The Immortal Seeker: Legend of Bronze Mirror
Chapter 44 - 40 Presentation of a Proposal

Chapter 44: Chapter 40 Presentation of a Proposal

Li Mansion was buzzing with excitement for three consecutive days, coinciding with the small triennial scholarly examination. In any case, during these days, Xu Qing’s life was in a blur.

It was a rare indulgence for him since he had traveled to this time.

But he really had no leisure time.

Fortunately, after the results came out, the Academic Supervisor left for another Zhili Prefecture city, without staying to hold the customary Flower-Pinning Banquet, thus sparing another exhausting event.

After the hustle and bustle, even on ordinary days, Li Mansion seemed lonely and desolate.

Xu Qing found himself unaccustomed to the absence of the flattering candidates around him.

"I’m merely a minor scholar, yet so many have come to flatter me. Those who’ve become Scholars, advanced Scholars, and officials, they must be surrounded day and night by such people. No wonder they say that if the County Magistrate dreams at night, the next day someone will make it come true."

The taste of power is like a spell that moves mountains and seas, addicting and intoxicating, to the point of losing oneself.

Xu Qing thought he was devoted to his studies and his Divine Soul was strong, believing he was someone "who sees fame as mere dreams," but he overestimated himself.

If the excitement continued for a few more days, he might have become too carried away, forgetting he was a short-lived ghost with only a few years left.

The fact that he remembered he was a short-lived ghost.

Was what brought Xu Qing back to his senses so quickly.

"If I’m already like this just being a minor scholar, reaching the position of Chief Minister Emperor, how could one not think oneself as the Three Pure Taoist Ancestors or the Jade Emperor."

He reflected on the foolishness of the past few days.

His mood settled down.

At this time, only half a month remained until the Mid-Autumn Festival. Leaves from Old Wutong Tree filled the courtyard.

Xu Qing picked up a broom to sweep the fallen leaves.

Beside him, the Old Wutong Tree stood silent, but Xu Qing could hear its breath – always the same tone, neither rejoicing in good fortune nor grieving over personal misery.

"Elder Tree, what kinds of feelings did Gu Feng have when he lived in this courtyard?" Xu Qing was quite curious in his heart.

Gu Feng chose to live in this old mansion during his later years after resigning from office, rather than in the large estate with an archway honoring his title of Scholar.

Naturally, the Old Wutong Tree could not reply to him.

If it could, Xu Qing reckoned he wouldn’t sleep well at night.

A tree with a bit of spiritual intelligence and a tree Demon with self-consciousness that can reply to people are two different things.

Who in their right mind would live peacefully in a courtyard with a Demon?

He is not Xu Xian.

After reflecting, Xu Qing felt his Divine Soul was cleansed and purified, showing signs of a breakthrough. He continued to study and train in Martial Arts Training, strengthening his body at his usual steady pace.

The main goal was to let things take their natural course.

...

...

The next day at noon, Xu Qing was at home.

The gatekeeper came into the back yard with news that Master Qian and a steward from a neighboring Prefecture’s scholarly family had arrived.

Master Qian, leading the way as the accompanying guest, was with a very decently dressed steward holding a gilded name card. Upon seeing Xu Qing, "Old Master Xu would like to pay respects to the triumphant young scholar."

Afterwards, a sedan chair arrived at the entrance, and a scholarly gentleman emerged.

With Master Qian’s introduction, they got to know each other.

Xu Qing then learned of the other party’s background.

It was Old Master Xu from the South Zhili’s Songzhou Prefecture.

He shared the same surname as Xu Qing, but they were not from the same clan. Tracing back their lineage, they were related by a "Xu" only 500 years ago.

But this connection did exist after all.

After exchanging pleasantries, Old Master Xu got to the point: "My dear nephew, we both hail from South Zhili, yet we’ve been distant relatives. Today, we’ve acknowledged each other, so when you come to Songzhou Prefecture or Heavenly Capital in the future, do not forget to seek out the Songzhou Xu Family. From now on, we’re all one family."

Heavenly Capital is also known as Yingtian Prefecture City. It’s the capital of South Zhili and one of the two capitals, Nanjing, of the Great Yu Dynasty. As for the capital of the Great Yu Dynasty, it is also known as the Divine Capital.

"The Xu Family of Songzhou is renowned across South Zhili; I truly dare not presume myself worthy," Xu Qing was uncertain of the other party’s intentions, but when a relative who hasn’t been in contact for hundreds of years suddenly pays a visit, it is often a sign of something unusual.

