%93741)
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head_voice
[6] Reference to this poem: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang_hen_ge_(poem)
[7] All four of these lines come from Tang dynasty poems.


Zhang Ye was originally a mundane college graduate with aspiring dreams to become a star, but unfortunately has below average looks and height. However one day, he woke up and suddenly found himself in a parallel world! 
It’s like the same world, but wait a minute…many brands, celebrities and even famous works from his world changed and are gone in this new world! Armed with the profound literary knowledge of his previous world and a heaven-defying Game Ring that gives him magical items, stats and skills, Zhang Ye embarks on a journey to pursue his life-long dream of becoming famous!
Follow Zhang Ye as he takes the new world by storm, one plagiarized piece at a time, to hilarious reactions!

"Brother, you are writing…?"
"This is a poem!"
"You...I mean, what words are these?"
"Calligraphy."
"Your calligraphy...I've never seen this way of writing before. Is this a new type of font?"
When Lu Yuan blew on the ink to dry them, Xu Xiaonian's eyes were wide open as he stared at the words on the paper. He hesitated for a long time before he asked the question.
Lu Yuan's calligraphy was very 'stylish', as chaotic as snakes and dragons. It looked extremely messy.
Xu Xiaonian took in a deep breath and exhaled.
Such a calligraphy style made him feel as though he just saw a ghost. He looked at it for a very long time before he saw the word 'farmer'.
He didn't know why, but at this moment, there were millions of grass mud horses galloping through his heart. In fact, he even began to doubt how Lu Yuan managed to answer the couplet…
"Cough, cough… Actually, I only know how to write nicely using a pen. I'm not that proficient in brush calligraphy...that's why my words are a little slovenly…" Lu Yuan glanced at his own poem, and an embarrassed look appeared on his face.
This expression was a little stiff.
"This poem of yours…" Xu Xiaonian glanced at the surroundings and looked at those who were pondering deeply while biting their brushes or scribbling rapidly on their xuan papers. He cast another glance at Lu Yuan who looked completely free from pressure. This caused even more grass mud horses to gallop through Xiaonian's heart...
Although he couldn't tell what the hell Lu Yuan was writing, from Lu Yuan's relaxed expression, he felt that the words were definitely nothing good.
"Cough, cough… Actually, I also don't have much talent and don't really know how to write a poem. Hence, I casually wrote something… Eh, brother are you not going to write one? Why are you looking at me…?" Lu Yuan coughed lightly. He increasingly felt that the words he wrote were truly ugly.
"Ah, right… I've forgotten about myself." Xu Xiaonian was shocked awake by Lu Yuan's words. He hurriedly focused and began to ponder about his own poem.
Lu Yuan pretended to seriously look at his own words, but he was sneakily trying to see the words others had written…
When comparing them, he suddenly felt his confidence being impacted!
Forget it…
He did write out all of it in one go, but the things he wrote out...
What the shit was this?
A ghost doodling?
Could it even be shown?
Lu Yuan opened his eyes wide, but he couldn't even recognize any of this dog-shit stuff…
If he handed up this joke of a poem…
Wouldn't he lose face all the way to his granny's house?
He shook his head. After rolling up the first paper he had written on, he dipped his brush in ink again while secretly copying Xu Xiaonian's way of holding the brush. He rewrote his poem slowly. But when Lu Yuan seriously started to write, he discovered that his speed of writing was very slow. 
When Lu Yuan reached the mid-way mark, there were already people handing up their papers…
He looked at those people before glancing at the words he wrote. He ultimately sighed.
How could one's calligraphy improve in the span of a few minutes?
It was indeed ugly-looking, but at the very least… the words written were clear enough, right?
They were only competing in poetry and not how nice the calligraphy was, correct?
But what if they also took the calligraphy into account?
Should he write another poem then?
The quality of words was not beautiful enough, so should he make up for it in quantity?
(In any case, I did a check and no one wrote these two poems before. Even if I wrote them, no one would know.)
(Mn… Should I be shameless or not? Damn, I can't be so shameless!)
Lu Yuan glanced at the others. He eventually gritted his teeth and decided that he might as well go all-out. He wrote another poem at the blank space of the xuan paper.
(How can I be so shameless after all? I'm a plagiarizer! What a sinful person I am!)
Lu Yuan criticized himself for a long time.
......
"Mn, Dao Yuting's calligraphy looks courageous and strong. Although she is a female, the words she wrote are extremely domineering. This [Busy Farming Season] is also very well written. Good, good… As expected from someone who began studying literature at a young age. I feel that this poem can be rated 8.5 points."
