Chapter 8, Entrustment

"Ziyun, which text have you chosen?" Zhao Ning asked, his gaze sweeping over the book with a sigh: "So it is this one."

Elder Zhao, how is the search for the reincarnated master uncle progressing? You have not replied for a long time, and today, in a moment of inspiration, the sect leader brother ordered me to inquire.

Of course, one cannot do it oneself, so Pei Ziyun went to Zhao Ning's house again

The inheritance of the Dao is precious; I am here to enlighten myself through reading and to discern truth from falsehood

At this moment, from the room below, a voice emerged from the concealed talisman: "Elder Zhao, do you teach this child because you believe he is worthy of becoming a scholar?"

The original owner has not studied for over ten years, which has naturally led to neglect. It is not to say that I have not inherited much; even if I were to inherit everything, I would still find it difficult to pass the examination in such a hurried manner

Zhao Ning smiled and said to the figure of the talisman, with a wave of his hand, a flash of spiritual light appeared on his hand, and the talisman along with the figure vanished from sight

Zhao Ning smiled and replied: "Now that the new dynasty has just been established, there are not many scholars to begin with. In this chaotic era, who can truly focus on their studies? The level of the provincial examination is likely not very high, but there may still be hope. If this person is indeed the reincarnation of a master uncle, it would add another layer of beauty to the tale."

Teacher, you mentioned yesterday that I should come to seek your guidance more often before the provincial examination. Today, I have come to bother you. After reflecting on my studies last night, I realized that my knowledge is still too limited and my understanding of literature is insufficient. Therefore, I have come specifically to visit you today, hoping to request a book to take home for further contemplation and research. I sincerely hope you will agree to this request. Pei Ziyun observed the teacher's leisurely demeanor as he made this report.

Thinking, my hand reached out towards the teacher's scroll, touching it lightly. The petals between my brows seemed to react slightly, yet perhaps not at all. I couldn't help but murmur: "It seems I was overly ambitious; indeed, it is not possible."

Upon opening the book, one finds the articles to be profound, yet many of them are not interconnected, which is quite delightful

I suddenly thought that my son is studying so hard, yet he can only eat such plain congee and pickled vegetables, but there is nothing at home to nourish his body

Even if there are some literary thoughts expressed in this text, the teacher is still present, yet cannot be attained

At this moment, there was no display of inner thoughts; instead, he walked straight to the door, knocked on it, and the sound of knocking echoed into the room, calling out: "Is the gentleman in?"

Pei Ziyun was taken aback, looking at her haggard appearance. His eyes darkened involuntarily, and he felt a pang of sadness in his heart. He placed one of the dishes into his mother's bowl and said, "Mother, you should also have one; otherwise, I will feel guilty and won't dare to eat."

Pei Qianshi placed two eggs in Pei Ziyun's bowl and said: "Ziyun, as you go to the provincial examination, it will surely be arduous. You should eat one more. Mother is getting old; it makes no difference whether you eat more or less!"

Zhao Ning sighed and said, "This is a collection of writings by an old scholar from the previous dynasty, who possessed the talent of a successful candidate in the imperial examination. Unfortunately, he was ill-fated, encountering great turmoil, and throughout his life, his ambitions could not be realized. He passed away in frustration, yet poured all his aspirations into this book, leaving it behind. It is a pity that later generations do not cherish it; his daughter sold it to me for merely ten coins. Ziyun, if you like it, I will give you this book. I hope you read it often and realize the aspirations of those who came before you, so as not to disappoint their expectations"

He stopped speaking and put down his chopsticks, looking at Pei Qianshi

A meal lasts no more than a quarter of an hour, and it has been consumed completely. Pei Ziyun raised his head and looked at the sky, where a few clouds were drifting, and the sun was already hanging slightly higher in the east

Pei Ziyun entered the room and saw Zhao Ning leisurely drinking tea and reading a book, completely at ease

Before my master uncle was reincarnated, he left a message about this Woniu Village, stating that after his birth, there would be a character 'Yun' in his name. I hurried over, and there are two young men in the village, both of whom have the character 'Yun' in their names

There is also one who has migrated from another place, possessing some thin ancestral virtues, and is a descendant of officials. It seems that this time there is hope to pass the examination for the title of Xiucai, which does not resemble the reincarnation of a master uncle. However, it is essential to proceed with caution and verification.

