Martial Saint through Reading

Chapter 77: Chapter 77: Talent? Effort?

”Chu Ming,” Shen Yu’s voice was low and deep, ”with your talent, your future achievements are beyond measure.”

This was the first time he spoke his name, not just ’you kid’.

”I have neither son nor daughter, a lonely life, and at this age to encounter you...”

Shen Yu was speaking solemnly, but when he saw the subtle change in Chu Ming’s expression, he suddenly shifted, ”Don’t give me that look. I’m not taking you as my disciple, nor as my adopted son or grandson.”

Chu Ming: ”...”

”I don’t have that ability, and you can’t get too entangled with me.”

Shen Yu had thought it over. Because he promoted the simplified script, he was exiled here. In short, he had no real chance to turn things around, most likely he would live out his days in obscurity.

But the young man before him was different. Chu Ming still had a bright future ahead—he must not let himself ruin that, nor let the hope for promoting the simplified script be lost.

Promoting the simplified script, without sufficient local status, is absolutely impossible. And this young man, one day, will stand at a height even greater than I once did.

Perhaps by then, I’ll have long departed from this world, but at least, I’ll leave with hope.

”I can’t help much, nor can I help you with anything,” Shen Yu continued, ”The only thing I can do for you is within the academy—where I have authority, like Wenlan Hall. There are many good books there; find time to have a look. Especially the Inner Courtyard’s collection, which deals with Ancient Shell Script.”

To be related to Ancient Shell Script is to be connected with Mountain Scripture.

Wenlan Hall is divided into Lower Hall, Middle Hall, and Inner Courtyard. The Junior Examinees of Baiyuan Academy’s Middle Courtyard cannot borrow books from the Inner Courtyard collection. Shen Yu’s meaning is that Chu Ming may bypass this restriction and access the Inner Courtyard books.

Chu Ming’s eyes flashed. He hurriedly cupped his hands, bowing in gratitude, ”Thank you, Mr. Shen.”

”Mm, that’s all for now. I’m leaving.” Shen Yu nodded slightly, resumed his posture with hands clasped behind his back, pushed open the door, and prepared to leave.

But as soon as he pushed open the door, he saw two heads pressed against the doorway, too late to pull away.

”Shen...Shen Yu...” Ning Hao and Liang Yuan awkwardly shuffled to the side.

Shen Yu glanced at them sternly, ”If either of you breathe a word about tonight, you’ll be standing through every poetry class from now on and never pass an exam again.”

”Ah...” The two were stunned in place. ”Mr. Shen, we...we didn’t hear anything! We were just delivering tea. Mr. Shen spoke so much—maybe have some tea?”

Liang Yuan held the tea cup with both hands, Ning Hao the tea pot, fumbling as they poured tea to the brim.

But very quickly, both realized they’d stumbled in their words.

Didn’t hear, but knew Mr. Shen spoke a lot, so he must be thirsty?

Their cheeks flushed as they secretly exchanged glances.

Ning Hao: Don’t you feel, since Brother Chu entered our Yunqi Courtyard, we’ve been exposed for what we are?

Liang Yuan: What do you mean exposed? We are Junior Examinees of Baiyuan Academy’s Middle Courtyard, admired by so many! It’s mostly that Brother Chu’s brilliance overshadows our own talent.

Ning Hao: Then why do we keep messing up our words more often?

Liang Yuan: That’s your problem, don’t drag me into it.

”Not thirsty!” Shen Yu shot them a glare. Compared to Chu Ming, Ning Hao and Liang Yuan had talent too, but the gap between them was impossible to articulate.

He strode past the two and headed for the courtyard outside.

Just then, a voice called from behind, ”Mr. Shen, have some tea.”

Chu Ming emerged from the house, took the tea cup from Liang Yuan’s hands, and without anyone noticing, dropped some powder into the tea, then hurried towards the courtyard gate.

The powder was the antidote to arsenic powder, actually a type of medicinal decoction. He’d just grabbed some from inside.

Although a small dose of arsenic powder isn’t usually an issue, Shen Yu’s age and health make even a small amount uncomfortable.

