"Heaven and earth dark and yellow, the Universe a vast desolate void."
"Sun and moon wax and wane; stars and constellations spread out."
"Cold comes and heat goes; autumn harvest and winter storage."
...
Early morning.
Xu Chuan was teaching the two little ones the Thousand Character Classic.
He had written out two copies, one for each of them.
He had also personally crafted a set of desks and chairs suited to their heights to facilitate their studies.
He would read a line, and following along with the characters on their sheets, the two would repeat it after him.
Crisp children's voices echoed throughout the small courtyard. The roosters and hens had left their coops, strolling about the yard and pecking for food.
Above the kitchen, wisps of blue smoke rose slowly into the air.
After eating breakfast.
Carrying her youngest son in her arms, Bai Jing supervised Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan as they practiced their calligraphy.
Stroke by stroke, the two wrote with utmost seriousness.
Xu Chuan, meanwhile, began work on renovating the house—handling the design, materials, and hiring helpers, thoroughly occupied and enjoying every minute of it.
Even so, he still carved out time every day to take a round through the fields and mountain forests.
Checking on the conditions, weeding, and the like.
Then he would also practice the Minor Dragon Elephant Technique for two hours.
【Heaven Rewards Diligence】; only through perseverance could one reap rewards.
In the blink of an eye, a month and a half went by.
The Xu family's residence had undergone a complete transformation.
It was now a compound featuring five main rooms, a central hall, and a half-mu courtyard.
In the entirety of Dongxi Village, it could be considered upper-middle tier.
With the new house built came the custom of housewarming, which naturally called for hosting a celebratory banquet and, of course, receiving gifts.
Time slipped away in the snap of a finger.
Before long, the Annual Sacrifice arrived.
Under Xu Chuan's daily instruction and Bai Jing's strict supervision, Xu Mingwei had learned to recognize every character in the Thousand Character Classic, and could already write nearly half of them.
Because Xu Mingyuan was still young, he was only at the stage of recognizing characters.
After the Annual Sacrifice.
Xu Chuan finally made his decision: to bestow a Talent upon Xu Mingwei.
The 【Bloodline Genealogy】 had gained an additional page following the birth of the second-generation offspring.
Furthermore, five Fate Talents had been generated.
Namely, 【Innate Divine Strength】, 【Seeking Profit and Avoiding Harm】, 【Way of Wealth】, 【Eagle Eye】, and 【Whisper of Myriad Spirits】.
These were all unassigned Talents that could be bestowed upon Xu Chuan himself.
Yet that thought merely flickered through his mind for a moment.
Because even if he bestowed them all upon himself, he was merely a single Mortal who could not produce a Clone to handle everything at once.
Just like now, even though he possessed three Fate Talents, 【Daily Divination】 was of little use to him at present.
For a Clan to grow strong, everyone naturally had to pool their efforts and share one heart and mind; that was the long-lasting Dao.
"Shitou, you are the eldest son of the primary branch. In the future, you must support the Xu family. Dad intends to have you walk the Martial Dao. Do you have any objections?"
Shedding his usual gentleness, Xu Chuan spoke with an exceptionally solemn expression.
Xu Mingwei also sensed the gravity in the surrounding air. Raising his small face to meet Xu Chuan's gaze, he nodded and said, "Dad has taught us many principles during this time. Shitou understands."
"I will obey Dad's every arrangement."
"Shitou will set a good example for my younger brothers!"
"I will not bring disgrace upon the Xu family, nor bring shame to Dad!"
Nodding in gratification, Xu Chuan produced the genealogy.
"Place a drop of blood onto this."
Inside the central hall, only Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei were present; everyone else had been forbidden from entering.
Placing absolute trust in Xu Chuan, Xu Mingwei did as told immediately.
The blood was absorbed into the genealogy. Xu Mingwei was surprised at the sight, but did not ask questions.
"Next, kneel down, close your eyes, and repeat after me."
"In the cyclical year of Yisi, we devoutly sacrifice to ancestral spirits. Virtue bequeathed to descendants, grace blessing the household. Through spring and autumn without neglect, filial devotion ever sincere. May the spirits descend in glory, opening our family renown. We respectfully offer this sacrifice!"
"In the cyclical year of Yisi, we devoutly sacrifice to ancestral spirits. Virtue bequeathed to descendants, grace blessing the household... We respectfully offer this sacrifice!"
As the first-generation Ancestor and the true master of the genealogy, Xu Chuan could bestow Talents directly onto himself.
Others, however, were required to adhere to strict procedures.
If Xu Chuan presided over the ritual, specific Talents could be chosen for bestowal; but without his oversight, the genealogy would grant a Fate Talent at random.
Once Xu Mingwei finished chanting, Xu Chuan felt a translucent thread extending from the boy's body, linking to the genealogy.
