Xu Mingyuan

Biodata

Power Progression

Background and History

Xu Mingyuan grew up in Dongxi Village as the second son of Xu Chuan and Bai Jing. As a child, he studied reading at home, helped his family in the fields, and followed his elder brother Xu Mingwei into courtyard practice 2 7 8.

At seven, he proposed a produce partnership with Chen Ergou’s family. His proposed profit split accounted for Xu Chuan’s growing expertise and reputation as well as the Chens’ work. Impressed, Xu Chuan asked which path he wanted to pursue; Mingyuan chose business over farming or sustained martial training 9. Xu Chuan intended to grant him a Fate Talent after recognizing his commercial aptitude, but the provided account does not confirm the blessing itself 9.

The birth of Mingyuan’s younger siblings changed Xu Chuan’s plans. Hoping his son could eventually reach Xiantian, Xu Chuan required him to train seriously under Mingwei. Mingyuan protested the added burden but complied 15. He continued to cultivate while taking on increasing responsibility for the household’s trade 16 39.

Personality

Mingyuan is lively, quick-witted, and more socially outgoing than his reserved elder brother. Even as a child, he was ready to give practical advice and adapt a plan to the people involved 8 9. Years of martial training tempered his restlessness without displacing his interest in commerce 9 16.

He puts the Xu Household’s interests first, but values its personal ties. At the clan-founding ceremony, he welcomed Chen Ergou warmly while reminding him to respect the occasion’s formality 30. In private, he is less assured about romance than negotiation: he initially hesitated over Wu Rushan’s proposal because they had only just met and had no feelings for one another 45 46.

Abilities & Skills

Commerce and negotiation

• Devised a produce partnership at seven by weighing expertise, reputation, sales work, and profit shares 9.
• Helped Mingwei sell a tiger hide for 1,200 taels—200 more than expected—and invited the buyer, Chang Haowen, to the family shop’s opening 22.
• Organized the county-seat fruit-and-vegetable shop, recruited independent suppliers, and helped expand the family’s businesses into other goods and services 17 22 27.
• Recognized that Gu Yiping valued preserving the Dragon Elephant Sect more than a large cash offer. Mingyuan proposed a martial hall, then worked with Mingwei on its terms 36 37.
• Procured medicinal ingredients and helped establish supporting facilities, including a medicine field, apothecary, smithy, workshop, and school 38.

Martial arts

• Practices the Flood Dragon Fist, taught with Li Er’s help. After five years, Li Er judged Mingyuan’s fist technique to be as good as his own 15 16.
• Reached Houtian Peak, but had not reached Xiantian when Xu Chuan reviewed his children’s progress 40.
• Sparred with Wu Rushan and learned that she was a skilled Third-Rate Martial Artist 45.

Relationships

• Xu Chuan — Father and mentor. He recognized Mingyuan’s business aptitude, entrusted him with the family’s commercial expansion, and pressed him to continue martial cultivation 9 15 27 40.
• Bai Jing — Mother. She oversaw his early education and later arranged his introduction to Wu Rushan 7 44 45.
• Xu Mingwei — Elder brother and martial teacher. They work together on household affairs, including the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall 15 37.
• Xu Mingxuan, Xu Mingshu, and Xu Mingxian — Younger siblings. Mingyuan travels with Mingxuan to negotiate for the Xiantian Dragon Elephant Art; the siblings also tease one another at home 15 36.
• Chen Daniu — Childhood friend who later joins the Xu Household and works alongside Mingyuan 9 32 36.
• Chen Ergou — Family friend and early produce-trade partner. Mingyuan’s partnership proposal helped bring their households into business together 9 10.
• Gu Yiping — Heir to the Dragon Elephant Sect. Mingyuan approached him about preserving its teachings through a martial hall and negotiated the resulting partnership 36 37.
• Wu Rushan — Betrothed. After meeting and sparring, they agreed to a marriage that could also ease tensions between their households 45 46.

Story Role and Major Arcs

• County-seat expansion: Mingyuan urges the family to sell its own produce, particularly Jade Pears, rather than rely on existing buyers. He prepares the Everjoy Street shop and develops supplier relationships 17 22.
• Building the Xu businesses: Xu Chuan places most business matters in his hands. With his father’s recipes and designs, Mingyuan helps extend the family’s trade beyond fruit and vegetables; within three years, the household becomes one of Qingjiang County’s leading earners 27.
• Dragon Elephant Martial Hall: Mingyuan finds the seller of the Xiantian Dragon Elephant Art, identifies his wish to preserve the sect, and helps turn that aim into a funded martial hall 36 37.
• Wu marriage arrangement: Mingyuan accepts Wu Rushan’s proposal after considering both their compatibility and the political value of an alliance. Xu Chuan publicly announces their betrothal at Xu Dezhao’s one-month celebration 45 46.
• Drought response: As drought strains Qingjiang County, Mingyuan argues that the Xu Household should help villagers before they starve, while questioning whether its land purchases are also intended to build public support 48.

Notable Quotes

“If I can choose, I’d rather go into business. I do like counting money.” 9

“For our lineage to take another step forward, we ultimately need a powerful martial artist to hold the fort.” 22