"In that case, quite a few people must have acquired these Xiantian Martial Arts by now."
Xu Mingwei said, "Even if we spend a little more silver, adding it to our household's collection would strengthen our lineage's foundations."
"You're mistaken, Brother." Xu Mingyuan sighed deeply. "No one has acquired it yet."
"From what I've heard, no one has offered a price that moved him. He even turned down the astronomical sum of fifty thousand taels."
"Fifty thousand taels?!" Xu Mingxuan was so startled that he knocked over his teacup, not even noticing the tea splashing onto his robes. "The Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex only costs seven or eight thousand taels."
"Unless these martial arts have been passed down through a single line, and this is the only copy in existence."
"But if he treasures it that much, why put it up for sale? Wouldn't it be better to take a disciple and pass it on?"
Xu Mingyuan said, "Most martial arts texts aren't unique. Copy one out and sell it, and you've made a profit."
"In Qingjiang County, someone with good connections can buy an Inner Force Manual for a few hundred taels. Country folk pass rumors from mouth to mouth until they think it costs one or two thousand.
"Xiantian Martial Arts cost more, but a handwritten copy is worth four or five thousand taels at most."
"The Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex rarely gets circulated. Scarcity makes things precious, and it can take someone all the way to early-stage grandmaster, so naturally it costs more."
"But the seller of the Xiantian Dragon Elephant Art..."
Xu Mingwei pondered for a moment, then looked up. "Perhaps he has plans of his own."
"That's what I think too. What he wants probably isn't as simple as money, so I'm planning to make a trip to Liuyun County in a couple of days."
Xu Mingxuan's eyes darted. "Second Brother, take me with you."
"Don't you need to return to the Martial Arts Hall?"
"I'm already a Second-Rate Martial Artist. I could have graduated ages ago. The others only stay at the Martial Arts Hall because they haven't found a good way forward, and our household isn't short of one person's meals."
"What about Li Zhi?" Xu Mingwei asked.
"He thinks he can hone himself better at the Martial Arts Hall. He plans to become a First-Class Martial Artist before working for our Xu Household."
"That's good." Xu Mingwei nodded. "Li Zhi has real talent. If he devotes himself entirely to the martial way, he should become a First-Class Martial Artist in three or four years.
"He'll be an even greater help to our household then."
"Oh, right. Where's Father?"
Xu Mingyuan suddenly realized he had not seen Xu Chuan since returning, and finally asked.
Xu Mingshu laughed. "Second Brother, you've only just remembered Father? I feel so sorry for him."
"I was busy fussing over my eldest nephew and forgot. So where is Father?"
Xu Mingxian said, "He's staying in the Bamboo House by the Jade-Cold Pool."
"What's he doing there?" Xu Mingyuan was a little surprised.
"Secluded cultivation."
Xu Mingxian kept his words brief and rarely wasted them, but then added, "Father said not to disturb him unless something comes up."
Xu Mingyuan rubbed his chin, a sharp gleam flashing in his eyes. "Speaking of which, Father practices the Little Dragon Elephant Art too. What level has he reached?"
"He only started practicing martial arts when he was almost twenty-six. It's been twelve or thirteen years now. He should have become a Second-Rate Martial Artist by now, right?"
What Second-Rate Martial Artist?
He was already trying to break through to Xiantian!
Xu Mingwei laughed and scolded him. "Why all the questions? Don't tell me you want to spar with Father."
"Heh, I wouldn't dare. The moment his face darkens, I start trembling."
Xu Mingyuan grinned cheekily, making Bai Jing and the others burst into laughter.
"Trembling, indeed. Of all of you, you were the one who loved clinging to your father most as a child. Whenever a big rooster knocked you over, you'd bawl your eyes out."
Bai Jing recounted Xu Mingyuan's childhood embarrassment.
Once again, everyone did not know whether to laugh or cry.
"Mother, I have my pride too," Xu Mingyuan said, embarrassed himself.
"All right, all right. I won't say any more, okay?"
Two days later.
Xu Mingyuan took Xu Mingxuan, Chen Daniu, and two Second-Rate Martial Artist guards to Liuyun County.
Liuyun County was only four hours away from Qingjiang by carriage, yet its streets and markets were more disorderly. Amid the swirling dust, an occasional drunk slept soundly against an earthen wall.
