Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 4 The Gentleman's Transformation
After realizing what had happened, the old man selling firewood, along with his granddaughter, wanted to kowtow to Xu Xuan a few times before leaving immediately.

"Why are you kneeling? Get out of here!"

It was just a casual remark, but the grandfather and grandson actually couldn't kneel down. They assumed they were just too frightened to obey their own commands, so they bowed a few times and ran away.

At this point, Zhang San began to wail incoherently. His mouth was full of blood, and he spat out a few rotten teeth, which made this notorious local thug cry even harder.

Although he was a local thug, he wasn't so incompetent as to not dare to fight back if he had someone backing him up.

Xu Xuan's three slaps were really powerful; they were impossible to dodge or block.

All those thoughts in my mind were completely drained away.

“Xu*&……%T*%*&，Old*%&……*”

"I can't hear you."

Xu Xuan raised his hand, and Zhang San turned and ran away, tumbling and crawling.

"Humph!"

Only then did the onlookers begin to cheer, showering the crowd with compliments.

What great righteousness does Master Xu have?
I've wanted it to be different for a long time.
Thanks to your righteous help
The scholar, after beating up the thugs, didn't put on airs. Instead, he exchanged a few pleasantries, which made the scene even more lively, as if everyone had beaten up Zhang San together.

Xu Xuan was well aware of the attitudes of those around him, and knew that some of it was out of kindness and righteousness, and some because of his clothes.

At this moment, I feel as if the distance between me and this world has deepened, yet I also feel as if I've become more integrated into it.

I can't explain it, I can't explain it. I turned and walked towards the academy.

Students encountered on the road bowed respectfully to Teacher Xu, while some even stood silently on both sides of the road.

It seems those three slaps really had a good effect.

He arrived at the headmaster's room and calmly handed over his resignation.

Master Li of the academy looked at the resignation letter and then at Xu Xuan. His eyes, which were usually somewhat cloudy, now seemed to have a hint of confusion.

He witnessed everything that had just happened from upstairs, and those three slaps showed him a new Xu Xuan.

The resignation letter in his hand also told him that some people had really changed.

The characters are exquisitely detailed, powerful, and full of spirit, which leaps off the page.

The characters are still the same, but their spirit and energy are completely renewed.

"Master, I was truly angry just now, and acted impulsively."

"It's alright. These three strikes showed the demeanor of a scholar. There's no need to worry about that scoundrel. I will write a letter to the county magistrate later and strive to bring these idlers to justice as soon as possible."

This is the kind of tactic most commonly used by scholars and gentry; a few local ruffians are clearly not worth his time.

On the contrary, this resignation letter
"My resignation is due to my dissatisfaction at failing the imperial examination. Chongqi Academy is one of the three great academies in Jiangnan, and I..."

Before Xu Xuan could produce the prepared text, he was interrupted on the spot.

"I have been a scholar for sixty years. Some of my former classmates have risen to high positions, while others have died young and turned to dust. Some of the unlucky ones have had their entire families exterminated. Of course, most of them have faded into obscurity and lived a mere existence in a corner of the world, like myself."

At this point, the old master's eyes dimmed somewhat.

While academic progress stagnates, life experience continues to accumulate.

"Which scholar doesn't want to pass the imperial examination? Which successful candidate doesn't want to be the top scholar in all three categories?"

Your arrogance was just like mine back then. Who wouldn't want to be clad in purple armor, wielding a crimson robe, and commanding the rain and clouds with ferocious claws?

But you're different, you really are different.

The old master spoke slowly and calmly, but it aroused Xu Xuan's curiosity. Did he have any flaws besides hitting a thug?

He cupped his hands and asked.

“Master, how am I different now? I’ve become much more reckless.”

"Your recklessness is just a facade. Now, all arrogance has vanished from your eyes. I don't know if it's because you've become more reserved or if you've already soared to the heavens."

Xu Xuan was startled. A scholar who had been studying for sixty years was indeed extraordinary. Which transmigrator didn't have pride in his heart?

Even if it's something you don't outwardly show.

Master Li stroked his beard and looked out at the street.

Xu Hanwen just said three sentences and slapped three times.

There was no trace of it at this moment, but the news would quickly spread throughout Qiantang County.

It was like a pebble falling onto a calm, desolate surface of water.

