How can one cultivate immortality without learning modern knowledge?

"These two lines of poetry are indeed exquisite, but I still prefer the pioneering poem of that master of ci poetry... 'Ten thousand poems, a thousand cups of wine, how could I ever concern myself with princes and kings!' Truly, it is a timeless display of heroism and elegance!" Another scholar said, "You say this Zhou Wenju, the son of a former third-rank official, dares to compose such a poem? Isn't he afraid that his already demoted father will be targeted by those princes and kings?"

"Perhaps it is precisely because his father was demoted to Lingnan that he is so unrestrained! But there is no need to worry, this poem opens up the sacred path and the great way, and has been recognized by the Heavenly Dao! His literary fame has spread throughout the five regions and four kingdoms, so who would dare to do anything to him because of these two harmless and unrestrained words?"

Old Qi was suddenly startled and stepped forward to the two scholars: "Gentlemen, I have a question for you... Who is this Zhou Wenju you just mentioned?"

He was wearing the uniform of a constable. Although he was disabled and looked weathered, the two scholars still gave him the necessary respect because of his constable attire: "Does the constable not know? This young master Zhou is the second son of Zhou Liangsheng, the former third-rank vice minister of the capital."

"He...he can write poetry? He...he even pioneered...the way of ci poetry?" Old Qi's heart pounded wildly.

"Which government office does the head constable belong to? How can you not even know this? In the Jiangnan region, who doesn't know him? Who doesn't know him? On that day, at the Biyan Tower, Young Master Zhou Wenju not only penned the timeless masterpiece 'A crane soars into the clear sky,' but also pioneered the path of poetry, and his literary fame will be remembered for eternity!"

The two walked away side by side.

Old Qi was bewildered in the wind.

The Way of Poetry, the Way of Lyrics...

Young master, is this really you?

Aren't you a member of the Mohist school?

Wasn't it because you were illiterate from a young age that your master went to great lengths to send you to the outer sect of the Mohist school?

How could you possibly write poetry?

How could you possibly create a "Great Dao" that surpasses the Dao of Literature and that countless top masters of the Dao of Literature and Literature could not create?

When you entered Lingnan, when you entered Qishan, you stirred up boundless storms. I, Lao Qi, always thought that these storms were only in Qishan. However, before you entered Lingnan, you stirred up even bigger storms in Nanyang...

How would you feel if you heard about this, sir?

With a swift movement of his feet, Lao Qi transformed into a blur, appearing at Pingfeng Ridge in a moment. With a whoosh, he vanished, and the next instant, he had entered the Qishan County Government Office.

As everyone predicted, Lao Qi's arrival in Nanyang was expected to be at the fastest possible speed.

Returning from Nanyang, having finished his official business, there wasn't much of a rush, so he should have just traveled back home. However, who could have imagined that his return to Qishan would be ten or even a hundred times faster than when he set out, essentially flying back...

As Lao Qi stepped into the county government office, his heart raced.

He took a deep breath and started tapping away again.

Zhou Liangsheng opened the door to his study and looked at Lao Qi. His heart skipped a beat because Lao Qi's expression was a mixture of surprise and excitement. Something big must have happened!

"Come in!" Zhou Liangsheng said.

Old Qi entered the study and closed the door behind him: "Master, the memorial has been sent to the capital and should be delivered before the court session ends."

"Okay! What else happened?" Zhou Liangsheng asked.

"There is something concerning the Second Young Master. I heard some rumors in Nanyang..."

Hearing his words, Zhou Liangsheng's eyes widened even more: "A timeless poem, pioneering the great path of ci poetry... Old Qi, are you sure you're talking about... about that rebellious son?"

"I have verified it repeatedly, and it should be correct!" Old Qi said.

"How is that possible? This is absolutely impossible! I have never had such a wish, never... Where is he right now?" Zhou Liangsheng suddenly stood up.

"I was just passing by Lonely Mountain when I seemed to vaguely see... the Second Young Master and that nun enjoying the scenery on the cliff..." Of course, Old Qi wouldn't tell his master that when he flew across the sky, he saw the Second Young Master standing side by side with this nun, and the nun's expression was quite rich.

"Go and bring him back. I must hear what he has to say for himself!" Zhou Liangsheng's heart was filled with turmoil.

He almost completely forgot about the lightning bolt above his head.

Perhaps in his view, this bomb was no longer important.

Even if it really explodes and blows him to pieces, it doesn't matter.

If my son truly becomes a master of poetry and lyrics, and truly pioneers the great path of lyrics, then he will be a renowned figure for all time, and anyone who wants to kill him will have to think twice.

Such a person should be a top-tier scholar protected by the temple!

He originally had no confidence in the future situation.

However, his son's sudden revelation of his identity gave him the greatest excitement...

"Yes!" Old Qi turned and left, his footsteps echoing all the way back...

On a solitary mountain, beside a cliff.

There are naturally no flowers blooming at this time of year, but when the wind blows, it seems to carry a faint fragrance of flowers, though the source is unknown.

Su Xin, dressed in a blue Buddhist robe, stood on the cliff, as if she were about to ride the wind away.

