The fifty-seventh year of Yuan Feng, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month. A day auspicious for travel, sacrifice, receiving wealth, and marriage.
This day marked the grand wedding of Bao Zhongqing, son of the Earl of Shuofang, and Miao Yuzhi, daughter of the Prefect of Cangshu County.
The Bao family, capable of controlling three-tenths of the carriage and horse trade across the entire Qi kingdom, boasted a financial might beyond question. Their ventures, while rooted in the carriage and horse business, extended into various fields, having already woven a dense commercial network.
To illustrate, even Chong Xuan Sheng, who invested heavily to acquire the Jin Yu Feng Xian Hua business, still needed to utilize the Bao family’s channels to transport these flowers to the Chu kingdom.
Among the major prominent families in the Qi kingdom, the Bao family’s financial power was likely surpassed only by the Yan family of Bei County.
When Bao Zhongqing wed, the procession of dowry carts stretched for a full ten *li*, its end invisible from its beginning.
In Gui City, where the Miao family resided, traffic was brought to a standstill.
In Linzi City, the capital of Great Qi, where every inch of land was as precious as gold, three entire streets were draped in red, hosting a flowing banquet for nine days, symbolizing a wish for eternal prosperity.
With three earls in their lineage, the Bao family stood as a first-class power and presence within the Great Qi Empire.
Bao Yi, the Earl of Shuofang, held the esteemed position of Commander of the Nine Armies, a contemporary True Person, and wielding the power of the Nine Armies’ Yan Lei, he stood among the figures at the very pinnacle of the Great Qi Empire.
Bao Zonglin, the Earl of Changhua, had long since resigned his official post, returning to the Bao family ancestral land in Yin Qiao County to cultivate in seclusion, wholeheartedly striving to break through to the Cave True realm. And Bao Heng, the Earl of Yingyong, continued to battle at the Gate of Ten Thousand Demons, retaining military authority in his grasp.
The grand marriage of a direct descendant from such a top-tier family was, as expected, a spectacle of immense scale.
It was even dubbed by some busybodies as “the greatest joyous occasion in the Qi kingdom after the great victory over Xia.”
To be seated within the Shuofang Earl’s mansion on the wedding day was, in itself, a testament to one’s identity and status.
Toss a brick casually inside, and it would be hard to hit an official below the fifth rank.
Carriages and horses flowed like water, all official vehicles.
The courtyard resembled a marketplace, crowded with nobles.
Court Discussing Doctor Song Yao personally attended, penning congratulatory remarks for the newlyweds at the height of the wedding banquet.
Miao Jingyang, the Prefect of Cangshu County, was precisely Song Yao’s disciple. It was said he had already touched the threshold of the Shenlin Realm and possessed a significant opportunity for further advancement.
The marriage of Bao Zhongqing and Miao Yuzhi was thus also regarded as a political alignment between Court Discussing Doctor Song Yao and Commander of the Nine Armies Bao Yi. It was a clear signal of a powerful alliance forming.
The Qi kingdom, having triumphed over the Xia country, had acquired a vast expanse of newly divisible interests. This marriage, however, was merely a fleeting shadow within the vast tapestry of court affairs.
Yet, while the flowing banquet outside the Shuofang Earl’s mansion continued, Bao Zhongqing himself, on the second day of his marriage, set aside his delicate bride and entered Jixia Academy.
This was, in fact, a reward granted by the Son of Heaven to meritorious ministers after the victory over Xia, offering young individuals the opportunity to study at Jixia Academy.
He naturally inherited Bao Bozhao’s legacy. Although Bao Bozhao had been defeated and killed outside Wuyang City, his initial merits in sweeping through the prefectures of the Eastern Line would not be completely erased.
Bao Zhongqing, entering his studies on the second day of his new marriage, demonstrated remarkable diligence and effort, becoming a celebrated example of dedication.
Among those entering Jixia Academy in the same batch were Jiang Wang, Chong Xuan Sheng, Li Longchuan, Li Fengyao, Yan Fu, Chong Xuan Zun, Wang Yiwu, Wen Lianmu, Xie Baoshu, and others.
