Chapter 490: This is the time to change your destiny against the will of heaven [please subscribe for a monthly ticket]
Chu Chen stepped on the three-color auspicious clouds and rushed back to Guangping County at a galloping speed.
He has been busy refining elixirs these days, and has put aside external matters for the time being.
In addition to the miscellaneous affairs of Huanghaoyuan, the most important thing is that August is approaching.
This year is the year of the competition, and the provincial examination competition will be held every three years in August.
At that time, all the scholars in Qingzhou will swarm Qingzhou and cross the single-plank bridge with thousands of troops and horses, just asking for the Guibang roll call.
The imperial examination competition in this part of the world is a little different.
After a scholar wins the imperial examination, he will not only be able to stand out, become an official and become wealthy, but also have the opportunity to change his destiny against the will of heaven and open the door to transcendence and become a saint.
To recruit disciples from a Taoist sect, there are requirements for "spiritual roots and wisdom roots". If you don't have the talent for cultivation, you will never be able to enter the cultivation world in your lifetime and can only be an ordinary person.
Of course, it's okay to fall into evil ways, but you will be summoned to the Immortal Court of Heaven to kill you, and you won't end up well in the end.
For ordinary mortals who have no talent for cultivation, or who have poor talent for cultivation, if they want to enter the world of cultivation, the best way is to study for the imperial examination.
After being baptized by the dragons and tigers of the Celestial Dynasty and the baptism of humanistic culture, one can condense the Confucianism and Taoism, change one's fate against the will of heaven, lay the foundation for superior cultivation, and step into the world of cultivation in one fell swoop, becoming a Confucian and Taoist monk.
There are countless ways to achieve enlightenment, hundreds of schools of thought contend, and even heretics have a chance to shine.
However, for people who have no talent for cultivation or have average talent, studying for the imperial examination is the best way to change their destiny.
Even if the competition for studying is fierce and countless people are struggling to take exams, this is the best way to get ahead, bar none.
The younger brother Pengju will also rush to Qingzhou Gongyuan to participate in the autumn festival this year. As the eldest brother, if Chu Chen can make it in time, of course he will give his younger brother a gift.
The three-color auspicious clouds were flying at his feet, and he quickly rushed back to Guangping County.
Without much delay, Chu Chen rushed straight to Chen Mansion.
"Brother, you are finally here. I thought I couldn't wait for you."
The younger brother Pengju heard the commotion and came out to greet him.
"Haha~ The elixir refining went quite smoothly."
Chu Chen followed his younger brother into his courtyard. On the way, he looked at his younger brother up and down, and couldn't help but sigh:
"Pengju, you have grown a lot taller."
Before he knew it, it had been nearly three years since he became enlightened.
At that time, my younger brother Pengju was still a twelve-and-a-half-year-old boy. In the blink of an eye, my younger brother was already a handsome young man of fifteen or sixteen years old, with a tall and straight body, handsome features, calm demeanor, and a bookish and elegant attitude.
Zhengmao.
The two brothers were talking and laughing as they walked through the corridor and entered the courtyard of the main house.
Because they communicated with Mengshi in advance, Chen's father and Chen's mother knew that their eldest son was coming back, so they prepared wine and food early, and the family quickly had a reunion dinner.
"Chu'er, how is your alchemy going smoothly? Is your husband easy to get along with?"
At the dinner table, Chen's father, Chen Jiaxian, had a kind smile on his face.
The gentleman he talks about is naturally the Fire Dragon Alchemist.
An alchemy master, whether in the practice world or in the court, has a respected status and is treated with courtesy and respect by all parties.
After all, Chen's father is a scholar, so he knows the meaning behind "alchemy master", and he also understands what it means for his son to become a master of alchemy.
It's a pity that his son won't let him publicize it.
Otherwise, if the news spread that his son had become a master of alchemy, the door to the Chen Mansion might be broken down.
Chen's father was full of pride, and in his words, his attitude towards Chu Chen was vaguely different from Wan'er and Pengju.
