Chapter 6: One should aspire early

Qiu Mo Yan nodded and said: "Hmm. You may go down first. If there is anything we need, we will naturally call for you"

In the language of the cultivation world, at this moment, Qin Zhiyong has already grasped the "Dao" in his heart

If the people from the Eastern Factory truly intend to take action, she can only fight to the death.

Mr. Wang Yangming studied not to become an official, nor to amass wealth. His purpose was to achieve sanctity and wisdom. It was precisely because of his lofty aspirations that he became the foremost figure of the Neo-Confucian school of thought, ultimately standing alongside Confucius, Mencius, Dong Zhongshu, Zhu Xi, and other Confucian sages. Premier Zhou, from a young age, was determined to "study for the rise of China"

Jin Xiangyu glared and said irritably: "I am still alive along with the shopkeeper. Is there anything that I cannot handle? If I tell you to rest, then you should rest. Why all this nonsense?"

Qin Zhiyong carried the wine and meat out of the kitchen and hurriedly said: "Here it is, here it is. Esteemed guests, please enjoy your wine and meat at your leisure"

Tie Zhu and He Hu nodded. They no longer had any desire to eat.

Today, two groups of people arrived at the inn. The landlady said there are a total of four top-tier masters. Of course, I cannot discern their martial arts levels. However, I believe that the landlady would not lie.

He Hu also said: "The world of rivers and lakes is fraught with danger. One must be on guard."

At this point, Qin Zhiyong came to a halt

Cao Tian shouted, "Waiter, where have you gone? Bring me the good wine and fine meat right away"

They are the three major heads of the Eastern Factory who have been pursuing Qiu Moyan all the way: Jia Ting, Cao Tian, and Lu Xiaochuan

Having ambition

Cao Tian said, "That shopkeeper does not seem like an ordinary person"

Jin Xiangyu said: "Qin Zhiyong, those three individuals all have gloomy faces, looking fierce and menacing, definitely not easy to deal with. If you make even the slightest mistake and displease them, and end up getting killed, do not blame me for not warning you."

Only by continuously reflecting on one's gains and losses can one make progress every day

Qiu Mo Yan and the others had not yet finished their meal when three more guests arrived

Qin Zhiyong carefully took the bone knife

Compared to half a month ago, Qin Zhiyong's demeanor has indeed undergone a significant change. His temperament has become much more gentle, and his attitude towards interacting with others has also changed.

Jia Ting glanced at Qiu Moyan and said: "This inn exudes an air of peculiarity. The demeanor of a mere waiter remarkably reflects the bearing of a Confucian scholar. Do not forget the command of the supervisor; our task is to keep an eye on Yang Yuxuan's children and await the appearance of Zhou Huai'an. Everything else is unimportant. We must not create unnecessary complications."

Enhancing physical fitness requires a gradual process; it is impossible to double one's strength instantaneously. However, psychological resilience can be improved rapidly. It is entirely possible for a transformation in psychological resilience to occur by chance.

Wang Yangming is the consummate master of the philosophy of the mind and a great master of Confucianism. In the presence of Mr. Wang Yangming, even if Jia Tingshen possessed exceptional martial skills, he would not dare to entertain the slightest thought of using force

I personally hosted them

Although he said so, Qin Zhiyong's actions remained unhurried and steady. Only by being unhurried and steady can one ensure a clear mind and avoid restlessness

It is not surprising that a timid person, when provoked, undergoes a dramatic psychological transformation and becomes a brave individual

Qiu Mo Yan raised the level of vigilance to the highest point

However, the improvement of psychological quality is often just a three-minute enthusiasm, after which it is easy to regress

He then took out a brush and paper, and began to write

... ...

The shopkeeper nodded and said, "Yes, Madam Boss"

Jin Xiangyu saw Qin Zhiyong turning to leave and suddenly said: "Wait a moment."

