CH 66

Chapter 66: The Failed Scholar.

Edited by: Mochiusagi 

Shen Changqing was currently riding on the back of his horse. Though, regardless of how bumpy the road was, his figure did not sway much.

Back when he first came to Lin'an City from the Demon Suppression Division, he also came on horseback. It was just at that time, he was rushing non-stop, resulting in his horse becoming exhausted before he reached Lin'an City.

This time, Shen Changqing bought another horse.

He's got the money, so he naturally would not be so miserable for just a few taels of silver.

It was just that it was difficult to find a good horse in Lin'an City.

In the end, Shen Changqing finally chose a decent horse.

Having learned the lesson from the last time, he didn't dare to rush on the road. He would take a rest every now and then, as he moved towards the Demon Suppression Division.

[Rumble~]

Suddenly, thunder rang from the sky, which frightened the horse. It stood up on its two hind legs, so Shen Changqing had to tightly grab the reins and clamp down his legs. Otherwise, he would have been thrown off the horse.

At this time, the sky, which was originally bright, had become dim at some point.

"Is it going to rain?"

Shen Changqing looked up at the sky, his eyebrows could not help but tighten.

There was no village in front and no inn. If it rained, it wouldn't be easy to find a place to take shelter.

Even though the rain does not affect him much, he doesn't want to get drenched.

"Go!"

With a fierce clench of both his legs, the horse galloped forward.

Whilst the rain had not yet worsened, Shen Changqing needed to find a place to hide from the rain.

In about a quarter of an hour or so, droplets of water began to drizzle down. The visibility became extremely dim.

The horse galloped along in the rain.

In another quarter of an hour, the horse slowly stopped.

Shen Changqing saw a faint light ahead.

However, there was only a small path in front of him and there were some thorns on the path. it was not ideal to go in on horseback.

After thinking about it, Shen Changqing got off his horse and tied it up to a big tree. There was also a green meadow around it for food.

"Ma'er (Horse), be brave, don't get scared away."

After patting the horse's back, Shen Changqing then walked in the direction of the light.

Not long after, he saw an old and dilapidated courtyard.

As he approached the courtyard, the faint light became much more visible. 

However, a courtyard in the remote wilderness was certainly not short of being unusual.

Shen Changqing's face was solemn.

He stood in front of the courtyard and felt the atmosphere. When he felt that there was no Evil Aura, he slightly relaxed.

Wherever monsters or demons go, there would always be more or less Evil Aura leaking to the surroundings.

Although the courtyard was a weird find, since there was no Evil Aura, the presence of demons and monsters was unlikely.

Moreover, the Great Qin was not really what you call 'quiet,' so someone opting to settle in a remote place was not unbelievable.

Taking two steps forward, Shen Changqing knocked on the courtyard door.

[Tuk Tuk~]!

"Is anyone home?"

There was no reply, but Shen Changqing could hear some slight footsteps. As if someone was startled by the sudden sound.

Shen Changqing repeated.

"I am a passerby. It's currently raining, so I would like to come to your precious place to get some accommodation!"

Shen Changqing said, as he waited patiently.

About a few breaths of time, the tightly locked courtyard door opened. A scholar-like man peeked out, and when he saw that it was only Shen Changqing, his nervous look eased a little. But when he saw the sword at the latter's waist, he became anxious again.

However, although he was nervous, he did not close the door again.

Instead, he carefully opened the door and asked with a slight cupping of his hand: "It is indeed raining, and it wouldn't be a problem to stay overnight. May I ask the guest's name?"

"Shen Changqing!"

Shen Changqing cupped his hand, and at the same time, he was also looking at the scholar in front of him.

In his perception, the other party does not seem to have trained in Martial Arts. From his speech and behavior, he was really not much different from a scholar.

"So it's Brother Shen, I'm Mo Zijin, please come in."

The scholar, that was Mo Zijin, nodded and then gave way.

"Thank you!"

Shen Changqing nodded back and stepped in.

[T/N: Remember kids, don't let a stranger into your house]

The courtyard was not large. There was only a large tree planted in front of the door to give shade from the sun and a long corridor, which could serve as a shelter from the rain.

At the end of the corridor was the lobby.

The light Shen Changqing saw was from this lobby.

"Brother Shen, please follow me."

Mo Zijin walked in front and led Shen Changqing into the lobby.

Immediately, the strong scent of ink wafted in the air.

In addition to the ink's fragrance, there was also a pungent herbal smell.

