Chapter 44: Diligent Study of Books—For What Purpose?

Jiang Ni refused to read, but there was no shortage of charming maids in the Wutong Courtyard vying to recite classics for the Young Master. Sweet Potato had the most alluring voice, so Xu Fengnian had her read martial scriptures from the South Sea Guanyin Nunnery. Green Ant’s voice was more youthful and ethereal, making her perfect for reciting sword incantations and secret manuals. Cucumber, the most lively and spirited of them all, was tasked with reading the most unorthodox texts from the martial library. And Qingniao, with her pure and upright demeanor, was best suited for profound Taoist treasures like the *Taiping Neijing Scripture*.

*”Those who seek to become human immortals must perform ninety good deeds. Those who seek to become earthly immortals must perform three hundred good deeds. Those who seek to become heavenly immortals must perform one thousand three hundred good deeds.”*

Today, Qingniao was reading the *Taixuan Induction Scripture*. Unlike before, when Xu Fengnian would lounge with his head on Sweet Potato’s lap or idly play with Green Ant’s fingers, he now sat upright by the window, his dagger *Chunlei* unsheathed, a single finger gliding along its blade. Having attained the profound Taoist art of *Dahuangting*, Xu Fengnian’s instincts had become wondrously refined.

For instance, just by listening to Qingniao recite *Taixuan*, Xu Fengnian could feel his saliva surge like a waterfall through the *Xuanying*, flowing from the *Mingtang* down to his *Dantian*, his true qi circulating effortlessly. His head felt as if it were steaming, his limbs warm and relaxed, and between his brows, a mark resembling an inverted red date pulsed faintly, shifting from crimson to violet, evoking the grand aura of the *”Purple Qi from the East”* phenomenon seen in the Heavenly Masters of Dragon-Tiger Mountain.

The reason *Dahuangting* was called *”Great”* was because this supreme fetal-breathing technique differed from ordinary Taoist internal arts—it condensed three *Huangting* in one breath, derived from the ancestral Taoist text *Laozi*: *”One breath transforms into the Three Pure Ones.”*

*Dahuangting* was an esoteric practice. It seemed that Wang Chonglou, the Wudang Sect Leader, unwilling to let the Young Master squander his lifetime of cultivation, had entrusted two matters to the Ox-Riding Taoist. Xu Fengnian opened his eyes and chuckled, *”Sect Leader Wang said that* Dahuangting *is like living water—if I fail to refine and make it my own within ten years, it will inevitably dissipate. That wasn’t just a scare tactic. Secondly, the old master feared that even if he led me into a treasure mountain, I wouldn’t know how to gather its riches, so he specifically explained the ‘Six Heavenly Pavilions’ of* Dahuangting*, representing six realms. It’s quite similar to the six floors of the Listening Tide Pavilion. Right now, Bai Hu’er is already about to reach the third floor, while I’ve only just stepped inside.”*

Qingniao set down the bamboo scroll of *Taixuan* and asked, *”How many apertures has Your Highness opened?”*

Xu Fengnian sheathed *Chunlei*, now familiar in his grip, and pointed between his brows. *”Opening apertures isn’t difficult with* Dahuangting*. The hard part is retaining the Three Pure Qi—the more apertures I open, the more I lose. If I slack even for a day, the expenditure will outweigh the gains. This Wudang Sect Leader was ruthless with himself, and even more so with me.”*

Qingniao paused, then smiled without a word.

Xu Fengnian took a strand of Qingniao’s hair and murmured, *”Jade Pond’s clear water births a lotus, the body harmonious and free of illness. Form and spirit guard each other—the immortal who does not perish may then step through the Heavenly Gate.”*

Qingniao, puzzled, asked, *”Your Highness, which scripture is this prophecy from?”*

Xu Fengnian stroked her silken hair and quipped, *”Can’t I just make up a few lines?”*

Qingniao’s eyes sparkled.

Meanwhile, the second-tier maid Cucumber lurked by the door, unusually hesitant to enter.

