Martial Saint through Reading

"My name is Chu Rong, I am Chu Ming... the father of Chu Librarian."

Chu Rong looked at the cold saber, nervous, but still forced himself to appear as amiable as possible.

"Chu Rong? Chu Rong, the East City Merchant?"

Just then, two people walked out from within the mansion, just in time to hear Chu Rong’s words.

"Arrest him!"

Lin Zhenwu waved his hand, and the guards immediately surged forward to seize Chu Rong.

"Ah—who are you, I am Chu Librarian’s father, do you dare arrest me..."

"Cease your clamoring. Gag him."

"Yes."

"Mm-mm..."

"Take him away!"

Chu Rong never imagined that, before even stepping inside the door, he would be taken captive.

Shao Pengshu looked at Chu Rong, bound as tight as a twisted rope, and laughed, "Lord Lin, with Chu Rong arrested, does this count as venting some anger for Chu Librarian?"

Lin Zhenwu responded calmly, "Let’s go. It’s just Chu Rong—there are many things left for us to do."

"Investigate the Chu Family?"

"Hmm."

This mansion was located in the secluded area of West City, far from the bustling marketplace.

Chu Rong was the first to come visiting. After he was arrested by the Criminal Defense Bureau, a steady stream of Baiyuan County’s wealthy merchants and nobles showed up to pay their respects.

A Senior Ninth-Grade Clerk is not much of an official, but add in the combined recommendation of the County Magistrate, County Magistrate’s Assistant, and Lord of the Classics, and at just sixteen years of age—that makes all the difference.

Everyone knows that Chu Ming’s future prospects are limitless.

For Senior Ninth-Grade Officials, this is the ideal chance to forge connections.

But aside from Chu Rong’s special experience at the beginning, all the other visitors shared a similar fate—each left waiting at the door.

Within just half a day, over a dozen carriages lined up on the street outside Chu Mansion—some belonging to wealthy merchants, others to officials.

At that moment, another carriage arrived.

"It’s Lord Ningx’s carriage," someone said in a low voice.

"So what if it’s Lord Ningx? Even Lord Zhang wasn’t allowed inside, did you notice?"

"To enter Chu Mansion, at minimum you need to be a Senior Eighth Grade. Lord Ningx is merely Junior Eighth-Grade."

The crowd murmured among themselves; the Ningx Family’s carriage was already parked at the gate.

"Father, we’re here." Ning Hao, clad in white silk robe and crowned with jade, looked every bit distinguished.

Then, a middle-aged man descended from the carriage.

"Lord Ningx, come on—no use, you can’t get in," called a voice from across the street.

Ningx Yi frowned and glanced over, seeing someone on the carriage wave to him.

"Lord Zhang." He cupped his hands, returning the gesture, then looked to Ning Hao. "Hao’er, you’re certain you’ll get in, right? Don’t let Father lose face."

"Father, rest assured."

Ning Hao swaggered up to the gate, fishing out a handwritten note from his chest.

The guard glanced at it and immediately stepped aside with respect. "Mr. Ningx, please."

"Father, let’s go."

Ningx Yi arched an eyebrow, turning to face the street. "Lord Zhang, I have business today; let’s catch up another time."

With that, he strode steadily into Chu Mansion, drawing astonished looks from all around.

"Lord Ningx got in?"

"I heard that Chu Librarian, while at Baiyuan Academy, shared a courtyard with Lord Ningx’s son."

"Sharing the same courtyard? There’s a real bond there—Lord Ningx truly raised a fine son."

"..."

...

Mansion, courtyard.

"Brother Chu!"

Ning Hao had barely entered when he spotted Chu Ming, seated in the pavilion reading.

Pa!

Ningx Yi smacked Ning Hao on the head, speaking crossly, "Call him Lord Chu."

"Chu... Lord Chu."

Father and son cupped hands in greeting.

"Senior Brother Ningx, please sit." Chu Ming rose, reciprocating the salute, and turned toward the middle-aged man beside Ning Hao.

"This is my father," Ning Hao said.

"I have heard much of Lord Chu’s brilliance from Ning Hao; seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary."

