Chapter 177: Xu Gongming

“It’s so damn cold.”

The cold winter snow had hovered over the lake for months. The weather warmed up slightly, but spring was as cold as previous winters. The seedlings planted in the ground withered and turned yellow; not a single one survived.

By the time the lingering cold receded, summer was only warm for a few days before plunging back into a biting autumn. There had been no harvest from the fields all year, so farmers could only swallow hard, put down their hoes, and forage for food in the mountains.

Old Master Xu sat in front of his door, shivering in the cold wind and rubbing his hands together. He was estimating whether the family's remaining grain would be enough for next year's food and expenses. He had managed the household for over a decade since his father, Xu San, passed away, and had become quite adept at it.

The Xu clan was also one of the major clans in the town, but they were far more downtrodden than the Tian or Liu clans. They had never governed a town during the era when the Li family rose decades ago, and naturally, they declined year by year. Their population had swelled considerably, benefiting from the Li family's exploitation of the mountain Yue people and their absorption of refugees from the east. Yet, year after year, they remained unchanged, making no significant progress.

Getting up, Old Master Xu walked around the courtyard, and after counting last year's leftover grain, a knocking sound came from the courtyard gate.

“Who is it?”

“Uncle, it’s me, Gongming!”

The courtyard gate creaked open, and a young man entered. Old Master Xu stroked his beard and said in a loud voice:

“Gongming, come inside and sit.”

Xu Gongming entered the courtyard and immediately spoke:

“Uncle, have you heard? The master family is going to attack the mountain Yue, and they’re conscripting soldiers in town. The drums and gongs have been sounding for many days. Gongming wants to join the army. My parents only know farming and can’t make up their minds, so they told me to come and ask for your advice.”

As soon as Xu San died, the Xu family immediately split, and each branch went to develop in the town. Old Master Xu, as the eldest son and having had a few days of schooling, was naturally the decision-maker for the clan. He looked at the young man before him and remained silent for a moment.

Xu Gongming, the clan’s only ‘Lingqiaozi’ and now at the second level of Fetal Breath cultivation, grew anxious at the sight and whispered:

“Uncle! None of the other clans are as destitute as ours now! The Liu clan has been landlords of Jingyang since ancient times and also provided the Old Ancestor’s wives and concubines. The Tian clan produces many talented individuals, and most of the spiritual fields are under their control. The Chen clan is quiet, but they already have Qi Refining cultivators... Now, the only path for our family is the army!”

Old Master Xu picked up a large basin, squinted, and counted the grain inside, then slowly said:

“The army is a tool of the town. Which of the chiliarchs doesn’t bear the surname Li? Don’t think it will be too easy...”

Xu Gongming sat down on a broken wooden chair, feeling somewhat disheartened by these words. His carefully planned scheme was disrupted by Old Master Xu’s single sentence. He hastily said:

“Then, Uncle, please give me some advice... The Xu clan is about to be handed over to me, but I can’t do anything!”

Old Master Xu nodded, his graying beard trembling slightly. He saw a few mouse droppings scattered at the bottom of the basket, and his face instantly fell. He replied:

“Your desire to join the army is indeed a good path. I don’t know anything about military formations or cultivation matters, but I can teach you two words.”

“First, loyalty.”

Old Master Xu put down the basket, finally becoming serious. The wrinkles on his face eased considerably as he whispered:

“Our Xu family once personally killed an enemy for the master family, and our name is known to both the Old Ancestor and the Family Head. When you join the army, you’ll be carrying the Xu family’s name, and you’ll immediately get a good position. This is the legacy of our predecessors... You must be willing to be injured, and even die at critical moments. You must be impartial and offend people when necessary, to firmly imprint this mark of loyalty in the master family’s mind!”

Old Master Xu’s words struck Xu Gongming’s heartstrings like a hammer. He finally understood why his parents had straightforwardly told him to seek out his uncle. He memorized these words, then spoke again:

“And what is the second word?”

“Second, stability.”