"I've accepted your resignation."

"Hanwen, I don't know what you've been through in just a few days. I'll say a few more words to you before I leave."

"Youthful spirit can be inspiring, but to go far and achieve great things, one must calm down and focus."

"The sword of a scholar lies in his mouth, in his words, and in his history, but never in his hands."

Master Li taught the somewhat unfamiliar little fellow very seriously. "In the world, one must understand how to 'harmonize with the light' in order to 'embrace yin and yang' and 'mingle with the dust' in order to guide the situation and let every bit of strength play its due role."

Whether Xu Xuan agreed or not, he was still quite moved by the teachings, and then said a few more words.

"Isn't this something from the Tao Te Ching?"

Master Li.
Xu Xuan smiled, then bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your teachings, Master."

This bow was a lesson for the old master, letting him know that there are many intelligent people in this world.

The old master smiled too, acknowledging that things were indeed different.

So he wrote a recommendation letter.

“Chongqi Academy may not appreciate my recommendation, but it is still a token of their appreciation.”

It only takes a little effort to write a letter, and you can gain a favor without much involvement.

Xu Xuan accepted it carefully, thanked him repeatedly, and then turned to leave.

Master Li watched Xu Xuan's departing figure and wrote on the paper: "A gentleman changes like a leopard; his writing is magnificent."

After a moment's thought, I realized this was inappropriate. A virtuous person's growth and transformation during a period of change are gradual, requiring a long period of accumulation and refinement. This is quite different from Xu Xuan today.

After a moment of contemplation, he wrote again: "The great man has transformed like a tiger, and his writing is brilliant."

Then, feeling he had gone too far, he tore both pieces of paper to shreds, as if nothing had happened.

The old scholar, who has lived for sixty years, has not only good eyesight but also avoids trouble.

It's like I'm in a daze that Xu Xuan's future is either going to the execution ground or entering the cabinet. He really is an interesting young man.

Xu Xuan felt a little relieved after leaving Jintian Academy; leaving the familiar environment was the right thing to do.

Master Li is truly quite capable.

The final conversation cooled him down from his passionate outburst of beating up the thugs.

After buying some incense, candles, and paper money, I planned to go home to prepare for my trip to Chongqi Academy.

On the road
"Have you heard? Xu Xuan killed someone, it was Zhang Laosi from the city wall!"

"Oh, really? I heard that it was Zhang San and Li Si who were killed, and now the imperial court has issued arrest warrants."

"Don't believe everything you hear. I have connections in the county government. Master Xu only killed Zhang San with one palm strike, without even using a second move."

Xu Xuan, who was passing by, thought, "At least give me some interesting stories!" and then covered his face and walked away.

After returning home, he washed off the dust and got down to business.

They carefully lit incense and candles and began burning paper money and ingots.

"Xu Xuan, may you rest in peace."

"I don't know if there is an underworld in this world, but it's always right to pay respects. I'm a very principled person."

"It's my second day in this world, and I still don't feel quite used to it."

"Actually, ordinary people in this world are very similar to those in that world, and maybe even important people are similar."

"I might have acted impulsively today, but I couldn't help it."

"Next, I'm going to apply for a job at Chongqi Academy, so I can only come back to clean this little courtyard when I have time."

"Finally, thank you."

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying paper ash that danced and swirled in the air.

At night, Xu Xuan fell into a deep sleep once again.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner, Zhang San was kneeling on the ground, gesturing wildly as he spoke to a mysterious man in a cloak.

"Zhou is Xu Xuan, ah, people, spicy pavilion is Zhou in Xu Xuan's voice."

A mysterious person.
"Xu Xuan, I understand."

Zhang San's triangular eyes were full of malice. His life as a hoodlum was ruined, and his prestige in the underworld had been completely shattered by those three slaps. So he could only resort to using someone else to do his dirty work.

As for whether the item is still there, we can ask the immortal master for forgiveness later. It's not like we can kill him.

Hatred had clouded his judgment, causing him to lose what little reason he had left.

Huh? Why does my neck feel so cold?

So, I'm dead.

"We just need a wronged soul to scout the way, so you're the one."

"No waste."

　You are welcome to leave comments in the chapter notes. Use your thoughts as nourishment to aid my spiritual practice.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)