Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

"Brother Ming~ Brother Ming~~~ Did you get the gift that Sister Xuenuo sent us?"

Early in the morning, Qin Qingwan came running over, holding a peachwood sword with a delighted expression on her face.

Xu Ming, who had been doing push-ups in the courtyard, stood up and dusted himself off. "Yeah, I got it."

"Then, Brother Ming, what does this writing mean? I recognize every character, but I can't make sense of it when they're together~" Qin Qingwan said as she unscrewed the hilt of her peachwood sword, revealing a hidden note inside.

Xu Ming was momentarily stunned. So the sword hilt has a hidden compartment? Curious, he retrieved his own peachwood sword and, mimicking her actions, gave the hilt a firm twist. Sure enough, it came apart, and there was a note inside.

Comparing the two notes, Xu Ming saw they both contained the same text and a diagram.

"This looks like a sword technique," Xu Ming explained.

"A sword technique?" Qin Qingwan tilted her head in confusion.

"Yeah." Xu Ming nodded, then began reading the parchment carefully.

To his surprise, he didn't gain any attribute points from merely reading it. Deciding to experiment, he memorized a few moves and began practicing with the peachwood sword in the courtyard.

[You practiced the Bingyang Sword Technique. Sword Qi +3, Sword Intent +3.]

"So, it's called the Bingyang Sword Technique," Xu Ming realized.

After practicing just a few moves, he'd already gained three points each in Sword Qi and Sword Intent. It seemed this Bingyang Sword Technique was no ordinary skill.

"Brother Ming~ you look so cool when you're practicing swordplay~~~"

When Xu Ming paused to catch his breath, Qin Qingwan, clapping excitedly, gazed at him with sparkling eyes.

Xu Ming chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Even though you'll be learning Daoist techniques in the future, you should still practice this sword technique. It's Xuenuo's heartfelt gift, after all."

"But Brother Ming~ Sister Cai Die once said that girls who practice swordsmanship won't grow any bears," Qin Qingwan said with childish innocence.

Xu Ming: "…"

"Brother Ming, what does 'won't grow bears' mean?" Qin Qingwan asked curiously. "When I asked Sister Cai Die, she always laughed and said I'd understand when I grew up."

"…" Xu Ming's eyebrow twitched slightly. "I don't know either. But since your Sister Cai Die said so, you'd better listen to her."

"Ohhh~" Qin Qingwan nodded obediently.

"Come on, let's head to the academy," Xu Ming said, carefully placing the sword manual back into the hilt.

"Let's go, let's go! It's the last class~~~" Qin Qingwan cheered.

"Yes, the last class…" Xu Ming muttered, feeling a twinge of melancholy.

A few days earlier, Mr. Xiao had announced that this month's final lesson would mark the end of his teachings.

Xu Ming calculated. Mr. Xiao had been teaching them for nearly a year now.

As Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan stepped out of the Xu residence, they saw Xu Pangda already waiting for them at the gate. The three of them walked together to Zhixing Academy.

Many of the children's faces were filled with joy, for to them, today signified the end of lessons—and freedom from school.

Once everyone was seated in the classroom, Mr. Xiao entered as usual. The students hurried to take their seats.

"Today, we'll study the Book of Rites. Please turn to page fifty in your textbooks," he said.

Mr. Xiao began teaching as though this class were no different from any other. However, Xu Ming noticed that Mr. Xiao's lecture covered a lot of material—far more than usual—and was less detailed. Even the break between lessons was unusually short.

It felt as if Mr. Xiao was trying to cram as much knowledge as possible into his students before time ran out.

As time passed in the classroom, the initial excitement on the children's faces, brought by the knowledge that this was their final lesson, gradually faded. Slowly, on their young faces, a different kind of emotion emerged—a small, quiet sorrow.

This tiny sorrow came from a small yet heartfelt reluctance.

By noon, the lesson should have ended, but no one reminded Mr. Xiao.

Outside the classroom, several figures had appeared.

"Mr. Xiao," called Eunuch Wei, holding an imperial decree in his hands. Beside him, two others carried wooden trays covered with red cloth.

Xiao Mochi ignored him and continued teaching.

"Mr. Xiao," Eunuch Wei called again, his expression troubled. "The lesson is over."

Mr. Xiao glanced at Eunuch Wei, who lowered his head respectfully, not daring to press further.

With a small sigh, Mr. Xiao closed his book slowly and turned to the young students he had spent the past year with. A gentle smile spread across his face.

"Today is our final class. After this lesson, Zhixing Academy will disband, and you won't need to wake up early for classes anymore.

As for me, I must now face the various murky affairs of the imperial court."

Many of the children didn't understand what "murky affairs of the imperial court" meant, but quite a few had already begun to tear up.

With a soft smile, Mr. Xiao continued:

"All of you come from noble backgrounds. From the moment you were born, you already possessed what most people could only dream of in a lifetime.

However, I hope you will not become arrogant because of what you have, but instead remain cautious because of it.

Among you are many who are remarkably gifted. Some of you will undoubtedly step onto the stage of the imperial court. Once there, you may find yourselves constrained by circumstances, and your original intentions might waver.

One day, you may even stand against me because of differing views or conflicting interests.

But I hope that when you oppose me, it is to make the lives of the common people better. I hope it is to prove me wrong."

"Teacher… Waaaahhhh, I don't want you to leave!" a young girl suddenly burst into tears.

"Teacher, we still want to attend your classes," cried a boy, rubbing his eyes furiously.

"Don't go, Teacher!"

"Teacher, I'll ask my father to petition His Majesty so you can keep teaching us, okay?"

One after another, the children's sorrowful cries filled the classroom. Even Qin Qingwan, who usually detested lessons, clung to Xu Ming's shoulder with reddened eyes, holding back tears with all her might.

Xiao Mochi chuckled softly, stepping down from the lectern and walking toward Eunuch Wei.

Realizing the cue, Eunuch Wei finally reacted, lifting the imperial decree and unrolling it. His high-pitched voice rang through the classroom:

"By decree of the Sacred Emperor:

Xiao Mochi, scholar of White Deer Academy, renowned for his love of learning and known as a 'true gentleman,' possesses both extensive knowledge and exemplary virtue. For a long time, he has been held in high regard by the imperial court.

For a year, Xiao Mochi requested 'a school, a group of children, and a chance to teach as a simple instructor.' His wish has been fulfilled.

Now, the time has come.

Xiao Mochi is hereby appointed Magistrate of Jingzhao and concurrently Grand Mentor to the Crown Prince. He is granted the title of Marquis of Wenmo, a jade belt, and the privilege of bearing the Xing Tian Plaque, allowing unrestricted access to the imperial palace without prior petition.

This decree is final."

Xiao Mochi let out a deep breath and bowed. "This humble servant, Xiao Mochi, accepts the decree."