“The young lady is called Lady Carter?” William Grant turned around to look at the woman in red and returned her greeting.

He had just heard Mr. Foster’s fox call the woman in red Lady Carter.

“Miss Lady Carter must also be a fox spirit with profound cultivation, able to take on human form.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Lady Carter replied with a bright smile, “Transformation is merely an illusion, using thoughts to confuse the minds of ordinary people, like the so-called ‘ghost wall’—it can only deceive commoners and fishermen who fear spirits and ghosts. For a learned scholar like you, such illusions have no effect. I am not a fox, but a human.”

“Indeed, with clarity of mind and understanding, one’s thoughts remain pure and are not swayed by spirits or demons. Things whose true nature is known are not frightening; with no fear, the mind is steady, and demons cannot cause trouble.” William Grant nodded.

“Sir, do you agree to become their teacher?” Lady Carter asked.

“To enlighten beasts is the work of sages. Though I am unworthy, I shall reluctantly play the sage this once.” William Grant nodded.

“In that case, that’s good. But I must test you first. Ten taels of red gold a month is enough to open a school; I can’t just give it away for nothing.” Lady Carter fixed her gaze on William Grant.

In that instant, William Grant sensed a commanding air from Lady Carter.

“What does Miss Lady Carter wish to test me on? Poetry, prose, classics, or essays? If it’s archery or horsemanship, I’m afraid I can’t manage.” William Grant said seriously.

“Of course I won’t test you on archery or horsemanship. I’ll just ask you one question.” Lady Carter asked without hesitation, “What is the greatest thing in the world?”

Lady Carter blurted it out, clearly this question had troubled her for a long time.

“What is the greatest thing in the world?” William Grant pondered, “Of course, it is reason that is greatest.”

“Reason is greatest?” A hint of joy appeared on Lady Carter’s face. “What a wonderful answer—reason is greatest. Fortunately, I paused by Autumn Moon Temple today and heard you composing poetry. I knew then you were no ordinary man. Sir, you have resolved a great doubt of mine.”

“Sir, you can compose poetry?” Mr. Foster exclaimed in surprise, his pair of emerald fox eyes filled with delight, as if he had discovered a treasure.

“Only a line or two on occasion.” William Grant replied modestly. A cold wind blew by, and he suddenly felt a bit chilly.

“Sir, come sit by the bonfire.” Mr. Foster also noticed that William Grant looked a bit thin, and the night wind in the secluded valley was quite cold, so he immediately invited William Grant to the fire.

By the bonfire were many small, finely crafted wooden stools, and a group of foxes sat like humans, reading books.

By the firelight, William Grant saw that the books these foxes held were not the cultivation manuals he had imagined, but rather popular children’s primers like “The Thousand Character Classic,” “The Hundred Family Surnames,” and “The Three Character Classic.”

“I’ve read many notes and records, in which foxes are always described as possessing great magical powers, skilled in cultivation, and capable of endless transformations. I wonder if Mr. Foster possesses such abilities?” Looking at all this, William Grant felt these foxes were quite different from the legendary fox spirits, and couldn’t help but ask.

“Among foxes who can transform, not even one in ten thousand exists—they are all extraordinary talents. Our fox clan is born no different from ordinary beasts, muddle-headed and ignorant. Only a small number can develop human-like intelligence, learn to use fire, and eat cooked food by following humans. Of these, an even smaller number can learn to read and understand reason. Only after understanding reason, and by chance, can they learn the way of cultivation, and eventually, if their yin spirit becomes as strong as a Daoist ghost immortal, can they transform. Our cultivation is entirely learned from the methods of virtuous humans. Humans are heaven’s favored children, with boundless wisdom and unfathomable bodies. I once lived near the Great Zen Temple in Central Province for a time, watching the monks there cultivate and chant day and night, and thus learned a little about cultivation. For a fox to gain human nature and understand reason, and then cultivate, it requires all sorts of coincidences. We are far inferior to humans. These little foxes now have only a simple spiritual nature, so we invited you, sir, to teach them to read and write. Only by understanding reason can they cultivate.”

Mr. Foster spoke at length, with clear logic.

“I wonder, what is the way of cultivation? How does one cultivate?” William Grant asked.

“The Great Qian Dynasty values the Dao. Outside the city is the famous Jade Capital Daoist Temple, home to the Fangxian sect. The Daoist arts of refining and focusing the spirit, and the yin spirit leaving the body, are widely practiced. The profound and mysterious aspects of these arts far surpass our superficial knowledge. Sir, as a scholar, why do you settle for less and seek us foxes for cultivation advice, instead of consulting the Daoist priests at the temple?” Mr. Foster asked curiously.

“Oh? Scholars do not speak of strange powers or spirits, so I know little of these things. But since I have the chance today, I’d like to ask.” William Grant knew that the Jade Capital Temple outside the city was the largest Daoist temple, with many priests, some even currying favor at court and making elixirs in the palace. But such people were despised by scholars, who believed they used talk of spirits and ghosts to deceive the people.