A Family of Freaks (Two-in-One)

Since the Xu Family chose the site and built the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School, Gu Yiping had been living in the side rooms of the Xu Family's western courtyard.

Every day at the Chen Hour, he would spread out rice paper on the desk by the window and record martial arts essentials and medicinal cuisine recipes one by one.

The leaves on the old locust tree in the courtyard shifted from sparse to dense.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

Gu Yiping placed the two martial arts, the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique and the Innate Dragon Elephant Art, along with seven or eight martial skills such as the Seven Absolute Sword, Wind Treading Steps, Mad Dragon Fist, and Divine Wind Palm, plus four medicinal cuisine recipes, into a Purple Sandalwood Box and handed it to Xu Mingwei.

"Thank you for your trouble, Director Gu."

"This was a mutually agreed transaction."

They exchanged a glance, and Xu Mingwei immediately went to the Ancestral Hall to store everything properly.

He had roughly flipped through each one.

The focus was on the four medicinal cuisine recipes.

Three were suitable for martial artists below the Innate realm, while only one recorded Innate Medicinal Cuisine, which could assist Innate martial artists in their cultivation.

Xu Mingwei selected a few techniques suited to himself and began practicing them in his spare time.

Once his martial skills were somewhat refined, he invited Gu Yiping to spar with him.

The Golden Crow set in the west, and the world suddenly took on a molten gold hue.

The green stone bricks of the Training Ground still held the lingering warmth of the day.

Xu Mingwei curled his fingers into a fist, fixing his gaze on Gu Yiping. Before the fist wind even emerged, it sent the fallen leaves on the ground spiraling upward.

Gu Yiping stepped into the "Seven Star Steps," his left palm tracing an arc as if embracing the moon, while his right palm struck toward the other's chest with the sound of Wind and Thunder.

Xu Mingwei did not dodge or evade, his left arm crossing horizontally like iron.

A dull "bang" sounded, and Gu Yiping felt his palm go numb, retreating half a step before steadying himself.

His pupils contracted slightly, and he thought to himself in surprise: Such fierce force—it no longer seems Houtian.

Xu Mingwei did not retreat but advanced, his body drifting like willow catkins. He touched the ground with his toes and circled around to Gu Yiping's side.

He thrust his right fist out flatly; before the fist wind arrived, the surrounding air trembled faintly.

Gu Yiping hurriedly used the blocking stance of the Mad Dragon Fist, but a surging, immense force rushed at him, shaking his qi and blood into turmoil and sending a dull ache through his tiger's mouth.

He had not used Innate True Qi, yet he found himself at a disadvantage.

"Young Master Xu, you really are hiding your strength well."

"Caught by the Director." Xu Mingwei smiled faintly. He had known before the spar that he couldn't fool an Innate Martial Artist.

But since exchanges with an Innate Martial Artist were rare, he didn't mind.

"Reaching Innate before Twenty Years old..."

Gu Yiping let out a long, emotional sigh, a trace of recollection flickering in his eyes.

In the old days, during the Dragon Elephant Sect's peak, they could only nurture two or three Innate martial artists under Twenty Years old every one or two decades.

Such individuals could often step into the Grandmaster realm by the age of thirty-five or thirty-six.

They had hope of reaching Grandmaster Perfection before a Sixty-year cycle.

As for himself, he had only reached Late-Innate at forty, and breaking through to Grandmaster in this life would be a good outcome.

Unless he had the aid of a Grandmaster Medicinal Diet.

But even the Dragon Elephant Sect did not possess such a precious medicinal diet.

If they did, as long as those Innate martial artists under Twenty Years old didn't fall or suffer major Injuries or lingering ailments, seven or eight out of ten could reach Grandmaster Perfection.

"Pure luck."

"There is no such thing as pure luck in the path of martial arts. Even with resource support, if one's own talent is insufficient, they won't amount to much."

Innate was a massive threshold, the beginning of a martial artist transcending the mundane, allowing them to contend with cultivators. It was not something just anyone had the fortune to step into.

Even with Qi Gathering Pills from the Prefecture City, eating ten or twenty pills, there were always those who remained as stubborn as wood.

