I am the snake demon!

Mingde Academy.

It wasn't inside Xuanwu City, but on Cuifeng Mountain outside Xuanwu City.

Bai Xuan rode away in a carriage, gazing at the distant Cuifeng Mountain. It was not towering, but the environment was extremely serene. The mountain was made of stone, and the stone was the essence of the soil. Mist swirled around it, and an invisible aura surged in the sky.

Sitting in the carriage, Bai Xuan sighed, "The secluded mountains are perfect for studying, but it's not easy for us to visit our teachers while we're studying here."

"If we are too close to the city, I fear the students will be misled by the bustling city and their determination to study will waver," Zhang Huan said, riding beside the carriage.

"Back then, the location of this academy was chosen by you and Mr. Huangfu together," Xu Yuhua said.

"It's mainly because of the teacher. At the time, the old prince wanted to choose a place in the city, but the teacher insisted that he should study in a quiet place, as the city was too bustling. Speaking of which, back then, Cuifeng Mountain was just a barren mountain, but now, after more than 20 years of efforts by the students of the academy, it can be considered a famous mountain." Zhang Huan looked at the distant mountain peaks and said with great pride.

Mingde Academy was founded by Huangfu Xiongwen.

As Huangfu Xiongwen's disciple, he naturally felt honored.

That is to say, he is still alive. If he were dead, a stone statue could be erected in the academy.

"A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there; water is not sacred for its depth, but for the dragons that inhabit it," Bai Xuan remarked upon hearing this.

"Mountains are not valued for their height, but for the immortals dwelling there; waters are not valued for their depth, but for the dragons residing within. What a fine saying! The fame of mountains and rivers lies not in the mountains and rivers themselves, but in their inner meaning. Just as a person should value their inner virtues rather than their outward appearance. If Master heard this, he would surely be overjoyed." Zhang Huan exclaimed in amazement.

"Really? Then how about I go and write a note?" Bai Xuan said with a smile.

Actually, that's not what he meant.

What Zhang Huan said wasn't wrong; in the ordinary world, Zhang Huan understood the true meaning of those words.

But the problem is, this is a supernatural world.

The true meaning of the saying "Mountains are not valued for their height, but for the immortals dwelling there; waters are not valued for their depth, but for the dragons residing within" in this world is that where there are immortals and dragons, spiritual energy naturally gathers. With sufficient spiritual energy, things can be created out of nothing, and rare herbs and flowers can grow out of thin air, making mountains famous and waters renowned.

Just like how martial artists here nourish divine weapons with their qi, and as they spend time together day and night, the divine weapons develop a spirit and gradually become connected with the martial artists, which can enhance the martial artists' qi.

Although Cuifeng Mountain was originally ordinary, after Huangfu Xiongwen, the only outstanding Confucian scholar in the Northern Territory, entered it and founded the academy, Cuifeng Mountain became a literary holy land in the Northern Territory. The literary and academic fortunes of the two states converged there, and it was a place that students longed for, which naturally had a mystical significance.

Not to mention, he could clearly see that arrays had been set up around the academy.

However, since Zhang Huan has interpreted it this way, let's say it that way.

"That depends on the prince's calligraphy. If it's not good, I'm afraid the teacher won't let the prince stay," Zhang Huan said with a light laugh.

Bai Xuan smiled upon hearing this, and the carriage continued its leisurely journey.

Before long, they arrived at the academy.

The Crimson Wolf Riders stopped at the foot of the mountain to avoid disturbing others when they went up.

Bai Xuan, Xu Yuhua, and Zhang Huan, along with several guards from the Prince's Mansion, went up the mountain.

As you enter the mountains and pass through the mountain gate, you can hear the clear and loud sound of students reading aloud.

Bai Xuan looked sentimental, recalling the early morning reading sessions from who knows how long ago.

"Does Your Highness wish to share the joy with the people and come here to study?" Zhang Huan asked curiously, seeing the longing in Bai Xuan's eyes.

"I'll just study at home," Bai Xuan refused without hesitation. *Don't make me slap you when I'm having fun.*

I'm just reminiscing about the past; please don't actually make me go back.

In that case, those unpleasant memories that I had forgotten would become reality.

Xu Yuhua sensed Bai Xuan's emotions and couldn't help but smile. Her gaze swept over the many students, especially those dressed in coarse cloth.

Inspecting commercial taxes is no simple task and will inevitably offend merchants in the North.

The reason why wealthy businessmen become wealthy is that they are not without connections, and they are basically related to powerful families.

After all, merchants without connections were rendered unable to do business simply due to exploitation by officials.

