“This is the child you ntioned?”
Li Pingcan nodded, speaking softly, “Brother, I think this kid is a promising talent.”
What he sensed wasn’t the spiritual root or innate talent, but a type of life aura—roughly the combination of ntal strength and physical body. Simply put, it was a full and vibrant spirit-energy.
A person like this would excel at whatever they do with half the effort.
But due to the family’s poverty and resulting malnutrition, this child was like a wild weed lost among the crowd, unnoticed by anyone.
Li Pingfu trusted Li Pingcan’s judgnt and looked at the old farr and his son. The old farr still had bits of twigs and dry grass on him, likely coming to town during the farming off-season to sell firewood.
He asked a few simple questions and learned that the two lived in Apricot Blossom Village. The old farr’s na was Sun Daniu, and the child was Sun Wa’er. Last year, the family had tested the child’s spiritual root, which had left them financially strained.
Unfortunately, Sun Wa’er’s spiritual root test ca up empty—this was common among ordinary families, who were willing to go bankrupt and sell everything for just a sliver of hope, praying their child would rise like a dragon, lifting even the chickens and dogs with them.
“How many people live in your family, uncle?”
“Is life tough?”
“Does the child want to practice martial arts?”
The old farr stamred nervously, as if facing a VIP, showing restraint and respect; Sun Wa’er’s face flushed red, excitent shining in his eyes as he eagerly shouted, “Yes!”
“Then co practice with .” Li Pingfu’s expression softened warmly.
“Th-then how much silver do we need...” The old farr shrank back embarrassedly, wishing he could crawl into a hole. “We don’t have silver.”
“Brother, how can you be so silly? Master Li has chosen your child, and he’s not asking for your silver!”
“This is truly the luck of a lifeti!”
“Why didn’t Master Li pick my second child? I see that black kid, but my second child is even more spirited!”
...
The townspeople nearby saw the old farr’s timid state and silently scolded him for lacking backbone. So even envied Sun Wa’er, wishing they could take his place.
Realizing this, Sun Daniu knelt down excitedly with Sun Wa’er and kowtowed, never expecting such fortune, overwheld and babbling with gratitude.
“Thank you... thank you, sir! Wa’er will kowtow!”
Sun Wa’er shouted crisply, “Thank you, sir!”
Xie Xiaodao joked, “You should change that ‘sir’ to ‘master’ now!”
“Master!”
...
Li Pingcan smiled slightly, recalling the scene when his elder brother beca a disciple—just as thrilling and heartwarming.
At this mont, it was like a cycle of inheritance turning again!
...
The Li Family Martial Arts School had been busy from the start of the month until mid-month. Finally, things settled down. They had taken in more than a dozen disciples, earning nearly two hundred taels of silver in a year.
The school had just opened. Many people enrolled their children out of curiosity, but after a few months, the enthusiasm might fade, and so might drop out.
Of course, enrollnt fees were non-refundable. Still, more and more children kept joining. For example, the White Tiger Martial Arts School, with a “hundred-year tradition,” had a stable roster of thirty to forty disciples, maintaining a dynamic balance.
At a small restaurant, Li Pingfu invited Xie Xiaodao, Li Yuan, and others to eat and drink. These days, thanks to his brothers running errands and maintaining order, things were manageable.
Younger brothers are always the most enthusiastic and sincere, asking for nothing in return.
After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere grew lively.
Li Chao asked curiously, “Brother Pingfu, is there anything special about the child you took in?”
“Sun Zheng’s physical foundation is good. Although his basics are weak, he’s young and can endure hardship. Sooner or later, he’ll catch up with those born with innate advantages. He’s sure to beco the school’s flagship.”
Li Pingfu said with satisfaction. His brother’s insight was indeed reliable.
Sun Wa’er had an easy-to-raise “cheap na.” With Li Daniu’s consent, he nad the child “Sun Zheng,” hoping he would grow up upright and never forget his original intention.
“Congratulations, brother, on finding a good seed.”
Suddenly, Yan Yu, also known as Old Six, said, “Brother, the martial arts school needs to buy a batch of uniform school clothes from the weaving workshop. It’ll cost about ten taels of silver. What do you think?”
He had been helping his parents with bookkeeping in their tofu shop since childhood. He was gifted with numbers and could calculate precise figures in his head.
Therefore, he managed the martial arts school’s current accounts and reported everything to Li Pingfu.