Wang Yiwu, due to his prohibition, was not permitted to enter Linzi. However, Jixia Academy, located just outside the Jixia Gate of Linzi, presented no such issue.
These individuals had all distinguished themselves on the battlefield against Xia, with only Xie Baoshu appearing somewhat out of place.
However, upon closer examination, all the merits gained by Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Sheng on the Eastern Line battlefield were attributed to Xie Huaian’s leadership.
And Xie Huaian himself, as the commander of the Eastern Line, had directed the war effort, first breaking through the Xia army’s defensive line, killing the Great Xia Fenguo Duke Zhou Ying, and further attacking and capturing Guiyi City, taking the Xia Son of Heaven alive… Upon his return to Qi, his merits were rewarded discreetly, almost as if an afterthought.
These were, of course, all credited to Xie Baoshu.
In the Qi kingdom, when discussing merits, merits are acknowledged and faults are addressed. However, given Xie Huaian’s immense achievements, even the Son of Heaven had to carefully consider how to ensure Xie Baoshu’s future.
Chong Xuan Sheng’s assertion that Xie Baoshu was Xie Huaian’s precious ‘little liver’ was indeed accurate. A dignified contemporary True Person, a Court Discussing Doctor listed in the Political Affairs Hall, had provided Xie Baoshu with ample opportunities on the battlefield and subsequently exerted his utmost effort to cover for his protégé’s shortcomings… Few would treat their own son with such devotion!
In addition to the talented young individuals of the Qi kingdom, the Qi court also granted a few quotas to various countries in the Eastern Domain this time.
For example, Jian Jie of the Yi kingdom entered the academy due to Yan Po’s merit. Lin Xian of the Rong kingdom entered due to Ouyang Yong’s death. Li Shuwen of the Xu kingdom entered due to the merit of the West Crossing Madam. Gu Yan of the Zhao kingdom entered because his monarch personally paid court to the Qi Son of Heaven.
This was the year Jixia Academy opened the most quotas in recent history.
Each entry quota to the academy was equivalent to an immense expenditure of resources. This, in turn, further illuminated the sheer scale of Qi kingdom’s gains from this victory over Xia.
Jixia Academy was situated just outside the Jixia Gate, yet many individuals never had the chance to see the academy’s inner scenery in their entire lives.
It was simply too important, almost the very lifeblood of the Great Qi Empire.
And it was also truly too mysterious, its true appearance not easily revealed to others.
Less than ten *li* beyond the Jixia Gate, the gate tower came into view.
A tall stone archway stood here, a silent sentinel for a thousand years. Devoid of overly complex carvings, it was simple and grand, piercing through time.
Engraved on the archway were the four characters “Jixia Academy,” personally written by Emperor Wu of Qi himself in that year. Not possessing the feel of a golden horse and iron-clad general, nor concealing sharpness or power, it instead exuded a kind of willful naturalness, a casual and free posture.
Considering this piece of writing alone, rather than saying it was written by an emperor or a famous general, it more resembled the hand of some wild scholar or renowned intellectual.
Jiang Wang had long admired this legendary figure.
At this moment, he couldn’t help but stand beneath the archway, carefully contemplating the inscription left behind.
Just then, a teacher known for his severity, Lu Xiangqing, emerged from the academy. Upon seeing this scene, he stifled the loud reprimand he had been preparing,
And silently waited to one side.
Although it was said that entering the academy established the teacher-student relationship with respect and humility, wasn’t the Marquis of Wu’an yet to enter?
Moreover, how to put it… Truly worthy of being the youngest military merit marquis of Great Qi, truly worthy of being the Marquis of Wu’an! To be so respectful of Emperor Wu, and so insightful, look at his serious eyes, his firm jawline, clearly capable of fully grasping the charm of those four characters written by Emperor Wu.
Rare, truly rare.
Such excellent young individuals were rarely seen!