The genealogy gave off a faint cyan glow, poised to confer a Talent at random, but Xu Chuan intervened.
Pressing his finger between Xu Mingwei's eyebrows, he directly bestowed two Talents: 【Innate Divine Strength】 and 【Eagle Eye】.
Since the boy was to walk the path of the Martial Dao, he naturally ought to max out all relevant Talents.
【Innate Divine Strength】 would cause his strength to increase day by day, far surpassing common folk, while gradually transforming his bones and tendons to be primed for the Martial Dao.
【Eagle Eye】, true to its name, would grant him eyes as sharp and penetrating as a falcon's, piercing through all things.
With both bestowed, Xu Mingwei's primary weapon in the future was destined to be the bow and arrow.
"All right, Shitou, open your eyes."
Xu Mingwei obediently complied, but when he opened his eyes, that black booklet was nowhere to be seen.
"How does it feel?"
"A moment ago, between my eyebrows felt cool, but now it's gone. Still, Dad, what did that chant we recited mean?"
"It is our Xu family's prayer when worshiping our Ancestors, beseeching them to safeguard our peace and grant flourishing Fortune. You must etch it into your heart and pass it down through the generations."
"I understand, Dad."
Xu Chuan smiled and rubbed Xu Mingwei's head. "Tomorrow you must rise early to practice martial arts and archery with me. Afterwards, read and write together with Ayuan, and then accompany me to patrol the paddy fields and mountain forests."
"I do not expect you to master farming, but you must grasp the basics so that you can make decisions when situations arise."
"The rest of your time will be poured entirely into martial arts training."
"Can you manage that?"
"Dad, Shitou can!"
Xu Mingwei's tender eyes shone with firm resolve.
Shaped by Xu Chuan's teaching through word and deed, Xu Mingwei was also someone capable of enduring hardship.
Apart from accompanying Xu Mingyuan in their daily reading and writing, he spent most of his time following Xu Chuan, learning from his knowledge, conduct, and life wisdom.
Feeling left out, Xu Mingyuan threw a tantrum demanding to accompany his elder brother, but Xu Chuan refused and even reprimanded him sternly.
In the end, it was Xu Mingwei who comforted him, "When I practice martial arts in the yard later, you can join me."
"Hooray!"
Xu Mingyuan instantly cheered up again.
Every day, he eagerly awaited Xu Mingwei's return so they could be together.
A few nights later.
"Husband, Shitou is only six years old. Aren't you being too strict with him?"
"These past few days, I could plainly see the exhaustion on his face, and my heart truly aches for him."
Xu Chuan chuckled softly. "If my wife wants to be a gentle mother, then I, your husband, can only play the strict father. If both of us spoil him, what kind of person would he turn out to be?"
"Perhaps you are right, Husband, but I..."
"Enough." Xu Chuan raised a hand to cut her short.
When the situation called for firmness, he naturally remained firm.
Noticing the lingering worry in Bai Jing's eyes, Xu Chuan sighed and said, "Our Shitou has perseverance. He takes after me, capable of enduring hardship and hard work. After braving it out for a while, he should adapt to it."
Once a few months had passed, the Talents would gradually begin to manifest.
"For now, our household does not lack silver, so there is no need to skimp. Add some meat to the meals every day."
"With Shitou training in martial arts, he cannot go without it."
"I understand."
"Then, my wife, let us retire for the night."
Xu Chuan's hands began to wander playfully, only to be shoved away by Bai Jing.
Turning onto her side, Bai Jing said indifferently, "I am feeling somewhat unwell tonight. Husband can resolve it on your own."
"Uh—"
Xu Chuan stared wide-eyed.
This woman, has she gone and rebelled against the heavens!
After staring blankly for a while, he simply blew out the lamp and went to sleep.
The next day.
The morning gloom had not yet faded completely, while the eastern sky had already taken on a crab-shell green hue.
In the courtyard.
Dark sweat stains soaked the back of Xu Chuan's cotton shirt, his exhaled breath condensing into thin arrows of white mist.
Young Xu Mingwei mimicked his movements, his chubby little arms resembling lotus roots, looking all clumsy and crooked.
From time to time, Xu Chuan paused to correct his posture.
He would praise him when he did well, and reprimand him sternly when he did poorly.
Xu Mingwei's eyes were filled with grit; even when he felt aggrieved, he would only swallow his grievances whole without showing the slightest trace.
Over an hour passed.
After washing up, it was time for reading.
"Heaven and earth dark and yellow, the Universe a vast desolate void."
"Sun and moon wax and wane; stars and constellations spread out."
...
Two crisp children's voices cut through the light mist, startling the sparrows dozing beneath the eaves into flight.
It was another brand new day.