Old Master Xu sat beside him, and gestured with his withered, claw-like fingers, whispering:

“Young Master Xiu is well aware of the family’s every move. In the army, don’t seek merit; only strive for no mistakes. Don’t speak much when you see members of the master family; be silent and steady. Don’t make connections with people in the army. Absolutely do not promote clan members. Handle matters impartially. If you act this way for twenty years, you can become a chiliarch. If you’re lucky enough to break through to Qi Refining, you can become a confidant of the master family, and our Xu family will have a place in all the towns!”

“Twenty years...”

Xu Gongming nodded silently and quickly thanked him. He spoke for a long time without offering any insights, only asking about questions Li Yuanxiu might ask when summoning him. The old master picked up the basket and listlessly answered each one. Then he shook the grain basket in his hand and said impatiently:

“Go on, be off with you, don’t talk so much here. Hurry up and prepare your things.”

Xu Gongming was momentarily stumped by his words, caught between a rock and a hard place. Knowing this elder’s eccentric nature, he repeatedly expressed his thanks and left with his head bowed in thought.

Old Master Xu sat in the courtyard for a while, looking at the grain basket in his hand. He picked out a few mouse droppings from it, shook the old rice in the basket, and then murmured:

“It’ll just barely do.”

“Xu Gongming...”

Li Yuanxiu unfolded and read the small note that had been delivered. Recalling the Xu family’s situation, he murmured:

“This Xu family member is the first Fetal Breath cultivator to come and join the army, isn’t he?”

These cultivators, having finally entered the immortal path, naturally cherished their lives greatly. The conscription order issued by the family, which conveyed the news of an impending attack on the mountain Yue, had not specifically summoned them. They all pretended to be oblivious to outside affairs, usually indulging in singing, dancing, feasting, and excursions. But now, they were all dutifully staying put in their courtyards, farming, with not a single one out carousing.

“Yes.”

Li Pingyi, who was below, responded, and then saw Li Yuanxiu ponder for a few moments. He turned the small note in his hand over and over, examining it several times, and then murmured:

“The Xu clan has also rendered service to our family. Over the past few decades, the family has given them opportunities. Father also specifically mentioned it to me. It’s just that the Xu clan’s descendants were not up to par and failed to seize these chances, always living unsatisfying lives.”

“Xu Gongming is already outside.”

Li Pingyi reminded him, and Li Yuanxiu nodded:

“Tell him to come up.”

Before long, a young man, appearing to be twenty-five or twenty-six years old, walked up. A sword was at his waist, and his demeanor seemed quite dignified. He looked rather honest. He clasped his hands towards Li Yuanxiu and said in a deep voice:

“Xu Gongming greets the Young Family Head.”

After respectfully saying this, Xu Gongming bowed his head and stood straight, no longer speaking.

Li Yuanxiu asked about his family’s situation. Xu Gongming answered concisely and clearly. It was unclear if he had prepared beforehand or if he was simply quick-witted, but he answered everything well. Li Yuanxiu nodded slightly and said softly:

“Go to the military camp tomorrow.”

Xu Gongming cupped his hands and respectfully withdrew, without even asking what position he would receive. He simply left without a word. Li Yuanxiu felt a bit more favorably towards him and murmured:

“The Xu clan has had a difficult time these past years. Now, at least they have a Lingqiaozi. It seems he wants to serve in the army. Then let’s give him the position of centurion for now. With his Fetal Breath Level Two cultivation, he can be considered important.”

Currently, most of the cultivators in the army are from the minor branches and collateral lines of the Li family. Those at Fetal Breath Level One and Two serve as centurions, while those at Fetal Breath Level Three and Four serve as chiliarchs. There were eight such cultivators in total; with Xu Gongming, there are now nine.

As Li Yuanxiu was pondering, he didn’t expect someone to quickly approach from outside the courtyard. The person entered the courtyard like the wind. The clan soldiers, as per custom, knelt one by one, their weapons clanging as they fell to the ground. Seeing this, Li Yuanxiu quickly stepped down, looked closely, and said with a face full of joy:

“Father!”