Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 36 The Innate Dragon and Elephant Technique

"If that's the case, then quite a few people must have obtained this innate martial art."

Xu Mingwei said, "Even if it costs more money, adding it to our family will enhance our family's heritage."

“Brother, you are mistaken.” Xu Mingyuan sighed. “No one has mastered this martial art.”

"Upon hearing this, I learned that no one has offered him a price that has tempted him so far, and he has even rejected an exorbitant offer of 50,000 taels."

"Fifty thousand taels?!" Xu Mingxuan was so shocked that he knocked over his teacup, not even noticing the tea splashing onto his clothes. "The Heavenly Dragon Manual is only worth seven or eight thousand taels."

"Unless this martial art is passed down through a single lineage, it is the only one of its kind in the world."

"But if you really cherish it so much, why put it up for sale? Wouldn't it be better to take on disciples and pass it on?"

Xu Mingyuan said, "The vast majority of martial arts techniques are not unique; making a copy and selling it will generate profit."

"In Qingjiang County, those with extensive connections can buy internal strength manuals for a few hundred taels of silver, but the villagers, through misinformation, think they need one or two thousand taels."

As for innate martial arts techniques, they are more expensive, but even handwritten copies are worth at most four or five thousand taels of silver.

"The Heavenly Dragon Manual is rarely circulated, and its rarity increases its value. Moreover, it can be cultivated to the early stage of the Grandmaster level, so it is only natural that it is more expensive."

"However, the seller of 'The Innate Dragon Elephant Technique'..."

Xu Mingwei pondered for a moment, then looked up and said, "Perhaps he has his own plans."

"That's what I think too. What he wants is probably more than just money, so I'm planning to make a trip to Liuyun County in a couple of days."

Xu Mingxuan's eyes darted around. "Second brother, take me with you."

"No need to go back to the martial arts gym?"

“I am already a second-rate martial artist and will graduate long ago. The others are only staying in the martial arts school temporarily because they can’t find a good way out. My family doesn’t need me to provide for their food.”

"Where is Li Zhi?" Xu Mingwei asked.

"He felt that he could get better training at the martial arts school and planned to become a first-class martial artist before working for our Xu family."

“That’s good.” Xu Mingwei nodded. “Li Zhi has good talent. If he devotes himself to martial arts, he can probably become a first-class martial artist in three or four years.”

"That would be a greater help to our family."

"By the way, where is Father?"

Xu Mingyuan suddenly remembered that he hadn't seen Xu Chuan since he came back, so he asked.

Xu Mingshu laughed and said, "Second brother, you only just remembered Father? I really feel sorry for Father."

"I was just worried about my nephew and forgot about him, so where is Father?"

Xu Mingxian said, "We will live in the bamboo house at Bihan Pool."

"What are you going there for?" Xu Mingyuan asked, somewhat surprised.

"Retreat."

Xu Mingxian was concise and rarely spoke nonsense, but then added, "Father said not to bother us unless it's something important."

Xu Mingyuan stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming. "Speaking of which, Father, you also practice the 'Little Dragon Elephant Skill.' What level are you at now?"

"He only started practicing martial arts when he was almost twenty-six, so it's been twelve or thirteen years. He should be a second-rate martial artist by now."

What second-rate martial artist?

They've all started trying to break through to the Innate Realm!

Xu Mingwei laughed and scolded, "Why are you asking so many questions? Do you want to compete with Father?"

"Hehe, I wouldn't dare. His face darkened, and I started trembling with fear."

Xu Mingyuan's playful grin caused Bai Jing and the others to burst into laughter.

"Still trembling. Among the group of people, you were the one who liked to stick to your father the most since you were little. When you were pounced on by a rooster, you cried loudly."

Bai Jing recounted embarrassing stories from Xu Mingyuan's childhood.

This once again caused everyone to laugh and cry at the same time.

"Mother, I have my pride too," Xu Mingyuan said, also feeling embarrassed.

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything more, alright?"

--------

Two days later.

Xu Mingyuan, along with Xu Mingxuan, Chen Daniu, and two second-rate martial arts guards, went to Liuyun County.