Since Shen Yu suffered from his mistake, Chu Ming couldn’t ignore it.

”Ah, just what I needed, I was thirsty.” Shen Yu took the cup and drank it all. One cup didn’t seem enough, so he glared at Liang Yuan, ”I told you to brew tea when I arrived, and still haven’t had a sip! If Chu Ming hadn’t brought it, I’d believe your Yunqi Courtyard doesn’t even have a drop of water.”

Liang Yuan: ”...?”

Wasn’t that cup not poured by me?

Tea handled by Brother Chu—was it sweetened, or did he add something? Why are you changing moods so fast, old sir?

Ning Hao looked down at his own tea pot, then at Liang Yuan’s dissatisfied face, then at the empty tea cup Shen Yu handed over, mutely filling it again.

He still recalled the conversation he had just overheard.

Promoting the simplified script, breaking down literary barriers, speeding up the spread of knowledge...

Is this what Brother Chu meant by pioneering?

Complex Text... Simplified Text...

”Hey you, Little Ningx, what are you spacing out for? It’s full, don’t pour anymore!”

Shen Yu’s reprimand jolted Ning Hao from his daze. He looked up clear-eyed at Shen Yu, tea pot in hand, bowed, ”Mr. Shen, I understand now.”

”Understand?” The tea wasn’t very hot, but Shen Yu shook his hand, sounding irritable, ”What is it you understand?”

Ning Hao’s face was resolute, ”I understand the importance of the simplified script...”

Shen Yu listened, his brows raised, and he abruptly cut him off, ”Hmm, the tea is well-brewed, keep it up.”

With that, he didn’t care about Ning Hao’s reaction, tossed the cup to Liang Yuan, and strode out of Yunqi Courtyard.

”Simplified script what?” Liang Yuan stared at Ning Hao, ”Senior, don’t tell me you’re thinking...”

Ning Hao looked out to the empty courtyard, his expression shifting from excitement to disappointment.

Why wouldn’t Mr. Shen let him finish?

Chu Ming walked over to Ning Hao, seeing his dejected look, patted him on the shoulder, casually took the tea pot from his hand, added antidote, and said in a low voice, ”When Shen Yu told you to keep it up, he didn’t mean brewing tea.”

Shen Yu doesn’t want to implicate Chu Ming, nor Ning Hao.

Hm?

Ning Hao’s eyes brightened once again.

...

Back inside, Chu Ming sat upright at his desk, pondering all that had happened today.

His visit to the gallery won the promise of Baiyuan County Magistrate Liu Sitong—if he desired, he could be recommended for office.

Then there was the Mountain Scripture...

He gazed at the papers on his desk, deep in thought.

”Tomorrow, I’ll first visit Wenlan Hall, and see what that Mountain Scripture truly is.”

Shen Yu said Wenlan Hall’s Inner Courtyard held the Mountain Scripture, but Chu Ming knew Shen Yu meant that as guidance—that the Mountain Scripture shouldn’t normally be kept in the Inner Courtyard.

The old gentleman’s purpose was clear: he just wanted Chu Ming to learn about the Mountain Scripture early, so he could use it as a foundation and pave the way for his future career.

Chu Ming could feel it—Shen Yu’s view towards him was admiration, recognition, and treated him as a peer.

Shen Yu hoped he could climb higher—perhaps that one day, he could fulfill Shen Yu’s wish.

But mostly, it was just hope. Shen Yu didn’t do anything to harm him, and even in his words, always considered Chu Ming’s future, truly keeping to his promise to just talk, never interfering with Chu Ming’s prospects.

Finally, there was the matter of the Chu Family. He’d thought he was probing into them, but it turned out they were moving as well.

The academy isn’t as insulated as Shen Yu once claimed—the poisoned food in the dining hall is proof enough.

The Chu Family is deeply entangled with the Blood Evil Sect, which itself is shrouded in mystery. Just that so-called Young Master Girl is protected by a Strong Bone Realm expert—how formidable is the Blood Evil Sect’s power, really?