Chapter 3: Those who understand the times are the true heroes

I understand

Wu Qiming was taken aback

Upon witnessing this scene

Haha, good! General Xu couldn't help but laugh and said: "This is truly a good man who has left the city, an outstanding disciple of the County Martial Arts Academy."

The steward will escort Wu Qiming and Wu Yuan out of the residence through the side door

He suddenly realized that Wu Yuan's behavior in the side hall before was merely a facade

Line

Continue forward for more than 100 meters

He has served as the clan leader of the Wu family in the outskirts for over ten years. In his youth, he also aspired to the martial arts, but ultimately, he has let those ambitions slip away

Those who live on this street are all members of the Wu clan

One must give up something in order to gain something else

Zhang Da stood up: "General Xu, I will not linger. I still need to communicate with several instructors from the Martial Arts Academy regarding Wu Yuan's matter to ensure that everything is foolproof"

On the carriage

Wu Qiming displayed a look of astonishment

I cannot assist with martial arts training

Wu Yuan walked into the dimly lit alley, greeting each person he encountered along the way

Wu Qiming let out a faint sigh in his heart, while General Xu and Dean Zhang Da both revealed a barely perceptible smile at the corners of their mouths

... ...

Patriarch

Xu Shouyi ! Zhang Da !

General Xu once again incited, "Next year, you too can enter the Cloud Martial Academy and pursue the pinnacle of martial arts! The future of becoming a marquis and a general is not mere empty talk"

Nevertheless, being a fourteen-year-old youth, five thousand taels of silver is sufficient to purchase a grand residence outside the city

He labors diligently for the family

One can only find a way to ensure that Wu Yuan has fewer concerns. Wu Qi is also constantly pondering how to better assist Wu Yuan

Wu Yuan, if you give up, you may take away these five thousand taels of silver right now

He did not take General Xu and their promises to heart, allowing Wu Yuan to claim first place in next year's competition

Wu Yuan's face revealed a hint of struggle as he stole a glance at Wu Qiming, seemingly having made up his mind: "General, Dean, I am willing to fight for the honor of being 'the first of the four houses' and spend another year in the Martial Arts Academy for further cultivation"

"Wu Yuan, you need not be nervous," said Dean Zhang Da, still smiling, as the suddenly cold atmosphere eased. "Feel free to express what you think, but as the dean, I hope you can consider the matter more comprehensively."

"If I do not cultivate enough, I will naturally seek you out, Chief," Wu Yuan said with a smile. "Moreover, as you, Chief, have said, as long as my strength is sufficient, wealth will come rolling in."

Yes. Wu Yuanlian reached out to grab the banknote, carefully stowed it away, and then exited the hall under the guidance of his servant

Wu Yuan's eyes kept stealing glances at that stack of banknotes

Foolishness

Leaving the city, the curfew is lifted on the fifth of every month. Today happens to be the fifteenth of March, so although it is late at night, the streets along the way remain lively.

The Wu family consists of several hundred individuals, with more than ten households. Most of them are ordinary families, generally better off than the 'poor' in the southern part of the city, yet they cannot be considered affluent.

Having more will only burden oneself

Hall and - Picture - Book Room.

Now

but was stopped by Wu Yuan

Five thousand taels of silver, what does it mean to my Xu family? However, this is sufficient to quell the anger of the Wu family and minimize the risk to the greatest extent.

In order for him to enter the Cloud Martial Hall, it is better to pay a greater price than to allow even the slightest mistake. General Xu said in a low voice

Wu Qiming shook his head and said: "Do you know why the Cloud Martial Hall only recruits youths under the age of sixteen? The best age for establishing a foundation in martial arts is between twelve and eighteen. Once missed, it will lead to lifelong regret"

Wu Yuan is the most talented disciple of the Wu family in Licheng in recent years, and he is also a significant hope for Wu Qiming in the revival of the family.

Wu Yuan just stopped in front of a somewhat dilapidated small courtyard, which is indeed Wu Yuan's home

Among you six brothers, only you, the sixth brother, have truly inherited my martial arts talent. If the Xu family is to continue to prosper, I hope it will be through him

He indeed needs money to support a family, which is not easy

"If I could enter the Cloud Martial Hall a year earlier, I would say that even if it costs 5,000 taels of silver, it would be worth it, even if I had to pay 10,000 taels!" Wu Qiming had lowered his voice as much as possible, yet he still sounded somewhat agitated: "Wu Yuan, I had thought that you had recently gained insight into martial arts and had matured, but you have disappointed me greatly today..."