Looking around, the lobby had a lot of calligraphy and painting hung on its walls. On the table was also a white paper and ink. The top of the white paper had an unfinished calligraphy, and the ink was not yet completely dry.

It was obvious that the other party was writing.

On the far right side of the lobby, there were many herbs, with a stone mortar and pestle.

"Please sit down, Brother Shen."

Mo Zijin took away the calligraphy and painting scroll placed on the stool.

Shen Changqing sat down. His eyes couldn't help, but linger on the mortar.

Noticing the change in his eyes, Mo Zijin smiled and said, "Brother Shen doesn't know, but a person living alone will inevitably have some illnesses and pains, so there's a need to prepare some herbs beforehand."

"En."

Shen Changqing nodded.

The other party was right. From the remoteness of this place, no doctor would be able to come.

Shen Changqing smiled lightly: "Brother Mo lives here alone, aren't you afraid?"

"At the beginning, I naturally had some fears, but after a long time, I got used to it. I am also just a poor scholar with nothing, even if there are robbers, they have nothing to gain."

"This place is comfortable and I can concentrate on preparing for the court exam."

Mo Zijin smiled.

"And if I can't pass, it's not bad being a doctor and helping the world."

"Brother Mo is very open-minded."

Shen Changqing smiled, the other party was surprisingly free and easy, which surprised him.

After all, in the Great Qin, for ordinary people, the court exam was one of the few ways out.

A normal doctor was not as good as a scholar, who had a reputation.

Even more if one gets a high score, which would certainly bring in a higher status.

Take Shi Qingsheng for example. He was just a scholar, but he got the position of the Book Master.

"The path of study is a great aspiration. If you can pass, it's certainly better than being a doctor."

Shen Changqing couldn't help, but sigh.

Hearing his words, Mo Zijin's eyes lit up. His attitude immediately became much more enthusiastic. He was murmuring to himself.

"The path of literature is a great aspiration--"

His expression was a bit agitated.

"Brother Shen is right, the path of literature is the only way out. Alas, I gave up literature and took up Martial Arts instead!"

At the end, Mo Zijin heaved a long sigh.

Looking at his appearance, Shen Changqing's inner curiosity was sparked.

"From the looks of it, Brother Mo seems to have something on his mind?"

"I really shouldn't mention this matter, but Brother Shen's words just now struck me. So since Brother Shen asked, then I will spill the beans."

Mo Zijin hesitated a bit, but he eventually moved the books on the other stool to one side, and sat down himself.

"I have always studied literature, alas, my natural talent is dull. After continuous failure and little to no gains from 3 whole years of studying, I enrolled in a Martial Arts dojo."

"However, as I was training, I accidentally poked the eyes of the Dojo Master. Not only did I lose a lot of money, I was also expelled from the dojo."

"Since then, I couldn't train Martial Arts anymore, and spent my days in desolation."

"My father saw this and in order to find me another livelihood, he asked me to learn a few years of medicine with the town doctor."

Mo Zijin intermittently mentioned some of his past events.

Shen Changqing also seriously listened.

He must admit, the other party's experience was really bumpy.

Mo Zijin failed in his studies for a few years, and then gave up literature to take up Martial Arts. But unfortunately, his bad luck still did not end, which led to him also giving up Martial Arts and taking up medicine.

"I still want to consider literature, not only to honor my ancestors, but also to fulfill my wish!"

Mo Zijin sighed deeply, he then looked at Shen Changqing.

"Speaking of which, Brother Shen must be laughing at my experience."

"Brother Mo is too serious. You did not lose your original passion, and that is a good thing. You are also working hard, so maybe next year, you will be able to pass the exam."

Shen Changqing smiled faintly and comforted him.

Mo Zijin's face also wore a smile.

"Brother Shen's view is really the same as mine. I haven't met someone to chat with for a long time."

"Brother Shen must be hungry, I will go cook something to drive away the cold."

He then stood up and walked out of the lobby.

Shen Changqing wanted to stop the other party, but it was too late.

After Mo Zijin left, Shen Changqing turned his gaze back to the lobby.

Getting up, he looked at the paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls.

Shen Changqing didn't understand these things, but he instinctively felt that the calligraphy was very good.

"It's indeed nice to look at, but I can't understand what it means."

After looking at it for a long time, Shen Changqing smiled helplessly.

The strokes gave off a positive feeling, but he could not understand the words themselves.

The only thing that Shen Changqing could vaguely recognize was the last one.

Year 136 of the Great Qin, written by Lok Tam Jushi.