Xu Qingxiao's social skills

Inside the guest room.

Xu Qingxiao set down his luggage, then lay straight down on the bed.

After spending several days in a carriage, he was naturally uncomfortable. He had even had to curl up his legs to sleep. How could that compare to resting comfortably in a bed?

After resting for a little while, Xu Qingxiao got up and began practicing.

For five straight days, Xu Qingxiao had not cultivated at all.

Now that he finally had some time alone, he certainly would not slack off.

Twenty days had passed altogether, leaving just two months of his three-month deadline to reach the Ninth Rank.

He was not particularly anxious.

With the Golden Crow Body Tempering Art, the remaining two months were more than enough for him to reach the Ninth Rank.

Inside the room.

A faint golden glow appeared over Xu Qingxiao's body once again.

His blood and qi surged and seethed, strands of golden crow blood and qi condensing one after another. Altogether, there were already several hundred strands within his body.

He now had two paths available.

Condense golden crow blood and qi to nourish his body.

Use golden crow blood and qi to expand his meridians and complete meridian condensation.

For the time being, Xu Qingxiao chose the first. He planned to wait a while before breaking through-the later, the better.

There was no need to rush.

An hour later, Xu Qingxiao finished practicing.

As he continued cultivating over this period, he felt the transformation of his constitution more and more keenly.

There were new changes every day, with improvements across the board, from his physique to his reflexes.

Xu Qingxiao did not know exactly how strong he was, but to give an example, if he encountered the brothers Yang Bao and Yang Hu...

He felt he could defeat both with one hand.

They were both Tenth Rank martial artists as well, but Xu Qingxiao was confident he could beat them one-handed.

Brother Bao said the prefectural office had something called a tremor drum that could test a martial artist's strength.

If I get the chance, I could give it a try.

Xu Qingxiao pondered this. He was still completely in the dark about the martial cultivation system. Ultimately, he simply lacked knowledge.

I need to read. Southern Yu Prefecture has academies with a million books in their collections.

Forget the Prefectural Examination. That's all castles in the air. I'll read more, then leave Southern Yu Prefecture once the examination ends and go to another prefecture under an assumed identity.

Even if Cheng Lidong dies, it'll be troublesome. There's no guarantee his superiors won't start making wild guesses.

If he survives, it'll be even more troublesome. That fellow probably has a grudge against me.

One matter after another surfaced in Xu Qingxiao's mind as he planned his future.

Southern Yu Prefecture was merely a temporary stopping place.

His main purpose in coming was not the Prefectural Examination, but to clear himself of suspicion and give Wu Yan an opportunity to act.

His second goal was to read. His greatest problem was knowing too little, and he needed to read more to fill the gaps in his knowledge.

He needed to read.

Read more.

Xu Qingxiao was already growing impatient.

Oh, wait. I still have that grand banquet to attend.

Just as he was about to set off immediately, Xu Qingxiao suddenly remembered that there was a banquet that evening.

At that thought, he could not help sighing, but there was nothing more to say about it.

In an ancient world lacking entertainment, people's greatest pastime was hosting feasts and gathering friends. Scholars had their amusements, rough folk had theirs, and even children and the elderly had ways of entertaining themselves.

After all, once night fell, there was little entertainment to be found besides visiting pleasure houses. At the absolute most, one could gamble at cards.

Xu Qingxiao knew exactly what he wanted from the evening's banquet.

Expand his network of acquaintances. The method was simple, too: praise everyone he met. If someone wrote well, praise his writing. If someone painted well, praise his painting. If his literary talents were mediocre, praise his good looks.

Who, after all, thought he was not handsome?

Xu Qingxiao could hardly have been more practiced in this kind of social maneuvering. In his previous life, his silver tongue had been what he relied on when accompanying his superiors on business trips.

Just like that, another hour slipped by unnoticed.

A knock at the door made Xu Qingxiao put down the book in his hands.

"Coming."

After answering, Xu Qingxiao stood and opened the door, finding Wang Ru and a woman dressed as a maid outside.

