Chapter 69

Riding Lightly on the Road

Shen Changqing sat firmly on the horse, and no matter how bumpy the ride, his figure did not waver much.

Originally, when he came from the Demon Suppression Bureau to Lin'an City, he also rode a horse, but due to the continuous journey without rest, the horse died before he reached Lin'an City.

This time.

Shen Changqing bought another horse.

With money in his pocket, he naturally wouldn't be stingy over a few silver taels.

However, in a place like Lin'an City, it was hard to find a good horse.

So.

Shen Changqing eventually chose a random horse for the journey.

The horse galloped swiftly.

With the lesson from last time, he didn't dare to rush every day. Instead, he would rest for a day at each stop before continuing to the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Rumble!!

Suddenly, a thunderclap rang out, startling the horse, which reared up. Shen Changqing grabbed the reins with one hand and tightly clamped his legs, preventing himself from being thrown off the horse.

At this moment.

The bright sky had turned dark without notice.

"Is it going to rain?"

Shen Changqing looked up at the sky, his brows furrowing.

With no village in sight, if it rained, finding a place to take shelter would be difficult.

Although the rain wouldn't greatly affect him, getting drenched was not what he wanted.

"Yah!"

He clamped his legs hard, and the horse beneath him galloped away.

Before the rain started in full, Shen Changqing needed to find a place to take shelter.

After about a quarter of an hour.

The sky began to drizzle, and with the already dim visibility, the rain made it even harder to see.

Riding in the rain.

He galloped forward.

After another quarter of an hour, the horse slowed down.

In Shen Changqing's line of sight, there was a faint light flickering not far ahead, seemingly from a house.

But there was only a narrow path ahead, with some thorns on it, making it unsuitable for riding.

After some thought.

He dismounted, tied the horse to a large tree, and let it graze on the green grass around it.

"Horse, try your best and don't run away."

He patted the horse's back, gave it a reminder, and then walked towards the source of the light.

Not long after.

A dilapidated courtyard appeared in his view.

The faint light, which had been weak from a distance, became more noticeable as he approached the courtyard.

In the remote wilderness, the sudden appearance of a courtyard seemed unusual.

Shen Changqing's expression was solemn.

He stood in front of the courtyard, sensing no evil aura, and his heart eased slightly.

Places where demons and evil spirits existed would usually have some evil aura leaking out.

Although the courtyard was unexpected, the lack of evil aura meant that the presence of demons or evil spirits was unlikely.

Moreover, the Qin Empire was not peaceful, and it wasn't strange for someone to settle in a remote area.

He took a few steps forward.

Shen Changqing knocked on the courtyard gate.

Knock knock!

"Is anyone there?"

After speaking, there was no response from inside the courtyard, but Shen Changqing could hear some light footsteps, as if someone had been startled by the sudden noise.

In response.

He patiently repeated his words.

"I am a passerby. It's raining, so I would like to seek shelter here!"

After Shen Changqing spoke, he waited patiently.

After a few moments.

The tightly locked courtyard gate opened, and a scholar-like figure poked his head out. Upon seeing only Shen Changqing, his tense expression eased slightly, but it tightened again when he noticed the sword at Shen Changqing's waist.

Despite his tension, he did not close the gate.

He cautiously opened the door and asked with a slight bow, "It's raining, so seeking shelter is not a problem. May I ask for your name, sir?"

"Shen Changqing!"

Shen Changqing bowed in return and observed the scholar.

In his perception, the scholar's qi and blood were calm, and he did not seem to have any martial arts skills. From his behavior and manner, he indeed seemed like a scholar.

"Ah, it's Brother Shen. I am Mo Zijin. Please come in, Brother Shen."

Mo Zijin nodded and stepped aside.

"Thank you!"

Shen Changqing nodded and stepped inside.

The courtyard was not large, and there was a large tree in front of the gate, along with a long corridor that provided shelter from the rain.

At the end of the corridor was the main hall.

The light he had seen was coming from the main hall.

"Brother Shen, please follow me."

Mo Zijin led the way, and Shen Changqing followed into the main hall.

Immediately, a strong scent of ink greeted him.

Besides the ink, there was also a pungent smell of herbs.

Looking around.

He saw many hanging calligraphy and paintings in the main hall. On a table, there were white paper and ink, with a half-written calligraphy piece that had not yet dried completely.

