Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 167 must be engraved, it absolutely must be engraved!
Ji Rui, who most enjoyed speculating about Hanwen's thoughts at this time, was somewhat dejected.

She even started suffering from insomnia from then on, those few words echoing in her mind like a demonic chant.

I was still in Qiantang in my dream, but it was Qiantang decades later.

Several ministers stood on the Wangjiang Tower, discussing current affairs, the border region, and the people's livelihood.

As a former classmate, I was allowed to sit down, but I could only sit there and say some unimportant things, just like my father did back then.

In the dream, the white-robed scholar sitting at the head of the table suddenly looked towards the corner.

"All rivers flow eastward to the sea, when will they return westward? If you do not strive in your youth, you will only regret it in your old age!"

"Foolish child, wake up!"

Then he strode over, his tall figure blocking out the sunlight and the river view, raising his arm high and swinging it down hard.

The wide sleeves went from being stretched out to being taut, shush~~~~
Snapped! ! ! !

"what!!!"

Ji Rui covered his face and rolled off the bed, sitting on the floor for a while before he came to his senses.

I suddenly felt some discomfort in my back; it turned out to be cold sweat sticking to my clothes.

"Thank goodness, it was just a nightmare."

Then I couldn't sleep all night.

The next day, the students of the academy were surprised to find that the negative aura had completely shifted to Ji, who used to be the most cheerful student.

This time, no matter how much others cared about him, he didn't want to say anything.

Finally, one afternoon, the evil Master Xu reappeared in the Stele Forest.

Ji Rui couldn't help but ask a very naive question.

"If I study hard, can I really compare to them?"

He always considered himself a very clear-headed person, knowing that he wasn't cut out for studying, so he was always quite carefree at the academy.

The Tian Ji horse race last semester, the advantage in the Ming Suan class, and the performance in the Wenhui competition all gave me the illusion that I was also quite good.

But Guo Bei's trip broadened his horizons, and Zao died on the spot trying to save him.

If you ask me now if I'm willing to gradually distance myself from my friends, the answer is naturally no.

So he became insecure.

Xu Xuan smiled inwardly, thinking, "I'm not some kind of wicked teacher."

Although it may seem like falling into a trap, seizing the opportunity can be a life-changing experience.

So he started to seriously lie to people.

There are actually shortcuts to reading.

"what?"

"Why do you think only five people have carved characters in this huge academy?"

Ji was somewhat bewildered by this question. Could there be other possibilities besides punishment and seeking the Dao?

"You know about my other identity, so it's normal for you to know some special things, right?"

"Chongqi Academy is surrounded by a rich cultural atmosphere all year round, and the rocks there are quite remarkable features."

I've only said half of what I wanted to say; you'll have to figure out the rest yourself.

Ji did indeed understand.

"Could it be engraved with words?"

Xu Xuan revealed a mysterious smile, "You guessed it yourself."

Shh... I don't tell this to just anyone.

By exploiting information asymmetry, identity asymmetry, and persistent psychological manipulation, this scam will inevitably trap anyone who has a need for it.

The last person to be tricked to death was a judge in the underworld. If Ji can get this treatment, he can die in peace.

Sure enough, some naive students suddenly felt a surge of excitement. If that were the case, then there would still be a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with their friends.

Shortcuts are great!

He would really give up if it came to studying hard.

As the saying goes, if you don't take what Heaven gives you, you will suffer the consequences; if you don't welcome the opportune moment, you will suffer the calamity. So he actually took the initiative to offer to have the words engraved.

"Really?"

"real!"

To cover their tracks, they staged a scene in front of everyone where Ji offended Instructor Xu, thus gaining the right to have his name engraved.

Xu Xuan used the composure of a cultivator to suppress his laughter.

The group arrived at the Stele Forest, where all three wonders were present.

After all, even Ning Caichen, who was deeply entangled in a love triangle, had seen Ji Rui carve words.

The group followed behind the teacher as they walked.

