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"The eldest young master treats us with such kindness!"

Wang Carpenter crouched by the wall of the Xu family's newly built school, tapping his pipe against it with a laugh. "Setting up this elementary school means my Gousheng can learn to read and write in the future. Even if he can't become a scholar, being an accountant is still better than whittling wood for a lifetime."

Water carrier Li San straightened his back at the words, the carrying pole creaking on his shoulder. "That's not all! I hear those with good aptitude can learn carpentry, tailoring, or even go into the Xu family winery to learn brewing—which of those isn't a valuable craft?"

He gazed at the wine banner fluttering in the distance from the winery, his throat bobbing unconsciously. "A few days ago, I saw the winery shopkeeper taking on apprentices. The spectacle was grander than a rich family marrying off a daughter!"

Old Bamboo Weaver stroked his beard and cut in, the bamboo knife scraping softly against green strips. "That depends on who you learn the craft from."

"All the Xu family's various crafts are secret transmissions. Learning just one is enough to secure stability for generations, so naturally everyone flocks to it."

Just then, the elementary school's children were let out. Kids with horn-shaped buns on their heads streamed out of the courtyard carrying mulberry-paper book bags, reciting lines about "Guan guan ju jiu."

Wang Carpenter watched the children's retreating backs, knocking his pipe hard against his shoe sole. "Once Gousheng can read, I'm definitely sending him to the Xu family dye works as an apprentice—I hear they use sappanwood from the Western Regions, and the silk they dye sells for ten silver taels a bolt!"

Ever since the Xu family issued decrees benefiting servants and guards, from the head steward down to the water carriers, everyone supported them wholeheartedly.

Two more days passed.

The Xu family's back kitchen.

"I hear the eldest young master is picking sturdy lads from each courtyard to send to the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School for training—is that true?"

A water carrier, after filling the vat, wiped his sweat and suddenly brought it up.

Sister-in-law Zhang, helping in the kitchen, turned her head and said with a smile, "Heh, my A Da is as strong as an ox. Yesterday I already asked the steward to write down his name."

Old Woman Li, washing vegetables, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Really?! My grandson A Shui is clever and sharp-witted, with excellent comprehension—he's definitely good material for martial arts. I'll go join the fun later too."

"What are you waiting for? I'll take over your work for now. You hurry to the front courtyard to sign up. This is a life-changing matter for your grandson—how can you wait?!"

Amid all the excitement, every household guard, maidservant, and servant still did their duties diligently, not daring to slack off.

In fact, they were even more careful and hardworking than usual.

They didn't feel tired either, faces carrying smiles, eyes filled with anticipation and hope.

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

Ever since the Dragon Elephant Sect's secret medicinal diet flowed into the Xu mansion, the Xu brothers had all made great progress in the Martial Dao.

Even Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingxuan, who weren't practicing the Lesser Dragon Elephant Technique, saw their acupoint-opening progress increase by seventy to eighty percent compared to before.

All thanks to the effects of this medicinal diet.

True secret medicinal diets were never leaked by any martial arts school or aristocratic family.

Because this was the foundation.

What was given to the school's disciples was only ordinary medicinal diet.

In its heyday, the Dragon Elephant Sect had a Grandmaster Perfection-level pinnacle Martial Dao expert presiding over it, making it comparable to a Fifth-Rank Aristocratic Family—a major power even by Prefecture City standards.

As for upper-third-rank families and sects, they were generally only seen in the Imperial City.

"Big Brother, this Dragon Elephant Sect's medicinal diet is truly remarkable."

Xu Mingxuan said cheerfully to Xu Mingwei, "Even Little Brother has a thirty to forty percent chance of reaching the Houtian Peak martial artist realm before he turns twenty."

"Opening acupoints is certainly important, but martial techniques can't be neglected either."

Xu Mingwei said, "We didn't have much collected before, and few choices. Now that we have part of the Dragon Elephant Sect's martial arts foundation, we must make good use of it and fully leverage this advantage."

"Understood, Big Brother."

After replying, Xu Mingxuan revealed a hint of longing. "I wonder what the Dragon Elephant Sect's foundation was like at its peak. I reckon what our Xu family has obtained now isn't even a fifth of it."

"Perhaps," Xu Mingwei said with a faint smile.

