Building a long-lasting family lineage starting with genealogy

Chapter 171 Every Drink and Every Peck is a Cause and Effect (Please Subscribe and Vote)

Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu walked to Xu Mingyuan's side and watched quietly without interrupting.

The Xu family has the principle of "taking immortals as the core and people as the foundation", so they will not be prejudiced against the common people. They only target those who are malicious towards the Xu family.

The old fisherman's simplicity also surprised the two of them.

It was obvious that selling these fish could provide their family with food for half a month or even a month.

His first reaction was genuine excitement, but then he considered the customer's feelings and declined.

Xu Mingyuan saw through his concerns at a glance and said with a faint smile, "You're afraid that if I buy your fish, I'll feel bad about it afterwards and cause you trouble, right?"

The old fisherman looked up in shock and stared directly into Xu Mingyuan's eyes.

His jet-black eyes were like translucent obsidian, possessing a depth as profound as the heavens, and when his gaze moved, it seemed as if there were undercurrents surging within them.

The old fisherman was so captivated by it that he couldn't help but stare at it for a few more breaths before he hurriedly bowed his head and replied, "Your Excellency sees through everything, but this old man has such thoughts."

"How much is it all?" Xu Mingyuan asked.

"A large bluefish costs ten coins, a large yellow croaker costs twenty coins, a carp costs fifteen coins, and a golden scale fish is more expensive, costing one hundred coins. You can give me five hundred coins, sir."

Xu Mingyuan scanned the area with his divine sense and knew that the price had not been raised; instead, the price had been reduced by twenty coins.

He rummaged through his storage bag and actually found half a tael of silver.

It’s really rare.

After Xu Mingyuan collected the fish, the old fisherman repeatedly bowed his head and kowtowed to express his gratitude.

Only then, with a simple, honest smile on his lips and hopeful eyes, did he push the cart home.

The sunset glow was like a song, which seemed to make his body feel much lighter.

After he walked away, Xu Mingshu said, "Second brother, it's rare to see such a humane side of you. I'm truly impressed."

"I just did what my heart led me to." Xu Mingyuan turned to look at her and exclaimed, "Why do you still see your second brother as a cold-blooded and heartless person?"

“You said it yourself, I never said that,” Xu Mingshu said smugly.

Xu Mingyuan shook his head and chuckled, feeling helpless.

Xu Mingxuan asked, "Second brother, actually, I'm also curious. This isn't like you."

"Perhaps it's because he saw his father's shadow in him."

Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu stared at each other.

He glanced at the old fisherman who was about to disappear at the end of the official road, and then compared him with his own father, who he remembered as having a sage-like demeanor.

Is there really any comparison between them?
Second brother, could it be that your eyesight was impaired by sandstorms on your way here?
The two looked at each other.

"Don't overthink it." Xu Mingyuan smiled and then recalled, "Our family was originally from the Li family, before Mingxuan was even born."

Many times, my father dressed like this, carrying a hoe and a large bluefish in his hand, walking into the house as the evening sun set.

Sometimes, being too close to the powerful families and clans of the prefecture is not a good thing.

If my father were just an ordinary person, perhaps this old fisherman would also be his future.

Xu Mingshu still finds it hard to imagine that Xu Chuan, who is omnipotent in her eyes and like a god, will have such a future.

"Shortly after Mingxuan was born, the family's conditions improved visibly. As for you and Mingxian, you have basically been enjoying a life of luxury since childhood."

"I see." Xu Mingshu suddenly understood, then looked at the fish in his hand and asked, "What about these? Are we really going to eat them?"

"Once we get into the city, let's find a pond or something similar to release them."

Immediately, the group headed towards the city gate.

When the soldiers guarding the city saw that he was carrying so many fish, they frowned and were about to stop him and collect the entrance fee.

Xu Mingyuan only glanced at him.

The soldier felt an overwhelming fear descend upon him, so much so that he lost control of his bladder and collapsed to the ground.

The others, seeing this, immediately clasped their hands and bowed, saying, "Immortal Master, please forgive us. We were blind to your greatness. Please come in, please come in."

The three of them didn't even dare to lift their heads.

Only after Xu Mingyuan and his two companions entered the city did he finally exhale a long breath, turn around and look into the city, and then look at his trembling colleagues who had just gotten up.

"It's your bad luck. Hurry up and find a place to change your clothes."

"Thank you very much, Brother Xiao Xiao."

Another person remarked, "These immortal masters are indeed eccentric. They greeted the old fisherman with a smile, but treated us with icy indifference."

