One morning, at the study well in Gaojia Village.

With the Spring Festival approaching, today’s lesson changed. Mr. Wang didn’t lecture on Three Character Classic or Hundred Family Surnames. Instead, he stood before all the students, animatedly telling the story of the “Nian Beast.”

Most children had heard snippets from their parents, but none of those versions were as detailed or vivid as Mr. Wang’s. They listened with rapt attention.

Yet Young Master Bai wasn’t among them.

For someone who’d received an excellent education since childhood, most of Mr. Wang’s lessons felt far too childish. He couldn’t bring himself to attend class with the other children. Sitting at the entrance of the study well, he flipped through Hanyu Pinyin.

This heavenly book, too, he had finished.

For a moment, he felt uncertain what to do next.

Just then, Gao Yiye approached and handed him a book: Elementary Math, Grade 1, First Semester. “Here, take it. The second heavenly book granted by the Deity.”

Young Master Bai’s eyes lit up with joy, and he eagerly accepted it with both hands. “Only for me?”

Gao Yiye nodded.

Young Master Bai glanced at Mr. Wang, whispering, “What about Mr. Wang?”

Gao Yiye shook her head. “Mr. Wang might not… suit this well.”

Perplexed, Young Master Bai wondered why Mr. Wang would be unsuitable. But he pushed the thought aside—he’d examine the book first.

Opening it was a mistake.

The Arabic numerals inside instantly made his head spin.

Had this not been a “heavenly book,” he would’ve shut it right away. Yet remembering it was a “divine object from the heavens,” it felt only natural for mortals to struggle with it. If he’d understood immediately, wouldn’t that be strange?

Rushing with pride, he forced himself to study.

Gao Yiye listened patiently to the Deity’s guidance and relayed it to Young Master Bai. In doing so, she unintentionally absorbed the lessons herself.

Soon, both had mastered the most basic Arabic numerals and mathematical symbols.

The Young Master truly hailed from a scholarly family. Once he grasped the numerals and symbols, his progress skyrocketed. He flipped through Elementary Math, Grade 1, First Semester at lightning speed—addition and subtraction vanished in mere glances.

Gao Yiye could no longer keep up. She handed him Elementary Math, Grade 1, Second Semester.

This volume proved no harder; all calculations stayed within 100.

Young Master Bai grasped it instantly and breezed through its pages.

By Elementary Math, Grade 2, First Semester, multiplication emerged.

Any other pampered young master would’ve slowed down at multiplication and division. But Young Master Bai wasn’t ordinary.

He was Bai Yuan’s son. Among the Six Arts of Gentlemen, Bai Yuan placed great emphasis on “number.”

Raised under his father’s influence, the Young Master had gained some familiarity with the “number” discipline. Grade 2 multiplication and division couldn’t hold him back for long.

Yet Grade 3, First Semester finally brought the challenge.

Fractions!

When Young Master Bai encountered symbols like 1/3 and 1/4, his mind froze like a clogged gutter. Progress ground to a halt…

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the study well’s entrance. Madam Bai stepped in, smiling softly. “My son, have you studied diligently today?”

Young Master Bai was holding a brush, staring dumbfounded at the problem “Which is larger, 1/3 or 1/4?” Upon hearing this, he replied in bewilderment: “The deity-bestowed celestial text is truly too difficult. This child is stuck on this problem and simply can’t figure it out.”

Madam Bai gave him a hard pinch with a resounding slap: “The Deity granted you this celestial text—what tremendous fortune! How could you fail to understand it? Even if it takes your life, you must solve it for your mother.”

The fiery pain on Young Master Bai’s face somehow transformed his mother’s urging into inspiration: “Hahaha, this child has it!” He picked up the brush and answered: 1/3 1/4.

Gao Yiye spoke: “The Deity says you calculated correctly! He praises your great talent for mathematics and foresees great achievements in your future.”

Madam Bai was overjoyed. Later, she told everyone she met: “The Deity commended my son for his mathematical talent” — this one sentence she repeated for her entire life.

Gao Yiye tilted her head, listening to the voice from the heavens: “Young Master Bai, the Deity has an honorable and challenging task for you.”

Young Master Bai swiftly stood up, composed himself with a serious expression, hands hanging respectfully at his sides, ready to listen attentively.

Gao Yiye continued: “The Deity appoints you ‘Math Class Representative.’ From now on, you shall ‘impart skills on behalf of the Heavens,’ teaching other children mathematics. You must not only diligently study math yourself but also teach what you’ve already learned to others. This task is immensely heavy. Dare you accept it?”

“‘Impart skills on behalf of the Heavens!'”

Those four words truly ignited wild excitement.

Young Master Bai was ecstatic: “Though I am not yet grown, to receive such regard from the Deity is the fortune of a lifetime. I shall spare no effort in fulfilling the duty of ‘Math Class Representative’.”

Madam Bai was also jubilant: My son became a math class representative! Though unsure exactly what this post entails, clearly it’s a position only bestowed from the heavens.

Ah! My son’s future potential is limitless!

An overwhelming sense of happiness struck Madam Bai. She gave herself a hard pinch with a loud slap. The pain was sharp—she was awake; this was no dream.

Young Master Bai asked: “Mother, what’s wrong? Why did you strike yourself? If you’re displeased, strike this child instead.”

Madam Bai gave him a hard pinch: “Did that hurt?”

Young Master Bai clutched his reddened face: “Very much!”

Madam Bai laughed heartily: “That’s wonderful! We’re both not dreaming.”

Li Daoxuan watched as Young Master Bai distributed the “Elementary Math, First Grade, Volume One” books to the other children—one each. After waiting for Mr. Wang’s “literature class” to conclude, he finally walked to the front. Putting on a deliberate air, he addressed the children: “By the command of the Deity, I am appointed Math Class Representative. Henceforth, I shall ‘impart skills on behalf of the Heavens’ during your math class. Listen well, all of you: this symbol is called ‘1,’ meaning the digit ‘one.’ Remember it?”

The children responded loudly: “We remember.”

“This symbol is called ‘2,’ meaning the digit ‘two’…”

Li Daoxuan silently observed the children learning for some time. Good. Mathematics had finally been incorporated. Next, physics and chemistry ought to follow. But those subjects are far too profound; likely impossible for the children to grasp quickly. Even in modern society, students only begin learning them in junior high.

Fine. He decided not to focus here anymore and instead surveyed the full range of his vision.

His field of view was quite expansive now. He would periodically check north, south, east, and west to observe any changes in the surroundings. Once while shifting perspectives, he spotted a large stone about to slide loose on a northern hillside. He swiftly moved the stone aside, thereby protecting the labor offenders working on the slope.

Whenever inspiration struck, a patrol of his view always yielded interesting discoveries.

Sure enough, when he panned all the way to the southwest, in a valley about ten miles from Gaojia Village, he spotted some amusement.

Patrol Officer Cheng Xu was sprinting desperately, his hair disheveled, appearing utterly disgraced. Behind him, a large group of men brandished swords, closing in fast.