Zhou Wenju's gaze fell on her, and he seemed to feel a bit emotional.

She really doesn't seem like a Buddhist.

Every move they made was unlike anything they expected.

Her beauty was like that of a fairy.

His demeanor was unparalleled.

Moreover, apart from occasionally referring to herself as "this humble nun," her speech contained absolutely no Buddhist connotations.

In fact, apart from her bald head and Buddhist robes, it's hard to see any Buddhist markings on her entire body.

In fact, apart from her bald head and Buddhist robes, it's hard to see any Buddhist markings on her entire body.

Even her cultivation methods, which seemed perfectly aligned with Buddhism to ordinary people, were, in Zhou Wenju's eyes, devoid of the proper order...

Su Xin slowly turned around: "Young Master, it has been almost ten hours since you arrived here last night."

Yes, Zhou Wenju didn't go back yesterday.

Zhou Wenju gently scratched his head: "Has it been that long? I feel... I feel that time flies when I'm with you, young lady."

Su Xin's expression instantly became less calm, but her words remained calm: "Young master, please don't be so hypocritical. You clearly dare not go home, which is why you have no choice but to endure the scorching sun on this lonely mountain."

"Really?" Zhou Wenju stared at her.

"real……"

Zhou Wenju gently shook his head: "You're so insightful, it's a bit of a killjoy! It would be better to play dumb."

Yes, Su Xin is absolutely right.

Zhou Wenju simply didn't dare go home.

why?

He really didn't dare, no, he was unwilling, unwilling to face his father's worried face, unwilling to face the worry in his mother's eyes.

In the past, he might have been able to face it.

Because in his subconscious, these parents are not really his real parents.

But last night, Zhou Liangsheng's words and actions gave him a peculiar feeling. The sense of separation between his spirit and body was quietly revealed in Zhou Liangsheng's poignant arrangements for his funeral.

In a daze, he seemed to have truly become the second young master of the Zhou family, and in his consciousness, he seemed to be able to truly feel his parents' love...

"I apologize, but this humble nun of Jingtian Nunnery can feign unconventionality and the impermanence of life, but I suppose I can't feign ignorance..." Su Xin's beautiful eyes flickered slightly: "And you can't escape it either!"

From this angle, it looks like someone has gone up the mountain.

The sound of footsteps echoed as they trod on the bluestone path.

It's Lao Qi.

Zhou Wenju sat down on the rock, not far from Su Xin, but closer, close enough to smell her faint fragrance.

Yes, let's not dwell on whether the nun had a fragrance or not; Zhou Wenju certainly smelled it.

Moreover, the way he sat down was even more ambiguous than before.

Because I'm lazy and casual.

Old Qi reached the mountaintop, came before him, and bowed: "Young master, the master wants you to go down the mountain and return to the yamen immediately."

"Oh? What deity have I offended this time?" Zhou Wenju asked.

"This time it's because of this old man..." Old Qi carefully chose his words.

"Huh? Old Qi, how could a constable with thick eyebrows and big eyes, who looks so righteous, make a mistake? I really didn't expect that..." Zhou Wenju said in surprise.

Su Xin raised her hand and pressed it against her forehead.

She was intelligent and perceptive, and in a moment she understood everything perfectly...

This young master orchestrated last night's calamity in the city.

He turned around and went up to the lonely mountain to hide.

Let this poor old constable take the blame.

This constable is really capable of handling things; he took the blame without hesitation, saying, "This time it's because of me."

But are you being kind, young master?

You simply went ahead and made the mistake, directly settling the responsibility face-to-face...

Old Qi said, "I just returned from Nanyang and unexpectedly received some explosive news. When I told the master about it, he was so excited that his first order was to have the young master go to see him immediately."

Zhou Wenju's heart skipped a beat.

I'm back from Nanyang!

The news concerns Nanyang...

He... seems... probably... guessed correctly!

Su Xin frowned slightly. Was it about Nanyang? Was it about the violent incursion of villagers into the city last night?

Why does this young master have that expression?

Why does Lao Qi's expression look so strange?

Old Qi slowly raised his gaze: "Master can't believe it, and in truth, I can't believe it myself either. That's why Master sent me to invite you, young master, just to ask you in person... Was that renowned master of poetry who founded the school of ci poetry at the Nanyang Poetry Gathering truly you?"

Su Xin suddenly raised her beautiful eyes and stared at Zhou Wenju in surprise.

A master of poetry?

To pioneer the way of words?

She naturally knew the weight of those eight words.

These are eight words that even a literary giant wouldn't dare to use lightly!

Poetry masters have established, conventional standards for literature.

There are three types of people who can accept the title of "Grandmaster" with equanimity. Others may be called Grandmasters, but that's just a polite way of putting it and shouldn't be taken literally.

What are the three types of people? The first type is someone whose literary skill has reached the level of literary fruition, making them a master in themselves. As long as such a person can write poetry, it is perfectly acceptable to call them a master of poetry.

The second type is those who have written monographs on poetry, achieved success in "establishing their words," founded their own schools, and are true masters.