The soldier surnamed Xiao said, "This is already considered a person with a good temper. If he had a bad temper, he would have broken a leg on the spot, or even taken his life."

"Brother Xiao is indeed knowledgeable and well-traveled, no wonder he comes from the prestigious Xiao family." The other two immediately flattered him, clasping their hands in praise.

"That's not fair. I'm just a minor member of a collateral branch of the family who isn't very favored."

He waved his hand repeatedly, but there was a hint of arrogance in his eyes.

In this world, one's background is extremely important, much like everyone has a halo of status above their head.

Most of them rely on this status and prestige to treat others.

See people talking, see ghosts talking.

After releasing the fish, Xu Mingyuan and his companions found an inn to stay at, and then strolled through the bustling night market to see if there was any unusual news.

The county seat of Longjiang County was very prosperous and bustling.

The night market was also packed with people.

Xu Mingyuan and his group spent some money at the restaurant and easily obtained a lot of information.

For example, two of the four or five strongest martial arts families in the county town are vassals of the Qingbo Liu family.

I've heard that the Liu family had many vassal families in its early years, but only a few have managed to survive to this day and maintain their foundation; there are only two or three left.

In addition, there are also some sixth-rank immortal cultivation families in the county town.

They were almost at the bottom of the cultivation families in Longjiang County, just like in Yuehu County, where there were no cultivation families below the sixth rank.

Throughout Longjiang County, the Liu family of Qingbo Lake held absolute power.

The cultivation families around Heilongjiang look down on the cultivation families in the county town, while the cultivation families in the county town also disdain the fifth and sixth grade martial arts families in the city.

Layer by layer, a complete hierarchy of contempt was formed.

Xu Mingyuan also learned that the largest gambling den in the county town, Cheng's Gambling Den, was owned by the Cheng family, one of the immortal cultivation families, and that members of the Cheng family often frequented the place.

He plans to go shopping tomorrow.

Back at the inn, all three of them swallowed high-grade Qi Gathering Pills and entered a meditative state to cultivate.

Xu Mingshu, in particular, is not far from the peak of the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Once achieved, it won't be long before one can consume a high-grade breakthrough pill and break through to the eighth level of Qi Refining.

The other two are Xu Mingxuan, who is at the mid-stage of the seventh level of Qi Refining, and Xu Mingyuan, who is at the early stage of the seventh level.

They both have true spiritual roots, so the difference won't be too great.

The only difference is the length of time spent in the martial arts period.

The next day.

Cheng's Gambling House.

All three of them were visiting this place for the first time.

Since the Xu family's businesses do not involve these kinds of industries, Xu Chuan's words are the family rules, and no one dares to disobey them.

"Second brother, third brother, this place is a mess. Father was right after all," Xu Mingshu transmitted to the two of them.

Xu Mingxuan also said, "Their eyes are bloodshot; they're already addicted."

"It has nothing to do with us."

Xu Mingyuan also tried gambling twice, winning half and losing half. He then gambled again, winning time and time again with the help of his divine sense, which immediately attracted the steward to personally take part in the game.

However, he tampered with the dice cup, so no matter whether Xu Mingyuan bet on big or small, the result would always be the opposite.

Xu Mingyuan saw through it all, smiled faintly, and didn't care at all.

They then went on to win one after another.

The steward broke out in a cold sweat, and seeing the other party's calm and collected demeanor, he immediately thought of the immortal master.

But he dared not admit that he had cheated. In his panic and fear, a voice came from the private room upstairs, "Why do you have to bully these ordinary people? Why don't you come up and have a chat with me?"

"My family invites you."

The manager immediately bowed and gestured for him to enter, showing utmost respect.

Xu Mingyuan smiled slightly and immediately went upstairs to see the so-called "adult".

He was indeed a cultivator, at the fourth level of Qi Refining, and judging from his appearance, he was over forty.

"I don't come here often, and I never expected to meet three fellow Daoists today. I am truly fortunate. May I ask what brings you to my Cheng Family Gambling House?"

Surely they wouldn't just be earning worldly money?

"Perhaps that's how it is. We independent cultivators don't necessarily have to wear the label 'I am a cultivator' on our heads. Integrating into the secular world and following our hearts is also a form of cultivation."

"I admire your high level of cultivation, fellow Daoist."

Xu Mingyuan then gradually steered the conversation toward cultivators around Heilongjiang and the Qingbo Liu Clan.

It's normal for a rogue cultivator to inquire about aristocratic families.

