Chapter 25 - 25 Shu Han Enters the Southern Region
"Chang Qing, how was your learning today?"
In the study, Li Qingchen asked with a smile.
Su Changqing heard this and smiled, "Teacher, these arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting are all fulfilled in the sense of 'completion'."
"Although I haven't broken through to the 'Dao' yet, it shouldn't be far off."
A well-read mind speaks with grace, and although Su Changqing's words were without arrogance, the surging confidence was unmistakable.
He could feel that what he had learned during this period was very powerful.
With the current progress, he was quite pleased with himself.
Li Qingchen sighed softly at this.
Su Nan wanted to suppress Su Changqing's growth, but how could a prodigy like Su Changqing be suppressed?
Though Su Changqing had no concept of his current level, his increasingly formidable foundation still made him confident and calm.
If it were an ordinary student, Li Qingchen would be happy with this. Confidence is not a bad thing; it gives one the courage to face everything.
But Su Changqing was different; his confidence was built too easily. If unchecked, this confidence could turn into arrogance.
Skills may grow, but temperament must be restrained!
Thinking of this, Li Qingchen said, "Chang Qing, since you are so confident, how about I introduce you to one of my minor disciples?"
Su Changqing's eyes brightened, "Teacher's disciple? That would be great."
Having grown up, aside from Li Qingchen, Su Changqing had not interacted with anyone from the outside world, especially peers.
He was eager to know how far he had progressed in the way of Confucianism.
"Haha, your senior brother and second senior brother are busy, so this time I am introducing my most unpromising disciple, Shu Han."
Li Qingchen looked at Su Changqing with a playful smile, "You must communicate well when the time comes."
Su Changqing nodded slightly, feeling a bit regretful.
He actually wanted to compete with his teacher's top disciples and assess his skills through the rivalry.
But an unpromising disciple...
Not to boast, but he felt quite strong now, and feared the junior brother might not stand a chance.
Seeing this, Li Qingchen said nothing, only slightly curled his lips, his eyes full of amusement.
Shu Han, who entered under his tutelage at the age of six, excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, his calligraphy having attained the Dao, while the rest reached completion.
If not for Su Changqing, Shu Han, with Wen Sheng's Body, would have been his cherished disciple.
When it comes to testing Su Changqing, surely peers would be the most effective.
Thinking this, Li Qingchen no longer hesitated and sent a message to Shu Han in secret.
...
Central Province, Holy Academy.
Lately, Shu Han was quite agitated because the contest between the teacher and Master Wei was about to begin.
Even though it's just a competition among disciples, it concerns the reputation of the Holy Academy.
If they truly lose, the prestige of the academy, as the leader of the literary world, would greatly diminish.
The crux of his anxiety was that their odds of winning seemed not great.
Firstly, the junior disciple joined the teachings too late; though he apprenticed under the youthful sage, learning is not accomplished in a day; it requires time and foundation.
While a teacher can help students avoid detours, it ultimately depends on the student.
In the literary circle, Ling Si has been the most outstanding young person in recent years.
It's not that he underestimates the junior brother, but Ling Si is renowned and rose to fame young.
On the other hand, he had never heard of the junior brother's name; it seemed to appear out of nowhere, and the odds of winning didn't look promising.
"Young sir, Wanjinfu has opened the bets, Ling Si's odds are one to one, and Zhi Yu's odds are one to five."
At this moment, a Confucian student entered and said hesitantly:
"I heard... recently, the head of Wei Academy spent a lot to purchase an ancient book, allowing Ling Si to comprehend its essence. Now, Ling Si's calligraphy is nearing perfection."
"In a few days, the odds at Wanjinfu might change again."
Shu Han helplessly sighed when he heard this.
These past days, he had heard these messages so often that his ears were nearly calloused.
Ancient books, poetry, ancient paintings... For the sake of winning, Master Wei had invested a fortune.
Under Wei Cang's diligent guidance, Ling Si progressed rapidly.
It was also heard that Ling Si had composed several remarkable poems during this period.
One of them, 'Autumn Wind Poem,' only needed a couple of lines to leave people in awe.
It can be imagined that Ling Si had made considerable preparations for the upcoming contest.
"Ah, truly worrisome, I wonder about junior brother's current learning and whether he has attained insight."
"Even if he can't win, hopefully, he won't lose too miserably, otherwise..."
Thinking of the severe consequences, Shu Han sighed again.
"Young sir, why can't you partake in the contest?"
"You aren't much older, not long past adulthood. Even if you participated, no one would object."
"It seems like bullying that the head of Wei Academy wants the newly apprenticed disciple of the youthful sage."
The newly enrolled Confucian student said a bit indignantly.
"If I were to participate, it would indeed be bullying."
Shu Han chuckled bitterly, "How many years have I been apprenticed? Following the teacher since age six, it has now been sixteen years."
"Regarding the four arts and literature, even great scholars are no match for me. How could I bully a little girl?"
"In this contest, it ultimately falls on the junior brother. I just don't know if the junior brother currently..."
Before Shu Han could finish speaking, his Communication Talisman suddenly lit up.
His expression froze, and when he saw who the messenger was, his eyes shone brightly.
"Teacher!"
Shu Han immediately opened the message and saw the news from Li Qingchen.
[Come to the south of the Southern Region, Cyan Mountain Village to find me]
[Remember to be respectful to everyone in the village, do not show arrogance]
[Your identity here is that of my half-year unpromising minor disciple. Regardless of what happens, remain calm, remember!]
"Teacher is in the Southern Region, which means the junior brother is there too?"
Shu Han looked delighted.
Although he didn't fully understand the meaning in the teacher's message, it didn't matter much. He could ask in detail once he was there.
For now, the most crucial thing was that he finally could meet the never-before-seen junior brother.
"The contest is about to start. Teacher must want me to impart some experience to the junior brother."
"That is good, communication among peers is more straightforward. I will surely instruct the junior brother well!"
Shu Han wore a serious expression and rushed back to his room.
He gathered everything he had learned, written, and studied in past years... a large pile of things.
Regardless if it is for the upcoming win or to help the junior brother, he must give it his all.
After preparing, Shu Han explained briefly to some great scholars in the academy and was soon on his way.
The Cangyan Continent is vast, with Central Province at the world's center and the Southern Region at the southernmost part of the continent.
Even for a skilled cultivator, it would be difficult to traverse a region in less than three to five years.
But fortunately, formidable experts have constructed enormous teleportation arrays between the regions. With enough money, one can instantly reach the destination.
Thus, it didn't take long for Shu Han to teleport from Central Province to the Southern Region.
But upon arriving in the Southern Region, Shu Han looked at the desolate land and the warring crowds, his expression stunned.
"Is the Southern Region... this chaotic?"