Ping'an County's government office.
Cheng Lidong stood in the courtyard.
His expression was assured.
"My lord, since you're certain, why not arrest him outright? Practicing an unorthodox art is no minor crime. Even suspicion alone is enough to throw him in prison."
Hooked-Nose stepped forward, looking at Cheng Lidong, and could not help asking.
"No need."
"Although I'm certain he practiced an unorthodox art, I have no concrete evidence."
"In the end, it still comes down to the new reign. Unorthodox arts must be eradicated, but we can't go about it as we did before."
Cheng Lidong shook his head.
Then he continued.
"Send two men to keep an eye on them. Say that the journey to the Prefectural Examination is arduous, and that we're concerned for their safety, so we're escorting them to Southern Yu Prefecture."
"Once he reaches Southern Yu Prefecture, we need only invite a Confucian scholar to examine him personally. Then we'll know whether he practiced an unorthodox art."
"Those who practice unorthodox arts carry a demonic seed within their bodies. We can't see it, but Confucian scholars cultivate righteous Haoran qi, which naturally suppresses such evil spirits. They can detect it at a glance."
"As long as he goes to Southern Yu Prefecture, catching him will be like catching a turtle in a jar."
Cheng Lidong issued his instructions.
Ultimately, he refrained from arresting Xu Qingxiao because he feared bringing trouble upon the Prefectural Lord. But as long as Xu Qingxiao remained within his sight, there would be no problem.
It was merely a matter of sooner or later.
"Yes, my lord."
Hooked-Nose nodded.
Just then, a figure appeared in a rush.
"Report! Lord Cheng, we've found traces of the fugitive!"
At that voice, Cheng Lidong's expression changed instantly.
"Lead the way."
He gave the order in an icy voice, and everyone swiftly departed.
Meanwhile.
At Zhou Ling's home.
It was already half past seven in the evening.
The sky had long since darkened.
In the inner hall, Wu laid the dishes on the table. Fragrance rose from the steaming food as Zhou Ling, Chen Xinghe, and Xu Qingxiao took their seats.
"The food's ready. Hurry and eat."
Wu called to them, then headed outside.
Soon, only the three of them remained in the room.
Zhou Ling was rather quiet, however, and Chen Xinghe seemed to be pondering something. Xu Qingxiao appeared calm.
He had arrived at Zhou Ling's home two double-hours earlier and recounted everything that had happened recently. Naturally, he had said nothing about practicing an unorthodox art.
The gist was that he had been afflicted with Netherworld Poison, then happened to encounter the fugitive when the poison flared up. After stealing Ping'an County's unorthodox art and briefly practicing it, the fugitive had struck him with a palm. Unexpectedly, fighting poison with poison had brought about a miraculous recovery.
Though it sounded somewhat incredible, at least the reasoning and logic held together.
Yet after he finished explaining, neither Zhou Ling nor Chen Xinghe said a word, leaving Xu Qingxiao somewhat silent himself.
"Teacher, senior brother."
"My involvement with an unorthodox art has serious implications. It may affect you both. If you're worried, Teacher, I will never bring harm upon you or implicate my senior brother."
Xu Qingxiao spoke calmly. After all, this matter had far-reaching consequences, and most importantly, he truly had practiced an unorthodox art.
If the truth came out someday, Chen Xinghe and Zhou Ling would also be interrogated. Thus, he was not retreating in order to advance; his words were heartfelt.
"Don't talk nonsense."
Zhou Ling waved a hand, immediately dismissing the idea.
"Teacher, unorthodox arts have far-reaching implications. I'm not putting on an act. These words come from my heart. Especially for Senior Brother Xinghe, becoming implicated could affect his official career. I cannot bear that responsibility."
Xu Qingxiao was earnest. He feared dragging them into it, so it would be better to sever their ties now. That way, he would not harm anyone else.
As for the road ahead, at worst he could walk it alone. The world was vast; surely he could find a meal somewhere.
"Qingxiao, you're talking nonsense."
"Rest assured. That isn't what I'm worried about at all. Xinghe and I can tell at a glance whether you've practiced an unorthodox art."
"What worries me most is that Cheng Lidong might act against you."
