Nighttime Talk

Liu residence, rear courtyard, Liu Yuanyang's bedroom.

Liu Yuanyang soaked his feet in a bucket of scalding water, his head resting against the chair back. He was so comfortable he nearly moaned.

The past few days had exhausted him. With the Prefecture Exam approaching, there was nearly twice as much work at the yamen as usual. As a minor clerk, most of his work involved errands, and he had scarcely stopped moving all day.

After coaxing their son Shuwen to sleep, his wife Luo Shi moved a stool beside him and sat down, casually picking up the needlework from the bed.

"Brother Yang, did you mention what I told you about to Dad?" Luo Shi asked softly.

"Hm? Ah, I was so busy I forgot." Liu Yuanyang opened his eyes and looked at his wife apologetically.

"Hmph!" Luo Shi snorted coldly and continued with her needlework, ignoring her husband.

"I'll tell him tomorrow, tomorrow," Liu Yuanyang hurriedly promised, but worry welled up in his heart.

How am I supposed to bring this up with Dad? Everyone knows what kind of material my brother-in-law is. Isn't this just asking to be scolded? He sighed inwardly, racking his brains for a solution that could satisfy both sides.

In the morning, Liu Yuanzhou opened his eyes. The room was still somewhat dim, but outside the window, the sky was already faintly bright.

After getting dressed and climbing out of bed, he looked over at Third Master, who was still sound asleep. Yesterday's running around must have worn him out badly. Afraid of waking Third Master, Liu Yuanzhou quietly opened the door and slipped outside, then gently closed it behind him.

The courtyard was silent. Only a few early-rising sparrows hopped about among the branches, chirping to one another as though discussing something.

The sky was still overcast, but it was no longer raining, and the ground had dried.

Liu Yuanzhou walked down the steps, stood in the center of the courtyard, assumed his posture, and began to stand the stake.

In an unfamiliar environment, Liu Yuanzhou remained somewhat wary. He could not fully enter samadhi, so he only managed to reach Eighteen Segments before dispersing the stance and slowly finishing his practice.

Then he practiced the Plum Blossom Fist. Thanks to his fight with the man in gray yesterday, he had gained new insights into this fist technique and understood it more thoroughly. The moves were still the same moves, yet they had become far more nimble.

After finishing the set, Liu Yuanzhou still wanted more. But faint clamor drifted over from the rear courtyard, reminding him that his uncle's household had risen as well. He did not want anyone to discover him practicing martial arts, so he stopped and wandered around the small courtyard.

Before long, the main gate was opened from outside. Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li entered together, carrying freshly bought vegetables. After exchanging greetings, Uncle Zhao and Aunt Li went into the kitchen to get busy, while Liu Yuanzhou returned to his room.

After breakfast, Liu Jiali and Liu Yuanyang went off to work. Gao Shi drove Liu Yuanzhi into the study to work hard at his books. Before leaving, he gave Liu Yuanzhou a wry smile. "I was hoping that since you'd come, I could take a couple days off and show you around the city. Alas, the old madam won't allow it."

Liu Yuanzhou smiled. "It's fine. Just focus on your studies. Yan Province City is so big—could I possibly get lost wandering around by myself?"

Liu Yuanzhou did not go sightseeing in the city either. For one thing, he was unfamiliar with the place and had no idea where to go. For another, he had no mood for strolling through the streets.

Although joining the sect had supposedly been settled, it had all come from Third Master. His uncle had yet to tell him specifically what he would be doing after joining, leaving him completely in the dark and deeply uneasy.

He played chess with Third Master and read on his own, and the day quickly passed.

After dinner, Liu Jiali said to Liu Yuanzhou, "Come to my study later. There's something I need to tell you."

Liu Yuanzhou's spirits immediately lifted. He knew his uncle was finally going to lay everything out for him.

Liu Yuanzhou first accompanied Third Master back to his room and chatted with him. Only when he heard the drums outside in the alley marking the third beat of the first watch did he open the door and walk out.

The sky outside had gone completely dark. In the front courtyard, apart from the room where he and Third Master stayed, only one room still had its lamp lit. That had to be his uncle Liu Jiali's study.

Liu Yuanzhou followed the corridor to the lit doorway and lightly knocked on the door with his index finger.

"Is that Second Child? Come in." Liu Jiali's deep voice came from inside.

Liu Yuanzhou pushed the door open and entered.

Liu Jiali rose from beside his desk and walked over to the low table opposite it to prepare tea. Liu Yuanzhou casually closed the door, then followed him over and sat down by the low table.

"Hehe, have some tea. Don't be so restrained. Treat this place like your own home." Liu Jiali smiled as he poured two cups of tea, pushing one toward Liu Yuanzhou while lifting the other to sip slowly.

"Thank you, Uncle." Liu Yuanzhou sat upright, took a sip of tea, then set down the cup without saying much else.

After savoring a few sips of tea, Liu Jiali finally asked, "Second Child, how much do you know about the Tai Xuan Sect?"

Liu Yuanzhou lowered his head and thought for a moment, organizing his words. Then he looked up and said, "Third Master told me roughly about it. The Tai Xuan Sect is the greatest sect under heaven, and its sect master is the number one figure in the martial world, someone like an immortal."

"The Tai Xuan Sect has many experts and oversees dozens of branch academies in Chang'an, Yan Province, Yuzhou, and other places. Mm, it also has many businesses."

"Mm, that's about all." After finishing, Liu Yuanzhou looked at his uncle.

In truth, he knew far more than that. For instance, the other great sects on equal footing with the Tai Xuan Sect were Mingyou, Donghua, Ziwei, and Changbai, collectively known as the Upper Five Sects. Because the Tai Xuan Sect's sect master was the only living expert in the world to have reached the ultimate martial realm of Embracing the Core, the Tai Xuan Sect stood at the head of them.

