Confucian and Taoist Cultivation Starting from the Equipment Slot

The Great Zhou Dynasty, Dongshi Region, Shengtian Prefecture, Qingshan County.

A cramped room, a dim oil lamp.

Chen Zhuo looked at the disheveled girl leaning against the corner of the wall and rubbed his throbbing head.

He time-traveled; he had just finished a business deal when he suddenly stumbled upon this place by sheer luck.

Since he was already here, he decided to make the best of it. Having spent his previous life moving from city to city, Chen Zhuo quickly accepted this reality.

For him, it was just another city; he was already used to it.

Memories gradually surfaced in his mind. His current identity was the second son of the Chen family in Qingshan County, named Chen Zhuo, with the courtesy name Ziliang.

"Finally, we're not starting out as poor people!"

After digesting part of the memories, Chen Zhuo breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the Chen family was not the most powerful family in Qingshan County, they had considerable influence due to their generations of business experience, and could be considered a local strong family.

"Master Chen...Master Chen! As long as you agree to lend the *Sun and Moon Sutra* to my brother, your family...my family is willing to fulfill all your requests!"

The young girl bit her red lips slightly, awkwardly showing herself.

Looking at the scene before him, Chen Zhuo rubbed his eyes, feeling somewhat bewildered.

What on earth is all this?!

But soon, the corresponding memories surfaced.

This is Zhang Bo's home, and the person in front of you is Zhang Bo's sister.

Zhang Bo was a group of shady friends that the original owner made from who-knows-where.

Tonight, I invited a group of friends, including the original owner, to discuss the scriptures. After the dinner, they suddenly asked me to go to an inner room, saying there was a hidden program.

The original owner was curious and came here somewhat reluctantly.

Then I traveled through time.

Having inherited the memories, Chen Zhuo immediately realized Zhang Bo's purpose in approaching him.

That's the "Sun and Moon Classic" that my dad gave him!

Chen Zhuo touched the books that were originally placed at his waist, but now they were empty.

In my memory, the Sun and Moon Classic is a book with literary and philosophical connotations, which records the two major literary arts of the sun and the moon.

Anyone who can comprehend one of the literary arts will be qualified to enter the ranks of the Tenth Child Scholar in the Literary Path.

Although the original owner was not particularly talented, she still kept the "Sun and Moon Sutra" by her side at all times.

And now it's gone?

Chen Zhuo looked at the girl cowering in the corner, her spring-like figure just beginning to reveal itself. The girl's appearance was still acceptable in this world.

But that's all there is to it for Chen Zhuo. In his past life, he had seen all sorts of people during his romantic and carefree days.

His gaze finally settled on her slightly protruding chest, where she was holding a thin book in her arms.

It was the "Sun and Moon Sutra" that he always carried with him.

Chen Zhuo didn't waste any time and snatched it directly.

"Ah! Mr. Chen, no!" She instinctively covered the book in front of her chest, her voice trembling with tears.

boom!

The moment the girl cried out, the tightly closed door was suddenly flung open.

A group of people rushed in from outside, led by Zhang Bo.

His rapid reaction speed clearly indicates that it was premeditated.

At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked at Chen Zhuo with righteous indignation.

"You bastard Chen Ziliang! I kindly invited you to my home to discuss the classics, but I never expected you to take advantage of my absence to humiliate my younger sister!"

Zhang Bo's younger sister, Zhang Ruo, was crying quietly beside him.

At this moment, Chen Zhuo had no mind to care about these things.

Because he found that the moment he touched the "Sun and Moon Sutra", a virtual panel suddenly appeared in front of him.

Name: Chen Zhuo

[Textual quality: 7 points]

[Literature/Arts: None]

[Remaining equipment slots: 1]

[Do you have the "Sun and Moon Sutra" equipped?]

"Is this my cheat code? The equipment slot?" Chen Zhuo thought to himself.

This looks a lot like a game he used to play.

He clicked "yes," and the next moment, he felt as if the book in his hand had "melted," turning into a warm current that flowed into his mind.

The books are still there, but the contents of the books... seem to have been engraved into someone's mind.

