Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The group climbed the stone steps, with towering trees on both sides. Tender new green shoots sprouted from the gnarled branches, swaying gently in the chilly spring breeze.

Qin Ji was dressed in the same style as Jiang Daru's debate on the classics at Mangshan. His face was covered by a veil, one hand was naturally resting on his lower abdomen, and the other was behind his back. His tall and straight figure, like a bamboo, and his eye-catching attire attracted the attention of all the students along the way. They whispered among themselves and made low noises of discussion.

Gu Zhenhe followed behind, his eyes fixed straight ahead. He had somehow acquired a folding fan, which he used to half-cover his face, blocking the intense gaze that might accidentally reach his eyes.

Fang Yanqing, on the other hand, seemed completely at ease, carrying his book box, occasionally glancing at the mountain scenery, sometimes tapping on the jagged rocks, as if he were in his own backyard. The gazes coming from all directions seemed to have no effect on him at all.

Fu Xingjian did not approve of such attention-seeking behavior, believing it to be disrespectful to a great Confucian scholar. However, what someone wears is their own business, and he could not interfere, so he simply followed silently at the back.

Amidst the hushed whispers, a young student finally couldn't help but jokingly remark, "Today's Mangshan Poetry Gathering is truly a gathering of distinguished scholars. And your attire, brother..."

The students gave Qin Ji a thumbs up.

Someone else jokingly clasped their hands in a fist and bow to Qin Ji, saying, "Isn't this the renowned Confucian scholar Jiang? My apologies for not recognizing you."

This drew laughter from the students along the way.

Gu Zhenhe was so embarrassed for Jiang San that he was digging his toes into the ground.

Jiang San, whether he was wearing a veil or not, no one knew who he was, so he wasn't embarrassed at all. He didn't even stop walking, and just went his own way.

Students who had heard about the incident turned back from the front to watch the excitement craned their necks and looked down, immediately spotting the eye-catching figure climbing up the stone steps.

The students were overjoyed and were about to approach to make a few jokes when they stepped on a patch of moss, slipped, and almost tumbled down the stone steps.

A sudden, intense feeling of weightlessness sent a chill down the students' spines, and they broke out in a cold sweat.

A chorus of exclamations erupted from all around: "Watch out!"

A classmate shouted, "Chen Han!"

"Young master!" The pageboy exclaimed in shock.

Although Mangshan is not too steep, it is still a mountain. There is no shelter beside the stone steps. If you accidentally fall, it's okay if you just fall on the stone steps, but if you fall slightly off to the side, you will be half-crippled if you don't die.

If you're unlucky, you might even get pierced by a sharp branch.

In a flash, a figure swept past like a crane, its toes lightly touching the grass, trees, and rocks, and almost instantly approached the stone steps where Chen Han had fallen, grabbing Chen Han's collar with one hand.

Her white robes fluttered like a fairy in the mountain breeze, the white gauze of her veiled hat rippled in the wind, and her dark hair, tied up at the top of the veil, danced in the wind.

Qin Ji's graceful figure, rescuing the students from the precipice, is like a stunning ink painting.

The sound of students taking deep breaths rose and fell among the mountaineering students.

The previously mocking gazes turned into a different kind of fervor.

"Are there really such talented students among them?"

"Graceful as a startled swan, lithe as a swimming dragon—even the immortals described in poems couldn't be more like this!"

"As expected, a true master doesn't reveal their abilities!"

"Could it be the same chivalrous hero who rescued Pei the prodigy from under the pig's trotter before?"

"What pig's trotters? What prodigy Pei? I've never heard of him before!"

"You're not a student at Songjian Academy, are you? Let me tell you something..."

The murmurs and chatter seemed to come from a great distance.

Chen Han leaned halfway out of the stone steps to the side, hovering in mid-air, his face as pale as paper. After a long while, he slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, regaining his senses.

Qin Ji pulled the man back and released his grip.

Chen Han's legs went weak, and she slumped onto the stone steps, her heart belatedly pounding wildly.

