"Madam, my name is Chen Shi."
"Hall Master Yu, my name is Chen Shi."
"Master Xiao, my name is Chen Shi."
Chen Shi repeatedly and tirelessly told the people of the Red Mountain Hall his name, but whether it was several Incense Masters or Red Mountain Lady and Yu Tiancheng, they would note the name of Chen Shi, immediately forget the name, and then ask once more what Chen Shi’s name was.
All within the Red Mountain Hall felt a chilling terror. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
It was as if a monster dwelled within their minds, one that would erase the name Chen Shi!
No matter when or where, no matter how deeply engrained, the moment it related to the name Chen Shi, it would be expunged!
"Madam calls me Scholar."
Chen Shi was also helpless, Black Pot had awoken, but was listlessly apathetic, and he did not know when everyone’s current state would subside. Thus, he patiently said, "Hall Master Yu, you can just call me Scholar."
"Master, just call me Scholar."
Yu Tiancheng appreciated him greatly and said, "Scholar, you possess great talent and are bound to succeed!"
Someone came with warrants for Chen Shi’s arrest and kill orders; upon seeing them, Chen Shi’s name on the warrants and kill orders became a void to Yu Tiancheng, devoid of any impression, so he tossed aside the list.
"Scholar, I believe I have studied the Holy Sages Books diligently over the years, and my learning is not shallow, but compared to you, I’m quite inferior! During the days of recovery, you must teach me more; in three years, I shall take the examination for Scholar once again!"
Yu Tiancheng said, "With your guidance, I am sure to achieve high marks and become a Scholar!"
Chen Shi said with fervor, "I shall impart all my knowledge to you, Head of the Hall, without reserve!"
Yu Tiancheng was overjoyed and announced to those nearby, "Once I pass the examination for Scholar, whoever dares call me an ignorant Hall Master will be killed."
The faces of those nearby filled with worry.
While Chen Shi was recuperating from his injuries, Yu Tiancheng studied earnestly in his sickroom. It was undeniable that Hall Master Yu studied with grave seriousness. The Analects that Chen Shi explained needed to be written down by him, which he would tirelessly memorize.
During this time, several government officials came with warrants and kill orders in search, but upon arriving at the Red Mountain Hall, they forgot Chen Shi’s name, and upon looking at the warrants and kill orders, they could not recognize the name Chen Shi, so they would obediently return.
The entire Tianlao Society also forgot the name Chen Shi. Although they knew of the person, they just couldn’t speak his name.
Since the victims no longer knew who the perpetrator was, the authorities grew lax in their pursuit.
One day, as Chen Shi leaned against the window engrossed in studying the Doctrine of the Mean, a paper crane suddenly flew to him, landing on the window sill, gently tapping on the window mullions with a thud.
Chen Shi felt a slight stirring in his heart, captured the paper crane, and saw that it bore written characters. Upon unfolding it, it was a letter from Li Tianqing, sent from Gongzhou.
This method of sending letters was called paper kite messaging. After writing a letter, one must find a specialized messenger, pay a fee, and the messenger would then use a token to lock onto the Divine Soul essence of the recipient. Then, by activating a spell, the paper kite would take flight, flapping its wings towards the recipient.
If it encountered stormy weather, the paper kite would seek refuge in caves, ancient temples, or under eaves until the rain ceased before continuing its journey.
It was not uncommon in the countryside, but in cities, it was common to observe swathes of paper kites flying in formation, not unlike flocks of birds.
Chen Shi unfolded the letter and read it through, his heart filled with emotion. Thus, he dipped his brush to reply: "Tianqing, your letter brings joy. I am in good health, having not fallen ill for many days and have recently immersed myself in studying the Holy Sages Books, my knowledge growing. How is your mother? Send my regards. Just yesterday, while meditating, I inadvertently noticed a crystalline essence behind my elbow that nourished the brain. Amidst the whiteness, the Golden Core bore the mystery; at its extreme, the white core turned black, unexpectedly achieving the Golden Core Fourth Transition. Could the corpse cloud in Western Capital be Creation Little Five storing provisions?"
He tilted his head and thought before continuing to write: "In Gongzhou, customs are worrying, with many engaging in human trafficking. I was shocked to hear about a certain Scholar who was sold to a farm upon first arriving in Gongzhou. You must be cautious during your travels for the examination. I await you in Gongzhou, eyes longing for your arrival, hoping that together we shall ascend the honored list."
Most of his injuries had healed; he staggered out of the house, where the Red Mountain Hall had a Talisman Master who managed sending letters. Chen Shi found the messenger, paid some Silver Coin.
The messenger inquired about Li Tianqing’s age and destination, then sniffed the letter Li Tianqing had sent to determine the Divine Soul essence. He folded Chen Shi’s letter into a paper kite. With that done, he activated the spell and the paper kite took flight, flapping its wings toward Gongzhou.
The messenger continued to sit on his cushion, his head surrounded by swirling clouds, within which the images of paper kites could be seen flying.
Chen Shi did not leave immediately but stood by the door watching. The paper kites in the clouds sometimes faced strong winds, struggling to progress and being blown off course; the messenger then had to reconfirm the direction and continue onward.
When storms arrived, the messenger had to quickly guide the paper kites to find shelter.
At times, they encountered birds of prey chasing the kites, and some kites would be destroyed. An attending apprentice would note the destroyed kites, find backups, and fold another to continue the journey.
"The job of a messenger is not an easy one, no wonder they charge so much," thought Chen Shi.
Sending letters was a craft requiring specialized cultivation methods, starting with Heart Refinement to anchor one’s Divine Soul upon the paper kite, ensuring it doesn’t disperse over thousands of miles. That marks initial success.
Dividing the Divine Soul into dozens of strands, accompanying the paper kite undispersed over thousands of miles, is true mastery.
Like the messenger in Red Mountain Hall who could ensure paper kites flew thousands of miles accurately to their recipients, he was considered a Grandmaster among messengers—such individuals were rare, with perhaps one or two in the provincial city.
Chen Shi returned to his dwelling with difficulty, where Yu Tiancheng awaited him and said, "Scholar, the Blood Pearl I have helped you to refine can be used to cultivate a second Golden Core and Nascent Soul. Once complete, you can practice the ’Body outside the body,’ which is very convenient. Now that your wounds are mostly healed, you can begin refining a second Golden Core. I have brought you our Red Mountain Hall’s ’Red Blood Embodiment Great Method.’ Would you like to cultivate it?"