Those born into prominent families are easily associated with relatives and friends.

For those from poor families, it's relatively simple.

Moreover, those from aristocratic families have many more options, while those from humble backgrounds have fewer.

The three chatted and laughed as they passed through a bamboo forest and finally arrived at the residence of Huangfu Xiongwen, the headmaster of the academy.

"Disciple greets Master. How have you been?" Bai Xuan said with a smile as he approached.

Huangfu Xiongwen looked at Bai Xuan and the other two with a hint of surprise on his face and said, "Could it be that you, Shi'an, have suddenly become well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics and want to impress your teacher?"

He has countless students and has a wealth of experience in teaching.

He also has a different way of looking at people than usual.

He could clearly sense that Bai Xuan disliked the Four Books and Five Classics and was afraid of him testing his knowledge, so generally speaking, Bai Xuan would avoid him if possible.

"No, it's just that I suddenly realized that as the saying goes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. No matter how much you study self-cultivation, family management, governance of the country, and world peace, or how many books you read, it's not as good as actually doing something practical to benefit the people." Bai Xuan said with a smile as he sat down in front of Huangfu Xiongwen.

"You mean if I don't help you do this thing that benefits the people, all my learning and reading will be useless?" Huangfu Xiongwen looked at Bai Xuan with a playful expression on his face.

"Of course not. Teacher, you are a great master of Confucianism, so you are naturally different from others. The role that one person can play is limited, but to establish an academy, pass on the torch, cultivate generation after generation of talents, and plan for the benefit of the people is a great merit. As for me, my knowledge is shallow. If I were to teach and educate people, I might mislead them. And if I read more books, I would be wasting the hard work of the sages," Bai Xuan said.

"With your silver tongue, if you weren't a prince, going to the Court of State Ceremonial would be just as fitting," Huangfu Xiongwen said with a light laugh. "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

"Thank you for your praise, Master." Bai Xuan smiled faintly. The Honglu Temple was an institution for receiving foreign guests, equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bai Xuan's previous life. "This matter dates back to a few days ago. I encountered a frail woman on the street..."

As Huangfu Xiongwen listened to Bai Xuan's description, his brows furrowed.

Zhang Huanzhi angrily said, "How dare that beast persecute me like this? I'll skin him alive! And that brat Gao Feng, doesn't he know to come to me when he's in trouble?"

"Senior brother knows Gao Feng?" Bai Xuan asked Zhang Huan with some surprise.

"He was a soldier I once led. Although he came from an ordinary background, he had a set of methods for training soldiers. On the battlefield, he was fearless and fearless. In private, he strictly abided by military law and never drank alcohol. I originally wanted to transfer him to my side, but I couldn't go against Changping's wishes and Changping took him away. I never expected him to suffer such persecution now," Zhang Huan said angrily.

Bai Xuan nodded in sudden realization. Changping was the courtesy name of the late General Han Shi, which was why He Rang dared to take direct action. Gao Feng's backer was also dead, so who cared about him now?

"You've served in the army for many years and led more than just one soldier. Besides, you're not in Xuanwu. If it weren't for the upcoming spring hunt and your return to report for duty, how would you have known about this?" Huangfu Xiongwen said.

“But Gao Feng is different. If this kid hadn’t come from a poor background, he would definitely not still be at the sixth rank at this age. Changping didn’t teach him well, so I’ll take over,” Zhang Huan said.

"Senior brother, don't try to take him away. I've already set my sights on that person," Bai Xuan said.

His Nine-Bend Formation is a military formation that requires six hundred people to set up.

Gao Feng's battalion was reduced to only 603 men, which was perfect for him to practice on.

With nine hundred people acting as living array seals, he might be able to set up the complete Nine-Bend Array.

"That's his good fortune, it's just my bad luck that I failed to snatch it twice," Zhang Huan said, both surprised and delighted.

"We'll talk about that later. Now tell me what's next and what you need me to do," Huangfu Xiongwen interrupted.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Huan immediately shut his mouth.

After recounting the whole story, Bai Xuan said, "So I want to increase commercial taxes, taking from the people and using it for the people, but we lack a large number of grassroots officials. Master, could you recommend one or two hundred people to use?"

Hearing Bai Xuan mention one or two hundred people, Huangfu Xiongwen couldn't help but laugh angrily, "Do you think you can conjure soldiers from beans? My academy only has two or three hundred students studying here, and you're asking for one or two hundred right off the bat? Are you trying to take them all?!"

"That would be best," Bai Xuan said with a grin.