Invasion Myth: Starting with the Schoolteacher

Chapter 958 Finally here
It can be said that if the current Emperor of Jin were to suddenly die, these men would only need to make a slight connection, and chaos would be raging in the world in the blink of an eye.

Thinking of this, Xu Xuan, the "White Lotus Saint Father," had a somewhat subtle look in his eyes, as if he had considered some unsettling possibilities...

"Ahem," he coughed lightly, regaining his composure. "Let's go, Stone King."

Therefore, Xu Xuan led the Stone King into the territory of Pei State and directly arrived in Qi County.

This place holds significant historical importance for later generations, as it is located in the southeast corner of the county town, near the renowned "Dazexiang".

Throughout China's long history, the name Dazexiang has become widely known.

It marks the outbreak of the first large-scale peasant uprising in Chinese history, and left behind a famous saying that has resonated through the ages: "Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born with a special destiny?"

However, when we turn our attention back to the present era, this specific location seems utterly insignificant.

It is desolate and remote, perhaps only with some dilapidated earthen walls and vague legends told by local elders.

That high and mighty Prince Pei Shun probably wouldn't care at all about the reputation of this small piece of land bearing the weight of history in a corner of his vast fiefdom.

Because in the eyes of people at that time, there was no historical concept like "the first large-scale civilian uprising" as summarized by later generations.

The Dazexiang incident was merely one of many rebellions and uprisings at the end of the dynasty, and the world's evaluation of its leader, Chen Sheng, was hardly high.

In most dynasties after Qin, Chen Sheng was regarded as the leader of rebellion and a traitor. His deeds were deliberately downplayed, and even private sacrifices were banned, for fear that his reputation as the "first rebel" would mislead people.

Only one dynasty treated Chen Sheng relatively fairly: the Han Dynasty.

Sima Qian, the Grand Historian, was a giant of history who inevitably incorporated personal likes and dislikes into his accounts of certain figures, but when it came to Chen Sheng, his writing was quite restrained and neutral.

In the "Hereditary House of Chen She" in the Records of the Grand Historian, Chen Sheng's "great merit in initiating the rebellion against Qin" was affirmed. Because he had established the "Zhang Chu" regime, he was exceptionally included in the "Hereditary House" category that records the princes and dukes, and was given a very high historical status.

Of course, there are also negative portrayals, such as "the son of a poor family, a slave, and a migrant; his talents are not as good as those of ordinary people, he is not as wise as Confucius or Mozi, nor as wealthy as Tao Zhu or Yi Dun," which points out his humble origins and mediocre talents; it also left behind the idiom "to become king by association" which satirizes those who become rich overnight and forget their roots.

However, the one who was most grateful for his achievements and gave him substantial recognition was Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang.

He explicitly acknowledged Chen Sheng's pioneering role in "one man's uprising destroying seven temples," and specially ordered the construction of a Chen Sheng Temple in the East Gate of Huaiyang, allowing it to share in the offerings of humane spirits and recognizing its historical status.

"No wonder he was recorded in history as having the 'sign of the First Emperor' and was able to stir up the winds and clouds after the First Emperor."

Xu Xuan pondered to himself, "He does indeed possess an extraordinary spirit and vision towards his former opponents and even his losers."

However, his trip to Qixian was ultimately just a stopover.

They had no intention of making a special trip to that desolate old site to "check in" and pay their respects.

While the past is certainly worth pondering, what we need to focus on right now is avoiding further trouble.

He glanced at the southeast direction for a moment, then looked away.

The current plan is to start from Qixian County, traverse the entire Pei State, take the route through the neighboring Liang State, and then follow the rushing Yellow River westward to reach the destination of this spring imperial examination—Luoyang.

This journey is actually not that far.

If an ordinary scholar were to travel by horse-drawn carriage at a leisurely pace, it would take about a month to reach the destination.

Choosing the waterway would be even more convenient, as this place is not only close to the Yellow River, but also where the Huai River and Hai River systems intersect, making it a place where boats travel back and forth and can reach in all directions.

This is one of the reasons why Luoyang became the heart of the Central Plains civilization. Its geographical location is almost in the center of the nine provinces, and the distance from all directions is relatively moderate, making it a natural hub.

