A strong and unique smell drifted to his nostrils.

  Xun Xie observed the study room's bookshelves, packed with books, animal skin scrolls, and exquisitely framed scrolls. Various styled paintings hung on the walls.

  Mr. Song sat at a large desk reading a thick book. Hearing footsteps, he looked up at Xun Xie with a warm smile. "Come."

  "Meet Mr. Song," Xun Xie bowed.

  Feudal etiquette varies by dynasty. Fortunately, no empire holds sway here, but basic politeness never hurts - especially with someone stronger or richer than you.

  "No need for such formality." Mr. Song nodded lightly, gesturing to a smaller desk beside him.

  "Sit there. There's a copybook on the table. Practice from it, and ask me about any characters you don't know."

  Xun Xie understood and took his seat.

  The four treasures of study lay ready in the upper right corner - pen, ink, paper, and inkstone.

  Opening the copybook revealed ancient characters.

  Elegant, neat, and quaint - the stippling vigorous yet simple.

  "Beautiful writing," Xun Xie said sincerely.

  I've seen calligraphy before, but this... this shows true mastery. Even someone who knows nothing about the art can tell it's exceptional.

  Mr. Song rose and walked to Xun Xie's side, examining the copybook. "This copybook is from the calligraphy master 'Li Shu.' If you can copy it well, capture even one or two aspects of his style, your calligraphy will improve greatly."

  Xun Xie understood perfectly.

  In any world, text and images carry knowledge, and knowledge changes fate.

  How many ancient libraries burned, taking irreplaceable knowledge with them?

  "Learning more never hurts." This was in my plans anyway, just lower priority than martial arts. But since it's come to me...

  Xun Xie focused on copying, asking Mr. Song about unfamiliar characters.

  An hour passed without notice.

  In my past life, I'd have been thinking about games or going out while studying. Now, with those distractions gone, learning itself becomes the entertainment.

  Yet Xun Xie found calligraphy no easier than martial arts. Without serious effort, good writing remained elusive.

  "Practicing calligraphy wastes so much paper," Xun Xie sighed.

  He didn't know paper prices here, but they certainly weren't cheap, even for rough grass paper.

  This Mr. Song must be wealthy indeed.

  You could fake the manor, but these supplies? Especially consumables like paper that need constant replacing...

  Now, it was time for dinner.

  Mr. Song kept his promise about meals.

  Two maids brought dinner - four dishes and soup with rice. Three meat dishes, one vegetable, rich in taste, nutrients, and variety.

  Xun Xie feasted alone, savoring every bite. The cooking matched any restaurant's quality.

  After eating, he left Song Mansion and rode his donkey back to the Earth Temple in Yin Village.

  The next day.

  Xun Xie won Great Clarity - perfect timing for his new job. Ten times critical.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  By sunset, he arrived at Song Mansion for calligraphy practice and began writing!

  Calligraphy +10

  Calligraphy +10

  Calligraphy +10

  ...

  As expected.

  Great Clarity is amazing - gives plug-in Xie unmatched learning ability.

  His copywork improved rapidly, characters finally taking proper shape instead of chicken scratches.

  His strokes were heavy and forceful, bleeding ink into paper. Eastern Song observed silently, noting his intense concentration.

  "You have quite the grip, Xun Xie," Eastern Song commented. "Have you been practicing calligraphy for long?"

  "No, sir," Xun Xie replied. "I have only practiced a little on my own. It helps calm my mind and focus my thoughts."

  Eastern Song nodded approvingly. "Indeed, calligraphy can center one's mind. But you need a lighter touch. The art lies not in strength, but in control and grace of stroke."

  Xun Xie listened carefully, adjusting his grip and continuing under Eastern Song's guidance, his strokes becoming smoother and more precise.

  As night deepened, Xun Xie put down his brush. "Thank you, sir. I've learned much from your instruction today."

  Eastern Song smiled. "You have potential, Xun Xie. With practice and patience, your calligraphy will show your inner strength and composure."

  Noticing Xun Xie's shabby clothes, he ordered his housekeeper to buy two new sets as reward for today's progress.

  It is rare to win Great Clarity, much less getting ten-crit instead of zero or double. Not wanting to waste it, Xun Xie practiced until well after dark.

  Walking at night was dangerous.

  Song Mansion was huge with many rooms, and Mr. Song had offered food and lodging, so Xun Xie stayed the night.

