Chapter 436

Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province!

To Qing, Taiyuan could be a land of great significance or perhaps not.

Why, you ask?

Because this is the birthplace of the Han people, the spiritual roots of Qing, where Grandpa Dangun established the mythical city of Shinshi!

At least, that’s the claim of some dimwit.

According to this dimwit, this very Taiyuan is the original Shinshi, the hometown of the Han people, and the shocking truth is that the ancient capital of Goguryeo, Jolbon, was also here!

The rectangular walls enclosing Taiyuan represent the massive engineering skills of the Goguryeo people, or so they say.

You could easily judge how scientifically grounded and historically convincing this dimwit’s claims are if you just give it a listen.

It’s said that Dangun settled Shinshi between Baeksan (White Mountain) and Heuksu (Black River).

Amazingly, Taiyuan is located in Shanxi Province and indeed has both mountains and rivers!

What’s even more astounding is that the river is named Heuksu!

But the mountain? Guess what, it’s not Baeksan!

So why on earth is Shinshi Taiyuan?

The dimwit claims that there used to be a Baeksan, but the great Han Empire erased that name to hide their glorious history.

No evidence for that, of course, but hey, it used to be Baeksan!

In reality, just a fifteen-day journey south leads to a land that, in those harsh times, was much warmer and plentiful for humanity.

Yet, they inexplicably crawled north, into a land surrounded by mountains, blocking access in all directions. Why, oh why, would they do such a thing?

Maybe they just didn’t know because it’s not drawn on the watermelon map or something.

Anyway, Qing has somehow ended up in what could be considered the origin of her people’s spirituality, without her even realizing it.

For some reason, though, there wasn’t a profound, heart-pounding feeling about it.

Maybe it’s because Qing’s physical self isn’t really tied to the Han people all that much.

Anyway.

In Taiyuan, there’s the Hall of Literature.

Of course, that’s not present in Qing’s hometown history.

Originally, it should have been bustling and stationed right in the imperial palace.

But who cares about such trivial differences when people are in a world where they can practically ride on the essence of nature?

Whether the Hall is in Taiyuan or Hangzhou doesn’t really matter.

The current imperial family is slowly distancing itself from the Hall of Literature, and the literary scholars, feeling quite neglected, settled in a place that’s close yet far away.

Taiyuan is near Beijing, but you actually have to take a roundabout route through southern Henan, so it’s close in distance, but far in reality.

Since the powerful wished to keep the scholars at bay, they chose a location hoping they’d be seen up close again someday.

And at the heart of that literary world stands the Hall of Literature.

At the entrance of the Hall, the warrior guarding the entrance squints at a rather strange duo approaching.

A tall woman in a ceremonial robe, holding tightly onto a small child’s hand.

The child, looking around with wide eyes, keeps glancing up at the tall woman and flapping their little lips in wonder.

Sure, if you just looked at them like this, they’d seem like an ordinary mother and daughter out for a stroll.

But the odd thing is, both of them were armed with swords.

The child’s sword hung down to their ankles, oversized for their small stature, while the tall woman had a similarly large sword that also drooped to her ankles.

What’s this? A mother-daughter duo of martial artists?

Even the guardian thinks that’s a rather peculiar phrase.

Upon further reflection, it’s only natural all martial women have mothers, so what’s so strange about a mother and daughter strolling hand in hand?

Yet, for some reason, it felt like an exceedingly rare sight.

Still, given the warrior’s duty at the Hall, it seemed odd that the sight of a mother and daughter with swords would stand out so much, especially when it was already ten hours into their shift and the sun hadn’t budged a bit.

In fact, it was more like a shallow observation than a thorough analysis. Lost in thought about where they were and who they were—

“Excuse me?”

Snapped back to reality, the warrior sees the pair right in front of them.

Regaining composure, they solemnly clear their throat.

“Ahem. This is the Taihak of the Hall of Literature—a great cradle where scholars from all over gather to sharpen their skills. What business do you have, ma’am?”

“Ma’am? Well, anyway, I’m here to see Elder Shigang. Is he inside?”

“Elder Shigang is currently in a morning lecture. May I ask what your business is?”

“Oh, I’m Seomun Qing, a disciple of Elder Cheon Yu-hak. I’ve come to see my master.”

The warrior stared intently at Qing, trying to peer through her veil, ultimately concluding that no, he couldn’t see through it at all.

Seeing how Qing was tilting her head in confusion, the warrior awkwardly spoke up.

“Um, ma’am? I’ve never heard Elder Shigang taking on female disciples… There seems to be some mistake…”

And this is exactly why Seomun Sulin often belittles the Hall’s scholars as mere ‘literary folks.’

“Ah, right. Just a moment.”

The woman skillfully turns toward her belongings, rummaging through them quickly, and pulls out a crumpled letter.

She unfurls it and presents it to the warrior with a flourish.

The warrior takes it and unfolds it, reading, “Seomun Qing, beloved disciple of Elder Cheon Yu-hak, summoned by her master.” The words ‘Morning Lecture’ followed by a deep crimson seal.

The warrior bows their head low in understanding.

“I apologize. Please, follow me inside.”

Even during a lecture, one must wait even if the emperor himself comes knocking.

Interestingly, the warrior didn’t ask if it was okay for Qing to see her master; they simply understood the protocol.

It was a statement underlined by pride, as the Hall had once been the pride of the empire, boasting both the crown prince’s and even the emperor’s teacher among them.

As they admired the well-crafted waterways, sipping some tea, a sudden din erupted.

“Oh, it seems the lecture is over.”

And sure enough, from the largest building at the center of the manmade waterway, students began pouring out.

