Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 46: A Big Plan
Beishan Academy, somewhere in a garden.

Xiaoshan and Qingxuan were enjoying the flowers and drinking tea in the garden.

Qing Xuan looked contented, holding up his teacup, and said leisurely, "Beishan, are you not going to be an official anymore?"

Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Being an official is not suitable for me. Teaching and educating people is fine."

Xiao Shan paused, then continued, "If I can train one or two accomplished disciples, I will be fully satisfied."

Qingxuan thought of Lu Zheng. When he came to the county town, he heard some things about Lu Zheng from the people.

It is said that Lu Zheng has been studying behind closed doors for several years, and recently he suddenly became a famous scholar, and just had a conflict with the students of Beishan Academy. He has nothing to do with Xiaoshan at all.

Qing Xuan smiled and said, "That scholar named Lu Zheng is quite good, why not take him in as your disciple?"

Xiao Shan couldn't help but ask, "Brother Qingxuan knows him?"

Qing Xuan laughed heartily, "It's spread all over your city! Besides, I met him once before and taught him a set of sword techniques."

"Oh?" Xiao Shan's eyes lit up with surprise, then he shook his head and said, "He has great talent and is able to cultivate a righteous character. I'm not qualified to be his teacher."

"Upright? I didn't pay much attention to it." Qingxuan said.

He did not have the habit of casually probing into other people's backgrounds. He just saw from experience that Lu Zheng was upright, but he never thought that Lu Zheng was actually upright.

Xiao Shan nodded and said, "His literary spirit is pure and righteous. I can't even compare to him, so how can I teach him anything?"

Qing Xuan took a sip of the fragrant tea and said with a smile: "It seems that Anguo is going to produce an extraordinary scholar."

He traveled to various countries and met many people. There were only a handful of Confucian and Taoist scholars who had cultivated integrity while still a scholar.

Moreover, those people came from aristocratic families and had a solid foundation. It was rare for a commoner scholar like Lu Zheng to cultivate such a righteous spirit.

At this moment, a servant approached and reported: "Master, the county magistrate has something to ask."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shan said, "Please ask County Magistrate Li to come over!"

After a while, Li Yuan brought Huang Shu to the garden.

Seeing that there were guests in the garden, Li Yuan bowed and said, "President Xiao, I apologize for the inconvenience of your visit."

Xiao Shan said, "What are you talking about, County Magistrate Li? Please sit down and have a cup of tea. This Taoist Qingxuan is my good friend... Brother Qingxuan, this is the county magistrate, Li Yuan."

Qingxuan and Li Yuan greeted each other.

Xiao Shan then looked at Huang Shu, who was standing respectfully not far away. "Magister Li, who is this little demon?"

Xiao Shan was a scholar at the fourth level of Confucianism and Taoism, and he realized at first glance that Huang Shu was a monster.

Li Yuan explained, "It's a little demon that Lu Zheng met, and he asked me to take care of it. Lu Zheng also wrote back with some important matters, and asked Dean Xiao to help me with some plans."

As he spoke, Li Yuan took out the letter and handed it to Xiao Shan.

He knew that his subordinates were not very reliable, so he came to ask Dean Xiao for help.

Xiao Shan took the letter and started reading it, then his brows furrowed more and more.

Seeing this, Qing Xuan beside him said softly, "Since you have something important to discuss, I won't disturb you."

Xiao Shan said, "Brother Qingxuan, please take a look at the letter. I'm afraid I still need your help with this matter." "Hmm?" Qingxuan was curious and took the letter to take a look.

Li Yuan opened the bag again and took out the items one by one.

After reading the letter, Qingxuan looked at the physical evidence collected by Lu Zheng.

He picked up the Yang-Gathering Bead and took a look at it. "This bead that gathers Yang energy is well-refined. The person who refined it must have reached the third realm of cultivation at least."

Li Yuan's expression was solemn. He said, "Making painted skins and raising evil spirits. There are countless demons and monsters in and around this city now, disguised as painted skins... Lu Zheng once saw an evil spirit in the city carrying this bead, but he didn't know the reason at the time. Now it seems that some ghosts are secretly collecting large amounts of Yang Qi, and have been doing this for years. I wonder what they are doing."

Qing Xuan said slowly, "If the speculation is true, the person behind this must have some big plans for collecting so much Yang Qi... If they are ghosts, I think they are trying to defy fate and be reborn. If they are monsters, they must be refining Yang Qi to break free from their own limitations and reach a higher level of realm. If they are humans, then they are a group of evildoers..."

Li Yuan thought that if it was the first two, it would not be very serious.

After all, the other party is so cautious in doing things, obviously just for cultivation, and does not want to expose himself and cause any trouble.

It is understandable that a mere county magistrate like him could not deal with such a powerful demon.

But if it was done by a group of evil practitioners, they might cause a big trouble at any time and even rebel on the spot.

By then, not only will he not be able to wear his official hat, but his family may also be in trouble.

Li Yuan sighed, "I thought Kaiyang County was relatively peaceful, but I never imagined there was a pair of powerful hands lurking in the dark, controlling countless demons and monsters... I bet the brothels in the county are filled with demons in painted skins."

If you want to know where in the city the Yang energy is easy to steal, Li Yuan can figure it out just by thinking with his knees.

Li Yuan paused and continued, "But the person behind this is acting cautiously. If I send people to capture those demons, I'm afraid they won't find any clues and will only alert the enemy."

"This is the case in the city, and even worse outside. Many students are now traveling to study, and I'm very worried. Dean, what do you think we should do about this?"

Xiao Shan knew that he couldn't just sit back and watch.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Shan looked at Qing Xuan beside him and said apologetically, "Brother Qing Xuan, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you for a little help."

Qing Xuan chuckled and said, "I came here to drink a cup of tea with you, but I got into trouble. Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

Xiao Shan said solemnly, "The county magistrate and I will stay in the county to prevent the demons and ghosts in the city from causing trouble, and we will also search for clues in secret. Brother Qingxuan is good at catching demons and exorcising ghosts. Please help us investigate in various places outside the city."

Qing Xuan nodded slightly and said, "Okay, I'll do my best."

He didn't know the strength of the big man behind the scenes, so it was naturally difficult for him to give a definite answer.

Xiao Shan said, "If you encounter students from the academy on the road, please take care of them, Brother Qingxuan. And Lu Zheng, he has a righteous heart and will definitely continue the investigation. He may have to go to some dangerous places..."

The three of them discussed there for a while and decided on a general countermeasure.

Afterwards, Qing Xuan looked at Huang Shu who was not far away and asked, "Do you know where Lu Zheng went?"

Huang Shu replied, "Before we parted, Master Lu said he was going to Zizhu Town."

Qing Xuan wrote down the place name, stood up and said goodbye, "Then I will take my leave. If I find any clues, I will let you know as soon as possible."

Li Yuan quickly stood up and thanked him, "Thank you for your help, Taoist priest!"

Qingxuan smiled faintly and left in a leisurely manner.

(End of this chapter)