Guan Learning was a philosophical lineage passed down by Zhang Zai, a master from the Northern Song Dynasty. Since the beginning of the Northern Song Dynasty, Guan Learning became the leading school of Confucianism in the Guanzhong region.
The famous 'Four Verses of Hengqu':
"To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth,
To secure life and destiny for the people,
To continue the lost teachings of past sages,
And to open an era of great peace for all future generations."
These lines are not only renowned from ancient times but remain celebrated in later ages. Few have not heard these four dictums of Guan Learning. Quanzhen Taoism and Guan Learning were the respective vanguards of Taoism and Confucianism in the Guanzhong region. It would be incredible if, over nearly a thousand years, these two traditions had not developed deep connections and shared history...
「...」
Achieving the rank of Scholar became Xu Xing's goal once again.
Initially, he wanted to become a Scholar because studying was the most direct path to change his destiny.
Jingyang County was under the jurisdiction of Jingzhao Prefecture.
Although Jingzhao Prefecture's educational standards were unparalleled in the Northwest region, far surpassing other areas, it was still relatively easier to take the Imperial Examination in Jingzhao Prefecture compared to the southern provinces with their flourishing literary culture and intense competition.
Besides, the Weijing Academy was one of the Four Great Academies of Guanzhong.
Its educational resources were already top-tier in Jingzhao Prefecture.
For students of the Weijing Academy, obtaining the rank of Scholar was not a particularly difficult task.
However, it was only November, and there were still nearly three months before the County Exam in February of the following year.
There is no hurry in becoming a Scholar.
At this moment, Xu Xing was still more enthusiastic about practicing the Stony Heart Method.
「Two days later.」
Master Ma began to instruct Xu Xing on how to generate a Qi Sensation.
"Circulate the Cultivation Method..."
"Maintain a calm mind, be still, and focus your vital energy..."
"I will use my inner force to guide you, simulating the path the Cultivation Method takes through your meridians. Pay close attention."
In the farmhouse bedroom, Master Ma and Xu Xing sat facing each other on the bed-stove. Outside, Haige and other Brothers from the Hall guarded the door. When Master Ma saw Xu Xing struggling to perceive the Qi Sensation, he directly used his own inner force to help Xu Xing locate the elusive feeling associated with the Stony Heart Method.
But, as Chang Ji had said, for ordinary people to sense Qi, even with a renowned master's guidance, it would take at least half a month.
Unfortunately, Xu Xing's aptitude in this Instance World was similar to his original self.
Both were ordinary.
Master Ma withdrew his index and ring fingers from Xu Xing's Tanzhong acupoint, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead with his rolled-up sleeve, and panted heavily. "Let's stop here for today," he said. "Cultivation is not achieved in a single day; it relies on diligent daily practice."
Even with his considerable Internal Power, expending inner force for two continuous hours was exhausting.
"Master Ma, these are some restorative herbs I had a friend purchase for you."
"Please accept them as a small token of my gratitude."
Seeing Master Ma's forehead drenched in cold sweat and his face pale, Xu Xing knew Master Ma had expended a great deal of inner force to help him find the Qi Sensation, especially since Master Ma was already injured.
The expenditure this time had been truly substantial.
He handed the prepared package of herbs to Master Ma.
Recently, Governor Fang Yun had been posting Wanted Orders for "rebels" like Master Ma everywhere, making herbs exceptionally precious for the Brothers of Xiaoyi Hall.
At the same time, herbal shops of all sizes in Jingyang County Town were also under strict surveillance by Qing soldiers.
Fortunately, Chen Jiangong's family ran a pharmacy, and he himself had also stockpiled a considerable amount of herbs.
Among the hoarded herbs were many that could replenish Qi and nourish blood.
He had stockpiled these particular herbs because scholars, through intense study or dalliances with courtesans, often depleted their vitality...
Replenishment was essential!
"Herbs?"
"In that case, it would be impolite of me to refuse."
Master Ma had initially wanted to decline.
After all, he already felt indebted for receiving the Stony Heart Method.
He disliked being indebted to others.