A new line of text appeared on the panel:

[Equipment slot is occupied. Unequipment cooldown: 24 hours.]

"Can only one be equipped?" Chen Zhuo frowned in thought.

"I just don't know how to expand the equipment slots, but it's enough for now."

【The Sun and Moon Sutra (White)】

[Equipment Effect: Automatically analyzes its contents.]

[Current progress: Daily chapter (90%), Monthly chapter (30%)]

As I watched the analysis progress steadily increase, scattered memories surfaced in my mind.

In my memory, literary talent is a manifestation of the amount of books a person has read, which needs to be accumulated through extensive reading and comprehensive understanding.

Once one's literary talent reaches ten points and one has mastered one literary skill, one is qualified to participate in the preliminary examination for the imperial examination.

After passing the exam, one becomes the tenth level of the literary path, truly recognized by the literary tradition: the student of the first level.

Although the original owner was the second son, he remembered that his father had treated him well and had been forcing him to study all these years, which is why he had 7 points of literary talent.

This level is considered above average among the younger generation in Qingshan County.

Insufficient than above, more than below.

After sorting out his thoughts, Chen Zhuo looked at the hypocritical Zhang Bo and Zhang Ruo, who was still crying beside him.

I've seen this kind of low-level honey trap trick many times in my past life, so I naturally know how to deal with it.

Chen Zhuo patted off non-existent dust from his body and stood up.

"If I'm not mistaken, you tore your sister's clothes yourself, didn't you!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked and looked at Zhang Bo in disbelief, while Zhang Bo's face instantly turned red.

"Nonsense...nonsense!"

"How could we, as scholars, possibly do such a thing!"

The Book of Rites states: "When a sister or aunt returns home after marriage, her brothers shall not sit at the same table with her, nor eat from the same utensils."

"Although we are siblings, we know the difference between men and women, and we must avoid suspicion and observe propriety. This is the wise teaching of the sages. Chen Ziliang, you...you are slandering me!"

Zhang Bo refuted the argument by citing classical texts, and once again all eyes fell on Chen Zhuo, with everyone speaking up.

"Indeed, Brother Zhang is well-versed in the scriptures and disciplined in his self-control; he is not that kind of person."

"Although Brother Zhang is just an ordinary citizen, his diligence and eagerness to learn are exemplary for us. How could he have done such a thing?"

"I never imagined you, Chen Zhuo, were this kind of person!"

Seeing everyone supporting him, Zhang Bo smiled.

Chen Zhuo had anticipated this scene and was about to refute it when he noticed a change on the panel.

[Analysis progress of "The Sun Chapter of the Sun and Moon Classic": 100%, Comprehension +1, Literary Ability +1, Mastery of Literary Arts: Sun]

[Art of Literature (Sun): When activated, illuminates a designated area and inflicts burning damage. If the Sun is present, it will instead cause double burning damage.]

Seeing this, he had another idea.

Chen Zhuo mobilized the faint literary energy within his body, gathered it in his hand, and softly uttered a shout.

"day!"

The next moment, a bright light appeared in his hand, like the sun shining in the sky.

Upon seeing this, everyone present stared wide-eyed.

The art of literature! The second son of the Chen family has actually mastered the art of literature!

But then a sour feeling welled up in everyone's hearts.

We're all second-generation rich kids who spend our days eating, drinking, having fun, and hanging out together, so why are you so outstanding?

It is important to understand that literary talent can be cultivated through extensive reading, but literary skill relies entirely on comprehension.

"Thump"

Upon witnessing this scene, Zhang Bo collapsed to the ground.

He knew that any words he uttered now would be futile, given Chen Zhuo's mastery of a literary art and the Chen family's status.

Passing the preliminary examination was a certainty.

A scholar recognized by the cultural lineage of Qingshan County would naturally have no reason to touch his own sister, unless... he could obtain substantial evidence.

Zhang Bo then turned his gaze to his younger sister, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

This was her only hope of turning things around. If her sister could kill Chen Zhuo and commit suicide, there might be a glimmer of hope for her survival.

Otherwise, the consequences of falsely framing a future tenth-grade student in the literary path, as well as the retaliation from the Chen family, are things he cannot afford!

