Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 191 Liang Shanbo Takes Medicine Before Entering School
When Liang Shanbo first arrived at Chongqi Academy, he was somewhat shocked. He had always known that the tuition was the most expensive there, but now he realized that there was a reason for the high price.

Unlike Xu Xuan, that person was truly ignorant, only expressing admiration for the ingenuity and expense of building an academy in the mountains.

This man comes from a family that has fallen on hard times, but he is knowledgeable.

Not to mention the terrifyingly high quality of the teaching staff, the sight of plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums everywhere was enough to amaze him.

This is Dianbaosu, a rare variety of Cymbidium ensifolium, produced in southern China, thousands of miles away from here.

There are also patches of Xiangfei bamboo and Qingkou plum trees over there, and a Biejiao Wanshui tree over there.

If we really want to compare, it's much more luxurious than the Qian family's house.

It would be wonderful to study here, and of course, it would be best if the tuition were waived; otherwise, I would really have to sell my possessions.

First, I wrote a test paper given by Professor Gu, and it was corrected on the spot without any problems.

This shows that the student has a very good foundation; at the very least, he is a talented individual.

The most crucial final question will be personally assessed by the academician's wife.

"Madam Yin has some matters to attend to, so let Qian Zhongyu show you around first."

So Qian Zhongyu took this distant relative, who was so far removed from his own family, on a journey through the mountains and rivers.

“These are classrooms. With your family’s wealth, you must be sitting in the back rows. It is said that the old teacher’s ability to judge people only failed him on Teacher Xu.”

Liang Shanbo imagined himself reciting his lessons here, and it felt wonderful.

"Hey cousin, why is there a character '早' (early) carved on several desks? Is there some deeper meaning behind it?"

Qian Zhongyu remained silent, feeling that his classmates had embarrassed him.

A group of people failed to grasp Master Xu's profound meaning and instead engaged in such childish behavior.

"Hmph, this is just the trick of a bunch of ignorant fools. If you're going to enroll, don't learn these things."

"The person who engraved the best in the academy does have some merit."

After saying this, he led the bewildered Liang Shanbo to the playground, where a fierce Cuju (ancient Chinese football) match was taking place.

This kind of exciting ball sport naturally attracts equally young newcomers.

"This is Cuju, a product that we reconstructed based on ancient books. It can replace horseback riding and archery to exercise your muscles and bones."

"Only with sufficient Qi and blood can one be energetic and more focused on learning. This method has been adopted by Bailu Academy, and it is said that Jintian Academy will also hold similar events in the future."

Liang Shanbo watched with envy, as if the mountain academy was not just about quiet study and rigorous practice.

"My cousin's actions have made him famous throughout the three academies."

"No, it's just that it was the first time I was taught a lesson by Master Xu."

Qian Zhongyu held such honors in utter contempt. The students suffered a crushing defeat in that confrontation, but of course, I won't go into the details of such a shameful incident.

For example, when asked about the origin of the "On Teachers" inscribed on the stone wall, it was only said that there was a hermit in the north named Han Yu, courtesy name Tuizhi, who wrote it in Heyang.

The two then walked through most of the area, making the academy's grandeur even more apparent.

"This is the Forest of Steles, the essence of the academy. Come with me inside."

Qian Zhongyu gave a strange smile.

I took my relatives to see the original character "早" (early).

It is indeed extraordinary; there is a faint warmth and a sense of urgency in the words.

This also greatly alarmed Liang Shanbo, who realized that the punishments within the academy were so terrifying.

"You don't understand. Only those whom Master Xu approves of are qualified to carve characters."

"These words are the Dao, the embodiment of the ideal path. Without these words, the literary gathering at Chongqi Academy would have been in danger."

Then he was shown the three heroes' inscriptions of "benevolence," "goodness," and "evil."

Ning Caichen, who was carving characters as he passed by, also greeted him.

Although Qian Zhongyu was arrogant, he wouldn't look down on this "Music Demon".

Although the nickname is a bit childish, it's quite fitting.

Whenever they hear Ning Caichen's zither music, they would cry out to heaven and earth, bursting into tears and displaying all sorts of ugly behavior.

It is said that some people who heard this music while on a pleasure boat became impotent on the spot, which is quite terrifying.

