In the beginning, he was ranked alongside An Shigeng as a spoiled brat.

Zhang Xiaoshan alone represents the number one person in Kyushu, while the bronze-armored warriors beside him represent the three top grandmasters.

Moreover, Zhang Xiaoshan is surrounded by experts, and the Zhang family's foundation far surpasses those extraordinary forces with a thousand-year history.

···

"Does Young Master Zhang mean that he wants his young master and young lady to study at the academy for a year?"

"That's right. The child is young and lived on Peach Blossom Island until he was ten years old. He has no idea what friends are."

On this trip, Zhang met Mr. Zhang San on the road and thought of the learning environment at Xiaoshengxianzhuang, so he wanted them to study there for a period of time.

Firstly, it liberates their childlike nature, preventing them from becoming too lonely;

Secondly, although they are intelligent, they are ultimately too carefree and need to be somewhat restrained to prevent them from becoming arrogant and reckless in the future.

"I see!"

Inside the Sage Manor, Fu Nian, the Grand Master, was extremely surprised by Zhang Xiaoshan's arrival.

Hearing Zhang Xiaoshan's purpose made him even more incredulous.

After all, the Zhang family and Xiaoshengxianzhuang had always kept to themselves, so it was unexpected that Zhang Xiaoshan would suddenly ask his two young masters and daughters to study at Xiaoshengxianzhuang.

Although it was just a simple course of study, its impact was enormous.

Having ties to the Zhang family, one could easily be drawn into the web between the Zhang family and the empire, ultimately leading to one's destruction.

Therefore, the extremely cautious Fu Nian did not immediately agree to the matter.

Zhang Liang and Fu Nian, who were sitting quietly to one side, did not express any opinion on the matter.

After all, they were well aware of the implications of this matter and Fu Nian's considerations.

The Zhang family's influence is immense. Their domineering methods seem to rival those of the empire, but they know that in the power struggle between the Zhang family and the empire, one side could collapse at any moment.

They undoubtedly valued the empire more; after all, the Zhang family was merely a merchant family.

"Young Master Zhang, this matter has a huge impact. Fu Nian needs to discuss it with his martial uncle!"

"Of course, this was just a spur-of-the-moment decision by Zhang, and due to some special reasons."

If Mr. Fu Nian is truly in a difficult position or has any concerns, there is no need to be afraid of him appearing. This is not a big deal or a matter of personal grudge.

After all, this is about entering school, not about becoming a disciple of Confucianism; it's just about children's early education.

"I am very grateful for your understanding, young master!"

That's true, but Fu Nian felt the pressure increase dramatically.

If Zhang Xiaoshan were truly sensible, he could have simply left instead of giving him such a remark.

As Fu Nian watched the receding figure, he couldn't help but look at Zhang Liang. It seemed that Zhang Liang was the one who caused this trouble. If Zhang Liang hadn't gone to the Mo Family's Mechanical City and run into this person, none of this would have happened.

"Senior brother, this doesn't seem like a bad thing!"

"But it's not a good thing either!"

·········Requesting flowers·· 0

Fu Nian retorted directly, his mood extremely irritable, and Second Master Yan Lu also remained silent.

This matter could be big or small; if it's big, it could get embroiled in the bloody struggle between the empire and the Zhang family.

At its most basic level, it's just taking in two trainees. The Zhang family isn't an imperial family, so they don't need any special treatment.

"What the eldest brother is worried about is the impact of the Zhang family on Xiaoshengxianzhuang."

In fact, senior brother, there is no need to worry at all. Not to mention that the two young masters and young ladies only know basic introductory studies, even the empire's attitude towards the Zhang family would not extend to Little Sage Village!

It should be noted that the Zhang family maintained good relations with many forces within the empire.

For example, on Yizhou Island, the Zhang family had close ties with the Wang family, a powerful military family of the empire, and the Li family, a prestigious family, for their cooperation on the golden sea route. The many powerful families in Guanzhong that the Super Mall had won over also relied on the Zhang family.

..... ......... 0

They are just two young children taking a course; they are not being accepted into our tutelage, so it doesn't count as a master-disciple relationship.

Besides, even if I were to accept someone as a disciple, it would only be a master-disciple relationship, not a matter of being within the five degrees of kinship or nine generations of family!

