“The Way of the Great Learning lies in manifesting illustrious virtue, in loving the people, and in abiding in the highest excellence.”
【Ding! Detecting that the Host is earnestly studying the 《Great Learning》.】
【Congratulations, Host! You have successfully gained 3 points of Noble Qi.】
Unknowingly, Chen Ning had entered a state of enlightenment. Not only did the proficiency of his two Divine Abilities increase, but his understanding of the book’s contents also deepened.
Through these days of reading and slaying demons, Chen Ning had come to understand some of the system's mechanics.
Slaying demons granted Noble Qi, the amount of which depended on the demon's strength.
Reading also granted Noble Qi; he was guaranteed to receive it once every morning when he opened a book to read.
However, whether he could gain more from further reading depended on his study time and luck.
If he studied continuously for one or two shichen, the system would invariably grant a friendly reward of Noble Qi.
But if he spent his time raising fish, watering flowers, or occasionally teasing Qing Yan, it was a different story...
While reading, Chen Ning adjusted his breathing, gradually emptying his mind.
Unlike other paths, the cultivation method of the Confucian school was extremely unique.
Especially since he was currently in the Self-Cultivation Realm, it was more important to cultivate his character and refine his Dao Heart than to focus solely on training.
As his body and mind gradually emptied, Chen Ning felt himself fall into a wondrous state.
He felt as if he were in a vast universe. Although surrounded by an infinite void, the voices of sages occasionally reached his ears.
These voices were like morning dew, nourishing Chen Ning’s entire being—his limbs, his bones, and even his very constitution.
“To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth, to establish the lives of the people, to restore the lost teachings of the past sages, and to establish peace for all future generations.”
The path of a Confucian was far from the pedantic scholar most people imagined.
On the contrary, they should be stronger than warriors and more steadfast in their hearts than Buddhists, with their hearts set on the common people of all generations, their Noble Qi echoing through the clear sky!
Chen Ning slowly opened his eyes, feeling satisfied.
The enlightenment just now had given him a sense of spiritual sublimation. Not only did his whole body feel refreshed and comfortable, but when he lightly clenched his fists, he felt as if he were filled with inexhaustible strength.
Just then, Qing Yan rushed into the room.
“I found this at the door. Do you know what it is, Young Master?”
Qing Yan was holding a jujube-red wooden box. Carved with patterns of flowers, plants, birds, and beasts in gold thread, it looked exquisite and valuable at a glance.
Chen Ning shook his head. “I’ve never seen it before either.”
“This box was placed right at the front gate; it doesn’t look like something someone lost. Could someone have sent it specifically to you, Young Master?”
Filled with doubt, Qing Yan slowly opened the wooden box.
Inside the box lay two large, plump ginseng roots with long, slender fibers.
“Young Master, I’ve seen these on the mountain before. These are good things!”
Qing Yan’s eyes instantly lit up.
She had long heard of such nourishing spiritual herbs. Unfortunately, they were extremely rare and could even turn into naked children and run all over the mountains.
So, even though she had seen them once or twice before, she had never successfully caught one.
Qing Yan quickly warned, “Young Master, be careful. These things can grow legs and run away. We must not let them escape.”
“Don’t worry, I have a way to deal with them.”
In his previous life, Chen Ning had heard stories about ginseng hunters and ginseng.
Legend had it that ginseng with spiritual intelligence would transform into chubby babies wearing red bellybands to escape. Therefore, ginseng diggers would always carry several red strings with them.
As long as they tied the ginseng with a red string, it was equivalent to tying the ginseng baby’s legs, making it impossible for them to escape again.
Chen Ning turned and took two red strings from the cabinet.
These two clean, white ginseng roots looked incredibly nourishing. It was difficult enough to even eat meat in the village; how could he pass up such a great treasure?
“Lord Sword Immortal, spare us!”
Just then, a plea for mercy came from out of nowhere.
A puff of smoke rose from the wooden box. When the smoke dissipated, the ginseng in the box had disappeared.
In their place were two chubby babies wearing bellybands—a boy and a girl.
The boy had a short buzz cut, while the girl had twin pigtails.
The two children were fair and plump, their skin as delicate as freshly steamed white buns, making them look very endearing.
However, the two children were clearly terrified. Each of them fearfully hugged one of Chen Ning’s legs and said nervously, “We actually came to find you on our own initiative because we have a request. Please, Lord Sword Immortal, don’t eat us.”
“They really are ginseng babies!”
Chen Ning was also taken aback.
Ginseng could turn into babies, and even Wang Cai in the village could speak. The demons and monsters in this world were indeed far more numerous than he had imagined.
Still holding the red strings, Chen Ning looked at the two little babies in red bellybands.
“But I’m just an ordinary scholar. Why have you come to find me?”
“Stop joking, Lord Sword Immortal. We witnessed your heroic presence with our own eyes last night.”
The little boy said pitifully, “We came this time because we want to ask you, Lord Sword Immortal, to escort us to Xitun Mountain, ten li away.
There is a dense forest on Xitun Mountain where many of our kin live together. But there will definitely be many demons along the way. Without protection, we would likely be eaten.”
“So, you want to hire me as a bodyguard?”
“Yes, Lord Sword Immortal!”
The little girl beside him also nodded with anticipation.
“I see. I understand. However...”
Chen Ning looked at the two fair and plump ginseng babies, a subtle smile suddenly appearing at the corners of his mouth. “But haven’t you considered that instead of risking the journey to escort you to Xitun Mountain, it might be more profitable to just eat you?”
Hearing this, the two little babies trembled in fear, and tears began to well up in the girl’s eyes.
The little boy waved his hands frantically. “Lord Sword Immortal, don’t misunderstand. We will naturally provide a reward for your services.
We’ve only just taken human form, so even if you ate us, it wouldn’t be of much benefit. But if you can take us to Xitun Mountain, I am willing to give you a Green Mountain Snow Lotus as a reward.
The Green Mountain Snow Lotus is a supreme treasure from the snowy mountains. Not only can it eliminate impurities and nourish spiritual energy, but it also helps women maintain their beauty. Lord Sword Immortal, your wife is so beautiful; she must want a Green Mountain Snow Lotus to maintain her skin, right?”
As he spoke, the little boy looked at Qing Yan with a flattering expression.
A blush instantly appeared on Qing Yan’s cheeks. “The Young Master and I are not in that kind of relationship!”
“No? I actually got it wrong!”
The little boy quickly corrected himself. “Then we can offer another reward. Our ginseng tribe has many beautiful ginseng maidens; we can introduce one to you as a wife, Lord Sword Immortal...”
“What... did you say?”
Before he could finish, the little boy suddenly realized that a sharp kitchen knife had appeared in Qing Yan’s hand at some point, and her smile was far from friendly.
He was almost scared out of his wits.
‘I shouldn’t have said anything wrong! Why are adults’ personalities so fickle!’
Chen Ning had no choice but to put down the red strings and pat Qing Yan’s head, comforting both sides.
This girl, Qing Yan, usually acted quite aloof, but it turned out she could also get jealous...
“Alright, I’ll accept this request. But forget about the ginseng maiden; just give me a couple more snow lotuses instead. Otherwise, if I get hungry on the way, I might just have the two of you for a meal.”
Chen Ning smiled faintly.
Hearing this, the two adorable ginseng babies trembled in fear. “Don’t worry, Lord Sword Immortal! We will give you as many Green Mountain Snow Lotuses as we have. Just please, don’t eat us!”
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