Chapter 10

Shutting the door, Ning Wuque looked at the white paper and the worn-out cotton shoes behind it, and couldn't help but smile smugly.

If Daoist Baiyun had insisted on coming in just now, Ning Wuque would have been done for. He and Daoist Baiyun had returned to Baiyun Temple almost at the same time, and before Ning Wuque could tidy up the things in the room, Daoist Baiyun had already arrived in the courtyard. Fortunately, Ning Wuque was quick-witted and managed to avoid this crisis.

Wrapping the worn-out cotton shoes in the white paper and hiding them under the bed, he estimated that he would find an opportunity to get rid of them. Blowing out the candle, he lay down on the bed, recalling all the bizarre events of the night. Exhausted both physically and mentally, he yawned and fell into a deep sleep.

The next day.

Ning Wuque was awakened by Qingfeng's knocking on the door. Opening the door, Qingfeng entered with a tray of food, scolding him.

"Master, I told you not to read too late at night. The day's work begins in the morning. No matter how much you read at night, what's the use if you can't get up early in the morning?"

Ning Wuque scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. People in this world generally got up very early, usually around the third watch of the morning (around 5:00 AM). The Taoists in the temple got up at the first watch of the morning (around 5:00 AM) to meditate and practice, fetch water, and cook.

It was already close to the ninth watch of the morning (around 9:00 AM), and the sun was high in the sky. It was quite late, so it was no wonder Qingfeng was scolding him. Ning Wuque knew Qingfeng was doing it for his own good, but could he really tell him about what happened last night?

"After you finish breakfast, wash up properly. This is the clothing Master asked me to give you. Master has already agreed to recommend you to the examiner. If you perform well, getting into the top ten shouldn't be a problem."

Putting the food on the table, Qingfeng took out a few pieces of clothing and placed them on the bed, saying, "I have other things to do. An elder brother will call for you when it's time."

With that, Qingfeng left. Outside, it started snowing again, the snowflakes falling like fluff. Ning Wuque closed the door, opened the window, and saw that the traces from last night had been covered by the snow. He felt a sense of relief, thinking that he had finally gotten through this crisis. Perhaps Daoist Baiyun's suspicions had also faded?

The food in the temple was very simple: a dish of tofu, a plate of vegetables, a bowl of rice, and a steamed bun. For Ning Wuque, this was already very good food.

"I wonder if my unseen mother and my foolish brother have had anything to eat?"

Sighing lightly, Ning Wuque put down his chopsticks and bowls, fetched water from the well in the courtyard, and washed up. He changed into the clothes given by Daoist Baiyun and tied his long hair, which was almost waist-length, with a strip of cloth. He was only sixteen and had not yet undergone the capping ceremony, so he could only tie his hair with a strip of cloth. As for cutting his hair, unless Ning Wuque wanted to die, he couldn't do it. His body and hair were gifts from his parents, and cutting them would be a grave sin of filial impiety. He wouldn't even need to go to the county examination; he would just wait for the soldiers to come and arrest him.

Looking at his reflection in the clear water, Ning Wuque smiled contentedly. People are judged by their appearance, and Ning Wuque's looks were already good. Now, dressed in new clothes, his demeanor was even better. Wearing a clean white robe, with bright eyes and white teeth, a sword-like brow, and star-like eyes, his face was handsome. Having spent years immersed in books, his every move exuded the refined and upright air of a scholar.

He was the epitome of a "pretty boy." In the modern world, he would definitely be a top-tier handsome man, and not just handsome, but also with character and depth.

After indulging in a bit of self-admiration, Ning Wuque picked up a book and began reviewing the classics and poetry that would be tested in the county examination. His restless heart gradually calmed down, and soon, the sound of his reading filled the room.

Ning Wuque's family had no books. The books he read were all from his teacher at the school. In this world, books were extremely precious, and only the wealthy and noble could afford to have a collection. Baiyun Temple had its own library, and the books Ning Wuque was reading now came from there. He was already intelligent, and with the awakening of the demon wolf's bloodline, he could read ten lines at a glance and remember everything he read. It didn't take long for him to memorize an entire classic.

Just then, a Taoist came to knock on the door, saying that Daoist Baiyun wanted to see him.

Ning Wuque put down the book, straightened his robe, and followed the Taoist out into the snow, stepping out of the courtyard.

This was the first time Ning Wuque had stepped out of the back courtyard. When he arrived, he was sick and didn't have the chance to look around. Now, he realized that Baiyun Temple was quite large, with a main hall over ten meters high in the center, three side halls on the sides, and a wall surrounding the entire complex. Bamboo and cypress trees were planted inside, and they were green and vibrant in the snow.

