Today's Cause, Tomorrow's Result

"It seems I'll need to reread the classics when I get back; maybe that will help me find my way in the future. I just don't know how much I've forgotten."

Since ancient times, scholars have been poor while warriors have been rich.

Most martial arts practitioners come from well-off families. Even if their families are poor, if they have talent, they can join some martial arts sects and from then on, they will have no worries about food and clothing and can focus on practicing their skills.

However, apart from some secret techniques passed down orally, most Cultivation Methods are recorded in books. This requires many people to be literate before learning martial arts. Even if they can't write well, they should be able to understand the basics. Otherwise, even if they get their hands on some martial arts manuals, they won't be able to practice them or understand their deeper meaning.

Zhang Yue, dressed as a Confucian scholar, once had the idea of taking the imperial examinations. Later, he devoted himself to martial arts, and his cultivation progressed rapidly. He comprehended sword energy and became invincible among his peers.

He only stopped advancing when he reached the Foundation Establishment Peak, where there was no room for further advancement and he was stuck at a bottleneck. However, considering his age, he still stood out in the martial arts world, which shows his talent and comprehension.

Listening to Qiu Yan's words tonight stirred up past memories and gave me many insights. My long-stagnant state of mind has shown signs of loosening.

For a moment, everyone seemed lost in thought. Deep within his heart, a Heart Demon Fragment silently seeped in, flowing with his thoughts. There was also a bit of memory from Qiu Yan's teachings that entered his heart, but it was still quite faint.

"The methods of doctrine align with the essentials of ritual, but I lack a concrete concept of how to spread them. I'll use these people as examples, observing them over several years to build a foundation. After all, whether it's doctrine or the Divine Path, it requires a comprehensive structure. A grand vision is essential, but the foundation and branches cannot be weak. One must have a sufficient understanding of each step to avoid being controlled by the Divine Path system. The world is complex and ever-changing; this body traverses the world, so it should preach the way to the next."

When the eastern sky began to lighten, Qiu Yan stopped lecturing and then bid farewell to everyone.

The group was naturally reluctant to leave, but they knew their time had come.

"A single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of study."

With a sigh, Zhang Yue straightened his clothes and bowed to Qiu Yan again, this time with genuine respect.

Xiong Ling and the others also bowed in a normal manner, no longer out of fear of Qiu Yan's Divine Ability, but out of genuine respect.

"After tonight, we will surely make progress in our martial arts. If we achieve anything in the future, we will never forget what happened today." The two men in tight-fitting clothes also gained a lot. Although they were reluctant to leave, they suppressed their thoughts.

Their employer, the young man Zhao Dayou in brocade robes, shook his head and said, "Even a novice like me gleaned many profound truths from your words, sir. I will carefully organize them when I return. It's a pity you don't want to take me as your disciple so I can't serve you. Otherwise, I would be willing to be your page. However, Dayou also knows that such a predestined connection to the immortals is not easily obtained; one must undergo several trials."

This man spoke with a rather arrogant tone, but after talking all night, everyone else could see that Zhao Dayou had grown up surrounded by flattery and compliments, and didn't know the details of how to conduct himself. He also lacked consideration when he spoke. He was a spoiled brat, but not a bully.

At this moment, the middle-aged scholar approached and cautiously asked, "I also want you to know that I have been traveling the world for many years, intending to record some strange tales. Tonight I encountered a bizarre situation and wish to compile my experiences into a book. Your story will also be included. Is that alright?"

This middle-aged scholar introduced himself as Wei Zongyuan, a failed Xiucai had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations and was disheartened.

In his youth, this man was once known as a child prodigy and was considered a talented individual. However, after realizing that the Imperial Examinations were hopeless, his mindset changed, and he became interested in the supernatural and mystical things that he had previously avoided while studying. As a result, he became increasingly cynical and misanthropic.

Qiu Yan knew that this was a kind of indulgence by scholars who had no hope for their future. Wei Zongyuan said that he wrote about strange tales, but in fact, he did not mean nothing of his time, and wanted to express his frustration at not being recognized for his talents.

Noticing the changing fortunes of the Three Fires of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity in this person, Qiu Yan realized that this person was destined to be entangled with ghosts, gods, and demons throughout his life; it was both fate and opportunity.

"I certainly won't interfere with what you write." Qiu Yan shook his head, his words reassuring the other party.

Wei Zongyuan breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a surge of joy. He felt that of all the experiences he had had in his life, today was the worst. If he could record it and let it be passed down to the world, then his life would not have been in vain.

Sure enough, a few years later, Wei Zongyuan returned to his hometown and built a study with a teahouse inside. He often sat there, writing furiously, recording the strange events of the past few years, adding his own insights and reveries, and creating a collection of strange tales called "Night Tales of the Secluded Forest," as a commemoration of the events of that day.

That's a story for another time.

Meanwhile, Wei Zongyuan asked a question and received Qiu Yan's reply. A scholar You Zui came over carrying a painting, frowning and saying, "Judging from your appearance, sir, you must also be involved in worldly affairs. If people find out that you are involved in supernatural matters, it will inevitably leave hidden dangers. I advise Mr. Wei not to record too much or too much detail."