Zhou Ling shook his head. He had fallen silent not because Xu Qingxiao had brought trouble, but because he feared Cheng Lidong would harm him and was trying to devise a solution.
Moreover, Zhou Ling spoke with firm conviction, believing that Xu Qingxiao had not practiced an unorthodox art.
"What is there to fear? I will certainly place highly in this Prefectural Examination. Once I have scholarly honors to my name, if he dares harm my junior brother, I certainly won't stand idly by."
Chen Xinghe spoke, his words brimming with confidence.
"No."
Zhou Ling shook his head again.
"Xinghe, you're still too young."
"The crime of practicing an unorthodox art is far more complicated than you imagine."
"Since ancient times, unorthodox arts have been taboo in every dynasty. Never mind the imperial court-even the entire Immortal Dao strictly forbids them."
"Harboring an unorthodox art brings execution upon your entire household. Practicing one brings execution upon all nine degrees of kinship. Throughout history, far, far too many people have died because of unorthodox arts."
"Fortunately, a new reign has begun. Since ascending the throne, His Majesty has suppressed the various factions and curtailed their power, leaving the court in turmoil. Otherwise, during the Martial Emperor's Era, mere suspicion would have landed Qingxiao in prison at the very least."
"Better to kill an innocent by mistake than let a guilty one escape."
Zhou Ling earnestly explained the calamity brought by unorthodox arts. His words made Xu Qingxiao feel fortunate to have been born in the right era.
"Then how can we resolve this? Surely he can't remain unjustly accused for the rest of his life?"
Chen Xinghe asked on Xu Qingxiao's behalf.
"I was thinking about how to resolve it."
"But just now, I thought of a way."
Zhou Ling's words caught Xu Qingxiao's attention.
"There are really only two ways to resolve this."
"First, Qingxiao passes this Prefectural Examination and gains scholarly honors. Unless the Prefectural Lord intervenes, no matter how suspicious Cheng Lidong is, he won't dare touch Qingxiao without conclusive evidence."
"Second, we invite a Sixth-Rank Orthodox Confucian to gather righteous Haoran qi and open his Confucian Dao Eye to detect demonic nature. If none is present, even the Prefectural Lord cannot act. But securing a Sixth-Rank Orthodox Confucian's help is very difficult."
"There is only one Orthodox Confucian in all of Southern Yu Prefecture, and he isn't there at present. But if matters truly reach that point, I will step forward and do everything possible to find him and ask him to prove Qingxiao's innocence."
Zhou Ling laid out the two solutions.
Yet after hearing them, both Xu Qingxiao and Chen Xinghe felt they would be difficult.
Passing the Prefectural Examination.
That was almost impossible. Xu Qingxiao had barely read any books. How could he pass the Prefectural Examination on his first attempt?
Inviting an Orthodox Confucian also seemed a stretch. What did it mean to be a Sixth-Rank Orthodox Confucian? Such a person stood above others wherever he went, someone whom scholars everywhere had to pay their respects to.
One rank higher, and he would be a Grand Confucian, renowned throughout an entire kingdom.
Even the Prefectural Lord might be unable to invite a Sixth-Rank Orthodox Confucian. Although Zhou Ling was a scholar with some connections, asking an Orthodox Confucian to help was quite a stretch.
Still, whatever the case, at least there were options. They were not entirely without recourse.
"If unorthodox arts are so harmful, why not burn them all?"
"They only leave everyone in a state of panic."
Chen Xinghe sounded somewhat curious. If these things were so harmful, he felt they might as well be burned.
"Unorthodox arts are like floodwaters. Better to channel them than dam them. Burning them brings many difficulties as well. Copies and transcriptions are hard to deal with. Besides, burning one scroll doesn't mean it was the only copy."
"The Great Wei Dynasty collects unorthodox arts and has great masters of the Confucian Dao study them to devise countermeasures. It also makes it easier to identify anyone who practices those arts. Simply burning them cannot resolve the root of the problem."
Zhou Ling answered.
But after saying this, he turned to Xu Qingxiao.
"Qingxiao, don't let this weigh on you. In short, if you truly haven't practiced an unorthodox art, an upright body need not fear a crooked shadow. Even if trouble comes, I will do everything I can to help you through it."
