Chapter 5: The Su Family's Great Talent

Chapter 5: The Su Family's Great Talent

At the foot of Green Mountain, in the study.

Su Changqing's few simple words had left Li Qingchen completely absorbed.

The higher one's cultivation, the deeper the understanding of the Dao, and the more one could grasp the profound wisdom in those few words.

But before he could fully immerse himself, the communication talisman at his waist began to vibrate wildly.

"Master Ruxian, the Emperor of Literature's statue is emitting a radiant glow, hurry back!"

"Master, a great talent has been born, the Emperor of Literature has bestowed his wisdom, the ultimate truths of the Dao!"

"Dean! Something significant has happened at the academy, thousands of great scholars are on their way."

Li Qingchen, coming back to his senses, fell silent.

When Su Changqing spoke, he had already sensed that something extraordinary would happen in Central Province.

But he never expected the Emperor of Literature's statue to emit such a radiant glow, nor for the Emperor of Literature to personally bestow his wisdom.

He had once received such an honor himself, but compared to Su Changqing, the scale was vastly different.

"This Su family is about to produce a remarkable individual."

Looking at the bewildered Su Changqing, Li Qingchen thought to himself.

"Changqing."

Gathering his thoughts, Li Qingchen spoke kindly, about to ask something.

But suddenly, his expression darkened, and he looked up at the void.

He was about to take action but, seeing Su Changqing, he suppressed the urge, only giving a cold snort as a warning.

"Changqing, read this volume of the Chronicles of the Warring States for now. Wait for me here."

Li Qingchen handed a book to Su Changqing and then turned to leave the room.

Su Changqing, just a mere mortal, had no idea the commotion his few words had caused.

His eyes were now shining, completely focused on the book in his hands.

...

In Green Mountain Village.

Li Qingchen refrained from acting due to Su Changqing, but another person was not so considerate.

Su Nan was chatting and laughing with the Su family members when his expression suddenly turned cold.

His demeanor, which had been that of a simple farmer, changed dramatically, and with every movement, the heavens and earth trembled.

His eyes shone like the sun, and his right hand, when raised, tore through the void.

A thousand miles away from Green Mountain, a massive hand appeared in the sky, grasping the void.

Boom!

Space crumpled and split like paper, and the aura that had followed the subtle heavenly will was instantly extinguished.

"Scram!"

With a cold command, Su Nan slowly retracted his hand and returned to his farmer guise.

The Su family members, witnessing this, all had serious expressions. They knew their patriarch was truly angry.

For ordinary matters, as the current head of the Su family, Su Nan might have laughed it off.

But this was no ordinary place.

The peak Near-Emperor Su Nan had spent eighteen years as a farmer to educate his son. How could he allow others to discover it?

If that happened, wouldn't all his efforts over the past eighteen years be for naught?

"Those Taoist priests?"

Su Nan thought for a moment, then looked at the Su family members and asked:

"Did I go too far? Our family actually has a good relationship with the Taoist Sect."

The corners of the others' mouths twitched. The Su family was powerful, but the Taoist Sect was no pushover.

Only the person in front of them would dare call the Taoist priests by such a name.

"Ha ha ha, just kidding. That guy won't be able to figure out who did it."

"Hmph, if it were anyone else, they wouldn't be alive."

For Su Nan, nothing was more important than educating his son.

He didn't know why the Taoist Sect was probing this place, nor did he care about their intentions.

All he knew was that anyone who dared to reach out at this moment would lose their hand.

"Alright, everyone, disperse. Mr. Li is looking for me."

Su Nan glanced at the sky and then waved his hand, ascending into the air.

"Mr. Li."

Deep in the clouds, Li Qingchen, dressed in a green robe, was quietly waiting.

Su Nan approached with a smile and bowed respectfully.

Ruxian was indeed powerful and held a high status, but neither the Su family nor Su Nan feared him.

Su Nan's bow was simply because Li Qingchen was now his son's teacher.

"Head of the Su Family."

Li Qingchen spoke, preparing to inform him about Su Changqing's recent events.

