Xiao Wu, Save Up More Wife Funds

After saying that, Miao Ni looked at Lin Manshan with delight. "Xiao Wu, hurry next door and let your Grandmother and Second Sister-in-law know. Then go to the end of the village and call your Eldest Sister and Brother-in-law over too. Your Martial Soul Awakening produced Soul Power—this is wonderful news. I'll go kill two chickens now. Once your Grandfather, Dad, and Older Brothers finish work and come back, our Family will have a proper celebration."

"Mm, okay, Mom." Lin Manshan nodded, then turned and ran outside again.

After an unknown amount of time, the Wooden house was filled with fragrant aromas. A circle of people sat around a Long Table made by joining three wooden tables together.

"Ni, after we eat, pack up Xiao Si's things and have him move into Xiao San's room. I hear Spirit Masters can't be disturbed casually while cultivating Soul Power. Xiao Wu has awakened Soul Power, so we need to make room for him to cultivate."

Old Jack set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at his daughter-in-law, Miao Ni. "Besides, Xiao San is getting married soon. Once his new house is built, he'll move out with his wife. That works out perfectly. Xiao Si can stay in Xiao San's room after that."

"Okay, Dad." Miao Ni nodded, glanced at Lin Manshan, and continued, "Dad, I left some chicken and chicken soup in the kitchen. Later, have A Sen take Xiao Wu to visit Tang Hao's house. His son Tang San also awakened Soul Power. Though he and our Xiao Wu rarely played together and aren't close, they're from the same village. They'll still be closer than those children they don't know at the academy. We should do them a favor. When Xiao Wu gets to the academy, he'll have a companion, and it'll be good if they can look out for each other."

"Huh? We're giving their family things for free again?" The third grandson, Jie Qi, immediately frowned. He truly disliked Tang Hao. His Grandfather helped support him year after year, yet Tang Hao not only failed to repay them by giving them even a farm tool, but never had a kind word to say. He was usually quite rude when speaking to his Grandfather. When Jie Qi got married and held a wedding feast, that guy had come empty-handed just to eat and drink for free.

"Just mentioning it makes me angry. Tang San is such a sensible child, so how did he end up with a drunkard like Tang Hao?" Old Jack's face was filled with indignation. "Today, when I took Tang San home, I brought up sending him to the academy, and he actually refused to let Tang San go."

"Tang San really is a sensible child, though he's a little withdrawn. Sigh, that useless drunkard of a father has harmed him." Chun Yan sighed. "Old man, calm down. The child is innocent. Go over again later and try to persuade him."

Lin Manshan raised his head. Grandmother, you're overthinking this. This was the temperament Tang San had developed after years of being a shut-in. The Tang Sect was originally an assassin organization that specialized in sneak attacks. Its rules came before everything else. Did they really teach their disciples the Four Books and Five Classics to improve their education and refine their character?

Old Jack moved his lips and nodded helplessly. "I'll go again around dinnertime. Before Master Su Yuntao left today, he gave me a small booklet detailing how Spirit Masters cultivate Soul Power. I've already given it to Xiao Wu. Once Xiao Wu finishes reading it this afternoon, I'll take it over for Tang San as well." He then turned to Lin Manshan. "Xiao Wu, Grandfather doesn't understand Spirit Master matters either. For the time being, manage your own schedule at home and cultivate properly according to the methods in the booklet. You don't need to worry about anything else around the house."

At the very least, ever since his adopted grandson had become clear-headed after injuring his head in a fall at the age of four, he had displayed quite a talent for learning to read. He had learned the few literacy booklets Spirit Hall distributed to every village for children's education quite well, so Old Jack did not need to worry that he would be unable to read.

"That's right, Xiao Wu. Cultivate diligently and strive to become a Spirit Master soon. Bring honor to our village and make your Grandmother proud." Chun Yan looked over with a kind smile.

Lin Manshan nodded repeatedly, just about to say, "Okay, Grandmother. Your grandson will work hard."

But the old lady had already changed the subject and said earnestly, "I hear that once you become a Spirit Master, you can collect a monthly subsidy from Spirit Hall. Xiao Wu, you must save it well and not spend it carelessly. This will be your wife fund in the future. The old Lin Family only has you left as its sole heir now. The burden of carrying on the family line falls on your shoulders. Save more money now, so you can marry several wives later and make the old Lin Family prosper with descendants sooner. When you take them to your parents' graves to pay respects in the future, your real father and mother will be able to rest easy."

Ever since A'man, her adopted grandson, had become clear-headed, he had always been sensible, kind, and honest. When they were younger, the village children had been immature and often mocked A'man for being an orphan. Yet after learning of his background, A'man had not only not become angry, but had actively interacted with the other children and soon became familiar with them. He was unlike Tang San next door, who had developed a withdrawn nature from childhood and rarely interacted with others.

Given A'man's temperament, she was not worried that he would go astray in the future. Her only concern was the Lin Family's lineage. Since they had adopted him, she had to take responsibility to the end and could not show favoritism. Matters as important as continuing the family line required even greater attention.

"..."

Before Lin Manshan could say anything after the old lady finished speaking, the eldest granddaughter, Jie Ni, and the second granddaughter-in-law, Qing Cao, who were seated to one side, had already raised their heads to look at their husbands with unfriendly expressions. The Heaven Dou Empire encouraged childbirth and men joining the army. It did not prohibit men from taking multiple wives; rather, it supported the practice. This was especially true for Male Soul Masters—they wanted them to marry as many wives as possible. A Spirit Master had appeared in the neighboring village a few years ago, and the village chief had arranged several wives for him, all in hopes of passing down his Spirit Master talent and bringing glory to the village.

It did not matter if little brother A'man married ten or eight wives. After all, having another Spirit Master in the family meant having another source of support.

But! They absolutely would not agree to their own husbands taking more wives.

The two older brothers felt the hostile gazes from their wives and smiled awkwardly, not daring to say a word.

An explanation was merely a cover-up, and the more they said, the more mistakes they would make. They had learned that lesson deeply during courtship.

Suddenly feeling that having no Soul Power was not so bad, the two men exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with unease. They had also heard of the glorious exploits of that Male Soul Master from the neighboring village, and they remembered them vividly. After all, in a small village like theirs, producing a Spirit Master was the most boast-worthy topic imaginable.

Lin Manshan scratched his head. Douluo Continent was still in a feudal era, similar to ancient times in his previous life. The land was vast and the population sparse, and people believed that strength came in numbers. The state encouraged childbirth and land reclamation, so men really could take multiple wives.

"Grandmother, I'm still young." He spoke somewhat awkwardly. "But your grandson definitely won't spend money carelessly."

"That's right, Xiao Wu is still young. It's too early to discuss such things." Seeing that the atmosphere was off, Old Jack hurriedly interrupted. "Hurry and eat. Afterward, help Xiao Wu tidy up his room early so he can start cultivating Soul Power sooner."

Seeing Old Jack bring up serious matters, Chun Yan said no more.

"Then I'll kill another chicken this afternoon and make a dish and a soup." Miao Ni took over, then turned to her husband, Jason. "A Sen, Tang Hao loves drinking. Go to the cellar later and get some good wine. Have Dad take it over with him."

"Mm." Jason nodded. Though he was also displeased with Tang Hao, he said nothing more for the sake of the children.

"Come, Xiao Wu, eat more." Miao Ni smiled and placed a piece of chicken drumstick meat into Lin Manshan's bowl.

"Thank you, Mom."

The Family continued eating in warm harmony.