The County Martial Academy was a school specifically for cultivating both civil and military talents.
The admission requirements were extremely strict, and only the children of high-ranking officials, wealthy merchants, and prominent families had the opportunity to enter.
Back then, Li Shaoyun of Wuchiao Town had to expend a great deal of effort from the entire Li family to study here.
However, the Martial Academy only provided lectures and martial arts instruction, and did not offer weapons, medicinal supplements, cultivation methods, etc.
Therefore, most of those who came here were young people or children who were just beginning their education.
Once they reached their teens, they often had to go elsewhere to seek opportunities.
Even so, the Martial Academy was still a cradle for cultivating talents in Qingwu County. Many wealthy families were willing to send their children to the Martial Academy to begin their education.
When Xie An arrived at the Martial Academy, it was already noon.
Since it was his first time here, Xie An couldn't help but curiously look around.
At the entrance were two stone lions and a large stone tablet with a saying inscribed on it to encourage learning: 'Time passes easily, learning is difficult to achieve; do not take even a half-inch of time lightly.'
Xie An softly recited the saying, then looked up at the bare sycamore trees beside him and the imposing stone statue of a great scholar holding a scroll in front of the gate.
A sense of solemnity and scholarly atmosphere arose spontaneously.
It felt a bit like returning to school in his previous life.
Regaining his composure, Xie An explained his purpose to the gatekeeper. When the gatekeeper heard that Xie An was the little great-grandfather of Tangjiabao's Little Red Sugar, he immediately showed respect and pointed to a separate courtyard in the southeast direction, "Those aged five to eight are in the Morning Glow Garden."
Xie An thanked him, then entered the gate of the Martial Academy and headed southeast. After walking a hundred meters, he saw lush pines and cypresses, as well as a square pavilion.
More than thirty children aged five or six were sitting at their desks, eagerly watching a teacher in a blue scholar's robe giving a lesson.
Around the outside of the pavilion, there were many officials and dignitaries, mostly the parents of the students, responsible for picking them up and dropping them off. It seemed that the teacher was lecturing well, as even these elders were gathered outside the pavilion, listening intently.
From afar, Xie An saw Tang Zhengyang and the county magistrate… Wen Zaiqing.
Too far away, Xie An couldn't hear what the teacher was saying, so he approached Tang Zhengyang and softly called out, "Big Brother."
"Fifth Brother…"
Tang Zhengyang turned around and was surprised to see Xie An. Then, seeing the gift in Xie An's hand, he understood Xie An's intention and smiled knowingly, "Fifth Brother, you have a kind heart."
"It's only right. Where's Little Red Sugar?"
Tang Zhengyang pointed to the front row.
Xie An looked up and saw Little Red Sugar, wearing a bright red cotton-padded jacket, sitting in the front row. Because she was a bit short, only half of her head was visible above the desk when she sat up straight.
However, Little Red Sugar was listening very attentively, propping her chin up with her hands, her big eyes fixed on the teacher.
Then, Xie An's gaze slowly shifted to the teacher.
At first glance, how handsome!
Not the delicate handsomeness of a man.
The light blue scholar's robe was very form-fitting, and he wore white boots. A jade hairpin was inserted into his hair. His face was unbelievably delicate.
As Xie An opened his senses and focused his vision, he clearly saw a ray of mottled sunlight falling on the teacher's face. Xie An clearly saw the teacher's delicate eyelashes, eyebrows, and the fine, jade-like texture of his skin.
Instinct told Xie An… this was a woman.
Okay, it seems that the story of Zhu Yingtai still has some basis.
The ancients… after all, they haven't seen much?
Looking again at Old Master Tang, he was once again listening with great interest.
Xie An then withdrew his gaze and listened carefully.
Compared to the other teachers' pedantic Confucian sayings, this teacher was indeed very knowledgeable, telling stories of young men slaying dragons and flying to the heavens and escaping to the earth. He also said that there was a young man in the north who had studied for thirty years without achieving anything, but suddenly one day he had an epiphany and wrote a masterpiece that would be passed down through the ages.
There was also a young swordsman who practiced swords for ten years, rode north on horseback, and slayed demons.
He made the five- or six-year-old children listen with excitement and shining eyes.
For Xie An, these stories had long been overused in storybooks and notes, they were clichés. But this teacher told them in great detail, vividly, as if recreating the scene.
Even Xie An, this old man in his fifties, listened with fascination.
Unknowingly, class was over.
The teacher's voice was so calm and elegant, making people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.
"That's all for today. Everyone go back early and come again tomorrow."