Faces filled with a sense of freedom, they wore bright smiles characteristic of those who had endured something together.

I wonder how such large groups managed to stay silent until now.

Hoping to catch a glimpse of the master passing by, Qing stands at the steps, observing.

Anyhow, the scholars were whispering among themselves, “Is that a woman in the Hall?”

Not that there was a strict ban against women, but standing right in front of the Taihak?

And wow, she’s tall too!

And what’s this? Is that a daughter accompanying her?

But gentlemen are not supposed to linger on women.

Though curious and intrigued, none dared ask her anything, simply parting to pass.

Then, Qing suddenly shouted.

“Master!”

Several men turned their heads, and descending the stairs with remarkable speed was Cheon Yu-hak.

At the sound of Qing’s voice, Cheon Yu-hak’s head snapped around, an enormous grin lighting up his face.

“Oh, my disciple! You’ve arrived! You should’ve come in and greeted me properly instead of just standing at the foot of the stairs like a sloth!”

“Ehehe. I heard even the emperor has to wait during a lecture, you know?”

“That’s because he’s the emperor. If seeking knowledge, anyone should feel free to join in a lecture.”

“Ehehe. Well, I was just a bit… Ah, this is my younger sister, Jin Jangmyung. Jangmyung, say hello to my master, Elder Cheon Yu-hak.”

“Hello.”

“Ah, little lady, greetings! I was just wondering when you would arrive. Was your trip smooth? Have you eaten?”

“Ehehe, I was going to eat with my master! Do you know the best place to eat in Taiyuan? I’m really going to treat you big today!”

“After coming such a long way, shouldn’t the master feed the disciple first? It wouldn’t be right to just eat yourself, would it? Let’s head home first.”

This prompted the scholars of the Hall to share knowing glances.

Wow, what a big deal! Elder Shigang has taken on a female disciple!

And a disciple he seems to genuinely be delighted to see, as even the usually stern Elder Shigang wore a beaming smile.

But, hang on. What about those swords?

You mean to say they have a martial artist as a disciple?

It’s rare for women to walk alone while carrying swords for self-defense, but judging by this size, that’s quite a sword, isn’t it?

Yet those with the answers to such questions were already snickering and departing.

At lunch today, everyone would be stretching their imaginations!

Anyway.

Elder Cheon Yu-hak’s residence was a massive courtyard, easily the largest among the traditional courtyard homes as though someone had pressed down on the corners to pull it apart.

Qing squinted, asking incredulously.

“Wow. Master, you live so well?”

“Kiddo, how can one study properly if they’re hungry and on the brink of starving? If the essentials like food and shelter become a concern, how can one easily study the classics? Besides, the only reason I have such a big place is because I’m rich! With money, I could focus solely on studying, right?”

Jin Jangmyung’s eyes widened in awe as she looked up at Cheon Yu-hak.

With that, Cheon Yu-hak quickly switches to a more casual tone.

“Isn’t there that saying about profound diligence? Right? What was it again?”

“Ah, yes! There’s that saying. Didn’t someone gather fireflies to read at night and became a high-ranking official, right?”

“Indeed! Or there’s that other guy who read by the moonlight—both ended up attaining great positions in government.”

You might think a lantern would suffice, but they couldn’t afford the oil, so they relied on these methods to read at night.

In short, despite facing tremendous hardships, it’s a saying highlighting the struggle for knowledge.

To that, Cheon Yu-hak lets out a scoff, half-laughting, half-mocking.

“Those who claw their way through study to achieve high positions—what did they actually do once they got there? Ended up as corrupt officials, bleeding the people dry. They didn’t become great men; instead, they turned into good-for-nothing scoundrels!

For them, studying was just a means to gain wealth or revenge against poverty, not for personal growth. Hence, studying is something only the rich should do; otherwise, the objective becomes pursuing wealth instead of self-cultivation.”

“Oh wow.”

Surprised by Qing’s astonishment, Cheon Yu-hak adds with a chuckle, “What? Does that not sound like something a Confucian scholar would say?’

“No, it’s just that since you’re saying it, it makes you sound truly learned.”

“What a cheeky one you are.”

“But my master isn’t the stern Shigang, but you, Elder Cheon Yu-hak, so does it even matter?”

I came to learn from you, not Shigang!

Qing’s remark earns her a sly look from Cheon Yu-hak.

“Is that truly how you feel?”

“Absolutely!”

“Elder Shigang has mentioned that your head is no different from a stone on the roadside. Still, as you’ve memorized at least some scriptures, he’s asked me to kindly teach you the Confucian classics this year. Now, let me tell you, my disciple, it’s quite a lot of material. Ever heard of the Hundreds of Schools and Thousands of Teachers?”

“Huh?”

“You thought you were just here for a vacation? No way, my dear disciple, you came for the study of literature! I’m counted among the top three teachers in all the realms! It won’t do for you to be ignorant while studying under me!”

“Wait, I didn’t hear that!”

Qing’s expression grew troubled.

Studying literature?

Studying literature!?

“Don’t be too upset. Honestly, it becomes unexpectedly enjoyable as you go along.”

“That kind of joy doesn’t exist.”

“Really, I’m serious! Just look at me.”

“That kind of joy is something only you would feel. If that were the case, every wealthy young master would have turned into a great master by now, a living embodiment of learning!”

“Well, now look at that. You’re not dumb, but you act like it sometimes. So, even though Elder Shigang requested this, there’s really no escaping now. Well, now that I think about it, since little lady here seems bored with studying, you can let her join you two.”

With that, Jin Jangmyung blinked rapidly, then let go of Qing’s hand, turning to gaze into the distance.

---