Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 111 A Growing Paradise: "The Humble Abode Inscription"! Exposing the Rebellious Scholar! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Jiangzhou Prefecture Courtyard.

Jiang Xingzhou, dressed in a plain white robe, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the scroll of "The Humble Abode". The lingering scent of pine soot and ink on his sleeves blended with the aroma of freshly roasted Longjing tea on the table.

On that twelve-foot-long Xuan paper scroll—

Where the moss-covered ink has been soaked, a cool, jade-like light has emerged. It turns out that last night he took the golden star stone marrow from the She inkstone and ground it with the morning dew. Now, as the light flows, it is like a clear spring with emerald green, containing a hidden spiritual charm.

In the painting, when the cloud patterns are left blank, one can vaguely see the ethereal figures, elusive and hard to find.

The most wonderful thing is that in the painting, the thatched eaves hang low, yet the light of the God of Literature shines through the tiles, illuminating the two characters "陋室" (humble abode) on the wooden house's plaque.

The flying white brushstrokes are like dragons and snakes swimming, vigorous in some places like they are carrying wind and thunder, and elegant in others like they are embracing the clouds and rosy clouds. To see them is like drinking heavenly nectar, and one's mind and spirit are intoxicated!

"Not bad!"

Jiang Xingzhou nodded slightly, gently wiping the ink stains on his sleeve, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes.

The details of this "Ode to a Humble Abode" are handled quite perfectly, making it his first attempt at the "Cave Abode Painting Path"!

"Wonderful!"

"Brother Jiang's painting and writing are truly masterpieces in both poetry and painting, reaching a state of perfection!"

Inside the Jiangzhou government compound, all the instructors and students held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the scroll painting of "The Humble Abode".

In an instant, the courtyard fell silent, with only the sound of flowing sleeves fluttering, like the sound of waves crashing in a bamboo forest, creating a melodious rustling.

The students were completely unaware that beads of sweat were dripping from their foreheads.

I felt a surge of brilliance in my heart, as if I had drunk the jade dew of the Jade Pool, and my whole body felt refreshed and my mind was clear.

At this moment, the extraordinary phenomena of the Poetry and Painting of Shuangda Prefecture had not yet dissipated. Above Jiangzhou Prefecture, the sky was filled with a myriad of radiant lights, and the aura of talent condensed into thousands of auspicious clouds. The auspicious clouds soared straight up to the ninth heaven, and the purple aura came from the east, illuminating the surrounding hundred miles with splendid colors.

Han Yugui looked up at the sky and saw the rosy clouds rolling and auspicious clouds surging.

The bell of the Confucian Temple descended from the heavens, echoing endlessly over Jiangzhou Prefecture. Its clear and melodious sound was like jade shattering in Kunlun Mountains. Its lingering resonance was like a phoenix singing on Mount Qi. One sound had not yet faded when another arose, as if the Milky Way were hanging upside down, with jade and gold resonating.

"Brother Jiang, you have become the bell ringer of the Great Zhou!" Han Yugui couldn't help but sigh with emotion, his sleeves fluttering even without wind.

"The sound of the great bell resonates throughout the world, and the greatest sound is the silence! Brother Jiang's writing evokes the sound of the great bell and the great chime—this is a resonance between literature and the Way, a response between heaven and earth!"

Before he could finish speaking, an old instructor beside him stroked his beard and laughed loudly: "Haha! In all my life, the sound of the bell at the Confucian Temple has never been as magnificent as what I've heard in the past few months!"

The room erupted in laughter, which continued unabated.

But the bell tolled ever clearer, each sound like a tap on the heart of literature, startling the sparrows in the courtyard, their wings fluttering, filling the air with the fragrance of ink.

"This is my humble work, 'Ode to a Humble Abode,' a painting of a cave dwelling! I humbly request the corrections of the Dean and Instructor Zhao!"

Jiang Xingzhou lightly flicked his sleeves and bowed respectfully to the two people seated in the audience.

"Instructor Zhao is the foremost painter in the cave dwellings of Jiangzhou Prefecture. Would he dare to offer his critique?!"

Professor Zhou stroked his beard and smiled.

"Absolutely not! Absolutely not!"

Instructor Zhao Mengjie was so startled that he waved his hands repeatedly, his hair and beard trembling like reeds in the wind.

"Jiang Sheng's 'Inscription on My Humble Abode' subtly reveals the spirit of a sage, and his brushstrokes are full of the essence of heaven and earth. How dare I presume to comment on it? This is a masterpiece of both poetry and painting."

He took a deep breath and solemnly said:

"I dare to assert that this painting is the best in the past hundred years in the Jiangzhou Prefecture's Dragon Boat Festival examination!"

After saying this, he sighed inwardly.

His life's work consisted of nothing more than a painting titled "Ode to Xunyang Pavilion" which was produced in the county.

If the poems and paintings in front of him were ordinary county-level works, he might be able to offer some comments.

This "Inscription of a Humble Abode" is not only a masterpiece of both poetry and painting, but it also depicts the scene of Confucius lecturing at the Apricot Altar when he was a great Confucian scholar—the clear light shimmering on the thatched eaves, and one can faintly hear the sounds of music from those days.

How could he dare to offer even a single word of comment on such sacred paintings?

If there is even the slightest mistake, I will become a laughingstock among the scholars of Jiangzhou Prefecture and my literary reputation will be ruined!

"That's fine!"

Professor Zhou stroked his beard and smiled, then after a moment's thought, his voice booming:

"In that case, I shall offer my opinion."

This work blends poetry and painting, creating a harmonious and captivating fusion that has reached a pinnacle of artistry!
To be able to imbue the subtle words and profound meanings of sages into paintings is not something an ordinary hand can accomplish.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed intently on the large scroll painting:

"Within a few square meters, the painting of the Lava Cave, the essay of 'The Humble Abode Inscription' and the sacred teachings of Confucius are all fused together."

Seemingly effortless, yet possessing a restrained brilliance, it already reveals the potential of a master painter!

He paused briefly, then added meaningfully:
"Such a masterpiece of the 'Dongfu Painting Style' is truly exceptional. Even after traveling extensively, visiting numerous renowned artists, and viewing countless paintings, this is the first time in my life I have ever seen such a work!"

As the head of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Academy and a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination), he had to demonstrate some insight. His comments were neither undignified nor as timid as those of Instructor Zhao.

Upon hearing this, all the instructors and students of Jiangzhou Prefecture nodded in agreement.

Zhou Yuanjun's evaluation was extremely high, but for this poem and painting, "The Humble Abode Inscription" by Dafu, no amount of praise is too much!
"Brother Jiang, I have a favor to ask!"

Zhou Lingyun, a classmate from Chengguan Painting Academy, bowed deeply to the ground, her eyes sparkling as if she were looking at a rare treasure.

"Brother Zhou, please speak freely."

Jiang Xingzhou smiled, his expression as gentle as a spring breeze caressing the willows.

"May we be allowed to enter this blessed land described in 'The Humble Abode' and take a look at its secrets?"

Zhou Lingyun's voice was faint, yet it could not conceal the turmoil in her heart.

Although one can observe the form and appearance of this painting, without experiencing it firsthand, it remains like looking at flowers through a fog, making it difficult to truly appreciate its essence.

To truly understand the essence of painting, one must enter this realm!
"Excellent!"

"Brother Jiang, we also wish to enter this cave and witness the grandeur of this learned scholar!"

Upon hearing this, Han Yugui, Cao An, Gu Zhimian, and the other students could not contain themselves and rushed forward to invite him.

For a time, the atmosphere within the painting academy was enthusiastic, reminiscent of the grand occasion of lectures at the academy in the past.

The "Humble Abode Inscription" describes a secluded paradise, a place where "learned scholars gather and no uncultured person comes and goes," a realm that scholars dream of.

"Row!"

Jiang Xingzhou hesitated for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

For him, entering the realm of painting to contemplate the Dao was merely a matter of lifting a finger.

Suddenly, he felt something warm and shiny at his waist. Looking down, he saw a Tianhuang seal with the inscription "Master of the Humble Abode," as lustrous as jade.

With a slight thought, a cyan light suddenly appeared from his palm, disappearing into the painting like a dragon playing in water.

In an instant——

Before this scroll of "The Humble Abode Inscription," a bluish light shimmered, and a reed-woven wooden door appeared out of thin air, exuding an ancient charm.

The door was ajar, and glimpses of a different world could be seen inside: the sound of chanting sutras came from the forest and across the water, and the faint scent of pine soot and ink wafted out of the door, inspiring one's imagination.

"This is... the Reed Weaving Sect?!"

