Double Happiness Arrives

That day, outside the Liu residence in Hengshan City, three constables arrived, banging gongs and beating drums. The steward of the Liu residence stepped out, suppressing the joy in his heart, as if afraid that he would scare away the overwhelming fortune by showing his happiness too soon. He clasped his hands and nervously asked, "Have the three gentlemen come to inform us that our young master has succeeded?"

"Congratulations to Master Liu and Madam Liu! Your esteemed child, Lord Ou Canghua, has displayed his ambitions in this provincial examination and has been named the top scholar by the chief examiner!" One constable returned the gesture and joyfully shouted.

Upon hearing this, the steward of the Liu residence immediately beamed with delight, arranging for the servants to scatter coins to thank the neighbors and passersby who came to congratulate them while leading the three constables into the house. In an instant, the entire street was filled with a festive atmosphere.

Inside the Liu residence, in a small courtyard called 'Wuyuan,' there was a young man with a straight nose, thin lips, and sword-like eyebrows, exuding a fresh and handsome demeanor. This was the protagonist of the day, Ou Canghua. Beyond being the top scholar, he was also the fourteenth generation disciple of the Hengshan Sword Sect. His master was the renowned Liu Zhengfeng, later known as 'Liu San,' whose family was eventually wiped out.

Eight years ago, for reasons unknown, Ou Canghua had crossed over from the 21st century to the Ming Dynasty and was imprisoned in a bandit den. In a life-and-death crisis, it was the newly initiated Liu Zhengfeng, along with several righteous experts, who broke in and rescued him. As someone who had received 16 years of modern education, witnessing a group of people wielding long swords and engaging in chaotic battles was an explosive shock.

Naturally, Ou Canghua's martial spirit awakened, and he shamelessly begged the hero Liu to take him as an apprentice, wanting to uphold justice and rid the world of harm. Old Liu, troubled by his persistence, had no choice but to accept this disciple. It was only through Old Liu's self-introduction that Ou Canghua learned about his sect and full name.

Little Ou was taken aback; others crossed over to "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer," either to Wudang or Huashan. But he ended up in Hengshan, as the number one unfortunate. However, his master had already been sworn in, and he had joined the sect, leaving him no way to retreat. To protect his unfortunate master, Ou Canghua decided to work hard in martial arts, striving to safeguard his master's family in the future.

Yet, in this world, most things do not go as planned. Ou Canghua practiced the entry-level mental method of the Hengshan Sect, "Hengshan Mind Method," for three years before reaching the second level. It should be noted that Mi Weiyi, who joined the sect a year later, had already reached the third level. Although he had no talent for martial arts, Old Liu did not look down on Ou Canghua. Instead, he comforted him, saying that martial arts was not the only path, and prepared to arrange for him to learn bookkeeping in Liu's shop.

But could bookkeeping save Old Liu? Clearly, it could not. Therefore, Ou Canghua decided to take another gamble; he picked up the sage's books and devoted all his energy to the imperial examination. When Old Liu learned of this, he was not angry; instead, like a father, he enrolled him in the best private school in Hengyang City and bought various notes for scholars for him to study.

With his extraordinary memory and insight from two lifetimes, Ou Canghua demonstrated exceptional talent in the imperial examination. In just five years, he passed the provincial examination and became the top scholar. A year later, the metropolitan examination would be a piece of cake, or at least almost certain. By then, would he not be able to protect his master's family as a dignified Jinshi?

That was impossible. Just when Ou Canghua was filled with ambition and satisfaction, a "ding!" resounded in his mind. Then, a mechanical female voice said, "Congratulations, you have activated the 'Great Musician System.' This system will help you become a historically significant musician, leaving your name in history."

Ou Canghua's smile froze, and he fell silent. He had abandoned martial arts for literary pursuits for five years and achieved remarkable accomplishments; who would be foolish enough to give that up to become a great musician! Rubbish system, get lost!

"This system's first use grants a new user gift pack: Achievement Points +1, Reputation Points +5!"

"Beginning to collect user basic information."

Name: Ou Canghua

Physical Age: 18 years old

Height: 186 cm

Skills: "Hengshan Mind Method" Level 2, "Hengshan Sword Method" Level 3, proficient in flute playing, proficient in calligraphy, proficient in eight-legged essays

Reputation: Renowned in Hengyang City (Reputation Points +5)

Representative Works: None

Looking at his basic information, Ou Canghua curiously asked, "What are the uses of Reputation Points and Achievement Points?"

The system in his mind answered, "Reputation Points can increase skill levels, while Achievement Points can break skill limits."

"Increase skill levels?" Ou Canghua looked at the ten points of reputation in his hand and tried adding five points to "Hengshan Mind Method."

