Chapter 50
He stared at the vast expanse of blank spaces on his exam paper, as if he hoped the answers would sprout from the page like crops in a field.
Just as his expression grew increasingly desperate, a soft, childish cough unexpectedly echoed in the study.
Zheng Fa squinted, watching as his little sister quietly raised her plump left hand.
Seemingly worried that the Seventh Young Master couldn't see her, she even shifted her exam paper slightly in his direction.
To shield her actions from Zheng Fa's gaze, she tilted her little bottom and leaned to the left, trying to conceal her small movements.
Zheng Fa shook his head helplessly. After the Seventh Young Master had made a fuss over Wang Gui, his little sister had developed quite a fondness for him, and now she was actually helping him cheat.
The Seventh Young Master stared, dumbfounded, at his sister's actions, his expression a mix of confusion and conflict. Zheng Fa could sense his dilemma—what was more embarrassing, failing to outdo a six-year-old or copying a six-year-old's answers?
After a while, Zheng Fa noticed the Seventh Young Master's head slightly turning, likely using his peripheral vision to glance at his sister's exam paper.
Zheng Fa chose not to expose them, merely shaking his head and offering the Seventh Young Master a sympathetic smile.
...
As expected, the exam results made the Seventh Young Master realize that the most embarrassing answer to his earlier dilemma was—he had copied but still failed.
Seeing the Seventh Young Master’s face darken, as if he were about to shatter, Zheng Fa exchanged glances with Gao Yuan and Zheng Shan. Once the two quietly left, he sat down beside the Seventh Young Master.
“Zheng Fa, am I really that stupid?”
The Seventh Young Master suddenly spoke up.
“You're very smart, Young Master.” Zheng Fa shook his head, genuinely meaning it; in his eyes, the problem wasn’t the Seventh Young Master’s intelligence.
After offering a brief consolation, Zheng Fa began to persuade him, “You just need a better study method.”
But the Seventh Young Master clearly wasn’t comforted, still doubting himself: “I can’t even compare to your six-year-old sister. How am I ever going to learn talisman techniques?”
“Actually, I have a secret method that doesn’t require learning math but can still help you improve in talisman techniques.”
“Another secret method? I can’t learn it, and I’m not interested.” The Seventh Young Master looked hurt.
“I’ll only teach it to you, not to them.”
“Really?” The Seventh Young Master’s eyes lit up.
“Absolutely, only you can learn it; they won’t understand talisman diagrams.” Zheng Fa spoke in a coaxing tone.
For the Seventh Young Master, failing an exam didn’t mean much—his grades had always been consistently poor in Mr. Shen’s assessments, and he had long since developed a thick skin.
But losing so badly in front of others, especially a six-year-old, was what truly troubled him.
Upon hearing that this secret method could only be learned by himself, the Seventh Young Master quickly regained his sense of superiority: “So… is it easy to learn?”
“Quick results! Just two months of special training with me, and I guarantee your skills in talisman techniques will skyrocket!”
“Really don’t have to learn that awful math?”
“Absolutely not!”
“I’m in! I knew you were the best to me, Zheng Fa!” The Seventh Young Master, who had been so thoroughly discouraged by the others, was now filled with affection for Zheng Fa and eagerly asked, “What’s the name of this secret method?”
“Sea of Questions—oh no, Sea of Diagrams Strategy.”
“What sea?” The Seventh Young Master seemed confused about the words, muttering, “I’ve only heard of the endless sea of suffering…”
Zheng Fa paused for a moment, then admired, “Young Master, while your hearing might not be great, your comprehension skills are excellent!”
“That doesn’t sound like a compliment.” The Seventh Young Master looked at Zheng Fa suspiciously. “You’re not trying to mess with me after being scared by my mother, are you?”
“Of course not! This is my ultimate method, highly effective, and I’m only sharing it with you!” Zheng Fa promised earnestly.
Indeed, no one knows a child better than their mother—
This Seventh Young Master always had a knack for being clever at the wrong times.
---
**Chapter 57: The Return of the Phoenix**
Morning.
Zheng Fa entered the Seventh Young Master’s study, carrying a stack of papers covered in talisman diagrams.
In the morning light, the Seventh Young Master sat at his desk, hair disheveled, looking utterly exhausted, his face unwashed, and his head bobbing as he fought off sleep.
Compared to the refined appearance Zheng Fa had first encountered, the Seventh Young Master now looked quite disheveled.
Hearing Zheng Fa’s footsteps, the Seventh Young Master showed no reaction, still deep in slumber, a trickle of drool almost falling onto an open talisman diagram on the desk.
Zheng Fa placed the papers in front of him.