Zhou Yuanjun's pupils suddenly contracted, and a storm raged in his heart—this seemingly ordinary door woven from reeds actually concealed the legacy of sages!
Ordinary scholars would glance at it and think it was just an ordinary village cottage, nothing special, and wouldn't pay it any attention.

However, with his decades of cultivation and experience, how could he not recognize this thing?
This gate is the very gate that Confucius made when he was young and poor, using reed ropes to tie bamboo slips together, hence the saying "the leather bindings broke three times"!
In the past, Confucius read the Book of Changes on bamboo slips so many times that the ropes broke three times, hence the saying "the leather thongs broke three times." The meaning of this phrase is also used for doors and gates.

Indeed, this scroll of "The Humble Abode Inscription" perfectly embodies the spirit of sages, from its grand themes to its minute details. Even this seemingly ordinary doorway subtly reflects the sage's early life of learning, characterized by "a single bamboo bowl of rice and a gourd of water"!
"Gentlemen, please follow me!"

Jiang Xingzhou laughed loudly, and with a graceful movement of his blue robe, he stepped through the ancient reed-woven gate.

He walked with ease, lightly stepping over the wooden gate. With each step, it seemed as if a gentle breeze accompanied him, and his every move exuded a natural elegance.

Within his mind, the bronze bamboo slips suddenly shone brightly, like a radiant moon in the sky. Instantly, a series of data were refreshed, and lines of ancient characters fell like starlight, illuminating the profound mysteries of the entire cave dwelling—

[Ding dong!
You have created a grotto for "The Humble Abode" in your painting!
—A small courtyard nestled against the mountain and beside the water, with three thatched wooden houses, shaded by green bamboo and surrounded by a clear spring. Though lacking in opulent grandeur, it possesses the refined simplicity of traditional Chinese aesthetics. Within a radius of several dozen feet, it forms its own secluded realm for enlightenment!

[The state of the cave dwelling in "The Humble Abode":]
"Inscription of a Humble Abode: A Paradise in Distant Lands"

Rank: [Poetry and Painting Master] Level Grotto-heaven (Growth Type)
characteristic:
Growing Up in a Celestial Paradise: [Scholars of great learning gather here, and no uncultured person comes into contact with them]
—The higher the literary rank of the visitor, the stronger the spiritual energy of the cave, the more natural the Daoist energy will be, and the faster the overall points of the cave will increase, allowing cultivation to progress by leaps and bounds in a day.

A clear mind and bright eyes: [This is a humble abode]
—Enlightenment +50%, enlightenment in a humble abode, the chance of enlightenment increases dramatically. The mind is clear as autumn water, the Daoist principles flow like a galaxy. Occasionally, flashes of inspiration appear, as if peeking into the secrets of heaven.

A realm of virtuous refinement: [Only my virtue is truly virtuous]
—Moral +100. Those who enter this realm will feel as if bathed in a spring breeze, their evil thoughts will disappear, their inner demons will vanish, and they will return to their true nature.

Cultivation of Taoist practice: [Those who attain immortality become famous]
—Cultivation efficiency increased by 100%. Reaching the realm of immortality significantly accelerates the speed of cultivation. The body's energy circulates like a surging river; reciting poetry and books naturally increases one's cultivation.

Talent restored: [Where there is a dragon, there is spirit]
—Efficiency increased by 100%, in this land of dragons' roars, talent springs forth like a surging spring tide.

Body and spirit return to their origin: [Free from the toil of official duties]
—Physical strength and mental energy +100, fatigue disappears, feeling refreshed and invigorated, reading makes one forget weariness and find joy in forgetting worries.

Ice Heart Suppresses Demons: [No music to disturb the ears].

—Ice Heart +100, a heart as pure as ice, capable of suppressing evil spirits. Clearing away all negativity, the heart becomes as clear and still as a mirror, impervious to external evils, free from distracting thoughts, and destroying any rebellious tendencies.

Suqin Enlightenment: [You can tune the Suqin]
—The music of the six arts of a gentleman, enlightenment +50, the sound of the zither leads to the Dao, and the mind is naturally enlightened.

Zhuge Linghui: [Zhuge Cottage in Nanyang]
— Intelligence +50, able to memorize anything at a glance, able to draw inferences from one instance to another, possesses divine strategic acumen, and has wisdom at one's fingertips.