On the way, Xu was still trying to subtly manipulate people. "Your foundation is relatively weak. If you want to catch up with them, you can only find a stone wall that contains the most righteous energy."

Hmm, that makes sense.

“Your foundation is relatively weak. If you want to catch up with them, you need to carve a few more characters.”

Yes, all one thousand characters have been engraved; a few more won't make a difference.

"Your foundation is relatively weak, you need to think about it."

Uh-huh,.
Guided by Xu, they walked towards the edge of the Stele Forest until their path was blocked.

"Huh? When did our academy get such a smooth-sectioned hill?"

"It's always been there."

"Has it always been like this?"

“It really has always been there. You can tell by the color and the compacted marks. It can’t be faked.”

Xu Xuan said confidently, and even patted the stone wall.

Zao gasped, and Ning Caichen was also somewhat stunned.

Only Ji Rui didn't understand what was about to happen. He just thought that he didn't come to this hell of carving words often, and since there was no other way, he would just change direction.

Then a faint sound came from ahead.

"Where are you going? We've arrived."

Ji's body stiffened, and cold sweat began to pour down her face.

Actually, it doesn't need to be engraved.
Mr. Xu then hypocritically spoke up beforehand.

"Actually, it's okay not to carve it."

He turned around and said, "Caichen, you can continue carving the characters."

Someone's heart tightened, and they asked through gritted teeth.

"Carve, what words should we carve?"

"Since your foundation is relatively weak, why not inscribe: 'A scholar must be resolute and persevering, for his burden is heavy and his journey is long. Is it not a heavy responsibility to take benevolence as one's own duty? Is it not a long journey to strive until death?'"

This sentence contains Xu Xuan's expectations for this student.

Scholars must possess a broad mind and a resolute character in order to extend their compassion to others, save people and the world, and ultimately benefit all under heaven.

Practicing benevolence is a mission that can only be accomplished through tireless effort and struggle.

Ji Rui still didn't understand Master Xu's scheme, and only felt a headache coming on. Why was his situation different from others?

"Master Xu, which character should I carve? Hong or Yi? Could it be Hongyi?"

"Yes: A scholar cannot but be resolute and persevering, for his burden is heavy and his journey is long. To take benevolence as one's own responsibility, is that not a heavy burden? To strive until death, is that not a long journey?"

"What?"

"Is it not true that a scholar cannot lack ambition and perseverance, for his mission is far-reaching?"

The above conversation happened three times. After repeatedly confirming with my friends behind me that it wasn't a hearing problem or a comprehension problem, and after slapping myself twice, I realized that there was a very serious problem.

That is, such a large stone must also bear a historical mission commensurate with its size.

In fact, Xu Xuan felt that it was more appropriate to say: "Without breadth of vision, one cannot bear the weight; without perseverance, one cannot reach the distance."

Or perhaps the more concise "弘毅" (Hongyi) would be more appropriate.

But these are few words.

Only this one sentence could keep Ji Rui engraving it obediently for a year, saving him so much trouble.

Ji felt as if he had returned to Guo Bei's hell, where there was no chance of survival!

"Master Xu, how many times do you need to carve this?"

This is my last hope: that the other person will treat me like a human being.

But Xu Xuan has long since stopped being human.

"I estimate it will be enough to engrave it after a thousand or so times, not many!"

He was ready to quit and throw the carving knife into the river on the spot, then go down the mountain to find a pleasure boat to let loose.

Suddenly, a special guest appeared.

Qian Zhongyu walked out slowly and deliberately, and gave Shan Shi and Ji Rui a cold smile.

I recall his despicable horse racing tactics last year, and his arrogant face when he slapped me in the face.

He let out a soft utterance.

"Inferior horse, huh."

Mission accomplished, time to go.

"Carve!" "Carve it now!" "I, Ji Hanqing, love carving words the most~~~~ (voice cracks)!"

　Alright, alright, it's the end of the month, everyone, don't waste your monthly votes!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)