Hey, is the kid still playing?
Xiao Jie was a bit surprised. He had reminded Gu Feiyu before that Night Ghosts refresh in the game at night, so he shouldn’t wander around and should log off once it’s dark.
This was also mentioned in the game information he provided.
Although it’s not a big issue for veterans, Night Ghosts are quite dangerous for new players; they’re invisible and untouchable, and encountering them in the wild means certain death.
He didn’t expect Gu Feiyu to actually dare to stay up late playing the game.
Xiao Jie had been too absorbed in the game before, completely ignoring Gu Feiyu’s activities, not realizing he broke the rules on the first day—just like always.
Yet, looking at the way he’s gaming, he doesn’t seem to be in danger.
Xiao Jie turned around and quickly typed.
Hidden Moon Following Wind: I’m logging off first. Remember to come online on time tomorrow for the event.
I Want to Be Immortal: Don’t worry, Feng, there won’t be any problem.
Xiao Jie landed on the second floor of a tavern in Luoyang City, transformed back into human form, rented a room from the innkeeper, and logged off.
Exiting the game and turning off the computer, Xiao Jie walked behind Gu Feiyu.
On the screen, the interior of a quaint hut appeared, where a scholar in white was reading a book by the light, reciting the text aloud. Xiao Jie’s keen hearing enabled him to catch the gist from Gu Feiyu’s headphones.
It was an article explaining the Saint’s Dao.
"Heaven and Earth are indifferent and treat all creatures like straw dogs; the Saint is indifferent and treats the people like straw dogs. Though seemingly heartless, this is truly the best way to treat the people.
A straw dog is a grass dog; in ancient times, emperors worshipped ancestors with human sacrifices.
Later, this was deemed unkind, and they switched to three livestock offerings.
But the impoverished people used straw dogs as offerings; a straw dog is a sacrificial object made of straw.
As sacrificial offerings, they naturally possess sacred distinction. However, once the ritual is over, the straw dogs become useless waste, discarded in the wild.
Born from the sacred, offered on the altar, but ending in decay and abandonment—this is the journey every creature undergoes.
Heaven doesn’t interfere with worldly development; it treats all creatures equally, allowing nature to take its course.
Whether flourishing or falling, these are one’s own choices.
Do you understand the deeper meaning?"
"I understand," Gu Feiyu immediately replied respectfully. Xiao Jie observed his vantage point, standing by the scholar, appearing much like an attendant student.
The scholar in white nodded, "Good, that’s all for today’s lesson. We’ll continue tomorrow, so don’t be late."
Gu Feiyu repeatedly agreed, then asked, "Sir, when will you teach me swordsmanship?"
The scholar in white shook his head, "A gentleman’s six arts: rites, music, archery, riding, writing, and mathematics—should be learned progressively. You haven’t mastered the rites, so how can you learn swordsmanship?
Don’t rush, don’t rush. Once you fully learn the rites and music I taught you, and understand benevolence, then you’ll be ready to learn archery and riding."
"Ah, I understand. Thank you, teacher, for your guidance."
After Gu Feiyu logged off from the grass mat in the corner of the hut, Xiao Jie patted him on the shoulder.
"Not bad, kid, you’re doing well."
Gu Feiyu was startled, but relaxed upon seeing Xiao Jie.
Then he got excited again.
"Jie, this game is amazing. I have to say, the designer of this game is definitely a genius. It’s much better than those mindless grinding games from before.
The game content is rich and varied, with all sorts of hidden tasks—it’s like a treasure trove.
Even without superpowers, this game is a rare gem. It’s a shame; if this game had come out ten years earlier, it would definitely have been a hit, and our studio could have made big money."
Xiao Jie was speechless, yet nostalgic, mentioning the studio’s past felt like just yesterday.
"You’re doing pretty well—did you succeed in becoming an apprentice?"
"Yes, I saved up money and went to find a scholar to become an apprentice. I noticed the mainstream culture in this game is based on Confucianism, so I followed Kongzi’s disciple rules and bought ten strips of cured meat as a gift, and it worked instantly, unlocking the hidden task [Attendant Student]."
"Not bad, does the attendant student have any skill?" Xiao Jie was curious, chopping wood leads to Saber Skill Introduction, and wondered what skills an attendant student might offer.
"Yes, yes! I already have the [Academic Introduction] skill, which increases comprehension by 10%, and can reach up to 50%. Didn’t you say comprehension is really important? It’ll make learning martial arts much easier for me."
Wow! That’s impressive.
Xiao Jie was surprised. A 10% comprehension boost isn’t much early on, but it becomes more useful later.
[Academic Master] can offer a 50% comprehension boost, meaning if you have 20 comprehension, it functions like 30. Later, during Enlightenment Power·Mystery and learning high-level martial arts, it’s extremely beneficial.
Ten comprehension points in the later stages, fearing a million would be needed if accumulated through reading scriptures.
Just with this point, Gu Feiyu already has the potential to become an expert.
"Additionally, this scholar knows swordsmanship, archery, riding skills, and other combat skills—mastering both literary and martial. But from my observation, his combat skills are probably at entry-level, likely unlocking only entry-level skills.
Although the game features various martial arts styles, I feel it’s still better to learn sword skills. Once I complete learning the classical etiquette, I should be able to start learning [Sword Skill Introduction]."