Ziyun's poetic talent: [Ziyun Pavilion in Western Shu]
—Poetic talent +50, the pen moves with breathtaking beauty, the writing is naturally perfect, every word is a gem, every sentence is exquisite.

A divine voice bestows blessings: [Confucius said: What is there to be ashamed of in a humble place?]
—Enlightenment opportunity +1, the voice of a sage, profound meaning in concise words, pointing directly to one's true nature, as if hearing the divine voice of literature.

Jiang Xingzhou was shocked, and waves surged within his sea of ​​consciousness!

The data on the cave dwelling described in "The Humble Abode"...

It is a blessed land that combines the aura of sages and the spirit of heaven and earth, integrating the natural way of Tao and the enduring cultural heritage—a blessed land for the growth of culture and Tao!

"How can it be considered humble! It truly lives up to its name!..." Jiang Xingzhou took a deep breath, "It is clearly a treasure land left behind by sages and a place for cultivating literature and the Way!"

Zhou Yuanjun then stepped into the grotto within the painting, his wide sleeves fluttering lightly as he stood with his hands behind his back.

But what I see before me—

Mist and haze surround the bamboo hut, and clear spring water reflects the mossy traces.
A hidden paradise suddenly appeared before my eyes, shimmering and radiant.

The scholars behind him could no longer contain themselves.
Those in green robes surged like waves, eagerly rushing into the reed-woven gate.
In an instant, hairpins slanted, handkerchiefs were disheveled, and footsteps were hurried, all crowding together in front of the door. Some impatient students even pushed their way in.

Li Changli, however, remained frozen in place, standing alone outside the crowd. Hesitant to move forward, his brow furrowed.

He was Zhao Zilu's cousin and had a long-standing feud with Jiang Xingzhou. At this moment, he was torn between his conscience and his conscience.

Suddenly, from within the reed-woven door and thatched gate—

A wisp of clear, scorched-tail note pierced the air.

Mixed with the fragrance of agarwood from thousand-year-old bamboo slips,
It stirred his mind like a hook.

In a trance,
He bit his tongue sharply and woke up with a start.
But he found that he had finally broken through his hesitation, and the tips of his shoes had already stepped over the reed door, getting covered with the green moss on the painted steps.

"Fine, let's go in and see what's so magical about this 'Humble Abode Inscription' cave!"

Li Changli gritted his teeth and finally followed the other scholars into the thatched gate, disappearing into the depths of the misty haze with the sound of the zither.

The scholars had just stepped through the thatched gate.

Suddenly I felt green moss under my feet.

It actually cleansed away all the filth and impurities of the mortal world.

Where you look up—

The three thatched huts were simple.
The bluestone steps are mottled with moss, yet a purple aura, like a dragon, coils around the roof beams.

Dewdrops hanging from the eaves transform into tassels.

Each drop reflects the lingering image of sages and wise men of the past.

"Squeak-yah-"

The half-closed wooden door of the cottage creaked softly, and a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals on the table could be faintly seen moving without wind. As the pages turned, the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses could be heard.

Beside the courtyard, a clear spring embraces the space, its waters gurgling softly. A koi carp leaps across the water, carrying a jade tablet in its mouth, and the splashing water droplets fall to the ground, forming seal characters that instantly bring a sense of peace and tranquility.

As soon as the instructors and scholars stepped inside, they felt their minds cleansed, and all their distracting thoughts vanished like smoke.

Suddenly, a "plop" was heard, and a poor scholar was seen kneeling in front of three thatched wooden huts, crying loudly.

Why is my brother like this?

The fellow scholar was shocked.

The scholar wiped away his tears with his sleeve and choked out, "I come from a humble background and often feel ashamed of my humble dwelling. I always complain about the injustice of heaven and earth."

Meeting Brother Jiang today, I am truly impressed by his profound and humble literary talent!
When Confucius was a great Confucian scholar, he discussed the Dao with his seventy-two disciples at the Apricot Altar, and he lived in such a simple thatched hut!
I then realized that my predicament was not due to the humble bamboo fence and thatched hut, but rather my own state of mind that had trapped me!

Before he finished speaking, suddenly—the purple aura of the three thatched wooden houses intensified, and the copy of "Spring and Autumn Annals" closed without wind, making a clear "snap" sound.

The students standing nearby remained silent, deeply moved.

