Chapitre 4: Values and Growth
The elderly man's health was already not good, and after being pushed by Tang Hao, a rough and burly man, he became even worse.
Yun Feng hurriedly stepped forward to help him up. Tang San, who had initially wanted to move over as well, hesitated when he saw his father, and ultimately didn't take that step.
Yun Feng glared at the tightly shut door for a long time. After his anger subsided, a faint smile emerged.
Originally, Yun Feng had only planned to live his own life peacefully. Though Old Jack was in great pain, as Yun Feng helped him up to leave, Jack still shouted loudly.
"Xiao San, Grandpa Jack will come to pick you up tomorrow. This year, the village's work-study spot will go to you. You'll go to Nuoding City's Primary Soul Master Academy to study. The village will cover the travel expenses."
"Don't worry about your drunkard of a father!"
Old Jack's shout was destined to receive no response.
Seeing his grandfather like this, Yun Feng frowned but didn't say much.
Some things are better left unsaid among family members.
Still, there were some things that needed to be addressed.
Yun Feng, supporting Jack by the waist, gently said:
"Grandpa, why do you insist on sending Tang San to the Nuoding Primary Soul Master Academy?"
Upon hearing this, Jack's eyes showed a hint of nostalgia.
"Feng'er, it's not that I must send Tang San. It's just that this child is so pitiful. We can help him, so we should. His father is completely irresponsible."
Yun Feng sighed. Maybe it was Jack's personality that allowed him, who had reincarnated as an infant, to survive until now!
"I understand, Grandpa. Let's head home."
Old Jack nodded, but there was a look of pain in his eyes.
"Tang Hao, that brute, pushed me too hard! It hurts so much!"
Yun Feng saw it clearly but was helpless. He wasn't a healing-type soul master, and he didn't have any means of treatment, so all he could do was fulfill his duty and take good care of Jack.
The next morning, there was a knock on the door.
Yun Feng got up to check and saw Tang San standing outside, carrying his belongings.
Yun Feng glanced at him and said directly:
"You've made up your mind?"
Tang San noticed that Yun Feng's attitude seemed a bit colder today than before, but he didn't dwell on it, knowing that soon he would begin learning about this world's cultivation system.
"I'm here to find Grandpa Jack. I've decided to go to school!"
"About yesterday... I'm sorry. My father didn't mean it."
Yun Feng nodded, not saying anything further.
At that moment, Jack heard the commotion and came out, leaning on his cane, trembling.
Seeing Jack's state, Yun Feng spoke up immediately:
"Grandpa, why don't we go by ourselves? You don't need to see us off—you're still injured!"
Jack shook his head with a kind smile and said to Yun Feng:
"It's okay. This is your first time going out into the world. Grandpa has to watch over you."
Yun Feng remained silent for a moment. Tang San, lost in thought, also nodded.
"Alright then, it's getting late. Let's set off early. We wouldn't want to be late."
Seeing that Jack had made up his mind, Yun Feng didn't hesitate. He returned to his room, gathered his things, and filled a flask with hot water he had prepared in advance before heading out.
The three of them walked along the road together. Yun Feng glanced back at the village.
"Feng'er, you can't bear to leave the village, can you?"
Jack gently patted Yun Feng's head and smiled as he asked.
"A little, yes," Yun Feng replied softly.
Jack smiled warmly. "You're such a thoughtful and sentimental child. Don't worry too much. The world outside is vast. Once you're at the academy, you'll meet many friends and learn a lot of new things. When you earn the title of soul master, the country will give you a monthly subsidy. Then, you can always come back and visit."
"So remember, Feng'er, Xiao San, always be grateful to the Spirit Hall. If it weren't for them, commoners like us would never have a chance to rise."
Both Yun Feng and Tang San nodded. However, Tang San, puzzled, asked Jack:
"Grandpa Jack, you said the country gives soul masters a subsidy every month, so why should we thank the Spirit Hall?"
Hearing this, Jack's eyes, previously clouded with age, suddenly deepened as he sighed:
"The country? They don't care about us common folk. The nobles exploit us without mercy. If it weren't for the Spirit Hall's protection, we'd be at their mercy…"
Tang San, being a transmigrator, was already familiar with the dynamics of the world. Since he wasn't of noble birth, Jack's words seemed to trigger some realization in him.
"I understand now, Grandpa Jack."
Yun Feng looked at Tang San at that moment, and his heart couldn't help but feel a ripple of worry.
Could his presence have caused some kind of butterfly effect?
What would happen if Tang San joined the Spirit Hall and ended up facing his own father?
At the thought of this, Yun Feng shivered.
He didn't want to think about it!
However, Tang San wasn't done with his questions. He continued:
"Grandpa Jack, do you know what the academy is like?"
Jack chuckled and said:
"An academy is a place to learn, of course. I've never been, but I know the basics. Our village gets a work-study spot every year, but it's been many years since anyone's gone. Work-study students have a lot of benefits. Their tuition and boarding fees are waived, and they only need to cover their own meals. You can work at the academy, like cleaning classrooms, to earn food. Overall, being a work-study student is almost the same as studying for free. If we had to pay, people like us wouldn't be able to afford it."
Tang San's eyes widened as he realized something. He looked at Jack and Yun Feng and asked:
"Grandpa Jack, you've already given me the work-study spot. What about Yun Feng? Isn't he going to school too?"
Jack glanced at Tang San and Yun Feng before answering:
"There'll be a way. I'll make sure Feng'er goes to school. Xiao San, please take care of Yun Feng in the future. After all, you're a genius!"
For some reason, Tang San felt a strange unease looking at the elderly man, but he nodded in agreement.
Yun Feng could tell that Tang San wasn't inherently bad. However, the ancient mindset of "heaven, earth, ruler, parent, teacher" had deeply influenced him. Following Yu Xiaogang had led him astray.
In the early days, Tang San cooked for his drunken father, chopped wood, and did chores. These traits weren't bad at all. But later on...
His values were too heavily influenced as he grew.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone