"I'm so old! I'm so dizzy and uncomfortable after not sleeping all night. It seems like I'd better do less of this kind of thing in the future."
Luo Changshan woke up just after noon, not because he had slept enough but because he couldn't sleep. Age is there. After staying up late, you won't be able to recover in just one sleep. It will probably take a few days to recover.
Turning to look at his sleeping apprentice, Luo Changshan smiled and stood up without waking him up. Instead, he went to the lobby of the inn downstairs, ordered a bowl of clear soup and plain noodles to satisfy his hunger, and stopped by to sit down and wake up.
After noon, there were not many diners in the inn lobby, and a clear soup noodles were quickly served. Luo Changshan was indeed hungry, so he picked up the kuaizi and started chattering.
After finishing a bowl of noodles, he felt much better. He picked up his tea and sat in the corner of the lobby as if to rest his mind. He closed his eyes and didn't know what he was thinking.
“Why was this unheard of before?”
Suddenly Luo Changshan muttered to himself. No one else heard him, only he knew that he was talking about the young man who had never expected to be in such a situation before asking him to come, Zhang Yan.
Luo Changshan first heard about Zhang Yan when he was chatting with some old friends at a gathering more than half a year ago. At that time, two old friends who often traveled to the west spoke highly of the border troubles in the west over the past year or two. They mentioned the Yubei Mountain Fortress in particular, and then talked about the "Yubei Mountain Fortress" that emerged from the Yubei Mountain Fortress. These three things, the "Bagua Array", the "Kongming Lantern" and the "Pulley", are said to have shone brightly on Yubei Mountain, and are also the key to easing the border troubles in the west.
The rest of the people had heard about it for the first time, especially those three things. They felt strange when they heard the names, so they asked about it. Only then did several people, including Luo Changshan, realize that the three items were considered to be the means of their miscellany lineage, and that the person who took out these items was still a young man, and was even a criminal soldier at the time.
Because it involves military secrets, even if the two old friends have access to some inside information, they are still limited. They can only briefly describe and draw a few things, but the internal structure is not very detailed. In particular, the unpredictable Bagua array was only known by its name and power but not by its rationale, which made several old men who always liked to get to the bottom of it scratch their heads and feel restless.
But everyone at the party unanimously felt that these three things were methods in miscellany, especially the pulley and the sky lantern, which could almost be directly identified as coming from the same source of knowledge. Not much is known about the most mysterious Bagua array.
"Above Heaven"
Then the problem arises. Whose student is that criminal soldier? Don’t you know the rules of the miscellany lineage? How could it be spread so wantonly? And after two years, I haven’t heard of anyone coming out to recognize this student? Doesn't this mean there is a lack of discipline?
This has to do with the origin of the miscellaneous studies.
In the past, the lineage of miscellaneous studies was not as noble and popular as it is now. In the beginning, the Xue Xue lineage went through many hardships. He was considered by mainstream scholarship to be "the source of mental chaos among bad people." Both the private sector and the temples shouted at him to be beaten and killed, which for a time caused the Xaxue lineage to sink to the bottom and almost be cut off.
In the long period of time that followed, although the knowledge of miscellaneous studies remained anonymous, it gradually showed its effects and showed amazing practicality in many aspects. Only then was it gradually recognized and now is it sought after.
But after experiencing that long period of darkness, people in the miscellaneous school lineage had a sense of restraint and wariness against the mainstream outside world. Although it wouldn't be called "hate", I try to hide myself as much as possible to prevent the mainstream from having any room to directly use the topic. Even if some methods are exposed, they are limited to a very small range.
It is precisely because of this that both Lin Zedong and Song Qinghe were so surprised when Zhang Yan was a member of the miscellany school, because it was too rare.
"Why don't I go find someone and ask, isn't it a hidden sect that is not under control now?" That's what Luo Changshan said to several old friends at that time. Then there was the scene where he went to the Eastern Army Camp to find his friend Shi Xuan.
Luo Changshan's original intention was to find out the specific information about the criminal soldier through Shi Xuan, and then he would go to the door to contact him and teach him some rules of the miscellaneous school lineage. If there is an opportunity, I will be prepared to lead him into the loose but still protective circle of miscellaneous studies.
These are all well-intentioned thoughts. But in Shixuan, Luo Changshan was stunned by the new news about the elixir. He couldn't help but be surprised for a while, and even wanted to explore a little more.
Because compared to things like the Bagua array, Kongming lanterns, and pulleys, the topic of elixirs has nothing to do with the knowledge of miscellaneous studies! It does have a direct interest relationship with Wu Xiu.
As a result, the identity of the other party's miscellaneous students, which was previously certain, suddenly became confusing again. Although he didn't tell Shi Xuan explicitly, he still had an idea in mind.
"Could it be that he is a cunning person who is deliberately a miscellaneous scholar?" Luo Changshan couldn't help but have this thought. But at the same time, he also knew that even if the other party was a cunning person, it would not prevent him from recognizing that the other party's methods were indeed "remarkable."
After getting the specific information about the criminal soldier, Zhang Yan, from Shi Xuan, Luo Changshan rushed to Langyuan City with the help of Shi Xuan's order and the army's post horses.
First, he found the already famous "Zhang Ji Woodware Shop" in Langyuan City. When he saw the wheelchair that was not exquisite but very practical, Luo Changshan couldn't help but have some doubts in his mind. Because this wheelchair is basically a general course, and it is also a simple application of knowledge. It is outstanding in its entry point and practicality.
"Could it be a new knowledge system developed by some hidden lineage of miscellaneous scholars? For example, that kind of elixir?" This thought made Luo Changshan's heart surge again, and he even ignored the etiquette and directly revealed his identity to invite Zhang. Yan's eldest brother led him to the door.
Luo Changshan had some knowledge of Zhang Yan's family background before he came here. It was not bad but not good either. Later, Zhang Yan gradually improved after he showed his skills in miscellaneous studies. Nowadays, it is not surprising to live in a relatively poor place like Zhuzui Lane. However, it was the Zhang family's simple affection for Luo Changshan that made Luo Changshan make some judgments in his heart, feeling that there should be no cunning people in such a family tradition.
Then Zhang Yan came out of the alchemy, with a handsome face and a certain civil and military aura. The conversation also suits Luo Changshan's taste. The two talked from dinner until early the next morning. The content was not much, but it once again confirmed Luo Changshan's last idea. He believed that Zhang Yan should be a successor of a new school who had opened up new paths in miscellaneous studies.
ps: Ten updates (10/10). Achieved!
