Green Mountain
Chapter 159: Cultivation Path 117

Chapter 159: Cultivation Path 117

Miss Zhang also came to attend the class?

Chen Ji was slightly surprised.

Prince Jing joked, "Lord Zhang, it’s not a problem that your daughter Zhang Xia is attending Mr. Wang’s class, but since you and Mr. Wang both took the same imperial examination and he ranked second while you ranked first, it might be better to keep Zhang Xia by your side and teach her yourself."

Zhang Zhuo chuckled, "Back then, His Majesty thought he was too spirited and intentionally did not grant him the title of top scholar. In terms of talent, I am inferior to him."

Prince Jing smiled slightly, "Lord Zhang, you are too modest."

Zhang Zhuo shook his head, "Not at all modest. I still remember under the heavy eaves of Fengtian Hall, where rows of bucket arches lined like wells, His Majesty sat on the golden dragon throne and I didn’t even dare to raise my head, yet Wang Daosheng could look directly at His Majesty. Just in terms of that courage, I am not his equal."

Zhang Zhuo, with his hand on his belt, looked up at the apricot tree and reminisced, "That day in front of the hall, His Majesty asked me why I studied, and I honestly answered, to become an official. His Majesty lightly laughed and said, ’Your "Taxes Theory" is enough to be an official.’ Then His Majesty asked Wang Daosheng why he studied, and he replied, studying naturally is to become a saint. His Majesty indifferently said, ’the "Twelve Strategies of Pacifying the Japanese" is enough to be an official, but it falls short of making a saint.’ Thus, that year I became the top scholar at fifteen, and he, at twenty-three, became the runner-up."

Having said this, Zhang Zhuo chuckled again, "These years, I’ve been mingling with officials day by day and have neglected my studies. It’s better to learn from him. Additionally, Zhang Xia has been in Luocheng City for three years and has not made any friends. Studying with others might help her introverted nature and she might make some ambitious friends."

Liu Quxing muttered softly, "She’s not at all introverted..."

While they were talking, a cry of alert came from beyond the wall, "Chen Ji, run! My father accepted a bribe from Mr. Chen to send you to study with Mr. Wang to ease the conflict between you three brothers! You must run, don’t let my father manipulate you, Mr. Wang is very strict!"

Suddenly, the courtyard of Taiping Medical Hall became quiet.

Everyone slowly turned to look, and moments later, atop the gray tiles of the courtyard wall, the head of Princess Bai Li appeared.

"Ah!"

Seeing the situation in the courtyard, Princess Bai Li was startled and leaned back. Fortunately, the Princely Heir reacted quickly and caught her, otherwise, she would have fallen badly.

The Princely Heir complained, "You’ve climbed this wall dozens of times, how could you still make a mistake?"

Princess Bai Li lowered her voice, "Run, father is in the hall!"

The Princely Heir’s face changed drastically, "We’ve caused trouble, run!"

Prince Jing said coldly, "Where do you think you can run to? Come here!"

"Ah..."

From the other side of the wall came rustling noises, Princess Bai Li, the Princely Heir, and the little monk climbed into the courtyard one after another and lined up with their heads bowed.

Prince Jing glanced at Chen Ji, then turned and said sternly, "Bai Li, tell me what bribe I supposedly accepted?"

Princess Bai Li replied softly, "I originally went to the Mingzheng Building to ask for the dividends from the kiln factory, but I heard outside that you were offering Mr. Chen terms, saying that if the Ministry of Revenue granted extra silver for purchasing cotton gloves for the border army, you would advocate Chen Ji’s admission to the academy."

Prince Jing raised an eyebrow, "This is a matter of national importance, and I am not doing it for personal gain, so where is the wrongdoing?"

Princess Bai Li muttered, "Dad, how can you be so confident even after being exposed?"

Prince Jing was not embarrassed at all about being exposed; instead, he asked with a smile, "Chen Ji, it’s bitterly cold in winter at Chongli Pass. Every soldier in the border army has frostbite on their hands and feet, to the point where there isn’t a patch of good skin to be seen. Do you think they need cotton gloves?"

Chen Ji hesitated for a moment, "...Yes."

Prince Jing was relieved, "Seeing you understand the bigger picture puts me at ease. Bai Li, Chen Ji has agreed; do you have anything else to say?"

Bai Li resignedly replied, "No."

Chen Ji raised his hand, "My lord, hold on, matters of home and country..."

Prince Jing cut him off, turning to look at Feng Daban, "Distribute it to them."

Feng Daban, with a gentle expression, pulled several strands of Buddhist Treasure from his bosom and handed them to Chen Ji and others.

