Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 574 Legend of Filial Piety
Li family.

Xu Xuan looked at the house and sighed inwardly, thinking, "No wonder she was able to have six daughters."

He was at least not an ordinary commoner; he was more or less a local gentry.

Moreover, this place has excellent feng shui, which can be described as "gathering wind and energy, and having water is the best feature".

Backed by verdant mountains like a protective screen, and facing clear waters like a jade belt encircling its waist, it possesses all four elements, surrounded by auspicious clouds. Its energy flows freely, brimming with vitality.

If it weren't for guidance from a wise person, it would be a blessing from heaven.

As the saying goes, the interplay of Yin and Yang creates the world, and water floats on the void, representing heaven and earth.

In his spiritual perception, he sensed that the originally pale aura was surging like a tide, as if it were brewing something.

That's quite something.

Xu Xuan, accompanied by several disciples, slowly stepped into the Li family's gate.

He revealed his identity as a friend of the prefect and his signature smile, which was warm and upright.

I'm here today to resolve this issue and to meet the Li family woman who is willing to sacrifice herself.

结果
"Mr. Xu, spare my life!!!"

Heart-wrenching screams and cries instantly spread in all directions.

The Li family home, which was originally peaceful, was now like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

When the family members saw Xu Xuan and his group from afar, their expressions changed drastically, and they hurriedly ran around telling everyone.

Before long, everyone was on high alert, and chaos reigned. People from all around came to watch, completely blocking the way.

Mr. Li rushed out of the house, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his hands trembling slightly. He forced a smile and knelt down with a thud as he approached.

"My lord, my sixth sister is young and ignorant. She offended the government a few days ago. It was truly unintentional. I beg you to show leniency..."

His voice trembled, and his eyes darted around, clearly showing his fear and unease.

The Father's face stiffened.

Since my debut, apart from revealing my true colors at the home of Scholar Shi, I have always been regarded as a good person in other places.

Could it be that our first defeat was in this remote place?

That doesn't make sense.
Gently, he forcefully pulled Li's father up from the ground, while a crowd of onlookers watched the spectacle.

I've already heard rumors and gossip about ruthless extermination and inhumanity.

What exactly did Zhou Ju do in Dongye County? Why is his reputation so bad?

His gentle and warm demeanor immediately intensified, and he cupped his hands and said, "Old man, there is no need to panic. Your daughter's matter is understandable, as she was misled by old customs. The government has already made a decision."

Mr. Li was taken aback, then breathed a sigh of relief, but the doubt in his eyes still lingered.

He asked cautiously, "Then... what brings Lord Xu here today?"

Xu Xuan looked around and saw that the Li family members were still tense, and the surrounding people were practically whispering in their ears. He knew that trying to dismiss them would only cause greater panic.

So he gave Zao a look.

Then a dignified and upright man stepped forward and said loudly, "Master Xu is an instructor of Chongqi and a good friend of Yu Gong. He has come here to break with old customs, eradicate evil, and restore a peaceful world for the people."

They made their origins clear, got the academy to endorse them, and then used a tiger skin to pave their way.

As expected, the crowd began to discuss the matter, and the tense atmosphere dissipated considerably.

Yu Gong's reputation is still very useful. A lifetime of traveling around the country and his reputation can easily resolve a crisis of trust as long as it is mentioned.

Zhou Ju was conflicted and didn't want to use his mentor's name.

Xu Xuan is a man who never dwells on things; he and Old Man Yu have a history of having eaten together.

Moreover, because he was in Yangzhou, Instructor Xu had already gained some notoriety. Well-informed people around him had already started talking about how he was known as "Iron Palm of Qiantang" and "His literary talent astonished the three academies."

Hearing this, the Li family head felt even more relieved: "Lord Xu, please come in quickly. We still think it's Prefect Zhou again."

The question remains: what impression did Zhou Ju leave on you?
The tense atmosphere in the courtyard dissipated, and Xu Xuan walked into the house, followed closely by his disciples. The misunderstanding was finally resolved.

The others dispersed as well, seemingly not there to interrogate anyone.

Once inside, the group exchanged a few business-related words.

Xu promptly changed his strategy, revealing a stance that was at odds with Prefect Zhou, and the conversation proceeded much more smoothly.

Then, changing the subject, he said he wanted to meet this filial daughter of the Li family.

The request to see family members was rather abrupt, so they brought up the name of another important figure.

“I have a friend who is the Prefect of Yangzhou. He is about to be promoted to the capital and needs to do some teaching and guidance.”

I understand everything I understand.

This era has reached an obsessive level regarding the concept of filial piety; every story that can be considered a typical example is astonishing.

For example, the famous story of lying on ice to catch carp is the story of Wang Xiang, the former Grand Tutor of the current dynasty and Duke of Suiling.

The mother often wanted to give birth to fish, but it was a cold day and the ice was frozen. Xiang took off his clothes and was about to break the ice to get the fish when the ice suddenly broke open and two carp leaped out.

Further along, the story of the weeping bamboo sprouting new shoots is also a tale from the time of Meng Zong, the Minister of Works of the Wu Kingdom.

His mother was old and seriously ill, and in the winter month she longed for bamboo shoot soup. Zong had no way to obtain it, so he went to a bamboo grove, embraced the bamboo, and wept. His filial piety moved Heaven and Earth; in a short while, the ground split open, and several bamboo shoots emerged. He took them home, cooked the soup, and served it to his mother. After eating, she recovered.

Those who become high-ranking officials all have a story about filial piety attached to their resumes.

The Confucian school even gave each of Confucius's disciples a story, such as biting their fingers in grief or carrying rice for a hundred miles.

I won't go into details about the official matters, there are too many to mention.

They did so many unbelievable things for their father and mother.

Even Xu Xuan in Wu County of Yangzhou had a similar story of filial piety. Anyway, everyone just follows the popular version, so who knows if it's true or not?

People need positive figures to have a moral image that meets their expectations.

This highlights that filial piety is the cornerstone of governance.

However, if it is to spread widely and stand the test of time, it must be magical and sensational enough.

If the divine way still existed, the Li family woman could have been granted the title of Yin God by the imperial court for feeding the snake demon.

Of course, Zhou Ju's life was over.

Just like the Filial Woman of Donghai before her, the prefect at the time was also nailed to the pillar of shame.

When Li's sixth sister came up, Xu Xuan released his spirituality and sensed the turbid energy of mortals, but there was also a trace of ethereal energy appearing and disappearing, truly a hidden gem in the mountains.

Of course, the focus of this trip was not on this, but on the other party's shocking actions.

Since you have doubts, why not take the initiative to ask?

His voice was gentle yet tinged with inquiry: "Miss Li, six months ago you volunteered to be a sacrifice to the snake demon. This was no small matter. I wonder if you had any reservations at the time? And... were you truly not afraid?"

When Xu Xuan asked this question, Li's father proudly puffed out his chest.

How could I not be afraid? But my sixth sister is too filial and doesn't want to be a burden to us.

And because of the decision to sacrifice himself for the safety of the villagers, now everyone in Jianle County who mentions the Li family praises their filial piety as moving heaven and earth.

It's a pity that the sixth sister wasn't born a man, otherwise she could have achieved fame and success.

"I'm afraid, but I'm going to slay the snake."

(End of this chapter)