"Brother Xu, please tell me honestly: have you reached the Houtian peak?"
Yang Shichang looked solemn as he asked in a low voice.
Xu Chuan usually warned Xu Mingwei to keep a low profile, but after giving it careful thought, Xu Mingwei nodded.
"The Houtian peak at eighteen. You truly have the makings of a Grandmaster."
He was a year older than Xu Mingwei, yet he had only reached the rank of First-Class Martial Artist.
Although there were not many apertures to open between First-Class Martial Artist and the Houtian peak, opening them was far from easy.
"Even Xiantian is still far beyond my reach, let alone becoming a Grandmaster," Xu Mingwei said wistfully.
Yang Shichang smiled. "Actually, there is a shortcut to Xiantian. A Qi-Inducing Pill can draw qi into your body through Qi Induction, help you sense the power of heaven and earth, and speed up your progress toward becoming a Xiantian Martial Artist."
"That's how the outstanding younger members of the great aristocratic clans in the Commandery Seat do it."
"How can I obtain a Qi-Inducing Pill?"
"They're exceedingly rare in the county town. Even in the Commandery Seat, they're controlled by the great aristocratic clans. Only cultivators have the means to refine them, and a single pill costs three thousand taels."
"And a Qi-Inducing Pill doesn't guarantee that you'll successfully sense the qi of heaven and earth. It only increases your chances a little. Usually, it takes a dozen or more pills before there's any hope of success."
"Even the most gifted person in the Commandery Seat in the past decade needed three."
"Has no one managed to sense it on their own?" Xu Mingwei asked curiously.
"Of course some have, but it's very difficult. Out of every hundred Xiantian Martial Artists in the Commandery Seat, only one managed it on their own." Yang Shichang glanced at Xu Mingwei and smiled. "Still, when pursuing the martial way, the earlier you break through, the farther you'll be able to go."
"After all, once you pass sixty, your qi and blood begin to decline, and further breakthroughs become all but impossible."
"If our two households were joined by marriage, given your talent, my father might be able to obtain a few Qi-Inducing Pills from our lineage to help you break through."
The Yang Household had faith in the Xu Household, and in Xu Mingwei.
But they would not provide precious resources such as Qi-Inducing Pills without reason. If their children married, however, that would be another matter.
"This matter still needs Father to decide."
"Brother Xu, you really are... And here my sister adores you so much that she refuses to marry anyone else."
"Brother Shichang, who refuses to marry whom?"
Xu Mingshu's light laughter drifted over as two figures, one older and one younger, approached along the corridor ahead.
The older girl was graceful and slender, like a lotus rising from the water. The younger was lively and adorable, with mischief gleaming in her crescent-moon eyes.
They were Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingshu.
"Sister, it seems Brother Xu has no intention of marrying you. You'd better find yourself another worthy husband."
"Brother, what are you saying? Brother Mingwei won't let me down. We've already pledged ourselves to each other."
Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua exchanged a glance and faint smiles.
Over the past three years.
The Xu Household and the Yang Household had grown close.
They visited frequently, and the younger members of both households had become well acquainted.
Affection had also blossomed between Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingwei.
Everyone else had noticed and considered them a golden boy and jade maiden, a perfect match.
"I certainly won't let Sister Ronghua down," Xu Mingwei declared as though taking an oath. "I'll break through to Xiantian as soon as possible and meet Father's requirement. Then, with the Three Letters and Six Rites and a bridal sedan carried by eight men, I'll welcome Sister Ronghua into my household as my wife."
"Hahaha!" Yang Shichang suddenly burst out laughing. "Brother Xu, those are your own words!"
"My sister and I will be waiting, then."
"Little Xueji, let's go see your Little White. We shouldn't stay here and interrupt their heart-to-heart."
Xu Mingshu blinked. "Let's go, then. It's the perfect chance to show you how formidable Little White is!"
Yang Shichang sparred with Little White for a while.
Sure enough, he was no match for the Variant White Tiger. His trouncing had Xu Mingshu clapping and cheering.
Of course, Xu Mingshu would never actually let Little White hurt him.
Otherwise, she would have no way to explain herself to her godfather and godmother. Once they returned home, both girl and tiger would be severely punished, and the White Tiger might never be allowed out again.
Before long.
Xu Mingwei and his sister returned to Dongxi Village.
The Xu Residence now covered more than a hundred mu. Its buildings were magnificent, truly possessing the grandeur of a local aristocratic clan.
Xu Mingwei told Xu Chuan about the Qi-Inducing Pills.
"I'll discuss this with your Uncle Yang, and have A Yuan ask around as well."
"As for marriage, you're both still young. There's no hurry; it can wait another year or two."
Xu Chuan looked at Xu Mingwei with a smile. Xu Mingwei nodded. "You're right, Father."
"Make proper preparations for founding the clan."
"This will be the great day when our Xu Household officially becomes an aristocratic clan of Qingjiang."
