Chapter Six: Humanity

  Xu Xian believed his master's words, that he didn't have a good innate talent and wouldn't achieve anything great. But he wasn't bothered by it, as he never sought to become an immortal or Buddha, but rather cultivated step by step based on his own interest. Even if there was no result, he could still strengthen his body and improve his health.

  But he didn't know that this carefree and desireless state of mind was actually in line with the way of cultivation, and his actual progress wasn't slow either. It's just that he cultivated alone, without anyone to compare himself to, so he always thought he was too slow. The only ones he could learn from were those transcenders in the books, who weren't able to ascend to the immortal realm and become invincible in a year or two.

  His master star is the Sun, and the star palace cannot be established, so it only strengthens this master star.

  After several years of cultivation, the star had grown to the size of a pearl, and its red light was becoming increasingly intense, faintly revealing a hint of golden light. His originally weak body had become exceptionally robust over the past few years, looking two or three years older than his actual age, now a handsome young man.

  The county examination was held in the county, and the county magistrate was the examiner. Xu Xian had already gained a reputation for his remarkable abilities over the years. With his talent for memorization, although what he wrote couldn't be described as exquisite, it was still well-organized and coherent. The county examination was naturally not difficult for him to pass, and he easily passed with flying colors. Although his ranking was only mediocre, considering his young age, his reputation was already widespread.

  After all, such a young scholar is not often seen, Mr. Song was greatly comforted, on the day the list was released, Xu Xian's brother-in-law treated him to a drink, the old man cried and laughed, got drunk, and praised Xu Xian as the literary star descended into the world.

  Xian thought to himself as he supported the old man: You've got it wrong, my son is the reincarnation of Wenchang Star!

  Just thinking of the son of Wenchang Star coming down to earth makes Xu Xian feel suffocated. If it weren't for this son, Bai Suzhen would still be trapped under Leifeng Tower forever, and Xu Xian would really spend his days in quiet contemplation.

  In the original plot, Xu Xian can be said to be a useless person, except for being kind-hearted, he basically can't help with anything and just causes trouble. He was scared to death today, and tomorrow he suspects his own wife! It's simply like he can't take care of himself in life.

  The White Lady took great pains to take care of this useless person, charging into the underworld, stealing the elixir of immortality, fighting against demons and monsters, wandering through the Golden Mountains, and finally being trapped under the Leifeng Pagoda.

  She should have repaid the kindness and left, but she never did. After crossing over, Xu Xian suspected that in her previous life, Bai Suzhen's motherly love was excessive, feeling that if she were to leave, Xu Xian wouldn't be able to survive, so she'd rather give up her thousand-year pursuit to take care of him.

  But now, Xu Xian can't measure these things, he just feels that he must be useful, to live up to the woman's deep feelings, and not waste this destined relationship.

  The imperial examination is undoubtedly the most suitable path. Not to mention in ancient times when official positions were hereditary, even in modern society, being a civil servant is still a coveted position. As long as one passes the imperial examination and becomes a jinshi, establishing a family and living a comfortable life will not be a problem. Don't think about the original Xu Xian, who had a wife with magical powers that could reach the heavens, but when he went out and met a minor official, he was treated like a grandson.

  This also avoided the first disaster after marrying Bai Suzhen. At that time, Xu Xian wanted to start his own business, but he had no money and used Xiaoqing's treasury, so he was banished to Gusu. If Xu Xian could have started his own business, why would he have suffered this disaster?

  Xian Xian is now studying hard and striving upwards every day in order to become a more excellent little white face.

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  The vast and rolling Qiantang River water comes from the southwest, turns a small bend and heads northwest. The rushing river water has several days of surging every year. That is the world-famous Qiantang River Great Tide.

  Every time this happens, the originally quiet Qiantang County becomes bustling. As the sky approaches noon, a white line surges from the horizon, and tourists gather on the shore to loudly admire it. At first, the tide doesn't seem like much in the distance, but as it gets closer, it comes pouring in, covering the sky and earth, and then fiercely pounds against the embankment with a deafening roar that truly moves people's hearts.

  Tourists all stand in a safe place, but when the big tide comes, they still dodge one after another. When the tide recedes, they gather around again. Although they know there's nothing to worry about, they can't help but be frightened and dodge away involuntarily at the next moment. Facing the power of nature, human insignificance is revealed without a doubt.

  When the crowd dodges, there are always some young men who refuse to dodge, letting the water splash and wet their clothes, only to show off their bravery. Although they also turn pale, they will laugh loudly a few times, pretending to be bold. Often, this would make the girls who came out to play let out a cry of surprise, and in their hearts, they couldn't help but feel even more pleased with themselves.