The Tai Xuan Sect also had several Liquid Condensation Realm experts, while mid-tier and lower-tier martial masters were even more numerous. He also had a general understanding of the martial strength of the Yan Province Academy. Sister Qin had told him all this while discussing the current state of the martial world.

Naturally, he could not say any of that.

Liu Jiali nodded. "Mm, knowing this much is already pretty good."

He took a sip of tea and continued, "Our Tai Xuan Sect is a martial sect. You must remember that. As for whether it is truly the greatest sect under heaven, that is for the martial artists of the world to judge. We cannot boast about ourselves."

"The Tai Xuan Sect's main headquarters is on Taibai Mountain in Taibai County, Chang'an Prefecture. Its sect master is publicly acknowledged as the number one martial expert under heaven." At the mention of the sect master, Liu Jiali's expression became solemn. He clasped his hands and bowed toward the southwest, then continued, "As for the other venerables, elders, and directors at headquarters, I won't discuss them here. I'll focus on explaining our Yan Province Academy in detail."

Liu Yuanzhou hurriedly sat straighter, fixed his eyes on Liu Jiali, and listened intently.

Liu Jiali continued, "The head of our Yan Province Academy, also called the academy master, is Zou Xuan. Naturally, he is the top man in our academy, and everything large or small is decided by him. Below the academy master are the left and right deputy academy masters. The left deputy, Lü Xin, oversees the Armament Division and Merit Division, while the right deputy, Sun Jieming, oversees the Planting Division and Miscellaneous Affairs Division."

"Below them are the directors of the four divisions: Armament, Merit, Planting, and Miscellaneous Affairs. Let's start with the Armament Division. Its director is Xu Hong, who oversees our academy's martial force. All matters involving fighting and killing are handled by them. Of course, they are also responsible for the academy's security."

"Next is the Planting Division. Its director is Luo Hongbao, who oversees the academy's medicinal fields. Our academy has eight planting grounds, including Nanwan, Twenty Shops, and Changyuan. They manage all of those planting grounds."

Liu Jiali took a sip of tea and added, "The Planting Division is also responsible for gathering and purchasing medicinal materials from outside."

At this point, Liu Jiali looked at Liu Yuanzhou. "Your position has basically been decided. You'll be going to the Planting Division."

"Ah? Uncle, aren't you in the Miscellaneous Affairs Division? Why am I going to the Planting Division?" Liu Yuanzhou asked in confusion.

"Hehe, you don't understand this yet. I'll explain it to you slowly later. Let's continue with what I was saying."

"Next is the Merit Division. It oversees the teaching of the academy's cultivation methods, the training of newly inducted disciples, and the merit evaluations of all academy disciples."

"For now, you cannot officially be considered a formal Tai Xuan Sect disciple, because you still need around a month of training and assessment. You don't need to worry about any of that. I've arranged everything."

"But don't get careless either. If you perform too poorly in the assessment, your uncle won't be able to hold his head up."

Liu Yuanzhou nodded to show that he understood.

"Will the month of training include teaching cultivation methods?" Liu Yuanzhou asked the question he was most eager to know.

"Of course. They'll teach one stance technique and several fist techniques." Seeing Liu Yuanzhou's excited expression, Liu Jiali shook his head and sighed. "But Second Child, martial training requires talent and resources. It's fine to practice martial arts, but if you discover that you lack talent, you must immediately change course and put your mind toward your profession and building connections. You absolutely must not walk one road all the way into darkness, understand?"

Liu Yuanzhou nodded, indicating that he understood. For now, he naturally would not mention that he had talent for martial arts. He knew Liu Jiali's words came from the bottom of his heart and from deep personal realization. If not for Sister Qin, could Liu Yuanzhou's original talent have ever brought him success in martial arts?

Having said this, Liu Jiali suddenly stared blankly at the candlelight on the table, lost in thought. Liu Yuanzhou said nothing and simply waited quietly.

After a while, Liu Jiali sighed. His expression gradually returned to normal. He lifted his teacup to drink, only to discover that it had long since gone empty.

Liu Yuanzhou hurriedly rose and refilled it for him. Liu Jiali took a sip and asked, "Where had I gotten to just now?"

"You had finished talking about the Merit Division," Liu Yuanzhou answered.

"Oh, then next is the Miscellaneous Affairs Division. It is mainly responsible for the daily needs and living arrangements of everyone in the academy. This is also the division where your uncle serves. The Miscellaneous Affairs Director is Long Chenghao. Beneath the director are the stewards. I serve as the Left Steward, mainly handling the academy's allocation of supplies and the management of certain businesses. The Right Steward is called Yan Ze, and he mainly handles the distribution of stipends, as well as the kitchen and meals."

"Hehe, stay in the Planting Division for a few years first. Once the time is right, I'll transfer you back to the Miscellaneous Affairs Division." Liu Jiali smiled.

Liu Yuanzhou nodded and replied, "I'll follow Uncle's arrangements in all things." His uncle's kindness toward him needed no words, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

Liu Yuanzhou's thoughts were actually quite simple. First, he would get into the Tai Xuan Sect's Yan Province Academy, slowly reveal his talent for martial arts, become a martial master, earn a great deal of money, and bring his parents into the city to enjoy a good life.

He had never harbored any great ambitions. As for roaming the martial world on his own, the moment he experienced Fatty Wang's violent death, he had completely abandoned that notion.

The uncle and nephew chatted a while longer about household matters. Before they knew it, the fourth beat of the second watch had arrived, and only then did they return to their rooms to rest.