Wei Zongyuan glanced at Qiu Yan with a troubled expression and said in a low voice, "I naturally know that. We'll still have to use a pseudonym then, so it won't involve you, sir."

At this point, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, may I ask your esteemed name, sir?"

His words made everyone else take it to heart. It wasn't that no one had thought of this question, but rather that they were afraid of asking it too abruptly.

Qiu Yan glanced at the group, then beckoned to Hu Qi and Dai Guo to bring over their luggage. Finally, he said, "My name isn't exactly a secret; you've already mentioned it before."

"Did we mention it?"

The group was puzzled, and their expressions quickly changed. The young man in brocade robes, Zhao Dayou, turned ashen-faced and began to tremble.

"Looks like you've remembered," Qiu Yan said with a smile. "I am the Qiu Yan you've been talking about."

"Qiu Yan!"

Upon hearing this name, whether it was martial artists like Zhang Yue and Xiong Ling, Confucian scholars like You Zui and Wei Zongyuan, or even the pageboy Xiao Yu, everyone was stunned into silence.

Although they had guessed a little, they still found it hard to believe when Qiu Yan admitted it himself.

"I only thought Qiu Yan was a scholar with some talent, but I never expected..." Xiong Ling murmured.

"No wonder, no wonder, no wonder this painting has undergone such changes after being handled by the master." Looking down at the scroll, You Zui calmed his surprise slightly.

Zhang Yue let out a long sigh and shook his head, "I only passed through Eastern Capital a few days ago. If I had known about your matter, I should have paid you a visit then."

"Even if you had gone to visit him then, it would have been difficult to see him." Zhao Dayou walked up to Qiu Yan, intending to apologize for his rude behavior at the inn and ask for forgiveness.

Zhao Dayou wanted to show off back then and try to elevate his own knowledge by slandering Qiu Yan. Looking back now, he is naturally afraid. Fortunately, he realized that Qiu Yan was not a narrow-minded person, so he did not run away in defeat.

"There's no need to discuss this further. However, when traveling, there are some things you should be mindful of. It's wrong to belittle others for no reason, even if you don't know them."

Having said that, Qiu Yan bowed to the group in farewell.

"This place should not be far from the Official Path. It will be dawn soon, and there shouldn't be much danger. Farewell."

Upon hearing this, You Zui and the others realized that Qiu Yan's willingness to stay for a night talk was also due to safety considerations.

At this moment, the thin scholar Yang Zhong suddenly said, "Since you are Qiu Yan, are you also going west for the Metropolitan Examination? However, I have heard that even if a person with cultivation succeeds in the Imperial Examinations examination, they will face obstacles in the officialdom and find it difficult to advance in their career. I hope you can take note of this." Yang Zhong was also going to take the examination, but he did not suggest going with him, only offering a reminder.

"Oh? I've heard about this too, but I don't know much about it." Qiu Yan's heart stirred; he gleaned a glimmer of information from Yang Zhong's words. "Brother Yang, do you know anything?"

Yang Zhong waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Sir, please don't address me like that. It's too kind of me. You are older than me. If you don't mind, I will call myself your younger brother."

Qiu Yan nodded, knowing that although he had demonstrated his knowledge and gained Yang Zhong's respect, he was, after all, a person of self-respect and would not demean himself because of it.

"Rumors of cultivators with Divine Ability have circulated since ancient times, and some have even become officials. However, it's said that they are difficult to Dynastic Fortunes, making it hard for them to enter the court. They are mostly sent to the periphery, which limits their opportunities. Generally, those with Divine Ability are Daoist priests and don't easily become officials." As he spoke, Yang Zhong's face showed a look of reminiscence. "These are all things I heard at the Jiangnan Academy. Although I wasn't valued there, I was able to learn some anecdotes. Beyond that, it's beyond my knowledge."

"Dynastic Fortune?" Qiu Yan frowned slightly upon hearing this, having formed an idea. He then thanked Yang Zhong and set off with Hu Qi.

Watching Qiu Yan's departing figure, everyone had different thoughts.

"I never expected someone like him to take the Imperial Examinations. He truly lives a life of quiet contemplation. I'll learn from this experience and be more careful when I see scholars in the future," Xiong Ling muttered to himself.

You Zui looked down at the painting in his hand, a gentle smile on his face.

Then, the group said their goodbyes, some going their separate ways, others traveling together. Little did they know that this gathering would become a well-known anecdote decades later.

One night's conversation planted the seeds of Qiu Yan's theories and ideas in the hearts of several people. These seeds will only blossom and bear fruit as time goes by and after they have experienced the ups and downs of life.

At this moment, a faint Fortune from these individuals, transcending time and space and connecting with the outline of a deity.

"Young master, why waste so much time on those people?"

On the way, Dai Guo finally had a chance to speak and couldn't help but complain. He had wanted to find a place to take a bath, but instead he had entered a demon's den and fought fiercely for a long time, sweating profusely, and had not been able to get one yet.

"What you sow today will bear fruit tomorrow. These people might be the foundation for my future enlightenment," Qiu Yan glanced at Dai Guo, and seeing the latter's indifference, continued, "Thirty years Hedong, thirty years Hexi, how do you know what they will be like in a few years?" (To be continued. Please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)