Chapter 29: Mortal-Level Divine-Grade Thatched Hut
Divine items, the thatched hut had explained, can be said to completely transcend the mortal realm. They break free from the basic constraints of the world and possess abilities far beyond common sense.
That day, Xu Ning came to Qiao Hexuan's house as usual, hopeful. "Sir, have you acquired any new books recently?"
"No!" Qiao Hexuan's tone was full of impatience and frustration.
He was truly exasperated with Xu Ning. At first, seeing how much the young man loved reading, he had thought he was a promising talent and held great hopes for him, believing that the boy could finally fulfill his long-held wish of producing a successful scholar.
But this boy's love of reading was simply a love of reading for its own sake. He would rather die than participate in the imperial examinations and put his knowledge to the test.
This infuriated Qiao Hexuan to no end.
Even later, when Xu Ning had finished reading all the books in Qiao Hexuan's personal collection and even paid the old teacher to buy more for him, the situation remained the same.
The boy's thirst for reading could be described as inhuman, almost obsessive.
But what good was it all? Qiao Hexuan thought bitterly. A scholar who doesn't take the exams is useless. Without that official recognition, all those books are wasted, barely enough to scrape together a living as a village scribe or tutor.
Qiao Hexuan had tried to persuade him countless times, but to no avail. Xu Ning was more stubborn than the ox he raised.
This wasn't the first time Qiao Hexuan had answered that he had no new books. Xu Ning couldn't help but sigh in disappointment.
In the past ten years, his Iron Shirt technique had improved to the sixth level.
His Vajra Indestructible Divine Art and Snow Shadow Step had also improved greatly, and he felt he was close to reaching the pinnacle of these techniques, the legendary ninth level.
But it was precisely this perceived gap that prevented him from reaching it. He was so close, yet so far.
Xu Ning felt the main reason was that he hadn't read any truly new or profound books in the past few years. He had plateaued.
"Thank you for your trouble, sir," Xu Ning replied disappointedly, preparing to turn and leave.
He had already decided in his heart that if there were no new books here, he would leave the village. There was no need to stay any longer if his progress had stalled.
"Wait!" At this moment, Qiao Hexuan suddenly called out to Xu Ning, his voice carrying a strange mix of reluctance and hope.
After Xu Ning turned around, Qiao Hexuan said with a complicated expression, "Xu Ning, if you truly want to read more books, you don't have to stay here. You can go to the Hanlin Academy in the capital. It houses classics and texts from thousands of years ago, things I could never obtain."
Xu Ning was taken aback. "Really? The Hanlin Academy?"
Qiao Hexuan nodded gravely. "Absolutely. However, to enter the Hanlin Academy and access its collections, you need to become a Jinshi—a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination. It's the only way."
Xu Ning immediately understood Qiao Hexuan's purpose in saying this. The old teacher was cleverly pushing him towards the examinations he had always avoided.
After thinking for a long moment, Xu Ning finally said, "Sir, please allow me to consider it. I will give you an answer tomorrow."
Hearing that there was actual hope, Qiao Hexuan was overjoyed. His eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. "Okay, okay! I'll wait for your answer. Take your time to think."
After returning home that evening, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask Tie Dan and Yingying Monster for their opinions. "Hey, you two. What do you think? Should we make a big splash this time and go for the examinations?"
Tie Dan considered the question seriously, then said, "I think we need to experience different lives. If we don't take chances like this, we might regret it later when it's too late. Variety is the spice of life, even for an ox."
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Yingying Monster nodded in agreement, its sharp eyes gleaming. "I agree with the ox. We've been hiding for so long. A change of scenery could be good."
Xu Ning stood up dramatically and pointed at Tie Dan and Yingying Monster. "You two said it! If we encounter any danger, it'll be your fault, your bad idea! I'm just following your advice."
Tie Dan: "??????"
Yingying Monster: "??????"
How did this suddenly become our fault? they both thought.
Actually, Xu Ning knew the truth. It wasn't that he really needed to go to the Hanlin Academy to see some ancient collections. After all, as a cultivator with unlimited time, he could always find a way to access new books eventually if he was patient and resourceful.
This was just an excuse he made for himself to justify the risk.
Xu Ning had seen Qiao Hexuan daydreaming more than once over the years, sometimes muttering to himself and chuckling at imagined successes. The old man was living in a fantasy of finally producing a successful student.
Xu Ning knew that teaching an excellent student, a true scholar who would pass the exams, had always been Qiao Hexuan's deepest, most cherished wish. And now, it seemed that time was running out for the aging teacher.
Over the years since he had come to this village, Qiao Hexuan had always taken good care of Xu Ning, treating him like a favored son.