“We need to buy school clothes, but no need for expensive materials. Choose durable fabrics.”
Li Pingfu thought for a mont. He didn’t understand psychological suggestion, but wearing uniform clothes would help disciples develop a sense of belonging to the school.
“You handle the money in the accounts; the books are yours to manage. I trust you to do a good job.”
“No problem, brother.”
Yan Yu said happily. His martial potential was average, so he might as well beco an accountant. His brother’s trust was his motivation.
...
Yan Yu didn’t drink much; drinking would interfere with his work for his brother.
After the feast ended, he went to the weaving workshop and visited three or four shops, carefully comparing different materials. He found a batch of old fabric at one shop. Because the colors weren’t fashionable, it was sold very cheaply.
Yan Yu was delighted. He was handso and smooth-talking, charming the shop owner’s wife. The fabric was a burden for her, so both parties quickly agreed on the order, saving the Li Family Martial Arts School nearly half the cost.
After closing the deal, Yan Yu felt light and buoyant.
Thinking of his brother’s approving gaze, he even humd a tune.
As night fell, he paid the deposit and took the contract, then returned ho. The mont he entered, he saw the gambling den’s n blocking the door, and his face imdiately darkened.
“Yan Yu, your little brother owes ten taels of silver again, with signed IOUs!”
The gamblers glared fiercely but did not get violent. Even hitting a dog required knowing its owner. Yan Yu was backed by Li Pingfu, so they dared not offend him.
However, the debt was real and the interest not exorbitant—quite considerate, actually.
“Today is the last deadline. If you can’t pay, don’t bla us for taking your brother away.”
“Brother, save ! Save !” Yan Yuhao panicked behind his brother, not wanting to go to the gambling den’s dark room!
“Fei’er, how can you let your brother be taken by the gamblers? You are his biological older brother!”
“Forget that good-for-nothing kid. I want to beat him to death!”
Mother’s crying, father’s shouting, breaking porcelain... all the sounds exploded like chaotic screams in Yan Yu’s mind!
“Stop yelling! I’ll pay! I’ll pay!” He painfully pressed his throbbing temples.
His little brother was hopeless. What could he do?
He took out his last savings, but it wasn’t enough.
After hesitating with a furrowed brow, he took out the silver he saved for the martial arts school that day.
It was money he earned himself anyway... borrowing a bit shouldn’t be a problem!
“Really rich, huh? Ten taels just taken like that. Your luck’s good, following the right big brother.”
The gamblers were surprised. The Yan family originally made tofu, a tough, grueling job that didn’t earn much. The two boys were destined for a life of hard labor. Unexpectedly, fortune had co suddenly!
“What’s it to you?” Yan Yu replied curtly.
“Haha, look at you showing off.” The gamblers exchanged glances and sneered before leaving.
After they left, Yan Yu vented his anger at ho and scolded his brother bitterly, “If it happens again, I won’t care about you!”
Yan Yuhao, light-boned and cheerful, made a vow with a big smile, “Brother, I promise it won’t happen again!”
“Thank your brother quickly!” Yan mother tapped her youngest son’s forehead, relieved. Yan father smoked quietly and sighed.
“Thank you, brother!”
Seeing his family’s relieved expressions, Yan Yu’s mood eased a little. But when he thought of the contract in his arms, his heart grew heavy with guilt and anxiety, with no one to share it with.
How did such a good thing turn out like this?!
...
The next morning, Yan Yu took the contract to the shop owner’s wife at the weaving workshop. After hesitating for a mont, he finally said, “Could you issue a new contract at the original price of the fabric...”
Before he finished, the shop owner’s wife smiled knowingly, “I thought you didn’t want to... It’s simple.”
“Simple?” Yan Yu was puzzled. He had built up his courage for a long ti to ask.
“It’s an unspoken rule in this industry. Wealthy families in town all do this. Without skimming a little off the top, where would the money for personal pockets co from?”
Hearing her casual words, Yan Yu was stunned.
“Skimming a little?”
“No, no, I’m not greedy. I’m just ‘borrowing.’ I’ll repay it once I have the money in the accounts.”
“I’m different from those greedy parasites!”
Yan Yu exhaled a foul breath, his gaze growing firm. Calmly, he took the newly written contract from the shop owner’s wife and left the weaving workshop.
...
Li Family Martial Arts School.
