Can the Human Path Be Judged by a Single Moment?

Fang Ziyan stared blankly at the article in front of him, lost in thought.

At this moment, his eyes were sunken, he was skin and bones, and his eyes were lifeless.

In just three days, Fang Ziyan had nightmares every day, dreaming that he had become an incompetent person, and that all the people who used to flatter him had changed their faces, mocking and ridiculing him. The humiliation tore his heart apart and left him mentally disoriented.

The pageboy kept muttering, "Young master, I just inquired around, and many people are saying that Qiu Yan's article has shattered your spirit. This situation is not good; if it continues, it will damage your reputation!"

He had said this many times, but Fang Ziyan had never responded.

After repeating himself several times, the pageboy sighed, tidied the desk, and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and added, "Qiu Yan is returning to his hometown today, and many people went to see him off, making quite a scene. It's truly infuriating. That Qiu Yan..."

He was interrupted halfway through his sentence by a hoarse voice—

"Qiu Yan is leaving?"

Fang Ziyan raised his head, and his eyes regained their luster.

Upon seeing this, the pageboy was overjoyed and quickly said, "That's right! Qiu Yan wrote an article insulting you, and he's just going to leave like this? It's infuriating! Should we send some people over to humiliate him in public?"

Fang Ziyan paused for a moment, then shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Make him look bad? How can he look bad? All the previous arrangements were useless, and now..." He stopped speaking and just shook his head.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Who?" the page asked.

"Young Master Fang, before Qiu Jieyuan left, he left you something and asked us to deliver it!"

"Qiu Jieyuan? It's Qiu Yan!" Upon hearing this name, the pageboy's expression changed. "He still wants to humiliate my young master? Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! We don't want his things!"

But Fang Ziyan interrupted the pageboy's words.

"Let them in."

"Young master?" The pageboy looked puzzled.

"Go open the door!"

"Yes..." Left with no other choice, the page had to open the door and take a text from the person outside. Every word in the text was full of meaning and contained profound charm, clearly written by Qiu Yan.

After placing the text on the table, Fang Ziyan focused his attention on it. He noticed the words "Exhortation to Learning" at the beginning, and his pupils contracted. As he read on, he felt a strange meaning seeping into his heart. Looking at the other scrolls of scriptures on the table, he felt a sense of distance and alienation.

Fang Ziyan's gaze swept back and forth between the books and the two articles. He recalled his recent nightmares, sighed, and instructed his page, "Have these two articles framed and taken back to Yuan Ning to hang in my study."

"What did you say? Frame it? This was written by Qiu Yan to insult you. Qiu Yan's intentions are malicious..."

"Don't say that anymore." Fang Ziyan shook his head again. After urging him, he sat back in his chair, picked up a book, and opened it.

"That calligraphy is quite remarkable. It contains many profound insights. When paired with the 'Exhortation to Learning,' regular study of it can greatly benefit one's studies and character. How could you be so generous as to give it away?"

Inside the moving carriage, Qiu Yan sat upright, flipping through a book in his hands. Little Zheng Yun slept soundly in a corner, while the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription hovered in the air, occasionally emitting fluctuations of spiritual energy.

"From the discussions of others, I've somewhat guessed what Fang Ziyan did. He deserved his fate, but you've sent out such an article. Are you perhaps trying to guide me to salvation?"

Upon hearing this, Qiu Yan put down his book, glanced at the Ancient Seal Script, and shook his head, saying, "Character and State of Mind are personal matters. One should know oneself to navigate the world. How can others save one? My feud with Fang Ziyan ended in that essay, 'The Wounding Zhongyong,' but if he could learn from his mistakes and strive for improvement, he might be able to create a remarkable Human Path."

The Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription was still puzzled. After thinking for a while, it suddenly said, "Are you perhaps going to leave behind a story of 'two books Exhortation to Learning's for the world?"

Qiu Yan replied, "You were born from the pen of Sages, do you know the meaning of this sentence—"

"One should not judge someone as a gentleman based on temporary praise, nor as a villain based on temporary slander."

"Isn't it easy to understand?" the Eight-Character Ancient Seal Inscription figure wondered.

"That's right," Qiu Yan nodded. "The truths of the world are always easier said than done." He smiled as he said this. "My entry into this world is not to disrupt Human Path, but to gain insight into Human Path." After saying this, he stopped paying attention to the Ancient Seal Script and focused on reading the book in his hand.

The carriage encountered Liu Huai's family, who were waiting halfway through the journey.

Because of the Marshfolk's crossing, the Southern Border was in danger. Qiu Yan asked the Zhang Residence to take Liu Huai's family to Jiannan Circuit and settle them in a manor owned by the Zhang Family.

The day before yesterday, the isolated army led by Biaoxin was also besieged and annihilated, and was driven out of Jiannan territory. Just then, Qiu Yan had paid respects to his master and was returning to his hometown, so he asked the Zhang Family pick up Liu Huai and others, and they met up halfway.

According to custom, Xiucai has passed the imperial examination should celebrate in his hometown. Moreover, Qiu Yan was the top scholar in the provincial examination. Even Wen Anguo, the prefect of Yuan Ning, specially sent someone to Jiannan City to congratulate him. Therefore, as soon as Liu Huai saw Qiu Yan, he kept praising him, his face flushed with excitement, as if he himself had passed the examination.

On the way thereafter, Liu Huai kept mentioning his deceased sister, Qiu Yan's biological mother, and occasionally he would talk about Qiu Zonglin, but the resentment in his words was gone.