The Seventh Young Master was jolted awake, slowly lifting his head to glance at Zheng Fa, then at the new stack of papers.
“What’s this?”
“Today’s task.” Zheng Fa smiled warmly.
The Seventh Young Master shakily extended his hand, pinching his fingers to measure the thickness of the stack, realizing his hands were far too small.
His eyes widened. “Why is this even taller than the last few days?”
“Last time, you were just starting to learn this secret method, so I reduced the workload to help you adjust.” Zheng Fa expressed his thoughtfulness. “But now, we can begin formal training.”
“Adjust?” The Seventh Young Master’s voice was filled with confusion. “I’ve only been sleeping two hours a day! Every time I open my eyes, it’s talisman diagrams, talisman diagrams, talisman diagrams! You call this adjusting? I’m about to drop dead here!”
Zheng Fa shook his head. The Sea of Diagrams Strategy was indeed a bit harsh for someone like the Seventh Young Master, who had never really applied himself to studying.
But with only two months to work with, there was no other choice.
These talisman diagrams weren’t just randomly selected by Zheng Fa.
The notebook given to him by the old man Bai was something he intended to keep to himself—one “Ling He Shen” had already caused him considerable trouble, making him more cautious about sharing modern knowledge.
However, to help the Seventh Young Master improve his ability to analyze talisman diagrams, he needed to impart some techniques from it.
Zheng Fa decided to first learn the methods in the notebook himself, then find similar diagrams that could be analyzed using those techniques, presenting them to the Seventh Young Master daily for analysis.
This would subtly help him grasp the underlying techniques.
It was somewhat akin to the specialized training found in modern schools.
This approach was a bit tiring for Zheng Fa, but it was safe.
On the other hand, it also forced him to deepen his understanding of these methods.
“I’m done!” Looking at the unfinished diagrams from yesterday and then at the new ones Zheng Fa had brought, the Seventh Young Master pushed the desk and stood up.
Zheng Fa wasn’t surprised; he had already been somewhat astonished that the Seventh Young Master had managed to endure for so many days.
“Really not going to study anymore?” he asked, looking at the Seventh Young Master.
“Not studying!” The Seventh Young Master shook his head resolutely.
“Alright.” Zheng Fa turned to Gao Yuan. “Bring me that box I brought.”
“Sure thing!” Gao Yuan cheerfully scampered over with a long rectangular box.
“What’s this?” The Seventh Young Master looked a bit puzzled.
“A few days ago, the lady sent Butler Wu to find me and entrusted me with a magical artifact.” Zheng Fa spoke gravely as he took the long box from Gao Yuan.
“A magical artifact?” The Seventh Young Master was taken aback.
Zheng Fa opened the box and pulled out a long vine, elegantly tied with a red ribbon.
“Why does this look so familiar?” The Seventh Young Master furrowed his brow in thought.
“The lady gifted it to me; I named it the Shangfang Treasure Vine. Butler Wu said that if you give up halfway, this vine will be like the lady herself coming to you.” Zheng Fa held the vine, his smile growing even gentler. “Allow me to give you a little motivation.”
“I recognize it now!” The Seventh Young Master suddenly realized. “Isn’t this what my mother used to discipline me when I was little?”
“Good memory, Young Master!”
As Zheng Fa approached with the vine in hand, the Seventh Young Master’s face turned increasingly pale. “Stop! My mother only used this to scare me; she loves me too much to ever really hit me!”
“Right, the lady said that as soon as she hears you cry or sees you in tears, she simply can’t bear it. So she gave the vine to me.” Zheng Fa waved the vine. “If I hit you, she won’t hear or see it.”
“…” The Seventh Young Master plopped down in his chair, looking obedient. “I’ll study! Just don’t hit me!”
...
Watching the Seventh Young Master bury his head in his studies, Gao Yuan sighed regretfully.
“What’s wrong?” Zheng Fa turned to ask him.
“The Young Master has no backbone.”
Gao Yuan whispered, disappointed that the Seventh Young Master didn’t seem to be getting punished.
“Don’t think I can’t hear you.” The Seventh Young Master glared at Gao Yuan.
Gao Yuan quickly covered his mouth.
The Seventh Young Master frowned and looked at Gao Yuan a few times. “I suddenly realize you might have some talent for learning talisman techniques too. Why don’t we study together?”
“Absolutely not!” Gao Yuan waved his hands frantically. “I’m not that lucky!”
The Seventh Young Master glanced at the gloating Gao Yuan, then at Zheng Fa standing nearby, and couldn’t help but scold, “You little opportunist, you’re all in cahoots! My future life is going to be dark and dreary!”
Suddenly, the room was plunged into darkness.
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