Li Pingfu looked over the bill Yan Yu handed him. The inco and expenses were very reasonable. Seeing Yan Yu’s nervous expression, he patted his shoulder reassuringly.
“Don’t stress so much. Even if the price is off, it’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes. Just admit and fix them.”
“Yes, brother.” Yan Yu lowered his head in response, fingers tightly clutching the account book.
Big Brother Pingfu really hadn’t noticed.
This was no surprise; everyone had their expertise. Big brother was diligent in martial arts, and these market tricks were hard for an outsider to see through.
Feeling his brother’s trust, Yan Yu no longer felt the light happiness from before. His heart weighed heavy like a stone, sinking deeper.
...
Peach Blossom Village, Li family.
Zhou Yu heard about the Li Family Martial Arts School opening and felt uneasy, afraid the Li family would move the entire household to town and abandon his herb fields.
He specially went to inquire and found out the Li family was still settled in Peach Blossom Village. Only then did he relax. Taking advantage of this, he signed a twenty-year living contract with the Lis.
He realized it was better to rest under a big tree than work himself to death alone. The better the Li family prospered, the better his life would be. After all, he was no longer alone and had to consider his wife.
Zhou Yu married a local farr girl. Both were kind and honest.
The living contract didn’t make him a slave. When they had children, it wouldn’t affect their education or martial arts learning. Maybe they could even find a decent job in the Li family.
He felt the luckiest thing in his life was eting Li Rongzhou after the disaster—a truly good person.
After settling the price and signing, Li Rongzhou said, “Can’er, see Uncle Zhou off.”
“All right, Father.”
“No trouble.” Zhou Yu hurriedly said “Hey,” shaking his head. But Li Pingcan had already set off, so Zhou had to catch up.
They walked and talked.
“Uncle Zhou, since you often associate with herb gatherers and mountain runners, do you know any news about strange and rare spirit-rich places?”
Li Pingcan was here to gather information. Everyone had different channels and sources, so listening widely and brainstorming was necessary.
“Strange and rare spirit-rich places?” Zhou Yu pondered a mont, then shook his head. “No spirit-rich places, but there are rumors of spiritual herbs.”
“Hm?”
“It’s what Old Yang, the diviner, told . In the Yin-Yang boundary area, there’s a Lingling Grass. Consuming it can help ‘communicate with spirits,’” Zhou Yu whispered.
A diviner, also called a geomancer, was a mysterious profession in the martial world. They were said to master feng shui secrets, identifying spiritual treasures in mountains and land veins, using techniques similar to land point division. But unlike tomb raiders, they avoided ancient tombs, fearing the influence of yin energy and loss of virtue.
However, rules are rules. Who knows if they don the diviner’s robe to hide tomb raiding?
To Li Pingcan, Old Yang’s tale sounded like nonsense. If Lingling Grass were real, why hadn’t he gone to fetch it himself?
Besides, common folk often mistake valuable herbs and blood Qi herbs as spiritual herbs, using them for bragging rights.
Li Pingcan didn’t get any useful information but was accustod to that. He sent Zhou Yu off at the gate and was about to leave.
Zhou Yu suddenly said, “If you want to search for herbs in the mountains, I can introduce you to the diviner profession, but the price is steep.”
Where the mountain spirits converge, precious herbs grow. Such places were dangerous and sotis guarded by fierce beasts.
When martial artists sought rare herbs unavailable on the market, they had to find them themselves. The diviner profession erged as a trade sector for this. It was a favorite “treasure hunt” pasti among many wealthy young masters.
You give a fixed price, and whatever the diviner finds belongs to the sponsor. With the diviner guild’s guarantee and rules, diviners wouldn’t break conduct, damaging their reputation or getting banned. In severe cases, they might face legal punishnt.
Li Pingcan was sowhat interested.
Although his mushrooms could expand vision and find herbs unseen by ordinary people, it was like fishing with a wide net.
Diviners’ treasure hunts were more like “targeted searches”—they first identified several points then set out, much more efficient than a wide net.
‘Whether they find treasures or not isn’t important. If I can learn one or two ‘targeting’ techniques...’
Druids aren’t omnipotent. At least he couldn’t sense where heavenly spirits or earth materials lay.
The mountains were vast and deep; having a direction was better than wandering blindly like a headless fly.
No need for two masters on one task.
Li Pingcan entrusted Uncle Zhou to help contact the diviners and set a date for the mountain expedition.