However, hearing that Xu Xing had brought "restorative herbs," he hesitated for a moment and chose to accept them. He wasn't the only one injured during the assassination attempt on the Governor of Qin Province. Nearly all of the dozen or so Brothers who had returned were wounded. These restorative herbs were desperately needed at this time, so he couldn't bring himself to refuse them.
"Come again tomorrow..."
"Try not to interrupt your training."
After some thought, Master Ma decided to endure the inconvenience and help Xu Xing succeed in his training as quickly as possible.
He was good at judging people. Although Xu Xing could be somewhat calculating, what scholar wasn't? One should judge by deeds, not by thoughts, for no one is perfect in their heart. At least Xu Xing had consistently worked for Xiaoyi Hall, and his conduct had been appropriate and faithful and honest. Furthermore, Xiaoyi Hall held compromising information from when Xu Xing became one of their Brothers. So, no matter how high Xu Xing might rise, he would forever remain a Brother of Xiaoyi Hall. That could not be changed.
"Thank you, Master Ma."
Xu Xing expressed his gratitude.
When he gave Master Ma the "restorative herbs," he indeed had an ulterior motive.
But Master Ma's willingness to reciprocate so quickly still filled him with elation.
「Thirteen days later.」
The Weijing Academy held its Big Test.
Empowered by the 'Broad Knowledge and Strong Memory (Gray↑)' Destiny, Xu Xing possessed a near-photographic memory. Combined with the assistance of skilled teachers and helpful classmates at the academy, his proficiency in the eight-legged essay had advanced by leaps and bounds.
Although his rank on the Red List had fallen twenty or thirty places compared to the previous minor examination, he earned even greater recognition from everyone at the academy.
This was because, for the Four-Book Question, Xu Xing had not merely copied an Imperial Examination Sample. Instead, drawing upon his recent understanding and using the Imperial Examination Sample as a template, he had composed all the eight-legged essays himself.
Though his eight-legged essays were still unpolished, with impressive beginnings but weak endings, any discerning eye could see that Xu Xing's progress since the last assessment had been remarkably swift.
As a result, Xu Xing's Destiny was strengthened once more.
[Mirror Master: Xu Xing.]
[Dao Fruit: Lifetime of Mediocrity (White), Broad Knowledge and Strong Memory (Gray↑).]
[...]
[Destiny: Broad Knowledge and Strong Memory (White).]
「...」
Under the influence of the 'Broad Knowledge and Strong Memory (White)' Destiny, Xu Xing found that not only was his memory far superior to before, but his comprehension of the Scripture was also far easier.
In other words, his aptitude for learning had also significantly increased.
「Seventeen days later.」
Master Ma was instructing Xu Xing once again.
"'Five Hearts Facing Heaven, Qi guards the meridians...'"
"'Calm your mind. Let your spirit follow my inner force and feel the circulation within your meridians...'"
"Did you remember?"
"If not, I can guide you with my inner force once more..."
Seeing Xu Xing still deep in thought with his eyes closed, Master Ma sighed inwardly and asked.
Compared to his own son, Xu Xing's martial arts aptitude was far inferior. Despite many days of his patient instruction, Xu Xing had yet to achieve a Breakthrough.
While Xu Xing's lack of a Breakthrough was understandable, with each passing day of failure, not only was Xu Xing growing anxious, but Master Ma was also gradually losing patience.
"I did it."
Suddenly, a soft, almost casual, statement reached Master Ma's ears.
He shook his head. "It's alright if you haven't. Don't be anxious. You scholars always have too much on your minds, making it difficult to quiet your thoughts. You just need more practice... Wait, what did you say...?"
Master Ma reacted.
He stared intently at Xu Xing for a few moments. "You really did it?"
Seventeen days to succeed... His talent wasn't exceptional, but it wasn't poor either. Considering Xu Xing's age, achieving it in seventeen days was actually quite good. After all, the older one gets, the more congested their meridians tend to become.
"I really did it!"
Xu Xing affirmed, looking at the newly appeared characters in his 'Destiny' panel and nodding earnestly.