Chapter 82: King Zhou Presents the Treasure

After sipping a few mouthfuls of tea, Chu Xiaoyu continued, “Returning to the original topic, education must begin with children. From an early age, we should cultivate their ability to think independently, to create, and to work with their hands. This is the true essence of education.”

“You may select demonstration sites to try this out. For example, in some remote villages and towns, you could establish schools—starting with preschool, then elementary, middle, high school, and even university, all integrated if conditions allow.”

“Of course, setting up such institutions will be very difficult, and the resistance will be immense. I am merely offering you a reasonable suggestion. If you truly wish for your nation to develop and become strong, and not be conquered or destroyed, honestly, you might consider making these changes. Perhaps, in the future, when you look back, you will be greatly surprised.”

A tree dies if it is moved, but a person thrives by changing his environment.

Yin Shang has only twenty-eight years of national destiny left. Whether it survives or perishes depends on King Zhou’s own choices.

“Very well! I will heed your advice, sir. It seems this reform is not only a reform of the land, but also a nationwide reform of the people,” King Zhou said, his eyes shining with determination.

He constantly remembered the twenty-eight years left for his nation; more anxious than anyone, he was resolved not to be a ruler who presided over its downfall, and so he knew he must address the root of all problems.

“Sir, if these schools are established, how should we educate the children? And what about the curriculum for elementary, middle, high school, and university? Wouldn’t we need a great scholar to devise all of this?”

Establishing such schools would be a monumental undertaking, and Bi Gan understood the enormity of the task.

“Ahem... As for that, once you return, you should discuss it together. I can’t help you much. Of course, I can offer you some small assistance.”

A suggestion is just a suggestion; whether you choose to act and pursue reform is up to your own will.

“Sir, regarding the education of children, I have only a vague idea. Surely you, sir, have more concrete suggestions?” King Zhou pressed, as if determined to squeeze every drop of wisdom from Chu Xiaoyu.

Well then.

Damn it, it feels like I’ve lifted a stone only to smash my own foot.

Having offered a framework for future construction, now they want to extract my very flesh and blood, heart, liver, and lungs?

What is this? Having eaten my fill and with nothing else to do, I’ve gotten myself into trouble.

“Ah! I forgot something important,” King Zhou said.

Seeing Chu Xiaoyu’s indifferent expression, King Zhou moved his mind and produced the Universe Bag.

With a rustling sound, he poured its contents onto the table—a cascade of Yin Shang jade coins glittered as they tumbled out.

“Sir, these are jade coins I handpicked to thank you for your efforts,” King Zhou said.

The entire table was piled with jade coins, their dazzling brilliance almost blinding.

“Wow! Sir, the purity of these jades is remarkable. They’re all excellent pieces.”

“Sir, this seems to be golden jade, which is extremely rare in the world.”

“Let me see... It really does seem so.”

Crystal clear and nearly flawless, these were truly top-grade jades, rare even in a hundred years—or perhaps, rare in thousands.

After all, these treasures really did come from the Yin Shang dynasty.

Though delight shone in his eyes and joy filled his heart, Chu Xiaoyu kept a nonchalant composure, “Well, since you, Di Xin, have shown such sincerity, I’ll reluctantly accept them.”

A windfall, indeed.

Last time, Sun Wukong gifted three luminous pearls, which Chu Xiaoyu consigned through Su’s family to an auction house, where they fetched a price of 1.8 billion.

It was said that a seasoned collector bought them and treasured them as peerless gems.

After all, those luminous pearls came from the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, genuine treasures.

The sale at 1.8 billion caused a sensation in the antiques world.

All the while, playing mahjong and discussing the ways of governance, King Zhou and the others lingered until after midnight, reluctant to part.

But when the mysterious gate of immortals appeared, radiating golden light and issuing a summons like a death knell, they had no choice but to leave.

Having received a generous gift of jade coins from young Zhou, Chu Xiaoyu reciprocated by copying the “Three Character Classic” for them, as a primer for the children.

King Zhou was overjoyed, knelt before Chu Xiaoyu three times with nine bows, and left contentedly.

Elsewhere in the residence—

Tang Ao and Professor Owen suddenly “woke up,” the process so uncanny that neither knew what strange events had befallen them.

Their interrupted memories felt inexplicable and eerie.

They seemed to recall napping until dusk, yet upon “waking,” found it was already night outside—indeed, past midnight.

Page two of three.

“Ah! Professor Owen, do you feel as if we both had a terrifying nightmare?” Tang Ao said.

They remembered waking at dusk, but now it was three in the morning. What was going on?

What had happened during that vanished stretch of time? Had someone stolen it?

Professor Owen adjusted his glasses, equally shocked. “Yes, I have the same intense feeling. No wonder Bai Feng and Kunbu said that, even if you beat them to death, they’d never enter this strange manor again. I am now certain of one thing: this manor is peculiar—extremely peculiar.”

“So what should we do now? Should we stay and investigate, or leave tomorrow?”

As president of the Xuan Sect Society, Tang Ao had always been confident.

But since entering this uncanny manor, the increasingly bizarre events around him had shaken his certainty.

In the end, he began to doubt himself.

Could he be losing his mind?

Professor Owen pondered and shook his head. “Let’s not leave yet. Now that we’ve made discoveries, we should stay and see if there are more opportunities to explore. Let’s wait; something may happen.”

Like a mantis stalking a cicada, only to be caught by the oriole behind; the cat-and-mouse game was growing ever more interesting.

...

The next morning, Iron Fan hurried to inform Chu Xiaoyu that the two guests, early in the day, were sneaking about like thieves in the backyard.

Curious, Iron Fan followed them quietly, and saw the two men pull out some strange bottles.

They gathered soil into the bottles, then leaves, and finally filled another bottle with spring water.

In the end, they returned to their room, quite pleased with themselves.

Chu Xiaoyu only smiled and said, “Let them be; they can do as they please.”

A tiger bears no malice, but man can wound the tiger’s heart.

One day, they will pay the price for their curiosity, as the cat killed by its own inquisitiveness.

Page three of three.