"Greetings, Brother Wang Ru."

Xu Qingxiao was very polite, though his eyes held a trace of puzzlement.

"Brother Qingxiao, your senior brother said he would attend the banquet a little later, so he asked me to take you ahead. He specifically asked me to prepare these clothes for you. Change into them first."

Wang Ru treated Xu Qingxiao with great courtesy.

"Change clothes?"

Xu Qingxiao glanced at his plain clothes. They were certainly clean, but they did not really give him the air of a scholar.

"All right. Sorry for the trouble, Brother Wang Ru."

Xu Qingxiao took the tray from the maid.

"Brother Qingxiao, change first. I'll wait downstairs."

With that, Wang Ru closed the door for Xu Qingxiao.

Once the door was shut.

Xu Qingxiao began changing.

The robes Chen Xinghe had prepared for him were fine silk brocade, predominantly white. The upper garment was spotless, while pale blue-green trim edged the lower garment. Overall, the outfit was simple yet elegant.

After putting on the clothes, Xu Qingxiao casually bound his hair with a hairpin.

There were no modern mirrors in ancient times, and even ordinary brass mirrors were expensive. Fortunately, the superior guest rooms all had brass mirrors.

He could not see his full figure, only get a rough look at his face.

Not bad. Pretty handsome.

After tidying himself up a little, Xu Qingxiao opened the door and headed downstairs.

On the ground floor, Wang Ru was drinking tea while waiting for him.

"Brother Wang Ru."

Xu Qingxiao called out.

Wang Ru immediately turned around. When he saw Xu Qingxiao, surprise crossed his face.

"Brother Qingxiao?"

Wang Ru was somewhat stunned.

Previously, Xu Qingxiao had struck him as merely rather fresh-faced.

But after putting on these clothes, he looked extraordinarily refined, and even his clean-cut features seemed to have undergone a heaven-and-earth transformation.

He looked strikingly handsome.

Scholars actually cared a great deal about appearances. After all, would a brutish-looking man with a face full of flesh quoting the sages at every turn not seem completely incongruous?

The change after Xu Qingxiao put on the clothes was indeed considerable. It was not just his looks, but chiefly his bearing.

There was truth to the saying that people needed fine clothes just as Buddhas needed gilding.

Once dressed in this outfit, Xu Qingxiao exuded a scholarly elegance that made his face look exceptionally handsome.

"What's wrong?"

Xu Qingxiao was rather baffled, while Wang Ru waved a hand and said with a slightly sheepish smile.

"Nothing. It's just that changing clothes has made you look like a different person, much more handsome."

"But thinking about it, that makes sense. Someone who travels with Brother Chen would naturally be exceptional."

"Brother Qingxiao, it's getting late. Shall we go together?"

Wang Ru spoke several sentences, then glanced at the sky, looking a little hurried.

"All right. Sorry to trouble you to lead the way, Brother."

Xu Qingxiao nodded and followed Wang Ru.

The banquet venue was not far from the inn.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, they arrived.

[Bright Mind Studio]

It was a large mansion, with a white jade statue of an ancient beast on either side of the entrance.

The gates were imposing, guarded by dozens of martial artists, all of whom had entered the ranks.

A ranked martial artist could become a constable in Ping'an County, yet here in Southern Yu Prefecture, he could only guard someone's gate. Such was a big city.

"Greetings, Young Master Wang. May I ask who this is?"

The servant welcoming guests at the gate approached, looking at Wang Ru with a face wreathed in smiles.

"This is my good friend, Xu Qingxiao, Chen Xinghe's junior fellow disciple."

Wang Ru explained Xu Qingxiao's identity.

"Understood. Please come inside, young masters."

"Young Master Wang Ru has arrived."

"Young Master Xu Qingxiao has arrived."

The servant had only been making a routine inquiry. Once he had confirmed their identities, he called out loudly to announce them.

Soon, a maid emerged from the mansion and led Wang Ru and Xu Qingxiao inside.