If he didn't have the ability, Xu Ning might not have been able to help the other party fulfill his wish. But now, he possessed a certain level of power and resources.
Moreover, Xu Ning had carefully considered the risks of the journey. There wasn't actually much real danger for someone of his abilities. And if things ever felt truly amiss, he could easily run away. He was very good at that.
Having made his decision, Xu Ning began packing immediately. He carefully took the legendary mortal-grade thatch with him.
He also moved all the flowerpots containing his precious herbs from outside into the safety of the thatched hut.
The next morning, Xu Ning, having packed all his belongings, arrived at Qiao Hexuan's house.
Standing respectfully at the door, Xu Ning announced, "Sir, I have decided to go to Guanshan Township to participate in the provincial examination."
"Come in!" Qiao Hexuan's voice came from inside, filled with barely suppressed excitement and relief.
Xu Ning quickly went inside and saw Qiao Hexuan busily organizing a stack of books on his desk.
While organizing the books, Qiao Hexuan spoke rapidly, his hands trembling slightly. "These are books I've compiled over the years from studying past imperial examinations. Most of the exam questions and essay topics come from these very texts. Take them all with you. Study them carefully."
Finally, Qiao Hexuan looked up and emphasized, "Young Xu, remember this. The imperial examinations are extremely difficult and competitive. You must give it your absolute all. Do not be complacent."
Xu Ning nodded vigorously, his expression sincere. "Sir, I will. I won't let you down."
He then carefully and respectfully placed the precious books Qiao Hexuan had prepared into his bag.
Afterwards, Qiao Hexuan explained many basic facts and procedures about the imperial examinations to Xu Ning, ensuring he understood the complex process.
Finally, under Qiao Hexuan's hopeful, expectant gaze, Xu Ning, carrying his bag, mounted Tie Dan's back and headed out of the village towards the county town.
He arrived in the town three days later. Along the way, Xu Ning used his advanced medical skills to slightly alter his appearance, making himself look about thirty years old, more appropriate for a serious examination candidate.
With some time remaining before the provincial examination, Xu Ning first used Qiao Hexuan's letter of introduction to obtain the necessary identification certificate and another letter of introduction from the local yamen (government office).
He then visited the headmaster of the county's official academy and obtained a third letter of introduction.
This was the complicated process of the imperial examination system. Without these various certificates and letters, you simply could not register to participate in the examination, no matter your knowledge.
After securing all the necessary paperwork, Xu Ning found a decent inn to stay at. Along the way, he also discreetly bought some more pig iron.
For the past ten years, Xu Ning had been slowly, patiently buying pig iron to feed his axe from time to time. After so many years of gradual accumulation, Xu Ning felt the time had finally come.
Sure enough, after feeding it this latest batch of pig iron, the axe's grade finally improved to the highest level of the mortal class.
According to Xu Ning's calculations, a highest level mortal axe now completely surpassed those so-called peerless divine weapons often spoken of in the martial arts world.
In any case, if Xu Ning encountered such a legendary weapon, one swing of his axe would probably break it clean in two.
This was also why Xu Ning wasn't particularly interested in whatever secret Zhao Datou might have had before his death, even though he knew Zhao Datou had kept something hidden.
After all, if it were a top-tier martial arts technique, Zhao Datou would have passed it on to Xu Ning long ago, seeing his talent. So it was most likely some sort of divine weapon or treasure.
But in Xu Ning's practical opinion, it probably wasn't as useful as his own axe, which he had personally upgraded and could rely on completely.
Now he didn't have time to dwell on that. Xu Ning put away the newly upgraded axe and started wandering around the county town to pass the time.
There were still several days before the registration for the provincial examination officially opened, so Xu Ning wasn't in a hurry.
Originally, Xu Ning had vaguely considered visiting a brothel to broaden his horizons, curious about such places. But after two days of exploring, he discovered that there weren't any brothels in this particular town. It was a quiet, scholarly place.
However, there was one place that Xu Ning quickly came to truly appreciate: a quiet tavern near the river.
He ordered a small pot of warm wine, sat by the window, and watched the bustling streets and the quaint old town. He felt an unprecedented sense of peace and contentment.
Perhaps this was what life was all about, he thought. Simple moments like this.
As he drank, enjoying the view, his instincts suddenly tingled. As if sensing something, Xu Ning subconsciously turned his head to look down at the street. Immediately, he saw a pair of familiar, beautiful eyes staring back up at him.
Damn, he thought, his heart sinking. What's she doing here?
Xu Ning instinctively tried to duck and hide, but it was too late. Or rather, the other person had already seen Xu Ning before Xu Ning even spotted her. Their eyes had met.