Professor Shi personally certified that Bi Cheng is a master of the art of qin (a seven-stringed zither). His writing on the word "love" evokes desires and a heart full of sorrow.

And deep within the Stele Forest, there is naturally Ji, whose name is carved on a huge boulder.

Liang Shanbo was both shocked and in awe.

According to my cousin, the more promising someone Master Xu thinks of, the better they are at carving characters. Even the prodigy of the Xie family could only carve a single character a thousand times, yet this person was going to carve twenty-nine characters in one go. What astonishing talent! Why haven't we heard of him outside?

"Ji Hanqing, an inferior horse in the academy, can become a thoroughbred after the carving is completed."

Today, Ji finished humiliating himself and left, which made Ji angry and shouting on the ladder.

They led Liang Shanbo straight to the back mountain.

"The back mountain is usually where Master Ruoxu lived. It is said that he was a monk who was heartbroken, but he was a very interesting person."

"Of course, this is a place Master Xu frequents now; it seems he's deducing something?"

When they parted the grass and trees, Liang Shanbo finally saw Master Xu, who had left behind legends along the way.

Words like "handsome," "dashing," and "charming" perfectly describe the character.

This behavior is a bit strange.

The teacher sat cross-legged on a boulder, holding a bamboo scroll. Many trenches were dug out beneath his feet, crisscrossing and filled with puddles, eventually flowing into the main road.

"This is the 'Wu County Hydrology,' which includes several counties such as Qiantang and Shangyu."

“The county is currently working on dredging and reinforcing the dikes, and I will be going down the mountain to assist Magistrate Song in completing this task, so I’d like to learn more about it.”

Xu Xuan took a few steps forward and looked at the unfamiliar student.

The person has average luck, is energetic, and has plenty of blood and energy, but suffers from a hidden ailment.

Xu Xuan has recently been pondering the words he used to deceive Master Mao and has gained some insights. He has also learned a lot of medical principles from the Divine Path Chapter.

With the extraordinary abilities of a Taoist practitioner, he was more than qualified to be a divine healer, so he pretended to grab the other person's wrist and take their pulse.

"Excuse me, do you have a family history of lung disease?"

"Reporting to you, sir, both my father and grandfather have them."

"That's right. This disease doesn't usually flare up, but if you're exposed to strong stimuli, it can take your life in an instant. I'll write you a prescription; you can get the medicine and have it prepared at Baoantang down the mountain."

Besides the profound grief that led to his heartbreak, Liang Shanbo, a strong and capable young man, also suffered from a hidden physical ailment.

"Alright, go find Madam Yin for the assessment. Remember, just tell the truth."

After saying that, he went back to continue pondering the waterway problem; Liang Shanbo's problem was a minor one.

With him around, we can use the butterfly to destroy the Zhu family this time.

The two were on their way back.

"Don't misunderstand, Master Xu is an extraordinary person in ordinary times. Keep this prescription safe, it will be useful."

"Understood. Teacher, you could tell I had an ailment even before taking my pulse. You have the ability of Bian Que. I am not like Duke Huan of Cai."

Finally, they arrived at the academician's wife's place.

Qian Zhongyu and the others waited anxiously outside the door, but they came out in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Passed?"

"Passed."

The process was so simple that even Liang Shanbo was a little confused.

First, he asked about my mother's health and how things were at home. After telling him the truth, he asked if I had seen Instructor Xu.

He said he had seen the doctor and even prescribed a medicine. Then the academician's wife told him not to be careless and to go get the medicine when he needed to, as his health was the most important thing.

"Oh, there's only one formal question."

"What."

"When asked why I studied, I said I wanted to realize my ambitions, to enable the people to live in peace and prosperity, and at the same time, to bring glory to my family and revitalize the Liang family."

Qian Zhongyu choked up, the second half of his sentence was just too real.

Oh well, it's a good thing it's over.

The professors realized they had been overthinking things after they found out.

Liang Shanbo is a descendant of an old friend of the Yin family. As long as he passes Professor Gu's exam, he will be a promising talent. Therefore, he can use his status as the wife of an academician to block the objections of the aristocratic families.

Don't underestimate this process; only by going through it can you be considered to have a legitimate enrollment.

From then on, Liang Shanbo finally enrolled in school, which was quite fitting.

Of course, he had to go down the mountain to Baoan Hall first to get some medicine.

(End of this chapter)