After walking through an ancient and elegant corridor, they entered the main hall, where statues of the Three Pure Ones of Daoism were enshrined. The statues were twenty-two feet tall, sitting on golden thrones, with bound hair and Daoist attire, looking dignified and kind. Below the statues was a bronze incense burner, from which a wisp of blue smoke rose slowly.

Ning Wuque sincerely bowed three times before the statues of the Three Pure Ones and then entered the back hall under the kind gaze of the Taoist.

The back hall of the temple was used for the rest of distinguished guests who came to offer incense. A separate room was set aside, and inside, Daoist Baiyun was talking to a man with a calm and authoritative voice.

Ning Wuque knocked on the door and heard Daoist Baiyun's voice. "Come in!"

Pushing the door open, Ning Wuque looked inside. Daoist Baiyun was sitting in a chair, with a portrait of a Taoist behind him. On the chair next to a small table, a middle-aged man in fine silk clothing sat, wearing a jade crown, with a square face, a ruddy complexion, and a long beard. He held a cup of tea and sat upright, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

Ning Wuque paused for a moment and then stepped in, bowing respectfully to Daoist Baiyun.

"Meeting you, Daoist Master."

Then he bowed to the man. "Greetings, Sir..."

In this era, kneeling was not common. It was not a time when people would kneel to everyone they met. Commoners only needed to perform the arch-hand salute when meeting officials. Men valued their knees, and only knelt during sacrifices or when facing family elders or parents.

"Very good, very good. You must be the Ning Zhongyuan that Brother Baiyun spoke of. You have a fine appearance, indeed a man of talent."

Seeing Ning Wuque's proper etiquette and his clear and gentle demeanor, Zhang Qing, who had met many young talents, was impressed and nodded in satisfaction.

"Sir, I am Ning Zhongyuan," Ning Wuque said respectfully.

The more Zhang Qing looked, the more he liked Ning Wuque. He took out a jade pendant from his pocket and handed it to Ning Wuque, saying, "I left in a hurry and didn't bring much. This jade pendant isn't worth much, but it has been with me for a long time. Since we have a connection, I will give it to you."

"I can't accept it, Sir. Meeting you is already a great honor. How can I dare to accept your jade pendant?" Ning Wuque quickly declined.

"Ah, why can't you accept it? A fine jade should be given to a fine young man. This jade suits you well."

"It's just a piece of jade. You should accept it. When an elder gives, one cannot refuse," Daoist Baiyun said from the side.

"This..." Ning Wuque hesitated, then, with a deep bow to Zhang Qing, he said, "I will never forget the kindness of your gift today, Sir."

Zhang Qing smiled and said, "I heard you are also a candidate for the county examination. If you come to the county, visit my residence. This jade pendant will be your pass, and the servants won't stop you."

Ning Wuque nodded respectfully and said, "If I have the opportunity, I will definitely visit. I hope you won't find me too bothersome, Sir."

"Ha ha, if Zhongyuan comes, I will be delighted."

Seeing that it was about time, Daoist Baiyun said, "That's enough. I still have things to discuss with Sir Zhang. You can go back now."

Ning Wuque knew that with his current status, receiving a jade pendant from Zhang Qing was already a great honor. Leaving a good impression now would give him a chance to interact in the future. If he overstayed his welcome, the good impression he had just created would be ruined.

"Zhongyuan takes his leave..."

Ning Wuque left the room, closed the door, and turned around, feeling very pleased as he walked back to the back courtyard.

"What do you think of this young man?" Daoist Baiyun asked with a smile.

Zhang Qing took a sip of tea, savoring it, and said, "He is courteous and well-mannered, a fine talent. However, we'll have to see how he performs in the county examination. Brother, are you thinking of making him your disciple?"

Daoist Baiyun stroked his beard and said, "He is a scholar, and you are also a scholar. Why not? Do you want me to teach him Daoism instead?"

"Brother, to be honest, the court is now divided into two factions: the Crown Prince and Prince Qin. Prince Qin has been waging wars and harboring ambitions for a long time. The Crown Prince's faction, though mostly made up of officials, has little military power, and the situation is not good. If I take him as a disciple, I might drag him into the struggle for the throne, which would harm him," Zhang Qing sighed.

Daoist Baiyun did not insist, sighing lightly, "The world is not peaceful, and demons are rising. Another demon appeared last night. When will the world be at peace?"

"The current Tang Emperor is wise, and he has capable ministers and generals to assist him. A peaceful era is not far off. We are brothers, one in the court and one in the mountains. It's rare for us to meet. Why talk about these things? Let's talk about the demon that appeared last night."

Daoist Baiyun smiled and then recounted the entire story to Zhang Qing.