I Don't Agree to the Terms

Chapter 869 461: Suppressing the Horse Bandits? The Prominent Families Still Have to Pay?

"Master, I have a small question." Qing Feng asked with a troubled expression.

"Go ahead and ask, but I may not answer until you've finished your homework." Gu Shanhai replied lazily, tossing a grape into his mouth as he lounged in his chair.

"You promised cultivation, so why do we have to do homework..." Qing Feng felt this wasn't the kind of training he imagined.

In his mind, cultivation was about toughening the body, practicing the cultivation technique, and training martial skills. But with Gu Shanhai, it seemed like it was homework every day.

He had seen how martial arts schools taught their students—first, practice standing exercises to toughen the body, then impart the cultivation method for training, and finally practice martial skills. Once proficient, they could graduate.

"Because I'm teaching you the Way, not just techniques." Gu Shanhai was well aware of how those martial schools and gangs trained their students—first enhance strength, while cultural literacy was none of their business.

So often, most people were illiterate, not even recognizing characters, only needing to follow rote instructions for cultivation.

Once graduated, then they slowly learn.

Of course, well-known sects or members of the royal family wouldn't teach like this—they'd ensure literacy first, then teach about meridians and acupoints, and then impart cultivation methods, explaining thoroughly during the process.

Martial arts schools and gangs were different—people paid to become trained. As long as one reached a level of competence to graduate, it was enough. While others were considered expendable, once they learned a few skills, they'd be sent out for tasks without much care.

"Oh, then I'm done." Qing Feng said, handing over his homework.

Both of them were exceptionally talented, belonging to the ranks of geniuses. Although Qing Feng claimed he disliked doing homework, he actually worked diligently.

The life they led now was quite different from before—three meals with meat, without being exposed to wind and sun.

Ming Yue followed suit: "Teacher, I'm done too."

Gu Shanhai scanned with his spiritual sense, and their homework was immediately marked and explained.

"Go through the mistakes first, and later we will discuss them. There's a mock test in the afternoon; if both of you score full marks, you pass and can begin formal cultivation tomorrow." Gu Shanhai was methodical in his approach.

Qing Feng and Ming Yue had studied under him for six months, and had mostly learned what needed to be learned.

"Yes, Teacher." ×2

Upon hearing that a perfect score would lead to cultivation, even the more composed Ming Yue showed some excitement. They had been looking forward to this for quite some time.

The two were diligent and talented disciples, likely accustomed to hardship, which made them cherish their current lives. Gu Shanhai seldom worried about when they'd review or prepare for lessons.

Gu Shanhai, on the other hand, observed the protagonist aura surrounding them; over the past six months, it was nearly stabilized. This indicated that the 'plot' was about to start.

It also meant trouble was imminent.

Gu Shanhai estimated it would start in about two more years.

At fourteen years old, Qing Feng and Ming Yue had received ample nutrition over the past six months, which had led to significant changes in their development. Unlike their previously thin and small frames, they now appeared healthier and more filled out.

"Teacher, the times are growing increasingly turbulent; we should make early preparations." Ming Yue suddenly said.

"I understand. The Da Xuan Dynasty has a sense of impending collapse; you have sharp insight into the situation." Gu Shanhai praised.

Ming Yue was usually quiet, but every time he spoke, he offered thoughtful suggestions, even if they sometimes seemed naive, unlike Qing Feng, whose information tended to be superficial.

"But rest assured, as long as that Emperor of Da Xuan is alive, this sinking ship won't sink completely."

Gu Shanhai knew the current Emperor Xuan was a cultivator of the Heavenly Human Unity Realm, and the royal family had several such old monsters present.

As for the God Demon of Da Xuan, there was one—Da Xuan Dynasty's founding emperor—but he had long retreated to the outside world and didn't interfere with these matters.

The chaos within Da Xuan was due to Emperor Xuan's attempts to breakthrough to the God Demon Realm, causing various upheavals.

Creating a God Demon is no easy feat.

Moreover, these elite sects cannot allow Emperor Xuan's breakthrough, attempting to prevent it by all means.

This may strengthen humanity, yet it would lead to a power imbalance—if Da Xuan had two God Demons, what of other human forces?

On that day, as long as Da Xuan Dynasty's two God Demon Emperor Taishang were alive, even if it decayed, it wouldn't vanish.

"Master, your insight is unparalleled; your disciple pales in comparison." Ming Yue speculated that Gu Shanhai might be a powerful cultivator of the Heavenly Human Unity Realm, as for being a God Demon—it seemed unlikely to him because God Demons rarely walked the mortal realm.

Besides, if Gu Shanhai were truly a God Demon, he wouldn't have settled them locally but instead taken them to an otherworldly retreat for convenience and better practice.

"Different—your perspective is not the same as mine; being able to perceive this is already quite remarkable." Gu Shanhai was directly viewing the script play out, while Ming Yue drew conclusions through analysis, naturally they couldn't be equated.

"Master, you received an invitation card."

The steward called out respectfully from outside the study.

"An invitation? From whom?" Gu Shanhai asked casually without opening the door.