"I feel that although the vigor of strokes in her calligraphy isn't bad and the words rhyme, it lacks 'flavor'. It seems a little too lively and romantic. I don't like the feelings this poem inspires. I suggest 8.4 instead."
"Hmm...i think 8.3 is more appropriate. After all, the poem has lost its 'flavor'."
"Shen Rong's [In the Field] is a modern poem containing the style of the current era. I feel we can give him 8.8 points. The moral of the poem isn't bad."
"Why an 8.8?"
"Haha, poems that can get above 8.8 would be something all of us old fellows approve of. Last year, the poem [Sky] managed to obtain this score. I feel that the modern poetry [In the Field] still lacks something. What do you think, Little Xi?"
"Mn, there are a few flaws in the text. The meaning is okay, but it emphasized too much on feelings… I would give it an 8.7."
"Hehe, you are even stricter than us, old fellows. Haha!"
"Mn? Check out this poem, it isn't bad. But who is the one who wrote it? Was it written by Ma Runzhi?"
"Ma Runzhi? That gifted scholar of Yan University?"
"Yea, this young man is exceptionally talented. His [Farmland]'s had sufficient meaning and concept. I think 8.9 is a fair score."
"8.9? It's quite high, right…?"
"Look."
"Oh, not bad, it's really not bad. I will give it 8.9 too. This poem can be considered an outstanding work. Old Li, are you not compiling poems and literary works from modern eras? I feel that this poem can enter your book."
"I think so too. Let's give it 8.9 then. His calligraphy causes my heart to lighten when I see the words. It's excellent."
.........
After the last person handed up his poem, everyone stared at the judging panel ahead.
They could see the old fellows either discussing with each other, sinking into contemplation, or sighing as they were deeply moved.
All of the contestants were filled with trepidation in their hearts.
To them, the monetary reward was nothing. The valuable thing was the evaluation and admiration of these old fellows.
These old men could be considered the cornerstones of China's literature world. All of them were existences the students looked up to. What was more important was that one of the old men was named Li Guonan, someone who was currently writing a [Poetry Anthology of the Modern Era]. If someone's work could enter his book, it would mean that they would be famous and could posture in the literature circle.
"Brother, do you feel very nervous now?"
"Still okay."
"Eh, then are you looking for something?" Xu Xiaonan cast a strange look at Lu Yuan's hands.
"No…" Lu Yuan drew in a deep breath and placed his hands honestly on the table.
He was searching for cigarettes out of habit. He clearly knew he hadn't purchased any, but he subconsciously made the motion of searching his pockets.
In this situation, not smoking was something lonesome to Lu Yuan.
After all, waiting was lonely.
When Lu Yuan glanced at the direction of the judges, he saw an old man smoking while reading the xuan papers, and Lu Yuan felt a surge of envy in his heart. In fact, he even felt the impulse of heading over to that old man to get a cigarette.
"Brother, you really want it, right?" Xu Xiaonian stared at Lu Yuan.
"How did you know?"
"Naturally, because I also want to!"
"Oh? Can we go up the stage?"
"How can we go up the stage? We can only wait."
"Can what we want wait?"
"Why can't it wait?"
"Will he come over to give us cigarettes?"
"???" Xu Xiaonian, who originally had a face filled with anticipation, almost fell out of his seat when he heard Lu Yuan's words. When he turned his head and looked at Lu Yuan again, his balls were aching. "Give us cigarettes? You...you…"
"Wait, are we talking about the same topic or not?" Lu Yuan felt somewhat innocent.
"I'm hoping that my poem can enter his book...what are you thinking of?"
"I want to get him to spare me a cigarette. My addiction is kicking in…" Lu Yuan coughed softly. He felt an unbearable feeling as though the skin on his face was about to peel off.
"..." Xu Xiaonian instantly felt his vision turning dark.
What the hell!
.........
"These words are really… is there someone among us whose calligraphy is that bad?"
"Lu Yuan? Mn? [Sympathy for Peasants]?
"Two poems? Isn't it too exaggerated? Did he want to use quantity to make up for his ugly calligraphy?
"Hoeing grains in the blaze of noon."
"Eh… Each seed that's sown in spring?"
"What!"
"Bang!"
"This…"
"This is…"
At the venue, the sound of a judge smacking his palms on the table rang out.
Old Li who was smoking suddenly stood up. His eyes widened, and he was overwhelmed with shock!
Note:
悯农 [Sympathy for Peasants]"
This poem can be split into two parts, both were written by a poet named Li Shen from the Tang Dynasty
For those who are keen, you can find the english translation here: 
https://www.trainchinese.com/v2/wordDiscForWebsite.php?rAp=0&wordId=116399&tcLanguage=en 
https://shawnpowrie.com/chinese/min-nong/