In the next moment, he felt a wave of ease, and the genuine energy within him inexplicably became more substantial.

"Is this the seventh level?" Ou Canghua could not help but clench his fist, feeling the energy in his body, his heart filled with joy.

Immediately after, he added the remaining five reputation points to "Hengshan Sword Method."

In an instant, he gained a wealth of understanding about swordsmanship, and the muscles in his arms would tense and relax alternately.

"Hengshan Mind Method" Level 7!

"Hengshan Sword Method" Level 8!

Ou Canghua was overjoyed and immediately used his fingers as a sword, demonstrating the "Hengshan Sword Method" in Wuyuan. His movements were graceful and effortless, exuding a certain aesthetic appeal.

Unfortunately, Ou Canghua had never ventured into the martial world; he did not know how much his current strength would weigh in the martial world. After finishing his performance, he smiled and muttered to himself, "Hmm, it seems this system is not entirely useless; it is quite good. Now, how can I earn Achievement Points and Reputation Points?"

The system immediately explained, "Reputation Points are linked to the popularity of your music. The more people who have heard your music, the higher your Reputation Points. Achieving popularity in one city rewards five points. In one province, you receive an extra ten points."

"Achievement Points are linked to records; for every piece of music you create that is recorded by a national-level department, you gain one point."

"I see." Ou Canghua nodded, while also reflecting in his heart that the difficulty was a bit high!

Even in the information-rich and open-minded 21st century, singers like Jay Chou, a pillar of Chinese music, only had one song, "Qian Shan Wan Shui," recorded. Superstar Andy Lau, who had been in the industry for 40 years and sung over 1,600 songs, had only one song, "Chinese."

In the feudal dynasty where Ou Canghua lived, actors were of the lowest class, and musicians were completely ignored, only a few being picked out from the long river of history.

"So, if I want to create some points, I still have to read!"

Ou Canghua's expression became firm; he should aim to be the top scholar in next year's palace examination. This way, he could become the fourth person in the dynasty to achieve three consecutive top honors after Huang Guan, Li Qi, and Shang Lu.

According to the Ming Dynasty’s customs, a first-class Jinshi would be granted a position in the Hanlin Academy, with the main responsibilities of compiling the official records, documenting the emperor's words and actions, giving lectures on classics, and drafting related ceremonial documents.

This would greatly expand his operational space. However, given his current level in eight-legged essays, it would not be difficult to achieve a third-class Jinshi; aiming for a first-class one would still be challenging.

After weighing it in his heart for a moment, Ou Canghua decisively added the Achievement Points to his proficiency in eight-legged essays. The system emitted a golden light, and with effects akin to a powerful gaming skill, his proficiency turned into mastery.

At that moment, Ou Canghua was no longer himself; in front of him were the explanations of eight-legged essay masters such as Chen Jitai, Wang Ao, Tang Shunzh, Gui Youguang, Hu Youxin, Jin Sheng, Zhang Shichun, Zhang Chun'yao, and Han Tan, pouring into his mind like a galaxy spilling down.

Before long, a cheerful sixteen-year-old girl came running in. Seeing Ou Canghua in a daze, she smiled and softly said, "Senior brother, mother wants you to go to the back hall; father is arriving soon."

This fair-skinned and beautiful girl was Liu Zhengfeng's daughter, Liu Jing. In the original story, she was the unfortunate person who was killed by the disciple of the Songshan Sect, Wan Daping, after angrily cursing the sect.

Ou Canghua woke up and looked at his beautiful junior sister, smiling gently and nodding, "I understand; I'll go over now."

"Mmhm, senior brother, is the imperial examination very difficult? I heard that only three people passed the provincial examination in Hengyang City this time, even though over a hundred people took the exam." Liu Jing followed Ou Canghua, looking at her seemingly celestial senior brother with a cheerful smile, asking.

Since childhood, she had liked to follow her senior brother because he would tell her interesting stories, buy her snacks, and encourage her to practice martial arts. Compared to her father, her senior brother was gentler. Compared to her second senior brother, Xiang Dazhi, and her third senior brother, Mi Weiyi, her senior brother was warmer.

Being by her senior brother's side made Liu Jing feel like she didn't have to worry about anything, as her senior brother would take care of everything for her.

"For me, taking the imperial examination is easier than practicing martial arts."

While walking, Ou Canghua calmly said, "Compared to my junior sister, my talent in martial arts is quite poor."

"Senior brother is making fun of me again!" The little girl pouted and said, "Clearly, it’s senior brother who is being lenient with me."

"Haha." Ou Canghua chuckled, thinking that when he practiced with this little girl in the future, he might really have to let her win.