"The alchemy went very smoothly. I learned a lot from the alchemy skills from my master."
Chu Chen smiled and didn't say much about alchemy. He was mainly afraid that if he said too much, Chen's father would accidentally brag to his friends and spread the news that he was a disciple of the alchemy master.
At that time, it will be a troublesome matter.
It's like you suddenly become rich.
As soon as the news comes out, all kinds of relatives and friends who want to borrow money will flock to me, which is very annoying.
At that time, someone asks you to help him refine elixirs, or help introduce his master, Fire Dragon Alchemist, will you help?
In order to cause unnecessary trouble, Chu Chen adhered to the principle of keeping a low profile and made a fortune in silence.
Fortunately, although Chen's father, Chen Jiaxian, was middle-aged and liked to brag with his friends, he was sensible and understanding of the world. He knew that his son had just joined the master and was studying diligently, so he did not publicize it to his children.
Cause trouble.
However, Father Chen was secretly very concerned about Chu Chen's studies under his master, Fire Dragon Alchemist, and always warned him.
"Chu'er, you must be diligent in your studies first. You have a good talent, but you can't be arrogant and complacent. You should read more and learn more, and ask your teacher for advice. Don't make him unhappy."
Father Chen chattered a lot and had the attitude of an "old mother".
Master almost regards me as his "bosom friend" and wishes I had been born decades earlier.
Chu Chen secretly cursed, but he didn't say much. He nodded in agreement. Seeing that he had almost said everything, he quickly changed the topic and looked at his younger brother Pengju.
"Brother, when will you leave for Zhoucheng?"
My younger brother Pengju had already made up his mind and said:
"Let's set off tomorrow. Go early and settle down in advance so that we won't panic."
Chu Chen nodded slightly. The Autumn Imperial Examination was very important for scholars. It would be great to rush to the capital in advance to experience the atmosphere of the imperial examination.
"But if you want me to give you a ride, I can fly through the clouds and ride on the mist, and I can deliver you there in half a day."
"No, I made an appointment with my classmates to go to the exam together, so I don't want to break someone's promise."
The younger brother Pengju shook his head and said:
"There are still seven or eight days before the Qiuwei Competition. We each have Taoist practices and have the skills to move around, so we will definitely be able to make it in time. Brother, there is no need to worry."
Chen's father, Chen Jiaxian, also said: "Yes, Chu'er, you do worry too much. When I was my father, I went to the exam with my classmates and there were no elders accompanying me. This was an experience for Peng'er."
Chu Chen nodded repeatedly when he heard this.
The younger brother Pengju has a reputation as a scholar, and he has just begun to unite in Confucianism and Taoism. After practicing over the years, he has reached the ninth level of Taoism, and his classmates are all similar in Taoism.
A group of them were taking the official route in great numbers, so he really didn't have anything to worry about.
Chu Chen raised his wine glass:
"Okay! Pengju, brother, I will help you have a smooth journey and win the championship!"
"Brother, I will not embarrass you."
The younger brother Pengju quickly stood up, picked up the wine glasses, clinked them, drank heavily, and felt proud in his heart.
Over the years, his brother has soared into the sky. Although Pengju is happy, he can't help but feel a sense of loss privately.
At the beginning, whether it was his parents, grandmother, or other people in the Chen family, everyone had their eyes on him and regarded him as the hope of the Chen family.
But since his elder brother became enlightened, his limelight has been stolen by his elder brother.
Although he had no resentment in his heart, he was unwilling to fall behind others.
Right now, the Autumn Palace Competition is the perfect opportunity for him to feel proud.
Chu Chen secretly found it interesting when he saw his younger brother Pengju's high fighting spirit.
Sure enough, he was infectious, and everyone around him became more motivated because of him.
"Pengju, it's good to have confidence, but don't be burdened. Just take the exam with a calm mind. Brother, I'm waiting for you to be named the winner."