Third Generation Talent

"Dezhao—may a gentleman esteem virtue, his conduct shining bright."

"Zhao'er, that was a fine name."

Xu Chuan laughed heartily, took Xu Dezhao into his arms, and made cooing sounds to amuse him.

Xu Mingyuan and the others each took a turn holding him as well.

Xu Dezhao's birth meant they were no longer the youngest generation in the family. They had become elders themselves.

With a different status, one's mindset naturally changed as well.

That day, Xu Chuan once again rewarded all the maidservants, household guards, and courtyard guards with half a month's wages.

So they could share in the joyous occasion too.

That night.

The stars were black as ink, impossible to make out clearly.

Before long, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.

"Husband, Shitou has already married and had children. Shouldn't we start considering A Yuan's matter next?"

Bai Jing nestled against Xu Chuan's chest and suddenly raised her head to look at his face.

"I've already spoken to him about it."

"Yes, several months have passed, yet there has been no movement at all."

Bai Jing's voice carried a trace of resentment. "Didn't they say Wu Fang Wang and Cao He intended to target our Xu Family?"

"I asked around. The Wu Family has a young lady in the prime of her youth, the second daughter of the third branch of the Patriarch's line. I heard she is skilled in martial arts.

"If the two families formed a marriage alliance, it would settle A Yuan's lifelong matter on one hand, and make the Xu Family's position in Qingjiang County more secure on the other. What do you think, Husband?"

"I know you mean well for A Yuan, but I still hope he finds someone he likes."

Bai Jing immediately became displeased. "Isn't it all your fault? You demanded that they maintain personal integrity. Every one of them is a legitimate young master of a great family, yet not one even has a maidservant to warm his bed. Otherwise, I'd have grandchildren in my arms already."

"And you had A Yuan manage such a vast family business at such a young age, while urging him to practice martial arts diligently. How could he possibly have time to find a wife?"

Xu Chuan smiled bitterly and wrapped an arm around her to comfort her. "Fine, fine, it's all your husband's fault. We'll do as you say. Go speak to A Yuan yourself."

"Thank you, Husband." Seeing Xu Chuan agree, Bai Jing changed her expression again. "Husband, shall this concubine help you tonight?"

"Your husband prefers doing it himself."

With that, he turned over and pressed himself atop Bai Jing, and soon they were locked in a wild tangle of overturned phoenixes and inverted dragons.

After Bai Jing had fallen into a deep sleep, Xu Chuan summoned the Family Genealogy.

The third page of the Family Genealogy had already formed, but it remained utterly blank. Only after Xu Dezhao dripped blood onto it would his information appear.

However, though there was no information yet, Xu Chuan could sense the Destiny Talents that had been born.

There were seven in total: [Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs], [Golden Koi], [Nine Palaces Dao Derivation], [Sword Heart Clear Understanding], [Qi and Blood Furnace], [Swift Wind Chasing Lightning], and [Penetrating Obscurity Illuminating Microcosm].

"[Qi and Blood Furnace] is best suited for the Martial Dao. [Swift Wind Chasing Lightning] excels at comprehending movement and footwork, causing one's speed to surge."

"[Penetrating Obscurity Illuminating Microcosm] sees through people's hearts and directly peers into their essence. This talent cannot be given away casually."

"[Sword Heart Clear Understanding] applies to both the sword path of the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao. But one obsessed with the sword is not suited to managing the family."

"[Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs] grants talent in cultivation, knowledge of the medicinal properties of a hundred herbs, and even the ability to refine pills. It suits me quite well."

Xu Chuan had studied farming since childhood. With [Heaven Rewards Diligence], he had become a master of agricultural studies and was likewise skilled at cultivation.

If he gained another [Divine Farmer Hundred Herbs], it would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Knowing the medicinal properties of a hundred herbs would allow him to develop medicinal cuisine formulas better suited to assisting the Martial Dao, turning them into the family's foundation.

After becoming an immortal cultivator, he could also refine pills for the family.

"[Golden Koi], an aura of fortune... Better leave that for one of the children and grandchildren."

Xu Chuan shook his head and laughed, feeling that he was being too greedy.

"[Nine Palaces Dao Derivation] is skilled at deducing formations. A Great Formation can become the foundation for establishing a clan, but it is still a little too early for the current Xu Family."

The next day.