In that year, with a script finished in five hours, Lu Yuan who was dying for money successfully got a large investment of one million Yuan from a rich and beautiful girl.
At first, he just planned to spend eight hundred thousand Yuan on shooting and take the remaining two hundred thousand Yuan home before the movie's release, marrying a wife and running a small business. He swore he would never come to Hengdian again.
However…
The box office got an extraordinary success…

"Hssss!"
The crowd inhaled a breath of cold air!
Composing a poem on the spot was young master Mo’s expertise!
Someone then shouted out, "I’ve heard that young master Mo managed to compose a poem in just ten steps for the Fire Emperor. Do we have the fortunes of seeing such a skill?"
Everyone started to reveal cheers of joy and anticipation.
Most of them had heard of young master Mo’s ten step poem before the Fire Nation's Emperor. If they manage to hear young master Mo compose a poem in ten steps once again, it would be a historical moment for everyone!
Once the poem was completed, it would also be a poem that would be recorded in the books of history.
Besides, young master Mo’s talents in poem are undoubted. In fact, he was so good in poetry that he was the unrivalled Poem King within Fire Nations. Anyone who could witness his ‘ten steps poem’ would be deemed to be extremely fortunate.
Madam Ya was rather astonished as well. In previous banquets, the crowd would come up with their own topics of discussion, since they would have made preparations before coming and allow others to enjoy their work. Today, young master Mo requested for her to give a topic. He clearly wanted to win some of his pride and dignity back.
Although Madam Ya felt that agreeing in this wouldn’t be fair to Xu Que, she badly wanted to witness young master Mo’s ten step poem as well.
"Regardless of whatever topic Madam Ya gives, I will be able to complete a full poem within ten steps!" Young master Mo stood up, as he readied himself. His eyes were focused as he smiled and looked at Madam Ya.
Complete a full poem within ten steps!
Madam Ya was so excited by these words that her heart was hammering in her chest. Such confidence and exquisite talents caused her to go in a daze!
For a student to compose a good poem was the ultimate test of how brilliant and knowledgeable he was. If he wasn’t the best student or the most talented, how will he ever dare to speak such big words to promise a complete poem within ten steps?
Hence, Madam Ya replied, "Alright. Since young mister Mo’s so full of confidence, I shall come up with a topic!"
As she finished, she turned her head back to look at her surroundings before looking at the sky.
At this point, the sky was gradually turning dark as if it was about to rain anytime soon!
Madam Ya smiled gently as she spoke, "Since we’re right on the brink of spring, everyone can look out and see that the clouds are dense and thick. Maybe we shall receive our first spring rain today. Let’s have spring rain as the topic. What do you think?"
Spring rain?
When the students heard this, their eyes gleamed. This wasn’t very hard!
However, even though this wasn’t a difficult topic, it would be rather hard to compose a poem within ten steps!
To most of the students present, writing a poem would always have the comfort of their own homes. They would rack their brains and think for hours on end before they produce a work that’s average at best. For someone to do it in within ten steps was practically impossible to them.
Xu Que was still standing by the side when he heard the topic of ‘spring rain’ and was elated.
Hehe... spring rain? Within my book of 300 Tang Poems, most of them can be linked to this topic. Besides, each and every poem in this book is a work of genius!
Even before Madam Ya could finish speaking her sentence, Mo Yun Shang walked out.
When he took his first step, everyone’s expression was one of surprise.
"How... How is this possible?"
"Doesn’t he even need to think?"
Even Madam Ya reacted to this in amazement. As soon as he heard the topic, he could immediately compose a poem. That was amazing. It’s no wonder he’s referred to as Poem King!
Mo Yun Shang’s eyes exuded immense confidence in his own abilities as endearing dimples were able to capture the hearts of those who heard him. Mo Yun Shan reared his head up before taking his second step, "The spring rains are as fine as dust."
