Chapter 34: The Schoolteacher of the Small Village

Chapter 34: The Teacher of the Small Village

Ten days later.

The thatched cottage was a picture of tranquility.

Ye Qiubai had taken over Hong Ying's chores, cooking meals every day.

Ever since entering the thatched cottage, Hong Ying, who had long since practiced dietary abstinence, had developed the habit of eating three meals a day...

Aside from eating, she spent her time either sparring with Xin Hongyi or cultivating the Primordial Sword Scripture.

As for Hong Ying, besides eating, she was mostly in seclusion.

Occasionally, she would head out.

As for what she did, no one knew.

Neither Ye Qiubai nor Lu Changsheng would pry.

Lu Changsheng remained much as he was before, though a hint of melancholy now lingered on his face...

"Come, the food is ready."

At that moment, Ye Qiubai walked out carrying several plates of dishes.

Lu Changsheng sat at the dining table, picked up a cup of his own brewed wine, and said, "Go call your junior sister to eat."

Ye Qiubai nodded.

Soon, he returned with Hong Ying.

Just as the three were about to pick up their chopsticks, Lu Changsheng suddenly spoke, "Wait, Qiubai, go and fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks."

Ye Qiubai was stunned for a moment, but he did as he was told and ran to the kitchen.

When he brought the utensils out, he saw a middle-aged man sitting on the other side of the table.

"Changsheng, you're living quite a decent little life here."

Lu Changsheng said helplessly, "Uncle Qin, if you have something to say, just say it."

Qin Tiannan nodded as he took the utensils and laughed loudly, "Let's eat first. We can talk after we've eaten. I haven't had a proper meal in several hundred years."

Lu Changsheng rolled his eyes and began to eat.

"Eh? This wine is quite good."

"..."

"Hmm? After drinking this wine, I feel my cultivation, which hasn't progressed in years, starting to loosen up?"

"..."

"Changsheng, did you brew this yourself?"

Lu Changsheng finally couldn't take it anymore. He waved his hand, and instantly, a large jar of wine landed in front of Qin Tiannan.

With a dark expression, he said, "Take it, take it away!"

Only then did Qin Tiannan say with a smile, "How embarrassing."

However, even as he spoke, Qin Tiannan's body was quite honest as he tucked the wine away.

Hong Ying: "..."

Ye Qiubai: "..."

Once they were full, Qin Tiannan finally spoke of serious matters. "I came this time regarding the Academy Exchange."

"As you know, our Hidden Dao Academies are distributed across the four regions, and we are the branch of the Southern Region."

"Every ten years, the Hidden Dao Academies of the four regions hold an exchange to allocate the resources distributed by the Main Academy."

"The Academy Grand Competition was prepared for this very purpose. Therefore, Qiubai, you shall come with me to the Northern Region."

This time, the Four Regions Academy Exchange would be held in the Northern Region!

Hearing this, Ye Qiubai was stunned, then looked toward Lu Changsheng.

Lu Changsheng said indifferently, "Whether you go or not is your decision."

The Northern Region was the territory of the Sunset Dynasty.

Jiang Chan was also there.

Thinking of this, Ye Qiubai's eyes turned determined, and he nodded.

Seeing this, Qin Tiannan said with satisfaction, "Very well. What about Hong Ying?"

Although she hadn't participated in the Academy Grand Competition, Hong Ying's strength was beyond doubt. If she were willing to go, it would naturally be for the best.

Hong Ying shook her head and said, "I have some matters to attend to first, but I will also make my way to the Northern Region. Once my business is concluded, I will come to visit."

Qin Tiannan nodded. "Very well. Tomorrow, assemble at the academy gates."

...

The next day.

A crane departed from the Hidden Dao Academy.

This time, Qin Tiannan was leading the group personally.

Hong Ying left the thatched cottage alone to head toward the Northern Region.

The participants for this Four Regions Academy Exchange included Ye Qiubai, Huo Qingming, Lin Ce, Zhong Wu, Xin Hongyi, and one person Ye Qiubai had never met before.

However, according to Xin Hongyi, this person was Qin Tiannan's disciple.

His name was Huang Yuan.

It was heard that he had been following Qin Tiannan in cultivation until today, when he finally emerged into the world.

At this moment, the Elder of the Confucian Academy spoke, "Alright, I shall explain the rules for this Academy Exchange."

Everyone looked over.

The Elder's expression was solemn as he said, "The student exchange is divided into two aspects: one is the Martial Arts exchange, and the other is the Confucianism exchange."

"The Martial Arts exchange will be led by Huang Yuan, with Ye Qiubai, Huo Qingming, Lin Ce, and Xin Hongyi participating. The Confucianism exchange will be handled solely by Zhong Wu."

Qin Tiannan also walked over, his face grave. "Our Southern Region has placed last for several consecutive times. One could say our comprehensive strength is weaker than the other three regions."

"However, this time is our Southern Region's best chance yet, so..."

Qin Tiannan bowed to everyone. "I entrust the honor of the Academy to you all."

The Confucian Elder also bowed alongside Qin Tiannan.

Both were top-tier powerhouses within the academy and held high status.

Yet now, they were bowing to the students.

This showed just how much Qin Tiannan valued this Academy Exchange.

...

Meanwhile.

In the Eastern Region's Hidden Dao Academy.

"For this academy exchange, we must strive to take the top spot."

"The top spot will likely still belong to the Northern Region; after all, their foundation is too strong. However, the bottom should still be the Southern Region."

"Yes, the Southern Region's foundation is the weakest; they certainly won't be able to catch up."

In the Western Region's Hidden Dao Academy.

"In the Martial Arts exchange, we only need to surpass the Southern Region; after all, that isn't our strength."

"True, but in the Confucianism exchange, we must definitely surpass the Northern Region this time!"

"It's fine, we have Wu Ming this time."

"Indeed, Junior Brother Wu Ming is the reincarnation of a Holy Buddha; we certainly cannot lose the Confucianism exchange."

In the Northern Region's Hidden Dao Academy.

"The top spot is a foregone conclusion. It will be ours again, right?"

"Barring any accidents, yes. This time, several peerless geniuses have emerged."

"We have Senior Brother Jian for the Martial Arts exchange and Senior Sister Mu for the Confucianism exchange. With those two, the top spot will surely belong to our Northern Region."

At the same time.

In the Northern Region, there was an unnamed small mountain, and within that mountain, there was a village.

This village was extremely backward.

No one practiced the Dao.

They farmed at sunrise and rested at sunset.

However, in the clearing of the village, a young man dressed like a scholar was teaching the village children.

"Alright, class is dismissed."

A child asked innocently, "Teacher, are you leaving tomorrow?"

"No, Teacher! Can't you keep teaching us? We still want to read!"

The man smiled and said, "All good things must come to an end. Although I wish to continue teaching you, I am still on my own path of learning, so I must depart."

Hearing these words, the village chief stepped forward, grasping the man's hands with his calloused palms, and said gratefully, "Thank you, Teacher, for your teaching these past few months. You allowed these children to learn how to read."

The man shook his head. "It is what I ought to do."

The next day, before dawn.

The man left behind a few books, slung a book basket over his back, and departed from the small village.

As he walked out of the village and looked back, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Reluctant to leave?"

Suddenly, a voice came from behind. Startled, the man retreated and asked, "Who are you?"

He saw a man in white robes smiling lightly. "My name is Lu Changsheng. I wish to take you as my disciple."