Chapter 159 - 115: Entering the Dao Through Calligraphy, New Entry

Chapter 159: Chapter 115: Entering the Dao Through Calligraphy, New Entry

"All right." Zeng Anmin sighed slowly, tucking the jade pendant into his robes.

He stored it into his Preparation Space, not particularly curious about the item. His thoughts began to drift once more. The cyan viper had originated from Lou Yingqi’s estate, and now, the Eastern Sect was implicated as the force behind this snake. If this was the truth, it would be an unprecedented, monumental case!

Court officials colluding with the Demon Race and the Eastern Sect... Uncovering this fact alone would likely send heads rolling throughout the capital.

The Eldest Princess, Ren Weizhi, Prince Qi... What roles did they play in this conspiracy? Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes.

It truly was a case of pulling up a weed only to unearth a massive web of roots. What had started as merely the poisoning of an assistant minister’s son turned out to conceal countless dangerous undercurrents.

"This is a good thing," Zeng Anmin said, looking at Bai Ziqing and uttering these unexpected words.

"What do you mean?" Bai Ziqing paused in surprise, frowning at him.

"If this case is thoroughly investigated and solved, your position as Northern Commander will be completely secure. You might even go a step further." A cold gleam flashed in Zeng Anmin’s eyes. "Furthermore, my father will certainly lose many rivals in the imperial court because of this case.

"When that time comes, with the two of us joining forces, the Great Saint Dynasty will have a promising future!"

What a massive promise! But Bai Ziqing completely bought into Zeng Anmin’s rhetoric.

After all, since Zeng Anmin’s arrival in the capital, Prince Qi’s downfall had left the Fourth Grade position of Northern Commander in the Imperial City Department vacant. The poisoning of Lou Tong rapidly helped Bai Ziqing find the true culprit, allowing him to ascend to that very throne. Every time he met Zeng Anmin, he would more or less walk away with tremendous benefits.

"Where did that Eastern Sect spy flee to?" Zeng Anmin looked up slowly at Bai Ziqing.

Bai Ziqing’s eyes grew serious. "The Tracking Bamboo shows that he went south."

Oh. Zeng Anmin nodded slowly. Jiang Country lay to the south of the Great Saint Dynasty, so it made perfect sense for a spy to flee in that direction.

"Then we must capture him before he crosses the borders of our Great Saint Dynasty. Time is of the essence; please set out immediately, Ziqing!" Zeng Anmin stood up and looked at him solemnly. He reached out and clapped a heavy hand on his shoulder. "I’ll be waiting for you to capture the killer and return to the capital so we can celebrate over drinks!"

"Given the circumstances, don’t you have a poem to send me off with?" Bai Ziqing looked at him with expectant eyes.

Uh... Zeng Anmin frowned in deep thought for a moment before his gaze turned solemn. "Worry not that no soul ahead will know your name; who in this vast world doesn’t recognize your fame!"

Bai Ziqing took a deep breath. "Although I don’t fully understand it, it suits me perfectly!"

The next day, at the Imperial College.

Zeng Anmin kept his eyes fixed straight ahead, trying his hardest to maintain the perfect posture of a model student. This was purely because the teacher standing at the podium right now was... Qin Shoucheng.

"Today, we will discuss the path of ’Calligraphy’ among the Six Arts," Qin Shoucheng said, his expression indifferent. He cast occasional glances toward Zeng Anmin, taking the opportunity to peer at Qin Wanyue, who was seated right next to him. His gaze was as guarded as if he were fending off a thief.

Zeng Anmin behaved remarkably well.

"When studying the Six Arts, the path of ’Calligraphy’ is an unavoidable journey in this lifetime." Qin Shoucheng’s voice carried a sense of steady composure. In the classroom, his posture was always impeccably straight. "From ancient times to the present, most Confucian Scholars have broken through to the Sixth Grade and condensed their Dharma Aspect through the path of Calligraphy.

"This is because, from the very beginning of one’s education, calligraphy accompanies you for a lifetime."

Qin Shoucheng’s teaching method was somewhat different from other teachers. After finishing his lecture, he picked up a sheet of Xuan paper and held his breath in deep concentration. Then, he ground the ink and swept his hand down to write.

An incredibly comfortable, natural rhythm emanated from his thin frame. As his brush strokes glided forward like a swimming dragon, the Vast Cyan Qi around his body could be seen drifting like clouds and mist.

"Suppress!"

A large character slowly materialized on the paper. The word exuded a profound sense of safety and stability.

CLACK.

Qin Shoucheng slowly rested the fountain pen in his hand on the desk, his eyes reflecting absolute earnestness.

"Just now, from the moment I set pen to paper until I laid it to rest, an underlying ’intent’ supported the entire process.

"It is precisely this ’intent’ that makes the words written by our Confucian Cultivators entirely distinct."

He slowly lifted the sheet of paper so that everyone could see it clearly.

"What magnificent handwriting!"

"Standard Script, upright and full! I heard that Mr. Qin realized this new script to condense his Dharma Aspect in one fell swoop, entering the Fifth Grade."

"Taking just this single character outside could fetch at least a hundred taels of patterned silver."

"Indeed! Should Mr. Qin pass away one day, his posthumous works would be hard to buy even for a thousand gold!"

Qin Shoucheng’s mouth twitched. His dull, fish-like eyes scanned the crowd, looking at the students one by one. He wondered who exactly had such a "way with words."

Then, he caught sight of a scene that nearly broke his heart. Under the sunlight, Zeng Anmin was earnestly studying the calligraphy on the podium. However, Qin Wanyue—who was sitting right next to him—was resting her cheek on her pale left hand, her face angled slightly forward. Yet, her beautiful eyes kept drifting over to Zeng Anmin’s face.

SIGH.

Qin Shoucheng took a deep breath, suppressing the twitch in his eyelid.

"Someone just mentioned that I relied on this ’Standard Script’ to enter the Fifth Grade back then.

"That is not false."

After struggling to calm his emotions, he focused his gaze on all the students. His voice carried an almost imperceptible tremble.

"This is related to the methods of entering the Dao through the lineage of ’Calligraphy.’

"There are two methods.

"The first method is to comprehend the true intent behind the works of our predecessors, copying them until you enter the Dao."