Soon after, he took his third step, "While the willow trees outside, a brilliant shade of yellow."
Even before the audience could ponder over his words, he took another step forward and recited the fourth line, "Curtains entwined with the gentle wind."
He was down to his last line. Everyone held their breaths in nervous anticipation as they watched his feet. He had three steps to go. Could he complete the poem within three steps?
Indeed, the contented look on Mo Yun Shang’s face indicated that he was more than confident of achieving such a feat. He took a deep breath before finishing his last three steps. He then spoke loudly, "As the satin cloths sway in the mild breeze."
He took a total of ten steps and delivered such an amazing poem!
Clap clap clap clap…
The audience were filled with astonishment and were clearly impressed!
The sounds of applause were almost deafening.
"Great poem! What a great poem!"
"Indeed, he’s the Poem King. He could compose a brilliant poem from scratch within just ten steps.
"The spring rains are as fine as dust, while the willow trees outside, a brilliant shade of yellow. Indeed, that is the scenery we get to view at this very moment across the great lake!"
"It’s hard to imagine how talented young master Mo is. Even before the first drops of rain had descended, he’s already painted a beautiful picture of spring in our imaginations that is so lifelike!"
Several students voiced out their opinions and were filled with respect.
Tang Liu Feng was sighing as well, "The title of Poem King is indeed not in vain. Today, my eyes have been treated to a sumptuous experience!"
Madam Ya was mildly trembling as her eyes twinkled in delight. She sighed, "Young mister Mo’s poem is indeed the best poem to describe spring rain!"
"Pu!" Xu Que spat out an entire mouthful of tea on the floor, as his face contorted in disgust.
Fuck, how could this be considered ‘best poem’? Are you trying to tease me?
Indeed, when he spat out tea, he had attracted the attention of everyone again.
Mo Yun Shan turned around and glared at him, his eyes emanated an icy stare and laughed coldly, "What? Could it be that Brother Li despises my poem?"
"Gulp… It’s alright, but it isn’t even worth my despise!" Xu Que wiped away some tea water on his lips and laughed dryly.
As soon as this words were spoken, the crowd’s lips puckered in disgust.
It isn’t even worth his despise?
Fuck me! Big brother, you’re bragging a little too much here right?
The quality of this poem could even be the best in Fire Nation! And he even composed it all within ten steps. With the amount of talent it took to produce something like that, you even say that it’s not worth your despise?"
Mo Yun Shang couldn’t bear it any longer and burst out, "Since that’s the case, I wonder if brother Li has a better piece of work?"
"Me? Of course I do. Are you sure you wish to hear it?" Xu Que blinked several times as his heart roared with happiness. This humble subject didn’t wish to act tough, but you forced me to. I shall oblige you. Looks like sometimes, even when I don’t wish to act tough, the career catches me off guard! So, don’t blame me for putting on a good show!
The crowd looked at his face and had to suppress the inner urge to rush forward and beat his stinking face. Their hearts were filled with disgust and repulse for him.
A student then cleared his throat, "Young master Mo composed his poem in ten steps. If you can really compose a poem, it still won't mean that you’re more talented than him!"
"Hehe… did you say ten steps?" Xu Que laughed coldly before shaking his head, "To me, that poem was utter trash!"
"You… What did you say?"
"The audacity! How outrageous! You dare to lose your mannerisms and speak in such a way!"
"If a ten step poem is too easy for you, are you going to compose a poem in seven steps?"
The crowd was enraged when they heard this and that Mo Yun Shan was truly being treated unjustifiably.
The ten steps poem was extremely difficult and he even managed to compose such a high quality poem, but you actually called it trash?
"Boom!"
Xu Que slammed the tea cup heavily on the table, as he smiled out, "Seven steps poem? What’s the big deal with that? But I have to apologize. This humble subject won’t just compose one poem in ten steps. Instead… I shall compose ten poems in ten steps!"