"Qiu Zonglin spent his whole life wanting to pass the imperial examination and become a Juren, but he never succeeded. Now that you have passed, it can be said that your wish has been fulfilled. Set aside a day to burn incense and tell them the news."

Liu Huai drank some alcohol in the car, and after muttering to himself for a while, he fell asleep.

Afterwards, Liu Yue chatted with Qiu Yan again.

This cousin seemed somewhat reserved in front of Qiu Yan. After exchanging a few words, he thought of something and couldn't help but ask, "I heard that you offered a plan to the court regarding the recent invasion of the Marshfolk. Is that true?"

Qiu Yan didn't intend to hide it, and replied, "I'm just writing a few lines to test the waters. What truly quells the war is not the pen, but the gun."

"So it's true? That's incredible!" Liu Yue exclaimed in amazement. "It's so good to be studying! I only know a few characters and can't even do basic accounting, but you, cousin, passed the imperial examination. You're a master now, with limitless potential. The people of the Zhang Family Village say you're the reincarnation of the God of Wenqu Star, destined to be a high-ranking official..."

He hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "If my child goes to school in the future, could you perhaps find some time to help tutor him? If..."

"What's there to say? It's my duty." Qiu Yan replied with a smile, feeling the karmic Karma binding him gradually loosening.

After encountering Liu Huai's family this time, the karmic Karma between them subtly trembled, giving Qiu Yan a sudden realization and making him understand the path this Karma would lead to.

The carriage traveled on and arrived at Yuanning Prefecture in the evening.

Outside the prefectural city, a large group of people had already gathered, led by Sun Xingming, the prefect's advisor, and Pan Xiang, the second young master of the Pan Household.

The news of Qiu Yan's passing the imperial examination and becoming the top scholar had already reached Yuanning Prefecture, attracting attention from all levels. Recently, the war among the Marshfolk has subsided, and the details of the matter are gradually coming to light. The fact that Qiu Yan received the emperor's praise was not a secret; there are established channels for information to circulate in official circles. Wen Anguo had also heard about it.

In this way, Qiu Yan's matter was no longer a trivial one. When he returned by carriage, Yuanning Prefecture received the news immediately and sent Sun Xingming out of the city to welcome him!

This is quite a high level of treatment. When Ma Yang went to Qingchang, the Qingchang County received only this much.

Of course. In On the People and status, Qiu Yan is far inferior to Ma Yang. The reason he receives such treatment is mainly due to a combination of circumstances and the efforts of many parties.

However, this scene was incredibly shocking to Liu Huai and the others. Liu Huai had not returned to Yuan Ning for two years since leaving, and now that Qiu Yan had returned, he was deeply moved to see such a scene.

"Shen Zhi, you've kept me waiting for ages!"

As soon as the carriage arrived, Sun Xingming stepped forward, while Qiu Yan got out of the carriage and went to greet it. The two reminisced, and the crowd outside the city couldn't help but gossip.

Instantly, a torrent of People's Wishes surged forth, enveloping Qiu Yan, penetrating his skin and bones, causing his Living Soul to swell greatly, and his Human Soul, Earthly Soul, and Heavenly Souls to tremble faintly.

"Hmm?" Qiu Yan's heart skipped a beat.

At this moment, Pan Xiang also came up and called out to his worthy brother.

Compared to a month ago, the commander of the three prefectures had not changed much, except that his face was much paler, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked haggard.

His scheme against the Marshfolk backfired, resulting in heavy losses. Not only did he fail to establish prestige and reputation, but he also lost the trust of his superiors and is said to be about to be dismissed. All of this has caused him sleepless nights and made him inevitably haggard.

However, after learning about Qiu Yan's military strategy, and considering his own relationship with Qiu Yan, Pan Xiang had some ideas, which is why he condescended to come and greet him.

After exchanging a few words with Qiu Yan, Pan Xiang bowed to Liu Huai.

This startled Liu Huai. The old man had been the steward of the Pan Household for many years and naturally recognized Pan Xiang. In the past, he had always been the one to carefully bow to Pan Xiang, but now the roles had suddenly reversed. Such a big change made Liu Huai uneasy.

With a shift in his gaze, Liu Huai spotted several familiar faces in the crowd. Among them were colleagues from the Pan Household and his own neighbors. When he was dismissed from the Pan Household years ago, everyone said that Liu Huai's life was over and mocked him. But now, seeing them again, their faces were filled with awe, lingering fear, and envy.

Though we were in dire straits that day, who knew our luck would turn around?

Liu Huai certainly knew why these changes were happening.

"Yan'er, you said back then that one day you would let me return in glory. I thought you were just comforting me, but I never expected that it would come true so soon..."

As soon as he uttered those words, Qiu Yan felt a change in the Karma of kinship. A part of it quickly disintegrated and dissipated, giving him a light and airy feeling. His mind became clear, and Living Soul Three Souls even showed signs of reunion!

Then, my mind jolted, and my senses expanded rapidly!

In an instant, the emotions of those around them were laid bare: jealousy, envy, admiration, worship...

Each one was as clear as a torch in the dark night!

Its senses continued to expand, quickly reaching a distance of over a hundred feet and enveloping the surrounding forest.

Sudden!

Killing intent!

Qiu Yan sensed two surging killing intents!

Condensation! Explosion! Hidden yet unleashed!

It was clearly aimed at me! (To be continued)