He changed Tiwat

Miss Lisa is well-read, and I doubt that the works I copied from ancient books could escape her notice.

Shall we... give it a try?

Wendy waved her hand, and the force of the wind caused the large hourglass at the side of the stage to spin again.

"Then, start the timer!"

No sooner had Wendy finished speaking than someone else spoke up.

"My poem, in Liyue, is called 'Qinyuan Spring,' and it is also dedicated to that 'fair lord.'"

Han Fulai strolled out seven steps leisurely, and the poem was complete:

"The night is deep and dark, the fields are quiet and still, I gaze at the Dipper and the Ox alone."

Alas, my fate is fraught with misfortune, and I have never achieved fame or success; I have wandered and suffered hardship, disillusionment, and shame.

I want to cry out to Heaven, but Heaven has no ears; this hatred is endless and will never cease.

Tears stream down my face as I ask the clouds and mist, "Where will my boat return?"

My youthful ambitions remain unfulfilled. The fleeting years only deepen my sorrow at growing old.

I admire the talent and brilliance of ancient China, whose literary works are as numerous as mountains and rivers; the young men of the capital city compete to show off their elegance and talent.

Suddenly I remember my soulmate, and the warbling of orioles and the chirping of birds fill the air, amidst the boundless spring breeze and the bright moonlit tower.

Throughout my life, this sentiment remains steadfast; I have no regard for kings or nobles.

Chapter 241 Love Can Conquer Fate

Han Fulai's poem not only shocked the audience, but also surprised Lisa.

If his "seven-step poem" was largely fabricated because Kaiya had leaked the questions to him before, this round was a real contest where the judges set the questions on the spot, leaving no preparation time for the additional round!

Unexpectedly, Han Fulai once again composed a poem in seven steps!

This time, it's a genuine "seven-step poem".

If Barbatos himself hadn't been on stage as the host, Lisa would probably have joined the crowd in guessing whether Sir Humphrey was some kind of "Barbatos incarnation".

In fact, even without understanding Liyue's verses, Han Fulai's emotions and rhythm in the poem had already conveyed them to the entire audience. Many Mondstadt citizens were already secretly wondering if Sir Humphrey was truly favored by the "God of Poetry."

Everyone eagerly awaited the "Monde version" of his poem.

Han Fulai has also prepared a "Monde version" of this poem.

Under everyone's gaze, Han Fulai paced back and forth once more.

"When, in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,

Faced with the abandonment of fate and the indifference of the world,

I all alone beweep my outcast state.

I can only lament my drifting life alone.

And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,

I cried out in vain to the deaf heavens,

And look upon myself and curse my fate,

Cursing one's own bad luck, wallowing in self-pity.

Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,

I wish, I wish to have a thousand wishes in my heart.

Featur'd like him, like him with friends possess'd,

I wish to have many friends and a beautiful face;

Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,

May you possess unparalleled talent and brilliant writing skills.

With what I most enjoy contented least;

However, he tends to downplay and underestimate his own strengths.

The five-step rhythm conveyed the poet's lament to the hearts of every listener.

Misfortune and a life full of twists and turns are feelings that everyone has experienced to some extent, and they are also the lament that most easily resonates with listeners.

Han Fulai's emotions were particularly sincere—after all, before his time travel, his experiences were exactly as described in the poem.

He possessed great talent but had no opportunity to use it, and was looked down upon by his contemporaries. He was unwilling to accept this fate, but had no choice but to accept it. Gradually, he even began to believe in his own mediocrity...

The poet cried out to heaven, resenting the injustice of fate, and poured all his sorrow into his verses, allowing everyone to empathize with him.

Some people looked up at the sky along with him, only to see clouds quietly covering the sky above the venue, as if the sky were the poet's dark and gloomy heart.

At that moment, Han Fulai's voice suddenly rose:

“Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,

I'm indulging in this kind of self-deprecating thinking.

Happily I think on thee, and then my state,

Suddenly I thought of you, and instantly the scenery and my feelings changed.