"Young Master Xu, let's end the spar here. If you have any doubts while cultivating the Innate Dragon Elephant Art, feel free to ask me."

"Thank you, Director Gu."

"By the way, I have a younger brother and sister who also practice the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique. I wonder if you could offer them some guidance."

"I am willing to go and take a look."

"No need to trouble the Director." Xu Mingwei smiled and immediately instructed a Household Guard, "Go and call my Fourth Sister and Fifth Brother here."

"Yes, Big Brother."

The Household Guard bowed respectfully and left at once.

A short time later.

Xu Mingshu rode the White Tiger into this courtyard, with Xu Mingxian standing to the side.

"Big Brother, what did you call us for?"

"Since Father isn't here, I was afraid you two might slack off, so I invited a master to guide you. Make sure you seize the opportunity."

"Fourth Sister might slack off, but I don't," Xu Mingxian retorted, lifting his small face with a cold, proud air.

"This is my fourth sister, Xu Mingshu, and my fifth brother, Xu Mingxian," Xu Mingwei said with a smile as he introduced them.

Gu Yiping sized them up. As expected of a young lady and young master from a prestigious family.

Though still young, they already displayed extraordinary talent.

"First, run through the twelve forms of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique three times for me to see."

Xu Mingshu obediently dismounted the tiger, patted it, and the White Tiger walked on its own to a corner and lay down.

Gu Yiping was greatly surprised.

To have tamed an Exotic White Tiger to such a degree—could it even understand a child's words?

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian stood side by side, a dozen paces apart.

Then they moved in unison.

With each form, Gu Yiping recited the essence of its oral formula.

"Young Dragon Awakens the Spine, the dragon raises its head to absorb purple qi, the Weilü hangs low to suppress all directions."

"Elephant Trunk Rolls Water, the trunk rolls three thousand miles of the Heavenly River, sinking qi into the Dantian to transform it into thunderous sound."

"Fire Dragon Wags its Tail, the tail sweeps with a thousand jun to burn away filth, the foot steps on the Li position to refine true fire."

"Dragon Elephant Harmony, the dragon rises and the elephant descends, stabilizing heaven and earth, the Baihui and Yongquan connected by a single thread."

He nodded continuously.

From the movements and postures, it was clear that both had put in hard work—at least years of relentless, day-and-night practice.

Fists whistled through the air.

To produce such power, they had definitely reached the level of Third-rate Martial Artists.

"What agile and refined skill! To have such strength at such a young age—the Xu Family truly spares no effort in training their disciples."

Xu Mingwei's lips held a faint smile as he remained silent.

"Since the Martial Arts Hall is not yet established, and I am eating and lodging for free at the Xu Mansion, it is only right that I guide the younger generation."

"In that case, we shall trouble Director Gu," Xu Mingwei said with a slight nod.

"Big Brother."

Having finally enjoyed a few days of peace, Xu Mingshu ran up to Xu Mingwei, her almond eyes curving into crescent moons, as if pleading.

Xu Mingwei looked down at her, the hem of his ink-black robe lifted by the cross-draft wind.

The sternness on his face when he frowned was so deep that even the White Tiger would tuck its tail and slink away.

At that moment, Xu Mingwei's brow furrowed slightly, and even if Xu Mingshu had a belly full of coaxing words, she could only swallow them back down.

Compared to the rest of the Xu Family, she was a bit willful, but she knew the occasion—when to act and when not to.

Xu Mingwei was now the acting Patriarch.

With Xu Chuan away, his words were commands, and everyone in the Xu Family had to obey.

When no one was around, she could throw a tantrum, but with outsiders present, she absolutely could not undermine the Patriarch's authority.

"Fourth Sister, don't think that just because Father isn't watching over you, you can take it easy."

"Stupid little brother!"

"Next time, don't you dare eat the pastries I bring!"

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian often bickered, and Xu Mingwei had long grown accustomed to this scene.

Gu Yiping watched in silence for a moment before speaking:

"The breathing method of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique is the key. Only by coordinating with the Dragon Elephant breath can you push the twelve forms to their Limit. This is also the key to sensing the Power of Heaven and Earth and breaking through to Xiantian."

"Now continue practicing with the breath. Your family has obtained the corresponding medicinal diet formula I provided. With it, you can accelerate the opening of Acupoints."