The instructors and scholars of Jiangzhou Prefecture stepped into Jiang Xingzhou's "Humble Abode Inscription" grotto.
They looked around inside and outside the three thatched huts, but they couldn't see the immortals, dragons, learned scholars, or commoners described in the poem—it turned out that those were just illusions created by literary talent.

"what!"

Xue Fu's gaze was drawn to a copy of the Spring and Autumn Annals on a table in the thatched wooden hut.
The bamboo slips gleamed with a bronze-colored sheen, as if countless sword energies were lurking within them.

He casually flipped it open.

"Clang!" The moment his fingertips touched the bamboo slip, he suddenly felt a surge of pure energy flow from his fingertips straight to his head.

The scriptures that were once obscure and difficult to understand, like chewing dry wood, now appear to be pearls of wisdom and radiant with brilliance.

His pupils contracted slightly, and his hands holding the bamboo slips trembled slightly.

"Weird"

Xue Fu muttered to himself, "These six characters, 'Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Yan,' I never understood their meaning before, but today I see them as a peerless strategy played amidst the flames of war and the clash of swords!"

Before he knew it, he was leaning back on a bamboo couch in the room, looking relaxed and content.

A ray of sunlight slanted through the window, making the ink characters on the bamboo slips of the Spring and Autumn Annals appear like swimming fish, coming to life before his eyes.

"Wonderful!"

When you read something particularly exquisite, you can't help but tap your fingers on the joints, completely forgetting where you are.

Suddenly, specks of golden light flew out from the bamboo slips, like envoys from various countries filing into his Niwan Palace.

"This...this..."

Xue Fu suddenly realized something and his whole body trembled. "Golden light entered my body, my cultivation level has increased so quickly?!"

Upon hearing this, the scholars all took books from the bookshelf to read.

In just a moment, specks of golden light leaped from between the pages of the book, disappearing into the brows of everyone like fireflies.

This is the golden light of Taoist cultivation!

The strangest thing is—

The books that were taken from the bookshelf of the thatched cottage

A new book slowly appeared in the empty space.
The fragrance of ink lingers as it always has!

An elderly, white-haired instructor held the Book of Rites in his hands, and suddenly felt the bamboo slips burning hot as if branded.

But look at the character “礼”:

The upper part transforms into a black bird carrying a jade tablet, while the lower part transforms into a blue dragon carrying a drum.
【珏】 refers to two strings of jade, which were precious sacrificial offerings.
【豆】, a tall sacrificial vessel, shaped like a drum, used to communicate with the gods during sacrifices by beating the drum and playing music!
A golden light exploded in the center.

The four characters "Respect Heaven and Follow Ancestors" appeared as innate Dao patterns!
He suddenly burst into tears.
"By restraining oneself and returning to propriety, all under heaven will return to benevolence!"

A sudden realization struck him, and he staggered backward, his voice trembling as he said, "I have studied the Book of Rites for thirty years, and only today do I truly understand the meaning of 'rites'!"

"I can actually see the aura of righteousness?"

Cao An took a volume of Mencius from the bookshelf in the thatched hut. It emitted a faint blue light, and he was astonished to see a majestic spirit emerging between the lines: "Moreover, in this cave, my reading progress is more than twice as fast as usual!"

Brother Jiang!

Cao An grabbed Jiang Xingzhou's sleeve, overjoyed, "This is such a blessed place, may I stay here for the night to study? I want to spend the whole night comprehending the teachings of Mencius!"

"It doesn't matter!"

Jiang Xingzhou stood with his hands behind his back, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He glanced at the bronze bamboo slip panel in his mind, where strings of information were rapidly updating.

The "Inscription of My Humble Abode" reveals the names of visitors, each character like a star, arranged in a row!
[Ding! Visitor Zhou Shanzhang has activated the "Discussing Scholars with Eminent Men" trait. Moral Excellence Enhancement, Morality +1!]

[Ding! Visitor Zhao Mengjie has activated the "No Uncultured Persons Among Visitors" trait. Cultivation efficiency increased by 1%!]

[Ding! Visitors Han Yugui and Cao An have arrived, triggering the "No Uncultured Persons Among Visitors" trait. Stamina and Spirit Recovery +1!]

【.】

Jiang Xingzhou already understood—this "Humble Abode Inscription" is a "growth-type cave"! Every time a scholar steps into this cave, the permanent attributes of the "Humble Abode Inscription" will increase by a little bit.

This is the remarkable effect of "[talking and laughing with learned scholars, and having no uncultured people among one's acquaintances]".