The children, who were still full of enthusiasm, heard the calls of the adults and walked out of the school one after another.
Little Red Sugar politely left her seat and gave the teacher a decent bow, "Goodbye, Teacher."
The teacher glanced at Little Red Sugar's somewhat awkward but standard teacher-student salute, and then taught Little Red Sugar the standard salute, "Goodbye."
Little Red Sugar imitated the teacher's appearance and made another proper salute, "My name is Little Red Sugar, does Teacher have a name?"
The teacher was stunned for a moment and said, "My surname is Su, you can call me Teacher Su."
"Teacher Su, today is my birthday, please have some nougat."
Little Red Sugar stepped forward, stood on tiptoe, and presented a nougat wrapped in red paper. She was a little shy, but she still mustered her courage.
Teacher Su squatted down, carefully looked at Little Red Sugar, and reached out to take the nougat, "Thank you, Little Red Sugar, happy birthday."
"Hehe, thank you, Teacher Su, Teacher Su's lectures are so good. I will definitely be the first to come tomorrow."
Little Red Sugar hopped away, overjoyed, "Teacher Su wished Little Red Sugar a happy birthday, hehe."
After leaving the pavilion gate, Little Red Sugar saw Xie An and actually abandoned Old Master Tang, jumping into Xie An's arms, "Little Great-Grandfather, you're here. Wow, there are also sugar figurines and candied haws."
"It's Little Red Sugar's birthday, of course I remember."
"Hehe! Little Red Sugar is so happy, Teacher Su wished her a happy birthday, and there are Little Great-Grandfather's sugar figurines… It would be even more perfect if she could ride on Little Great-Grandfather's shoulders for a while."
Then, Xie An put Little Red Sugar on his shoulders and carried her as he walked.
When he reached the corner, Xie An seemed to remember something.
He was, after all, Little Red Sugar's little great-grandfather, shouldn't he thank the teacher?
So, Xie An turned his head and looked at the teacher, who was still standing in the same place, holding the nougat that Little Red Sugar had given him, his calm eyes still looking in the direction of Little Red Sugar.
Xie An didn't know if the other party was looking at him or Little Red Sugar, but he returned the courtesy with a smile.
As for whether the teacher knew or not, he didn't care.
It was enough to show courtesy.
Back at the Tang family fort, everyone gathered around Little Red Sugar. When they learned that Little Red Sugar had performed well in school and was willing to continue going… the whole family breathed a sigh of relief.
Especially Tang Linshi, who was almost so excited that she burned incense and prayed to Buddha.
You should know that a few days ago, when it was approaching the start of school, Little Red Sugar used all the tricks in the book to refuse to go to school…
The family held a lively banquet for Little Red Sugar.
Finally, everyone asked Little Red Sugar what her birthday wish was.
Her father, Tang Qingfeng, said he was willing to buy her new clothes, her second uncle, Tang Qingyun, said he could take her horseback riding and sword dancing. Tang Linshi said she could buy her food. Old Master Tang said, you can want anything…
However, Little Red Sugar, under everyone's attention, mustered her courage and walked to Xie An's side, tugged on Xie An's sleeve, and said her wish, "Little Great-Grandfather, I want you to take me to school for a few days. Is that okay?"
The whole family was in an uproar…
Xie An felt very embarrassed.
No… you abandoned the wishes of your family and came to find me, this little great-grandfather you met halfway, just to take you to school… such partiality makes it difficult for me, this outsider grandfather, to do things.
Just as Xie An was thinking about how to politely refuse, Tang Qingyun suddenly laughed heartily, "Little Red Sugar is becoming more and more sensible. Her wish is to go to school, that's a good thing. Fifth Brother, it's up to you."
"Since Big Brother has said so… I am naturally happy to do it."
"Hehe, thank you, Little Great-Grandfather."
Since he had promised Little Red Sugar, Xie An naturally stayed overnight at the Tang family fort. In the evening, he even went to the central courtyard and drank and chatted with Old Master Tang until late at night before returning to his own courtyard to rest.
The next morning, early in the morning.
Little Red Sugar's voice came from outside the door.
"Little Great-Grandfather, hurry, we're going to be late."
"My god… it's not even dawn yet, what are you doing!?"
Xie An hurriedly got up to wash and dress, then opened the door and saw Little Red Sugar dressed neatly, also carrying a one-shoulder cloth bag.
In Daqian, there was no such thing as a schoolbag. Men favored book boxes and cases, while women mostly carried small cloth bags. For Little Red Sugar, the cloth bag would of course not contain books, but rather a lot of nougat, as well as other fruits, etc.
Swish.