...
After long busy days, Li Pingfu finally had a mont to breathe and returned to Peach Blossom Village for dinner.
Lady Qin happily prepared a sumptuous al.
As Li Pingfu and Li Ping’an prospered, the house grew quieter. When the eldest and second sons ca ho, it felt like a guest’s arrival, lively but peaceful.
A grown son cannot be restrained by his mother.
Watching his eldest son, radiant and spirited, Lady Qin hid the reluctant feelings deep in her heart.
At the dinner table, Li Pingfu ate a bite of pickled vegetables. The sour taste instantly whetted his appetite.
No matter how exquisite the dishes outside, none were as delicious as his mother’s cooking.
The family ate and chatted.
“You’re going to et the diviners?” Li Pingfu looked at his younger brother.
“Father helped inquire. The diviner guild is very disciplined. That Old Yang is reputable and has been doing it for thirty years. The neighbors speak highly of him,” Li Pingcan said.
“When? I’ll go with you.” Li Pingfu smiled, worried, “I want to see the world too.”
Li Rongzhou decided decisively, “Then the three of us—father and two sons—will go see the world.”
Li Pingcan also thought it was safer this way.
Even if Old Yang had bad intentions, the three of them fighting together would be fearless.
“Brother, how’s the martial arts school doing now?”
ntioning this, Li Pingfu brightened and spoke enthusiastically.
People who accomplish great things have a desire to share—not to brag but to gain affirmation and recognition.
Li Pingcan occasionally responded with “Mm hmm,” then suddenly paused mid-chopsticks, “Brother, did you hand over the school’s accounts entirely to Brother Yan?”
“What’s wrong? Is that not okay? It’s for convenience.”
Several family mbers looked at Li Pingcan confusedly. Even the family head, Li Rongzhou, looked puzzled.
Seeing this, Li Pingcan sighed inwardly. Their family’s peak was a small landlord with no business experience in town. They simply didn’t understand that cashier and accountant roles couldn’t be done by the sa person!
They had suffered from lack of experience.
“Brother, think about it. If one person handles all inco and expenses, and if they fake or balance accounts, you’re not an accountant; you won’t find out.”
“No way?” Li Pingfu shook his head. “Yan Yufei isn’t soone who’s greedy for small profits.”
“It’s not about greed or not. You let soone guard a mountain of silver with no supervision. If they skim a little today, and a little tomorrow, desire will grow.”
“Don’t you know what kind of person Brother Yan is?”
Seeing the brothers about to argue, Li Rongzhou stopped them, “No need to quarrel. Let’s get an experienced accountant to check and we’ll know.”
Li Pingfu frowned. Honestly, he always trusted his brother’s character.
But with his father’s words for the school’s sake, he agreed.
The next day.
Li Pingfu hired an old accountant surnad Xu, who was over fifty with drooping eyelids but piercing eyes.
The school had been open just over a month. The accounts were just a few pages. Xu glanced over them then compared fabric prices at the weaving workshop and quickly spotted discrepancies.
“Master Li, please look.”
Xu spread the school’s fabric purchase contract on the table, then showed price lists he’d gathered from several weaving shops in town.
“Ordinary hemp cloth sells for 700 wen per bolt; old stock is at most 400 wen. But this contract says 700 per bolt, inflating prices by 40%.
Look at this contract for herbs. The ink’s dull color seems deliberately hiding the new contract. If I’m not mistaken, this contract has been altered.
Judging by these accounts, this person should have embezzled 20 to 30 taels of silver.”
Li Pingfu’s heart surged but his face remained calm. He politely sent Xu away.
He sat quietly on the martial arts school’s main chair, recalling bits and pieces of his brother’s past.
Ti flies, and people change?
When Yan Yufei returned to settle the accounts, Li Pingfu was as usual—calm and smiling, “Little Six, you’ve worked hard recently. If you have any difficulties, you can always tell .”
“Brother Pingfu, I’m not tired.”
Yan Yufei hurriedly said. Looking at the account book in his brother’s hand, he felt uneasy and just wanted to finish checking quickly.
“Are you really okay?” Li Pingfu’s deep voice pressed down from above.
Yan Yufei suddenly sensed sothing was wrong. He looked up in shock to et Li Pingfu’s piercing gaze, bright and sharp like a tiger king’s eyes—no thought could hide!
He instantly realized his cri was exposed and his face turned deathly pale!
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