Mr. Wu was very courteous to Zhang Chen, inviting him to sit down. Then he said to Zhong Xiang, "Go check if the kitchen has prepared the food and wine."
Zhong Xiang got up and left upon hearing this. Mr. Wu personally poured tea for Zhang Chen before saying, "In fact, the reason I invited you here today is to take you back to the Capital City. With your talents, staying in this desolate Northern Land is a waste. Why not return to the Capital City with me? I will personally recommend you to the Academy to secure a promising future and a better life."
Upon hearing Mr. Wu’s words, Zhang Chen was visibly moved. Although this wasn’t the first person to offer goodwill—previously Han Suzhen, then the Young Master, and now Mr. Wu seated across from him—all had shown him kindness. However, the fact that someone was willing to uplift and support him still touched his heart.
For someone mired in the depths of life’s hardships, this opportunity was incredibly precious, almost like a chance to change one’s fate. Even if he mastered the Qi Cultivation Technique, this opportunity would still be extremely valuable.
"The Northern Land is actually quite good. I’m just a commoner, and rebellious at heart. If I went to Kyoto, a place teeming with nobles, they might ask me to bow my head, which I wouldn’t do, potentially causing great trouble." Zhang Chen refused Mr. Wu’s good intentions, as he still wanted to find ways to gain the Qi Cultivation formula within Yellow Heaven Dao. How could he rashly go to Kyoto?
Hearing Zhang Chen’s words, Mr. Wu dipped a finger in tea and drew a very large circle on the table. "Look, this is the entire Great Victory world."
Then he pointed inside the circle with his finger, "This little dot is the Northern Land."
"The three regions and eighteen counties of the Northern Land may seem vast, but in comparison to the whole world, it is but an insignificant dot. Without going to Kyoto, one wouldn’t know the true extent of Great Victory’s splendor and vastness. The Northern Land is merely a remote part of the Great Victory Dynasty, a place of harsh conditions, barren and impoverished in terms of civilization. Staying here would only hinder your growth. You are young now; it’s the perfect time to acquire knowledge and plan for your future. With my planning and support, becoming a noble and starting your own family line shouldn’t be a problem."
Mr. Wu earnestly persuaded, "Kyoto is where talents from all over the world gather. Only there will you understand the gap between yourself and your peers and ignite your ambition. Not to mention, look at Zhong Xiang, known as the Southern Qilin, already considered a master by everyone. Yet, he’s unaware that Kyoto holds bloodline families passed down since the dawn of time, with countless prodigies within them, possibly no inferior to Zhong Xiang."
"Bloodline families?" Zhang Chen asked in surprise.
"Yes, these are families whose ancestors once forged mysteries, passing down their bloodlines for generations. Sometimes, the mysterious power attaches to their bloodline and continues. There are countless wonders in this world, all gathered in the Capital, and without going there, you wouldn’t know how vast the world truly is." Mr. Wu’s voice was sincere, but unfortunately, Zhang Chen could only disappoint that sincerity.
He was not the kind of person to bow down easily. If he went to the Capital, and someone bullied him, he wouldn’t lower his head, which would inevitably lead to trouble.
Moreover, even if he left the Northern Land, his destination would be Jiangnan, where he aspired to become a wealthy landowner in a land of abundance. In his leisure time, he’d search for the mysteries, delve into the Spiritual World, and quietly seek Creations.
"Sir’s kindly offer, I humbly decline. I’m just someone who doesn’t belong in grand places and lacks grand ambitions." Zhang Chen once again rejected Mr. Wu.
Unexpectedly, Zhong Xiang returned right at this moment, glaring at Zhang Chen, "A true man born in Heaven and Earth should have lofty ambitions. How can you be so lacking in aspiration? You’re like a dog unfit for the feast, mud that can’t hold up the wall. Do you know my granduncle’s status and position? Having him wanting to support you is such a precious opportunity. So many scions of major families in Kyoto yearn for this, kneeling bitterly night and day outside the doorstep, just in vain hope. Even the princes of the Great Victory Royal Family find it as difficult as reaching the sky to meet my master. How can you lack such ambition?"
Zhong Xiang’s outburst was without malice, filled with expectation and motivation in his words, but it was a pity Zhang Chen was determined to acquire Qi Cultivation Technique, adamant not to change his mind, "Ah, Zhong, it’s easier said than done."
"You..." Zhong Xiang looked at Zhang Chen’s unyielding demeanor, and in anger, stomped his foot, wanting to say more but was stopped by Mr. Wu, "No need to persuade further; everyone has their own aspirations. I have a premonition that we will meet again in Kyoto. The Northern Land cannot contain you, Prince Pingbian’s Mansion cannot contain you; this is not your destined place."
"Let’s talk about it when the time comes," Zhang Chen said noncommittally. "If I ever do go to Kyoto, I hope the old gentleman will take care of me."
"Naturally," Mr. Wu nodded, then asked, "How far have you progressed in your literacy studies?"
"I’ve learned them all," Zhang Chen replied.
"Go to the study and fetch the ten books placed on the desk," Mr. Wu instructed.
Zhong Xiang turned and left, returning shortly with the ten books, placing them on the table.
Mr. Wu looked at the ten books and sighed softly, "These ten books are the studies I’ve recently annotated. You can read them in your spare time in the Northern Land. No matter where and when, knowledge is the most important wealth. If you can comprehend even one book, you can sense the existence of the soul. Understand two, and you can achieve Soul Emergence. Grasp three, and you can Night Travel. Master four, and you can Day Travel. If you can thoroughly comprehend them all, attaining the Confucian Yin Spirit would be as natural as flowing water."