FENG YU JIU TIAN [VOLUME TWO]

Chapter Twelve

When Feng Ming raised the issue of an earlier departure with the King of Fan Jia, he was surprised that the King readily agreed, and in a rather cheerful manner.

After a series of discussions over organizing the envoy's return, the King changed the subject. He had caught word of Feng Ming's scholarly ways and couldn't resist witnessing the talent himself.

"News has reached the Palace that Prince has deciphered one of the world's unsolved mathematical problems. Prince has shocked all by your abilities."

Feng Ming felt the eyes that had been carefully watching him dig deeper like thorns against his skin. Under all the attention, he forced a smile and waved his hand in dismissal.

"Your Highness flatters me. However, An He should not be credited with such prestige as An He did not solve the problem. In fact it was the Regent King who imparted his knowledge."  

"Oh, it appears that Xi Rei's Rong Tian embodies the fearlessness of youth as well high intellect. King rong and the King of Li are both well distinguished men, and of high caliber in skills and talents. But who would have thought, that King Rong is well versed in mathematics!"

The King of Li smiled and replied, "Ruo Yan is not deserving of such high praise. It is King Rong whom is truly extraordinary. Ruo Yan has been enlightened by the Regent King's abilities. Moreover, it was a surprise that the Crowned Prince also embodies scholarly intellect in addition to his attractive appearance. It can be said, they make a formidable pair."

As Ruo Yan spoke, his eyes traveled in an equivocal and unscrupulous manner along Feng Ming's body. The un-welcomed attention warranted an angry glare from the Prince.   

Whilst the Fan Jia King was not paying attention, Ruo Yan seized the opportunity to toy with the Prince.

He flicked his tongue outwards ever so slightly and motioned a gentle lick. The croquet gesture sent Feng Ming's reflex flying. His hand shot up to protectively cup the ear that the King had licked earlier. His eyes peeled back in shock.

Feng Ming's naive reaction caused Ruo Yan to chuckle. The man lifted a cup of wine to his lips, and casually imposed, "Since the Prince is proficient in the art of algorithms and such, Ruo Yan would like to seek guidance in a few difficult problems."

With Ruo Yan's persistent treading and provocations, Feng Ming was fuming with rage inside. Playing his cards right, he maintained a completely calm and indifferent face.

A nonchalant smile spread across his lips, "Oh, certainly the outstanding King of Li does not possess problems he cannot resolve. Perhaps the purpose is to challenge An He's abilities."  

Upon hearing the words exchanged between the two young men, the King of Fan Jia's interest perked. He had already notice an odd tension between the two when they had first entered his domain. Now they were confronting each other, and what better to do than to sit on the sideline and watch the show.

Ruo Yan clicked his tongue in disapproval.

"How could I be as heartless as to purposely place the Prince in an awkward situation? If Prince is afraid, then I shall refrain from detailing the questions in mind."

In this way, Feng Ming was going to lose face in front of the King of Fan Jia. He gave Ruo Yan a cold snort, "King Ruo's question is?"

Inside Feng Ming thought smugly: The Third Princess has promised to return with me to Xi Rei, even if I fail to answer your stupid question it won't be a chip off my shoulder in any respects!

"Then I shall proceed," the smile extinguished from the King's face as he sternly gave the riddle.

"There is a giant boulder, weighing one thousand jins. There is a small child, and his arms are only able to lift ten jins. The question is...how does the child move this rock?"