Zhang Liang was extremely curious about the two boys from the Zhang family.

Unlike the young Tianming who received the empowerment from the Mohist master, his incomparably profound true qi could only be partially integrated, and even then, its effectiveness was inconsistent.

But the two boys are different. Not only is their innate true qi possibly no weaker than the Mo family true qi hidden within the young Tianming, but their innate true qi is also cultivated by themselves, which can be described as extraordinary talent.

"Furthermore, does Senior Brother know of the talents of the two young men from the Zhang family?"

"What do you mean?"

Fu Nian and Yan Lu immediately looked at Zhang Liang, knowing that although Zhang Liang was carefree, he was reliable in his work.

Since Zhang Liang made this turn of events, there must be some hidden reason.

"Junior brother, I have met those two teenagers. To be honest, they are extraordinary talents, with exceptional abilities."

Judging by their current age, they should just be ten years old, but their strength is no less than their junior brother's, and they're not receiving training through inheritance; they're cultivating the Taoist Longevity Technique!

"The Taoist Longevity Secret!"

Fu Nian and Yan Lu exchanged a shocked glance, never expecting that someone else had mastered the Daoist Longevity Technique.

For over a thousand years, or even several thousand years, no one in the entire Nine Provinces had ever mastered the Longevity Technique. In fact, it was always regarded as the most ordinary health cultivation method. But now, one after another, people have been cultivating the Longevity Technique, which makes them question its power of discovery.

Chapter 690 Grandmaster Xun Qing, the Butcher of Guanhai Tower

"A ten-year-old child, yet his cultivation level is no lower than my junior brother's?"

Fu Nian looked at Zhang Liang in disbelief. Zhang Liang was, after all, a master of the highest level, not to mention his talent.

If Zhang Liang hadn't been young and hadn't studied a wide variety of subjects, the position of 'number one expert' at Xiaoshengxianzhuang would have changed hands long ago. But unexpectedly, the two young sons of the Zhang family have reached Zhang Liang's level at such a young age.

Not to mention Fu Nian, even Yan Lu, who had always been unfazed by Gu Bo, was surprised.

"Senior brother, don't forget the threshold of the Longevity Technique, which begins with cultivating innate true qi."

Moreover, the two little ones had exceptionally solid foundations. If they hadn't suddenly attacked, even the Daoist Master Xiaoyaozi wouldn't have immediately realized that they possessed the Longevity Technique. It was only afterward that he realized it.

"That's extraordinary! I never expected the Zhang family to have two more '590s' geniuses!"

A top-tier expert at the age of ten can also achieve this through initiation, as exemplified by the eldest son of the Zhang family, who possessed unparalleled internal strength at the age of eight.

But this is a truly profound foundation, and it is genuine Taoist skill.

"Junior Brother's idea is to take them into Little Sage Manor and observe them for a while!"

"Junior brother has this idea. The two little ones have lived on Peach Blossom Island for many years and are simple-minded."

This trip off the island was actually meant to be a training experience.

Just as Mr. Zhang said, he wants his two little ones to integrate into the world, and the learning environment is extremely important!

The mother of the sage moved three times to provide him with a better learning environment. How much more so should we, as Confucian sages, who advocate education for all, have no need to worry about anything else?

Upon hearing this, Fu Nian fell silent.

Yan Lu nodded. The two little ones from the Zhang family were destined to be influential figures in the future.

If it can lead people to the right path, it will be a great merit.

"Let's discuss this with our martial uncle."

"Alright!"

Yan Lu and Zhang Liang nodded, after all, it was best for the elders to make the decision on such an important matter.

Behind Xiaoshengxianzhuang lies a picturesque forest, where a simple yet elegant villa lies at the end of a lush, secluded path.

"I've met Uncle Master!"

"What brings you here?"

Xun Qing looked at Fu Nian and the other two, knowing that their arrival together must mean they had something important to ask for advice; otherwise, Fu Nian would not usually come to the back mountain so easily.

"Uncle-Master, it's like this..."

Fu Nian recounted the story of the two young men from the Zhang family pursuing their studies, including his own concerns and the news brought by Zhang Liang.