The unique nature of Jixia Academy completely isolated Jiang Wang’s perception. As a result, he was delayed by a few breaths before noticing the arrival of the elderly teacher,
And quickly bowed in greeting: “Esteemed sir, may I inquire your name? I am called Jiang Wang, and I have been specially ordered by the Son of Heaven to attend the academy.”
So polite!
Lu Xiangqing was very satisfied. His habitually stern face even managed a forced smile: “This old man’s surname is Lu. I am from You Mi in Le’an County. In the nineteenth year of Yuan Feng, I governed Cang County with merit, achieving the Golden Body Jade Marrow. Later, I entered the Technique Institute, wholeheartedly researching military array Dao techniques for the kingdom. The Hu Yue Xiao Hai was a technique I researched that year, and it is still being used by the county soldiers of Cang County to this day. In the thirty-seventh year of Yuan Feng, I entered Jixia Academy and have served as a teacher here ever since. In a flash, twenty years have passed! Speaking of which, the Palace Master of Yangxin and the Palace Master of Changsheng were both my students.”
He had originally intended to insert a segment about his own deeds on the battlefield that year, but upon considering the accomplishments of this young marquis, he finally reluctantly gave up.
“Mister Lu.” Jiang Wang respectfully addressed him: “Jiang Wang has arrived late and has troubled you to wait. It is truly unseemly.”
“Hahaha, let’s not talk about that.” Lu Xiangqing glanced at the ugly man beside Jiang Wang and smiled, saying: “Let your subordinate return. I shall now lead you into the academy.”
“Uh, this is my book boy,” Jiang Wang explained. “My cultivation foundation is not very stable, and His Majesty has specially permitted me to bring a companion book boy into the academy.”
This was actually the Son of Heaven providing him with a veiled entry quota to the academy, a favor bestowed upon the newly promoted Marquis of Wu’an.
He had thus brought… Lian Que.
Lu Xiangqing initially just glanced casually, finding him strangely ugly and assuming he was an old subordinate of the Marquis of Wu’an from the battlefield.
This time, he took a closer look…
In fact, he was even less attractive than a casual glance suggested.
He struggled to conceal his surprise: “A book boy of this age?”
He held no ill will. His implied meaning was that even if the Marquis of Wu’an could provide a quota for one person, he should find someone young and promising, someone who could truly make the most of the precious Jixia Academy entry quota.
Lian Que had been sulking for a while, and this time he finally couldn’t help himself. He said in a muffled voice: “Sir, Jiang Wang and I are the same age!”
“Ah, well then… Let’s go.”
Lu Xiangqing casually formed a hand seal, and then, beyond the tall stone archway, a bluestone paved road slowly materialized, winding its way into the depths of the clouds and mist. Amidst the flowing clouds and thin mist, vague images of palace pavilions appeared, truly resembling a fairy land.
This old teacher of Jixia Academy, leading the way, explained to Jiang Wang as if it were nothing: “Entering and exiting Jixia Academy requires a specialized set of seals, and they change every day. Today’s is the Yi Wu seal.”
With Jiang Wang’s current Shen Er Ming realm, upon stepping onto the bluestone road, he immediately felt a difference!
All cultivators understood that the birth of the Dao Yuan was the perfect fusion of intention and force, the most authentic feedback from all sentient beings to the origin of heaven and earth, marking the “beginning of the Great Dao.”
Beyond this formless concept, there was a more concrete birth process. One could thus describe the so-called Dao Yuan as being refined within the cultivator’s physical body, through the integration of the cultivator’s will, the fusion of qi and blood and heaven and earth yuan force, via the Dao Spin and the Dao Pulse’s true spirit.
The heaven and earth yuan force was the foundation for the birth of the Dao Yuan internally, and externally it guaranteed the power of the Dao Law. In a normal environment, it was almost like air, existing everywhere but so thin as to be almost imperceptible.
Almost all powerful forces would condense heaven and earth yuan force with law arrays, making it denser.