Not to mention that he himself has achieved the title of Scholar, even if he were only a scholar and not residing in Songzhou Prefecture, what assistance could he possibly provide to the Songzhou Xu Family?

Old Master Xu smiled and said: "Setting aside that we are indeed relatives. The County Magistrate Wu who appointed you as the top candidate in the county examination was once a pupil of my father. We share the same surname, and with this connection, we are naturally much closer than strangers. From today onward, we should visit each other more frequently."

Xu Qing finally understood why Master Qian had become an accompanying guest.

It turned out that County Magistrate Wu was a student of the Songzhou Xu Family’s late patriarch.

If the Xu scholars asked County Magistrate Wu to interfere, he certainly could not refuse, so he sent Master Qian to handle the matter.

After all, he was Xu Qing’s benefactor in the county examination; it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to visit in person and lower his status.

Xu Qing laughed: "You flatter me, elder. I am but a young man with little experience, intent on studying diligently to prepare for the provincial examination in three years, so I won’t be able to make frequent visits."

Xu scholar said: "I’d forgotten; my nephew still needs to prepare for the provincial examination. This gift is a mere token of respect. Additionally, I own a quiet residence in Heavenly Capital. Should you come to Heavenly Capital to prepare for your exams without a place to stay, you are welcome to stay there. All the necessary scholarly supplies are fully provided."

He then instructed his butler to fetch the deed to the property.

It was said to be a temporary accommodation, but with a deed in hand and officials available to assist, it could be transferred at any time.

Xu Qing really couldn’t figure out the other party’s intentions, so he didn’t reject the offer immediately, but asked directly: "Elder, let us speak frankly. What exactly do you wish to instruct me to do?"

Given his young age, he could get away with asking directly, and it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Xu scholar first praised him, "There are few young men with your kind of resolve. It seems I have not made a mistake in coming to you."

Then he sighed bitterly, "It’s a situation of last resort; otherwise, I wouldn’t be seeking help from my nephew."

During this conversation, he gave a deep bow to Xu Qing.

Xu Qing quickly dodged.

He felt that the elder’s bow was comparable to Shen Gongbao’s entreaty to ’stay a moment.’

Even after dodging, black energy could be seen emanating from within the bronze mirror, where the previously orange Qi Fortune was visible to the naked eye.

Xu Qing said: "Elder, we can talk properly, please do not trouble me with such formalities."

The Xu scholar knew when to stop, aware that going too far would not be beneficial. He cut to the chase: "The Xu Family of Songzhou is in imminent danger, I beseech you, my nephew, to help save Songzhou Xu Family on account of us sharing the same surname."

Xu Qing said: "Elder, please explain the situation clearly. As for offering help, I am too insignificant to be of any assistance."

He knew that the presence of Master Qian as an accompanying guest represented the attitude of County Magistrate Wu.

It would be acceptable not to offer help, but to outright refuse to listen would be too discourteous.

The current official isn’t as important as the one in charge.

County Magistrate Wu is still the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, not to mention Xu Qing’s benefactor in the county examination.

Some respect must be given.

Seeing Xu Qing softening his stance, the Xu scholar finally explained the situation in detail.

It turned out that the Grand Secretary intended to reform by surveying the land.

He planned to start by making an example of some scholars. Unfortunately, in the current generation of the Xu Family, there was only one Scholar, Xu scholar. Although there were some connections left by the late patriarch, they were not sufficient to handle serious matters.

Academician Zhou was rushing to Songzhou Prefecture, and he intended to inspect the registrations of the Xu Family scholars.

Examining the registrations was only the first step; it was later discovered how much land and population the Xu Family had concealed.

As to why Xu Qing was involved.

It was discovered that Xu Qing had close ties with Feng Xifeng, who was the brother-in-law of Academician Zhou, and Zhou had indeed elected Xu Qing as the top candidate.

The Xu Family of Songzhou hoped to use this connection to reach out to Academician Zhou.

The Xu scholar expressed his sorrow: "Not all of these lands were obtained through donations, some were accumulated by my ancestors. As the saying goes, when the nest is overturned, no eggs are left unbroken. If it comes to that day when the clerks in the Government Office strike us while we’re down, they will surely clean us out entirely with their ferocity."

As he reached the end of his explanation, it seemed he made a firm decision, "If my nephew can help the Xu Family of Songzhou survive this calamity, should you succeed in the exams, the Xu Family is willing to exchange half of our land and the status of Jiangning Prefecture scholars and offer them to you."