Elder Qiu looked kindly at the young girl before him and asked,
"Are you willing to join our sect?"
Nian Jiaojiao didn't answer immediately, instead asking with a hint of confusion,
"Sect?"
Elder Qiu nodded.
"We scholars also have different sects. In our Qingzhou, there are three major ones. One is the Poetry Sect, led by the Qing family. The second is the Historical Studies Sect, led by the Luan family. The third is my sect, the Miscellaneous Studies Sect.
The Poetry Sect mainly cultivates through poetry, while the Historical Studies Sect cultivates through historical classics and famous sayings. As for our Miscellaneous Studies Sect, its branches are quite varied."
Nian Jiaojiao raised her delicate eyebrows slightly.
"Oh? I'd be happy to hear more."
Elder Qiu continued,
"Our Miscellaneous Studies Sect advocates for an unconstrained approach. Poetry, historical studies, novels, mathematics, divination, music – anything that can be used for cultivation is permissible."
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't help but ask,
"Since the Miscellaneous Studies Sect encompasses the Poetry Sect and the Historical Studies Sect, why are there still three distinct sects?"
Elder Qiu cast an appreciative glance at Nian Jiaojiao.
"As expected of someone with extraordinary talent, your observation skills are indeed beyond the ordinary. That's right. Although my Miscellaneous Studies Sect can utilize the methods of the Poetry and Historical Studies Sects, the sheer breadth of our disciplines makes it difficult to achieve true mastery. Especially for the Miscellaneous Studies Sect in our Qingzhou, poetry and historical studies are not our strong suits."
In reality, it wasn't just a matter of not having an advantage; looking across all of Qingzhou, and even the Great Yue Dynasty, they were considered to be in the lowest tier.
If Nian Jiaojiao knew this, she would likely have smiled and said, "Elder Qiu, you are too modest..."
After Elder Qiu finished her explanation, Nian Jiaojiao fell into thought.
This world contained extraordinary beings, which meant the level of danger was also amplified.
However, the source of this extraordinary power was obtained through reading. Possessing an eidetic memory and the support of thousands of years of culture was equivalent to having a tremendously powerful golden finger.
As long as she continued to read and cultivate, she would continuously gain strength.
In a way, such a world would allow her to thrive even more!
With this thought, Nian Jiaojiao's eyes shone brighter.
Seeing Nian Jiaojiao's expression, Elder Qiu assumed she was very interested in her sect. She asked confidently,
"So, will you join my sect?"
To her surprise, the girl looked at her and smiled shyly,
"This... I might need to go home and consider it..."
Elder Qiu was puzzled. No one had ever heard the truth of cultivation and not been moved. She pressed further,
"Are there any concerns?"
Nian Jiaojiao sighed and said,
"Alas... I have four husbands at home, and I cannot..."
"Take them all with you!"
Before Nian Jiaojiao could finish, Elder Qiu said without hesitation.
"But I come from a poor family, and my purse is empty..."
"I will... oh, no, our Miscellaneous Studies Sect will!"
"But the people of Fengcheng are currently in dire straits. If I leave now..."
"I will resolve it for you! Do you have any other issues?"
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head, her face no longer showing any difficulty, and said with a smile,
"If I were to refuse further, it would be ungrateful. I am willing to join the Qingzhou Miscellaneous Studies Sect!"
As she spoke, Nian Jiaojiao gracefully performed a scholar's salute to Elder Qiu.
Seeing this, Elder Qiu revealed a satisfied smile.
Then, she turned to the young woman she had brought with her this time and said,
"Lei Juan, accompany Jiaojiao to the City Lord Wang's mansion. Ensure the worries of the people of Fengcheng are resolved. Furthermore, if that girl from the Qing family obstructs you, just say it is the intention of our Miscellaneous Studies Sect."
Lei Juan bowed respectfully upon hearing this.
"Yes! Master!"
As Nian Jiaojiao and Lei Juan prepared to leave, Elder Qiu called out to them again.
"Wait!"
Elder Qiu handed Nian Jiaojiao a folded paper talisman, which seemed to have writing on it.
"Carry this with you and do not let that Qing family girl discover anything."
Nian Jiaojiao took the talisman and placed it close to her. Lei Juan then handed her a small mirror.
Nian Jiaojiao looked at the person in the mirror and noticed something unusual.
Her appearance had not changed at all; she was still a beautiful woman, but her refined aura was gone.
Lei Juan explained from the side,
"This is a concealment poem written by Master. It has the function of hiding extraordinary qualities. Before, Qing Ruo only caught a fleeting glimpse of you and couldn't detect anything unusual. But if it were a longer encounter, she might notice something."
Elder Qiu also said with a serious expression,
"Not just Qing Ruo. In the future, when you go to Qingzhou, you must wear this talisman at all times in public. Fortunately, that Qing family girl's cultivation is not high. If she were at my level, she could see through your reality with a single glance."
Nian Jiaojiao touched the talisman at her waist and nodded solemnly.
...
The Wang Mansion.
The main gate.
Nian Jiaojiao thanked Lei Juan,
"I will have to trouble you today, esteemed one."
Lei Juan responded without any airs, in a friendly manner,
"You will soon be joining our Miscellaneous Studies sect. We should address each other as fellow disciples."
Nian Jiaojiao readily agreed,
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Disciple Lei."
...
Two hours later.
An astonishing piece of news swept through the entirety of Fengcheng.
Citizen A: "Did you hear? City Lord Wang and his entire family have been thrown into prison!"
Citizen B: "More than that! The Wang family's mother and daughter will be executed tomorrow, and the rest of the Wang family members will be exiled a thousand miles!"
Citizen C: "Hmph! They deserve it! Not a single one of the Wang family is good. Every year, they extort so much from the common people and harm so many innocent citizens!"
Citizen D: "From now on, the common people of Fengcheng will have better days! Now, the real power in Fengcheng is entirely in the hands of City Lord Ying. City Lord Ying is a good lord who loves his people!"
"..."
Nian Jiaojiao briefly parted ways with Lei Juan and, on her way home, heard the citizens' discussions, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
City Lord Wang deserved to die.
City Lord Ying wasn't exactly a model of competence either.
At least, while City Lord Wang had been wielding power and causing trouble in Fengcheng for years, City Lord Ying had chosen to stay out of it.
From the perspective of City Lord Ying's personal choices, there was nothing wrong, but for these common folk, anyone who didn't oppress them was a good official!
Man is the knife, I am the fish.
To have one's destiny in one's own hands, one must truly become powerful!
Nian Jiaojiao's eyes grew more determined.
...
The Nian Residence.
Nian Jiaojiao couldn't directly tell everyone about the sect, so she simply said that she was recommended by City Lord Ying and was going to Qingzhou to study.
Next was the matter of settling the others.
She first looked at Hu Rui and asked,
"What are your plans?"
Hu Rui shrugged indifferently and said,
"Benefactor is going to study, and I, Hu Rui, cannot be of much help. I won't be accompanying you. I plan to wander freely, going wherever the path leads, and see the beautiful mountains and rivers of Great Yue.
However, if Benefactor needs help in the future, you can send someone to the Yan Er Inn in Tancheng. The proprietor there is my uncle, and I visit him every year."
Nian Jiaojiao nodded in understanding.
Then, she looked at the Xu brothers, "What about you two?"