Chapter 6: A doting mother often spoils her child

This is a fool, living simply and easily

Twice

When he grows up, as the elderly pass away one after another, he will find it difficult to accept two families that both have a sense of estrangement from him

The Bailing Temple had been desolate for many years, and suddenly someone found themselves alone there. If officials were to inquire, the absence of a guarantor would expose the whereabouts of Master Lingzhi. Reluctantly, a sum of money was given to the third uncle, and thereafter, Li Quan was accepted as a disciple. However, all of this changed four years ago

Certainly, Zhang's life is destined to be more tragic than that of the old patriarch. Without the rebirth of Li Kui, she would likely be trapped in an endless predicament throughout her life, until she is devoured by a tiger

However, in Zhang's view, it seems that as long as Li Kui participates in the imperial examination and becomes a successful candidate, it would be an easy task for him to secure a position

Even those who are relatively easy to qualify as scholars still require assessments at the provincial level, as well as joint evaluations from the educational authorities, which is significantly more challenging than during the Northern Song Dynasty

This made him even more anxious about meeting the enlightened being

Li Kui's martial skills are exceptionally outstanding even among generals. Particularly, his weapon of choice, the rare double axe, is an anomaly among heavy weapons, requiring significant physical training. Insight, talent, and strength are all indispensable. One must possess agility and cleverness in footwork, as well as ferocity and brutality in striking power, embodying a style of grand and sweeping movements. When he wields his weapon, he exudes the aura of a master. No matter how many ordinary practitioners of the martial arts come before him, they are merely easy prey.

Carrying this concern, Li Kui and Li Quan walked along the small path of the village towards home. Along the way, Li Kui pondered the identity of the Sage of Lingzhi, being secretive and silent, especially how he had quietly arrived under his eaves. Practitioners of martial arts are typically sharp of hearing and sight, and even the slightest disturbance is difficult to escape their keen perception. However, on two occasions, the Sage of Lingzhi had come under his eaves, and he had not noticed. It is known that his perception is excellent; this talent is uncertain whether it is a result of his rebirth or the benefits of martial training. In any case, even if a mouse were to walk across the beams, he would be able to sense it, even in deep sleep.

What Li Kui could never have imagined was that the old patriarch had actually received a sum of money from a wise and enlightened person, which could be considered a protection fee. The old man was quite bold, knowing full well that he was dealing with a villain, yet he still dared to accept the money

Li Quan suddenly developed a high fever, and seeking medical treatment in the mountains is a burden that cannot be borne. According to the old chief's recollection, the enlightened master visited during Li Quan's illness, observed his symptoms, and after leaving a single remark, departed: "What is meant to be will come, and what is not meant to be should not be forced."

Zhang was so furious that he jumped up and shouted, "Who is the blind fool that is robbing my son's livelihood?"

At that time, he had not yet fully recovered; he stumbled even while walking and naturally did not dare to venture out of the village. However, the most recent experience made him acutely aware of the urgency of time

Li Kui first heard about Master Lingzhi from the people around him, and they were trustworthy individuals. However, the outcome was that Master Lingzhi was not a good person

Zhang said happily, "My son has great ambitions, but without money, he cannot attend school. How about this: I will sell the land and the house to fund my son's education."

Becoming a candidate for the imperial examination was relatively easy; during the Northern Song Dynasty, one's status as a candidate could be determined by the local region. It was easier than the scholar examinations in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. As long as one was not in the examination disaster areas of Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, or the two lakes regions, it was quite manageable in other places. Li Kui believed he was not foolish; with enough effort, he still had hope of becoming a candidate from Yizhou. With a bit of luck, he might even manage to participate in the provincial examination and take a trip to the capital, Dongjing, to experience the atmosphere of the Northern Song's imperial examination. After all, having a courtyard in the examination district provided a fitting sense of confidence.

"Mother, the family says not to let outsiders hear, or it will be a laughingstock." Li Kui was also quite troubled; before his rebirth, he was born into a single-parent family, where both his parents had their own lives and families, leaving him, a living person, forgotten. Growing up in front of his grandparents, the affection between his parents became incredibly distant.

... ...

Do not be misled by the fact that the Qilu region has a long-standing tradition of martial arts, as the majority of areas have a custom of practicing martial arts. However, practicing martial arts is one thing, and acquiring the skills to navigate the world is another; without the guidance of a renowned master, it is indeed quite difficult to achieve.

Upon returning home, Zhang greeted him early and, bypassing the foolish giant Li Quan, ran straight to Li Kui and asked, "My son, when will you go to the county to take up your post?"

However, as a successful candidate in the imperial examination, he truly dared not to indulge in fanciful thoughts

But he has left, what can the Zhang family do

The first time, he broke his promise

However, if Li Quan has a piece of meat in his hand, and he is tempted by the aroma of the meat yet reluctant to eat it, there will be someone standing in front of him, brazenly reaching out to snatch away his meat. His strength will instantly return to 100, with even the possibility of exceeding 200.

However ... ...

I am afraid it is indeed as the old patriarch said, that the identity is suspicious and may even conceal unspeakable secrets

However, during the days following his crossing over, he often heard the muffled cries of endless pain in his ears. The moment he opened his eyes, a frail and unrecognizable woman, exhibiting a tenacity akin to thorns, had been by her son's side, serving him throughout the half month that Li Kui was bedridden. Not only that, she even knelt before anyone who might lend her rice, begging for a chance to provide Li Kui with a spoonful of millet porridge.

