Opening a Shop in the County Town

Facing the encirclement, Xu Mingwei mainly focused on blocking and evading.

His body moved in an S-shaped path as he raised his knees and swung his arms to block.

When he landed, his toes tapped the ground, concentrating his explosive force at a single point and sending his speed soaring as he darted between the men.

Like a fiery dragon crossing a marsh, he possessed both flexibility and explosive power.

This was the movement technique from the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique: Dragon Wandering in Twisted Marsh.

After weaving back and forth like this, flaws appeared in the three men's encirclement after a dozen breaths.

A sharp gleam flashed through Xu Mingwei's eyes.

With a sweeping leg strike, he sent two of them flying. Then he twisted with the momentum and leaped into the air.

His right leg came down like a battle axe upon the last man's shoulder.

Bang~

That incomparable force was like a thousand-jin boulder, crushing him to one knee as countless beads of cold sweat sprang across his forehead.

"That's enough." Xu Chuan suddenly spoke.

At those words, Xu Mingwei withdrew his foot.

He let out a long breath, his expression unchanged. There was not even a drop of sweat on his face.

Zhao Dalong and the other two got to their feet, clasped their fists, and bowed to him. Their faces were filled with admiration as they said in unison, "Thank you, Young Master, for showing mercy."

"You are too kind. I was merely fortunate enough to gain a slight edge."

Xu Chuan nodded in satisfaction.

At that moment, a rosy little girl, delicate as a porcelain doll, walked over and called out in a crisp voice, "Father, big brother, second brother, breakfast is ready."

Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others also spoke up. "Then, Patriarch, we'll be leaving first."

"Mm." Xu Chuan nodded.

If they had still been alone as before, eating together would have been nothing.

But now, every one of them had started a family and had children of their own.

It was no longer quite appropriate for them to eat and drink at the main family's home.

The Xu Family treated them generously, with a monthly salary of five taels. In all of Dongxi Village, that was absolutely one of a kind.

"My little Xiao Xueji."

Xu Chuan walked over, swept her into his arms, and affectionately touched his nose to hers, making her giggle. "Father, that tickles."

The little girl was Xu Mingshu.

As the only girl, she was showered with every kind of affection in the Xu Family.

On the eight immortals table.

At its center sat a large bowl of minced-meat congee, surrounded by scallion pancakes, egg pancakes, pickled vegetables, and pickled radish.

It was an exceptionally lavish spread.

There were seven members of the Xu Family, yet only six sat at the table.

The one missing was Xu Mingxuan.

Three years ago, he had been sent to the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Hall in Qingjiang County.

Li Zhi had gone with him.

The two of them returned home only one day every seven days.

"Tantou will be back tomorrow. I wonder if he has grown thinner."

Bai Jing ladled a bowl of plain congee for Xu Chuan, her eyes full of longing for her son.

"He is highly valued at the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts Hall. He won't suffer any mistreatment."

Xu Chuan said it in an indifferent tone.

It immediately drew a bellyful of complaints from Bai Jing. Somewhat dissatisfied, she said, "There are plenty of martial artists at home. Why did Tantou have to be sent to the Martial Arts Hall?"

"The Martial Arts Hall is a mixed bag of dragons and fish. How can you guarantee that he won't be bullied?"

Xu Chuan did not explain much.

There was naturally a purpose in sending the two of them to the Martial Arts Hall.

First, they could receive better training. Second, they could expand their connections.

Because of their talent, both had been accepted as disciples by an instructor at the Houtian Peak.

With that connection, the Martial Arts Hall instructor had also become friendly with the Xu Family.

After breakfast.

Xu Chuan set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at Xu Mingyuan. "A couple of days ago, your Uncle Ergou proposed that our two families jointly invest in opening a fruit and vegetable shop in the county town. What do you think?"

"Opening a shop in the county town? That must have been Auntie's idea, right?"

Xu Mingyuan was somewhat dismissive as he said lightly, "I heard Daniu mention before that their family seemed to have plans to move to the county town."

