Nothing more, merely a practiced hand

Lin Ke did not rush to ask Minister Qi whether he could do it. He simply waited quietly.

After all, freeing himself from his registered status was critically important to him!

In his view, dividing people into rigid ranks severely blocked the paths between the upper and lower classes. It was a system deeply unfavorable to those at the bottom, and he disliked it intensely.

But how could he seize the tiger's cub without entering the tiger's den?

If he did not free himself from his status, he would not even have a chance to struggle, let alone change anything.

As for the future?

If an opportunity arose, he would see everyone soar like dragons.

Servile status, noble registry-this caste-like system would be better abolished.

Meanwhile, Minister Qi pondered for a while, then glanced at Lin Ke's "father" again.

Only after seeing no response from him did he draw a deep breath and tell Lin Ke solemnly, "I agree to have your servile status revoked!"

Looking at Minister Qi, Lin Ke slowly bowed with his hands clasped. "Thank you, Senior. As long as you agree to my remaining two conditions, I will naturally help you win your wager."

Minister Qi frowned and waved a hand. "Not so fast. I have a condition too. You must win all three contests within a year before I can revoke your servile status."

Lin Ke's father seemed not to have heard. He neither stopped Minister Qi nor showed any change in expression, and did not even look at either of them.

"I understand. Even if not for your victory, I will do everything I can for my own sake," Lin Ke said firmly.

Minister Qi's furrowed brow relaxed. "Tell me your second condition."

"I..." Lin Ke had just opened his mouth to speak when he was interrupted.

"Wait! If your next demand is to enter the imperial court as an official tomorrow and become a minister of one of the Twelve Ministries the day after, don't fucking bother saying it," Minister Qi warned.

Hearing the hint, Lin Ke understood that Minister Qi was drawing a line for him, telling him to take care with his conditions rather than make demands without restraint.

Of course he understood the folly of a greedy snake trying to swallow an elephant.

So he smiled and said, "Of course not, Senior. You worry too much. My request will be entirely reasonable."

"Then spit it out." Clearly relieved, Minister Qi waved his hand noncommittally.

Lin Ke nodded and slowly began, "My second condition is that, wherever I go to study, I want time to chop firewood every day... Please prepare enough wood and a chopping blade for me, Senior."

Minister Qi: (ㅍ_ㅍ)?

He wanted to help chop firewood every day?

Could there really be such a good deal?

Had this child lost his mind?

Minister Qi was somewhat speechless. "Are you sure?"

"Concentrate on one thing, and reach the highest peak," Lin Ke replied calmly. "This is what ten years have taught me."

"The highest peak?" Minister Qi raised his eyebrows, somewhat moved. "Concentrate on one thing?"

Lin Ke said softly, "I take my blade to the wood, place the wood upon the ground, and cleave it with the edge. Once split, both halves weigh the same. Nothing more, merely a practiced hand."

"Merely a practiced hand?" Minister Qi paused, then his eyes gleamed. "I agree to that condition. Next!"

Even the gaze of Lin Ke's father beside him changed ever so slightly.

Hearing Minister Qi agree to this condition, Lin Ke brightened and bowed with clasped hands to express his thanks.

Only after straightening did he say, "My third condition is to have the plum tree in the courtyard where I chop firewood moved to wherever I will be studying."

"Is there some deeper meaning behind that condition?" Minister Qi asked after a moment's thought.

Lin Ke glanced at both men's reactions. His father showed none, remaining as calm and unruffled as an ancient well.

Only then did he slowly say, "The plum tree's unyielding character reflects my own."

As he spoke, he drew a deep breath.

"Plum blossoms never refuse to bloom because of winter's bitter winds. Many times, they have remained in full bloom even amid heavy snow. This has moved me deeply, so I have repeatedly told myself to cultivate that same steadfast spirit, constantly reminding myself not to grow lax or indulge myself because of a full belly, warmth, comfort, wealth, or laziness."

Lin Ke stopped and looked at the changes in his father's and Minister Qi's expressions.

His father remained just as he had been.

