When he had his epiphany, the bronze mirror also underwent subtle changes.
"Three more strands of Holy Energy," Xu Qing observed, quite pleased.
Attaining knowledge through the study of nature is "knowledge," which accords with the Dao of Holy Virtue’s teachings. If it’s within one’s capability to combine "knowledge" and "action," then the Holy Energy should continue to increase.
The greatest benefit of Holy Energy is that it can resolve one’s dood fate, extending his lifespan.
But as of now, Xu Qing still didn’t know what his dood fate actually was.
"The ancient texts say that cultivation goes against the heavens, hence heaven will strike down with deadly calamities like the Heavenly Tribulation or people calamities... in short, all kinds of disasters. My tribulation ca after possession, even before I began cultivation..."
This tribulation of lifespan is also a sword hanging over Xu Qing’s head, not allowing him any slack.
"If I beco strong enough to neither be blinded by the sky nor buried by the earth..." Xu Qing didn’t dare to shout it out loud, but swore quietly in his heart that he wouldn’t beco a short-lived ghost.
Actually, it’s hard to say. He attained knowledge through the study of nature and unified knowledge and action, emulating Wang Yangming. Yet, this person’s life was full of hardships too—despite achieving the Scholar rank, he was exiled and imprisoned and even lay in a coffin.
Alas, why do my role models not quite work out?
Heroic saviors, enlightened serendipity, or sons-in-law who co into the family...
Forget it. In the end, as long as it’s not "insignificant heaven, how dare you slight ," it’s all fine. If it really cos to that point, he’d have no choice but to destroy this "heaven."
After all, if he’s going to die, what is there to fear?
Just do it.
As he was deep in thought, a servant from the Zhou Family ca to inform him that Academician Zhou had invited him to the study. Xu Qing, having just sweated, naturally wanted to change his clothes and asked the servant to wait a mont.
There was no ti to heat water for a bath. Fortunately, even though it was winter, Xu Qing wasn’t afraid of the cold. He poured cold water over himself to wash, then changed clothes.
It was because his body was robust enough that he dared to drench himself in cold water imdiately after sweating.
For most, this could risk catching a cold, but for Xu Qing, it had the effect of toughening him up.
Since he had just been sweating, his pores were open, and the splash of cold water would close them.
In this process, even his tailbone was stimulated, providing a mysterious sensation of locking in vital essence.
In his previous life, Xu Qing had read about Taoists practicing martial arts in snowy lands, and after training, rubbing snow on their bodies. He thought it absurd then, but now he realized there was so truth to it.
However, such practices, if attempted by ordinary people, are akin to seeking death.
These ways of Taoist cultivation are, in a sense, like Stealing the Heavenly Secret. The so-called Stealing the Heavenly Secret involves doing dangerous and daring things to stimulate innate potential and comprehend the profound principles of the universe.
For example, Captain Wang had also said that the monks at Great Zen Temple, the formidable ones, would practice martial arts on the edge of cliffs daily, punching with one foot over the void, to bolster courage.
Xu Qing had asked if any had ever fallen.
Captain Wang fell silent.
There must have been so.
It looks like if such deeds succeed, then it’s called "Stealing the Heavenly Secret;" if they fail... dead bald donkeys?
Clothed anew, Xu Qing’s muscular fra was hidden beneath his wide-sleeved robe.
His "Jinliang" temperant imdiately stood out.
As described in ancient texts, tall and majestic in stature.
At a glance, even Zhuge Liang in his early years was kept by his wife, an Aristocratic Family’s down-and-out son nearly wiped out, who married into the influential Huang family and thereby beca known among the princes.
Because the mother of the Huang family daughter was surnad Cai. Liu Biao’s second wife was also a Cai.
Otherwise, it would be nearly impossible for soone of ordinary background, no matter how talented, to beco known as the "Sleeping Dragon" in Jing Province during the era of noble clans.
No fault there, old Zhuge beca known through his aunt; Jinliang beca known through his uncle.
In a world where connections matter, if you don’t have a father, you find one, and when you beco strong, you beco soone else’s father.
Having a benefactor is indeed a skill.
Without such skill, even with Feng Wu’s favor, Xu Qing would not have gained Academic Supervisor Zhou’s appreciation.
Connections are the knocking brick; talent is the foundation.
...
...
In the study, after exchanging formalities, Academic Supervisor Zhou looked at Xu Qing with growing satisfaction,
"Xu Qing, you’re in your own family’s ho, no need to be so formal. You may call ’Uncle Zhou.’"
The only thing Academic Supervisor Zhou wasn’t pleased about was that mongrel Wu Shilai beat him to giving Xu Qing a literary na. Why did it feel like there was a hint of green on his head?
This feeling of one’s precious orchid being gnawed on by a dog wasn’t new to him.
Was it possible there was sothing wrong with the Feng Shui of the Taicang Zhou Clan’s ancestral tomb?
With the passing of ti, mountains and rivers change. Just because the Feng Shui was good in the past doesn’t an it’s still favorable now.
Academic Supervisor Zhou was still annoyed in his heart.
Xu Qing caught the conversation, "Uncle Zhou, for what matter did you summon ?"
Pushing down the irritation in his heart, Academic Supervisor Zhou smiled, "You have great patience, not ntioning going out these past few days. The current situation seems peaceful, but you should leave Yingtian Prefecture sooner rather than later, or it will lead to trouble."
Of course, Academic Supervisor Zhou had heard about Inspector Wu Xun’an’s appointnt and vaguely understood Xu Qing played a significant role, but the affairs were too complex, not suitable for a Scholar to ddle in.
He truly regarded Xu Qing as family now and did not wish for Xu Qing to get inexplicably involved.
"The nephew was thinking the sa."
Academic Supervisor Zhou replied, "You’re different from other young n. I see you can be patient. Prepare well for the next provincial exam, let’s aim to bring back the Top Scorer title."
The Xu Family of Jiangning had been exterminated, their assets nearly gone. For Xu Qing to match the Zhou Family of Taicang, it was still sowhat insufficient. However, becoming the Top Scorer of South Zhili would be enough to shut up the old folks in the clan.
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