Chapter 3: Practicing Skills and Reading Books

The so-called classical literature refers to the literary language remembered by Fan Xian, while modern literature resembles vernacular language, albeit with a more elegant and refined choice of words

Fan Xian still remembers that when he was only one year old, this elderly lady had once held him in her arms and wept in the dead of night. The elderly lady could not possibly have imagined that a one-year-old infant could understand her words, yet he silently remembered everything she said.

The teacher truly admires this elementary school student. At such a young age, he is surprisingly articulate and can understand some of the profound sayings and principles of the ancients as recorded in books. This is indeed quite remarkable for a four-year-old child

However, the soul within him belongs to another world, so it is naturally impossible for him to have any paternal feelings towards Count Si Nan, whom he has never met. He occasionally thinks of that woman who has already left this world, the one who is nominally his mother.

However, beginners like Fan Xian not only do not fall into obsession, but rather find it easier to experience that profound feeling than those stronger individuals, which can be attributed to his background and luck

... ...

After finishing the teaching, Fan Xian politely performed a bow to the teacher, then respectfully waited for the teacher to leave the study first. Only then did he take off his already sweat-soaked outer garment and rush out of the study, with the maid behind him shouting to be careful as she followed closely.

On a hot and sultry summer day, the study was also filled with heat. The teacher opened the window on the south side, and the sound of cicadas drifted in, mingling with the cool breeze, creating a scene of exquisite beauty. The teacher turned around and saw his elementary student resting his head on the desk in a daze. He was about to scold him, but upon seeing that delicate and beautiful little face, he felt an unexpected softness in his heart.

Child, if you must blame someone, blame your father. Poor little one, your mother was gone as soon as you were born

In fact, Fan Xian was unaware that he was practicing an extremely profound internal martial arts technique. If it were an ordinary martial artist, they would certainly practice with great care and utmost caution, and would definitely seek the assistance of a mentor or a trusted friend to help oversee their training.

The old lady and her grandson seem to be quite unfamiliar with each other. It is unclear whether this is due to the fact that Fan Xian is a illegitimate child; although the old lady does not mistreat him, she always has particularly high expectations of him, which creates an impression of a certain distance between them.

For practitioners, the most common inner demons they encounter are not particularly difficult for Fan Xian

Origin? This was a significant question in Fan Xian's mind. Upon arriving in this world, he encountered an assassination attempt. Although he now knows that his father is the high-ranking official, the Duke of Sinan, in the capital whom he has never met, who is his mother? At that time, the Duke of Sinan was still following His Majesty the Emperor in the western expedition, so those assassins were naturally targeting his mother.

Do not forget that in his previous life, Fan Xian had been bedridden for many years, long accustomed to his brain not being able to command his body. Therefore, when he encountered this situation for the first time, he did not panic; instead, he felt a warmth as if he had found remnants of past memories

What did you learn today

... ...

It is generally difficult for practitioners to enter a meditative state, as it requires a fortuitous combination of circumstances. The practice of this child, who uses his afternoon nap as a form of meditation, is truly an extravagance that is beyond description

Fan Xian stood honestly in front of the chair, finished reciting what his teacher had taught him, then bowed and went to the side courtyard to have dinner with his sister

If a practitioner lacks experience at this moment, it is easy for them to mistakenly believe they have fallen into a state of demonic possession, forcefully attempting to absorb true energy into their dantian. If fortunate, an exceptionally strong practitioner may manage to channel the chaotic true energy within their body back into their meridians, but this would be equivalent to practicing without any effect. For beginners, such panic may lead to a genuine invasion of their inner demons

In the afternoon, I began to study in the study room with the tutor specially invited from the Earl's residence in Donghai County. This tutor was not very old, probably in his thirties, but he exuded a strong air of decay.

Fan Xian's teacher is a fan of classical literature, so he teaches Fan Xian daily from various ancient texts. Although these texts are not quite the same as the Four Books and Five Classics of Fan Xian's world, it is quite remarkable that many of the themes and meanings are not significantly different, and there are also distinctions among Confucianism, Mohism, Legalism, and Daoism

... ...

The teacher himself had doubts, thinking that Count Si Nan was perhaps too impatient, setting his expectations too high in his letter, compelling him to start teaching the four-year-old child scriptures. In ordinary families, at this age, children would typically only learn some characters and recite basic childhood lessons.

Upon waking from a deep sleep, I rolled my fresh and lovely little face in the towel held by the maid, as if to wash my face

When he began to cultivate this nameless true energy, the body he inhabited was still an infant. The innate energy brought from the mother had not yet been fully returned to the heavens and the myriad of things, remaining within him. Therefore, the cultivation was remarkably efficient, and he even wondrously retained a significant portion of the innate true energy within his meridians.

So that when Fan Xian attended his first class, he began to doubt where exactly he was.

He is truly favored by heaven

The elderly lady has a kind and benevolent appearance, with deep wrinkles that bear the marks of time. Only occasionally do certain expressions in her eyes reveal to others that this elderly lady is, in fact, quite extraordinary—rumor has it that the current standing of Count Sinan is closely tied to his relationship with her in Kyoto

Ten years ago, a literary reform and book improvement movement began in Qingguo, initiated by Mr. Hu, a prominent figure in the literary community, with his essay on literary reform. Today, the literary scene has become a battleground between classical and modern literature.

Thus, during the first practice, when he just began to sense the energy and it started to surge chaotically, rendering his body immobile, he did not feel particularly afraid

Upon entering the main courtyard, Fan Xian immediately came to a halt, his face adorned with an innocent and charming smile, swaying like a little adult as he walked in. Upon seeing the elderly lady seated in the center, he called out in a sweet, childlike voice: "Grandmother"

... ...

It is precisely because he is fearless that his mind is free of distractions, which allows him to effortlessly overcome the most difficult hurdle.

The most perilous aspect of this cultivation method lies at the entry point. When practitioners attempt to accumulate energy into the Dantian, their physical and mental response speeds can diverge significantly. The most immediate consequence is that the practitioner's bodily functions may become akin to those of a motionless vegetative state.

Since then, cultivation has become simpler; by merely reciting the techniques silently, one naturally enters a meditative state—thus, for Fan Xian, every afternoon nap is exceedingly sweet and undisturbed by any noise.