Xu Mingyuan tossed a few copper coins to a child on a street corner and learned that the seller was staying at the White Poplar Inn.
The inn's facade was weathered, and a faded wine banner hung beneath its eaves, snapping in the wind.
The four sat idly in the inn's tearoom for half a day. Only as dusk closed in did they see a burly, heavily bearded man stride back through the shattered light of the setting sun.
He wore a black cloak, with a ring-pommel saber hanging at his waist, its guard tarnished with green rust. Dark red earth clung to the soles of his boots.
"Have you come seeking the Xiantian Dragon Elephant Art?" The burly man led them to a guest room on the second floor. Its furnishings were sparse, with only a damaged Tiger Descending the Mountain Painting hanging on the wall, its ink strokes bold and vigorous.
"Indeed. Our household once acquired the Little Dragon Elephant Art by chance. My elder brother has cultivated to the houtian peak and stands just one step from Xiantian, so we've been searching desperately for the follow-up cultivation method."
The middle-aged man had a face covered in thick beard and a powerfully built frame. Ferocity shone openly in his eyes.
At those words, he raised his brows. After a moment's silence, he said, "What price are you offering?"
"May I ask whether you hold the original or a handwritten copy?"
"What if it's the original? What if it's a handwritten copy?" The burly man's tone abruptly chilled, his knuckles knocking against the wooden table with dull thuds.
Xu Mingyuan rose and pushed open the carved wooden window. Looking down at the bustling stream of people below, he said calmly, "The original is precious and usually carries a special significance. We won't insist on it. A handwritten copy will suffice."
"What I have is the original," the bearded man said.
"The original? Did you stumble upon it by chance, or were you one of the Dragon Elephant Sect's disciples who scattered back then?"
The bearded man's pupils contracted, and an icy edge crept into his voice. "Is that any business of yours?"
"Of course it is."
A flash of insight struck Xu Mingyuan, and he guessed the man's identity. "If I'm not mistaken, you belonged to the Dragon Elephant Sect back then."
"And the reason you refused to sell even for fifty thousand taels is probably that you intend to reestablish the Dragon Elephant Sect."
"I advise you to put that thought out."
"Even after more than a decade, who knows whether the Dragon Elephant Sect's enemies still remember its name? Once you raise your head, someone with an agenda could report you, and another disaster would likely follow."
"Are you so certain?"
Xu Mingyuan turned and replied with a smile, "My instincts have always been accurate."
"Suppose I am. What would you do?"
"Our Xu Household came only for a handwritten copy."
The bearded man considered for a short while, then said, "What price is the Xu Household willing to offer?"
In the end, they had returned to the original question.
But from their conversation, Xu Mingyuan had already more or less figured out what the man wanted.
"We'll help you establish a Dragon Elephant Martial Hall and carry on the Dragon Elephant Sect's legacy."
The bearded man's heart jolted. Surprise appeared on his face, and a few glimmers of interest lit his eyes.
"Of course, a Martial Arts Hall alone won't be enough to sustain it. It must be able to support itself."
"How would it support itself?"
Without realizing it, the bearded man had already fallen into Xu Mingyuan's rhythm.
His deft handling of people and ability to read their hearts left Xu Mingxuan and Chen Daniu staring in astonishment.
This was their first meeting with the man, after all, and he was still extremely guarded. Who knew how many people had already left him with their feathers clipped in defeat?
That's my Second Brother for you, Xu Mingxuan thought, secretly pleased.
Talent really is something that's hard to make up for.
Chen Daniu sighed inwardly as well.
He had learned a great deal over these past few months working at Xu Mingyuan's side.
His father, Chen Ergou, had been assigned to manage a Fruit Shop in the County Seat.
Xu Mingyuan smiled gently. "This isn't something I can explain in a few words. It will also require considerable manpower, resources, and money, as well as the approval of our Xu Household Head."
"So, if you're willing, why not come stay at our Xu Household for a few days and discuss it?"
The bearded man naturally knew that opening a Martial Arts Hall was no simple matter. After weighing it over, he asked, "The Xu Household? Which Xu Household?"
"The Xu Household of Qingjiang County," Xu Mingyuan said.
Chen Daniu also knew how to read the situation and immediately introduced them. "This is our Xu Household's second young master, Xu Mingyuan, and this is our third young master, Xu Mingxuan."