Worldview and Growth

An ordinary old man's health had never been very good. After being shoved by a burly man like Tang Hao, he looked even worse.

Yun Feng hurried forward to help him up. Tang San had also seemed tempted to come over, but after looking at his father, he ultimately did not take a step.

Yun Feng glared at the tightly shut door. After a long while, his anger faded, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

He had originally only intended to live his own life well.

Although Jack was in great pain, he still shouted loudly as Yun Feng helped him away.

"San, Grandpa Jack will come pick you up tomorrow. This year's work-study student spot in the village will go to you. You'll attend Notting Junior Soul Master Academy in Nuoding City, and the village will cover your travel expenses."

"Don't mind that drunkard father of yours!"

Old Jack's shout was destined to receive no response.

Seeing his grandfather like this, Yun Feng frowned but did not say anything.

There were some things relatives did not need to know too much about.

However, what needed to be said still had to be said.

Yun Feng looked at Jack, who was holding his waist, and slowly asked,

"Grandpa, why do you insist on making Tang San attend Notting Junior Soul Master Academy?"

At those words, a trace of nostalgia appeared in Jack's eyes.

"Feng'er, it's not that I insist on making Tang San go. It's just that the child is too pitiful. If we can help him, we should. His father is truly outrageous."

Yun Feng sighed helplessly. Still, perhaps it was precisely because of Jack's nature that he, who had crossed over as nothing more than a baby, had survived until now.

"I understand, Grandpa. Let's go home first."

Old Jack nodded, pain showing in his eyes.

"That Tang Hao has no sense of restraint. It hurts like hell!"

Yun Feng could only watch helplessly. He was not a healing-type Spirit Master and had no means of treatment, so he could only fulfill his responsibility and take good care of him.

Early the next morning.

Yun Feng heard a knock on the door. When he got up to look, he found Tang San standing outside alone, carrying his belongings on his back.

After taking one look, Yun Feng asked directly,

"Have you thought it through?"

Tang San did not know why Yun Feng seemed a little colder than before today. However, thinking that he would soon be able to begin cultivating under this world's system, he did not dwell on it.

"I came to find Grandpa Jack. I've decided to go to school!"

"I'm sorry about what happened yesterday. My father didn't do it on purpose."

Yun Feng nodded without saying anything.

Jack had also heard the voices. Leaning on his cane, he slowly and unsteadily walked out.

When Yun Feng saw Jack's current condition, he immediately said,

"Grandpa, why don't Tang San and I go by ourselves? You don't need to see us off. You're injured!"

Jack smiled and shook his head, then looked at Yun Feng kindly.

"It's all right. This is your first time going outside. Grandpa has to watch over you."

Yun Feng fell silent for a moment. Tang San did not know what he was thinking, but he nodded as well.

"All right, it's getting late. Let's set off early, or it won't be good if we arrive too late!"

Since Jack had already made up his mind, Yun Feng did not hesitate. He returned to his room, gathered his belongings, poured the hot water he had prepared in advance into a flask, and only then came back out.

The three of them walked down the road together. Yun Feng turned and looked back toward the village.

"Feng'er, can't bear to leave the village?"

Jack rubbed Yun Feng's head and asked with a smile.

"A little," Yun Feng answered softly.

Jack smiled faintly. "You're too sensible, too attached to your feelings. Don't think too much about it. The world outside is vast. At the academy, you'll meet many friends and learn much knowledge. Once you earn the title of Spirit Master, the state will give you a monthly subsidy. You can come back to visit then; it'll be the same."

"So, Feng'er, San, you must remember Spirit Hall's kindness in the future. If not for Spirit Hall, commoners and commoner Spirit Masters like us would have no chance to rise."

Both Yun Feng and Tang San nodded. However, Tang San looked at Jack with a hint of confusion and asked,

"Grandpa Jack, you said the state gives Spirit Masters a monthly subsidy. Then why should we thank Spirit Hall?"

Upon hearing Tang San's question, Old Jack's formerly clouded eyes instantly became deep and distant. He sighed and said,

"The state? They won't care about people like us at the bottom. The nobles exploit us layer upon layer, and everyone simply accepts it. If Spirit Hall weren't keeping them in check, people like us at the bottom... sigh!"

Tang San had also crossed over into this world, so he was naturally familiar with the background of the era. He was not a noble himself, and after Jack said this, he seemed to recall something.

"I understand, Grandpa Jack."

Looking at Tang San, Yun Feng could not help feeling a ripple in his heart.

Could my existence have caused a butterfly effect?

What would happen if Tang San joined Spirit Hall and ended up facing off against his own father?

At that thought, Yun Feng suddenly shuddered.

Don't think about it. Don't think about it!

However, Tang San's questions did not end there. He continued asking,

"Then, Grandpa Jack, do you know what kind of place an academy is?"

Jack smiled. "An academy is naturally a place for learning. Although I've never attended one myself, I know the general idea. Our village gets one work-study student spot every year, but no work-study student has gone to study for many years. The benefits for work-study students are quite good. Their tuition and lodging fees are waived, and they only need to pay for food. You can earn food by doing simple work at the academy, such as cleaning classrooms. Overall, studying as a work-study student is not much different from studying for free. If you have to pay to attend, it isn't something poor people like us can afford."

Upon hearing this, Tang San immediately noticed a flaw.

He widened his eyes, looked directly at Jack and Yun Feng, and said,

"Grandpa Jack, you've already given the work-study student spot to me. Then what will Yun Feng do?"

"Isn't he going to school too?"

After glancing at Tang San and Yun Feng, Old Jack finally said,

"There will be a way. I'll make sure Feng'er can attend school normally. San, I'll have to trouble you to look after Yun Feng more in the future. After all, you're a genius!"

Tang San did not know why, but looking at the old man before him filled him with an indescribable sense of strangeness. Even so, he nodded and agreed.

In truth, Yun Feng could tell that Tang San had not been that bad at first. It was simply the ancient way of thinking: heaven, earth, ruler, parents, teacher. That was the order of importance, and after staying by Yu Xiaogang's side, he had been led astray.

The early Tang San had cooked, chopped firewood, and done housework for the father who only knew how to drink ever since he was young. Such character could not be considered too bad anywhere, but later...

His worldview had been influenced far too heavily as he grew up.