Xiantian Dragon-Elephant Art

"If that's the case, quite a few people must have obtained this Xiantian martial art by now."

Xu Mingwei said, "Even if we spend a little more silver, adding it to our collection would strengthen the Lineage's foundations."

"You're mistaken, brother." Xu Mingyuan sighed. "No one has obtained this martial art."

"From what I've heard, no one has offered a price that moves him yet. He even turned down the staggering sum of fifty thousand taels."

"Fifty thousand taels?!" Xu Mingxuan knocked over his teacup in shock, not even noticing the tea splashing onto his clothes. "The Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex only costs seven or eight thousand!"

"Unless this martial art has been passed down through a single line, and it's the only copy in the world."

"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 down?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "The vast majority of martial arts texts aren't unique. You can copy one and sell it for a profit."

"In Qingjiang County, someone with good connections can buy an Inner Force Manual for a few hundred taels. Country folk repeat rumors until they think it costs one or two thousand. Xiantian martial arts are more expensive, but even a handwritten copy is worth four or five thousand taels at most."

"Very few copies of the Heavenly Dragon Secret Codex circulate. Rarity drives up the price, and since it can take someone to the early Grandmaster stage, it's only natural that 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. He probably wants more than just silver, so I'm planning a trip to Liuyun County in a couple of days."

Xu Mingxuan's eyes darted about. "Second Brother, take me with you."

"Don't you need to return to the martial hall?"

"I'm already a Second-Rate Martial Artist. I could have graduated long ago. The others are only staying because they can't find a good path forward, and our family can afford to feed me."

"What about Li Zhi?" Xu Mingwei asked.

"He thinks he can hone himself better at the martial hall. He plans to work for the Xu family after becoming a First-Class Martial Artist."

"That's good." Xu Mingwei nodded. "Li Zhi has talent. If he devotes himself fully to the Martial Way, he should become a First-Class Martial Artist in three or four years."

"He'll be of greater help to our family then, too."

"By the way, where's Father?"

Xu Mingyuan suddenly realized he had not seen Xu Chuan since returning, so he asked.

Xu Mingshu laughed. "Second Brother, you're only remembering Father now? I feel sorry for him."

"I was so concerned about my nephew that I 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 asked, surprised.

"Training in seclusion."

Xu Mingxian was sparing with words and rarely said anything unnecessary, but she added, "Father said not to disturb him unless something comes up."

Xu Mingyuan rubbed his chin, a keen glint flashing in his eyes. "Father cultivates the Little Dragon Elephant Art too. What level has he reached now?"

"He didn't start practicing martial arts until he was nearly twenty-six, but it's been twelve or thirteen years. He should be a Second-Rate Martial Artist by now, shouldn't he?"

A Second-Rate Martial Artist?

He's already trying to break through to Xiantian!

Xu Mingwei laughed and scolded him. "Why ask so many questions? Are you planning to spar with Father?"

"Heh, I wouldn't dare. The moment his face darkens, I start trembling."

Xu Mingyuan grinned, setting Bai Jing and the others laughing.

"Trembling? Of all of you, you were the one who clung to your father most as a child. When a rooster knocked you over, you bawled your eyes out."

Bai Jing had brought up one of Xu Mingyuan's childhood embarrassments.

Everyone laughed all over again.

"Mother, I have a reputation to protect," Xu Mingyuan said, embarrassed.

"All right, all right. I won't say any more."

Two days later.

Xu Mingyuan took Xu Mingxuan, Chen Daniu, and two Second-Rate Martial Artist guards to Liuyun County.

Liuyun County was only two hours from Qingjiang by carriage, but its streets were far more disorderly. Dust swirled through the markets, and now and then a drunkard slept against an earthen wall.

Xu Mingyuan tossed a few copper coins to some children on a street corner and learned that the seller was staying at the White Poplar Inn.

The inn's frontage was weathered, and a faded wine banner hung beneath the eaves, snapping in the wind.

The four of them sat waiting in the inn's tearoom for half the day. Only when dusk closed in did they see a burly, bearded man return, striding through the last of the sunset.

He wore a black cloak. A ring-pommel saber with rust around its guard hung at his waist, and dark red soil clung to his boots.

"You're here for the Xiantian Dragon Elephant Art?" The man led them to a second-floor guest room. Its furnishings were sparse; only a damaged Tiger Descending the Mountain Painting hung on the wall, its ink strokes vigorous.

"Yes. My family happened to obtain the Little Dragon Elephant Art. My elder brother has cultivated it to the Houtian Peak and is just one step from Xiantian, so we've been searching for the art's continuation."

The middle-aged man had a thick beard and a powerfully built frame. A fierce glint shone in his eyes.

At this, he raised an eyebrow. After a moment's silence, he asked, "What price will you offer?"

"May I ask whether you have the original or a handwritten copy?"

"What if it's the original? What if it's a copy?" The man's tone turned cold. His knuckles rapped against the wooden table with a string of thuds.

Xu Mingyuan rose and pushed open the carved wooden window. Looking down at the bustling crowd, he said evenly, "An original is precious and often carries special significance. We won't insist on it. A handwritten copy will do."

"What I have is the original," the bearded man said.

"The original? Did you come across it by chance, or were you one of the Dragon Elephant Sect disciples who scattered back then?"

The bearded man's pupils contracted. His voice took on an icy edge. "What's that got to do with you?"

"Everything."

A thought flashed through Xu Mingyuan's mind. He had guessed the man's identity. "If I'm right, you were once a member of the Dragon Elephant Sect."

"And the reason you refused even fifty thousand taels is that you intend to reestablish the Dragon Elephant Sect."

"I'd advise you to abandon that idea."

"Even after all these years, who knows whether the Dragon Elephant Sect's enemies still remember its name? If you bring it back and someone reports you, disaster could follow."

"You're that certain?"

Xu Mingyuan turned and answered with a smile. "My instincts have always been sharp."

"And if I am?"

"The Xu family came only for a handwritten copy."

The bearded man thought for a while, then asked, "What price will the Xu family offer?"

They had returned to the question they started with.

But from their conversation, Xu Mingyuan had already formed a fair idea of what the man wanted.

"We'll help you establish a Dragon Elephant Martial Hall to carry on the Dragon Elephant Sect's legacy."

The bearded man's heart jolted. Surprise crossed his face, and a flicker of interest showed in his eyes.

"Of course, a martial hall alone couldn't sustain itself. It would have to become self-sufficient."

"How would it do that?"

Without realizing it, the bearded man had fallen into Xu Mingyuan's rhythm.

Xu Mingyuan's skill at reading people and handling every angle left Xu Mingxuan and Chen Daniu staring in astonishment.

After all, this was their first meeting with the man. He was deeply guarded, and countless others had approached him only to return defeated.

That's my second brother, Xu Mingxuan thought with quiet pride.

Talent really is impossible to make up for, Chen Daniu sighed inwardly.

Over the past few months, he had learned a great deal working at Xu Mingyuan's side.

His father, Chen Ergou, had been assigned to manage a fruit shop in the county town.

Xu Mingyuan smiled faintly. "This isn't something I can explain in a few words. It would take considerable manpower, supplies, and money, and it would also require the approval of the Xu family's head."

"So, if you're willing, why not stay with the Xu family for a few days while we discuss it?"

The bearded man knew opening a martial hall would be no simple matter. After considering it, he asked, "The Xu family? Which Xu family?"

"The Xu family of Qingjiang County," Xu Mingyuan said.

Chen Daniu was quick to take the hint and introduce them. "This is the Xu family's second young master, Xu Mingyuan, and this is the third young master, Xu Mingxuan."