Early the next morning.
The sun had just begun to rise when Qing Yan brought steaming bowls of porridge and side dishes to the table.
“Young Master, breakfast is ready. Hurry and get up, or the food will get cold.”
Today, she wore a pale yellow short skirt, with a small white flower tucked into her hair, which was as black as a spring. For some reason, she gave a playful smile, her eyes curving like crescent moons.
Studying Qing Yan carefully, Chen Ning found that the fox tail he had seen yesterday had indeed vanished without a trace.
However, he remembered the memory from last night clearly and was certain he hadn't been mistaken. The silly maid who had been by his side all this time was indeed a fox demon.
But... when had he ever had a connection with a fox demon?
“Wait, it seems I actually did!”
Chen Ning suddenly recalled. Not long after he had first transmigrated into this world, he had accidentally encountered a captured white fox in the Chen family's backyard.
To catch that little chicken-stealing thief, the Chen family servants had exhausted every method, so furious they wanted to eat the little white fox on the spot. But seeing that the little fox looked delicate and pitiable, Chen Ning had not only rescued it from the servants' hands but also brought out food to give it a good meal.
The little white fox never returned, but almost at the same time, a beautiful maid named Qing Yan appeared in the manor.
“A destitute scholar and a white fox returning a favor... my experience really does have a lot in common with the Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio!”
For two whole years, Chen Ning had treated this world as an ordinary ancient world. It wasn't until the events of these past two days that he fully realized this world was far from being as simple as it appeared on the surface!
After a quick breakfast, Chen Ning began his morning reading.
The Master said: “The noble scholar cherishes virtue; the inferior man cherishes land. The noble scholar cherishes the law; the inferior man cherishes favors.”
【Ding! Detecting the host's earnest study of the Analects.】
【A noble scholar's heart should encompass the world, holding a sword like a ruler to measure good and evil. Rewarding the host with a weapon—Noble Scholar's Sword.】
【Noble Qi +3 points.】
As the system's voice faded, the golden screen once again surfaced before Chen Ning.
【Chen Ning】
【Weapon: Yellow Grade, Low Rank Noble Scholar's Sword (Can be upgraded infinitely)】
【Divine Ability: Purple Qi Protection (4/40)】
Stretching out his hand, Chen Ning could clearly feel the purple qi swirling in his palm had darkened slightly, emitting a much stronger sense of pressure than before.
According to the system's prompts, the level of mastery for a Divine Ability was divided into Initial Glimpse, Thorough Understanding, Consummate Mastery, and Great Perfection. The Noble Qi he obtained was exactly what was needed to upgrade his Divine Abilities.
“So I really only need to read books to increase my strength.”
Chen Ning immediately settled his mind, immersing himself entirely in the sea of books.
Time flew by, and soon the sun was high in the sky.
“Young Master, it's time to eat.”
The sun hung high, and curls of cooking smoke rose from every household. Qing Yan brought over a bowl of white rice along with two tender boiled eggs.
“Where did these two eggs come from?”
The remaining silver in the house was dwindling, and Chen Ning had almost forgotten the last time he had eaten food as expensive as eggs.
Qing Yan explained, “The villagers sent them for you, Young Master. It seems they still hope you can go to the private school to teach the children.”
“The villagers...”
Chen Ning fell silent for a moment. Ning'an Village only had one small private school. As the health of the only old teacher there declined, many villagers hoped Chen Ning could spare some time to teach the children. However, Chen Ning's ambition lay solely in going to the capital for the exams, so even though the villagers had pleaded many times, he had never agreed.
He hadn't expected that after two years, these villagers would still be so persistent.
“Qing Yan, what do you think about the teaching?”
Chen Ning didn't touch the two eggs on the table.
“I'm probably more inclined toward you occasionally finding time to teach, Young Master.”
As she spoke, Qing Yan looked around, appearing a little bit afraid. “Besides... I've heard rumors of many children going missing in the village lately. If there really is a child-eating monster in the village, I think it would be safer if someone was by those children's side.”
“Monsters? True, if the children don't go to school and just run around all day, they really could be targeted by ghosts or monsters,” Chen Ning murmured softly after a moment of thought.
Qing Yan was suddenly filled with surprise and hurriedly placed her hand on Chen Ning's forehead.
“Young Master, you don't have a fever, do you? Why would you suddenly say something like that? In the past, wouldn't you have lectured me somewhat angrily at a time like this, saying we must stick to 'materialism' and that demons and monsters don't exist in this world?”
“Uh, people can be flexible. Besides, I am a scholar who reads the books of the sages...”
Chen Ning was momentarily speechless. After all, he had a fox demon maid right beside him; it was impossible not to believe in ghosts and monsters now.
“Very well. It just so happens that I've been tired from reading these past few days. I'll find some time to visit the private school this afternoon.”
After hesitating for a long while, Chen Ning finally sighed.
“Young Master actually agreed! That's wonderful! Qing Yan knew it; Young Master really does have the benevolent heart of a Confucian!”
Qing Yan jumped up and threw herself excitedly into Chen Ning's arms.
“You silly girl, men and women shouldn't be so physically close. Don't hug me so tight.”
“Hehe, but didn't you say yourself, Young Master, that you aren't one of those pedantic scholars?”
Feeling the soft sensation against his chest and the faint, elegant fragrance from her silky hair, Chen Ning couldn't help but feel his heart race slightly. He subconsciously said, “But speaking of which, Qing Yan, you smell quite fragrant. You don't have any of that fox smell at all.”
Qing Yan's cheeks instantly turned red as she said in bashful indignation, “Qing Yan pays great attention to hygiene! How could I have a fox smell? What is going through your head, Young Master!”
Chen Ning: “...”
Damn that modern knowledge; it had made him accidentally forget that fox-girls and foxes weren't the same species.
...
An hour later, after finishing lunch, Chen Ning brought his books to the village's private school.
As he approached the school, the students' cheers echoed from inside.
“It's Teacher Chen! Teacher Chen actually came!”
“Hello, Teacher Chen!”
Even though they hadn't known if a teacher would even show up today, the village children had long since taken their seats in the simple classroom. Each one sat with a straight back and perfect posture.
“Not bad.”
The children's diligent spirit reminded Chen Ning of the line, “This is a humble abode, but my virtue makes it fragrant.”
Read the books of the sages, walk the path to the heavens. Perhaps occasionally teaching these children wouldn't be a bad way to learn as well.
“Everyone is well-prepared. Let us begin today's lesson...”
However, as Chen Ning's gaze inadvertently swept across the classroom, it suddenly stopped on a child named Li Ergou in the corner.
When he had seen the boy a few days ago, Li Ergou was still a dark-skinned, lively, and cheerful boy. But after only a few days, he had become hollow-eyed and haggard.
More importantly, with the help of his Noble Righteous Qi, Chen Ning could clearly see that Li Ergou's Hall of Impression was as black as soot, and his entire body was shrouded in a thick, dense Death Qi!
Rate on N.U.