"How fast?" Xu Mingshu's interest was instantly piqued, light seeming to burst from her eyes.

Gu Yiping smiled faintly at the lively, clever girl before him and said, "Becoming a First-class Martial Artist by seventeen or eighteen is no problem. If your talent is good and you train diligently, reaching Houtian Peak before twenty is also no issue."

"With speed like that, could I catch up to Big Brother's breakthrough pace?"

"Little girl, how can an ordinary medicinal diet compare to the secret medicinal diet passed down through centuries of research by my Dragon Elephant Sect?"

"Alright then, I'll train!"

Gu Yiping stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching as the two of them operated the breathing method of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique, coordinating it with the twelve Dragon Elephant forms as they threw punches.

It was akin to splitting one's focus—only those with exceptional comprehension could master it perfectly.

This was also why many in the Dragon Elephant Sect had failed to step into Xiantian.

But as he watched, Xu Mingshu's palms formed an empty circle, her breath long and continuous like a spring silkworm spinning silk. With each inhale, her sleeves billowed as if stirred by a clear wind.

Though his stance was steady, there was always a slight hitch at the joint where "Dragon Leaps Abyss" transitioned into "Elephant Stomps Mountain," as if an invisible thread were tugging at him.

Xu Mingxian, however, was a different sight entirely.

He sat cross-legged like a bell, every vertebra in his spine linked through. Following Gu Yiping's guidance—"Inhale like a dragon diving deep, exhale like an elephant trumpeting"—he found his Qi on the third breath.

A faint green aura seeped from his Crown Point, and as he breathed, a dragon's roar rumbled in his throat.

Gu Yiping's eyes flashed with sharp light. Stroking his beard, he looked at Xu Mingwei and said, "The Fourth Miss and the Fifth Young Master are both exceptionally gifted."

"That's thanks to your guidance, Master," Xu Mingwei replied coolly. "When our Xu family first obtained this Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique, we had no one to teach us. It was a struggle at the start."

"And in this world today, who understands the true essence of the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique better than you, Master?"

"You flatter me, Young Master." Gu Yiping raised his hand with a smile.

"Still, though the Fourth Miss has remarkable insight, the Fifth Young Master's talent in breathing techniques is even greater. Even with my guidance, to achieve this in such a short time is rare in this world."

"My father also said that Fifth Brother's talent is the greatest among us. His future achievements will surely surpass mine."

Gu Yiping was secretly astonished, growing more and more curious about the Xu Family Patriarch.

In the twilight.

Xu Mingxian had already grasped the secret of the transition between breathing techniques and stances.

A sharp light flashed in Gu Yiping's eyes. He nodded repeatedly and murmured under his breath, "Truly a fine seedling."

He even entertained the thought of taking him as a disciple and passing down the Dragon Elephant Sect's inheritance.

But then he remembered how much the Xu family valued Xu Mingxian. They would surely refuse.

He could only temporarily extinguish that thought.

Time trickled away.

The crimson sun, sinking in the west, suddenly seemed to struggle in its death throes.

First, it burst forth with three zhang of vermilion flames, burning the clouds into a veil of red gold. Then it shrank to a golden pill the size of a cherry, teetering precariously on the blue-black mountain ridge.

At that moment, a flock of crows flew across the sky. As their wingtips brushed the light, they seemed to carry away a few specks of golden radiance.

When the last ray of sunset swept across the Training Ground.

Xu Mingxian suddenly rose to his full height. His left palm traced an arc like a dragon swishing its tail; his right foot stamped the ground like an elephant shaking a mountain. The fallen leaves within three chi of him began to spin without wind, clearly showing he had grasped the true essence of "Form and Intent Unite."

"Excellent!"

Gu Yiping applauded in praise, his eyes full of admiration.

"You've gotten ahead of me again."

Gu Yiping's praise stirred Xu Mingshu's competitive spirit.

"Let's spar. Our record is Five-Five so far. Let's see who comes out on top today."

"Fourth Sister, are you asking for a beating again?" Xu Mingxian was not one to be outdone with words.

Blazing torches had been lit all around the Training Ground, illuminating the entire area.