What about the third type? There's a common saying, "Mastering color is the key," which means that poets who have written colorful poems can be considered masters, albeit with some reservation.

Therefore, the title of "master of poetry" is not something to be casually bestowed, and not everyone is entitled to such polite words.

These four words carry immense weight in the realm of literature and morality!

However, these four characters seem insignificant compared to the four characters that follow.

To establish a path in the Way of Literature...

How could this be related to the young master in front of me, who has a fickle mind and some characteristics of a playboy?

Faced with Old Qi's turbulent face, Zhou Wenju finally sighed: "Actually, I knew that my father would find out about this sooner or later, but I didn't expect him to find out so soon."

Su Xin's eyes widened immediately.

Old Qi's breathing quickened: "Young Master, is...is this all true?"

"Whether it's true or false, the whole of Jiangnan is buzzing with it. It's just that this wisp of literary talent hasn't yet crossed Pingfeng Ridge. I never intended to keep it a secret forever. Since you've already seen through it, I can only admit it openly," Zhou Wenju said. "Furthermore, let me also answer a question that's been on your mind. Why do you think I, Zhou Wenju, suddenly acquired literary talent and entered the path of literary cultivation? The fundamental reason is this: I can write poetry!"

A jumble of conflicting emotions flashed across Old Qi's eyes...

"Young master... how could you possibly write poetry? I had no idea."

"Does one need a reason to write poetry?" Zhou Wenju asked.

"...Don't you need it?" Old Qi was a little confused.

"Alright, alright, whatever the reason, it's probably all rather weak," Zhou Wenju said. "How about I write one for you right here and there, so you can judge its quality?"

Old Qi looked up and met another pair of eyes that were infinitely fascinating.

"Young master, you write it!" Old Qi declared.

Zhou Wenju raised his eyes: "And you? Would you be willing for me to write a poem?"

Su Xin was a little puzzled: "Why does the young master ask this humble nun whether she is willing or not?"

"Because Shuang'er once said that you dislike literature and Taoism. I am worried that literature and Taoism will pollute the tranquility of your Zen practice."

"Don't listen to her nonsense!" Su Xin said, "It's because she doesn't like it, no, to be precise, it's because she doesn't know how to do it that she doesn't like it!"

"Haha, that perfectly reflects her true nature!" Zhou Wenju laughed loudly, raising his hand to grasp a pen, then hesitated slightly...

He raised his gaze again: "How about you pose a question, young lady?"

Old Qi's heart started racing...

My God, could it be that my jinx really came true?

Has the young master developed lustful thoughts towards this beautiful nun?

Otherwise, why would they care so much about the nun's feelings?

Please!

I did tell your parents that you have flaws in your private morality, and that you were interested in this nun, but that was just a strategy to divert the attention of your husband and wife.

Are you serious, kid?

Su Xin actually offered: "How about you, young master, write a poem on the theme of the rise and fall of dynasties?"

Are you sure it's a poem, not a lyric?

Su Xin's heart stirred: "Young master is right. This humble nun really wants to see what kind of splendor the literary path you have created is like."

"The current situation is like a series of battle formations. I have created a new ci (a type of Chinese verse) and named it 'Breaking the Formation'!"

Su Xin and Lao Qi's hearts pounded at the same time.

He's going to write lyrics.

He pioneered the use of the word "ci" (a type of classical Chinese poetry).

A master of ci poetry!

Today, under the great path of ci poetry he pioneered, a new ci title will be created, named "Po Zhen Zi".

Although Su Xin and Lao Qi may not know what a ci poem title is, they are certainly no ordinary people...

Zhou Wenju picked up his pen and wrote...

"The Song of Breaking the Enemy's Formation: Forty Years of Home and Country"...

For forty years, my home and country have been connected across eight thousand miles of mountains and rivers.

Phoenix pavilions and dragon towers reach the heavens, jade trees and coral branches form a misty canopy; how could they have known war? ..."

The tip of the pen shines brilliantly with golden light!

Under the divine light of literature, Old Qi's face resembled a myriad of rosy clouds.

Su Xin was completely stunned, her eyes filled with confusion...

With a single stroke of his brush, Zhou Wenju unleashed the last five lines, which flowed forth like water…

"Once reduced to captives, Shen's waist and Pan's temples will wither away."

Most feared is the day of parting from the ancestral temple, when the music hall still plays farewell songs, and tears stream down the faces of the palace maids.

The lyrics are complete!

The pen is finished!

The colorful sunset glow spread across the lonely mountain, making the three figures look like a dream.

Old Qi shouted, "Seven-colored poems... no, seven-colored lyrics!"

Su Xin remained motionless, staring silently at the gold paper. A long-forgotten scene seemed to reappear before her eyes...

The rise and fall of dynasties, the departure of the royal family, the most poignant moment is the day of leaving the temple in haste, when the music hall still plays farewell songs, and tears fall as they face the palace maids.

he……

How was he able to capture that past event in her memory so accurately?

Why did he present himself to her in this way?

How much does he actually know?

At this moment, her mindset cultivated through twenty years of arduous practice was completely pierced through...