Chapter 104: Methods

(Please subscribe—purchasing the official edition is the greatest support for the author!)

Jiaona appeared in class punctually, which did not surprise Chen Jianchen in the slightest. However, what caught Jiaona off guard was that Chen Jianchen made no mention of the ink grinding practice assigned yesterday. He seemed to have forgotten about it entirely and went straight to teaching new characters...

Jiaona secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Yesterday, she had stormed out of the study in a fit of anger and wandered up to the back mountain to clear her mind. After sitting quietly for some time, she finally dispelled the gloom in her heart. Yet, even upon returning home, she remained unsettled and had no intention of obeying Chen Jianchen’s instructions to learn ink grinding from Xiang’er. If Chen Jianchen forced her to grind ink again today, it would likely result in a repeat of yesterday’s conflict.

Chen Jianchen was clear-minded and perceptive; he understood well the saying about not driving a rabbit into a corner. So he kept quiet about the ink grinding task yesterday and instead gently began teaching new characters.

As Jiaona copied the characters, she found Chen Jianchen growing increasingly strange and inscrutable. His behavior was nothing like the other teachers she had known before, especially with a sword hidden deep within his spirit!

This was no trivial matter.

One of the main reasons Jiaona had lowered her head and sat obediently in class was to uncover the truth about Chen Jianchen’s background...

Two nights ago, Master Huangfu had subtly inquired with his daughter why she was willing to listen quietly, while Jiaona had bluntly asked about Chen Jianchen’s origins.

Huangfu had no reason to hide the truth and recounted the entire story directly. But after hearing it, Jiaona felt even more confused: Chen Jianchen’s experiences and the sword concealed within his spirit seemed unrelated...

This led Jiaona to conclude that Chen Jianchen was definitely hiding something from her father... She even suspected that Chen Jianchen might have ulterior motives, deliberately disguising himself as a teacher to come to their estate.

If that were the case, could Chen Jianchen already know their true identities?

“Is loyalty indistinguishable from treachery?”

The little vixen immediately thought of a fitting phrase and let her imagination run wild, endlessly refining her suspicions until she arrived at the conclusion: Chen Jianchen’s arrival at the estate was part of a conspiracy...

Since childhood, Jiaona had often been scolded by her father, who taught her that the mortal world was vast and chaotic, with human hearts as treacherous as ghosts, cunning and fickle... To survive in such a world, one must study to discern right from wrong and truth from falsehood. Seeing her daughter’s refusal to study, he even gave a strict order forbidding her from wandering beyond one li outside the estate or entering the city.

Thus, up to this day, aside from daily trips to the back mountain, Jiaona had no other social activities.

Master Huangfu was wise and skilled in management, but his method of disciplining his daughter was somewhat flawed. It only intensified Jiaona’s rebellious nature and deepened her disinterest in studying.

Though Jiaona disliked learning, she remembered her father’s words about “human hearts being like ghosts” very clearly. Applying this lesson, she suspected Chen Jianchen because of the many suspicious traits he exhibited for someone so young.

Fox nature is inherently suspicious...

However, Jiaona had not planned to report to her father just yet. She intended to gather more information before taking action, ideally catching Chen Jianchen red-handed... Attending his lessons was undoubtedly a good way to learn more.

Chen Jianchen naturally had no inkling of her thoughts. Still, he understood that truly turning Jiaona into a “model student” would not be easy. It couldn’t be resolved in a few days or by dispelling a minor spell with a single sword strike. It required gradual influence, like spring rain nurturing new growth.

Today’s class ended smoothly once more.

Back in the east wing, Chen Jianchen had already informed Lu Xiyue to prepare her things so she could travel with Wang Fu back to Jiangzhou. Lu Xiyue had no objections.

Since Wang Fu was set to depart early the next morning and their routes diverged, Chen Jianchen planned to escort Lu Xiyue and her servant to a guesthouse in Suzhou City today, where they would meet up with Wang Fu and the others.

Lu Xiyue packed lightly and quickly. Chen Jianchen led them outside to bid farewell to Master Huangfu and thank him for his hospitality.

“Father, I want to go into the city with Teacher and Sister Xiyue!” Jiaona suddenly ran out, excitedly announcing this. She and Lu Xiyue had gotten along well these days and become friends.

Master Huangfu immediately frowned. “No, who knows what trouble you might cause if you go out?”

Pouting, Jiaona whined, “Father, please let me go. I promise to listen to Teacher and won’t stir up any trouble.”

Jiaona had long yearned to visit Suzhou City, but her father’s restrictions had prevented her. Now she was eager to see what the dazzling worldly life was really like.

“Um...” Master Huangfu glanced at Chen Jianchen, evidently seeking his opinion and placing the decision in his hands.

Chen Jianchen looked at Jiaona, who was full of expectation, and said, “Master Huangfu, let Miss Huangfu accompany us into the city. It will be good for her to become acquainted with the ways of the world.”

With Chen Jianchen’s approval, Master Huangfu had no further objections. He cupped his hands and said, “Then I entrust her to you, Liuxian. If she misbehaves in the city, you are responsible for instructing her.”

He added a few more admonitions to Jiaona.

