Volume One

Chapter 0001: The Second Harvest

“All under heaven know beauty as beauty, and thus ugliness exists; all know good as good, and thus not-good exists.”

“Therefore, being and non-being give birth to each other, difficulty and ease complement each other, long and short contrast with each other, high and low incline toward each other, sound and voice harmonize with each other, front and back follow each other.”

“And so the sage deals with affairs through non-action, and teaches without words!”

The morning light shone on Pingshou County. In front of the window of a household on the northwest side of the city, the clear and slightly youthful sound of reading drifted out. A young boy stomped his feet, pushed open the wooden door, tightened his somewhat thin clothes, avoided the school, and, holding a book, went to the backyard, taking several deep breaths of air.

It was the beginning of autumn, and the air in the courtyard was cool and refreshing, making one feel even more awake.

The boy was thin, wearing cloth shoes on his feet, and now stood in front of the window, lost in thought.

No one knew how much time had passed before the boy slowly put down his book, gazed at the busy crowd in the distance, then stared at the Daoist scripture in his hand, smiled bitterly in silence, and after a long while, let out a sigh.

In this world where Daoist arts manifest miracles, three Dao Lords have passed down the general principles of Daoist teachings, and five Emperors have passed down Daoist canons. Collectively known as the Three Classics and Five Canons, every word is a gem, probing the origins of all things in heaven and earth, with the Dao as the ultimate principle.

But just like the Dao De Jing on Earth, although these are the highest secrets of the Daoist sect, with nothing above them—even the Dao Lords and Emperors themselves follow these as their Dao—for ordinary people, they are like the sun and moon: visible, but untouchable.

Thus, in this world, the Three Classics and Five Canons are the content of the imperial examinations. First, one must thoroughly study the supreme Daoist scriptures, ponder the meaning of the Dao, awaken the light of the heart, accumulate Daoist nature, and then gradually advance.

There are four stages: the Child Examination, the County Examination, the Provincial Examination, and the Palace Examination, all testing one’s understanding of the Great Dao. In the end, the Dao Lords and Emperors select disciples from among the successful candidates—this is the system of advancement in this world!

Of course, besides the direct lineages of the Dao Lords and Emperors, there are many other Daoist sects. Even if scholars and recommended men cannot become advanced scholars, they can still choose to join one.

In just over ten days, it would be time for the county’s Child Examination.

Many clan youths would go to take the test. According to the rules of this world, anyone between fifteen and twenty-five years old can take the Child Examination, which is held once every three years, giving a total of three chances.

If one succeeds, even if there is no further progress, one gains the qualification to practice Daoist arts—equivalent to a gun license on Earth—and can cultivate openly and legitimately.

But if one cannot become a child scholar, one does not even have the right to practice. Violators are executed.

If one fails, one can withdraw and try again, but if one fails repeatedly, according to the unspoken rules of the Child Examination, it is basically impossible to succeed thereafter.

Because cultivating the Dao is not just about literary talent, but also about the body and age. Once over twenty-five, unless one has deep Daoist insight, it truly becomes harder and harder.

In summary, the Child Examination is three chances at life for ordinary people in this world. If you pass, you can grasp a part of your future; if not, you are dust—this is the same in any world.

Even if you are a transmigrator.

This young man, Edward Clark, suddenly recalled a poem.

“With regret I plant melons beneath the yellow terrace,

When the melons ripen, the children are many.

The first picking makes the melons good,

The second picking makes them few.

The third picking is still possible,

The fourth picking, I return with the vines in my arms!”

His first crossing from Earth to this world was the first picking; dying and reviving, returning again to the moment of transmigration at age fifteen, was the second picking. He feared he had exhausted his luck—he dared not think of a third or fourth.

One could say that now, aside from some foreknowledge, his luck was probably not even as good as the first time he crossed over, and he could not afford the slightest slackness or hesitation.

As he pondered, a maid walked out into the courtyard, her hair in twin buns, holding a thick outer robe, running around the rockery.

Seeing the boy, she handed him the robe and softly scolded, “Young master, you’ve caught a chill. How can you just run out like this, and so early too? Come back inside!”

Hearing this gentle urging, Edward Clark glanced at her. Her fair, palm-sized face, bright black eyes, and petite figure had not yet matured. To be honest, she was not exactly beautiful, but her delicate features carried a sense of familiarity, awakening many memories of the past.

This maid was named Grace, bought for him by his mother when she was alive. She had been with him since childhood for several years. Though a maid, their bond was not small.

Those who have never experienced it will never understand a lonely transmigrator’s longing for love—this longing has nothing to do with age or status!

Thinking of this, the previously cheerful Edward Clark felt a bit downcast for some reason, and smiled, “I just remembered some things and some people, so I wanted to come out and take a look.”

Grace twisted her fingers, a little puzzled, but still insisted, “But it’s cold…”

Those clear black-and-white eyes reminded him again—not to be fooled by her young age, in some ways she was very stubborn!

Unable to refuse any longer, Edward Clark smiled bitterly, put away his book, and nodded, “Alright.”

With that, he carried his book and walked back into the house. Grace hurried after him. The morning mist veiled their figures, and only their clear voices could be faintly heard.

“In a few days it will be the autumn Child Examination. Has… has young master prepared?”

“These past two days I’ve reviewed the scriptures and am already familiar with them. There’s no problem…”