If the journey is peaceful, he will never cause trouble and will continue on his way in peace.

If trouble comes knocking, deal with it if you can, but if you encounter a tough opponent, make a strategic retreat first and seek revenge later.

However, plans never keep up with changes.

Just as I stepped through the city gate of Qixian County, my steps suddenly faltered.

He looked up at the small patch of sky above the county town and let out a long, utterly helpless sigh.

The Holy Father sensed an aura that was... extremely familiar.

It wasn't demonic energy, nor was it the emergence of some rare and precious treasure. It was simply... a delicious taste!

Xu Xuan had said that when he was in the south, he had always heard that his food supply was causing trouble in the north, but after playing several small dungeons, it still hadn't appeared. He thought it was the White Lotus Sect that was causing trouble in the north.

Looking back now, I realize that I was too ambitious and eager to improve. The organization of the past did not keep up with the pace of the current Holy Father, so I appeared a few days late.

Thus, the original plan to drive straight through the county town was instantly forgotten.

Wherever this group of people appears, misfortune follows.

The Father cannot stand idly by; he must carry out justice.

With the stone king by their side, they followed the faint scent as they wandered through the streets and alleys of the county town, finally stopping in front of a rather ordinary-looking shop.

He looked up at the signboard by the door, his brows furrowing immediately, his tone revealing a clear displeasure:
"Drug shop?"

"Why do these people... insist on opening a pharmacy?" He seemed to be asking the Stone King, but also seemed to be talking to himself, clearly very unhappy about it.

He quickly composed himself and stepped inside.

The pharmacy was well-lit and filled with a faint, pleasant herbal scent.

Upon seeing a guest arrive, a servant immediately came forward with great enthusiasm. This man had an ordinary appearance, but he exuded a gentle and comforting aura, as if he possessed an innate affinity that could make people unconsciously lower their guard and let down their defenses.

"Young master, are you feeling unwell?" the servant asked with a smile and a concerned tone.

However, as he bowed his head to lead the way, his gaze quickly swept over Xu Xuan, as if confirming something.

Then a barely perceptible hint of joy flashed in his eyes.

"What abundant and pure yang energy! Truly a top-quality 'medicinal herb'!"

They were determined to lead this "distinguished guest" to the inner consultation table and ask the shop's "most skilled" master chef to personally "diagnose" him.

In his eyes, even the county magistrate had never possessed the composure and calmness of this young master.

I've seen quite a few scholars in the past, but none of them have had such a handsome and extraordinary appearance.

Although her clothes were not luxurious, the materials and tailoring were exceptional, which made her look like a slender bamboo and exude a superior temperament.

Moreover, he was followed by a silent and imposing guard, as imposing as an iron tower, whose sense of oppression was far beyond that of ordinary servants.

"This person is no ordinary individual!"

"If we could get the master to help us recruit this handsome young man into our own brotherhood and then bring him into the sect... he would surely contribute all his blood, flesh, and energy to the great cause of the Holy Sect and to our 'hometown'! That would be making the best use of him!"

He was happily plotting how to lure this "top-grade medicinal herb" into his trap, but little did he know that this seemingly gentle scholar was too lazy to bother with such a low-level little carambhava.

Xu Xuan merely glanced at it indifferently, then turned his head and gave an order to the Stone King beside him, his tone as natural as if he were walking into a teahouse:
"You stay at the door, I'm going in to get something to eat."

"Huh?" The servant was stunned. His professional smile froze on the spot, and he couldn't process what was happening for a moment.

Our place... is a medical clinic dedicated to saving lives, not a canteen selling food, young master!
Are you in the wrong place?
He opened his mouth, trying to remind this distinguished guest who seemed to have poor eyesight, but saw that the other party had already strolled towards the inner hall as if no one else was there, as if he were returning to his own home.

That's it, that's it.

Since you're so sensible, I'll let you have your way.

The servant boy, all smiles, quickly walked a few steps to Xu Xuan and led the way for the unfortunate fellow.

As for the guards who were actually standing motionless by the door, they were ignored.

Little did they know that after they disappeared from the front hall, Stone King picked up the wooden board by the door and began to close it in a very professional manner.

"Closed today."

　I was very busy today, sorry.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)