Yang Shichang Arrives

"Younger Sister, Brother-in-law."

Upon arriving at South Mountain Courtyard, Yang Shichang saw Xu Mingwei accompanying Yang Ronghua on a walk, with Yang Ronghua holding a swaddled infant in her arms.

Both had smiles on their faces as they played with the child.

Seeing this scene, Yang Shichang felt completely at ease.

"Brother, you're here!"

When Yang Ronghua saw her own brother, she immediately wept for joy.

As he drew near, Xu Mingwei clasped his hands and said, "Brother-in-law."

"Come, let me see my great nephew."

Yang Shichang took Xu Dezhao from Yang Ronghua's arms and also began smiling and teasing him.

Xu Dezhao's jet-black eyes stared unblinkingly at Yang Shichang.

"Call me uncle, come on, call me uncle."

"No crying or fussing—he's bold."

Yang Shichang laughed heartily, handed him back to Yang Ronghua, and said, "He shares Father's name; the old man is very pleased too."

"Dezhao—does it have any special meaning?"

"A gentleman esteems virtue, and his conduct shines bright—my husband chose it."

"Mm." Yang Shichang nodded and walked alongside the two. "I brought a Bloodline Stone to test the Yang family bloodline."

"Father's meaning is that if Zhao'er's bloodline is pure, he might apply to the family to teach him our Yang martial arts."

"The Xu family doesn't lack martial arts either," Xu Mingwei said.

"How can that compare to our Yang martial arts? Brother-in-law, you don't know—a Special Bloodline paired with Inheritance Martial Arts greatly boosts combat power."

"Of course, it's not certain yet. Let's test the bloodline first before discussing anything else."

Xu Mingwei gave a slight nod.

They went to Xu Mingwei's study, where Yang Shichang began testing the bloodline.

It was also a blood-dropping method.

Xu Dezhao was pricked with a needle and immediately burst into loud crying. Yang Ronghua hurried to the side to comfort him.

The Bloodline Stone, the size of a pigeon's egg, lit up with a pure red glow.

A joyful expression appeared on Yang Shichang's face. "He truly inherited our Yang family's Martial Dao bloodline, and it's very pure—far surpassing mine."

"With this bloodline, just by cultivating on his own, he's bound to become an Innate Martial Artist. With full training, a Grandmaster is no problem, and there's even a three-in-ten chance of reaching Grandmaster Perfection."

"If our Yang family could produce such a Prodigy, my father would probably be grinning from ear to ear."

"Zhao'er is also of Yang bloodline, so naturally he counts as part of the Yang family."

"Haha, exactly, exactly. I was being narrow-minded."

Yang Ronghua smiled and looked over. "It was indeed right to have you make the trip, brother. But I actually hope Zhao'er inherits his father's talent instead."

"Brother-in-law's talent is no slouch either!" Yang Shichang laughed. "I'll head back to the Prefecture City this afternoon to tell Father the good news."

"So soon? Brother-in-law rushed here for Zhao'er's sake, and our Xu family hasn't even properly hosted you yet."

"Just treat me to a midday meal of wine—I've been really missing the liquor from your Thousand Gold Workshop."

Yang Shichang patted Xu Mingwei on the shoulder. "Everything your Xu family produces is fine stuff, rarely seen even in the Prefecture City."

"Similar goods, sold in the Prefecture City, go for two or three times the price. I truly do miss your fine wines and dishes."

"By the way, does your Xu family have any intention of expanding into the Prefecture City?"

"With Zhao'er's talent and my father's advocacy, our Yang family should lend a hand to help your Xu family put down roots there."

Xu Mingwei didn't say everything outright. He smiled and replied, "Business matters are all handled by my second brother; even my father rarely meddles."

"But from what I can tell, there's no such intention for at least the next year or two."

"After all, our Xu family hasn't even fully established its foundation in Qingjiang County yet."

"Haha, Brother-in-law is too modest. Even if your Xu family isn't the top clan in Qingjiang, it's certainly among the frontrunners."

Xu Mingwei smiled without speaking, not giving a direct answer. Instead, he said, "Since Brother-in-law likes our Xu family's goods, when you head back this afternoon, take some perfume for Mother-in-law, and the wine is for Brother-in-law and Father-in-law."

"Oh, and if Sister-in-law is pregnant, be sure she doesn't use it—it could affect the fetus."

"Then I'll thank Brother-in-law for that." Yang Shichang said. "By the way, Brother-in-law, let's spar a bit. I'm now at Houtian Peak myself, just one step away from being an Innate Martial Artist."