Little Red Sugar grabbed Xie An's hand, like a little adult, "Let's go, I promised Teacher Su that I would be the first to arrive at school."
Xie An looked at the bit of fish-belly white in the eastern sky and twitched his lips.
There isn't even a single book in your bag. You don't seem like a diligent and studious person... Look at that pose.
When she left, she even moved Tang Linshi to tears, who thought Little Red Sugar was so diligent and studious from the moment she started learning, that she would definitely become a great person in the future.
In reality, Tang Linshi was thinking too much.
Xie An also realized that he had oversimplified things.
Upon arriving in the street, Little Red Sugar first went to eat Aunt Wang's buns, then to eat Grandpa Li's tofu pudding. Then, when the market opened, she sneaked into the cloth shop to buy new clothes, as well as sugar figurines... And all of this, without exception, was paid for by Xie An.
No wonder Little Red Sugar rejected her family's goodwill when making her wish.
It turned out that Little Red Sugar knew her family was strict with her and she wouldn't get much benefit. But Grandpa Xie An was different. Choosing Grandpa Xie An was equivalent to... getting everything she wanted.
Xie An: "..."
This little girl is quite the clever and mischievous one.
Even so, Little Red Sugar was the first to arrive at the school. She received praise from Mr. Su... Praise from the teacher is much more effective than parental control, which made Little Red Sugar very happy.
This girl simply left Xie An speechless.
Xie An naturally waited outside, listening to Mr. Su's lectures in his spare time.
"Yesterday, I talked about an outline. Today, I will talk to you about sages..."
Xie An felt that Mr. Su's lectures were easy to understand, allowing children to comprehend while incorporating unique insights. It felt quite good.
Especially when Mr. Su finally said:
"Sages left behind brilliant civilizations for future generations to dispel ignorance, increase wisdom, or cultivate temperament. After thousands of years of accumulation, removing the false and preserving the true, humanity's current thinking was formed. Sages are far from us, but every time we flip through books and read the sayings of sages, we feel that they are very close to us. When you have read ten thousand books and traveled ten thousand miles, you will understand... In this lifetime, sages cannot save you, and only... you yourself, are your own sage."
Words as calm as the spring breeze touched Xie An.
Only oneself can be one's own sage.
In the following days, Xie An took Little Red Sugar to and from school every day. At first, Xie An just sat on the stone bench outside the pavilion, listening to the loud reading inside.
Later, Xie An would stand outside the doors and windows of the pavilion, listening to Mr. Su's lectures up close.
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Even, every time he listened to the lectures, Xie An would look at Mr. Su very seriously. It was like returning to the classroom in his previous life.
Time quickly came to New Year's Eve.
On this day, after class, Xie An was about to leave with Little Red Sugar when he saw Mr. Su walking out, saying to Xie An calmly: "If you like listening to lectures, you can add a desk in the last row next year."
Xie An: "..."
Himself, fifty-three years old, taking classes with a group of five or six-year-old children?
Mr. Su said, "Young people who are eager to learn are like the rising sun; strong adults who are eager to learn are like the light of the midday sun; old people who are eager to learn are like the light of a candle."
The light of a candle...
"Thank you, Mr. Su."
Xie An felt that this Mr. Su had an indescribable elegance and profundity, and did not refuse. He thanked him and led Little Red Sugar away.
A moment later, the pavilion was completely empty, leaving only Mr. Su standing alone under the eaves.
Until a sound of footsteps came.
"Miss, you asked him to add a desk..."
It was Yu He who came, smiling non-stop.
Mr. Su said: "What are you laughing at?"
Yu He still kept smiling, "He is Xie An, the master I serve. I told you about him before. Moreover, I am eighty or ninety percent sure that the immortal treasure that the Corpse Refining Hall has been searching for is in the master's hands."
In Mr. Su's calm eyes, there was finally a trace of fluctuation, "Such a great opportunity... actually fell into his hands... It seems that this small Qingwu County is really not to be underestimated.
How is your injury recovering?"
Yu He said: "It has recovered. I should go back to the master's side."
In fact, Yu He had already returned to Qingwu County, but because her injury had not recovered, she was afraid that Xie An would see something different, so she had not returned.
"Tomorrow, I will send you there."
...
It was New Year's Eve again.
This was already Xie An's thirty-third year in this world.
Still spending it in Tangjiabao.
After a year of getting along, the family members of Tangjiabao basically accepted Xie An, treating Xie An as one of their own, celebrating the New Year's Eve fire together, and chatting at night.
Early the next morning, Xie An left the county town and rode back to the hall in Shuideng Town, inviting a group of incense masters and deacons to have a reunion dinner together.
