I just passed the imperial examination, what the heck is this "Celestial Official System"?

"Thank you?"

The middle-aged steward standing to the side had served his master for twenty years and had seen all kinds of gifts.

But this is the first time I've ever seen someone like Song Li bring a book to express their gratitude to their teacher.

"This method of Prime Minister Song... is truly refreshing and unconventional."

His internal assessment.

She also began to wonder about the relationship between the "Juyuan Handbook" and her own master.

"Have you been to the library?"

When Master Zheng saw the "Juyuan Handbook", his expression changed for a long time.

"Yes, I found it by chance in the library."

"One of the phrases, 'Whether it's life or death, it's all acceptable,' fills the younger generation with admiration."

Song Li replied.

Without realizing it, I went from referring to myself as a humble servant to a junior.

Zheng's gaze drifted away, as if he were seeing himself in his youth writing "Juyuan's Handbook" on the town's northern city wall.

In the blink of an eye.

Sixty years have passed.

With a leisurely sigh, he said, "This 'Juyuan Handbook' was written by me when I was in the Zhenbei Army. It has been more than sixty years since then. I put it in the library, not really expecting anyone to read it. It's just a keepsake."

"You actually saw it."

It feels like you've written a will, but before you're even dead, someone has already read it.

My thoughts were drawn back to sixty years ago.

Blood-red sunset, corpse wrapped in horsehide.

"As people get older, they tend to dwell on the past."

Manager Zheng stepped down from the fishpond:

"Come with me to the study."

Song Li was overjoyed.

It worked!

With his past life experience, coaxing the old man was a piece of cake for him.

Even if you give away all your wealth, Zheng might not be interested in your things, so you have to find another way.

"Yes."

Song Li nodded obediently.

Upon hearing the word "study," the middle-aged manager's eyes widened in surprise.

Even the young lady is not allowed to enter the study.

Manager Zheng actually took the initiative to call an outsider.

"This Lord Song is remarkable; he's destined for great things!"

At least from his perspective as someone in charge.

Lord Song was born to be an official.

The study is very close to the fish pond.

It was only a dozen or so steps.

The study was about three zhang in diameter, and the interior was elegantly furnished. However, there were only a few books scattered on the bookshelves, while weapons occupied most of the space.

After taking his seat, Director Zheng suddenly spoke:

"Others have seven parts of effort and they'd love to use ten, but you, on the other hand, insist on hiding it."

Why hide your talents at Shizihe that night?

Not surprised.

Song Li calmly replied, "Because... I'm afraid of dying and don't want to be remembered."

The reason why Manager Zheng summoned Song Li was because he had witnessed Song Li's performance that night.

He passed on the Flying Leaf Technique to Song Li.

Of course, it's clear that Song Li still has energy to spare.

He could have earned a small merit, but he only wanted half of it.

He had considered Song Li's answer, but the word "fear of death" surprised him.

"fear death......"

Zheng couldn't help but think of the old soldiers who had led him in the Northern Border, and they were the same.

Such people often live a long time.

He was also afraid of dying.

That's why he lived to be almost a hundred years old.

Zheng, the steward, remained expressionless and spoke again: "Then why did you deliberately show off your first level of Qi Gathering today, instead of hiding it?"

Song Li bowed deeply, his waist bent so low that his forehead almost touched the ground.

"This young man wants to seek advice from Steward Zheng for a bright future!"

Upon hearing this...

For the first time, a smile appeared on Manager Zheng's face.

This child is like me!

Those who entered officialdom through the civil service examinations from humble backgrounds all studied diligently for over a decade. If they didn't want to see the scenery from the top, why would they have endured such hardship?

Therefore, one must dare to fight.

More importantly, you need to know how to compete.

Song Li is doing a very good job right now.

Only then did Manager Zheng pick up the teacup on the table and take a sip of the cold tea:

"When I wrote this 'Qi Gathering Manual,' I had only just entered the eighth rank, so there are actually quite a few errors and omissions."

"If you have any doubts, you may speak with me."

He was addressed as "Master".

As a teacher, Master Zheng naturally had to fulfill some of the duties of a mentor.

Although he had no intention of taking Song Li as his apprentice, he was getting old and still had some desire to be a teacher.

It's just that no one in the farmhouse could inspire him to preach.

Since he was willing to invite Song Li, an outsider, to spend the New Year with him, it meant that at least the impression he made wasn't bad, which is why he was willing to say more.

Song Li's eyes lit up.

On the path of spiritual practice, receiving guidance from others is better than years of arduous self-cultivation.

A rare opportunity.

Song Li had already prepared his answer in his mind: "This junior also wants to be as good at fighting as the senior."

He had witnessed Zheng's actions that night.

They are no less skilled than martial arts practitioners.

This is what Song Li most wants to learn right now.

As an agricultural cultivator, Chief Zheng must have some secret to his formidable fighting prowess.

Then, Manager Zheng calmly spoke:

"Simple."

"The techniques for learning martial arts are like that."

Song Li blinked, thinking that Manager Zheng was joking, but when he saw Manager Zheng's expression, he understood that Manager Zheng was not joking.

That's it?

The thought arose in his mind.

Zheng, the steward, said indifferently, "The cultivators in Shannan County are short-sighted, especially those in the farmhouses. What they want to cultivate is determined by people. Martial cultivators and agricultural cultivators are all cultivators, there is no difference between them."

These words completely overturned Song Li's understanding of cultivation.

He was a scholar who passed the imperial examinations at a Taoist academy.

Their practical experience is terrible, but they have a great deal of knowledge about lofty theories.

"Don't bite off more than you can chew"—this is something that even elementary school teachers would teach.

This is common knowledge deeply ingrained in every cultivator of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Song Li was about to press for more information.

Then a woman's voice could be heard coming from outside the study.

"Alright, that's enough for today. It's time to eat."

Manager Zheng stood up.

Song Li secretly regretted it.

Even though it's as uncomfortable as being scratched by a cat.

However, he wisely refrained from pressing further and followed Master Zheng out of the study.

We walked all the way to the front yard.

There stood a woman of average appearance, at most pretty, in the front yard, with an old woman beside her. The woman was pulling on the old woman's arm in a coquettish manner, talking to her incessantly.

"These must be Manager Zheng's wife and daughter."

Song Li thought to himself.

as predicted.

The woman waved to Zheng, the steward, as soon as she saw him.

"father."

But when Manager Zheng stepped forward, his face was stern: "What were you doing outside?"

A woman named Zheng Wei said, "I went shopping with a friend."

"Still lying?"

The tone of Zheng, the head of the department, rose.

Upon seeing this.

Song Li decisively hid behind Zheng, keeping his eyes down and minding his own business; it was best not to listen to such family matters.

"father......"

Zheng Wei called out sweetly.

Hearing his daughter call him that, Manager Zheng's expression softened, and a hint of helplessness appeared on his face. He had no choice but to say, "Since he's still outside, let's meet him."

"Someone actually managed to win over this heiress?"

Song Li couldn't help but be curious.

Although Zheng Zhushi's official rank is not high, even the county magistrate respects him greatly. If Zheng Zhushi's daughter were to marry, her future in Shannan County would surely be bright.

But when that person was led into the courtyard by the middle-aged steward.

Song Li's expression immediately turned strange:

"Zhao Hui?"

He couldn't help but recall what Zhao Hui had once said.

"Is this kid serious???"