Overjoyed at the prospect of going to the city, Jiaona agreed to everything without hesitation.

They boarded the Huangfu family carriage, and the group set off towards Suzhou City.

Watching them depart, Master Huangfu’s expression suddenly darkened. He muttered, “That fellow to the south has been causing too much trouble lately, and the matter only grows worse... This might be difficult to handle. If it alerts the cultivators of the Shi family’s sect, that would be bad... Hmm, looks like I’ll have to take matters into my own hands...”

“Sir, what did you say?” a servant nearby asked, noticing his lips moving but hearing no sound.

Master Huangfu chuckled softly. “I meant I’m going out for a while and may not return tonight. When Miss Huangfu and the others come back, you can inform them.”

“Understood!” the servant replied respectfully. The master often stayed out late; it was nothing unusual.

“Ah, Afu, there might be thunder and lightning tonight. Be sure to secure the doors and windows,” Master Huangfu added before leaving.

Thunder and lightning? In the dead of winter?

Afu was stunned—had the master misspoken?

The carriage rolled steadily on. Lu Xiyue and Jiaona sat inside, while Chen Jianchen sat up front beside the driver, leaning against the carriage side with a steady posture.

The wheels clattered monotonously, interspersed with the girls’ clear laughter from behind. Chen Jianchen took out a scroll he always carried and began reading.

Studying on the move, oblivious to everything else.

The driver glanced over and secretly admired him. He thought, “Scholars are truly extraordinary, able to focus on reading anytime and anywhere. No wonder he passed the imperial exam and became a gentleman.”

Suddenly, the sound of urgent hoofbeats and harsh shouts came from behind: “Official business! Bystanders keep clear!”

Chen Jianchen turned to see dust rising on the official road behind them, three magnificent horses galloping at full speed. Passersby hurriedly dodged out of the way.

The driver seemed experienced with such situations. Skillfully flicking his whip, he pulled the carriage to the side to prevent the horses from panicking and running wild.

Clatter clatter clatter!

Twelve hooves thundered past quickly. Among the three riders, two wore the black uniforms of the government office, while the third was dressed in common hemp clothes.

“Ah, so it’s Chief Zhang, Lieutenant Li’s bodyguard,” the driver said sharply, recognizing them.

Chen Jianchen’s interest piqued. “Ma Liu, is this the same Lieutenant Li Yifeng from West Gate?”

The driver laughed. “Isn’t it? In Suzhou, there’s no other Lieutenant Li but him.”

“Hmm, what do you know about him?” Chen Jianchen asked.

Ma Liu urged the horses onward and began to chatter: “Master Chen, here’s the story—recently, a huge snake suddenly appeared in the gorge south of the East Mountain. It’s massive—if you didn’t see it yourself, you wouldn’t believe it. A hundred zhang long, its head as big as a basket, eyes like copper bells, and its body can coil around the entire mountain peak. Terrifying beyond words...”

Chen Jianchen chuckled silently. Ma Liu clearly had exaggerated, never having seen the giant serpent firsthand. Such folk tales were typical—after being passed through several mouths, even a sparrow could become a phoenix. He didn’t interrupt, letting the driver continue.

“This big snake was said to have been released into the mountains years ago by a damned snake charmer. No one knows why, but over the years it grew to this enormous size and started eating people—some say it could swallow an elephant. There’s a rumor that once the snake devours 9,999 people, it will shed its tail and transform into a dragon...”

This tale was even more far-fetched.

Though Chen Jianchen wasn’t certain if dragons existed in this world, he was sure that the giant snake’s man-eating was simply a crude method of absorbing vitality and flesh to enhance its cultivation. How far it was from becoming a dragon remained unknown.

“The giant snake terrorized the people, who were in panic. Every day, local leaders led villagers to protest before the government offices. But the soldiers dared not go up the mountain to kill the snake. Helpless, the government posted a reward: whoever could slay the snake would receive ten gold ingots... Such a high bounty had never been offered before, but unfortunately, our family has no means to chase it—we can only watch helplessly...”

“Some skilled hunters were bold enough to accept the challenge and went up the mountain to hunt the snake, but all were swallowed whole. Since then, no one dared volunteer. A high reward is useless if you don’t have a life to claim it... But yesterday, when I was driving for the master, I heard that Lieutenant Li sent men to accept the challenge. At first, I didn’t believe it, but now it seems true—the two officials I saw just now were Lieutenant Li’s bodyguards...”

At this, Chen Jianchen couldn’t help but ask, “Does Lieutenant Li know martial arts?”

Ma Liu replied, “No, he’s a scholar. How could he practice martial arts?”

“Then why would he accept the challenge to kill the snake?”

“Hehe, he probably sent his men to do it. Lieutenant Li comes from a wealthy family and is generous by nature. He loves to associate with heroes from all over and has countless retainers at home.”

Chen Jianchen immediately understood. Li Yifeng’s move was certainly not for the reward money. Instead, it was a bid to gain fame and influence. If he succeeded in killing the giant snake, the people of Suzhou would be deeply grateful, greatly benefiting Li Yifeng’s future career.

A clever strategy...

A playful glint flickered in Chen Jianchen’s eyes.

At this moment, they arrived at Suzhou City.