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Zeng Anmin?

Qin Shouchang's expression stiffened slightly, and he instinctively wanted to look toward the steward.

The steward had lowered his head at this moment and did not look at him.

Only then did his expression return to normal.

He could not help recalling how he had just been speaking grandly, saying that this boy had never earned any reputation for talent in sixteen years...

"Zeng Anmin..."

Qin Shouchang slowly murmured the name, then abruptly raised his head and asked:

"Then let this old man ask you: have you examined the boy's bones of vital essence?"

"This..."

The steward's face suddenly changed.

To receive enlightenment on the Confucian Path, one had to be over sixteen.

This was an iron law that the Confucian Path had deemed necessary ever since its inheritance began.

Before sixteen, one's spiritual awareness was unstable and vital essence insufficient...

If one forcibly entered the Path, they would surely suffer backlash in the future.

Not to mention anything else, that backlash would manifest once one reached the Cultivation of Temperament Realm after the Body Cultivation Realm.

"What sort of temperament does Zeng Shilin have?" Qin Shouchang suddenly sneered.

"That man is competitive and ambitious..."

"In this old man's view, it must be that fellow's excessively harsh discipline that left his son unable to bear the burden."

"He must have secretly been studying how to enter the Path before turning sixteen."

"This..." The steward hesitated.

What the Dean said was right.

"Hehe, since he is in such a hurry to break through, let him do as he wishes. Arrange for him to advance tomorrow."

The Dean chuckled.

"After the Body Cultivation Realm comes the Cultivation of Temperament Realm. One must comprehend seven hundred strands of Literary Qi to reach completion. With that boy's disposition, when he sees all his classmates progressing faster than him, he will surely chase quick success and immediate gains."

"When his vital blood is depleted and his life hangs by a thread, this old man will step in to help him."

"Uh..."

The steward could not help giving the Dean a thumbs-up.

This would not only save an Academy student's life.

It would also earn the favor of the Governor of Fengqi Road.

It was killing two birds with one stone.

"Yes."

The steward hurried away.

Two Rivers Prefecture, Shanghe Wharf.

At this moment, a thousand guards stood along both sides of the street, all armed with sharp weapons.

More than a dozen officials, great and small, from Two Rivers Prefecture were gathered here, all respectfully looking toward the surging river before them.

Upon the river, an enormous ship slowly sailed eastward.

Zeng Shilin watched the towering vessel gradually vanish from sight before finally letting out a breath.

Emperor Jianhong had finally left.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze falling upon the officials beside him as he said coldly:

"Keep your mouths shut about His Majesty's visit to Two Rivers Prefecture."

"If this official discovers that anyone has been wagging their tongue... hmph!"

At his words, everyone trembled.

The Two Rivers Prefecture Governor and the Xuanjing Division Commander both shuddered.

They then took the lead in declaring that not a word would leave their mouths.

The remaining dozen or so officials also responded solemnly.

"Report, Governor Sir! A letter has arrived from Shuidu Academy."

A Clerk came panting through the crowd.

"Shuidu Academy?"

Zeng Shilin's brows furrowed faintly.

Shuidu Academy was the Academy where Literary Qi flourished most greatly in all of Jiangnan.

It could even be called the foremost institution of higher learning in the entire south of the Great Sage Dynasty.

If Shuidu Academy had caused any trouble, it would absolutely be a matter of heaven-shaking importance.

Old Zeng Shilin did not dare neglect it. He took the letter from the clerk, tore open the wax seal, and began reading with a grave expression.

"This..."

After reading the letter, Zeng Shilin was first stunned.

Then, fearing he had overlooked something, he read it again.

Once he confirmed there was no mistake, he slowly raised his head with a blank expression.

Seeing the Governor's unusual reaction,

the officials were puzzled. Someone cautiously asked:

"May we ask what urgent matter it is?"

"Urgent matter?"

Hearing that, Zeng Shilin raised his head and gave a cold snort.