Like to the lark at break of day arising,

I suddenly soared into the sky like a lark at dawn, flapping its wings.

From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;

The song soars straight to the heavens, overlooking the vast earth below.

Then the sunlight pierced through the gloom, and several larks with beautiful blue tail feathers flew in from nowhere, flapping their wings and soaring high into the sky.

They sang joyful songs in the air, as if celebrating the opening of the heavenly gates and the radiance shining upon the earth.

This may just be a coincidence—but this coincidence deeply shocked every viewer.

A merchant from Liyue murmured two lines of poetry that had been passed down in Liyue: "The road is hard, the road is hard, many are the forks in the road, where am I now? There will be a time when the wind will break the waves, and I will set sail straight to the vast sea."

At that moment, Han Fulai recited the last two lines of the poem:

"For thy sweet love remember'd such we alth brings,

The thought that your love makes me so rich...

That then I scorn to change my state with kings.

I would rather exchange places with an emperor than stoop to that level.

His poems were like bullets, hitting everyone's chests with pinpoint accuracy.

Those who brought their partners to the poetry gathering couldn't help but gaze deeply into each other's eyes, while those with someone in their heart secretly imagined the image of their lover, especially Marvin from Goethe's family.

He was murmuring his lover's name: "Mara... Mara..."

He and Mara had been in love for a long time, but their relationship was hampered by their social status and faced obstacles at every turn. He often complained about this, but there was nothing he could do.

He had considered eloping with Mara, but hesitated to make the decision—because he knew that apart from being the heir to the Goethe family, he was actually useless. He had neither outstanding talent nor handsome looks, and he didn't know what he could do without the Goethe family.

However, after hearing this poem, he made up his mind.

Even if his father disapproved, even if he had to leave the Goethe family, he was determined to be with the one he loved.

—Throughout my life, I cherish this sentiment and will never forget it; I have no regard for kings or nobles.

So what if fate is tough? As human beings, how can we simply succumb to it?

Love can conquer all.

With a muffled thud, the seven-stringed lyre in "Six-Fingered Joseph's" hands fell to the ground.

If the stage hadn't been carpeted, his precious lyre would probably have been seriously damaged.

Joseph lowered his head, no longer harboring any competitive thoughts: "I concede."

His words were like a signal; without anyone starting, the audience spontaneously cheered and applauded for Han Fulai.

Wendy watched with great interest as the larks disappeared into the sky.

These birds typically inhabit Liyue and are rarely seen in Mondstadt. He also clearly remembered that while there were many pigeons in the Anemo Plaza in front of the church, there wasn't a single lark.

So... did these beautiful birds fly out of the poems?

This power is truly extraordinary. No wonder that old man valued him so much.

He stepped forward and walked to Han Fulai's side, took one of Han Fulai's hands, and raised it high: "Everyone, the first contestant to enter the finals today has been determined. Let's congratulate Sir Humphrey from Liyue!"

Chapter 242 I hope I haven't disturbed you two

Today's preliminary round was quite a spectacle.

The once-greatest bard in Mondstadt, "Six-Fingered Joseph," faced off against the newly appointed honorary knight from Liyue, "Sir Humphrey." Their battle of wits and skill left a significant mark on the history of the "Badminton Festival."

In many people's eyes, this first preliminary round was already almost like the final.

"Two perfect scores appeared in one competition", "A poem was composed in seven steps with bilingual lyrics", "The champion seed was eliminated in the preliminary round", and so on, all of which added a lot of legendary color to this competition.

Han Fulai's use of two of Shakespeare's famous works, "To My Fair Lord," will inevitably become a classic piece that people will talk about and remember.

Many audience members immediately bestowed upon Han Fulai several titles, such as "The man favored by the god of poetry" and "The Liyue poet who rivals Barbatos."

Han Fulai naturally accepted these titles with a smile—after all, he was now truly on par with Barbatos, and the "God of Poetry" had been quite kind to him, shaking his hand to congratulate him on reaching the finals and even considering betting him on the championship...

