Leaving Anran Residence.
The streets were pitch black, with only a few red lanterns hanging in front of imposing residences, offering a faint glow.
"Taoyuan Township invites you."
Just as Xu Xing was about to climb over the wall to enter the Academy through the back door, a young man dressed as a servant suddenly sprang out from a bamboo grove lining the street. He first bowed respectfully to Xu Xing, then recited the Elder Brother Association’s secret passphrase and showed his meeting ticket. Only then did he state the purpose of his visit.
Xu Xing’s heart leaped with joy, but his expression remained calm as he casually asked.
The Xiaoyi Hall usually wouldn’t send their own members to contact him, as their ranks were mostly filled with knife-wielding fighters who stood out too much in a crowd. Thus, they typically used the branches of Taoyuan Township for contact. Members of Taoyuan Township came from various backgrounds and were primarily involved in business, offering better concealment.
Now, Taoyuan Township is contacting me; this must be related to Master Ma...
Shopkeeper Wu was the Incense Master of Taoyuan Township, holding the same rank as Xu Xing.
"You’ll know when the Incense Master arrives," the young man replied respectfully.
In a short while, the two walked to a civilian house near the Four Seas Bank.
"The Rudder Head’s intention is... for you to enter the Qin Province Military Academy, make a name for yourself there, and then be selected by the Qing Court’s Military Department to study at the Dongyang Zhenwu School in Dongyang."
"When you return, you are to take up an official position in the New Army."
Upon meeting, Shopkeeper Wu conveyed this to Xu Xing. The meaning, both explicit and implicit, concerned Qin Fengshan’s future arrangements for Xu Xing. After all, it was not easy for Qin Fengshan to have produced a Student with government financial aid like Xu Xing, one with such an unimpeachable background. Even if officials in the New Army were close to the Elder Brother Association, they couldn’t compare to someone nurtured from within their own ranks.
Xu Xing’s eyes flickered. I’m already rebelling in Reality; learning some military knowledge would indeed be beneficial. But with the Bronze Ancient Mirror, I don’t want to remain a mere mortal forever. The Imperial Examinations, rebellion... these are all necessary processes for me to accumulate power and enhance my Destiny and Luck. People’s goals aren’t static. With the Bronze Ancient Mirror as my support, my long-term goal is Ascending by Featherization to become an Immortal! As for rebelling and storming Shenjing, that’s just a short-term objective.
Entering the Military Academy, then going to the Dongyang Zhenwu School, and so on—this isn’t like the Imperial Examinations that can be completed quickly. It would take at least five or six years, possibly even seven or eight. After the Dongyang Zhenwu School, there’s the Army Officer School... That would take even longer. For example, Governor Zhang, who would later become a prominent figure in Qin Province, was sent to study abroad in Dongyang in the thirtieth year of the Guangxu reign and didn’t return to take up a post in the New Army until the second year of the Xuantong reign. Even after returning, he didn’t immediately join the New Army but served as a scribe in the Chang’an Prefecture Government Office for some time. This process alone already cost him six years. If he also attended the Military Academy first, the time commitment would be even longer. Not worth it!
As for patriotism? Why bother with such sentiments in an Instance World?
Xu Xing immediately dismissed the idea of entering the Military Academy and pursuing studies abroad.
However, outwardly, he dared not openly disobey the Rudder Head’s orders. The Rudder Head was the leader of Qin Fengshan.
"I am willing to accept the Rudder Head’s arrangements..." Xu Xing nodded.
The situation is out of my hands. If I refused, the next step might be the ’three knife wounds and six holes’ punishment. Of course, that might be an exaggeration. However, it’s predictable that my movements within Qin Fengshan would become severely restricted. It was even conceivable that Qin Fengshan might expose my identity and force me to my death. In everything, prepare for the worst. I can defy Qin Fengshan’s commands in small matters, but—in major affairs, there’s no room for negotiation...
As for the kindness of Xiaoyi Hall and Master Ma... I will repay it in the future. Assassinating Governor Fang Yun of Qin Province and obtaining the Eight-Armed Vajra Sutra will be repayment enough.
Xu Xing solidified his plan. This Instance World is just a Dharma-ending age. My situation in Reality isn’t like when I was in the Sky Prison; I can’t afford to make mistakes now. Fortunately, only one ’alternate self’ has died, which has actually been beneficial for my exploration of the Bronze Ancient Mirror’s uses. I’ll take things one step at a time; I haven’t reached a dead end yet.
"Very well..." Shopkeeper Wu smiled. "It’s a good thing for our Qin Fengshan that Incense Master Xu is willing to accept the Rudder Head’s arrangement. In the future, with Incense Master Xu’s support within the New Army, our uprising in Qin Province will achieve twice the results with half the effort."
"Shopkeeper Wu, you’re too kind," Xu Xing replied, clasping his hands in a salute.
"My mission from Taoyuan Township to convey the Rudder Head’s order is complete."
"Next is the meeting time for your Xiaoyi Hall. I shall not disturb you further."
After a brief exchange, Shopkeeper Wu, seated in the host’s chair, put down his tea cup. He picked up his Civilization Stick, which leaned against the tea table, tapped the hem of his cotton robe to flick off ash from his recently smoked dry pipe, and then slowly walked out of the living room.
Shortly after Shopkeeper Wu departed, Master Ma and the other members of Xiaoyi Hall emerged from the inner hall.
Xu Xing’s expression shifted subtly but quickly returned to normal. While the Rudder Head’s command cannot be defied... Xiaoyi Hall didn’t discuss this with me beforehand. They didn’t even give me a heads-up, instead letting someone from Taoyuan Township relay the message... This approach is somewhat disheartening. Then again... by joining the Academy, I essentially betrayed Xiaoyi Hall once already. Given that, this kind of treatment is to be expected. Xu Xing gave a self-deprecating smile. Previously, my status was low. My unilateral decision to join Weijing Academy was a ’betrayal,’ but it didn’t significantly impact Xiaoyi Hall, so no one really cared. However, now that my status has risen, those past minor missteps are magnified and become sources of friction. This is inevitable.
Xu Xing harbored no intention of blaming Master Ma or the others. After all, I’ve always prioritized my personal interests, whereas Master Ma and his companions are individuals capable of sacrificing for the greater good. With such different values, how could there be any blame?
"Xu, you heard what Shopkeeper Wu said just now," Master Ma said, not noticing the subtle changes in Xu Xing’s thoughts. He laughed heartily, believing Xu Xing to be a man of outstanding character, willingly shouldering this "heavy burden." "Your deep understanding of the greater good and your willingness to respect the Rudder Head’s wishes are an honor for our Xiaoyi Hall."
"Master Ma, you flatter me," Xu Xing said, raising an eyebrow, his voice filled with a sense of righteousness. "For the sake of the great cause of the uprising, I... it is my undeniable duty."
"However..." he continued after discussing some trivial matters with Master Ma for a while, steering the conversation. "Now that I have become a Scholar, what about the opportunity Master Ma mentioned previously...?"
"That’s easily settled," Master Ma replied. "I found Daoist Master Liu some days ago. He is currently a guest at the Golden Immortal Temple. You can take my token to pay him a visit."
Master Ma then took a white jade token from his sleeve and handed it to Xu Xing.
"Golden Immortal Temple?" Xu Xing thought for a moment, recalling the famous Daoist site located in Chang’an County. He took the token and examined it. It was about three inches in size. The front bore the characters "Danyang," while the back was engraved with auspicious patterns such as clouds, birds, and cranes.