"There's no need for the two of you to fight each other. Your levels are still low; you'd learn very little. Instead, why not join forces? If either of you can gain even the slightest advantage from me, you win."

"How about it?"

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxian exchanged a glance and said in unison, "Deal!"

The two of them took positions on either side of Gu Yiping. Three figures cast winding, dragon-like shadows on the Green Stone.

Suddenly.

Xu Mingshu's toes touched the ground like a dragonfly skimming water. Her body moved in a serpentine glide, each step kicking up a three-cun wave of dust.

When Gu Yiping pointed at her Shoulder Well point, she suddenly raised her knee and swung her arm. The collision of her knee and his finger produced a faint clang of metal striking metal.

A sharp light flashed in Xu Mingxian's eyes. He suddenly sank his waist and exerted force, cracking the green brick beneath him into a spiderweb of fissures.

As his right palm thrust forward, a dragon's roar rolled in his throat. His left palm traced an arc like an elephant's trunk curling toward the sky. The two forces combined to blow the torches three zhang away, all tilting in unison.

Gu Yiping smiled faintly as he raised his other hand to meet the attack.

Bang~

The siblings locked eyes, then suddenly swapped positions in a flash.

Xu Mingshu's sword fingers shot out like a dragon probing an abyss, aiming straight for his center. Xu Mingxian's palm wind was like an elephant's trunk shaking a tree, sealing off any retreat.

In the chaotic dance of light and shadow, Mingxian's right palm glowed crimson red like a Hot Iron, leaving a scorch mark on Gu Yiping's robe. Mingshu's sword fingers, meanwhile, were blocked by Gu Yiping's own sword fingers.

The surrounding torches crackled and popped.

Gu Yiping was quite surprised by the exchange. Both were at the Third-rate Martial Artist level, but in terms of internal strength, Xu Mingxian had a slight edge.

Xu Mingshu seemed lively and mischievous, but her martial arts stances were proper and methodical—though that was partly due to her young age. Xu Mingxian, at the same age, appeared cold and proud on the surface, but his moves were unpredictable.

If he hadn't changed his move at the last moment, attacking the hem of his robe to catch him off guard, Gu Yiping would have easily blocked him.

"Both are seeds for Grandmaster."

"To have made such progress even without the Dragon Elephant Sect's secret medicinal diet, they'll likely leap forward a thousand li from now on."

Gu Yiping marveled that someone so young already knew how to play dumb—such cunning.

Just like Xu Mingwei, you couldn't tell from the surface alone; only by actually crossing hands would you know.

He had no idea where they'd learned their techniques.

Second Young Master Xu was also a smooth operator, meticulous in thought.

When discussing the details of the Martial Arts Hall earlier, he'd basically followed Xu's train of thought.

And every point Xu made hit home, leaving no room for fault.

This girl, on the other hand, had sharp instincts and excellent comprehension.

The Xu family was full of freaks!

Oh, right, it seemed only that Third Young Master, Xu Mingxuan, was somewhat ordinary.

But that was only in comparison to his brothers.

Compared to the scions of other county families, he'd probably be good enough to serve as an heir.

Having wandered for over a decade and passed through dozens of counties, Gu Yiping had seen plenty.

"This Xu family is definitely among the upper echelons of the county's great clans."

"To be able to raise children like this, I'm actually a bit curious to meet this 'Father' they keep talking about."

After Xu Mingyuan obtained the Dragon Elephant Sect Medicinal Diet Formula, he began purchasing these herbs in bulk—every single one was at least ten years aged.

One batch cost about ten taels.

The Medicinal Diet Formula for assisting Innate Martial Artists was even more precious.

Xu Mingwei said not to worry about him for now, so in just a few days, Xu Mingyuan had gathered all the ingredients for the martial artist's diet.

Beyond that.

The Xu family also started planting these herbs in their Medicinal Field.

If they wanted to open a Herbal Shop, they'd eventually need their own source of herbs, supplemented by purchases from mountain folk.

These days, Xu Mingyuan was running around in a daze.

Recruiting people, setting up a Blacksmith's Shop, a Carpenter's Shop, a Herbal Shop, a School, and so on.

He wasn't demanding immediate results.

Just laying the groundwork first.

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