Prince Jing remarked reflectively, "Chen Ji, this silver was originally for purchasing cotton, but the Prince’s Mansion must honor its promises; we can only distribute the silver to you first. I won’t force you to reconcile with the Chen family; that is your own affair. You merely need to make an appearance at Mr. Wang’s place and that would be a great help to me."

Looking at the Buddhist Treasure in his hand, Chen Ji considered the real 2,500 taels of silver, which could be exchanged for seventy ginseng roots and could light 140 stoves.

He turned to look at Liu Quxing and She Dengke, "Would you two masters like to accompany Mr. Wang to study?"

She Dengke shook his head like a rattle-drum, "I won’t be able to learn."

Liu Quxing struggled for a moment before finally saying, "I’d rather stay to serve master."

Chen Ji tucked the prayer beads into his sleeve and looked back at Prince Jing, "My lord, I alone will suffice to visit Mr. Wang. If there’s no one in the medical hall, my master will be too busy to manage alone."

Prince Jing clapped his hands and laughed, "Dr. Chen truly understands righteousness; I admire that. Very well, it’s settled then. Tomorrow morning at quarte past five AM, you can go to Zhi Xing Academy next to the Prince Mansion to meet Mr. Wang."

With that, Prince Jing left, leaving everyone in the medical hall exchanging looks.

She Dengke said gruffly, "Liu Quxing, don’t you want to be an official? Why not learn from Mr. Wang? This is a rare opportunity. After his retirement returns to his position, he might arrange an official position for you."

Liu Quxing rolled his eyes, "What do you know? That Mr. Wang has been demoted five times over twenty years of service. Even though he has repeatedly achieved extraordinary feats in pacifying bandits in Jiangzhou and subduing Japanese pirates in Min Province, he is still disliked by His Majesty. If I really became his disciple, it might not be a good thing."

"Why then do Chen Wenzong and Chen Wenxiao want to study with him?"

Liu Quxing said impatiently, "Those two are from the Chen family; can I compare with them? Rather than joining that bustle, it’s better to focus wholeheartedly on studying medicine with master. With my little cleverness, I could still make it as a seventh-grade Imperial Physician, but as a seventh-grade County Magistrate, I might just end up being sent to exile in Lingnan!"

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard and smiled, "Doctor Liu knows when to advance or retreat, which is most commendable. If I had understood this principle at your age, perhaps I would have already returned to the Imperial Capital and been promoted to Minister of Personnel by now!"

Liu Quxing then remembered Zhang Zhuo was still there and hurriedly bowed, "Lord, you joke."

Zhang Zhuo replied, "Not at all," looking at the Princely Heir and Chen Ji, "Zhang Xia is not inherently malicious. I hope you young men won’t hold onto the previous misunderstandings. As the saying goes, ’time reveals a person’s heart.’ Get to know her better, and you will understand her character. I take my leave."

As Bai Li watched Zhang Zhuo’s retreating back, she said confusedly, "Why do I feel like there’s more to Lord Zhang’s words?"

...

...

At that moment, chirping sounds came from outside the Medical Hall.

Chen Ji frowned, recognizing the sound as a signal mimicked by the copper whistle of the Spy Department.

He hastened out of the Medical Hall and saw on the bustling Anxi Street, a carriage parked opposite a bun shop, its windows tightly covered with dark blue cotton curtains.

Next to the carriage, dressed as a coachman and wearing a bamboo hat, stood West Wind.

Jin Zhu peeked through a small gap in the curtain and silently mouthed, "Get in!"

Chen Ji glanced back at the Medical Hall, then turned and wove through the crowd to climb into the carriage.

Jin Zhu tapped on the carriage wall, and West Wind, lifting his whip, drove the carriage off towards an undisclosed location.

In the dimly lit carriage, Chen Ji expressed his confusion, "Mr. Chen, we just parted a few hours ago, why have you come to the Medical Hall again?"

Jin Zhu replied mysteriously, "Don’t ask too many questions. Rest for a while in the carriage, and once we arrive, you’ll understand. There’s a huge opportunity waiting for you!"

Chen Ji, observing his enthusiastic demeanor, felt uneasy, "Mr. Chen, perhaps you should doubt me as you did before. This way you are now, it frightens me a bit."

Jin Zhu, caught between laughter and tears, said, "What are you talking about? I know you’re upset, but from now on, we’re brothers. Why bother with formalities? Once I secure a Cultivation Path for you, you’ll see my sincerity."

Chen Ji shifted his position and leaned against the carriage wall, "How could I trouble you to seek the Prime Minister on my behalf? I haven’t earned it yet. I can slowly accumulate merits and wait to cultivate once I’m promoted to Hai Dongqing."

Jin Zhu’s expression changed abruptly, "No!"