The promises of big figures are like a bear splitting a stick—utter nonsense

Mother, I am back" Wu Yuan smiled and shouted loudly towards the courtyard

General Xu and Zhang Da exchanged a glance and nodded in satisfaction

Today is the Book Day, and I, along with Wu Yuan, was fortunate to attend the general's private banquet. After the banquet, we returned home on our own and did not receive a summons from the general or Director Zhang

At the very least, General Xu and Dean Zhang do not harbor any hostility towards us, allowing me to continue my training at the Military Academy in peace

"With your father's authority, it should be a simple matter for Wu Yuan to give up. Why must you offer five thousand taels of silver?" The young man was quite puzzled

"Chief Wu," General Xu's gaze turned slightly cold, and his voice became indifferent: "I am asking Wu Yuan now!"

Wu Yuan suddenly interrupted Wu Qiming's words, his gaze clear as he looked directly at the other person: "Today, do we have a choice?"

Wu Qiming sat in the car seat, looking down at a large stack of silver notes in his hand

A look of regret and unwillingness flashed across Wu Qiming's face

"Brother Zhang, I have one more thing to trouble you with," General Xu said with a smile. "There is no need to inform Yuan Han about Wu Yuan's decision to withdraw from the competition."

Wealth is merely an external possession; in the Central Plains, martial prowess is the foundation.

General Xu glanced at his eldest son, with a hint of disappointment: "You have always enjoyed being clever since childhood, yet do you understand the meaning of 'sacrifice'?"

"Wu Yuan, take all this silver! In martial arts cultivation, wealth is indispensable." Wu Qiming repeatedly said as he stuffed the banknotes into Wu Yuan's arms

General Xu, Wu Yuan... Wu Qiming wished to respond on behalf of Wu Yuan

I only hope that Wu Yuan will not be delayed by this year. Wu Qiming sighed softly

Zhang Daxian was taken aback for a moment, slightly nodding his head, and remarked: "Parents plan deeply for their children, hoping that you will not let their efforts go to waste."

One should eat according to one's appetite

"Not a small amount." Wu Yuan smiled as he took out a large stack of banknotes from his bosom and then set aside more than half: "Chief, these are for you."

To ensure that a family continues to grow stronger is no easy task

"Patriarch, this is where we part ways; do not go any further, otherwise the other families will start gossiping again." Wu Yuan half rose, slightly cupping his hands in salute, and with a gentle leap, he exited the carriage, walking into a nearby side street.

At this moment, Wu Yuan's gaze seemed to be entirely captivated by the large stack of silver notes presented by the servant, his eyes slightly reddening.

An invisible aura permeated the air, resembling a fierce tiger with its eyes wide open, causing Wu Qiming's pupils to constrict and his hair to stand on end

What I can do is limited to this; after entering the Cloud Martial Hall, it will depend on his own fortune. General Xu remarked.

It appears to be persuasion, but in reality, it is a threat

Although he practices martial arts, he is merely a Sixth-Rank Martial Master

"Wu Yuan, you should not have agreed to that." Wu Qiming stared at Wu Yuan

Moreover

"Wu Yuan, you should take the banknote and go out first," Zhang Da said

If I did not have a family, I would not be able to enter the martial arts academy

"If the clan leader were not present today, General Xu would probably send me away for five hundred taels," Wu Yuan shook his head and said, "I have left one thousand taels, which I consider to be taking advantage of the family. This is indeed necessary for my cultivation and my mother's treatment, and I hope the clan leader can understand"

Wu Qiming is a sensible person

General Xu nodded and said, "Then I will not see you off."

If I refuse, can it change the outcome? Wu Yuan seemed to ask and answer himself: No! It will only offend General Xu and Dean Zhang, forcing General Xu to resort to even more risky measures

Watching Zhang Da walk away

Wu Qiming bent down and said: "After returning, I will certainly remind Wu Yuan repeatedly not to disclose this matter in the slightest. Wu Yuan's decision to forgo this year's martial arts academy competition is entirely voluntary"

On one side of the hall, a young man with a cold expression stepped out and said softly, "Father, even if it is a fair competition, the sixth brother is not without the ability to contend with Wu Yuan."

Moreover, five thousand taels of silver were obtained

Chief, for me, as long as the money is sufficient, that is enough

Hello!

"Patriarch, 5,000 taels of silver is not a small amount," Wu Yuan said淡淡道: "I am merely entering the Yunwu Hall a year later"

The County Sect Martial Academy, concerning the foundation of the sect, is not something that the academy head can control unilaterally

Wu Qiming murmured softly, his gaze icy

After Wu Yuan left, Zhang Da looked at Wu Qiming and said, "Brother Wu, as the head of the Wu clan, you should understand the intricacies of the relationships involved. Please do not misjudge the situation."

General Xu dares to directly invite us to the banquet and to meet us in person, which proves that he is absolutely confident. If we refuse, whether I can safely survive until the martial arts academy competition is in question

... ...

The young man bowed his head in apology, saying, "I hope my father will forgive my thoughtlessness." However, there was a trace of coldness in the depths of his eyes.

When it is time to bow your head, you can only bow your head

... ...