Especially Zhou Shanchang, whose scholar rank was the highest and whose status as a court official was the highest, and whose enhanced cave heaven [morality] attribute was also the best. The enhancements to his cave heaven brought by Han Yugui and others were dozens of times more substantial.
at this time,

Du Qingyin entered a wooden house and sat cross-legged in front of a guqin. The moment her fingertips lightly touched the strings, the entire guqin suddenly shone with a lustrous, jade-like luster.

"This is actually the legendary [Jiaowei Guqin]!"

Du Qingyin was moved and began to play the zither.

The wood grain at the "burnt tail" part of the instrument body moved on its own, transforming into a musical score pattern.

"Play along with me, everyone!"

Du Qingyin gave a clear shout,
The other scholars also took out their instruments and played in unison—blue smoke drifted from the holes of the flute, condensing into musical scores, and rhythmic symbols appeared on the surface of the jade chime.

"Zheng——"

The seven strings played on their own without wind, producing the five notes of the pentatonic scale.

They suddenly realized that the awkwardness they usually felt when playing the guqin was now completely gone, flowing smoothly like water!
Unbeknownst to them, a new string of information suddenly appeared within Jiang Xingzhou's bronze bamboo slips.

【Ding! 】

Du Qingyin (Le Dao) triggers the "Spiritual Connection of the Plain Zither" trait.

[Current resonance level of Dongfu Ledao: 82%]

[Automatic correction of the third segment's musical deviation of 0.7%]

[Detection indicates that Cao An was reading Mencius, triggering a resonance of ritual and music!]

[Activate the hidden combination feature "Six Arts - The Interplay of Ritual and Music"]

[Current Buffs: Musicality +80% / Etiquette +45%]

Zhou Guangjin and Han Yugui, along with other fellow scholars who studied chess, were sitting around a blue stone chessboard outside a thatched wooden house.

On this square, reclining ox-shaped rock, a complex chess game, half-finished, is clearly engraved on nineteen lines!

Dozens of scholars originally intended to play chess here. At first, they only glanced at it casually, but upon closer inspection, they were all stunned by the exquisite chess manual on the stone board. They were all speechless, as if struck by lightning.

"This chess move."

Zhou Guangjin's voice trembled slightly, his fingertips hovering above the chessboard, as if he wanted to touch the crisscrossing lines, but dared not make a move.

Han Yugui's gaze was also intense as he murmured, "Having studied all the chess manuals throughout history, I have never seen such a profound and ingenious layout! Could it be..."

Zhou Guangjin suddenly turned his head, his clothes billowing in the wind: "Brother Jiang! What is the origin of this score?"

The name of this score is—

Jiang Xingzhou suddenly smiled, his smile as gentle as a ripple in an ancient well, “[The Divine Move].”

This was the game in which Wu Qingyuan came closest to a 'divine move'.

He liked it very much, so he copied it onto the reclining ox stone chessboard.

Before the words were even finished, everyone's breath caught in their throats, their expressions changed drastically, and they looked at each other, each seeing a hint of horror in the other's eyes.

With a "clatter," someone's folding fan fell to the ground.

The color drained from everyone's faces, and what they saw reflected in each other's eyes was the flickering, panicked light in each other's pupils.

Jiang Xingzhou did not choose to study chess at the Jiangzhou Prefectural Academy, but the depth of his understanding of chess far surpassed that of the other scholars.

The surroundings were so quiet that the only sound could be the wind whistling past the thatched eaves.

【Ding! 】

[Han Yugui and Zhou Guangjin (Chess Way), triggering the hidden trait: "Enlightenment of the Precious Path"]

[Currently, your understanding of chess in your cave dwelling has increased by 80%]

[Chess game deduction speed increased by 50%]

Zhou Shanchang stepped into the wooden house on the left with his hands behind his back. He paused slightly at the threshold, his gaze sharp as a knife, scraping through the furnishings inch by inch.

"Excellent."

His fingertips traced the mortise and tenon joints of the window frame, the wood grain gleaming amber in the slanting sunlight.

The bracket sets feature a "three-entry, three-exit" design, while the moon beams are crafted with a "stealing heart" technique.

The moss-covered walls seemed to faintly echo with the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses. Beside a half-burnt candle on the desk, the two characters "德馨" (Dexin, meaning virtuous and kind) were carved on the wooden table, appearing almost alive in the moonlight.