Just then, Xu Mingyuan walked in gracefully from outside the hall.

"Second Brother, I haven't seen you in a while," Xu Mingxuan said with a smile.

"I'm not as leisurely as you. I manage all the family business, and lately I've barely had time to practice martial arts."

"Heh, then I've made great progress."

Hearing this, Xu Mingwei thought of the Innate Five Elements Creation Technique.

Among their siblings, only Fifth, Yun Nu, had Cultivation Aptitude.

The Xu family had obtained the heaven-sent fortune of entering the Dao through martial arts, giving everyone a chance to cultivate immortality. He also hoped Xu Mingyuan would join them.

But Xu Chuan had instructed that this could only be revealed upon reaching the Innate realm.

He dared not disobey.

Xu Mingwei pondered for a moment, then looked up at Xu Mingyuan. "A Yuan, the family business is important, but you absolutely cannot let your own Martial Dao slide."

"Otherwise, Father will be angry. He tests us every six months, after all."

"I'll wait a while. Once the new ventures are on track, I'll be able to free myself up."

"Mm." Xu Mingwei nodded.

"Actually, I'm curious. Why does Father insist we walk the Martial Dao? Even if we reach Innate, what then? Just a hundred years of dust," Xu Mingxuan said in confusion.

"Father has his own plans. If you end up being punished, don't blame me for not pleading with him on your behalf."

"Big Brother, I was joking!"

Xu Mingwei was the future patriarch of the Xu Family and also the strongest among them. His words carried considerable weight among the siblings.

"Spend more time on martial arts practice. I've heard that Xue Ji and Yun Nu have made significant progress these past three months. You two, as elder brothers, must not let yourselves be surpassed."

"It would be good if they surpassed us—it shows our family is full of talent!" Xu Mingyuan laughed heartily. "If we had two more Martial Dao Geniuses like you, Big Brother, our Xu Family would be truly secure."

"Mm. Have you heard some wind of something?"

Xu Mingwei knew Xu Mingyuan well and understood he wouldn't speak without reason. Xu Mingxuan also quickly dropped his smile.

"Just some rumors."

"County Lieutenant Yang has just left, and his lingering authority remains. Our Xu Family is not weak now either. But I feel it would be best to have our own people in officialdom. If one of us brothers could become County Magistrate, County Lieutenant, or County Lieutenant, that would be ideal."

"This matter depends on fate. It's not something you can simply decide to become. Let's discuss it later."

As Xu Mingwei spoke, his pupils contracted slightly, and a cold glint flickered across his eyes. "As for other families and noble clans, if they dare to invade, our Xu Family will show no mercy."

Hearing Xu Mingyuan's words, he felt he should also find an opportunity to display his martial strength.

The deterrent power of a family with an Innate Martial Artist far surpassed that of ordinary families.

As far as he knew, only five families in all of Qingjiang County possessed such a foundation: Wu, Fang, Wang, He, and Cao.

Behind the Three Major Martial Arts Halls stood the Wu, Fang, and Wang families.

If not for Yang Zhao's sudden appointment, the position of County Lieutenant might have gone to an Innate Martial Artist from among the Wang, He, or Cao families.

Of course, to hold these important official posts, one generally had to have stepped into the Innate realm before the age of fifty.

It was impossible for someone past sixty to be selected.

And those elected were usually locally renowned and powerful figures, or someone like Yang Zhao who was parachuted in to gain some credentials and achievements before leaving.

"What about the martial arts hall?"

Xu Mingwei felt that the opening of the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School might be a good choice.

"It will be finished in half a month. We've also selected a dozen or so with decent Bone Structure from among the descendants of our household guards, maidservants, and retainers as the first batch to train."

"Besides that, we've hired five First-class Martial Artists as instructors."

"But—"

Xu Mingyuan paused, hesitating for a long moment before continuing, "Very few children and youths from wealthy families or noble clans have actually been attracted to come."

"Don't rush this. You yourself always say, 'Good goods need no advertisement.' Once the martial arts hall opens, it's bound to be lively. People will come seeking us out by reputation afterward."

Xu Mingyuan looked thoughtful, then raised his eyes and gave a self-deprecating smile. "That reasoning is sound."

Thanks to ~Starry Night~, Book Friend 20220513141336336, Xiao Xiao War God, and Gu Ge for their reward support.