But the densest heaven and earth yuan force Jiang Wang had felt before was nothing like the current moment. It was almost like flowing water, wantonly rushing through his body!
There was absolutely no need for him to consciously extract it; every breath and every exhale was filled with dense heaven and earth yuan force.
Of course, the cultivator themselves was fundamental. No matter how dense the heaven and earth yuan force, it could not force a breakthrough in cultivation realm on its own. At most, it could accelerate the condensation of the Dao Yuan,
Providing significant benefits in the You Mai Realm and the Zhou Tian Realm.
What truly moved Jiang Wang was the feeling that arose immediately after entering Jixia Academy—a feeling that he seemed to be closer to the truth of the world…
Closer!
If, outside Jixia Academy, he and the essence of heaven and earth were separated by a sea, then now they were separated only by a river. Although still far away,
He could already vaguely perceive the scenery on the other shore.
With his current cultivation, there was no possibility of experiencing illusions.
This meant that cultivating within Jixia Academy was beneficial for comprehending the Cave True realm!
How astonishing was this?
Jiang Wang’s mind, for a time, drifted, already lost in that profound and ineffable perception.
Lu Xiangqing looked over with extreme envy, making a silent gesture to Lian Que.
Leaving aside academic traditions, Jixia Academy itself was an excellent cultivation treasure land.
The denseness of the Yuan Qi was undeniable.
Furthermore, the national luck of Great Qi converged here, allowing cultivators who had not achieved sufficient progress in the official ranks to also enjoy the convenience of the official path, achieving twice the results with half the effort in their cultivation.
Most importantly… This place was close to the origin of the present world, allowing people to more easily perceive the essence of the world!
Heaven and earth itself could be regarded as a wall, and the Great Dao as the scenery outside the wall. A treasure land like Jixia Academy was like a window in the wall.
The window’s size was ultimately limited, unable to accommodate many people looking out at once. Even the opening and closing of this window itself would damage its lifespan.
After use, it required time to recover.
Therefore, the quotas within Jixia Academy were always limited and extremely precious. Especially for Shenlin cultivators who were on the verge of seeing the essence of heaven and earth, this was even more true.
For teachers like them who taught within Jixia Academy year-round, their perception of heaven and earth was actually shielded. Only after contributing a certain amount to the academy and specifically exchanging for free time could they freely perceive this side of heaven and earth.
A year of hard work might only earn them one or two hours.
But even so, it was enough to attract countless people. Countless individuals desired to enter Jixia Academy, yet many could not squeeze in.
He himself had initially earned enough contributions at the Technique Institute before gaining the qualification to teach at Jixia Academy.
Which cultivator in the entire Eastern Domain didn’t wish to cultivate within Jixia Academy?
Here, experts gathered like clouds, a hundred schools of thought contended, and the cultivation environment was excellent.
The teachers of Jixia Academy were divided into two types. One type was permanent teachers like Lu Xiangqing, who had both rights and responsibilities. On one hand, they taught students, and on the other, they cultivated themselves. There was another type, consisting of cultivators from various large and small sects, who were required to regularly come to the academy to teach. They were also called teachers, but in essence, it was a form of forced labor. They had responsibilities but no rights, primarily serving to enrich the cultivation knowledge within Jixia Academy.
And individuals like Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Zun, who were specially permitted by the Son of Heaven to enter the academy, were completely unrestricted in their cultivation within the academy. It was almost as if they had been granted two fixed viewing slots at the “window” that allowed observation of the essence of heaven and earth.
Lu Xiangqing’s admiration stemmed not only from Jiang Wang’s ability to freely utilize Jixia Academy to perceive the essence of heaven and earth but also from Jiang Wang’s keen perception of the changes in heaven and earth, recognizing the key upon entering Jixia Academy.
He had achieved Shenlin twenty-eight years ago and knew all too well the vast distance from Shenlin to Cave True. He also understood precisely what this keen perception signified.
