Innate Dragon Elephant Art

"In that case, quite a few people must have obtained this innate martial art by now."

Xu Mingwei said, "Even if it costs a bit more silver, collecting it into the family could enhance our foundation."

"Elder Brother is mistaken." Xu Mingyuan sighed deeply. "No one has obtained this martial art."

"Little Brother has heard that, to this day, no one has offered a price that moved him. Some even gave a sky-high offer of fifty thousand taels, but he refused it."

"Fifty thousand taels?!" Xu Mingxuan was so startled he knocked over his teacup, the tea soaking his lapels without him even noticing. "The Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex only costs seven or eight thousand taels."

"Unless this martial art is passed down through a single lineage, the only copy in the world."

"But if he truly treasures it that much, why put it up for sale? Taking on a disciple and passing it down would be far better."

Xu Mingyuan said, "The vast majority of martial arts manuals are not unique. Making a copy and selling it is pure profit."

"In Qingjiang County, someone with broad Connections can buy an Inner Strength Manual for a few hundred taels. The country folk spread rumors, thinking it costs one or two thousand."

"As for innate martial arts, they're pricier, but a handwritten copy is worth at most four or five thousand taels."

"The Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex rarely circulates. Rarity drives value, and since it can also be cultivated to early Grandmaster, it's naturally more expensive."

"But the seller of the Innate Dragon Elephant Art..."

Xu Mingwei pondered a moment, then looked up. "Perhaps he has his own plans."

"I think so too. What he wants probably isn't just silver. That's why I plan to make a trip to Liuyun County in a couple of days."

Xu Mingxuan's eyes darted. "Second Brother, take me along."

"Don't need to go back to the Martial Arts Hall?"

"I'm already a Second-rate Martial Artist. I could have graduated long ago. The only reason I'm still at the hall is that I haven't found a good path yet, and our family doesn't lack a mouthful of food for me."

"What about Li Zhi?" Xu Mingwei asked.

"He thinks he can get better training at the hall. He plans to become a First-class Martial Artist before working for our Xu Family."

"That's good." Xu Mingwei nodded. "Li Zhi has decent talent. If he devotes himself fully to the Martial Dao, he'll probably become a First-class Martial Artist in three or four years."

"That would be even more helpful to our family."

"By the way, where's Father?"

Xu Mingyuan suddenly remembered he hadn't seen Xu Chuan since returning, so he asked.

Xu Mingshu laughed. "Second Brother, you only think of Father now? I really feel sorry for him."

"It's just that I was concerned about our dear nephew and forgot. So where is Father?"

Xu Mingxian said, "He's staying at the Bamboo House by Jade Cold Pond."

"What's he doing there?" Xu Mingyuan was a bit surprised.

"Closed-door cultivation."

Xu Mingxian was concise, rarely wasting words, but then added, "Father said not to disturb him unless it's important."

Xu Mingyuan rubbed his chin, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "Speaking of which, Father also practices the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique. What level is he at now?"

"He started Martial Arts Practice at nearly twenty-six, and it's been twelve or thirteen years. He should be at Second-rate Martial Artist by now."

What Second-rate Martial Artist.

He's already breaking through to Innate!

Xu Mingwei scolded with a laugh, "Why ask so many questions? Don't tell me you want to spar with Father."

"Heh, I wouldn't dare. The moment his face darkens, I'm trembling all over."

Xu Mingyan grinned cheekily, making Bai Jing and the others burst into laughter.

"Trembling? Out of all of you, you were the one who clung to your Father the most as a child. When that rooster knocked you over, you wailed like a baby."

Bai Jing brought up an embarrassing story from Xu Mingyuan's childhood.

It made everyone laugh again.

"Mother, I have a reputation to uphold too." Xu Mingyuan felt a bit embarrassed.

"Alright, alright, I won't say any more, okay?"

Two days later.

Xu Mingyuan set out for Liuyun County with Xu Mingxuan, Chen Daniu, and two Second-rate Martial Artist Guards.

Liuyun County was only a two-hour carriage ride from Qingjiang, but its streets were far more chaotic than Qingjiang's. Dust swirled in the air, and the occasional drunkard dozed against earthen walls.