If these three top experts are well entertained, one's psychological quality will surely improve

The feeling of being mentally exhausted is quite unpleasant

Cultivating the mind and refining oneself can transform a person's temperament

Jin Xiangyu noticed that Qin Zhiyong's face looked somewhat fatigued and said, "You should return to your room and rest first"

At thirty, one should establish oneself. It is not about starting a family or a career, but about setting one's aspirations. It is essential to determine what one wants to accomplish in life. With aspirations, one will not feel lost or engage in trivial pursuits. I am already twenty-seven years old, and it is time for me to set my aspirations. I have positioned myself to pursue knowledge for a lifetime, to be a true practitioner, and to explore the vast and infinite realms of knowledge and scholarship

Dealing with one of them alone poses no problem for Qiu Moyan. However, facing two at the same time would make her escape extremely difficult. If the three major factions join forces, her death would be inevitable

"If the enemy does not move, I will not move. If the enemy moves, I will act first," Qiu Moyan said softly. "The people from the Eastern Depot show no signs of taking action. We should refrain from acting as well"

Return to the kitchen

Qin Zhiyong forced a bitter smile and said, "Madam Boss, you flatter me. Just now, I was merely putting on an act, trying to appear calm, but in reality, I was terrified to death. My back is completely soaked with sweat."

A scholar should "examine oneself three times a day"

Their expressions varied: some were cold and sinister, some were domineering, and others were vicious. The appearance reflects the heart. Clearly, they are not kind-hearted individuals. Entertaining them feels akin to dealing with death itself. Having overcome my psychological barriers and confronted them directly, I found that my mental resilience had somewhat strengthened, as if my state of mind had elevated. Perhaps this is an illusion, or more likely a product of my own psychological suggestion. However, I believe this is not a bad thing.

Qin Zhiyong sat on the stool, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a few minutes, allowing his mindset to calm down somewhat

Qin Zhiyong took two steps back, turned around, and left. His walking posture remained upright and dignified, neither hurried nor slow

After all, a poor performance carries the risk of being eliminated

Jin Xiangyu said: "There is courage and insight"

The people from the Eastern Factory are all ruthless individuals who kill without a second thought, and they are extremely dangerous

Qin Zhiyong said: "Madam Boss, what should we do if the guests have further needs?"

Jia Ting said to Qin Zhiyong: "Good. You, the shopkeeper, are quite competent. You may go down for now. If we need anything, we will call for you"

At this point, it is too late for regret

Qiu Mo Yan said: "He is not a bad person. The food is fine. Go ahead and eat." She was the first to pick up a bun and started eating. After a long night of travel, she was indeed hungry now

He Hu and Tie Zhu instinctively reached for their long knives upon seeing them

Each dish, each wine bowl, including that large jar of wine, was presented by Qin Zhiyong with both hands, steadily and gently, placing it on the table

However, Jia Ting was different; in his youth, he had the fortune of meeting Mr. Wang Yangming

In life, it is very important to establish a reasonable self-positioning and to clarify one's aspirations

Qin Zhiyong let out a sigh; just now, he was truly afraid that Cao Tian and the others would take action to vent their anger on him

There are many such examples

Jin Xiangyu nodded and said, "Alright. Then it's up to you."

Qin Zhiyong closed his eyes and thought to himself: Fear in the heart leads to a lack of clarity. If one is afraid and unwilling to confront danger, their psychological resilience will certainly not improve

Qin Zhiyong's gaze immediately became resolute. His thoughts and spirit seemed to be elevated in an instant

After much contemplation

When one becomes anxious, mistakes are likely to occur

Qin Zhiyong is merely an ordinary person, not daring to compare himself with the sages of the past; however, this does not hinder him from setting aspirations, nor does it prevent him from cultivating his character and mind, as he seeks to explore knowledge and pursue learning

Qin Zhiyong took a deep breath, steadied himself, and said: "Madam Boss, let me handle it."