Minister Qi, however, had a gleam in his eyes and a broad smile on his face.

So Lin Ke continued, "There is another very important reason... My mother planted this plum tree when she was alive. It is the only thing in the Lin Residence I cannot bear to leave behind."

Lin Ke had chosen those words deliberately, intending to drive a thorn into his father's heart.

Yet nothing seemed capable of disturbing that man's state of mind.

This is fine too... Lin Ke's resolve settled.

Since "Lin Ke's" father truly treated "Lin Ke" as a stranger, he could leave without any emotional burden.

He had never been close to "Lin Ke's" father in the first place. This spared him from having to pretend they were a loving father and a dutiful son later.

Minister Qi was initially pleased by Lin Ke's words, but his gaze grew complicated toward the end.

Still, he laughed aloud and said, "Good. I'll have the plum tree moved over for you later..."

"I've agreed to all three of your conditions. No other problems, then?"

Lin Ke smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"All right, that settles it. Go back and get ready." Minister Qi smiled, seemingly quite fond of Lin Ke.

At those words, Lin Ke turned to leave, but then looked left and right, thought for a moment, and turned back.

"Senior!" Lin Ke scratched his head.

Minister Qi had been about to speak to Lin Ke's father when Lin Ke's call interrupted him. He turned toward Lin Ke and asked with a smile, "What is it? Any other problems?"

Embarrassed, Lin Ke said, "Senior, you brought me here so quickly that I didn't remember the way. Sorry for the trouble, but could you have someone guide me back?"

Brought him here too quickly?

Minister Qi paused, then smiled. He lifted the hand he had already rested on the table, waved it, and uttered:

"Off you go!"

Here it came!

Supernatural power!

Lin Ke watched with wide eyes.

Scenes flashed past his eyes: a small lake, a pavilion with white glazed roof tiles, a garden full of blooming flowers, busy servants, and more.

When he felt his feet touch the ground, he discovered that he was standing in the courtyard with the plum tree.

After landing, Lin Ke looked around in bewilderment.

He was back?

Just as he thought!

Supernatural power really was the foremost productive force!

Had this been an ordinary ancient world, Lin Ke would have launched an industrial revolution and a wave of new thought, one way or another.

But here?

Supernatural power could replace so many things!

Or rather... could it be combined with so many things?

Ordinary Great Confucians recited poetry. What would happen if he recited "Lonely Warrior" or "Unity Is Strength"?

And what about books like Capital, The Wealth of Nations, or An Introduction to Contradictions?

What sort of sparks could supernatural power strike when combined with everything from his previous life?

Lin Ke stood motionless in the courtyard, quietly gazing up at the sky as he considered everything that had happened that day.

The sun was setting, and red sunset clouds filled most of the sky before his eyes.

It was different from the sky of the twenty-first century he had once lived in.

Back then, Lin Ke had often stood on rooftops and gazed up at the sky too. Compared with that sky, the blue here felt a little cleaner to him.

Yet beneath this clean blue sky, he wondered whether the truth of this world was the same as that of his previous world, with black and white coexisting, filth and cleanliness side by side.

Lin Ke lowered his gaze and thought of the father whose eyes had held no emotion at all.

He felt no resentment or any other emotion. After all, he was not "Lin Ke."

Still, he could more or less imagine where Lin Ke's father's indifference came from.

Of course, now that he had an opportunity to leave, there was no need to concern himself too much with the Lin Residence.

Time to chop firewood!

With that thought, Lin Ke went to the little stool by the brushwood gate, sat down, and resumed his usual work-chopping firewood.

Crack...

Crack...

Only the steady sound of chopping wood remained in the little courtyard.

At noon the next day.

Minister Qi suddenly appeared in the courtyard where Lin Ke lived. Lin Ke, who had been chopping firewood, paused briefly before responding.

"Greetings, Senior Qi."

Lin Ke stood and bowed with clasped hands, then casually picked up the cloth bag beside his feet and slipped his chopping blade into a gap in the bundle, saying:

"I've packed everything, Senior Qi. Let's go."