LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Reading
At the ancient Gu Chuan Dam, Lin Xiao stayed by Sun Yigao's side, vigilantly watching over the hard-working laborers to ensure their safety.
After not seeing each other for several days, Lin Xiao shared the recent changes and events within the sect with Sun Yigao. When Sun Yigao heard about refining tools, crafting talismans, and engraving formations, he showed great interest.
"After I finish the academy exam in a few days, I'll need to properly learn these things too," Sun Yigao said with enthusiasm.
Lin Xiao laughed and replied, "Now that you have Elder Liao as your second master, I'm sure he'd be more than willing to share the experience he's accumulated over five hundred years."
As the night grew late, Sun Yigao suggested, "Sect Master, you should head back. The number of people here is still manageable for now, and I can handle it alone."
The laborers currently working on the dam were only the first batch, from the areas closest to Gu Chuan Dam. More laborers from farther regions would arrive in the coming days, and that's when the real crowd would gather.
Realizing that this wasn't something that could be resolved in just a day or two, and remembering that he had left in such a rush that he forgot to inform his family, Lin Xiao nodded. "I'll head back for now, but I'll return tomorrow to relieve you."
After exchanging farewells, Lin Xiao hurried back to Shou Shui Village. He needed to inform his family and the rest of the sect that he'd be stationed at the dam for the coming days. He also needed to create more large and small reinforcement formations for backup and delegate tasks for cultivating the Four Skills of Immortality. Elder Liao would need to oversee everyone's progress.
Moreover, he still had no idea how to start building the Path of Reflection...
With so much to do, Lin Xiao realized that he might need an assistant.
His brother and father were busy with the fields every day, and his eldest cousin, Lin Lei, had to return home to help in the afternoons. Aunt Yang had taken over copying the cultivation methods and basic manuals. Ironhead's cultivation level was too low, and he was preoccupied with decorating the sect grounds with two little girls. Mo Yuanjiao was busy cultivating and studying the Four Skills, and as for Xiao Luan and its disciple… well, they weren't even worth considering.
As for Jiang Youfu… Lin Xiao believed there must be a more suitable role for him than as an assistant, so that idea was off the table.
After much thought, the only capable and reliable option seemed to be Liu Yunan, also known as "Baldy."
The next morning, Lin Xiao shared his desire for Liu Yunan to act as his assistant in managing the sect's affairs. Upon hearing this, Liu Yunan was overjoyed.
He immediately agreed, confidently patting his chest and promising to do an excellent job as the assistant.
Meanwhile, the laborers from Shou Shui Village had already set off to gather in Cui Feng Town, ready to head to Gu Chuan Dam.
The village entrance was filled with sorrowful farewells.
However, knowing that Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao would be stationed at the dam brought great comfort to the members of Lingxian Sect. Watching the tearful farewells at the village entrance, they felt a strong urge to share this comforting news but resisted the temptation. After all, even if they told everyone now, few would believe them. It was enough to know that the villagers would likely be safe. Let them cry for a while; after all, who hasn't shed tears before?
With the sect's recent affairs entrusted to Liu Yunan, Lin Xiao returned to Gu Chuan Dam to stand guard.
Thanks to the protection of Lin Xiao and Sun Yigao, the dam repairs progressed smoothly. Over five days, the number of laborers steadily increased, yet there were no fatalities. Although some laborers were injured by falling tools or bags of dirt, none of the injuries were life-threatening. Each night, Lin Xiao or Sun Yigao would secretly tend to the wounded, using spiritual power to heal their more serious injuries while leaving minor ailments as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, back in Liaoju Prefecture, Governor Tong Shuzheng hastily returned to complete grading the candidates' exams. After announcing the results of the academy exam, he immediately rushed back to oversee the dam repairs.
The Gu Chuan Dam had been sturdy when it was first built, without any signs of shoddy work. However, it had stood for over a hundred years. Despite its initial strength, the dam had gradually weakened due to neglect by successive governors of Lake Province. Tong Shuzheng was fully aware of this, but he had no choice but to keep quiet. If he reported the situation, it would implicate more than a few officials from the past several decades. He knew he couldn't afford to offend such powerful figures, so he could only swallow his grievances and do his best. If the dam did collapse, he was prepared to go down with it.
As for the results of the academy exam, Sun Yigao once again topped the list, earning the title of the academy's top scholar.
Even though Lin Xiao trusted Sun Yigao, he couldn't resist jokingly asking, "You didn't cheat, did you?"
Catching the humor in Lin Xiao's question, Sun Yigao smiled and replied, "Well, you could say that. Since I started cultivating, my memory and comprehension of books have improved significantly. Having the experience of cultivation gives me an advantage that ordinary people don't have. Wouldn't you call that cheating?"
"Isn't there still another round of exams?" Lin Xiao asked, recalling his vague knowledge of ancient imperial exams from his previous life. He figured the mortal world here followed a similar pattern, so he asked for clarification.
Sun Yigao nodded, "Yes, after the academy exam, there's the final round: the provincial exam. If I pass that, I can take the imperial exam, which is held once every three years. The last one was in August two years ago, so if I want to participate, I'll have to wait until next August."
As he spoke, Sun Yigao suddenly remembered something and turned to Lin Xiao. "Oh, Brother Xiao, after this year's exams, I'd like to start a private school in our village. What do you think?"
"A private school? Do you have any specific plans?" Lin Xiao asked, surprised by the suggestion.
Sun Yigao nodded, "If I pass the academy exam, I'll receive tax-exempt land. I've already discussed it with my father. We'll use the money saved from taxes to buy cheap paper and pens. Some will be sold at affordable prices to the students, and the rest I'll use to copy books for teaching. As for tuition, I plan to keep it low so that more children in the village can afford to learn to read and write."
Teaching everyone in the Lingxian Sect to read while guiding them through cultivation methods had made Sun Yigao realize just how important literacy was. Reading wasn't just about passing exams and gaining fame; it was about understanding the wisdom passed down by generations of ancestors, which was incredibly valuable.