"Brother Qingxiao, this must be your first time attending a banquet like this."

"Let me give you a few pointers. Later, if everyone is chatting and you have an opinion to offer, it's best to think it through before speaking."

"Since this is your first visit, try to make as many friends as possible. Everyone who can come here is someone of standing in Southern Yu Prefecture."

"If you build good relationships, everything will be smooth sailing for you here. Even if you go to Changping Commandery, you'll still have some connections."

Walking shoulder to shoulder with Xu Qingxiao, Wang Ru lowered his voice to explain a few things he should bear in mind.

"Understood. Thank you for the advice, Brother. I'll remember it."

Xu Qingxiao nodded.

The grounds were vast. Beyond the front hall stood artificial hills, with little bridges and flowing water. It utterly outclassed the so-called luxury villas of his previous life-a genuine landscaped garden.

Just after they crossed a small bridge, several figures appeared ahead.

"Brother Zhiyuan, is that you?"

Wang Ru brightened and called out.

The people ahead immediately stopped and turned around. Seeing Wang Ru, they smiled as well.

"Brother Wang Ru, it's been quite some time."

The man smiled broadly and exchanged greetings with Wang Ru, who quickly returned his salute.

"Indeed. I've missed you terribly since we parted at Cloud Ridge. Terribly."

"Oh, right. Brother Zhiyuan, this is Xu Qingxiao, Chen Xinghe's junior fellow disciple."

"Brother Qingxiao, this is Zhao Zhiyuan, a prized pupil of Master Xu at Bailu Academy."

Wang Ru introduced the two.

Xu Qingxiao immediately saluted.

"Greetings, Brother Zhiyuan. I've often heard my senior brother mention you. I never imagined that hearing your name would pale beside meeting you, and meeting you would surpass your reputation."

Xu Qingxiao's social skills could be considered maxed out.

The moment he spoke, Wang Ru was startled. Zhao Zhiyuan froze for a moment, then felt delighted.

And the praise was not blunt in the slightest; it was eloquent without seeming direct.

What a fine fellow.

"You're too kind, Brother Qingxiao, too kind. It's all an empty reputation, an empty reputation."

Zhao Zhiyuan could not conceal the smile on his face. He could only keep responding with talk of his empty reputation, but his fondness for Xu Qingxiao multiplied.

"Oh, right. These two are also good friends of mine. This is Lin Ning from Jinyun County, and this is Wang Zhao from Yongling County."

Zhao Zhiyuan introduced the two to Wang Ru and Chen Xinghe.

"So you two are Lin Ning and Wang Zhao! My teacher has mentioned your names now and then lately."

"He said your talent overflows and your learning fills five cartloads of books, and told me that if we ever met, I must be sure to make your acquaintance. Qingxiao greets you both, brothers."

After returning their greetings, Xu Qingxiao looked excited as he addressed them.

His words left both of them momentarily stunned.

They could be considered talented scholars in their respective hometowns, but in Southern Yu Prefecture, they were only average. Yet Xu Qingxiao sounded so sincere that it did not seem like a lie.

In an instant, an inexplicable delight welled up in both of them.

"You flatter us, Brother Qingxiao. We've merely spent a few more years reading. We wouldn't dare claim learning that fills five cartloads or overflowing talent. We wouldn't dare."

Both were modest and courteous, but while their mouths said they would not dare accept such praise, their faces beamed. How did that look like refusing it?

"Brother Qingxiao, you're truly modest and courteous. We must share a few good drinks later."

Zhao Zhiyuan smiled.

After just this brief meeting, their goodwill toward Xu Qingxiao had multiplied, leaving Wang Ru beside them marveling again and again.

Still, they did not linger, and continued on together.

As they walked, however, Wang Ru grew curious and asked in a lowered voice.

"Brother Qingxiao, may I ask you something?"

"Your teacher or your senior brother, um..."

"Have they ever praised me?"

Wang Ru asked, looking a little embarrassed.

Xu Qingxiao: ???