Bai Jing arrived at Xu Mingyuan's courtyard. He had already risen and was practicing martial arts in his own courtyard.

A household guard stood nearby holding a sweat towel, while a maidservant carried a tea cup, waiting to offer it to Xu Mingyuan once he finished.

"Madam."

The household guard and maidservant both bowed upon seeing Bai Jing arrive.

Hearing the voices, Xu Mingyuan stopped his movements and turned to look. Then he smiled. "Mother, why have you come so early? Where is Father?"

"He's practicing too. What has he turned this whole family into? Every last one of you rises early to do this."

Bai Jing shook her head and sighed softly.

"Mother, Father leads by example, so naturally his sons follow suit. Do you want us brothers to be like those young masters of the noble families of Qingjiang County?"

"Of course not. I was only complaining. Mother came because I have something to tell you."

"Go ahead, Mother."

"I have taken a liking to the second daughter of the second branch of the Wu Family Patriarch's line for you. In a couple of days, I will invite Madam Wu and the Wu Family's young lady to visit our Xu Family. You should meet her."

"You want me to meet a Wu Family young lady?" Xu Mingyuan smiled bitterly. "Mother, it is not as though you do not know the current relationship between the Wu Family and our Xu Family."

"It is precisely because I know that you should meet her. If we form a marriage alliance, it will surely ease the relationship between us, while also settling your lifelong matter."

"Does Father know? He promised that I could find someone myself."

Xu Mingyuan could only bring up Xu Chuan, hoping it would help him escape this calamity.

"I knew it would be like this." Bai Jing's lips curled up, revealing a triumphant expression. "I already asked your father last night."

"But—"

"No buts. It is settled. I will notify you when the time comes."

Bai Jing raised a hand to stop him. She knew that her second son was eloquent enough to talk the dead back to life. If she let him speak, she feared that in only a few sentences, he would persuade her instead.

Bai Jing left Xu Mingyuan's courtyard directly.

Xu Mingyuan was troubled and distracted. He did not continue practicing. After wiping away his sweat and taking a sip of tea, he immediately went to find Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan was currently cultivating the Five Elements Creation Technique.

At the Tiger and Rabbit hours, face east and swallow azure mist; at the Snake and Horse hours, face south and drink cinnabar; at the Snake and Horse hours, face south and drink cinnabar; at the monkey and Rooster hours, face west and inhale white dew; at the Pig and Rat hours, face north and sip dark ice; at the Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat hours, guard the Yellow Court.

This was the Qi Gathering Art.

Take in the Five Elements, mend the deficiencies of the Spiritual Root, and perfect Xiantian good fortune.

There was also Inner Vision Visualization and External Scene Interaction.

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter—the four seasons without cease.

"Father."

Xu Mingyuan came before Xu Chuan and bowed with cupped hands. Xu Chuan neither stopped his movements nor opened his eyes, merely speaking faintly. "What is it?"

"Father is so wise, yet you ask what you already know."

There was anger in his voice.

Xu Chuan did not mind. He smiled and said, "What harm is there in meeting her? Who told you to move so slowly?"

"How can matters of the heart arrive whenever one wishes? They need fate."

"Yes, and now fate has arrived."

"Your eldest brother and sister-in-law fell in love at first sight. Do you perhaps wish to imitate them?"

"I..."

Xu Mingyuan opened his mouth, but did not know how to refute him.

Love at first sight was enviable, but if he truly waited for that, he might not encounter it even by the time he was thirty or forty.

After all, he was busy with the family business. The people he met outside were mostly patriarchs of wealthy merchants and rich households—a whole crowd of old men. Could he expect to fall in love with them at first sight?

"Given your circumstances, you can only meet someone matched in social status." Xu Chuan said, "As for feelings, you can marry first and fall in love later."

"Your mother and I were the same."

Xu Mingyuan was actually rendered speechless.

After a short while, he let out a heavy sigh. "Meeting her is fine, but your son has one condition. The final decision must remain in your son's hands."

"Naturally."

"Thank you, Father."

Having won what he wanted for himself, Xu Mingyuan then went to Xu Mingwei's Courtyard and told him about the matter as well.

Xu Mingwei burst into laughter. "Mother is doing this for your own good."

"The Wu Family is indeed a fine choice."

"Even Big Brother says so. It seems I cannot escape after all."

Xu Mingyuan spread his hands and could only resign himself to his fate.