Frost Bow, Cloud-Piercing Arrow

"Father, ever since the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School made a name for itself in one battle, many lineages have drawn closer to the Xu Household. They've even sent their children to train there. The school now has sixty or seventy students."

Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan, seated in the hall's place of honor. He could hardly hide his delight.

"And Master Gu?"

"Master Gu is choosing youngsters suited to inherit the Dragon Elephant Sect's teachings." Xu Mingyuan lifted his teacup and took a small sip before continuing. "But his standards are high. He hasn't found anyone suitable yet."

"What about Li Zhi? Is he still at the Heavenly Dragon Martial Arts School?"

"He left a few days ago and has joined the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School."

Xu Chuan nodded. "Li Zhi is a little more talented than Charcoal Head. Train him to the standard of a direct Xu descendant, and becoming a Xiantian Martial Artist shouldn't be a problem. He may even reach the peak of Xiantian, or challenge the Grandmaster realm."

"Have Master Gu train him well. If Master Gu takes a liking to him, Li Zhi could become his disciple and deepen our ties with him."

Xu Mingyuan was surprised. He hadn't expected his father to think so highly of Li Zhi. He cupped his hands and said, "Father, you always see further ahead. I'm impressed."

"By the way, has the smithy been established?"

"Yes."

"Then have them forge a powerful bow fit for a Xiantian Martial Artist. Spare no expense on materials. Whatever they need, find it for them—but keep it secret."

"I see." Xu Mingyuan chuckled.

"You've figured it out again." Xu Chuan looked at his second son and shook his head with a rueful smile.

"Who else in the family practices archery besides my elder brother?"

"It's a gift for him. Will two months be enough?"

"More than enough. But..." Xu Mingyuan put on a wounded look. "I haven't received a gift from you since I grew up, Father."

"This is more than a gift. It's another trump card for the Xu Household.

"Shitou has reached Xiantian, and his strength has grown. His old Black Iron bow is already a little lacking. Only a more powerful bow will suit him and let him use his abilities to the fullest."

Xu Mingyuan grew curious. "How strong could my elder brother be with a bow?"

"At long range, he should be able to kill a late-stage Xiantian Martial Artist."

"Hiss—"

Xu Mingyuan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he sucked in a cold breath.

Xu Chuan had not made that claim lightly.

Xiantian true qi was powerful and could be projected beyond the body, but its range was limited. The farther it traveled, the weaker it became.

With Xu Mingwei's talent and skill in archery, he could keep a Xiantian Martial Artist pinned down from several miles away, while his opponent could do nothing to harm him.

With his Natural Divine Strength, he could draw and fire for a long time. Arrows of such speed and power would be extremely difficult even for a Xiantian Martial Artist to dodge.

The slightest slip could leave his opponent gravely wounded—or dead.

"A trump card like that really can't be exposed lightly."

Xu Mingyuan trusted Xu Chuan, and his expression turned serious. "Father, leave this to me. I'll make sure they forge a powerful bow my elder brother will love."

Over the next two months, all was quiet among Qingjiang County's households.

The Xu Household's various businesses also developed steadily.

On the tenth day of the eleventh month, Xu Chuan gave Xu Mingwei the treasured bow Xu Mingyuan had commissioned.

"Elder Brother, this bow is a rare thing. It took nearly two months to make, and no small amount of precious materials went into it.

"The bow's body was forged from a composite of Millennium Frost Iron and Agarwood, combining firmness with flexibility. Delicate frost patterns are inlaid with silver thread along its limbs. The string is made from fine Snow Silkworm Silk, and Lantian Jade is set into its grip."

Xu Mingwei gently stroked the bow, his eyes full of delight.

"The arrows are no ordinary things either. Their shafts are also made of Millennium Frost Iron, and their fletching comes from the feathers of Mutant Silver Eagles. The feathers are light yet tough, each one gleaming silver-white. The arrowheads are honed from Obsidian and are incredibly sharp."

"Second Brother, even the description sounds impressive." Xu Mingxuan spoke enviously. "I want one too."

"Then you'll have to ask Father. He's the one who told me to have it made. Besides, do you know archery?"

Xu Mingxuan had no answer.

"Thank you, Father, and thank you, A Yuan. I love it." Xu Mingwei's happiness was heartfelt.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Give it a name."

"This bow feels cool to the touch, so I'll call it the Frost Bow. As for the arrows, their silver feathers fly in unison, and they can pierce the clouds and split the sky. I'll call them Cloud-Piercing Arrows."

"Frost Bow and Cloud-Piercing Arrows. Good names." Xu Chuan smiled. "I hope you'll use them to protect the Xu Household and pierce our enemies' hearts."

"Yes, Father."

A little over a month later came the Year Sacrifice.

After the Year Sacrifice, Xu Mingwei also reached the age of twenty.

By then, Yang Ronghua was close to giving birth, and the Midwife had already taken up residence in the manor.

Half a month later, Yang Ronghua went into labor.

Xu Mingwei paced outside the door. Hearing her heartrending cries from within, he grew so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead.

Even a fight with a Xiantian Martial Artist would not have unsettled him like this.

His eyes were filled with worry.

Xu Chuan pointed at him and chuckled. "Look, my dear. I paced around just like that back then. Now it's Shitou's turn."

Bai Jing gave him a hard pinch. "Husband, be serious."

"Let go, let go. My mistake."

Xu Mingwei tried several times to rush inside, but Xu Chuan stopped him each time.

Xu Mingyuan was busy in Qingjiang County, while Xu Mingxuan and the others were at the Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School. They returned to the Xu family manor only once every six or seven days.

Because Yang Ronghua was giving birth, Xu Chuan had sent guards to bring them back.

More than four hours later, the door opened. A maid came out smiling. "Master, Madam, Eldest Young Master—the young madam has given birth to a boy!"

"Good, good, good!" Xu Chuan burst out laughing, then said to Xu Mingwei, "Go on in."

Without a word, Xu Mingwei rushed into the room. He did not even stop to look at the baby before sweeping to the bedside like a gust of wind. He brushed aside Yang Ronghua's sweat-soaked hair and held her hand tightly.

"My dear, thank you for all you've been through."

Yang Ronghua smiled faintly. Although a Qi-Blood Pill had replenished her vitality, she still looked utterly spent, her face pale.

Xu Chuan and Bai Jing came in as well.

Bai Jing took the baby, wrapped in fine silk, from the Midwife. Her eyes brimmed with tenderness as she rocked him gently. "My eldest grandson."

Xu Chuan came over for a look, then said to Yang Ronghua, "Get some rest."

"Yes, Father."

A little while later, Xu Mingwei's siblings arrived one after another.

"Is my eldest nephew here yet?" Xu Mingyuan called out boisterously before he even entered.

"Quiet. Wake my grandson, and I'll throw you out."

"Father, now that you have a grandson, you don't love me anymore." Xu Mingyuan put on a comical face. "It's true—love can always shift to someone else."

"Hahaha!"

The others burst out laughing.

"Let me see." Xu Mingshu leaned in, then said softly, "I'm your aunt. Say 'Auntie.'"

"He's only just been born. How could he talk?" Bai Jing said with a smile.

"Shitou, have you thought of a name?"

Xu Mingwei said, "According to the generational sequence you established—Ming, De, Chong, Wen; Jing, Yun, Chang, Zhao; Wei, Shan, Yong, Ji; Shi, Ze, Chang, Zhao—his generation is De."

"I hope he grows up to be open and upright, with virtues known to all."

"Then let's call him Xu Dezhao."