Wendy then presented him with a certificate to participate in the finals and earnestly "encouraged" him to win the championship. Barbara also asked him for the right to use the lyrics, and considering that the copyright belonged to Shakespeare, Han Fulai generously allowed Barbara to use his verses for free.

After the formalities were completed, Han Fulai stepped down from the stage and received congratulations from Timaus, Bennett, and others. After a few words, two familiar faces approached from the contestants' area—no, if you include the night raven flapping its wings beside them, perhaps there should be three.

"Oh, Your Highness, and Miss Oz and Miss Mona, are you here to participate in the competition as well?" Han Fu greeted them.

Fischl did not answer the question directly. Instead, he covered his eyes with one hand, struck a pose, and said loudly, "Day and night, time and space are all illusions, but the bond of fate has once again brought you into my eternal night."

Without Oz translating, Han Fulai can now understand that Fischer is saying "It's nice to see you here".

"Wow, is he reciting poetry?" Bennett had heard of Fischl's name in the association, but that was all he had heard of. This was his first time meeting her up close, and of course, his first time hearing Fischl's cringeworthy lines.

Fischl's intonation and rhythmic delivery did indeed sound like he was reciting poetry.

Speaking of her usual cringeworthy lines, with a little modification, they do sound like a bard's epic poem, which explains why Fischl came to participate.

Mona complained from the side, "Hey, it's clearly daytime now, what are you talking about, an eternal night?"

"Hmph, does Lord Megistus doubt the power of this princess?" Fischl put her hands on her hips and turned to her retinue beside her: "Oz, my retinue..."

Oz flapped his wings: "Oh? What are your instructions, Miss—?"

Fischl pointed a finger to the sky: "In the name of the princess, with your blessed wings, shroud the sun, moon, and stars, and bring eternal darkness! — Wings of Black, sever day and night!"

Timaus and Bennett both stared at Oz in shock.

"To shut out day and night, what power that is..."

"So Miss Fischl is such a powerful adventurer?"

Not wanting to offend his mistress, Oz could only whisper in Fischl's ear, "Miss, please don't force me..."

The small theater in the audience clearly caught Wendy's attention as well. The host on stage said with a smile, "Please get ready, contestants. We will soon begin the second preliminary round. Also, please do not change the weather."

Han Fulai twitched the corner of his mouth slightly. Although it was unintentional, he did seem to have actually changed the weather just now...

Fischl ignored the host and Oz, puffing out her chest to show off her retinue to Bennett and Timaus: "Hmph, you probably don't know, even the starlight in the sky is a hole that Oz pecked out in the endless night."

"Yeah, right!" Oz finally couldn't help but complain about his young lady.

Fischl glared at it: "Oswald Hefnavanis, why are you making excuses today? Didn't you swear to me that you would give your life for me, for the ruler of the Dark Night, for the condemned princess?"

"Don't send me to my death so easily, miss!"

Meiji Stussy covered her face and pulled Han Fulai aside to avoid others thinking that she was in the same troupe as the two crosstalk performers.

After Mona gave a brief explanation, Han Fulai roughly understood that Fischl had signed up for the competition and would be playing in the third preliminary match this afternoon. Mona was there as part of the support group to cheer for Fischl. She had been eating Fischl's meals quite a bit these past few days, and as the saying goes, "He who eats another's food is bound to do so," so she had no choice but to accompany Her Highness the Princess as a loyal Lord Megistus.

Han Fulai then told Mona about the outcome of the rescue operation that day.

Hearing that the person had been rescued and that her divination had been helpful, Mona was quite happy. She smiled and asked Han Fulai for her "reward": "You said you would treat me to a big meal when you came back, at any restaurant you wanted. Does that still count?"

"Of course it counts. How could I, Han, be a stingy person? There's no time like the present, so why not choose tonight?" Han Fulai has always been very generous when it comes to treating people to meals.

Mona's eyes darted around. "Then... can I choose the Goethe Hotel? We can go together after Fischl's match."