As Ningx Yi spoke, his attendant brought something forward; lifting the cover, it revealed several dazzling gold ingots.

"Ning Hao’s a foolish lad—thank you, Lord Chu, for your care during Academy days."

What kind of care is worth several big gold ingots?

Chu Ming’s expression did not change. "Lord Ningx, please sit."

"Ah, Senior Brother Ningx, when did you arrive?"

Just then, a youth in Baiyuan Academy junior examinee attire dashed in, carrying roast chicken and wine.

"Junior Brother Liang!" Ning Hao’s eyes flashed.

No wonder he hadn’t seen Liang Yuan since dawn—it turns out he’d come straight to Brother Chu.

Judging by the looks, perhaps planning to feast and drink together?

Ningx Yi, observing, immediately sensed the unsuitable occasion. He cupped his hands and said, "Ning Hao having the chance to share a courtyard with Lord Chu is the greatest blessing. Lord Chu, I have official duties to attend today, so I shall not intrude."

"Father, are we leaving already?" Ning Hao hadn’t yet reacted.

"Not us—just me. Aren’t you staying, to catch up with Lord Chu?" Ningx Yi signaled to Ning Hao, hastening his steps to depart.

Catch up?

But just yesterday Brother Chu and I dined together... and got poisoned together. No need to catch up, surely...

"Huh, Lord Ningx?"

Ning Hao had barely left the courtyard when two more people approached.

He hurriedly paid his respects. "Lord Liuu, Lord Feng."

"Mm."

Liu Sitong nodded to Ningx Yi. "Lord Ningx, what brings you here?"

Ningx Yi’s face was impassive. "My foolish son is old friends with Lord Chu; not seeing him for days, he longed to visit, pestered me to come, I couldn’t refuse—so here I am."

Was it truly Ning Hao who longed to visit, or did someone wish to connect with Chu Ming?

Feng Yuan caught the subtlety in his expression.

"Lord Ningx, stay a while longer. I have some official matters to discuss with you," Liu Sitong paused and said.

"Very well." Ningx Yi agreed without hesitation; he had never intended to leave.

Chu Ming, seeing Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan enter, cupped hands in greeting. Ning Hao and Liang Yuan quickly bent to pay respects.

"Chu Librarian, how goes it?" Liu Sitong asked in a low, serious tone.

Feng Yuan watched with anticipation.

How goes what?

Ning Hao and Liang Yuan did not understand.

Ningx Yi grasped nothing either.

The matter of deciphering the Mountain Scripture was known only to County Magistrate Fu Chang, County Magistrate’s Assistant Liu Sitong, and Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan—none others in Baiyuan County knew of its existence.

Ningx Yi could not fathom what could so concern both the County Magistrate’s Assistant and Lord of the Classics with regard to the position of Librarian.

Chu Ming nodded.

"Good, let’s talk inside."—the Mountain Scripture could not be discussed publicly.

Three people entered the house; Chu Ming produced a sheet of paper from the desk.

On the paper was the content he had deciphered from the first half of the Mountain Scripture’s second page.

Liu Sitong and Feng Yuan examined it closely, growing more delighted as they read.

Again, in just one day, he had decoded the second page of the Mountain Scripture.

Although not fully done, the speed still astonished them.

"Chu Librarian, at this rate, you could decipher the entire Mountain Scripture within two years, perhaps."

Feng Yuan praised enthusiastically.

Praise always comes with a hint of exaggeration.

The ancient shell script on the Mountain Scripture grew ever more complex with each page. Deciphering the opening pages swiftly did not mean all would progress as quickly—otherwise, the entire Xirong County would not have stalled at fifty percent completion.

"Two years? Lord Feng, I know you mean to encourage Chu Librarian, but deciphering the Mountain Scripture cannot be rushed. If Chu Librarian keeps pace with Xirong County within three to five years, it will already be a great achievement—and you and I will benefit by association."

Where there is flattery, there is always restraint.

Liu Sitong’s expression was solemn. "Still, Chu Librarian, do not let this weigh too heavily. Deciphering half in three to five years, completing it in ten, would also merit promotion and renown."

Three to five years to decipher half? Ten years for the whole?