Zhou Ling looked resolute.
When he finished, Xu Qingxiao nodded, yet an inexplicable unease stirred in his heart.
Because he had practiced an unorthodox art.
But he could not bring himself to say it. He was not afraid Zhou Ling would report him; rather, he feared dragging Zhou Ling and Chen Xinghe into it.
"All right, let's eat first. Qingxiao, focus on your studies these next few days. Don't let this unsettle you."
Seeing Xu Qingxiao merely nod without speaking, Zhou Ling urged them both to stop dwelling on it and eat first.
Xu Qingxiao said nothing more and lowered his head to eat.
At midnight.
Deep night spread across the heavens, the moon bright among sparse stars.
Inside the study.
Xu Qingxiao slowly set down his brush. Hundreds of characters covered the white paper, their strokes neat, simple, and clean.
Yet his heart had never settled.
He had been practicing calligraphy for a double-hour.
But the longer he practiced, the more unruly his writing became.
An unsettled heart made for uneven strokes.
Setting down his brush, Xu Qingxiao rose and gazed through the window at the bright moon in the dark heavens.
His feelings were inexplicably tangled.
Ever since dinner, Xu Qingxiao had been unable to calm himself.
Especially after learning that practicing an unorthodox art meant execution for all nine degrees of kinship.
He had always assumed that practicing an unorthodox art would bring misfortune upon himself alone. Only today had he understood just how harshly the court treated such arts.
If someday his practice of an unorthodox art truly came to light, would he not implicate Zhou Ling, and even Chen Xinghe?
Zhou Ling was his teacher. He had devoted himself wholeheartedly to teaching him and had never looked down on him. If Xu Qingxiao brought harm upon him, he would never be able to cross that hurdle in his heart.
That night.
Xu Qingxiao remained silent for a long time, one thought after another flashing through his mind.
He wanted to leave.
To go to Southern Yu Prefecture alone.
He even wanted to flee Southern Yu Prefecture altogether. That way, even if he truly were exposed, it would have nothing to do with Zhou Ling.
He had never formally become Zhou Ling's disciple, so Zhou Ling did not count as his master. But if he took his teacher's recommendation letter to the Prefectural Examination, that relationship would be cemented.
Just as Xu Qingxiao was weighing everything back and forth, the door suddenly opened.
It was Zhou Ling.
He entered carrying an oil lamp.
"Teacher."
Xu Qingxiao was somewhat surprised. He had not expected Zhou Ling to still be awake at this hour.
"Qingxiao."
"It's late. Time to rest."
Zhou Ling reminded Xu Qingxiao to get some rest.
"Oh."
Xu Qingxiao nodded. But after a moment's thought, he sighed softly. Just as he was about to say something, Zhou Ling spoke again.
"Qingxiao, I noticed something weighing on you today. Though I don't understand it, I can guess at some of it."
"But listen to me first."
"The sage said: to leave the struggling untaught is not to be a teacher; to leave the gifted untaught is to let them teach themselves."
"In this world, there is no division between good and bad; all follows the true heart. I can see that you are a piece of uncut jade, though our paths have crossed for only a few dozen days."
"But I have not misjudged you. You have a kind heart, understand right and wrong, and can distinguish good from evil. Whatever happens, I believe in you, and I understand that you have your difficulties."
"Don't worry. Study diligently, but never forget the goodness in your heart."
"I came to see you for two reasons. First, to remind you to rest early. Second, to bestow a courtesy name upon you. Are you willing?"
Zhou Ling's words left Xu Qingxiao somewhat stunned.
Clearly, Zhou Ling had noticed something.
Indeed, Xu Qingxiao's behavior today had been rather strange. After teaching for so many years, Zhou Ling was naturally adept at reading expressions. He had lived too long to be a fool, and had vaguely guessed something.
But what stunned Xu Qingxiao was this.
Even under these circumstances, Zhou Ling was still willing to accept him as a disciple and instruct him with Sacred Words.
Xu Qingxiao was deeply moved.
A long while passed.
Xu Qingxiao came back to himself. He looked at Zhou Ling, then slowly knelt and bowed to the ground.
"I, your student Xu Qingxiao, ask you to bestow a courtesy name upon me, Teacher."
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