Qingfeng Bookstore, where books are piled up.
Although there is an air of literature, the scholar on the ground is in a pitiful state.
A man with the surname Zhao steps on the scholar's back and spits on the back of the scholar's head.
The scholar's face is bruised and swollen, with hands flailing helplessly.
The onlooking scholars whisper among themselves.
"Why did he provoke the River Saber Sect?"
"I heard he wrote a poem criticizing them because the girl he liked married a disciple of the River Saber Sect."
"It's over for him, provoking the River Saber Sect, he'll have no good days ahead."
"I've already reported it to the authorities; the constable will be here soon."
Qin An listened and understood what had happened.
Around Ding County, there are many powers, and the River Saber Sect is one of them.
It's said that even the yamen shows great respect to the River Saber Sect, though the specific reason is unknown.
Qin An didn't get involved and stood aside watching.
If this were a novel from his previous life, the protagonist would undoubtedly be filled with rage and draw his saber in anger.
But Qin An wouldn't do such a thing.
This is reality, not a novel.
If one really acted like in the novels, they wouldn't survive past the third chapter.
Besides, this is Ding County, and it's not his place to intervene, haven't they already reported it to the authorities?
The man named Zhao kept beating the scholar, who was almost more dead than alive.
At that moment, footsteps sounded from not far away.
A few constables came from a distance and immediately restrained the man named Zhao.
The man named Zhao struggled and said, "What are you doing, don't meddle in Zhao Jinsheng's business, you should know that when your County Lord sees my Sect Leader, he treats him as an honored guest."
The head constable, with cunning eyes, quickly whispered in Zhao Jinsheng's ear, "Mr. Zhao, causing someone's death in the city isn't good—after all, it's still our own people; the beating has been done, let's leave it at that."
As he spoke, he exchanged looks with the constables next to him.
The constables went forward to lift the scholar, slapping him on the face: "Corrupt literati, writing random poetry, lock him up in jail for three days."
Zhao Jinsheng saw this and knew that with the crowd around, it wasn't good to act further.
Besides, he had vented his anger, so he said no more.
The constable patted Zhao Jinsheng on the shoulder, saying, "Mr. Zhao, let's go to the tavern to vent your anger."
Zhao Jinsheng's eyes lit up, nodding, "Good, good, it's always you who understand me, I'll show mercy and spare this lousy scholar."
Soon, a few constables left together with Zhao Jinsheng.
The scholars present clenched their fists, looking angry but not daring to say anything.
They saw what had just happened and knew very well that the constables and Zhao Jinsheng were in cahoots.
But they hadn't passed the imperial exams and were just ordinary people, not daring to intervene.
Though they were angry, they couldn't vent it anywhere.
Afterwards, several scholars took the lead, and the crowd gradually dispersed.
Qin An watched the constables leave, and after the scholars dispersed, he followed them into the bookstore.
What just happened was merely an interlude; Qin An hadn't forgotten why he came.
As for that scholar, being locked up for a few days is already quite fortunate for him.
Inside the bookstore, rows upon rows of bookshelves came into view.
Though Qingfeng Bookstore in Ding County is just a branch, Emperor of Daqian promotes military and literary pursuits, and everything needed is here in small measure.
Qin An's attire was different from scholars, but it did not attract much attention.
The bookstore allows scholars to read freely, but taking books out requires renting or buying with silver coins.
The scholars who come here at this time are mostly like Qin An, freeloaders.
Qin An went directly to a bookshelf, picked up a book, and began leafing through it casually.
Though his actions were casual, his gaze was earnest.
To improve proficiency with the Golden Finger, practice requires full concentration.
After reading for a while, a line of text floated before Qin An's eyes.
[Scholar +1]
"Just as expected, the scholar profession requires reading to take effect." Qin An thought as he gripped the book.
The situation was exactly as he had imagined, requiring only reading to enhance proficiency.
Having gained insight, Qin An continued to read seriously.
Other scholars around him were equally serious.
Time passed continuously, and no one disturbed Qin An in the bookstore.
In the interim, Qin An left to eat lunch and dinner outside before returning to the bookstore to continue reading.
Not until the evening glow appeared in the sky did Qin An finally stop.
[Scholar lv.1 (50/100): Your reading speed is slightly increased]
From morning to afternoon, he gained 50 proficiency points.
At this rate, he expected to reach the perfect level one by tomorrow.
Qin An was not in a hurry.
Previously, he had been stuck at level three of the Butcher profession for so long, yet Qin An endured, and now, it's just a day's time, which seemed short to Qin An.
"The bookstore is closing; I'll return tomorrow."
Qin An made up his mind.
He could spend money to rent or buy books and continue reading at home.
But Qin An thought it inadvisable to do so.
Firstly, balance work and rest, keeping mentally fresh in such turbulent times.
Secondly, if the butcher took books home and it was noticed, there might be trouble.
Staying steady is the key to survival.
After placing the book back on the shelf, Qin An headed home.
...
The sky lit up with evening glow, and cooking smoke curled around.
As Qin An neared his street, the evening glow faded, and darkness fell quietly.
Sparse moonlight scattered on the street, serving as the only light source.
Walking through the alley, Qin An had his hand at his waist.
Beyond the alley was where Qin An lived.
He'd had a fruitful day and hadn't even opened his shop in pursuit of proficiency.
Fortunately, he'd saved enough while being a butcher to not starve even if he didn't open the shop for a few days.
Qin An knew his priorities, planning to reach level three of the scholar profession before considering the shop.
Ahead, footsteps interrupted Qin An's thoughts.
He looked towards the sound and saw a drunk man staggering toward him with a jug of wine.
Under the moonlight, Qin An made out the man's face and frowned.
Zhao Jinsheng had just left a Ding County tavern, carrying wine he'd taken, drinking and walking.
"Hey, you lousy scholar, still writing poems to disgrace the River Saber Sect, soft-skinned and tender, you'll suffer in jail, truly miserable."
"The childhood sweetheart was taken by the young Sect Leader and drowned long ago, thinking he was inferior."
"Truly miserable, truly miserable, hahaha!"
Zhao Jinsheng, bleary-eyed, murmured to himself.
Qin An slowed down, passing Zhao Jinsheng by.
He hadn't heard clearly what Zhao Jinsheng said, nor wanted to cause trouble.
Zhao Jinsheng subconsciously glanced back at Qin An, ready to turn away when he noticed the sharp knife at Qin An's waist and pondered.
Until Qin An disappeared from the street, Zhao Jinsheng came to his senses, half-sober.
"Seems like he knows how to wield a saber, not just a common skill—could there be some opportunity?"