Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 25 Xu Xuan Descends the Mountain
Having already cultivated himself into a Taoist master with astonishing spiritual insight, he should be able to play a significant role in finding people.

This can be considered as repaying the kindness of Master Li's recommendation.

So he went to ask the academician's wife for leave.

"Master Li from Jintian Academy also wrote me a letter, hoping that the academy could help me."

Madam Yin also had a letter in her hand.

Only then did Xu Xuan realize the extent of the old master's social skills.

As an academy in the neighboring county, it's only natural to give a little more attention to such a behemoth as its neighbor.

You may not be qualified to cultivate relationships with professors, but you can forcefully cultivate relationships with the college.

Occasionally, they would come to learn about educational experiences and also find an excuse to give a gift.

As a representative of cultural tradition, Chongqi Academy cannot look down on others; Confucius did not teach in this way.

This relationship has remained constant, and even some talented young men from prominent families were sent to Chongqi Academy from Jintian Academy in the past.

It wasn't without reason that Master Li was able to write the letter of recommendation back then.

We can't just ignore the academy now that they've come to us for help.

Madam Yin looked at the two letters and began to ponder something. If the academy needed reform, it should also move down from the mountain.

"You are granted a seven-day leave to visit Master Li in the name of the academy."

"I'll also tell Professor Sheng later, just say it's my idea and he'll understand."

Xu Xuan immediately found Professor Sheng and obtained a letter.

"Don't interfere in Qiantang's official business. This letter is just to make things easier for you personally. Be mindful of your actions."

"If there are any special circumstances, return to the academy immediately."

Professor Sheng gave a few more serious instructions.

What constitutes a special circumstance?

"Points that contradict common sense."

I understand. The criminal expert must have read many files related to cultivators, and may even have personally contacted many of them.

They should know more about evil and heretical doctrines than I do, so I naturally know that there are some things that would be extremely dangerous even to get close to.

After packing his luggage, Xu Xuan went to the mountain gate to take a carriage.

Although the carriages of Chongqi Academy were not luxurious, they were definitely not to be trifled with within a radius of several hundred miles.

Moreover, riding in this vehicle will prevent you from encountering mountain spirits or wild beasts, and will keep snakes, insects, rats, and ants away.

Even for ordinary people, this would be considered a rare treasure.

Lifting the carriage curtain, they discovered there was another person inside.

A handsome, aloof young man was sitting there reading a book.

"Xie, classmate?"

“Teacher Xu, I’m going to the county town to take care of some family business. I can hitch a ride here. After all, the academy’s carriages are comfortable to ride in.”

Xie Yu was very calm; unlike Qian Zhongyu, he didn't like to provoke his teacher.

The last time we were taught a lesson in Cuju (ancient Chinese football), it was because our skills were inferior to others, so there's nothing to say about it.

Moreover, the fact that Xu Xuan was able to represent the academy on a mission down the mountain this time is quite significant, and the subsequent reforms should fall on his shoulders.

He would have somewhat believed it if someone had said before that the new commoner instructor was just a pawn used by the academy to test them.

A month later, none of the students in the entire academy will have this idea.

Not only in football and in teaching, but also in daily life, this instructor is not someone to be trifled with.

Once, a student was reprimanded for being late for morning class. Feeling embarrassed and angry, he tried to talk back to the instructor because he was tall and strong and had practiced swordsmanship for several years.

Then, without hesitation, he was slapped to the ground, the eight-foot-tall man spinning like a top.

Finally, he was punished by having to carve a thousand "early" characters on a stone before the punishment was over.

The student later clarified that he couldn't dodge Teacher Xu's slaps at all, and that the force was so strong it could reach the heart. He vaguely heard someone shouting something like, "Why doesn't Buddha give me face?"

It became a laughing stock for a time.

In reality, Xu Xuan's cultivation had been constantly hindered, and he was already resentful.

This student even dared to provoke me, saying things like "Try touching me," which is quite a reason. I have no choice but to try.

In short, in the students' minds, Instructor Xu's strength and courage were extremely impressive.

Xie Yu admired this kind of person and often wanted to communicate more with this new instructor.

He himself came from the north, and his many experiences have made him quite legendary among the students.

Whether it's the ancient writings of the sages or the anecdotes from daily morning lessons, this teacher's knowledge is so vast that it seems extraordinary.

He far surpasses most people in the breadth of his reading, which is truly remarkable.

The love of learning was truly embodied in Xie Yu, a scholarly individual.

So on the way down the mountain, Xu Xuan had no chance to enjoy the scenery, but instead had to deal with one problem after another.

Fortunately, it wasn't a serious academic question, so he could manage to handle it.

Xie Yu had little interest in the story itself; some of it sounded very fake.

On the contrary, they were more interested in ideas and cultures that differed from those of the Central Plains. For example, did the legendary court painter Leonardo da Vinci pursue a likeness in the form or the spirit when painting eggs?

Asking too many questions can be very troublesome.

Why does this child keep asking so many questions?
Moreover, knowing too much about certain ideas can be fatal, even a little bit of infection can be fatal.

During the questioning and answering, the carriage arrived at the gate of Qiantang County, and all sorts of sounds could be heard inside the carriage.

Xu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally arrived.

Xie Yu, on the other hand, seemed somewhat unsatisfied, his eyes filled with the joy of gaining knowledge.

Instructor Xu is indeed extraordinary; many secrets are hidden within the anecdotes of the morning lessons.

In particular, the other party always holds back when talking about deeper topics, and even the few words they reveal can be quite unsettling.

Let's have more opportunities to exchange ideas in the future.

Then he remembered something and took something out of his sleeve.

"Professor Xu, I misbehaved earlier and took up your time. This is a small gift from me to express my gratitude. I hope you will accept it."

"How can that be? Do you still remember what I said before? Teachers should give jade tokens as a token of gratitude for imparting knowledge and teaching skills?"

Are they that rich?

The jade is clear and translucent, and is engraved with floral, bird and cloud patterns. It looks both expensive and cultured. In the middle, there is a charming character "谢" (Xie).

"Sir, please don't misunderstand. I absolutely did not mean to insult you."

Xu Xuan was puzzled. What insulted him?

"A thousand taels of gold are not as valuable as a thorough understanding of the scriptures. You have imparted knowledge to me, and I can only repay your kindness with boundless respect and a small amount of wealth."

"This"

"The jade pendant itself is not valuable enough, but holding it allows you to stay at all of the Xie family's restaurants and receive assistance from the Xie family's businesses in the area. It can solve some of your minor problems."

"That"

"It's also a little selfish of me, hoping to continue to learn from you next time. Please accept this as a token of my gratitude."

Isn't it said that Xie Yu is arrogant among his students, always wearing a cold face that makes Qian Zhongyu so angry he jumps up and down?

This isn't a very talkative or well-behaved child.

Since that's the case, I'll accept this bread maker—no, this jade pendant, sir.

After seeing Xu Xuan accept the gift, Xie Yu left the academy's carriage and boarded a carriage belonging to the Xie family.

The coachman continued driving the carriage, and after a while they arrived at Master Li's residence.

Even before we got close, we could hear the chanting of monks and Taoist priests.

The entrance to the Li family's residence was already occupied by various mourning processions, but as soon as the carriage from Chongqi Academy arrived, everyone else immediately made way.

Even the doormen rushed out immediately to prepare for the arrival of the distinguished guests.

Even though the young master of the manor has died, the proper etiquette must still be observed.

Even Master Li had to suppress his grief and come out to greet them.

"Master, alas."

"Xu Xuan! You, you, you..."

Master Li never expected that Xu Xuan would represent the academy. Was this former teacher so adept at interpersonal relationships?

Even amidst my grief, I was still deeply moved by the person before me.

It was the old butler behind them who whispered something.

"Yes, yes, let's go inside and talk about it."

Master Li gripped Xu Xuan's hand tightly, as if he were grasping at a lifeline.

He believed that he had treated Xu Xuan well during his time in Jintian, and that they had only formed a good relationship a little over a month ago.

His son's death was irreversible, but the fact that his grandson was still missing filled him with even greater despair.

I wrote so many letters, but none of them could help. The academy was my last hope.

As the saying goes, there's always a way out, and unexpectedly, Xu Xuan arrived.

A complex mix of emotions—sadness, anger, joy—was swirling within me.

Xu Xuan followed the old master further inside and saw dozens of Buddhist and Taoist priests chanting scriptures at an altar.

Upon opening my Dharma Eye, I saw that none of them were practitioners of the Dao, nor did they possess even a trace of magical power; however, they did exude a certain amount of lewd and evil energy.

This comforted him somewhat; there really weren't that many evil spirits and heretics.

I felt a chill even before I got close to the mourning hall.

The old master was going to great lengths to keep the case from closing, keeping the body frozen in ice and refusing to bury it, holding on until today.

Xu Xuan straightened his clothes and stepped into the mourning hall, his pupils shrinking.

A wisp of black mist was gradually dissipating above the coffin.

The invisible force above Qiantang County fell into the fate of the cultivators without causing the slightest ripple.

(End of this chapter)