For nearly two hours, Chen Yan referenced a wide range of sources and spoke about Liezi’s theories—this was also content he had carefully selected.
As a representative figure of Taoism, Liezi’s content, like "maintaining a tranquil mind and forgetting both the self and external things," is actually well-suited for these Zen Meditation Class attendees for mind cultivation.
Liezi’s works also contain many fables, such as "The Foolish Old Man Moves a Mountain" and "Kua Fu Chases the Sun," which are simple yet profound and can be used to liven up the atmosphere occasionally.
After two hours, although the students may not have been truly convinced, they at least listened to the entire lecture quietly and attentively.
The key was a statement Chen Yan made: "If all you care about is worldly wealth and status, why are you here for Zen cultivation?"
This left everyone in a bind.
Even those who were there just to appear cultured rather than genuinely seek self-cultivation found it hard to question Chen Yan’s identity and qualifications under such moral pressure.
You’re saying, you are so worldly! You don’t deserve to cultivate Zen!
After the two-hour class ended, Chen Yan smiled and announced the end of the class, then watched the students leave—none of them came up to talk to him.
After all, his personal charm had not reached the level where one class would make people admire him deeply.
Taking out a thermos he carried with him, he unscrewed it and took a sip of water to moisten his throat. Chen Yan then saw Chu Keqing, dressed in a simple academy robe, walk in slowly from outside the lecture hall.
Her robe was different from the standard gray robes of the academy instructors and students; it was a moon-white robe with a slightly wider belt.
With her naturally good figure, she exuded a kind of classical elegance. Her long hair was pinned up with a wooden hairpin adorned with a single white pearl, making her look simply elegant.
Hmm, but those glasses still involuntarily added a touch of allure to her.
"Thank you for your hard work, listening for so long." Chen Yan looked up and smiled at Chu Keqing from his seat.
"Your lecture was brilliant. I didn’t dare to come in and disturb you. I was so engrossed listening from outside," Chu Keqing said, looking around to ensure no one was nearby, then lowered her voice and asked, "Senior, would you like to come to my place for some tea?"
"No need." Chen Yan glanced at the time on his phone and sighed.
He still had to rush home to have dinner with Gu Qingyi.
Chu Keqing didn’t dare to insist and personally escorted Chen Yan out of the academy, with Chuyi quickly getting up to follow along.
At the academy gate, Chu Keqing had arranged her own car to send Chen Yan home.
This "Elder Zi," along with her disciple Chuyi, escorted Chen Yan out of the academy—many students witnessed this.
They felt that this "Elder Zi" was exceptionally courteous and respectful towards this young instructor named Chen Yan, not treating him like an ordinary young man but with a hint of respect.
After Chen Yan left, some students who held themselves in high regard approached Chu Keqing to inquire about Chen Yan’s identity.
Chu Keqing did not answer, merely smiling and changing the subject.
Her demeanor only made these students more puzzled about Chen Yan’s identity, adding to his mystery.
Two days later, when Chen Yan came to class again, he noticed that the Zen Meditation Class students were more respectful towards him.
A week later, Chen Yan had already taught three classes at Luoyun Academy.
He asked Chu Keqing for an advance of one month’s salary, receiving 20,000 yuan.
Although Chu Keqing didn’t understand why this esteemed senior would need to ask her for such a small amount, she dared not question him when he remained silent.
With 20,000 yuan in hand, Chen Yan spent another day at home, his expenses as usual, before calculating Gu Qingyi’s fate carefully.
In Gu Qingyi’s fate, the illness disaster had dissipated, and no new illness disasters accumulated even after spending more money.
Chen Yan realized that his "earning pocket money" plan was feasible!
Earning money through work indeed did not count as "inside money" according to the Heavenly Dao, which brought Chen Yan some relief.
Over the week, the Zen Meditation Class students became more familiar with Chen Yan, and the fact that "Elder Zi respects this Instructor Chen very much" had spread throughout the class.
Some students began to engage with Chen Yan privately, and some even added him on social media.
These were all shrewd people—they saw that despite Chen Yan’s youth, he was respected by a well-known and prestigious figure like Elder Zi in Jinling City, so he was no ordinary person!
Though they couldn’t discern Chen Yan’s background, they thought that it might be beneficial to build a relationship with him—it wouldn’t hurt, so why not?
Anyone who makes a name for themselves is certainly competent.
Chen Yan, adhering to the rules, only taught philosophical content on Eastern mind cultivation and never imparted any cultivation techniques to outsiders.
He also never displayed any skills or spells at the academy, behaving entirely like an ordinary person.
Only Lu Sisi knew about Chen Yan’s job and once visited him out of curiosity to experience "picking up her boyfriend from work."
Lu Sisi still had time to spend with Chen Yan as her winter break hadn’t ended yet.
Thus, Chen Yan continued his routine: going to the academy every other day, giving lectures in the afternoon, then waiting for Lu Sisi to pick him up. They would go shopping, eat, and watch a movie together.
Before they knew it, it was after the Lantern Festival...
On this day, after Chen Yan finished his lecture, he saw Chu Keqing standing at the door of the lecture hall, looking somewhat serious.
After the students left, Chen Yan slowly stood up and walked out. Chu Keqing gave him a slight bow and softly said, "Senior, do you have time to visit my Yunshe Courtyard?"
Seeing Chu Keqing’s demeanor, Chen Yan guessed that she must have something important to discuss. Today, Lu Sisi was not picking him up from work—the winter break had ended, and university classes had resumed, so she had returned to school. They agreed to meet every weekend from now on.
"Sure, let’s go," Chen Yan nodded.
Chu Keqing invited Chen Yan to her Yunshe Courtyard on the same street, seated him in the parlor, and offered him a cup of fragrant tea.
"You have something to ask of me. Don’t stand on ceremony, just say it," Chen Yan said kindly.
Regardless of the money she helped him earn, the fact that she willingly accepted Chuyi as a disciple, taught the Direct Lineage Technique of the Cloud Sect, and found him a relaxing job with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan alone was enough for Chen Yan to be kind to her.
"Senior, I do have a favor to ask," Chu Keqing said solemnly. "Do you have time recently?"
Chen Yan thought for a moment. He had nothing urgent—the date for the Nether Marriage was set for next month according to the almanac.
"I have time, go ahead, tell me what you need," said Chen Yan.
Chu Keqing took a deep breath, her expression serious, "I want to ask you to accompany me to Port City!"