By the time the crowd dispersed, it was already Shen Shi in the afternoon.
Heavy snow began to fall from the sky.
Xie An stood alone under the eaves of the hall, looking at the fluttering snow outside, looking at the endless stream of people coming and going, but he never saw Yu He's figure. He felt a little lost in his heart.
After a moment of daze, Xie An returned to the middle courtyard, closed the courtyard door, sat cross-legged in the pavilion, and practiced fetal breathing exercises and the Bright Jade Skill.
In the past month or so, although Xie An was in Tangjiabao, taking Little Red Sugar to and from school every day, Xie An's practice did not fall behind.
Especially the Bright Jade Skill, he insisted on practicing it.
Now, it is finally close to perfection.
Clearing his mind, after about an hour.
Sizzle ~
Xie An clearly felt the heat flow in his body surging, radiating out from the Purple Mansion, flowing throughout his body, and then quickly returning.
This heat flow was already as thick as three thumbs.
It was extremely hot.
During the operation of the Great Circulation, his body was exceptionally hot, sweating profusely, and his complexion was flushed.
Suddenly, Xie An felt that the surrounding world had a wonderful sense with him. As this sense became stronger and stronger, his body was actually vibrating, and something seemed to resonate strongly with the outside world.
[Bright Jade Skill: Beginning of Spring 100/100]
It's perfect.
Immediately afterwards, Xie An's whole body emitted a misty heat, as if he was taking a sauna...
So hot!
He clearly felt that there seemed to be impurities in his body, flowing out through the pores of his skin. His body was undergoing some special changes. It seemed to be becoming more and more solid and refined.
Xie An didn't even know how long it had been. When the impurities in his body stopped flowing out, Xie An stopped.
He was horrified to find that a layer of brown dirt had accumulated on the outside of his skin, emitting an unpleasant smell.
"Is this the tempering effect of the Great Achievement of the Beginning of Spring?"
Xie An didn't care about the dirt on his body and stood up abruptly. He was shocked to find that his five senses had improved further, his strength had increased again, his hands and feet were agile, and he was incomparably comfortable from the inside out.
He clearly felt that his body had undergone some kind of evolution.
The magnitude of the evolution was much stronger than the combined effects of fetal breathing exercises and the Five Animal Play.
Whoosh.
Xie An slammed out a punch, the air exploded, and the power of the punch shattered.
Another punch hit the ground, smashing out a large pit with a radius of two meters. Moreover, his fist did not feel the slightest pain.
"Too strong!"
"Only the first solar term of the Bright Jade Skill is like this... What will happen if I continue to practice?"
Xie An quickly called out the panel:
[Current Longevity Destiny: Level 1. Fusion degree: ]
[Fetal Breathing Exercise: Divine Light Appears (600/1000)]
[Bright Jade Skill: Rain Water 0/100]
[Remaining years: 43 years]
"Divine Light Appears increased by one hundred points, and the remaining years increased by 3 years."
"Comfortable!"
Xie An was in a great mood and immediately went to the ancient well in the yard, used the well winch to draw a bucket of cold water to take a bath, and then changed into clean clothes.
At that time, Xie An, who had extraordinary five senses, heard a burst of footsteps coming from outside the door.
A very familiar voice.
Xie An couldn't help but stop and listen carefully.
Dong dong dong.
"Master, I'm back."
Sure enough...
Xie An was almost about to rush to open the door. He quickly thought that he was a master and that he was not young anymore, so he restrained his thoughts, pretended to be calm, and opened the door.
I saw Yu He, wearing a fur skirt, standing pretty outside, her shoulders and hair were stained with snow particles, still smiling as before, and gave Xie An a blessing.
"Farewell to the old year, fireworks every year, morning after morning, peace year after year!"
Xie An smiled and helped her up, "Yu He, Happy New Year, come in and talk quickly, it's windy and snowy outside."
Just as Xie An was about to close the door, he suddenly saw a woman standing in the snow outside the door wearing a sea blue silk dress, holding an oil-paper umbrella, standing upright, the wind and snow brushing her sleeves, and her long hair fluttering.
This person was as beautiful as jade, as if she was integrated with the wind and snow, giving an indescribable sense of familiarity.
It always feels a bit familiar...
The woman spoke first, "This concubine is Yu He's elder sister. She happened to be passing by. May I come in for a cup of tea?"
-----
ps: The encouragement poem uses Zhu Xi's "Accidental", after all, it is another world, it is not good to directly quote the poems of this world. I wanted to create one myself, but my level is not enough, so it's like this~
