Chapter 754: Returning Home with Fame and Accomplishment

"Humans possess yin and yang root essences, naturally born and innate; their fusion brings forth spiritual efficacy..."

Liang Qu stroked the pages of the book, studying them earnestly.

He was the most studious in his daily life, and with the River Patrol Office being unbusy lately, he asked Su Guishan for two book titles, immediately seized a spare moment to run to the Shanghu Academy, greeted the headmaster, and dove headfirst into the ocean of knowledge, searching and learning.

Ever since Pingyang Town was upgraded to a county and then to a prefecture, and even after the prefecture was established and another state and county were added, the Shanghu Academy, where he had once studied for half a year, had expanded more than tenfold, becoming the most famous major academy in the entire Pingyang Prefecture.

Every evening after classes ended, the sunset was orange-red, and the crowd of people was like a tide.

The vast sea of students in plain clothes poured out all at once, riding horses and carriages, in groups of two or three, enough to submerge the bluestone main street that could accommodate three carriages driving side by side.

Anyone with urgent or important business had no choice but to take a detour.

As the academy expanded, the quality of the books within naturally rose accordingly, whether through funding from the prefectural government or donations from high-ranking officials, nobles, and local gentry.

When the money was in place, all kinds of books were available, even some low-grade, unranked martial arts from the miscellaneous schools of thought.

As a former "alumnus," Liang Qu, though untalented, was honorably listed among the high-ranking officials and nobles. The most recent expansion took place in the middle of last year; he had been well-off and donated one hundred taels, which Headmaster Zhao had inscribed onto the academy wall.

"So, the primordial yin and primordial yang are too weak in ordinary people, almost imperceptible; one must cultivate to the Galloping Horse Realm to have obvious manifestations."

Liang Qu read on, line by line.

Primordial yin and primordial yang belong to the innate Qi, and they indeed provide a little help to cultivation, assisting in entering meditation or gaining insights. However, if primordial yang and primordial yin fuse, even without dual cultivation techniques, both can benefit. Conversely, if only one person has them, one will suffer a loss while the other benefits.

"Dual cultivation techniques aren't something just anyone can use."

The book's content was rich and the introduction comprehensive.

Regardless of the type of dual cultivation technique, it is rare for both parties to benefit simultaneously. Most are cases where one party suffers a loss while the other grows; the essence is a method of plucking and supplementing. When a high-realm practitioner uses it on a low-realm one, not only is the efficiency low, but the latter may even face life-threatening danger, unless both individuals have special constitutions.

Come to think of it, if there were truly no suffering to endure, everyone would have a copy of a dual cultivation secret manual, and in their spare time, they would cultivate it; the world would be one big Joyous Union Sect.

As for how to distinguish those who have not lost their virginity.

Nothing else, just familiarity.

Those who possess primordial yang and primordial yin indeed have differences, but a person who has never smelled an apple cannot name it just by smelling its fragrance while blindfolded.

In the past, several senior brothers lined up, letting him familiarize himself with their own aura one by one, which was also to facilitate the distinction of auras at different realms.

In other words.

Su Guishan had seen and experienced much, having seen plenty of both types, and naturally possessed the ability to distinguish them.

Liang Qu's experience was ultimately limited; his cultivation was too fast, and he didn't know much about many branches.

"Why are you looking at this kind of thing?"

"Mr. Si?"

Liang Qu turned his head and was surprised.

He had sensed someone approaching earlier, but he hadn't expected it to be Si Hengyi, the teacher who had taught him to read at the Shanghu Academy.

"Don't!" Si Hengyi stepped back two paces. "With Lord Liang present, I dare not accept the title of teacher."

"Since you taught this kid to read, you are a teacher for life. Is Mr. Si still teaching at the academy?"

Several years ago, Si Hengyi was twenty-seven or twenty-eight, looking young and full of vigor, making him easy to approach. Now, he had grown a short beard and was entering middle age, wearing a blue-gray gown. Although he looked more like a man of letters, he had lost that sense of approachability.

Si Hengyi laughed at himself.

"In a few years' time, you've gone from a River Chief to a Water Commandant. I can't compare to you, but I haven't stood still either. I've been promoted to a small position, managing more academy affairs, and I get two taels more in monthly salary. Why, running to look at books on dual cultivation, have you found someone you love?"

"Mr. Si, didn't you receive the pastries earlier?"

"Oh, I remember now. I was wondering why you sent pastries for no reason; so they were wedding cakes!"

Si Hengyi suddenly realized, and looking outside, he immediately grabbed Liang Qu's arm and pulled him out.