Only when Jiang Wang himself withdrew from that profound world of perception did Lu Xiangqing open his mouth and say: “Has the Marquis of Wu’an selected his courses? Or will you cultivate on your own and occasionally seek guidance?”
He paced slowly, with a hint of self-satisfaction: “This old man has some insights into Confucian studies. And I have never neglected the research of Dao techniques.”
“Since I am in the academy, I am a student, and the mister may address me by name,” Jiang Wang said first, then continued, “Military strategy, ink painting, release, Dao, Confucian—I wish to listen to classes in all these prominent schools first. I will also attend the Dao technique classes and greatly look forward to the mister’s teaching.”
Military, Law, Confucian, Dao, Ink, Name, Agriculture, Commerce… Almost all the prominent cultivation schools in the present world had corresponding classes in Jixia Academy.
Even the Release family, almost extinct in the Qi kingdom itself, still held its place here.
This place only focused on cultivation, nothing else.
Too many seekers collided their thoughts here.
The flourishing of a hundred schools of thought cultivated a large number of talents for the Qi kingdom. Jixia Academy itself was also a strong pillar of the Great Qi Technique Institute.
It was no exaggeration to say it was the fundamental cornerstone of the Great Qi Empire. It was no wonder that former Prime Minister Yan Ping, during his tenure, repeatedly emphasized in various public forums that Jixia Academy held “the importance of the state and the altars of soil.”
“Hahaha, easily said, easily said.” Lu Xiangqing stroked his beard and laughed. After a moment’s thought, he said to Lian Que, “Remember to come as well then.”
Lian Que grinned brightly.
Lu Xiangqing quickly shifted his gaze back to Jiang Wang’s face: “I shall not accompany you further. At the end of this road is the Mingxin Shed, where people will naturally arrange your lodging. Remember the class times. No one may wait for you if you are late.”
“Thank you for your trouble, mister.” Jiang Wang stopped and bowed in greeting: “Mister, please stay.”
Lu Xiangqing waved his hand and departed.
He was a dignified Shenlin cultivator and a permanent teacher at Jixia Academy on duty, so he could not delay too long.
It wasn’t until Lu Xiangqing had gone far that Jiang Wang and Lian Que continued towards the Mingxin Shed, hidden deep within the layers of clouds. As he ascended the long stone steps, he couldn’t help but ask:
“Why are you smiling so happily?”
Lian Que, with his ugly face, smiled widely: “Seeing you so glorious, I feel honored!”
Inside and outside of Jixia Academy were almost two different worlds. The permanent teachers inside Jixia Academy essentially did not need to concern themselves with external power struggles. Thus, the severity of the teachers here was also renowned.
Noble sons from historically famous families were not few who had received lessons here.
But towards this Marquis of Wu’an, Lu Xiangqing’s attitude was truly gentle.
Jiang Wang smiled: “What glory is this? Mister Lu is simply eager to cultivate talent.”
As he spoke, the layers of clouds dispersed, and individual houses hidden among the green mountains and clear waters appeared in his vision with a posture that was extremely pleasing to the senses.
It was as if they were being pulled into a landscape painting, or as if the scenery within the painting was materializing into reality, inch by inch.
The so-called Mingxin Shed, where one could brighten the heart and see nature, and thus find peace.
“Lord Jiang!” A surprised voice rang out.
Lin Xian, the heaven’s pride of the Rong kingdom, holding a firewood knife, leaped down from a green stone. He had probably just been practicing his knife, his body still radiating a lingering fierceness, but the expression on his face was one of excitement and warmth: “You have indeed come!”
Encountering Lin Xian at this time, Jiang Wang was also somewhat pleased: “Brother Lin, were you waiting for me?”
“Hearing you were arriving today, he’s been waiting since morning!”
From behind the green stone, a lazy hand was raised.
Sui You, the heaven’s pride of the Yi kingdom, lightly supported himself, then executed a beautiful flip, landing in front of Jiang Wang. He half-knelt on the ground, smoothly performing a military salute, and grinned: “Of course, this humble general slept here just last night!”
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