Facing attacks from all sides, Xu Mingwei focused on blocking and dodging.
He moved along an S-shaped path, raising his knees and swinging his arms to ward off blows.
As he landed, his toes touched the ground, concentrating his explosive power into a single point. His speed surged as he darted between them.
He was like a fire dragon crossing a marsh, combining suppleness with explosive force.
This was the movement technique from the Little Dragon Elephant Art: Dragon Swimming Through the Curved Marsh.
After he weaved back and forth like this for a dozen breaths, a gap appeared in the three men's encirclement.
A piercing gleam flashed in Xu Mingwei's eyes.
A sweeping kick sent two of them flying. Riding that momentum, he twisted his body and sprang into the air.
His right leg cleaved down onto the last man's shoulder like a battle axe.
Thump!
That incomparable force bore down like a thousand-pound boulder, driving the man onto one knee as beads of sweat broke out across his forehead.
"That's enough," Xu Chuan suddenly said.
At his words, Xu Mingwei withdrew his foot.
He let out a long breath, his expression unchanged, without even a drop of sweat on his face.
Zhao Dalong and the other two rose, cupped their fists, and bowed to him, their faces filled with admiration. In unison, they said, "Thank you for showing mercy, Eldest Young Master."
"You're too kind. I only managed to come out slightly ahead by luck."
Xu Chuan nodded in satisfaction at the sight.
Just then, a rosy little girl who looked like a porcelain doll walked over and called out in a clear, sweet voice, "Father, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, breakfast is ready."
Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others also spoke up. "Then we'll head home first, Patriarch."
"Mm." Xu Chuan nodded.
In the past, when they had been on their own, there had been nothing wrong with eating together.
But now, each of them had a family and children of his own.
Continuing to eat and drink at their employer's home would no longer be quite appropriate.
The Xu Household treated them generously, paying a monthly stipend of five taels—a benefit unmatched anywhere in Dongxi Village.
"My Little Xueji."
Xu Chuan walked over and scooped her up, affectionately touching his nose to hers. She burst into giggles. "Father, that tickles."
The little girl was Xu Mingshu.
As the only girl, she enjoyed all the Xu Household's love and affection.
At the square dining table.
A large bowl of minced-meat congee sat in the center, surrounded by scallion pancakes, egg pancakes, pickled vegetables, and pickled radishes.
It was quite a sumptuous spread.
There were seven people in the Xu Household, but only six sat here.
The missing one was Xu Mingxuan.
Three years earlier, he had been sent to the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School in Qingjiang County.
Li Zhi had gone with him.
The two returned home for just one day every seven days.
"Charcoal Head will be back tomorrow. I wonder if he's lost weight."
Bai Jing served Xu Chuan a bowl of plain congee, her eyes full of longing for her son.
"He's highly regarded at the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School. He won't suffer any mistreatment."
Xu Chuan's reply was noncommittal.
It immediately drew a torrent of complaints from Bai Jing. With a trace of displeasure, she said, "There are plenty of people practicing martial arts at home. Why did you insist on sending Charcoal Head to the martial arts school?"
"The school is a place where fish and dragons mingle. How can you guarantee he won't be bullied?"
Xu Chuan offered no further explanation.
Naturally, he had his reasons for sending the two boys to the school.
First, they could receive better training. Second, they could expand their connections.
Thanks to their talent, both had been accepted as disciples by an instructor at the houtian peak.
Through that connection, the instructor had also become friendly with the Xu Household.
After breakfast.
Xu Chuan set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at Xu Mingyuan. "A couple of days ago, your Uncle Ergou suggested that our two families jointly fund a fruit and vegetable shop in the county seat. What do you think?"
"A shop in the county seat? Auntie must have put him up to that."
Xu Mingyuan was somewhat dismissive. He said mildly, "I heard Daniu mention before that their family seemed to be planning to move to the county seat."
"With the amount of fruit and vegetables our two families' fields and woodlands currently produce, supplying two or three shops would be no problem at all."
"If we really are opening one, I suggest our family open our own."
"With the quality of our produce, plus Jade Pears as our signature offering, even if we don't claim the top spot, business will definitely be booming."
Remembering something, Xu Mingyuan smiled and continued, "If I recall correctly, the Jade Pears will ripen in just over half a month. With those as our seasonal fruit, we'll definitely be able to make a name for ourselves."
"But in that case, the Xu Lineage..."
Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan's expression. He knew that Xu Chuan's approach to the Xu Lineage had always been to endure and hold back.
That was why they had continued selling their Jade Pears to the Xu Lineage all these years.
But whenever he saw the arrogant faces of the Xu Lineage's people as they came to collect the Jade Pears, anger welled up inside him. He wanted nothing more than to charge over and give them a couple of hefty slaps.
"The Xu Lineage," Xu Chuan murmured, then smiled faintly. "Since you already have a plan, we won't sell to them anymore, starting this year."
"That's wonderful, Father!"
"I'll have Zhou Ming help you set up the shop in Qingjiang County Seat. Whatever funds you need, just ask your mother for them."
"Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others will also be at your disposal."
Xu Mingyuan smiled and nodded, rubbing his hands together, brimming with enthusiasm.
This would be the Xu Household's first official step toward expanding into the county seat.
Just then, Bai Jing suddenly asked, "If we don't partner with Ergou's family, won't they take issue with it?"
"Mother, you don't know," Xu Mingyuan said. "Things were fine when Uncle Ergou was in charge, but after Auntie took over, she repeatedly sold produce without permission and raised prices. She was constantly pulling little tricks."
"Several times, she nearly damaged our Xu Household's reputation."
"If not for Uncle Ergou's friendship with Father, I would have asked Father to end our partnership long ago."
"That happened?" Bai Jing looked startled and doubtful.
Xu Chuan remained perfectly calm about the matter, offering only a brief assessment. "Too clever by half, with a bottomless ravine of greed."
"Since you're handling the shop, you can speak to Ergou as well. You know how to explain it, don't you?"
"I understand. I won't damage your friendship with Uncle Ergou."
Xu Mingyuan thought for a moment, then added, "I'll go to his house right now, before a long night breeds more dreams."
He quickly finished the rest of his plain congee, then hurried out.
"Father, I'll head into the mountains too," Xu Mingwei said, rising as well.
"Mm," Xu Chuan replied.
Just then, Xu Mingshu suddenly stood, caught the hem of Xu Mingwei's clothes, and looked up. "Eldest Brother, I want a little animal."
Xu Mingwei hesitated. The fierce beasts in the mountain forests were wild and difficult to tame, not something he could simply bring home.
"If you find any young ones, there's no harm in bringing a few back," Xu Chuan said.
"Understood." Xu Mingwei crouched and rubbed Xu Mingshu's head. "I'll bring you one."
"Thank you, Eldest Brother."
Xu Mingshu had now also been blessed with the fate talent [Whispers of All Spirits].
It was the last unassigned fate talent in the Bloodline Genealogy.
It allowed her to communicate with all beasts and made them naturally feel close to her.
As for [Seek Profit and Avoid Harm], it had been given to Xu Mingxuan long ago.
"Xueji, Yunnu, you're both six now. It's time for you to start practicing martial arts too. Understood?" Xu Chuan said.
Bai Jing trembled, but said nothing more and continued clearing the bowls and chopsticks from the table.
"Yes, Father."
Curiosity filled Xu Mingshu's eyes, while Xu Mingxian was somewhat excited, his little fists clenched tight.
"Then who will teach us, Father?" Xu Mingxian asked, his eyes sparkling.
Xu Chuan chuckled. "I'll teach you myself."