Now that the big picture had been decided, all that was left were the details. Pei Zi Yun and Yu Yun Jun had to discuss. Pei Zi Yun did not have to become a monk, but Pei Qian Shi needed to be comforted.
Late at night, Pei Qian Shi was preparing food and wine for Yu Yun Jun and the little girl. She looked at the both of them with a strange expression. It was not a good thing for a lady to stay in a man's house. If it wasn't for the fact that this lady was from a rich family, Pei Qian Shi would have questioned her.
Pei Qian Shi served the both of them as they ate. After the meal, she helped Yu Yun Jun and the little girl settle down. Pei Zi Yun then entered his room and spoke to Pei Qian Shi.
The moment he entered her room, Pei Qian Shi sighed, "Son, are you thinking of entering the Dao this time?"
"Mother, why do you say that?" Pei Zi Yun saw Pei Qian Shi's hesitation.
"You don't have to hide it from me. You didn't have any martial arts in the past. The last time the bandits attacked, you single-handedly killed them. I thought it was because you were smart and relied on the soldiers to kill them."
"This time, after the bandits attacked, I found out that you have martial arts. These martial arts cannot be mastered in a day. All these years, besides learning from Master Zhao, you have no one else. Only Master Zhao can teach you."
Pei Zi Yun was about to explain when Pei Qian Shi's expression changed to one of relief, "All these years, I've been forcing you to take the Elementary Scholar exams because of your father and grandfather. When I first married you, I heard your grandfather talking about how he hoped that one day his grandson would become a High Scholar. Now that you've become a High Scholar, I'm satisfied."
"If I don't take the High Scholar exams, I won't be able to gain a foothold. If I do, I'll continue my career. I'm worried about the dangers of becoming a High Scholar. I grew up in an official's family and have seen it all."
"You wish to enter the Dao, that's a good thing. At least you'll be able to enjoy the riches of the county and live a peaceful life. Who knows, you might even become an immortal. That would make me happy."
Pei Zi Yun had thought that Pei Qian Shi would be difficult to pass, and didn't expect it to be so easy. He was astonished. In the blink of an eye, he understood. In his own world, Daoists could not manifest their divinity. In the fifth year of the Qianlong Emperor, Mei Wen Cheng said, "Daoists are lowly, and should not be used as court officials."
Thereupon, Reverend Zhengyi's pilgrimage ceremony was stopped. Seventeen years later, Reverend Zhengyi was promoted to fifth-grade, and was not allowed to request for a title. He was openly despising the Taoists.
However, in this world, although the Dao techniques were not all-powerful, they could still show their divinity a little. Naturally, their status was different, and it was also a good future. Naturally, they were relatively open-minded.
Pei Qian Shi then said, "Today, this lady came over, and she had the same aura as Mister Zhao. She came so suddenly, there must be a reason. I'm afraid she's here to fetch you. I'm quite open-minded about such matters. That lady from the Ye Family, ever since the Black Wind Sect attacked, she has disappeared. I'm not sad to see you, I'm afraid she's gone to a place that you can rest assured of, if not she wouldn't be here."
"It's just that, if you are truly devoted to cultivation, you must leave a branch for the Pei family." Pei Qian Shi muttered.
Hearing Pei Qian Shi's words, Pei Zi Yun's face fell. He knew that he had revealed too much of himself these past few days. He could explain it to others, but to his mother, who had raised him, it was hard to explain. Luckily, she only thought that he had received Mister Zhao's teachings.
"Mother, I will take note. Mother, don't worry." Pei Zi Yun said. Outside the window, it was raining. The leaves rustled, and the candlelight flickered. In another room, the little girl was jumping up and down, looking around. Yu Yun Jun smiled and patted the little girl on the head, "Little Xia, don't be naughty."
The little girl leaned over and said, "Aunt, what do you think this junior brother of mine will tell his mother tonight? He's here to bid farewell. Will he cry, or will he tell the truth? If he tells the truth, my junior brother's reputation will drop by a lot."
"You rascal, it's not good if you don't tell the truth. You can't hide it forever. Besides, although cultivating isn't the best, it's a good way to have a bright future."
"How many scholars have retreated to the mountains and forests to cultivate. Alright, go and rest. Don't miss tomorrow's journey. If you can't get up, I'll beat you. If this junior brother sees that you're still lazing around in bed, I'll see if you still have the dignity of a senior sister."
"Hm, if you don't want to tell me, then don't. You keep threatening me, I'm going to sleep." The little girl then took off her robes and snuggled under the blankets, leaving her puffy head outside with her eyes wide open.
Yu Yun Jun then blew out the candle, and the entire room was plunged into darkness. Only the stars were visible. The little girl then asked, "Today, both of you were very straightforward. In the past, when I accepted a disciple, I would always observe him. Aunt, what kind of person do you think my junior brother is?"
Mistress Cloud thought for a moment, "He's not simple."
"Eh?"
"We've only met once, and I can tell that he's not someone who's easily convinced. Look at the way he does things. He's resolute and decisive. You could even say that he's quick and ruthless. Such a person, do you think it's easy to persuade him?"
At this point, Mistress Cloud paused for some time. She then thought for a moment before continuing, "His literary talent is outstanding, and he kills without hesitation. He doesn't lose out to Dao Master Xie of yesteryear."
She then laughed, her eyes clear and distant, "But you don't have to worry too much about it. Within the Dao Sect, there aren't many people like him. In fact, there have been many of them throughout the generations."
"Actually, the Sect Leader has already decided to accept this person into the sect. It's just a matter of who accepts him."
…
Morning.
Pei Zi Yun swept his gaze across his belongings, and looked around to see if there was anything else he wanted to take. When he passed by a study table, he saw a manuscript.
He picked it up and looked at it. It was yellowed and very old, and he felt a sense of melancholy.
This was the manuscript he had received from Master Zhao. It was the work of an old Elementary Scholar from the previous dynasty.
If it weren't for this manuscript, he wouldn't have been able to become an Elementary Scholar. Looking at this manuscript, he decided to make use of this opportunity to pay a visit.
The old Elementary Scholar's house was about seven kilometers away from Snail Village. The village was close to Great Water Town, and was usually patrolling the area. Hence, it was relatively peaceful. Today, an ox-cart had come to the village. It was Master Top Scorer from Snail Village.
When he arrived at the village, he explained the purpose of his visit to the Village Chief. The Village Chief gave a long sigh and bowed, "Master Top Scorer is too polite. I didn't expect Master Top Scorer to still remember the favor of writing a book for me. That's very kind of you. The thatched cottage in front belongs to the High Scholar's daughter and son-in-law."
The old Village Chief led the way and pointed to a thatched cottage as he spoke.
Mistress Cloud and Chu Xia carried an umbrella as they followed behind. The Village Chief didn't think much of them. It was obvious that they were from a noble family, or perhaps they were relatives of Master Top Scorer.
Pei Zi Yun looked at the thatched cottage. Although it was a thatched cottage, it was rather spacious. There were four rooms, which was considered average for a village. A woman was busy working in a vegetable field, while a scholarly looking man was hoeing the field, preparing to plant some vegetables.
"Hey, look who's here to see you today." The Village Chief saw the two of them working and shouted, "Master Top Scorer from the neighboring village is here."
The two of them looked up and saw a young man following behind the Village Chief. Was this a High Scholar? The two of them thought to themselves. Seeing a High Scholar visiting, they were at a loss as to what to do.
Seeing the two of them, Pei Zi Yun bowed. The two of them were taken aback and said, "You can't do that, you can't do that. A High Scholar would not dare to bow to me."
"You can do that, you can do that!" Pei Zi Yun retrieved a scroll from within his robes, "I once obtained a manuscript written by your father, and learned a lot from it. It can be said that your father and I have a master-disciple relationship. A master of a manuscript is also a master."
When the woman saw the manuscript, she recognized it. She paused for a moment before her eyes turned red. Her father had immersed himself in the sea of books. Before he died, he ordered him to sell the manuscript for ten copper coins. Her father's face and voice were like yesterday's. She held it in for a moment before crying out, "Father, do you see this? Your disciple has learned from your manuscript and became a High Scholar. Your wish has finally been fulfilled. "
The woman could still remember her father's wish before he died. It was to become a High Scholar. That was his lifelong wish. Now that someone had learned from her father's manuscript and became a High Scholar, she was both sad and happy.
The son-in-law of the old Elementary Scholar looked at his wife crying, and tears welled up in his eyes as well. Years ago, the old Elementary Scholar had taught him many things. It was a pity that he was useless and could not become a High Scholar.
The old Village Chief looked at the two of them crying, and felt a sense of sorrow in his heart. He knew what had happened years ago. It was a pity that the previous dynasty had fallen, and the old Elementary Scholar had died with a heart full of hatred.
Pei Zi Yun then said, "Both of you, please bring me to the tomb in the real world. Let me pay my respects."
"That's easy, it's nearby."
Pei Zi Yun then retrieved some incense sticks and a bottle of wine from the ox-cart. It turned out that the tomb was only half a mile away from the thatched hut.
The woman pointed to an old poplar tree, her expression was melancholy as she said, "It's here. I planted this tree myself, and it's grown up in a blink of an eye."
Pei Zi Yun followed her, and saw a lone grave amidst the tall grass. It was noon, and the sun was shining brightly. Not far away, the water was clear as jade, and the sound of flowing water could be heard.
Pei Zi Yun's heart was in a state of chaos. The old Elementary Scholar's life came flooding back to him. He did not want to speak, and felt that there was nothing he could say.
"After so many years of hard work, all I have is a lone grave."
"Mister, I am your disciple, and also your bosom friend. I've come to see you today." Pei Zi Yun squatted down and plucked the grass. He then lit the incense sticks and the paper. He then said, "... That year when the eminent monk came to visit, you asked him if he was lucky or not. Then you said with tears in your eyes, that even though there were no more examinations in this chaotic world, studying was the only thing you loved."
As he said this, he poured the wine over the grave and bowed. At this point, the old Elementary Scholar's daughter was sobbing uncontrollably as she knelt down and bowed to her father.
"Mister and I were fated to meet each other. Today, I finally have something to show for it." Pei Zi Yun did not try to be unreasonable. He then stood up and said to the woman, "This is for your cultivation. Please accept it. We shall part ways today."
There were twenty taels of silver and the title deed for five mu of land. The old Elementary Scholar's daughter rejected it profusely, "Master Top Scorer, this gift of yours is too much, I don't dare to accept it."
Pei Zi Yun smiled and said, "A teacher for a day, a teacher for life. This is for me, a High Scholar. Don't tell me this is not worth it?"
The both of them were at a loss for words. They looked at each other and saw the desire in their eyes. They knew that this was master Top Scorer's way of helping them. After rejecting it for a while, they accepted it.
Pei Zi Yun heaved a sigh of relief. In reality, some people might think that this was a snobbish or vulgar gesture. However, Pei Zi Yun had lived two lives, and knew what this meant to a peasant family.
If he accepted this gift, then it would be a happy ending. If he refused to accept it, then Pei Zi Yun could only sigh. He then smiled and raised his hands before turning around and said, "Let's leave!"
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