"It's rare for you to come to the academy, Lord Liang! Leave a piece of calligraphy before you go! Let the juniors see what kind of demeanor the youngest Great Martial Artist in the Great Shun, who came from the same academy, possesses!"

"This..." Liang Qu put the book back on the shelf, feeling reluctant. "I only attended the academy for half a year, and I haven't studied calligraphy, so I'm afraid I can't write anything."

"No matter." Si Hengyi had taught Liang Qu, and he knew exactly what level the other's writing was at. "You are a Hunting Tiger Great Martial Artist, and your control of strength is extraordinary. If you don't have your own style, just imitate others. No need to worry; there are plenty of copybooks in the academy."

Words had reached this point.

Refusing again would be impolite.

Having obtained consent, Si Hengyi turned to report to the headmaster.

Before long, all the instructors stopped teaching, and the students from every classroom poured out, surrounding the pond, chattering, and creating a noisy scene.

The students were of all ages, both male and female.

From eight or nine-year-old children just starting their education to fourteen or fifteen-year-old "old students."

"Who is Liang Qu?"

"Don't know him."

"Hiss, are you from the countryside? You don't even know Liang Qu? An eighteen-year-old Great Martial Artist, the only one under heaven, someone who has walked through the Meridian Gate. My father and mother all guessed he was a Jiang Zongshi at what age; he's almost twenty this year, right?"

"I said the name sounded familiar; he looks about the same age as us."

"He looks quite heroic, he's really good-looking." Some female students whispered to each other.

"Average, not as good-looking as me!"

"In another year, I'll be able to practice martial arts too, and then I'll come to break this record!"

Male students stuck feathers into their backsides, spreading them out like fans, vying for attention.

The whole scene was chaotic.

The older ones had heard of Liang Qu's reputation and knew how exaggerated today's achievements were.

The younger ones didn't really know what kind of person Liang Qu was, but because of this, they didn't have to stay in the room shaking their heads and reciting books, which made him a very good person.

"Quiet!"

Si Hengyi stiffened his face, and the students felt fear.

Liang Qu suddenly understood what position Si Hengyi had been promoted to.

Grade Level Director!

Pairs of dark and bright eyes stared at him.

Fourteen or fifteen years old, the most restless age, their eyes full of admiration.

Two energetic students were arranged to come forward and spread out a long strip of paper.

Si Hengyi ground the ink himself and handed over the brush.

He looked around.

The Shanghu Academy had been expanded several times, and the layout and appearance of the place where he once came to study had changed greatly; only a few old instructors and the headmaster were familiar.

Liang Qu always felt that something was different, yet everything was the same.

In just a few short years, he had taken one big step after another, steps he himself couldn't believe.

He lowered his head and stared at the white paper in front of him, combining it with his own experiences, and put the brush to the paper. He originally wanted to write, "Years pass by in a flash, fame should be pursued quickly," or perhaps, "If a man wishes to establish fame, he must look forward."

But he paused.

Another sentence suddenly popped into his mind.

He held his breath, focused his mind, lifted the brush, and let his wrist fall.

"When the Dao is about to be practiced, people will vie to praise. People will value fame, people will spread the sound, people will share in the glory."

The writing was bold and vigorous.

Liang Qu was satisfied and put away the brush.

The weather was gradually turning cold, and fallen leaves were everywhere.

Life had returned to its former appearance.

The tender expression of Long Eying looking up with her pretty face saying she was so tired never appeared again, as if it had been a hallucination.

Every day was spent in meditation and cultivation, teaching the water beasts to speak, and occasionally she would express refusal to Liang Qu's clinginess. The shark silk sent a month ago had also gone silent.

"Eh..."

Liang Qu lay alone on the swing.

A peaceful second half of the year.

No opportunities for meritorious service.

No opportunities to earn money or essence.

He could only stay at home and soak in the pond to maintain his life like this.

Just as he was reminiscing about the warmth of the embrace in his memory, Li Libo, Chen Jiechang, and Lin Songbao entered from the side door, each holding three large boxes.

"Brother Shui!"

"Why are you here?" Liang Qu rolled over and sat up. "You just came back from the River Patrol Office, right? You still have to go to the martial arts hall in the afternoon, aren't you going back to catch up on sleep?"

"We were going to." Li Libo's mouth was stuffed with egg yolk pastry, his speech slurred. "Lord Wei has come out of seclusion, saying he has been promoted to Jiang Zongshi, and has distributed wedding cakes to everyone, one box per person. He even specifically asked us to bring you ten boxes. They feel a bit tastier than the ones you sent that day, eh."

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 755 =====