Starting from Tianlong, Wudu Tianxia

"Yuan-ge'er is exceptionally insightful and well-versed in the classics. I wonder if he has any intention of taking the imperial examinations to enter officialdom?"

"I am not afraid of being laughed at by my elder brother. I am a farmer who studies partly and a student partly. My knowledge is really limited. Although I can spout some nonsense, I have no real talent in writing. I really can't write anything beautiful or elegant. It's better not to make a fool of myself."

Gao Yuan shook his head and smiled bitterly. He only looked down on the scholars of the Northern Song Dynasty, not on them.

The imperial examinations in the Northern Song Dynasty mainly focused on Confucian classics, policy essays, regulated verse, and parallel prose. Without more than ten years of study, one was destined to be cannon fodder.

He might be able to plagiarize a few classic regulated poems, but he has no knowledge of poetry. The ancients weren't fools; they would easily catch him if they examined him closely. He would be better off learning martial arts and making a name for himself in the martial world.

Besides, what good is it if you hold a high official position?

In Jin Yong's martial arts world, officials are often robbed and killed, while those who are upright are hated by their enemies and killed... If you become a corrupt official, there are plenty of chivalrous people in the martial arts world who are eager to kill you to make a name for themselves.

Especially county magistrates and the like...

A short while later, Wang Xin and the others took their leave. As they approached the Fan residence, Huang Shang suddenly spoke up: "Yuan-ge'er, may I learn martial arts from you?"

Gao Yuan stopped in his tracks, his face showing surprise.

"Brother Huang, why do you suddenly want to learn martial arts?"

He remembered that Huang Shang had shown absolutely no interest in learning martial arts the day before.

Huang Shang hesitated for a moment, feeling embarrassed. Wang Xin teased him, saying:

"Brother Yuan, you may not know this, but Brother Huang has always felt that learning martial arts and fighting with others by jumping around is simply an insult to civility. However, after watching you and Brother Gu spar yesterday, your movements were so graceful and beautiful that I have decided to learn martial arts."

Gao Yuan was surprised. After thinking for a moment, he made an excuse to decline, and pointed out that if he wanted to learn martial arts, he could wait for Mr. Fan to return before discussing it. He said that he was a beginner and was afraid of misleading others.

If Huang Shang only wanted to learn some crude martial arts, that would be one thing, but it seems he wants to learn the free and unrestrained martial arts that are elegant and beautiful to fight with.

It is a rule in the martial arts world that unique martial arts techniques are not easily passed on.

Huang Shang knew he had been somewhat presumptuous. In some tales of the strange and unusual, chivalrous figures often did not easily pass on their martial arts skills.

Having understood this, he was not angry and took his leave with Wang Xin and the others.

Gao Yuan stood at the door watching the three figures recede into the distance, his mind filled with suspicion.

Wang Xin and Huang Shang were fine, but he had a persistent misconception that Xu Xiang Sheng was "not simple".

Before leaving the stone pavilion, Xu Xiang Sheng inexplicably said, "I've heard that the Zoroastrian sect is extremely protective of its own and holds grudges, often saying that a drop of blood from the Holy Sect is worth a head in the martial arts world."

When Gao Yuan tried to ask him for more details, he only said that he often heard stories about the martial arts world but didn't know if they were true or false.

I was just thinking about the fact that the two associations and three gangs are fighting each other, and I was also thinking about the Zoroastrian activities. I wondered if they would take advantage of the situation, so I wrote this.

Gao Yuan wondered, could it be that he knew that the Zoroastrian cult had infiltrated Xuzhou?

Xu Xiang-sheng had both an official position and a background in the underworld. Instead of staying in Xuzhou to study and clarify his ambitions, he came to Xuzhou to meet friends when the two associations and three gangs of the underworld were fighting.

Gao Yuan kept thinking about what Xu Xiang Sheng had just said, and he felt that Xu Xiang Sheng must know something.

Especially since her words all conveyed concern for him, could it be that she wanted to curry favor with him?

Upon closer reflection, it's full of questions.

The Zoroastrians didn't come earlier or later, but rather at the very moment when the heroes of Xuzhou were invited to Fengxiang Prefecture. They must have something on their mind. I'm afraid they might also come to the Fan residence to avenge the theft of the map last time.

With Fan Bailing away, he's the only one in the Fan household who knows some martial arts. If the Zoroastrians really come looking for him, he might be able to escape using his martial arts skills, but what about the people in the household...?

Should we go to the Beggars' Sect's Dazhi branch to deliver a message?