I am the best when it comes to taking divergent paths. With just a flip of my hand, I shall take the path less commonly travelled. I search far and wide, only to find myself unbeatable and unrivaled. So now I ask, who else can match my awesomeness? 

Acting tough is second nature to me and I am a lone wolf.
 
The road is long and winding but I shan’t feel lonely as long as I am able to act tough!


Life and death bore me and I do whatever I deem fit.

“Young man, way back when I started acting tough, you were still learning how to put on your underpants!” Xu Que thus decided to take the path of acting tough. He decided to act tough every single god-damned day. If he wasn’t acting tough, he was scheming for the best way to act tough!  

अभिव्यंजना is a Sanskrit / Hindi word which means 'expression of ideas, thoughts and feelings'.
I am a blogger, author, musician and a poet. I write in Hindi, Urdu and English. This particular book is for my Hindi Poems. I also plan to publish another one especially for my English Poem Collection.
I created my first poem when I was in 6th grade / class. It was year 2000. It was a silly one of course. The first poem that won me a prize was " Plantation" (Hindi Poem) and "Adventures of India" ( an English Poem) in 2003 while I was in High School in a Rural Town.

Later I posted some poems in my blog, and at the request of a few Readers created a Separate Blog titled 'Abhivyanajanaa' www.abhivyanjanaa.blogspot.com 
I decided to share my poems here to see the response based on which I may write Novels and Short Stories in Hindi as well.