He looked up and could only see a sharp jawline hidden beneath the white gauze.

He clutched his chest, and it took him a long time to find his voice. He stood up, supporting himself on the stone steps, and bowed to Qin Ji. "Thank you for saving my life, brother. If it weren't for your help, I would probably be dead here today."

Chen Han's voice was still weak, as if she had just escaped with her life.

His classmates and pageboys, as if waking from a dream, hurried up the stone steps to get closer.

The page patted his back, "Young master, are you alright?"

The classmate also bowed to Qin Ji, "Thank you for your help, brother. If it weren't for you today, Chen Han would probably be..."

Qin Ji's tone was so indifferent that it revealed no emotion; his voice was clear and cold, carrying a sense of aloofness that kept people at a distance. "It's alright, just watch your step."

Having performed that act down the mountain, he had no intention of staying to receive enthusiastic thanks and continued upwards.

Gu Zhenhe had seen Jiang Sanchao and Yan Mingli throw down their pens before, and knew that Jiang Sanchao was skilled, so he was not surprised.

Fang Yanqing was quite curious about Jiang San, and followed him with a smile, carrying her book box.

Wearing the same clothes as his teacher, buying his teacher's books, and even using a pseudonym with the surname Jiang... Most importantly, he's a rich sucker!

Although Fu Xingjian did not approve of Jiang San's imitation of Jiang Daru's attire, he still gave Jiang San a look of approval for his act of saving people.

Students along the way made way for them, watching them disappear into the distance.

Chen Han suddenly raised his voice and said, "I haven't yet had the chance to ask your name, benefactor, so I can pay you a visit and express my gratitude another day!"

Qin Ji did not turn around, but only slightly raised his right hand.

The students who watched the whole thing couldn't help but discuss it amongst themselves.

"To save a life without seeking recognition or reward is truly the conduct of a gentleman."

"A reclusive master!"

Does anyone know who he is?

"I think the one following behind them is Fu Xingjian, a famous and talented scholar from Songjian Academy. He's a hot candidate to pass the imperial examination this year. Maybe they're all from Songjian Academy."

As Chen Han watched her savior's departing figure, a strange gleam and longing burned in her eyes.

"Young master, were you frightened? Why don't we skip the poetry gathering and go back to the manor?" the page hurriedly said.

Chen Han instructed him, "Have someone inquire and find out the details of our benefactor so we can prepare gifts to visit and express our gratitude."

The pageboy quickly agreed.

...

Rescuing people was just an interlude on the road.

Jiang San maintained a distant and unapproachable demeanor, showing no interest in conversation.

Gu Zhenhe tried to start a conversation a few times, but was brushed off with a word or two each time. So he wisely stopped bothering Qin Ji and started chatting casually with Fang Yanqing instead.

"Brother Fang, do you have a place to stay on your way to the capital for the imperial examination?"

Fang Yanqing's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he quickly gave Gu Zhenhe a thumbs up. "Brother Li, you're so kind-hearted, could it be that you're thinking of providing me with a place to stay?"

Gu Zhenhe: "...If Brother Fang has this need."

Fang Yanqing: "Of course there is a need! It's just that staying at Brother Li's house would be too much of a bother, and it wouldn't be good if it delayed Brother Li's imperial examination."

Is this person really that understanding?

Gu Zhenhe asked with some skepticism, "Then..."

Sure enough, after he had only said two words, Fang Yanqing changed the subject, "How about we change the provision of lodging to providing money, so that I can use the money to find a place to stay? This way, we won't let down Brother Li's good intentions, nor will it affect Brother Li's studies. It would be a win-win situation."

Fang Yanqing clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Brother Li, your merits are immeasurable!"

Take the money and squeeze in with the teacher or senior student to make a quick buck.

What a great person!

Gu Zhenhe: "..." I underestimated you.

Qin Ji, whose ears were being screeched by the chatter behind him, thought, "..."

If the city walls were even half as thick as your skin, why would I worry about unrest on the border?

...

First update delivered, second update at 12:00~

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