No, no, the leader of the Dazhi branch has gone to Fengxiang Prefecture, and the remaining people may not be able to deal with the sorcerers of the Fire Worship Cult.

Should we report this to the authorities?

Hmm, how about we report this to the Beggars' Sect first, and then report it to the authorities?

The Great Wisdom Branch has quite a few disciples, and the government is not to be trifled with either. With a two-pronged approach, the Zoroastrian sect will be severely weakened, if not destroyed.

Even if we can't wipe them out, at least we can keep them from paying attention to the Fan family.

Gao Yuan knew that a formidable enemy was at hand, but he could not afford to lose his composure. He needed to plan ahead and make careful considerations.

The sun was high in the sky, and a gentle breeze blew by, causing the copper bells under the eaves to jingle.

"Ta-da!"

Footsteps sounded.

Stone poked his head out from the rocky hill of Fan Mansion: "Brother Yuan, Wang Sanlang and the two young masters have been gone for quite a while. Why are you still standing there?"

Gao Yuan turned his gaze away from the corner where the three had disappeared and slowly said, "I'm thinking about something."

Shi Tou wiped the sweat from his nose and said with a smile, "What are you thinking about? Sister Gengyun took the pastries back. Shall we go out and play later?"

He smiled faintly: "Nonsense, it's nothing serious. But you, Little Stone, you're not allowed to climb the wall again next time. You'll fall and get hurt."

"Brother Yuan... I promise I won't peek at you practicing martial arts again. Could you please not tell Uncle Fu about me climbing the wall? I'm afraid he won't let me work in the manor anymore."

When talking about what had just happened, Shi Tou was somewhat flustered and at a loss, clearly having misinterpreted Gao Yuan's words of concern.

Despite his young age, he was a boy from a poor family, but he was very thoughtful. He was surrounded by scholars in the Fan family and, under their influence, he always liked to try to understand the unspoken meanings in other people's words.

Seeing the tears welling up in his eyes, Gao Yuan couldn't help but ruffle his hair: "Silly boy, what are you talking about? When did I say I was going to tell Uncle Fu?"

"real?"

Why would I lie to you?

Gao Yuan said seriously, "But the moss on the wall is very slippery; falling down there is no laughing matter."

Shi Tou was initially apprehensive, but as is typical of children, his emotions came and went quickly. Hearing Gao Yuan's words, he became happy again.

"I understand. Next time I'll find a spot where I don't have to climb."

Gao Yuan raised an eyebrow: "Still thinking of peeking?"

"It wasn't peeking, it was...it was wanting to learn..."

Stone twisted the hem of his clothes. "I want to be as powerful as Brother Yuan so that I can protect myself, and... protect my little sister in the future."

Gao Yuan had heard about the Shi family's situation. He lost his father at a young age, and in his early years, his mother barely supported the family by collecting night soil. A few years ago, Shi's mother passed away from illness, leaving him and his sister to depend on each other.

The two lived a difficult life in a drafty mud-brick house. Seeing that they had no adults to take care of them, the children in the neighborhood often came to their door to bully them.

Shi Tou was strong-willed and worried that his younger sister would be bullied while he was out working during the day. So, he gritted his teeth and took his sister with him, carrying a broken bamboo basket, and ran all the way to Xuzhou.

He was too young, and no one was willing to hire him. With no work to do, he could only beg for a living in Xuzhou with his younger sister.

Once, Shi Tou caught a cold and lay on a pile of straw, talking nonsense. His sister was so worried that she cried. After she had cried enough, she went from house to house kowtowing and begging for medicine. She kowtowed until her forehead was red, but she didn't get even half a dose of herbal medicine.

At that time, Fan Bailing happened to be returning home from a long journey. Feeling sorry for him, he took him back to his residence for treatment and also took in the two siblings.

Hearing Shi Tou's words, Gao Yuan's heart stirred slightly: "You really want to learn?"

"I want to learn!"

Stone said with a wronged expression, "I dare not ask Mr. Fan for help."

Gao Yuan smiled and said, "Silly boy, every martial art has its own moves and techniques. You can't learn them just by watching. You're young and your physical development isn't complete yet. Don't learn them haphazardly and damage your health."

"Focus on your work. When I have some free time, I will find you a good set of martial arts techniques from the master."

"Hey! Brother Yuan, you're so kind. When I've saved up enough copper coins, I'll use them all to buy you a gift."

The stone responded crisply, as if it wanted to acknowledge Gao Yuan as its master.

"We'll talk about it later. Let's get to work."

"Okay!"

Children's moods change very quickly; having received Gao Yuan's promise, they were lively and energetic again when it was time to leave.