"With another two or three years of polishing, I'll definitely break through."

"That pace is much faster than my father back in his day."

Yang Ronghua's lips pressed together slightly. She said nothing, simply standing on the corridor in the courtyard, quietly watching the two compete, with a maidservant attending her.

Xu Mingwei sparred a round with Yang Shichang.

But when it ended, Yang Shichang was drenched in sweat, his pupils contracting unsteadily, while Xu Mingwei showed little change on his person.

"What a thrill!"

"Indeed." Xu Mingwei echoed.

"No." Yang Shichang quickly noticed something off. "Your aura isn't the least bit disordered."

"You didn't break through to Xiantian, did you?"

"I remember you only reached Houtian Peak less than two years ago. To comprehend the power of heaven and earth on your own and achieve Qi Introduction—that's incredibly difficult."

"Even with the help of a Qi Gathering Pill, it would take half a year or more, and even then, it's only a possibility."

Yang Shichang's eyes were filled with disbelief.

Just then, Yang Ronghua walked over and handed him a handkerchief, smiling lightly. "Brother, my husband stepped into Xiantian over half a year ago."

"And because the Xu Family was opening a martial arts hall, they were targeted by the Three Major Martial Arts Halls of Qingjiang County. On opening day, he single-handedly defeated the Black Wind Hall Master."

"The Black Wind Hall Master?!" Yang Shichang's heart jolted again. "That Hall Master Wang, past sixty?"

"He's been a Xiantian for over a decade, and you still beat him?"

He circled Xu Mingwei once, then finally sighed and gave a thumbs-up. "I have to admire your talent, brother-in-law."

"Perhaps it's because Zhao'er is your son that the Yang Family bloodline is so pure."

"By the way, I've been here a while and haven't paid respects to your father. That's rather rude. Take me to see him, brother-in-law."

"Alright."

Afternoon.

Yang Shichang rode back to the prefecture city.

Everything he needed to bring was already prepared, but since he was on horseback, he could only take so much.

"Younger Sister, brother-in-law, come visit Yuehu Prefecture City when you have time. I'll be sure to treat you well."

Yang Ronghua had come to Qingjiang County with Yang Zhao and his wife shortly after she was born, so she had no memory of the prefecture city.

She watched Yang Shichang's figure disappear beyond the horizon before lowering her head to wipe her tears.

Xu Mingwei pulled her into his embrace. "Don't worry. We'll have a chance to visit our brother-in-law, Father-in-law, and Mother-in-law in the prefecture city."

"It won't be long."

He knew well his father's ambitions. Qingjiang County would eventually be too small to contain the Xu Family, this hidden dragon.

In the blink of an eye, it was May.

Three months had passed without rain.

The weather was scorching hot. The water in the paddy fields had nearly dried up, and even the river levels had dropped drastically, making it impossible to channel water for irrigation.

Many common folk wailed in despair as their rice withered.

For them, these crops were the very foundation of survival.

The Xu Family had over five hundred mu of paddy fields, over three hundred mu of farmland, and over three hundred mu of forested hills—naturally, they were affected too. But because they responded in time, the damage remained within manageable limits.

Over the past month, the prices of vegetables, fruits, and grain in Qingjiang County had risen again and again.

Some common folk in Dongxi Village, seeing no way to survive, simply sold their paddy fields and farmland to the Xu Family and became long-term laborers.

At present, the Xu Family was the only household that could still take people in.

The Xu Family had been declining steadily over the years. They had already dismissed many household guards and maidservants, let alone long-term laborers.

Heart Seeking Courtyard.

Xu Chuan's study.

Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan were both there.

"Father, we've already taken in over four hundred mu of paddy fields, over three hundred mu of farmland, and over two hundred mu of forested hills recently. Although the price is less than half of what it was because of the drought, the heavens aren't sending rain, and the disaster will only worsen. We don't know when it will end. Can we really keep buying like this?"

A furrow formed between Xu Mingwei's brows, a hint of worry hidden within.

Xu Mingyuan stood to the side, his expression equally grave.

"They're all fellow villagers from the same hometown. If we don't help them now, they might become beggars, or even starve to death."

"Is Father trying to win the people's hearts?"

Xu Mingyuan's eyelids pressed down slightly, then he lifted his head to look at Xu Chuan.

Thank you to Fellow Daoist 1539085747460538368 for the tip. May you be on the path to immortality!!!