  Mr. Song even assigned a maid to attend him

  The maid, Lan Yue, was twenty-eight, with a mature beauty that showed in her graceful movements. Her oval face held gentle features, offset by sharp, intelligent eyes. Though her clothes were simple as befitting her station, they couldn't hide her natural elegance.

  She prepared his bath, made his bed, led the donkey to the stable, and fed it concentrate.

  Xun Xie enjoyed a comfortable bath and slept in the soft bed. Now I understand what it means to truly enjoy life.

  These conditions surpassed even his 21st-century white-collar lifestyle.

  Small pleasures, comfortable living.

  Time flew by.

  Two months passed in a flash.

  Xun Xie maintained his daily basic skills training. With help from the lottery wheel and decent luck these past weeks, his horse stance endurance grew from thirty minutes to forty, then fifty, and now a full hour.

  His basic skills excelled.

  The other apprentices who started with him hadn't finished their training, while he surpassed them, boosted by great food, perfect form, and daily grinding.

  His calligraphy improved tremendously - his copies almost matched the master references. Besides some subtle artistic elements he hadn't mastered, ordinary people couldn't tell true from false.

  I mustn't show my true level. He deliberately wrote poorly in front of Mr. Song.

  Still, Mr. Song constantly praised him, saying Xun Xie's calligraphy would soon match his own.

  Meanwhile, Xun Xie had explored nearly all of Blue Grain Town, finding hidden treasures in every street corner and alley.

  It is a shame these finds are one-time only.

  Once found, they were gone. Non-renewable resources.

  This way of making money will naturally come to an end.

  Fortunately, Xun Xie is not short of money for the time being.

  With Mr. Song paying two taels of silver every month, including food and housing, Xun Xie's expenses are not so tight.

  During his trips home to the valley, he'd won Treasure Seeker several times and found some special leaves that enhanced digestion. He chewed them like gum, and his food intake had increased dramatically. I considered not eating them, but the extra food isn't going to waste - it's clearly benefiting my body, not just satisfying my appetite. Plus this gummy grass actually tastes good.

  Their effects proved almost too potent, drawing odd looks from the breakfast vendor. He had to spread his meals across different stalls to avoid attention - expensive, but necessary.

  It seems the plug-in choses its words carefully - that 'greatly' in the 'greatly increases digestion' wasn't an exaggeration.

  The expenses were worth it though. Xun Xie had grown taller, his body visibly stronger.

  Today, he approached Old Man Hu earnestly. "Old Man Hu, please check if this disciple's basic skills meet the standard."

  "Okay, take a step," Old Man Hu continued.

  Xun Xie spread his legs apart, his soles seeming to root into the ground as he stood firmly.

  The next moment, Old Man Hu suddenly raised his hand and placed it on Xun Xie's chest.

  Xun Xie's body tensed as powerful force rushed through him. In an instant, the air in his chest expelled, his whole body pushed back, feet sliding on the ground.

  Chi chi chi...

  Xun Xie stopped, still maintaining his Horse Step stance, but now ten paces away from Old Man Hu.

  "Not bad, you are considered qualified." Old Man Hu raised his eyebrows and nodded slowly.

  Xun Xie came back to his senses, overjoyed.

  "Mr. Hu, this disciple can now learn the moves?" Xun Xie always remembered what Mr. Hu had said - start with basic skills, then learn the moves after mastering them. These were the core of martial arts!

  "Okay, starting tomorrow, I'll pass on your moves." Old Man Hu smiled. "Oh, by the way, if you want to learn moves, the cost will increase - five taels per month."

  Xun Xie was instantly speechless. Is this old bandit playing tricks?

  Old Man Hu's expression turned serious. "Also, you have to eat more meat, not ordinary meat - meat from exotic animals!"

  "Exotic animal meat?" Xun Xie frowned.

  Old Man Hu smiled. "I have it here. I can sell you a tael of exotic animal meat for a tael of silver, and this old man is not deceiving. Although you are still young, you must eat at least one or two exotic animal meat taels every day."

  Xun Xie felt that Old Man Hu was still robbing him. "Do you have to eat it?" he hesitantly asked.

  Old Man Hu smiled leisurely, unperturbed.

  In the evening, Xun Xie rode a donkey back to Yin Village, where he wanted to dig out the hidden silver taels.