"With the fruit and vegetables produced by the farmlands and forests our two families currently possess, supplying two or three fruit and vegetable shops would not be a problem at all."

"If we are really opening one, I suggest our family open one ourselves."

"With the quality of our fruits and vegetables, along with Green Jade Pears as our signature product, even if our business does not stand at the very top, it will certainly be thriving."

Recalling something, Xu Mingyuan smiled and continued, "If I remember correctly, the Green Jade Pears will ripen in another half month or so. Using them as this season's fruit will definitely allow us to make a name for ourselves."

"But if we do that, the Xu Family..."

Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan's expression. He knew that Xu Chuan had always chosen patience and forbearance when it came to the Xu Family.

Thus, for many years, they had continued selling the Green Jade Pears to the Xu Family.

Yet whenever he saw the Xu Family's arrogant faces when they came to collect the Green Jade Pears, Xu Mingyuan would feel anger rise in his heart, wishing he could rush forward and slap them across the face twice.

"The Xu Family." Xu Chuan murmured the words, then smiled faintly. "Since you already have a plan, then starting this year, we will no longer sell to them."

"That's wonderful, Father."

"I'll have Zhou Ming assist you in preparing the shop in Qingjiang County Town. Take however much silver you need from your mother."

"Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others will also be at your disposal."

Xu Mingyuan smiled and nodded, rubbing his hands together as he brimmed with energy.

This would be the Xu Family's first official step toward developing in the county town.

At that moment, Bai Jing suddenly said, "If we don't cooperate with the Ergou Family, will they have any objections?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Mother, you don't know this. It was fine when Uncle Ergou was in charge before, but after Auntie took over, she repeatedly sold goods behind our backs, raised the prices, and kept making little moves..."

"Several times, she nearly damaged our Xu Family's reputation."

"If not for Uncle Ergou's friendship with Father, I would have long since asked Father to cut off our cooperation with them."

"That actually happened?" Bai Jing looked startled and doubtful.

Xu Chuan remained very calm about the matter and merely gave an eight-character assessment: "Too clever by half, with desires as deep as a bottomless ravine."

"Since you are handling the shop, you can also speak to Ergou. You know how to make things clear, right?"

"I understand. I won't harm the friendship between father and Uncle Ergou."

After thinking for a moment, Xu Mingyuan added, "I'll head to his home right away, lest a long night breed too many dreams."

He quickly shoveled down the remaining plain congee, then hurried out the door.

"Father, I'll head into the mountains as well." Xu Mingwei also stood and spoke.

"Mm," Xu Chuan answered.

At that moment, Xu Mingshu suddenly stood up, grabbed Xu Mingwei's hem, and looked up at him. "Big Brother, I want a little animal."

Xu Mingwei hesitated somewhat. The fierce beasts in the mountains and forests were wild and hard to tame; they could not simply be brought home.

"If you find young ones, bringing back a few would do no harm," Xu Chuan said.

"I understand." Xu Mingwei crouched down and rubbed Xu Mingshu's head. "Big brother will bring you one."

"Thank you, Big Brother."

Xu Mingshu had now also received the Destiny Talent [Whispers of All Spirits].

It was the final ownerless Destiny Talent on the Bloodline Genealogy.

She could communicate with all beasts and make them naturally draw close to her.

As for [Seek Advantage, Avoid Harm], it had long since been given to Xu Mingxuan.

"Xue Ji, and Yun Nu, you are both six years old now. It is time for you to begin martial arts practice too, understand?" Xu Chuan said.

Bai Jing's body trembled, but she said nothing more and continued clearing the bowls and chopsticks from the table.

"Yes, Father."

Xu Mingshu's eyes were filled with curiosity, while Xu Mingxian was somewhat excited, his little fists clenched tight.

"Then who will teach us, Father?" Xu Mingxian's eyes glimmered.

Xu Chuan chuckled. "I will teach you myself."