Even Xun Qing's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he stroked his beard as he pondered the matter.

He didn't object to the two boys enrolling in school, but he knew the Zhang family had more ulterior motives than that.

For a moment, even Xun Qing hesitated, even though he knew that the Zhang family was not to be trifled with.

However, he finally nodded and said:

"We'll meet force with force and water with earth. Whatever Mr. Zhang's purpose may be, Xiaoshengxianzhuang will take it."

Furthermore, the fact that he sent his two sons and daughters to the academy for further studies shows that he harbors no hostility towards Xiaoshengxianzhuang. Since they are exceptionally talented young people, why would Xiaoshengxianzhuang refuse them entry?

"Yes, Uncle!"

Xun Qing looked at Fu Nian and couldn't help but sigh:

"You're still too cautious. Young Master Zhang's purpose in coming to Sanghai this time is not simple, but his influence on Xiaoshengxianzhuang is not as great as you might imagine."

Confucianism has been passed down to this day, and Xiaoshengxianzhuang is a school with a history of over a thousand years. How could it be involved in disputes just because it has admitted two young people?

Besides, the Zhang family is not as simple as you imagine.

Although the Zhang family is at odds with the empire, as long as any member of the Zhang family is safe, the empire will never turn against the Zhang family.

Given the Zhang family's prestige among the people, the empire would not easily take action against them.

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it!

"Yes, uncle!"

Fu Nian bowed deeply, still worried, but at least he felt more confident.

"Furthermore, the Zhang family's visit to Sanghai is not simple."

As for the purpose? Little Sage Manor is also the host; next time Young Master Zhang visits, this old man will go and meet this legendary figure.

"Yes, uncle!"

Upon hearing that Xun Qing was willing to step forward, even Fu Nian was overjoyed.

It's important to know that although Xun Qing wasn't a combatant, his extremely refined internal energy had long since reached the level of a Grandmaster. However, an accident thirty years ago left Xun Qing heartbroken and he had been living in seclusion in the back mountains of Xiaoshengxianzhuang ever since...

At the same time, news that the two young men from the Zhang family were studying at Xiaoshengxianzhuang spread throughout the entire Sanghai City.

Xiaoshengxianzhuang is a Confucian academy with a thousand-year-old tradition. Unlike other academies that teach the eight-legged essay, Xiaoshengxianzhuang teaches the Six Arts of a Gentleman, which form the foundation for studying Confucianism.

It's like the difference between Taoist seclusion and engagement with the world.

Xiaoshengxianzhuang is undoubtedly a secluded branch of Confucianism, not serving the foundations of those dynasties, and the learning in the academy depends entirely on one's own comprehension.

···

"The Zhang family has arrived too!"

Guanhailou is the largest restaurant in Sanghai City!

Originally a butcher at the Yangzhou docks, he came here three years ago and opened a top-class restaurant.

On the surface, Paoding's identity is Diao Buyu, who learned the Imperial Building of Crafts. Later, he moved to Zhuxian Town and Yangzhou Wharf, and was finally assigned to open a restaurant in Sanghai City.

Secretly, Paoding was one of the leaders of the Mohist school, but they rarely had any contact.

Because Paoding was already a top chef and had studied the Paoding's Butchering Technique, his progress was even more rapid under Diao Buyu's guidance.

Not only has his knife skills reached the pinnacle of mastery, like a skilled butcher dissecting an ox, but his culinary skills are also divine.

She can be ranked alongside Huang Rong and Liu Yiyi of the Food God's Abode as one of the three great Food Gods.

The Zhang family knew about Paoding's identity but did not bother to investigate.

2.0 After all, the Zhang family has too many spies. Not only is it troublesome to clean one up, but the other side will also send even more secretive experts.

Besides, Zhang's restaurant has no secrets. Since they're offering talent to make him rich, what reason does Zhang Xiaoshan have to refuse?

Having become the Zhang family's cook and signed an agreement, quitting is not an easy task.

Moreover, Guanhailou is not an inn. The owner of Guanhailou is the Zhang family, so the restaurant occupies more than ten acres of land and is located in a prosperous area by the coast.

The restaurant was extremely luxurious, with five floors and eight zhang in height, and the decorations varied depending on the location.