  At this moment, a young man hurriedly walked over the slippery embankment, with the turbulent river water beside him seemingly not on his mind at all. His appearance was ordinary, but he had an air of simplicity and elegance about him. Others looked on worriedly, advising him to hurry down, lest he slip and fall in. The young man turned back with a kind smile, revealing his white teeth, but didn't bother to respond further.

  This young man was precisely Xu Xian.

  Today, Old Man Song arranged a dinner party to meet some kind of government official. Originally it was supposed to be a good time, but unexpectedly the streets were so crowded that only walking on this embankment could be faster. As for this big tide, he watches it every year, but unlike those tourists, he is not afraid, and just took a shortcut.

  Wangjiang Pavilion is the best place to watch the tide, every year at this time, only by booking a seat in advance can you occupy a position on the second floor, without crowding with others, drinking and watching the tide comfortably, but naturally, the price is not cheap.

  A middle-aged man stood on the top of Wangjiang Tower, looking at the rolling tide, and couldn't help but sigh: "Vast and boundless, stretching to the horizon! When I was a child, I was already in Qiantang, now the world has changed, only this river water remains unchanged! Isn't that right, teacher?"

  "Yes, yes." An elderly man beside him hastily nodded in agreement, wanting to say a few witty words, but at this time, he couldn't utter them. The person in front of him was no longer the mischievous child who ate his own whip, but a high-ranking official responsible for countless people. Although it was a reunion, there was an aura of unspoken authority. This kind of humble commoner's words were stifled before they even came out.

  This Lord Wang is the newly appointed educational official of Hangzhou Prefecture, and he happened to come to watch the Qiantang River tide. The county officials accompanied him, and Lord Wang was from an official family, who had lived in Qiantang County with his father for a period of time when he was young, and studied under Mr. Song. Although it was only for a short year, Lord Wang remembered the old times and specifically asked him to accompany him.

  In fact, this kind of enlightenment teacher and student have no emotional connection, it's just one side paying the money and the other side putting in effort.

  When the person from the yamen said this, the old man could hardly believe his ears. He asked a few questions and after recalling for half a day, he suddenly remembered that he had taught such a student before, and was overjoyed.

  Xu Xian's brother-in-law was also a yamen official, and knowing about this matter, he asked Mr. Song to take Xu Xian to see the world. After considering it for a moment, Old Man Song thought it was an opportunity. It just so happened that Official Wang also wanted to meet one of the outstanding young people from Qiantang, which is how this whole thing came about.

  "Teacher, has Xu Xian arrived?" Although it was a question, his eyes had a hint of blame. In ancient times, etiquette was emphasized, especially among officials, and it was even more so. If a junior official kept a senior official waiting, he would be guilty of disrespect, and no one could say anything in his defense if the superior happened to be in a bad mood.

  The long-following beside him immediately said: "Not yet, sir."

  "Hurry up, hurry up." The old man wiped the sweat while mediating for Xu Xian, his heart was also anxious and he wished to beat Xu Xian severely to vent his anger.

  But at this moment, Xu Xian's heart was anxious. The tide was treacherous, but as long as he was careful, it would be fine. However, the doors and paths of human society were even more treacherous than the tide once one had offended them. Those who could have been let off would not be, it was just a matter of someone's words being turned against him.

  Because his master only taught Xu Xian the most basic Taoist principles and said that Xu Xian's natural talent was not good enough. After many years of cultivation, Xu Xian accumulated a deep and profound magical power, but he didn't have any way to apply it. The Taoist principle he learned focused on cultivating the soul as the main goal and strengthening the body as secondary, so Xu Xian didn't feel like he had anything special about himself. He still wanted to rely on his imperial examination results to make a living, wait until he met Bai Suzhen and then distance himself from Fa Hai, and live a comfortable life, but he never thought of becoming an immortal or a Buddha.

  Since you want to walk this human path, you must follow the laws of humanity.

  Xu Xian hurried over, pushing through a crowd of people, and finally let out a slight sigh of relief. The Wangjiang Tower was right in front of him, and it wasn't too late yet.

  Xu Xian was just about to hurry over, but saw a crowd of people in front of him. Xu Xian only wanted to lower his head and quickly walk past, but his ears couldn't be closed. The murmurs of the crowd entered Xu Xian's ears: "So pitiful." "It's Li Si again." "How hateful."

  Xu Xian was originally walking along the edge of the crowd, but now he let out a sigh and muttered to himself: "Forget it, forget it, just get it over with." He pushed through the crowd and headed towards the core.

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