Huo Shaoheng's eyes almost lit up after he heard Gu Nianzhi complete her analysis.
However, he quickly calmed down and discreetly shook his head, replying gruffly, "That makes sense. It can explain many puzzling questions."
"Oh, really? Which questions made you feel puzzled, exactly?" He Zhichu smirked and asked sarcastically, "Or do you still need Nianzhi to explain any further for you?"
Gu Nianzhi looked down, pursing her lips, and said quietly, "...Actually, I've never believed that human race improvement and optimization can actually be realized using such destructive and invasive means."
When she heard Huo Shaoheng talk about Operation Borrowed Seed, from the very beginning, these suspicions began to grow in her mind.
From the way she saw it, using this type of research method would no doubt lead to a dead end.
"I agree with your perspective." He Zhichu looked at Gu Nianzhi in surprise and said, "You actually grasped the key to this issue if you are able to think about it that way. This type of method would absolutely never result in true technological advancement."
Gu Nianzhi didn't have memories from before she was 12 years old, yet she still had this kind of intuition.
He Zhichu couldn't help but think optimistically. Didn't that mean that he should have somewhat of a position in Gu Nianzhi's heart?
Huo Shaoheng balled one hand into a fist to rest his chin on. He thought for a moment, then said, "...This explanation does make sense. After that Japanese numerical unit lost the war, they handed over nearly all their human experimental data to the winning countries. This was the only set of data that was never handed over.
"This was because the data didn't involve typical human experiments. If it were actually handed over, the winning countries would never be able to accept this kind of pure evil sin, even if they had their own ulterior motives.
"This also explains how Nianzhi's grandfather, Gu Haoze, would later on use all sorts of ways to remove the experimental data from the Gestapo headquarters."
Reinitz also thought it over and replied succinctly in German, saying, "The data was not about the optimization of the Huaxia race, but… Data targeting weaknesses in the Huaxia genetic makeup? If that's the case, now I also understand why our bureau's predecessors would write such contradictory things in their memoirs."
Perhaps they could also tell what the data was actually about, but this was the kind of thing that still challenged the people's ethical perspective at the time. So, the bureau chose to reveal selective things, or flat out stay quiet about others.
The Nazi race optimization eugenics program was also very evil, but its main purpose was to optimize their own race.
As for what the Japanese did, they actively chose to drag down another race when they discovered that it would be impossible to optimize their own race.
In other words, they would be number one if they killed the person running ahead of them…
That kind of perverse and shameless mentality would forever prevent them from being the ultimate winner.
"But if your grandfather Gu Haoze was only an accident and an uncontrollable factor that occurred within the experiment, why didn't they simply kill him off? Why did they send him to the Gestapo headquarters in Europe, instead?"
Huo Shaoheng thought that there had to be something else they didn't yet understand.
Gu Nianzhi nodded and said, "I am still thinking about this point. Huo Shao, do you remember why the Gu family had adopted gu Yanran and her mother, Gu Jing?"
Huo Shaoheng stiffened slightly as he replied, "You are saying that the Gu family's genetic disease was rooted in Gu Haoze? And that Gu Haoze's genetic illness was a consequence of the race optimization operation?"
Gu Nianzhi began to laugh. "Huo Shao, your brain works even faster than mine does. Right, this is exactly what I meant," she said.
So, there must be a reason why they had no choice but to do this.
However, this point was not related to the topic of discussion at the moment.
Gu Nianzhi said, "Afterwards, the data went missing. Because our country won the war, Japan could no longer capture our citizens on a large scale in concentration camps to conduct experiments as they did during the war years. So, they have returned to the first goal of Operation Borrowed Seed, which was to optimize their own race. Coupled with the development of science and technology, it was unnecessary for them to continue using that kind of stupid method to conduct race optimization experiments.
"…That's why they set up all these clinics treating infertility. They are now able to steal the reproductive cells directly from the patients seeking treatment, and conduct artificial insemination and reproduction to observe the results of optimization."
Huo Shaoheng walked back over to his laptop to open another folder.
Gu Nianzhi agreed completely, saying, "My father must have also discovered their intentions, so he chose to use this method to warn the people trying to look for the data."
"However, why didn't your father report these clinics directly to the authorities if he discovered that they were conducting similar experiments?" Reinitz asked curiously. "I thought he hated this kind of thing more than anything."
"Of course he hates it, but do you think my father alone can fight against the power of an entire country?" Gu Nianzhi glared at Reinitz as she said, "After all, I investigated these clinics myself. They are genuinely researching how to optimize Japanese genes, but are not involving any Huaxia genes. So, I think that my father was strictly monitoring these clinics to prevent them from doing anything that would harm the Huaxia Empire."
Reinitz shook his head. With a smile, he said, "Cereus, you've never even seen your father before. How are you so certain that he's actually a good person?"