Xu Fengnian laughed and scolded, *”Planning to stand there forever?”*

Cucumber stepped inside reluctantly, muttering, *”Your Highness, that Jiang girl is in the courtyard. Should I chase her away?”*

Xu Fengnian sighed in amusement. *”Let her in. Don’t think I don’t know about that time during the Mid-Autumn Festival when you deliberately stopped Yu Youwei from picking osmanthus flowers. That was underhanded. And yet, I hear you’re the one in Wutong Courtyard who loves her osmanthus cakes the most—eating an entire box in one go! No wonder you’ve gained weight this winter. Keep this up, and you’ll need new clothes soon.”*

Cucumber flushed crimson.

With a wave of his hand, Xu Fengnian dismissed the flustered maid, who then brought Jiang Ni inside. Qingniao tactfully withdrew.

Xu Fengnian and Jiang Ni locked eyes, neither willing to back down—a battle of patience.

Only when Xu Fengnian leisurely picked up the *Taixuan Induction Scripture* did Jiang Ni finally snap, *”Is that deal you mentioned still on?”*

Xu Fengnian didn’t feign ignorance. *”It is.”*

Jiang Ni, without a shred of humility, demanded, *”Two coins per character, and I’ll read for you.”*

Xu Fengnian refused flatly. *”No negotiation—one copper coin per character.”*

Jiang Ni insisted, *”Two coins!”*

Xu Fengnian shook his head. *”One.”*

Jiang Ni turned to leave.

Xu Fengnian smiled. *”One coin per character. You can read more each day—you’ll still bankrupt me eventually.”*

At the threshold, Jiang Ni hesitated.

Xu Fengnian pressed, *”This* Taixuan Induction Scripture *has about six thousand characters. Finish it, and I’ll count it as seven strings of cash. How’s that?”*

Jiang Ni turned back and reentered, the deal salvaged. But she stood in the farthest corner, cold-faced, and extended her hand.

Xu Fengnian, well aware of her temper, tossed *Taixuan* to her.

Jiang Ni caught the bamboo scroll, its cords frayed from age—something any Taoist temple would treasure. The sight only deepened her resentment. *How could he treat something centuries old so carelessly? What if it fell apart? And yet, despite such extravagance, he haggles over a single coin!*

Xu Fengnian, as if reading her mind, grinned. *”Feeling protective? If it’s mine, I’ll use it however I please. But if it leaves my hands, I’ll count every penny.”*

One coin.

Xu Fengnian gazed out the window and smiled.

The joy in this little game was something only Old Huang and this girl could understand.

Jiang Ni began reciting, her voice and cadence inevitably rough.

Xu Fengnian didn’t mind. He prided himself on having no talent except an unbeatable memory. Why pay Jiang Ni to read *Taixuan*—or any future martial manuals?

Jiang Ni would never understand.

Nor did she want to. She only hoped to memorize advanced martial arts in secret, to one day master them and drive *Shenfu* into the Young Master’s heart.

Xu Fengnian finally snapped out of his thoughts, shifting into a more relaxed posture as he watched the small figure in the corner, diligently reading the bamboo scroll.

His gaze, no longer stagnant, flickered with life.

Did the ever-scheming Xu Fengnian not know why she read so earnestly?

But why *he* wanted her to read so earnestly—only the Great Pillar of State, Xu Xiao, knew.

That day, stepping out of the ancestral hall, Xu Xiao had joked, *”If Jiang Ni ever manages to kill you, nine times out of ten, she’ll kill herself afterward. Without you as her enemy, life would lose its meaning. And if she realizes she can never kill you, she’ll just be a walking corpse.”*

Xu Fengnian murmured, *”You mispronounced ‘banner.'”*

Jiang Ni paused, then repeated the line.

Xu Fengnian chuckled. *”That one doesn’t count toward your pay.”*

Jiang Ni didn’t argue, only read louder.

Xu Fengnian closed his eyes, syncing his breath with the scripture—long and rhythmic.

When she stumbled again, he opened his eyes, suppressing a laugh. *”Resentment.”*

Jiang Ni, unfamiliar with the character, flushed slightly.

Xu Fengnian deadpanned, *”Deduct ten coins.”*

Jiang Ni snorted but, knowing she was wrong, didn’t protest.

Then, in quick succession, she stumbled over six or seven more characters, losing sixty or seventy coins in the blink of an eye. Her throat dry, Jiang Ni’s eyes reddened—until Xu Fengnian’s emotionless *”Deduct ten coins”* finally broke her.

She burst into tears.