Chapter 175: Eighth-ranked Clear Heart Realm
On the following journey, Qin Feng remained silent.
Lan Ningshuang sensed his change in mood and asked with concern, “Young Master, don’t pay attention to what that person said. Studying is undoubtedly useful. You know, the reason why the Great Qian Dynasty can stand in the world is greatly attributed to the achievements of the National Teacher of the Imperial City in the Heavenly Monitoring Tower.”
Qin Feng sighed deeply, “How many scholars can reach the level of the National Teacher of the Heavenly Monitoring Pavilion?”
Lan Ningshuang was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.
Qin Feng continued, “Practicing both martial arts and the Literature tradition requires a lot of time and money. Ningshuang, let me ask you, if ordinary people have such conditions, given the choice, which path would they choose for their children?”
Lan Ningshuang hesitated, then said, “Naturally, it would be…”
“No need to think too much, it would definitely be the martial arts tradition.
I used to think that the emphasis on martial prowess over Literature skills in the Great Qian led to the prevalence of warriors and the scarcity of followers of the Literature tradition.
But now, I realize I was too naive. Not everyone has enough talent and resources to break through to high-level realms.
Given limited abilities, practicing martial arts seems to be the only way for ordinary people.”
“In the current world, with the rampant presence of demons, it’s always a sword hanging over the heads of many common people. So, what can studying do? Fulfill ambitions, govern a region? That may be fine, but it’s only for those wealthy and powerful families. How many officials across the country come from humble backgrounds? Not to mention one in ten, but even out of a hundred or a thousand, it’s not certain there would be one.”
“Ningshuang, do you know why this is?”
Lan Ningshuang shook her head.
“Because, for ordinary people, there is nothing more important than survival.
Wanting to live well by studying is undoubtedly a bit of wishful thinking. But if you learn martial arts, become a warrior, even if you can’t join the Demon Slaying Department or the army, you can still make a living by hunting. At the very least, they can run faster than ordinary people when faced with danger.”
“What the young master said is just like what that middle-aged man said before.” Lan Ningshuang thought to herself.
“Of course, besides this, there’s a more practical reason—there is no way into studying,” Qin Feng exhaled lightly.
“No way into studying?” Lan Ningshuang didn’t understand.
“Heh, just like the martial arts tradition, there are numerous martial arts sects and prominent families, but the martial arts techniques passed down are extremely rare. The reason for this is pride in one’s own skills. This is particularly evident in scholars.”
“Ningshuang, have you ever wondered why the ultimate practitioner of the Literature tradition, the Grand Master of the Literature Arts, is only found in the Grand Literature Academy in the Imperial Capital?”
Lan Ningshuang pondered for a moment, then shook her head again. She had no knowledge of the Literature tradition, being more focused on the martial arts path.
However, upon careful recollection, she did find that, except for the Imperial Capital, other cities rarely saw the presence of the Literature Arts tradition.
“My parents once collected thousands of books, hoping to help me reach the Ninth Rank of the Literature Arts, but after more than ten years of studying, there has been no progress.
The reason is that there are very few records of Literature tradition practitioners in the books available. If it weren’t for a fortunate encounter, memorizing those thousands of books, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been able to reach the Ninth Rank of the Literature Path in my entire life.
The martial arts tradition is guarded by major sects and prominent families, unwilling to spread their martial arts techniques.”
“The orthodox path of the Literature sage is such that even the methods of cultivation must be explored independently.
For ordinary scholars from common households, what can they gain by the end? Don’t mention entering the Literature sage tradition; it’s feared that they won’t even qualify to fulfill their ambitions in the court.”
“After all, there is no imperial examination system in The Great Qian, making it incredibly difficult for those from humble backgrounds to enter the court as officials. And those scholars who are fortunate enough to step into the Literature sage tradition do not necessarily carve out a place for themselves.”
“Ya’an, who visited our mansion, told me that scholars aspiring to reach higher realms in the Literature sage path must rely on power. Whether by entering the court as officials or becoming military advisors, such opportunities are not readily available to ordinary people.”
Qin Feng sighed helplessly, exhaling deeply. “This is what I mean by ‘having no way for scholars.'”
Lan Ningshuang solemnly said, “I’ve only heard my cousin talk about these views. But if that’s the case, why does the dynasty turn a blind eye?”
Qin Feng shook his head, acknowledging his lack of knowledge on this matter. Perhaps in such times, protecting one’s territory through force from the clutches of demons and ghosts is the right path, just like the chaotic times of major dynasties engaging in warfare.
Or perhaps, in this uncivilized era, it’s easier to manage ignorant people without their own thoughts. In such a world, what results can reading bring? What can scholars achieve? Qin Feng fell into confusion and contemplation.