Clearly.

The scholar had been writing just now.

On the right side of the main hall, there were many herbs, along with a stone mortar and pestle.

"Brother Shen, please sit."

Mo Zijin moved the calligraphy and paintings from the stool.

Shen Changqing sat down, his gaze lingering on the mortar.

Noticing his gaze, Mo Zijin smiled, "Brother Shen, you may not know, but living alone, one is bound to have some illnesses. So, it's better to prepare some herbs in advance."

"I see."

Shen Changqing understood.

The scholar's explanation made sense, considering the remote location. If he fell ill, it might be difficult to get medical help in time.

Casually.

He smiled, "Brother Mo, living alone here, aren't you afraid?"

"To say I was afraid, I was at first, but over time, it became less so. I am just a poor scholar with nothing to offer, so even bandits wouldn't be interested in this place.

This place is peaceful, and I can focus on my studies. If I can pass the examination next year and become a scholar, that would be great."

Mo Zijin smiled.

"If I don't pass, being a doctor and helping people is also a good path."

"Brother Mo, you have a broad perspective."

Shen Changqing smiled, surprised by the scholar's openness.

After all.

In the Qin Empire, for ordinary people, passing the imperial examinations was one of the few paths to success.

A simple doctor could hardly compare to a scholar with an official title.

Not to mention the top ranks like the状元 (zhuangyuan) or 探花 (tanhua).

Even just a scholar, one could be a step above others.

Like Shi Qing, who was just a scholar, could still become a clerk in the government.

"All paths are inferior, only reading is supreme. If I can pass the examination, it would be much better than being a doctor."

Shen Changqing felt a sense of agreement and sighed.

Hearing this.

Mo Zijin's eyes lit up, and his attitude became more enthusiastic. He murmured, "All paths are inferior, only reading is supreme."

His expression was excited.

"Brother Shen, you are right. Reading is the only way out. How can we, as scholars, abandon our studies for martial arts? Alas!"

Mo Zijin sighed deeply.

Seeing his expression, Shen Changqing became curious.

"Brother Mo, you seem to have something on your mind?"

"This is not something I usually talk about, but your words just now made me feel like I've met a kindred spirit. Since you asked, I'll share my thoughts."

Mo Zijin hesitated for a moment, moved the books from another stool, and sat down.

"I have always studied the classics to pass the examination, but my talent is limited. I fail every year, and after four or five years, I still haven't passed. This has cost my family a lot of money.

Therefore, my father opposed my continued studies and found me a martial arts school to learn from.

Unfortunately, after three years, I made little progress. During an outing, I accidentally blinded my master, costing us more money and getting me expelled from the school.

Since then, I have been neither a scholar nor a martial artist, wasting my days.

My father, seeing this, found me another livelihood, making me learn medicine from a town doctor, hoping I could earn a living in the future."

Mo Zijin spoke intermittently about his past.

Shen Changqing listened attentively.

It had to be said.

His experiences were truly difficult.

Studying for years without passing, then switching to martial arts, but failing again, and finally switching to medicine.

"Unfortunately, I am not suited for medicine either. I still want to consider passing the examination, not for glory, but to fulfill my own wish."

Mo Zijin sighed deeply and looked at Shen Changqing.

"To be honest, my experiences might make you laugh, Brother Shen."

"Brother Mo, you are too modest. Staying true to your初心 (chuxin) is a good thing. If you work hard, you might pass the examination next year."

Shen Changqing smiled and offered some comfort.

Mo Zijin's face also showed a smile.

"Brother Shen, your view is the same as mine. I haven't met someone like you in a long time.

I see you must be hungry. I'll go and cook something for you, and it will also warm you up."

He stood up and walked out of the main hall.

Shen Changqing wanted to stop him but was too late.

After Mo Zijin left, he looked around the main hall again.

He stood up.

Approached the hanging calligraphy and paintings.

Shen Changqing had little knowledge of these things, but instinctively felt that the calligraphy and paintings were quite good.

"Indeed, no matter which world, people like to let their creativity fly when writing. It looks good, but I can't understand what it means."

After looking for a long time, he smiled helplessly.

The calligraphy was beautiful, giving a sense of pleasure, but he couldn't read what was written.

Only the signature at the end was vaguely recognizable.

Qin Dynasty, Year 136, written by the Resident of the Falling Pond.