Pei Qianshi, seeing the look in Pei Ziyun's eyes, understood that Pei Ziyun was filial. If she refused to eat, her son would also refuse to eat. Finally, Pei Qianshi did not decline any further; she merely lowered her head and ate bite by bite, as if tears were falling down.

He no longer flipped through the books, hurriedly going downstairs. Upon reaching the ground floor, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, realizing that he had been overly anxious. In his haste, he had overlooked something important. He steadied himself, composed his thoughts, took the book in hand, and went to bid farewell to his master

Pei Ziyun resolved to visit his master's home a little later, seeking to see if there were any recommendations. Otherwise, this provincial examination would be perilous. However, he could not place all his hopes solely on this; he still needed to study diligently to ensure stability. Having thought this through, he picked up a book and began to ponder.

Pei Ziyun approached Pei Qianshi and said: "Mother, yesterday I read the scriptures and found that my understanding of the text is still somewhat lacking. Today, I am preparing to go to the teacher's house to seek clarification. I wanted to inform you first, and I am about to leave now"

The unusual characteristics of the plum blossom began to gradually emerge when the original master was ten years old. At this point in time, it was not very clear, but there was also an experience of successful absorption—this involved several old drafts

At this moment, Zhao Ning was drinking tea in the room, holding a book in his hand and savoring it carefully. Suddenly, he felt a warmth in his bosom. Zhao Ning reached into his bosom and pulled out a talisman. He noticed that the talisman was emitting a slight warmth, and a spiritual light was flashing on it. It turned out to be a Thousand-Mile Transmission Talisman.

In one's previous life, although there are ordinary people becoming immortals in folk novels, those who attain immortality in the Daoist canon are almost all scholars

However, the original owner was naive at that time and was a person who only studied hard, frightened by the phrase "the master does not speak of strange powers and chaotic spirits"; thus, they wasted several years.

Carefully taking it to the kitchen to fry, just a whiff of smoke caused a cough, and once the coughing started, it was uncontrollable. This startled Pei Ziyun, who was deep in thought. Upon hearing his mother's cough coming from the kitchen, Pei Ziyun could not help but walk in.

Woniu Village · Early Morning

Pei Qianshi laughed and said: "If I pay attention to it, there will be no problem. You go and review it. I have been doing housework for over ten years, so why should I be afraid of this little bit of smoke?"

Pei Qianshi got up and started coughing again. After coughing for a while, she prepared breakfast for the day. Upon leaving her room, she saw Pei Ziyun pondering over a book and felt quite satisfied. She tiptoed over gently, not wanting to disturb Pei Ziyun, who was engrossed in his studies.

Pei Qianshi entered the kitchen and saw that smoke was already rising. A pot of porridge was simmering on the stove, exuding a fragrant aroma. She then prepared a few green onions, chopped them finely, and scooped out a bowl of pickled vegetables.

Upon hearing this, Fu Ying moved slightly, and the round light turned its gaze towards the outside

This volume should contain a dedication

This person is indeed one who possesses ancestral virtue

Only those who are well-read can comprehend the essence of the Dao

With this thought in mind, I casually flipped through the books on the shelf, hoping to find a solid book to consult with the teacher about my questions before returning. As I thought this, my hand moved forward and I found a thin booklet in my grasp. My heart fluttered, and with a buzz of excitement, I couldn't help but feel overjoyed.

Ah, it is the pursuit of books to enhance one's knowledge. I thought this young man would inquire about examination strategies, but unexpectedly, he seeks articles. How strange! However, it is of no consequence. Zhao Ning replied, "As for the collection I have gathered, it is all in the study upstairs. You may go and take it yourself."

