Opening a Shop in the County Seat

Facing the three-man assault, Xu Mingwei focused on blocking and dodging.

He moved along an S-shaped path, raising his knees and swinging his arms to ward off their blows.

Each time he landed, he touched down on his toes and concentrated his strength into a single point, bursting forward to weave between them.

He was like a fire dragon crossing a marsh, supple and explosive at once.

This was a movement technique from the Little Dragon Elephant Art: Dragon Swimming Through the Curved Marsh.

After he wove back and forth like this for a dozen breaths, a gap appeared in the three men's attack.

A sharp glint flashed through Xu Mingwei's eyes.

With a sweeping kick, he sent two of them flying, then twisted with the momentum and leaped into the air.

His right leg chopped into the last man's shoulder like a battle-axe.

Thud!

The overwhelming force came down like a thousand-pound boulder, driving the man to one knee and beading his forehead with sweat.

"That's enough," Xu Chuan said suddenly.

At his words, Xu Mingwei withdrew his foot.

He let out a long breath, his expression unchanged. There was not even a drop of sweat on his face.

Zhao Dalong and the other two rose, cupped their fists, and bowed to him. Their faces were full of respect as they said in unison, "Thank you for holding back, young master."

"You're too kind. I was only lucky enough to win by a narrow margin."

Xu Chuan nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, a rosy-cheeked little girl who looked like a porcelain doll came over and called in a clear voice, "Dad, big brother, second brother, breakfast is ready."

Li Er, Zhao Dalong, and the others also spoke up. "Household Head, we'll be heading back too."

"Mm." Xu Chuan nodded.

When they had been on their own, eating together had been fine.

But now, one by one, they had started families and had children of their own.

It was no longer quite appropriate for them to eat at the main house.

The Xu Household treated them well, paying them five taels of silver a month—an arrangement unmatched anywhere in Dongxi Village.

"My Little Xueji."

Xu Chuan went over and scooped her up, affectionately brushing his nose against hers. She giggled. "Dad, that tickles."

The little girl was Xu Mingshu.

As the only girl, she was showered with affection by everyone in the Xu Household.

On the eight-seater table,

a large bowl of minced-meat congee sat in the center, surrounded by scallion pancakes, egg pancakes, pickles, and preserved radish.

It was a lavish spread.

There were seven people in the Xu Household, but only six sat at the table.

The one missing 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 of them came home for just one day every seven days.

"Charcoal Head comes 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 well regarded at the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School. He won't suffer any mistreatment."

Xu Chuan said it mildly.

Bai Jing immediately poured out her grievances, a little displeased. "There are plenty of people at home who practice martial arts. Why did Charcoal Head have to go to the Martial Arts Hall?"

"All sorts of people mix there. How can you be sure he won't be bullied?"

Xu Chuan did not explain further.

He had his reasons for sending the two boys to the Martial Arts Hall.

First, they could receive better training. Second, they could build connections.

Thanks to their talent, both had been accepted as disciples by an instructor at 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 our two families pool their money to open a fruit and vegetable shop in the county seat. What do you think?"

"Open a shop in the county seat? Auntie put him up to it, didn't she?"

Xu Mingyuan did not seem impressed. "I heard from Daniu earlier that their family seemed to be thinking of moving to the county seat."

"With what our two families' fields and woodland produce now, we could easily supply two or three fruit and vegetable shops."

"If we're going to open one, I suggest our family open one on our own."

"Given the quality of our produce, with Jade Pears as our signature offering, business is sure to boom even if we don't come out on top."

Remembering something, Xu Mingyuan smiled and went on. "If I recall correctly, the Jade Pears will ripen in a little over half a month. As a seasonal fruit, they're sure to help us make a name for ourselves."

"But if we do that, the Xu Lineage..."

Xu Mingyuan glanced at Xu Chuan's face. He knew Xu Chuan had always chosen to endure the Xu Lineage's behavior.

That was why, all these years, they had continued selling the Jade Pears to the Xu Lineage.

But whenever Xu Mingyuan saw the arrogant looks on the faces of the Xu Lineage's buyers, anger rose in him. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and slap them both hard.

"The Xu Lineage." Xu Chuan murmured the name, then smiled faintly. "Since you already have a plan, we won't sell to them starting this year."

"That's great, Dad."

"I'll have Zhou Ming help you set up the shop in Qingjiang County Seat. Ask your mother for however much silver you need."

"Li Er and Zhao Dalong are yours to assign as well."

Xu Mingyuan nodded with a smile and rubbed his hands together, brimming with energy.

This would be the Xu Household's first formal step toward expanding into the county seat.

Just then, Bai Jing asked, "If we don't work with Ergou's family, will they take offense?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "Mom, you don't know what's been happening. Things were fine when Uncle Ergou made the decisions, but after Auntie took over, she sold produce behind our backs several times, raised prices, and kept pulling little tricks."

"More than once, she nearly damaged the Xu Household's reputation."

"If not for Uncle Ergou's friendship with Dad, I would have asked Dad to end our partnership long ago."

"That happened?" Bai Jing looked startled.

Xu Chuan remained calm. He offered only eight words of judgment: "Too clever by half, with an appetite no amount could fill."

"Since you're handling the shop, you can speak to Ergou too. You know how to explain it clearly, don't you?"

"I do. I won't damage your friendship with Uncle Ergou."

After a moment's thought, Xu Mingyuan added, "I'll go to his house now, before any more complications arise."

He quickly finished the rest of his congee and hurried out.

"Dad, I'm heading into the mountains too." Xu Mingwei stood as he spoke.

"Mm," Xu Chuan replied.

Just then, Xu Mingshu stood, caught the corner of Xu Mingwei's robe, and looked up at him. "Big brother, I want a little animal."

Xu Mingwei hesitated. The beasts in the mountains were wild and hard to tame. He could not simply bring one home.

"If you find any young ones, there's no harm in bringing a few back," Xu Chuan said.

"Got it." Xu Mingwei crouched and rubbed Xu Mingshu's head. "Big brother will bring you one."

"Thank you, big brother."

Xu Mingshu had also been granted the Fate Talent [Whispers of All Spirits].

It was the last unclaimed Fate Talent on the Bloodline Genealogy.

It allowed her to communicate with all beasts and made them naturally drawn to her.

As for [Seek Profit and Avoid Harm], it had long since been given to Xu Mingxuan.

"Xueji, Yunnu, you're both six now. It's time for you to start practicing martial arts, understood?" Xu Chuan said.

Bai Jing shuddered but said nothing, continuing to clear the bowls and chopsticks from the table.

"Yes, Dad."

Xu Mingshu's eyes held curiosity, while Xu Mingxian looked excited, her little fists clenched tight.

"Then who's going to teach us, Dad?" Xu Mingxian's eyes sparkled.

Xu Chuan chuckled. "I will."