But before he could finish, Su Nan slapped his forehead and pulled something out from his robes.

"Look at my memory, this is the Emperor Wen's Notes. Please keep it safe, Sir."

"Rest assured, I, Su Nan, always keep my word. Two years, just two years. No matter how much Changqing learns, you are free to leave after that."

Li Qingchen swallowed the rest of his words and fixed his gaze on the ancient book in his hands.

The Emperor's notes, and not just any Emperor, but the personal notes of the great Confucian Emperor. No scholar could resist such a treasure.

This was why he, a revered Scholar Immortal, had agreed to become a young boy's tutor.

The Su family's generosity was simply too much to refuse.

However, the reason he had come to see Su Nan was not for this.

"Lord Su, I am here for another matter."

Putting the book away, Li Qingchen looked at Su Nan with a serious expression.

"I plan to take Changqing as my disciple. What are your thoughts, Lord Su?"

If Su Changqing's ability to see Dao patterns had only piqued his interest in talent, then the moment Changqing revealed his profound understanding of the Dao, Li Qingchen could no longer sit still.

To miss such a prodigy would be to invite the wrath of the Emperor Wen himself.

"Hmm? Take a disciple?" Su Nan was taken aback.

He knew all too well how selective Scholar Immortals were when it came to taking disciples. Over the years, as the leader of the Confucian path, the Scholar Immortal had only taken three disciples.

He had never dared to hope that the Scholar Immortal would take Changqing as a disciple. His only aim was to use the two years to help Changqing establish a correct life path and a strong moral foundation, the essence of a tutor.

But he hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise. The Scholar Immortal actually wanted to take Changqing as a disciple?

"Indeed, the moment the Emperor Wen's Notes were mentioned, even the Scholar Immortal couldn't resist. He must be afraid I'll take them back, so he's willing to let Changqing become his disciple."

Su Nan understood the situation at once, but regardless, this was a good thing.

With the Scholar Immortal as his master, Changqing would be well-protected and respected, even without the Su family's backing.

"Ha ha ha, that's wonderful! This will make us even closer. Thank you, Mr. Li, for your kindness."

Su Nan laughed heartily in agreement.

"This isn't kindness."

Li Qingchen's expression was solemn. "Changqing's talent is the best I have ever seen. It is an honor to be his teacher."

Su Nan's smile grew wider, almost reaching his ears.

Look at that, he thought. No wonder scholars are so well-respected. His words are so pleasing to the ear.

While he understood that this was partly due to the Emperor Wen's Notes, it still made him feel good.

Li Qingchen, unaware of Su Nan's thoughts, continued earnestly.

"Changqing's comprehension is extraordinary. He is a born Confucian, and his achievements in the Confucian path are unimaginable."

"And Changqing, he just—"

Su Nan's expression grew more serious as he listened. He quickly interrupted.

"I understand your intention to take Changqing as a disciple, but please don't indulge him with excessive praise."

"Too much self-satisfaction can lead to arrogance, and that would ruin him. I've spent eighteen years cultivating him. I don't want all that effort to go to waste."

"I hope you will be strict with him, let him face more challenges. Only then can he maintain a sense of reverence."

Su Nan was afraid of this. He feared that others would hold back when teaching his son because of his status.

Hadn't his older sons turned out arrogant and reckless because of this?

He had hoped the Scholar Immortal would be different, but the Emperor Wen's Notes had clearly dazzled him, making him blush with embarrassment.

If he praised Changqing in front of him, it would be disastrous.

Eighteen years of hard work would be for nothing.

No! He couldn't allow this. He had to make it clear from the start.

Li Qingchen was taken aback by Su Nan's serious demeanor.

Upon hearing his words, he nodded in understanding.

Now he understood. No parent would hide their child's true circumstances and raise him in poverty for eighteen years without a reason.

They must have recognized Changqing's extraordinary talent early on and feared that his innate abilities would lead him astray, so they deliberately took this approach!

Realizing this, Li Qingchen sighed in admiration and bowed respectfully.

"Lord Su, you are truly wise."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end