"Such a trivial matter, and they specially sent a report? Is the Academy amusing itself at this official's expense?!"

The moment these words fell, every official on the shore was dumbfounded.

What trivial matter?

What had so enraged the Governor?

Seeing this, Two Rivers Prefecture Governor Qin Xiande grew solemn. He stepped up beside Zeng Shilin and asked in a deep voice:

"Please speak plainly, Lord Zeng."

Zeng Shilin immediately handed over the letter in his hand.

"Pass it among yourselves. Read it."

Then Zeng Shilin snorted again.

He turned to look at the endlessly rushing river, his back to the crowd.

Qin Xiande accepted the letter and read it carefully.

When he saw the line stating that the newly enrolled student Zeng Anmin had comprehended Literary Qi in less than a quarter of an hour today,

his entire body trembled.

"Less than a quarter of an hour?!!"

he cried out involuntarily.

"What happened, Old Qin? Being all mysterious like this is killing me!"

Xuanjing Division Commander Wang Deli spoke in a deep, booming voice, thoroughly uncomfortable.

Qin Xiande drew a deep breath and handed out the letter.

"See for yourselves."

Wang Deli had long been unable to restrain himself. He snatched the letter and began reading it carefully.

The other officials also crowded over. After reading the letter, every one of them looked up in shock.

"Heaven-Bestowed Confucian Talent!"

"Our Great Sage Dynasty has been blessed!"

"Yes! I still remember that when I entered the ranks back then, it took me a full year!"

"..."

They immediately began chattering all at once.

Yet Two Rivers Prefecture Governor Qin Xiande knew that was not the key point.

His eyes shifted, and he instantly burst into laughter.

"Lord Zeng! We thought Young Lord solving the Dragon Survey Map Theft Case in a single day already showed peerless brilliance."

"Who would have thought that on the Confucian Path, he is an even greater Heavenly Prodigy! What great fortune! A blessing for our Confucian Path, a blessing for our Holy Dynasty!!!"

Qin Xiande directly bowed toward Zeng Shilin's back.

Only then did the others react, hurriedly looking again at the letter.

Zeng Anmin?!

"Good heavens! Could this Zeng Anmin be the Governor Sir's only son?!"

"Th-this-this... two talents in one family! Never in all ages has such a thing happened!"

"..."

With Qin Xiande taking the lead, the rest finally came to their senses and began offering congratulations.

"My dear mother! Young Master Zeng is damn incredible!!"

Only now did Wang Deli react, his face full of disbelief.

As soon as he said this, the corners of several civil officials' mouths twitched, and they all inconspicuously took two steps back.

A crude martial artist!

By the river.

If one looked at Zeng Shilin from the river,

one would naturally see the upturned corners of his lips and the enjoyment written across his face.

As well as his right hand unconsciously stroking his beard.

However...

"Hmph! He merely received enlightenment a little faster. What is there to praise?"

With his back to the crowd, Zeng Shilin's voice was faint and distant, without the slightest fluctuation.

At these words, everyone was filled with admiration.

Governor Sir was truly indifferent to fame and fortune.

If it were them, they would already have rushed excitedly home to the Ancestral Hall to announce it to their forefathers.

"Official duties in the public hall, the people's livelihoods, the autumn harvest and Grain in Ear—what among these is not more important than this matter?"

Zeng Shilin turned around expressionlessly and slowly walked toward Qin Xiande.

Qin Xiande understood at once and respectfully handed him the letter.

"All right, return home. There is no need to linger here."

After giving this instruction, Zeng Shilin strode quickly toward his carriage.

All the officials solemnly watched him off.

Until the carriage traveled farther and farther away, disappearing from before them.

"Lord Zeng is wholeheartedly devoted to the people. He truly inspires endless admiration..."

The streets were crowded with flowing crowds.

"Hahahahaha!! Good!! So good!!"

Inside a certain carriage, someone could no longer restrain his long, ringing laughter as it poured into the distance.