He quickly got up and ran to Zhang Ruo's ear to whisper his words.

Zhang Ruo's face turned deathly pale upon hearing this, and she stared at her brother in disbelief.

She never imagined that it wouldn't be enough for her brother to be forced to suffer humiliation for his sake, but that he would also want her to risk her life!

Just as she was about to say something, she noticed a dazzling light igniting on her brother's back. In no time, he collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

This was naturally done by Chen Zhuo.

In literature, one can govern the country, establish laws and regulations; in art, one can vanquish demons and monsters, and bring peace to the world.

After his time travel, Chen Zhuo's hearing was enhanced, and he keenly caught Zhang Bo's whisper.

This person's intentions are undeniably treacherous, so it's natural to strike first.

This was Chen Zhuo's first time killing someone, but he found that he didn't feel too uncomfortable.

Perhaps it was because he had witnessed the cutthroat world of business in his previous life, or perhaps it was because the original owner of this body was not a kind person to begin with.

Those around were speechless with astonishment at Chen Zhuo's decisive action.

It wasn't that I was surprised by Chen Zhuo's killing, but rather that I didn't expect him to be so decisive.

In their minds, the second son of the Chen family had always been a weak person, and it was precisely because of this that he was targeted and schemed against by Zhang Bo.

"Gentlemen, this man was a spy sent to our Qingshan County by demonic cultivators. He has now been executed, is that right?"

Chen Zhuo looked at them and spoke calmly.

"It is absolutely true, absolutely true."

"This person's origins are unknown, and his audacity in infiltrating our ranks makes him a spy."

Seeing this, everyone chimed in, saying that nice words are worthless.

Besides, Zhang Bo is an outsider; whether he's here or not makes no difference to them.

Hearing the others agree, Chen Zhuo nodded slightly.

Although killing someone is not a big deal given the Chen family's status, it's best to have a legitimate reason for doing so.

Moreover, demon cultivators are not something he made up; they actually exist.

Some people who lack literary talent and are unwilling to endure the pain of physical training to enter the path of martial arts often resort to crooked and unorthodox methods.

Relying on the demon race and borrowing the blood of a powerful demon to enter the demon path became the quickest way.

Such people are generally called traitors.

After dealing with this matter, Chen Zhuo looked at the terrified girl leaning against the corner of the wall.

Chopping the grass does not remove the roots, but the spring breeze blows and regenerates.

A thought popped into his mind.

Just as he was about to make a move, a voice came from the crowd.

"Brother Chen, wait!"

The person who spoke was a chubby little boy.

Chen Zhuo looked at him. This was Wang Yang, the illegitimate son of the Wang family.

He was also one of the more domineering members of their second-generation circle.

"I find this young lady to be very beautiful. Brother Chen, would you be so kind as to part with her and give her to me?"

Chen Zhuo ignored him, but the chubby boy, sensing the situation, immediately spoke up again.

"Brother Chen, don't you often say you're missing a good pen? I still have a fox-tail pen at home, with literary and philosophical meanings on it. Consider it my early congratulations to Brother Chen on passing the imperial examination next year."

Chen Zhuo glanced at the girl leaning against the wall, then at the chubby boy in front of him.

I really don't understand why he would spend such an expensive thing to exchange for her.

Could it be a gesture of goodwill towards me?

But the idea was quickly rejected.

Although a student who has completed the preliminary examinations may have some status, it is not of much importance to these large families.

and so……

"Brother Chen, rest assured, she will absolutely not leave the Wang family!"

Seeing that Chen Zhuo didn't speak, Wang Yang patted his chest and assured him, "My father is very strict, and I haven't had this for several days."

He then revealed a lewd smile.

Seeing this, Chen Zhuo no longer hesitated and gestured for him to make himself at home.

It's foolish not to make money when it's an item with literary and moral significance.

"Don't worry, Brother Chen, I'll have someone send it over shortly."

After dealing with the matter, Chen Zhuo was about to leave when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside.

The man looked familiar to him; he was his father's personal servant.

He entered the room, glanced briefly at the scene, then quickly walked to Chen Zhuo's ear and whispered urgently:

"Master is injured! The eldest young master demands your immediate return!"