Jiang Xingzhou put in a tremendous amount of effort in painting these three thatched wooden houses, paying meticulous attention to every detail.

Zhou Yuanjun suddenly stroked his beard and smiled.

"I have seen some Taoist grottoes for cultivation and practice. But a grotto for enlightenment like the one in 'The Humble Abode' is truly the only one I have ever seen in my life!"

At this moment, however, one sees,
"No! Absolutely not!"

Li Changli stood under the eaves outside the house, his face deathly pale, his heart filled with turmoil, his fingers digging deeply into his palms. Cold sweat seeped down the back of his blue robe, solidifying into an icy armor in the evening breeze.

He almost bit his lip to pieces, but the more he resisted, the more tormented he became.

—That force has returned.

They pushed him forward, making him stagger.

He seemed dazed.

"student."

Li Changli stumbled at the threshold, stepped into the left room, and knelt down in front of Zhou Yuanjun with a thud, "Student...Student wants to report..."

The rosy light of the sunset cleaved his pale face, revealing two flickering flames in his eyes.

"Oh?"

Zhou Shanchang's brows furrowed, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Li Changli's face was ashen as he knelt on the ground, his heart filled with turmoil, his back trembling violently as if a thousand pounds were pressing down on him.

He made a gurgling sound in his throat, almost suffocating, but couldn't utter a single word.

Seeing this, Headmaster Zhou knew he must have something extremely secret and important to say, and suddenly flicked his sleeve—

"boom!"

The thatched wooden house suddenly closed its door, and a hazy blue light suddenly appeared on the four walls, blocking out all sounds inside and outside the house.

"Say!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, its authority irresistible.

Li Changli finally looked up in despair, his eyes bloodshot: "This student must report! Last year at the Zhao residence, I saw a man in black wearing a bronze mask in the back garden pavilion, requesting an audience with the Zhao family head, Zhao Bingzhu. He had the character 'prisoner' on his face! This student suspects..."

Li Changli's mind was buzzing, and his temples were throbbing as if a million ants were gnawing inside his skull.

He didn't know why he had revealed this extremely secret matter concerning the Zhao family, one of the ten great families of Jiangzhou.

The Zhao family was related to the Li family by marriage, and Zhao Zilu was his cousin, a blood relative by blood.

Li Changli looked down blankly at his trembling hands.

These hands once shared drinks and laughter with Zilu in the flower hall of the Zhao family mansion; these hands received the coming-of-age robe hand-sewn by my aunt.

If this matter were to leak out, the entire Zhao family would surely be executed!

But at this moment—

It felt as if a clear spring was washing over my heart, dispelling all thoughts of blood ties, family interests, and personal relationships, and eliminating all distracting ideas.

Only the vast, bright moon remains, illuminating what lies deep within my heart.

He just wanted to tell the story that was giving him nightmares.

"What do you suspect?"

"The students suspect that the man in black is—a traitorous intellectual!"

Li Changli managed to utter a few words with difficulty, and this sentence was uttered.

He suddenly calmed down, his voice clear and melodious, as if he had been relieved of a heavy burden, his whole body felt completely relaxed and at ease.

"Rebellious intellectuals!"

The four words struck like a thunderbolt from the sky.

Li Changli suddenly knelt down on the ground.

A faint golden light emanated from his seven orifices, and a righteous Confucian aura burst forth from his crown, turning the blue light in the room into a blazing white.

Li Changli trembled violently, feeling as the scalding, righteous energy burned away all the evil spirits that had plagued him for years!
"Exterminate the traitorous race!"

He muttered hoarsely, each word like a burning wound in his throat, "This is the ancestral precept of the Li family; those who commit treason deserve to be killed by everyone."

"The students don't know what to do!"

Li Changli's face was streaked with blood and tears, yet his eyes held an unprecedented clarity: "Please, Your Excellency, make the judgment!"

"Good! What a traitor!"

Zhou Shanzhang's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he slapped Li Changli on the shoulder, praising him:
"To put righteousness above family ties, a model for humanity!"

If this investigation confirms the truth, you have rendered a great service! I will petition the court for a high reward for you and secure your place as a successful candidate in the imperial examinations!

"A degree in the imperial examinations? That's unnecessary!"

Li Changli muttered to himself, then suddenly shook his head, smiling through his tears: "This student only asks—to exterminate all the rebellious races under heaven!"
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(End of this chapter)