Xirong County, Commandery Mansion.
"Old Xiao, look here, these are the brand-new combinations of Ancient Shell Script radicals and characters, sent by County Magistrate Fu Chang, County Magistrate Liu Sitong, and Lord of the Classics Feng Yuan, who presided over the Mountain Scripture deciphering in Baiyuan County."
"All of these were worked out by Chu Ming. I've told you, his talent in Ancient Shell Script is exceptional, every bit as good as mine—yet you still wouldn't believe it."
Shen Yu pushed several sheets of paper toward an elder about his own age.
The old man wore an official's robe; picking up the papers to look them over, a rare hint of surprise swept through those eyes once calm as still water.
"Old Shen, tell me honestly, how long has Chu Ming been exposed to the Mountain Scripture?" the old man asked, his voice low.
