Chapter 124: The Private School

After Elder Pan finished registering Lin Yang, he dispatched a disciple to escort Lin Yang down the mountain.

The disciple led Lin Yang in silence to a cluster of buildings at the foot of the mountain, which resonated with the clear, rhythmic sounds of students reciting their lessons. Even though evening was approaching, several disciples were still outside practicing their horse-stance training. Lin Yang was led inside, where the disciple left him standing in the courtyard while he entered a room to speak with an old man.

Though they were some distance away, Lin Yang could easily overhear their conversation. The disciple was explaining that a new tutor had arrived and requested that the academy head provide some guidance. He even hinted that Lin Yang had connections to someone in high authority, urging the head to look after him.

After a short while, the two finished their discussion and called Lin Yang inside. He stood before the elderly head. The old man looked at Lin Yang, pulled a stern face, and demanded, "Can you recite the Four Books and Five Classics?"

Lin Yang felt a moment of awkwardness; he truly could not recite them. "I cannot, but I am literate and know all the characters."

The old man did not believe him at all. He simply picked up his teacup and took a few silent sips. "I am Sun Quanjian; you may call me Elder Sun."

"Looking at you, it is clear you only got in through connections. If you cannot even recite the Four Books and Five Classics, how can you call yourself a scholar?"

"You will start by teaching the outermost group. You are only to teach them how to recognize and write characters; as for teaching them poetry and classics, do not interfere. I am afraid you would lead them astray."

Elder Sun looked at Lin Yang with blatant disdain, exuding the strong air of a pedantic intellectual. He instructed Lin Yang to find a spot within the academy grounds to build a small cabin for himself. As for his duties, he was to teach the disciples literacy for two hours every morning.

Having finished his instructions, the old man moved to shoo Lin Yang away, but Lin Yang had questions, so he quickly asked, "What teaching materials should I use?"

"Use whatever you like. There are dozens of books in the library; just take them to show the disciples when you teach. But if you find you cannot handle the teaching, you must tell me. I will not have you idling about. Even if you have nothing to do, you must not mislead the students. Do you understand?"

Elder Sun spoke sternly before ushering Lin Yang out. After being dismissed, Lin Yang found a spot to build a small cabin and stay temporarily. The next morning, he rose early and dutifully picked up an axe to go cut timber on the mountain.

In this era, there were no nails; all buildings were constructed using wooden frame joinery. Consequently, Lin Yang moonlighted as a carpenter. It took him two days to build a small shack using his physical strength as a mortal. The structure ended up somewhat crooked, and eventually, Elder Sun could no longer bear to watch; he sent a disciple to help Lin Yang renovate it.

Through his inquiries, Lin Yang learned that Elder Sun was the only tutor in the entire private school. He taught literacy during the day and oversaw the disciples' horse-stance training at night, keeping the old man quite busy. With Lin Yang now on board, his burden was somewhat eased.

Once his cabin was finished, Lin Yang used his spiritual energy to dig an underground tunnel, creating a basement directly beneath the floor. In this basement, he set up an array using a large quantity of spirit stones, sealing the spiritual energy within the room. This allowed him to cultivate using the spirit stones even in this environment, which was barren of natural spiritual energy, without letting the energy dissipate.

The following morning, Lin Yang rose feeling refreshed. After washing, he stepped outside and sat down to admire the energetic disciples practicing their horse-stance training. It was the fourth day, the morning of his first class; as soon as the students finished their training, it would be his time to teach.

Lin Yang brought out a lounge chair and a small table for his tea set, reclining comfortably as he watched the disciples. Elder Sun stood nearby with a teaching rod, constantly correcting the students' posture, occasionally letting out a sharp *swish* as the rod cut through the air. When it struck a student, the young disciple would jump in pain, only to be forced back into a crouch.

After a while, Elder Sun walked over to the relaxed Lin Yang. "You certainly know how to enjoy yourself."

He pulled up a stool and sat down. Lin Yang took a cup and poured a tea for the old man. Elder Sun took a sip, and his eyes instantly lit up. While the tea was not "fresh" in the sense of being newly picked, it was of the highest quality in the mortal realm. Lin Yang had prepared it specifically for his own leisure, and this single pound of tea leaves was worth a hundred pieces of gold.

After finishing the cup, Elder Sun picked up the teapot without ceremony, poured himself several more, and took a few more sips. "This must be excellent tea; otherwise, it wouldn't be so fragrant, rich, and mellow, with a freshness as if it were newly plucked."

Elder Sun seemed to have some knowledge of tea, and he spoke with confidence. Seeing the old man so enchanted, Lin Yang finally felt he had scored a point. "This is nothing. I have even better tea, though you wouldn't be able to handle it."

Lin Yang’s smug expression made Elder Sun’s teeth itch with annoyance. "I don't believe it. This must be the finest tea in the mortal world. Unless it is tea from the immortal realm, nothing could be better."

Elder Sun had traveled the world and knew of legends regarding immortal cultivators.

"How do you know I don't have tea from the immortals?" Lin Yang teased, tempting the old man. Elder Sun pondered this, then recalled Lin Yang's name and said uncertainly, "Are you from the Lin family of Jiayuan City?"

Elder Sun was quite old and had read many legends; he had heard of the Lin family.

"I didn't expect you to be so well-informed, Elder Sun. Yes, I am indeed from the Lin family of Jiayuan City." Lin Yang said, then went into his room and brought out a small wooden box.

The box contained ordinary tea leaves infused with a touch of spiritual energy—perfect for an old man like Sun, providing great benefits without being overwhelming. Elder Sun looked at the box with intense longing.

"So, what is it you want from me?"

"Nothing much. I just want you to adjust the schedule. Look at these disciples—they wake up at six every morning. Isn't that a bit too early?"

"How could it be? The foundation of the day lies in the morning. If they wake early, their spirits are better."

Lin Yang looked at him, speechless. "I mean, if they don't have morning recitations, I can wake up a bit later. Why not have them run a few laps around the academy instead? It would serve as exercise."

Upon hearing this, Elder Sun realized why Lin Yang had brought out the tea to entertain him. "You are so young, yet so lazy. No wonder you easily found a job as a tutor here. You’re in your twenties but live like a little old man. Fine, I will listen to you. Now, brew some tea for me to taste."

Unable to resist the temptation of the tea, Elder Sun agreed.

"It's all yours." Lin Yang tossed the wooden box containing the pound of tea to him. Elder Sun caught it joyfully and opened the box to inhale the scent. Watching him so entranced, Lin Yang felt it was rather strange; he couldn't understand what there was to be so obsessed with.