Chen Ji looked at him, puzzled, "Mr. Chen, what’s going on?"

Jin Zhu quickly assured him with a smile, "You, young sir, don’t know the benefits of a Cultivation Path. You’ve seen Heavenly Horse, and his Meteor Arrow Rain. Even a formation of a hundred soldiers would have to retreat from its force ... don’t you envy that?"

Chen Ji shook his head, "No matter how impressive, that’s someone else’s skill. I don’t envy it."

Jin Zhu, feeling helpless, continued to tempt, "Once you obtain a Cultivation Path, you will no longer just be one of the common masses; you will be an exalted Executive Officer. If you could step into the Innate Realm soon, why work as a mere apprentice at Taiping Medical Hall?"

"I’m quite content at the Medical Hall..."

Jin Zhu, exasperated yet striving, said, "I know you have grievances with the Chen family. Let’s change the metaphor. If you could step into the Seeking Dao Realm, even your father would treat you with respect. If you reached the Divine Realm, you could sit as an equal with the Chen family head, Chen Luchi."

Chen Ji’s interest was piqued, "Mr. Chen, are you in the Divine Realm?"

Jin Zhu hesitated, "No, there are only three people in the Divine Realm in all of the Ning Dynasty, and currently, I am at the Innate Realm."

"How many years have you been cultivating?"

"Sixteen years..."

After pondering for a moment, Chen Ji replied, "Then I’m afraid I may not achieve the Seeking Dao Realm."

Jin Zhu became anxious, leaning forward nearly face to face with Chen Ji, "I dropped from the Seeking Dao Realm to the Innate Realm for special reasons; you definitely won’t end up like me!"

Chen Ji casually asked, "Mr. Chen, why are you so keen on my cultivation?"

Jin Zhu replied with a dry laugh, shifting backward slightly, "I’ve told you, we’re brothers from now on."

Chen Ji said no more, finally certain that Jin Zhu was betting on him.

The carriage swayed and rumbled along, and after what felt like an eternity, it slowly came to a stop. West Wind softly said outside the door, "Mr. Chen, we’ve arrived."

Jin Zhu did not get out of the carriage but merely lifted the curtain and silently watched.

Through the gap, Chen Ji was shocked to see the carriage had stopped not far from Bailu Pavilion.

The entrance to Bailu Pavilion was tightly sealed off by spies, and pedestrians along the street had hidden in nearby shops, fearful of getting involved.

Chen Ji, puzzled, asked, "Mr. Chen, why have you brought me here?"

Jin Zhu glanced at Chen Ji and explained, "This is one of the Jing Dynasty Military Intelligence Department’s outposts in Luocheng City. It’s used by Jing Dynasty thieves for transmitting messages and gathering military funds, sustaining many spies. Now that my Spy Department has taken it down, it’s a great achievement. I’ve already sent a message to the Prime Minister via carrier pigeon—this merit will be solely attributed to you, to be exchanged for an A-Class Cultivation Path at Jiefan Building. Rest assured, within half a month, the Cultivation Path will be delivered to Luocheng City."

Chen Ji inquired, "Aren’t we getting off?"

Jin Zhu, intently watching outside and not turning his head, replied, "Not yet, we’ll wait for the people from the Criminal Justice Department to leave."

By then, the first group of spies was escorting bound employees of Bailu Pavilion, and the second group placed several large chests at the entrance.

Fish-Dragon Guards from the Criminal Justice Department, dressed in raincoats and armed with long knives, were already there, searching the spies one by one to ensure no one pocketed silver coins after the raid. They then opened the chests to check and register the confiscated goods.

Jin Zhu cursed under his breath, "These bastards only know how to search their own people. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have to sneak around for money."

Half an hour later, after both the spies and the Criminal Justice Department had withdrawn, Jin Zhu quietly slipped out of the carriage and tore off the seal on Bailu Pavilion.

Inside, the place was in disarray, counters and chairs upturned.

Bending over, Jin Zhu searched through the mess, instructing West Wind, "West Wind, go check the storeroom and see where Liu Tiao and the others hid the items! Chen Ji, close the door!"

Chen Ji shut the door and curiously asked, "Mr. Chen, what are you looking for?"

In the next moment, Jin Zhu flipped over a pile of debris and excitedly pulled out a small wooden box, "Found it!"

A voice from the backyard, West Wind announced, "Mr. Chen, I’ve found one in the backyard too."

Jin Zhu opened the box, glanced inside, then stuffed it into Chen Ji’s arms, "Here are fifteen old ginseng roots, worth four hundred taels of silver. Keep them safe. Once the Cultivation Path arrives from the Imperial Capital, they will be of great use!"