Xu Mingyuan tossed a few copper coins to a child at a street corner and learned that the seller was staying at the White Poplar Inn.

The inn's facade was weathered, with a faded wine banner hanging under the eaves, flapping noisily in the wind.

The four of them sat idly in the inn's tea house for half a day. Only when dusk fell did they see a burly man with a bushy beard return, trampling the sunset's glow.

He wore a dark cloak, a ring-pommel sword with a rusted copper guard hanging at his waist, and dark red mud caked on his boot soles.

"Are you here for the Innate Dragon Elephant Art?" The man led them to a second-floor guest room. The furnishings were sparse, the only decoration a tattered painting of a Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain on the wall, its ink strokes bold and vigorous.

"Exactly. My family once came into possession of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique by chance. My elder brother has already cultivated to Houtian Peak, just one step away from Xiantian, which is why we've been desperately searching for the subsequent manual."

The middle-aged man had a full, bristly beard and a burly frame, his appearance fierce and menacing.

Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow, paused for a moment, then asked, "What price are you willing to offer?"

"May I ask if the copy in your hands is the original or a handwritten transcript?"

"What if it's the original? What if it's a transcript?" The burly man's tone suddenly turned cold, his knuckles rapping the wooden table with a dull thud.

Xu Mingyuan rose, pushed open the carved wooden window, and gazed down at the bustling crowd below. "The original is precious, often carrying special significance. We won't press for it; a handwritten transcript will suffice."

"What I have is the original," the bearded man said.

"The original? Did you come across it by chance, or are you one of the scattered disciples of the Dragon Elephant Sect from back then?"

The bearded man's pupils contracted, his voice now laced with chill. "What business is that of yours?"

"It certainly is."

A flash of insight struck Xu Mingyuan as he guessed the other's identity. "If I'm not mistaken, you must have been a member of the Dragon Elephant Sect back then."

"And the reason you refuse to sell even for fifty thousand taels is likely that you harbor thoughts of reestablishing the Dragon Elephant Sect."

"I'd advise you to drop that idea."

"Even if over a decade has passed, who knows whether the Dragon Elephant Sect's old enemies still remember the name? If you show your face and someone with a grudge reports it, it could spell another disaster."

"Are you so certain?"

Xu Mingyuan turned and smiled in reply. "My intuition has always been sharp."

"If I am, what will you do?"

"My Xu family's purpose here is only the handwritten transcript."

The bearded man pondered for a moment, then asked, "What price is the Xu family willing to offer?"

In the end, they returned to the original question.

But Xu Mingyuan had already gleaned from their exchange what the other party truly wanted.

"To help you establish a Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School and carry on the Dragon Elephant Sect's inheritance."

The bearded man's heart jolted, surprise flickering across his face, a hint of temptation in his eyes.

"Of course, a mere martial arts school alone won't sustain itself. It must be self-sufficient."

"How do you make it self-sufficient?"

Unwittingly, the bearded man had fallen into Xu Mingyuan's rhythm.

His knack for smooth diplomacy and reading people left Xu Mingxuan and Chen Daniu utterly dumbfounded.

After all, this was their first meeting with the man, who had been highly guarded—many had walked away empty-handed from dealing with him.

"As expected of my second brother," Xu Mingxuan thought with quiet pride.

"Truly, talent is something hard to make up for," Chen Daniu sighed inwardly.

Over these past months, working by Xu Mingyuan's side, he had learned a great deal.

Meanwhile, his father Chen Ergou had been assigned to manage a fruit shop in the county town.

Xu Mingyuan gave a light smile. "This isn't something that can be explained in a few words. It will require considerable manpower, resources, and funds, as well as the approval of my Xu family patriarch."

"So, if you're willing, why not come stay at the Xu residence for a few days to discuss the matter?"

The bearded man naturally understood that opening a martial arts school was no simple affair. After mulling it over, he asked, "The Xu family—which Xu family?"

"The Xu family of Qingjiang County," Xu Mingyuan replied.

Chen Daniu, quick on the uptake, promptly introduced them. "This is our Xu family's Second Young Master, Xu Mingyuan, and this is the Third Young Master, Xu Mingxuan."