Scholars who, like the Imperial Tutor, reached the pinnacle were too few. Most were ordinary people who simply hoped to survive in troubled times.
If one day, the Literature sage cultivation method spread throughout the world, and if one day, places for studying literature were not limited to the Grand Literature Academy in Imperial City, could such a situation change?
While thinking about this, they arrived at Listen To Rain Pavilion.
The old man Bai Li lying on the wicker chair glanced at Qin Feng and curiously asked, “What’s wrong? Young man, judging by your expression, something seems off. Did you get caught secretly visiting the brothel by your wife?”
Hearing this, Lan Ningshuang became suddenly alert. However, upon careful thought, whenever she went out, she always had guards by her Young Master’s side, so he never had such an opportunity. This troublesome old man was just talking nonsense.
A trace of displeasure flashed in Lan Ningshuang’s eyes.
However, Qin Feng remained indifferent and continued to step into Listen To Rain Pavilion.
Cang Feilan in the attic heard the commotion, and upon seeing the visitor, she was about to greet him. However, Qin Feng, deep in thought, casually gave a candied fruit to her and then strolled onto the fifth floor of the book pavilion.
“What’s wrong with him?” Cang Feilan muttered to herself, then glanced at the candied fruit in her hand, a sweet smile appearing on her face.
Time passed quickly, and evening arrived.
As Qin Feng closed the pages in his hands, that last trace of Literature Qi finally filled the ninth step in his Divine Sea!
Dazzling white light appeared, pulling Qin Feng’s consciousness into the Divine Sea.
He followed the mysterious guidance and slowly climbed the steps, finally standing in front of a pure white jade platform.
“Is this the Heart Questioning Platform?” Qin Feng asked with curiosity on his face.
As his words fell, patterns of light on the Heart Questioning Platform circulated like ripples on the water.
A faint white figure gradually appeared, with an indistinct face. Lips slightly parted, it spoke, “What kind of person are you?”
Is this the Heart Questioning Trial?
Qin Feng widened his eyes and then began to furrow his brows in contemplation.
The words of ancient saints he had read in his previous life flashed through his mind one by one.
He could easily borrow a few sentences and present himself as a towering figure. But what would be the point?
There was no one else here, no audience to impress. Strangely enough, for the first time, he sincerely pondered this question.
He recalled the various events after crossing into this world. Apart from boosting the GDP of Jinyang City, it seemed he hadn’t done anything extraordinary.
He thought of Senior Li, the resolute figure determined to protect the city. But heroes were not born in everyone.
He liked beautiful women, enjoyed material wealth, and sometimes acted justly in the heat of the moment.
But most of the time, his choices were no different from those of many prudent individuals.
He smiled casually, “It turns out that I am just a greedy and lustful vulgar person. It would be good if I can be upright and have a clear conscience.”
The white figure flickered slightly and asked again, “What do you think scholars should do?”
“What should scholars do? Ha, what can scholars do in this world? If my physical talents weren’t limited, I’d rather abandon literature for martial arts,” Qin Feng sneered.
High-level Literature saints only existed in the Imperial Capital’s Grand Literature Academy. To practice, they aligned themselves with the imperial army. Where else could you find Literature saints in other cities helping people?
Those who pursued medical arts were looked down upon, despite saving lives. Who made these rules?
Did only those close to power in the capital have the privilege to practice the Literature saint’s path?
Warriors were everywhere, risking their lives to save people in times of danger.
What about those scholars in the lofty Grand Literature Academy?
How many common people had seen them, received their favor?
He remembered the vendor discouraging the young man from writing, saying, “What’s the use of reading and writing?” Truly learned scholars were not like that.
Qin Feng felt a sense of frustration in his heart and vented, “Establishing a heart for heaven and earth, giving life meaning to the people, inheriting the teachings of past saints, and bringing peace to the world for generations. That’s what scholars should do!”
As this statement was made, the Heart Questioning Platform trembled, and in the sea of spirit, white Literature Qi surged like a sea of clouds.
“So that’s how it is.” the white figure said with a smile.
The face of the virtual figure gradually became clear.
Qin Feng, upon seeing it clearly, was astonished. The face of this white virtual figure was identical to his own!
As a stream of clear energy entered his Divine Sea, Qin Feng finally entered the eighth-grade Clear Heart realm!
At the same time, the Listen To Rain Pavilion kept vibrating, and the Literature energy in the books on the shelves surged.
The old man Bai Li, sitting on the wicker chair, sensed the movement. With a press of his right hand, Listen To Rain Pavilion returned to calm.
He lay on the wicker chair, swaying gently, with emotion and relief in his eyes.
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