Liuyun County is only a two-hour carriage ride from Qingjiang, but its streets are far more chaotic than Qingjiang's. Amidst the swirling dust, drunkards occasionally lean against earthen walls, fast asleep. Xu Mingyuan tossed a few copper coins to a child on the street corner and learned that the shop was for sale at the Baiyang Inn.

The inn's facade was mottled, and faded wine flags hung under the eaves, fluttering in the wind.

The four sat idly in the inn's teahouse for half a day until dusk fell, when a burly man with a thick beard returned, his footsteps shattering the setting sun.

He wore a black cloak, with a ring-pommel sword with a copper patina hanging at his waist, and dark red mud on the soles of his boots.

"Are you seeking the 'Innate Dragon and Elephant Manual'?" The burly man led the group to a guest room on the second floor. The room was simply furnished, with only a tattered painting of a tiger descending the mountain hanging on the wall, its ink strokes vigorous and powerful.

"That's right. My family once obtained the 'Little Dragon Elephant Skill' by chance. My elder brother has already cultivated it to the peak of the acquired realm, and is only one step away from the innate realm. Therefore, he is desperately searching for the next skill."

The middle-aged man had a full beard, a burly build, and a menacing look on his face.

Upon hearing this, he raised an eyebrow, remained silent for a moment, and then asked, "What price are you willing to pay?"

"May I ask if what you hold is the original or a handwritten copy?"

"What about the original? What about the handwritten copy?" Zhuang's tone suddenly turned cold, and his knuckles thumped against the wooden table.

Xu Mingyuan got up, pushed open the carved wooden window, looked at the bustling crowd downstairs, and said calmly, "Originally precious, it usually has special significance. We don't insist, just a handwritten copy is enough."

“What I have is the original,” the bearded man said.

"Originally? Did you obtain it by chance, or were you one of the scattered disciples of the Dragon Elephant Sect?"

The bearded man's pupils contracted, and his voice began to carry a chilling undertone, "What's it to you?"

"Of course."

Xu Mingyuan had a flash of inspiration and guessed the other party's identity, saying, "If I'm not mistaken, you should be one of the people from the Dragon Elephant Sect back then."

"The reason you refuse to sell for even 50,000 taels is probably because you have the idea of ​​re-establishing the Dragon Elephant Gate."

"I advise you to turn it off."

"Even if more than a decade has passed, who knows if the Dragon Elephant Sect's enemies still remember this name? If they show themselves and are reported by someone with ulterior motives, it could be another disaster."

"Are you so sure?"

Xu Mingyuan turned around and replied with a smile, "My intuition is always very accurate."

"If so, what will you do?"

"My Xu family's trip here is solely for the purpose of obtaining the handwritten copy."

The bearded man pondered for a moment and then asked, "What price is the Xu family willing to offer?"

Ultimately, we've come back to the original question.

However, Xu Mingyuan had already roughly determined what the other party wanted from the conversation just now.

"I will help you establish a Dragon Elephant Martial Arts School to carry on the legacy of the Dragon Elephant School."

The bearded man was startled, a look of surprise on his face, and a hint of attraction flickered in his eyes.

"Of course, a martial arts school alone cannot support itself; it must be self-sufficient."

How can we become self-sufficient?

Unbeknownst to him, the bearded man had already entered Xu Mingyuan's rhythm.

His shrewdness and ability to read people left Xu Mingxuan and Chen Daniu speechless.

Keep in mind that this was the first time they had met this person, and he was extremely wary of them. Countless people had suffered defeats at his hands.

"As expected of my second brother," Xu Mingxuan thought to himself with pride.

"As expected, talent is something that is hard to make up for."

Chen Daniu sighed inwardly.

In the past few months, he has been working alongside Xu Mingyuan and has learned a lot.

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

Xu Mingyuan smiled lightly, "This is not something that can be explained in a few words, and it requires a lot of manpower, material resources and financial resources, as well as the approval of the head of my Xu family."

"So, if you're willing, why don't you come to my Xu family's residence for a few days to discuss this matter?"

The bearded man naturally knew that running a martial arts school was no simple matter. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "The Xu family? Which Xu family?"

“Qingjiang County, the Xu family,” Xu Mingyuan said.

Chen Daniu was perceptive enough to immediately introduce himself, "This is my second young master, Xu Mingyuan, and this is my third young master, Xu Mingxuan."

(End of this chapter)