Many independent cultivators would seek refuge with established families for their own cultivation.

In the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xu Mingyuan gained a great deal.

Then he prepared to take his leave.

The cultivator surnamed Cheng invited Xu Mingyuan and his two companions, saying that if they joined the Cheng family, it would help them break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Xu Mingyuan politely declined.

Just a few steps from the gambling den, a down-on-his-luck middle-aged man was thrown out by the gambling den's guards. He weighed the half tael of silver in his hand and said, "What is this? Come back to gamble when you've paid off your gambling debts. Consider this silver as part of your debt repayment."

"Let me gamble one more time. My old man said this half tael of silver was a gift from a celestial master and carries good fortune. I'm sure I can make it back with interest."

Xu Mingyuan paused, turned around and looked over.

No matter how much the down-on-his-luck middle-aged man kowtowed, the gambling den guards remained unmoved, even punching and kicking him until he gave up.

She cried out in anguish, "I will definitely pay it back. When I get back, I will sell the spirit fish that the old man raised for a good price, and then I will definitely be able to pay it back."

"Hahaha." The guards at the gambling den burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Spirit fish? You peasants can't possibly raise spirit fish? Even if we gave you fry, you wouldn't be able to raise them to adulthood."

"Second brother, they said that old fisherman might be the one you bought fish from yesterday, right?"

Xu Mingyuan frowned slightly and walked back.

Upon seeing them, the guards quickly bowed and said, "We greet the Immortal Master. Is there anything you have left behind?"

Xu Mingyuan ignored him and looked at the down-and-out middle-aged man, "Your father is deaf in his right ear and his left ear is also not very sensitive."

The down-on-his-luck middle-aged man was filled with turmoil. He looked up and asked in a trembling voice, "Who...who are you?"

One of the guards said, "Just as you said, sir, I heard that his old father's left ear was also injured from being beaten by him."

"Let me see the silver in your hand."

The guard respectfully presented it with both hands. Half a tael of silver seemed about right, but Xu Mingyuan immediately recognized it as the money he had paid for the fish he bought yesterday.

"How is your father?" Xu Mingyuan's voice was calm but somewhat cold.

"My father...he..."

"died?"

The down-on-his-luck middle-aged man immediately kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "My father's health wasn't very good to begin with. I just accidentally pushed him while we were struggling. It really was an accident."

I didn't know he knew someone as important as you. I didn't mean it, please spare me, sir!

"You deserve to die!" Xu Mingshu's brows furrowed and her voice was icy. With a flick of her finger, a wisp of magical energy condensed and pierced through his head.

"Here's your money back."

"Since it belongs to an adult, I dare not accept it."

Do you know where he lives?

“My lord, I know that he lives in a large fishing village near the county seat, a village with many fishermen and farmers.”

"lead the way."

"Yes, my lord."

Xu Mingyuan sighed inwardly. His act of kindness had led to the death of the old fisherman at the hands of his own son. He even wondered if the old fisherman might have lived a few more years if he had ignored it.

Xu Mingxuan transmitted his voice and said, "Second brother, this is not your fault. With a son who is addicted to gambling, that old fisherman will also lose his life at his son's hands in the future."

At least your kindness yesterday gave him a glimmer of hope for life.

A person who lives like a walking corpse, numb and indifferent, is worse than dead.

"Perhaps you are right. Life is unpredictable, and we are all just like everyone else, drifting and sinking in this world."

We arrived at the fishing village.

They soon found the old fisherman's house.

The old fisherman still had bloodstains on his head as he lay on the wooden bed.

Beside him was an eleven or twelve-year-old boy who had cried himself to sleep, lying on the edge of the bed, holding his hand tightly.

The boy was thin and frail, with a sallow complexion clinging to his cheekbones. His eyes were filled with undried tears, and the paleness at the corners of his mouth resembled plum petals gnawed by the cold winter.

"This tael or two is for your travel expenses. Go back now."

"Thank you very much, Immortal Master!"

The gambling den guard bowed his thanks and left happily, regarding the dead fisherman and the thin boy as nothing.

Hearing the noise, the frail boy suddenly opened his eyes, jumped up, and glared at Xu Mingyuan and his group with hatred. "Who are you? What are you doing in my house? My grandfather is already dead, and you still won't let us go?!"

Xu Mingxuan and Xu Mingshu looked at each other in bewilderment.

"I am the one who bought your Aweng fish products yesterday," Xu Mingyuan said calmly, knowing that the other party would know this if he said it.