"Son, you may go," said Pei Qianshi, without saying anything further, and began to embroider. Looking at the cracks on her mother's hands, which were caused by years of household chores, she couldn't help but think to herself: "No wonder the original owner sought ways to achieve academic success, but she was just a bit too pedantic."

At this moment, having just finished dinner, Pei Qianshi prepared her needlework, took up her needle and thread, and returned to her room to embroider

At present, it seems that this person in the courtyard may be older; although he is a descendant of hunters, he possesses a certain wisdom and his aura is somewhat similar.

Zhao Ning extended his finger and pointed, and a small orb of round light appeared on the talisman, within which a small figure emerged, speaking.

In the study upstairs, there are as many as five bookshelves, filled with books. Upon a glance, many of them are works by various teachers. Reflecting on memories from a past life, I secretly ponder: "Indeed, in this world of the Dao, the seeds are primarily obtained from self-taught individuals."

Pei Ziyun rose early, lit a fire, cooked porridge, and began to study the scriptures. As he flipped through the texts, he realized that despite having a memory of them, some concepts felt somewhat unfamiliar. Reading and learning became a bit obscure, leading him to sigh inwardly.

Seeing that his mother had already served the porridge and was frying eggs, and that the smoke was causing her to cough incessantly, Pei Ziyun snatched the spatula from Pei Qianshi's hand and said: "Mother, let me handle this. The smoke is making you cough badly."

Having spoken, he picked up the scroll in his hand, added another cup of tea, and slowly sipped it while appreciating both the tea and the book

Haha, I was wondering how you all thought of me, a carefree wanderer. It turns out it was Master Zhangmen's order. Please convey my regards to Master Zhangmen. I now have some clues.

The morning sunlight gradually spills from the sky, casting its glow upon the thatched cottage, the body, and the ground, causing the dew on the cottage to evaporate warmly. Not far from the entrance, there is a pond, and further away, some mischievous children are either leading a cow or herding ducks into the fields, as early spring begins to warm.

Thank you, teacher!" Pei Ziyun said respectfully, as he ascended the staircase. The bamboo staircase had a slight elasticity when stepped on, and it took just a few steps to reach the upper floor. He pushed open the door to the study and entered.

At this moment, the clucking of a hen can be heard; it is one of the three hens raised at home that is calling out. Having laid an egg, it is now emerging from the nest behind the thatched cottage, circling around the nest.

The object of entrustment absorbs the essence of literary thought and artistic charm, yet it requires three aspects: truly unowned, or truly recognized and entrusted to oneself, or to kill and seize, yet one cannot do any of these oneself

After speaking, he immediately took back the spatula. At this moment, Pei Ziyun unceremoniously pushed his mother out of the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, set the book aside, and soon prepared the dish, serving it in a bowl.

"Listening to the tone of the gentleman, this book seems to have a past? I hope the master will enlighten me," said Pei Ziyun.

At this moment, Pei Ziyun was just entering the door. He glanced at the boy who was skinning, someone the original owner was familiar with, while it was the first time he was seeing him. Upon closer inspection, the boy had two sharp eyebrows, with a hint of fierceness at the corners, and a somewhat resolute expression. He was the son of a hunter in the village, said to be a reincarnated person. In his previous life, he later became an elder within the sect. At that time, he had wanted to establish a closer relationship, but it remained rather indifferent and cold.

It seems that it is necessary to quickly find a place to entrust the inspiration; in such a situation, one can inherit seventy percent

At this point, Zhao Ning smiled and said, "Speaking of these two, they have both arrived"

Pei Qianshi could not help but feel overjoyed, so she walked over and touched the nest. There were three or two eggs, just right for giving two to her son, while one would remain in the nest

At this moment, in Zhao Ning's fenced courtyard, a young boy, carrying a bow and arrows on his back and holding a dagger in his hand, was skinning a prey on the ground. With a single stroke, he tore open a section and continued to peel the animal hide.