"I understand its importance."
That night.
Azure Cloud Street, the Yang Household.
"Husband, what's made you so happy today?" Madam Yang asked curiously as she poured Yang Zhao some wine.
"A letter came from our lineage. A position has opened up in the Commandery Seat. We can move back there."
"Really?"
"Eldest Uncle wrote personally. How could it be false?"
"Wife, let's have a few extra cups tonight."
"Of course, husband."
After three cups.
Madam Yang took out an invitation. "The Xu Household sent Mingyuan over with an invitation. They'll found their clan and open their Ancestral Hall in half a month, and they've invited us to attend the ceremony."
At those words, Yang Zhao's expression froze.
"What's wrong?" Madam Yang asked in surprise.
"How swiftly the Xu Clan has risen! Three years have passed in a blink, and already they're founding a clan," Yang Zhao sighed.
"It has been swift, but the Xu Clan of today is nothing like it once was. Their roots may not yet run deep, since they're newly established and their numbers are few, but their wealth, strength, and network of connections cannot be dismissed," Madam Yang said with a nod.
"Once all five sons marry and establish themselves, the clan will flourish at once, and its foundations will be secure."
Yang Zhao agreed, but his expression was unlike its usual self.
Madam Yang noticed the change and asked, "Why does your expression turn strange whenever the Xu Clan comes up this year? You weren't like this before."
Yang Zhao sighed softly. "Eldest Uncle's letter today instructed me to compete for the post of Commandery Commandant. But there are many contenders, and the Chang Clan and the other clans are watching like hungry tigers."
"To succeed, I need the Wen Household's support."
"The Wen Household has held the post of Commandery Commandant several times. Though they're not the equal of the Chang Clan or our Yang Household, their roots run deep and their tree stands tall. They have substantial reserves."
"That is why Eldest Uncle suggested a marriage alliance with the Wen Household."
"At present, I'm the Yang Household's strongest contender for Commandery Commandant."
"That's wonderful news!"
Knowing this concerned her husband's future, Madam Yang's eyes brightened with joy. "Chang'er is old enough to marry, too. A marriage to a suitable girl from the Wen Household would be just right."
"Wait, husband. Do you mean to marry Hua'er into the Wen Household?"
Yang Zhao nodded and said gravely, "Both Chang'er and Hua'er, one taking a wife and the other marrying out, at the same time."
"That would bind us doubly through marriage. Only then will the Wen Household give me their full support in competing for Commandery Commandant. With our Yang Household and the Wen Household joining forces, we can be certain of success in this contest."
"But..." The same expression Yang Zhao had worn earlier suddenly appeared on Madam Yang's face.
Though nothing had been put in writing, the Yang Household and the Xu Household had long shared an understanding: when the time was right, Xu Mingwei would marry Yang Ronghua.
Yang Zhao had always favored a marriage alliance with the Xu Household. Moreover, Xu Mingwei had both virtue and ability, making him an excellent match for Yang Ronghua.
Yet now, faced with a choice, he found himself torn between his future and his daughter's happiness.
"But Hua'er... Chang'er told me that those two are deeply in love. They've sworn vows as enduring as mountains and seas. He will marry no one but her, and she will marry no one but him."
"Nonsense! What do children know of the world? What vow lasts forever?"
Yang Zhao slammed his hand on the table, his voice and expression fierce. It was unclear whether he was angry that his daughter had privately pledged her life to someone, or anguished that his future demanded the sacrifice of her happiness.
"Husband, is there truly no other way?"
Madam Yang ached for her beloved daughter. Imagining how this dreadful news would tear her heart and gut apart, she could not keep tears from welling in her eyes.
"Do you think I don't cherish Hua'er, too?"
Helpless as well, Yang Zhao gave a long sigh. "But even if I were willing to abandon my future, how could I answer to Eldest Uncle and Father? This doesn't concern me alone. The rise or fall of the entire Yang Household rests on it.
"I was raised and educated by the Yang Household. How could I turn my back on my clan?"
"Why not simply say that Chang'er has yet to be betrothed, but Hua'er is already promised to someone? The betrothal gifts have been delivered, and all that remains is to choose an auspicious day for the wedding. You've always thought highly of the Xu Household, saying they would surely become Qingjiang's foremost aristocratic clan.
"If we marry Hua'er into the Wen Household, it may drive a wedge between our two households, and all our years of effort will flow away eastward with the river.
"Husband, please think it over carefully."
Hearing this, Yang Zhao pondered for a long while before saying, "You're quite right, wife.
"The Xu Household has extraordinary potential. One day, they may well equal our Yang Household.
"I'll return to the Commandery Seat tomorrow and discuss it with Eldest Uncle. Perhaps another girl of suitable age from the clan could marry into the Wen Household, or I could adopt a daughter to marry in Hua'er's place."
At this, Madam Yang's face brightened into a smile.