However, when a living person approaches the windowsill, which is less than one yard away from where he sleeps, and leaves behind a token, he remains unaware of it. This implies that, in terms of intelligence, a person has the ability to take his life at any time and in any place, but simply does not act on it

Until this moment, Li Kui seemed to have regained some clarity. His home was destitute, with only a small vegetable plot that could be sold to fellow villagers. As for the house, it was even worse; out of four rooms, two had collapsed. Who would want it?

In the face of the Zhang family, there was a period during which he felt a deep sense of guilt, as his presence had taken away the true son of the Zhang family. Had he not suddenly awakened to this reality, he might have found himself trapped in an inescapable cycle of self-blame, ultimately leading him to choose the path of fleeing far away.

However, these two events rang alarm bells in the heart of the old patriarch. How could such coincidences occur in the world? Li Quan fell ill at a critical moment while learning martial arts from the wise master, and at the same time, Li Kui encountered him.

If it were not for Li Kui's remarkable skills, the old clan leader would probably not have the inclination to facilitate connections for him to become a constable

Perhaps at this moment, Li Kui began to understand somewhat why the original Li Kui was so unreasonable and stubborn, likely due to having an overly indulgent mother

However, Zhang's character is also marked by many peculiarities that leave him speechless. This is actually related to the era; having rarely ventured beyond the mountain village, Zhang lacks any broader perspective. Aside from his indulgence towards his youngest son, it seems that everything else in the world is of no concern to him.

Even Li Kui felt that he was somewhat exaggerating in front of the Zhang family, making the imperial examination seem too easy. This is not the Ming or Qing dynasties, but the Northern Song dynasty, when the gentry was at its most glorious... In this era, how difficult it is to pass the imperial examination! The literary giant Ouyang Xiu failed the exam twice; Su Xun, one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties, became so disheartened after failing that he had to take the exam alongside his son, who succeeded in passing while he did not.

Indeed, the imperial examination during the Ming and Qing dynasties was not an easy endeavor. Unlike the Northern Song dynasty, where the prefectures could determine the status of candidates, in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the provincial examinations barred many scholars from crossing the stone bridge of the dragon gate.

Thus, he became a person without any burdens or attachments

Upon thinking of this, Li Kui could not help but express himself boldly, yet as the words left his mouth, he felt increasingly uncertain in his heart: "What my mother said is true; those who achieve the title of 'jinshi' also carry a head on two shoulders. The child lacks nothing, so I refuse to believe that my talents can be belittled. Perhaps my son can also succeed in the examination."

When coincidences occur too frequently, they become intentional

In this lifetime, he is afraid that he will not allow the Zhang family to encounter such a change, as he believes he should be able to do so, because they are his family, his only family

Furthermore, there is Li Kui

Not only has he endured, but he has also not become like Li Quan, whose mind has been damaged, wandering aimlessly all day. His temper seems to have improved quite a bit, at least he no longer causes trouble for the other youths in the village.

Moreover, a master capable of teaching a person like Li Kui, who is so unruly, is likely not only to be guilty of heinous crimes but also to have blood on their hands

The effect is remarkably good

To persuade a woman, a stubborn woman, Li Kui has little experience and can only repeat to his mother, the Zhang family, the words he used to deal with the old patriarch.

The old patriarch likely began to harbor disdain for the intelligent beings around that time, after all, Li Quan was once his favorite, a promising young talent of the family. Furthermore, he had his doubts about the intelligent beings, believing that Li Quan's sudden illness might be related to the techniques imparted by them. However, this matter could not be verified, and thus it remained unresolved.

My son is exceptionally intelligent, surpassing ordinary people, and studying is naturally not a problem for him

Fortunately, at that time, Li Kui came to a realization; he had taken away Zhang's son, so from now on, he would be a son to the Zhang family!

My son is blessed with great fortune, and naturally, he will achieve high success.

This statement sounds quite disconcerting, as it conveys a sense of resignation to the afterlife merely due to illness

Will Li Kui's master be a good person

This ... ... lady, at this moment, is likely to need to deliberate carefully.

Master Lingzhi, this is Li Kui's inexpensive master

This is also why after Li Kui committed murder, he fled to Jiangzhou and did not return home for many years, while his mother wept until she was blind from missing her son

As a result, after Li Kui fell ill, the old patriarch did not allow anyone to inform Master Lingzhi. For half a month, Li Kui endured on the kang, and he managed to pull through. If he succeeded, he was indeed a hero; if he did not, it would simply confirm the saying—"If it is not destined, do not force it."

This is a great love, which also melted Li Kui's heart, as cold as cast iron.

It is necessary to meet him at least once to understand the origins of this enlightened person. Even if things go awry in the future, it is better to be prepared to deal with it.

For the people of Baizhang Village, there is also a tradition of martial arts practice, but there are only two individuals in the village who are skilled in this regard. One of them is Li Quan, who has suffered a mental breakdown and is now a fool, with a combat capability that fluctuates randomly between 0 and 100. However, most of the time, he hovers around the number 0, essentially possessing no lethality, which is consistent with his usual behavior

Master Lingzhi signaled to meet by placing a message by his window on two occasions

The examination system for candidates in the Northern Song Dynasty was quite similar to the scholar examinations of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, but relatively much simpler. As for the palace examination, isn't that just seeking hardship? The quality of the Jinshi degree holders in the Northern Song Dynasty is likely the highest across all dynasties, especially in terms of literary cultivation, which is truly difficult to match. Li Kui feels that even though he eats fish heads every day to nourish his brain, he still cannot keep up with the pace

Fortunately, Li Kui managed to pull through