Gu Nianzhi's expression was resolute as she said, "I know. I know it for a fact. My father is absolutely not a bad person. Not only is he a good person, but he is a rare and capable good person.
He Zhichu averted his eyes in silence, no longer able to stand looking at Gu Nianzhi's expression.
Huo Shaoheng was about to add a few comments to Gu Nianzhi's idea when he looked up and saw He Zhichu look away. He thought that something didn't feel right.
But He Zhichu always spoke vaguely and changed the topic. Now he was even using Gu Nianzhi's presence as a condition of telling the truth.
Huo Shaoheng decided to stop trying to get any information out of He Zhichu. He was also wary about taking the few things He Zhichu had already said as facts.
He needed to resume his previous work method. Just like Reinitz, he would doubt everything and rely on himself to prove everything.
…
"Earlier, I demonstrated my conclusion using the three perspectives of premise, history, and follow up. In other words, Operation Borrowed Seed did not succeed. The operation to exterminate the Huaxia race did not succeed, either."
Gu Nianzhi looked up with a smile and stared at the curved screen TV in front of her.
Huo Shaoheng had just opened a new folder, which was the handwritten English poem that Gu Nianzhi took a photo of in the Dass clinic's consultation room –"A Little Girl Needs Daddy."
When the framed and wall-mounted poem was enlarged on the curved screen TV, Gu Nianzhi suddenly thought the poem's shape looked a bit familiar.
The swirling handwriting of the English poem was filled with curves and lines that spun together to create each word. Each word actually looked like a flower.
The framed handwritten English poem consisted of short and long lines intersecting like flowering vines that seemed to form a complex picture.
If someone who didn't read English saw this poem, they would probably think it was a picture as opposed to a poem.
An abstract drawing made up of black and white intersecting lines.
Gu Nianzhi's mind suddenly felt enlightened when she thought that this was actually a picture.
She pointed to the TV screen and said, "...Look at this. Doesn't this handwritten English poem look like a picture when you observe the shape?"
"What picture?" He Zhichu glanced at it and said, "I can't tell."
Huo Shaoheng stood behind the desk and stretched forward. With both hands bracing against the desk, he looked up at the enlarged handwritten English poem displaying on the TV screen. He nodded thoughtfully. "It does look a bit familiar," he said.
"Isn't that right?" Gu Nianzhi grew excited as she said, "Tell me, doesn't this handwritten English poem look like a map of Africa?!"
Huo Shaoheng squinted his eyes and slowly straightened his body. His eyes stared at the picture unblinkingly.
Gradually, he stopped trying to decipher the handwritten English words and purely examined it as though it was a picture.
As expected, the picture appeared increasingly similar to the map of Africa in his memory!
Huo Shaoheng bent over and immediately opened a map of Africa on his computer. He put it beside the handwritten English poem.
Everyone could now see it with the comparison.
The handwritten English poem was laid out in a method that was nearly a mirror image of the general shape of Africa.
Gu Nianzhi couldn't help but grab the mouse from Huo Shaoheng and take things into her own hands.
She opened a photo editing software and first copied the map of Africa on it. Then she also copied the handwritten English poem to allow the photo editing software to find the overlap between the two.
With the help of the photo editing software, Gu Nianzhi quickly discovered a very obvious bright spot in the bottom corner of the two images.
It was where the English word 'there' was located.
The last two lines of the poem read, "So diving deep or soaring high, she'll always find him there."
Gu Nianzhi's heart plummeted.
She quickly marked down the point where the word 'there' overlapped with the map of Africa, then opened the marked-up image of Africa and inputted it into GPS software to look for the coordinates.
Huo Shaoheng, He Zhichu, and Reinitz all quietly watched Gu Nianzhi quickly use the computer and discover the message her father had left behind.
The map software took less than one second to bring up the coordinate data.
"33.9249° South, 18.4241° East."
Gu Nianzhi laughed. "It's 33 degrees 55 minutes south latitude, 18 degrees 25 minutes east longitude. The location this latitude and longitude points to is the second-largest city in the southernmost country in Africa – Cape Town.
"It's there. My father must have left something in that place."
When Huo Shaoheng saw the latitude and longitude and the name of Cape Town, his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.
How could it be such a coincidence?
In order to find the true whereabouts of the flight MH210 that Gu Xiangwen had been on, he sent Zhao Liangze to a station on a small island in the Cape of Good Hope to facilitate the search of the nearby waters.
The Cape of Good Hope was the landmark of Cape Town. It was only two kilometers away from the city, which is completely within walking distance.


Gu Nianzhi had no idea how to get the aloof and handsome Major General to fall in love with her. 

His eyes were dark and serious. "...Seduce me. If you can do it, I’m yours." 

Gu Nianzhi: "!!!"

Disclaimer: The following stories contains sexual assault, rape, nonconsensual acts, mentally abusive relationships, and violence towards women. Readers are advised to proceed with caution.

spring poem in english novel

Poems

Trapped in Time

Time Smuggling Starting from the Year 2000

Dying the Peach Blossoms Red

The Hunter-Zhang Archives Book 1: The Book of Jade

I’m Really a Superstar

I Really Didn't Want to Be Famous

Ultimate Scheming System

Truncated1001

Hello, Mr. Major General

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