Qin Zhiyong nodded slightly, took two steps back, and turned to walk into the kitchen

Qiu Moyan made a downward gesture, signaling them to remain calm. It is best to avoid taking action if possible. The three major leaders of the Eastern Factory are all top-tier experts, and He Hutie and the others are no match for them

In the past, Qin Zhiyong believed that cultivation was merely about practicing martial arts. This perspective is too narrow and even represents a misunderstanding of cultivation.

Returned to Room 18

Cao Tian still wanted to throw a tantrum and was about to slam the table, but was stopped by the eldest Jia Ting.

Qin Zhiyong stood up straight, smiling gently as he said: "Esteemed guests, please take your time. My name is Qin Zhiyong, and if you need anything, feel free to call me at any time"

Qin Zhiyong brought food and buns to Qiu Moyan and the others. The filling of the buns is not human flesh, but mutton

However, after this experience, Qin Zhiyong's psychological resilience has improved significantly. He feels as though he has grown all at once, and his spirit has become stronger.

Jin Xiangyu took a sharp boning knife from the knife rack and tossed it to Qin Zhiyong, half-jokingly saying: "The atmosphere in the shop seems a bit off, it might not be peaceful. Take this knife for self-defense."

"Esteemed guests, please enjoy your meal. My name is Qin Zhiyong. If you need anything else, just call for me," Qin Zhiyong said with a smile

Cao Tian's voice came again: "What about the people in the store? Are they all dead?"

Qin Zhiyong looked at the gold-inlaid jade with confusion

Regardless of who it is, upon meeting Qin Zhiyong, at the very least, one will not feel any feelings of dislike in their heart

The shopkeeper glanced at Qin Zhiyong, then looked at the gold-inlaid jade, waiting for her to make a decision

Serving wine and dishes to the three heads of the Eastern Depot appeared to be a simple task, taking only a few minutes. However, Qin Zhiyong's mind remained in a state of tension throughout. The physical exertion was no less than running five thousand meters, nearly leaving Qin Zhiyong on the verge of collapse

A scholar, powerless to even bind a chicken.

A true scholar must never be underestimated

In the kitchen, Jin Xiangyu glanced at the three individuals through the crack of the door and muttered softly, "Damn it, three more top-tier experts. Is there a martial arts conference today? Why are so many experts coming to my inn? Innkeeper, you go out and attend to those three."

Cao Tian and Lu Xiaochuan, relying on their martial prowess and power, look down upon Confucian scholars. They believe that scholars are merely skilled in rhetoric and adept at manipulating schemes and intrigues

Qin Zhiyong nodded and said, "Thank you, Madam Boss." He was indeed a bit tired

Jia Ting and the others walked over to another table and sat down

Qin Zhiyong's gaze is clear and pure, devoid of any malicious intent. A person's eyes do not lie.

Invite the three ruthless experts from the Eastern Depot, ensuring absolute stability, as there can be no room for even the slightest error

Jia Ting is the oldest, well-informed and sharp-eyed. Cao Tian is reckless, while Lu Xiaochuan is younger and has a more delicate mindset, which makes them significantly inferior compared to Jia Ting

Although Qin Zhiyong knew that with his skills, any person from the martial world could easily put him to death, having a knife in hand provided him with a sense of security.

In recent days, Qin Zhiyong has developed the habit of keeping a diary, recording his daily life and experiences in cultivation.

Correcting erroneous thoughts and behaviors is the true practice! What, then, is the purpose of Confucian practice? The "Great Learning" actually states it very clearly. That is to "reach the ultimate good"

Qin Zhiyong said firmly: "Boss lady, I am here."

What is cultivation

Qin Zhiyong continued to write

Tie Zhu looked at the dishes and buns on the table and quietly said, "That kid is a bit too enthusiastic, isn't he? Offering kindness without reason, it must be either deceit or theft. Is there something wrong with the food?"

The ability to abduct Yang Yuxuan's children was due to the fact that the three of them had not exerted their full strength at all. In retrospect, Qiu Moyan realized that he had fallen into a trap.