"It's you!"

The frail boy was surprised and then immediately kowtowed: "Grandpa told me that you gave our family hope yesterday, and that if I meet you one day, I will definitely repay this kindness."

After saying this, he was about to kneel down and kowtow.

Xu Mingyuan gently waved his hand, and the frail boy was unable to kneel down no matter what.

“I don’t deserve this favor, there’s no need for you to kneel before me.”

The frail boy's eyes lit up. "Grandpa said you might be a celestial master. I didn't expect it to be true."

"It seems that you, Grandpa, are quite wise."

"That's right, when he was young, he was a master fisherman and fish farmer in our big fishing village, what a pity..."

The frail boy didn't say much. He turned and glanced at the old fisherman, his eyes dimming and filled with sadness, a mist rising in his eyes.

"Your grandfather was killed by your father. Do you hate your father?"

“Why do you say that, Immortal Master? That gambler is not my father. My father and mother had an accident when they went out. He is my second uncle.”

"I see." Xu Mingshu nodded. "Although your second uncle was your closest relative, his behavior was truly despicable. You won't blame me for killing him, will you?"

"Thank you for your great kindness, Immortal Master. How could I dare to blame you?" the frail boy said. "If I grow up, I will not let him off the hook either."

"He's quite the little guy who knows right from wrong." Xu Mingshu smiled.

Suddenly, the boy's body trembled, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed.

"Because he is physically weak and has not eaten for a long time, Mingxuan, I have a martial arts pill here to strengthen his body and nourish his vital energy. Take it and give it to him, and at the same time use your magic power to refine it and regulate his body."

"Okay, second brother."

After Xu Mingxuan did as instructed, his eyes suddenly lit up and he said, "This young man actually has the aptitude for cultivation, and he seems quite capable of it."

Xu Mingyuan and Xu Mingshu were also surprised.

"Take the crystal and test his aptitude for cultivation." Xu Mingyuan carried a crystal with him that was used to test his aptitude for cultivation.

Then the next moment.

A dazzling red light illuminated the room like molten lava, leaving the three of them dumbfounded.

"Earth Spirit Root Cultivation Aptitude!"

Xu Mingshu's almond lips parted slightly, "Third Brother, is this what you call 'not bad'? This is the first time I've ever seen a cultivator with an earth-elemental root aptitude."

"My intuition tells me it's alright."

"I don't know if there are any cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots in the entire Great Wei, but cultivators with Earthly Spiritual Roots must also be quite rare."

Xu Mingshu looked at Xu Mingyuan, "Second Brother, could it be that every sip and every bite is preordained?"

"We'll take him with us, won't we?"

"Let's ask him what he thinks when he wakes up. If he can join my Xu family, with the help of my Xu family, he will have an 80-90% chance of becoming a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the future."

However, if we are unwilling to do so, forcing ourselves to accept someone with malicious intentions will only harm our Xu family in return.

Xu Mingshu nodded, "Second Brother, you've thought things through very well."

After half a cup of tea.

The frail boy slowly awoke, "My esteemed immortal masters, did you save me?"

"You fainted because you were too weak, too heartbroken and hadn't eaten much," Xu Mingyuan said.

"Even so, without the Immortal Master, I'm afraid it's questionable whether I can even wake up."

Xu Mingyuan nodded slightly, then asked again, "Are you feeling much better?"

The frail boy then felt a warm sensation within his body, as if he had inexhaustible strength. His face immediately lit up with joy, and he bowed, saying, "Thank you, Immortal Master!"

"What's your name, young man?"

"My nickname is Shuiwazi. I heard from my grandfather that my parents gave me my formal name, Ren Xiaoyao, which means 'to live a carefree and happy life'."

What are your plans for the future?

Ren Xiaoyao lowered his head and pondered for a long time before kneeling down and kowtowing to Xu Mingyuan, saying, "Please help me bury my grandfather, Immortal Master. I am willing to serve you as your servant and attend to you."

After speaking, he hesitated to look up, feeling uneasy.

He now has no relatives or friends and knows that the chances of him surviving alone are too slim.

The three immortal masters before him were willing to help his grandfather, and he felt sorry for his grandfather, who had killed his second uncle. They must be kind-hearted people.

So he's betting that they'll pity him.

Xu Mingshu and Xu Mingxuan looked at each other, their eyes showing surprise.

Before they could even speak, this kid had already volunteered to join them.

"This kid is clever and truly a gifted individual. Perhaps it's also due to Second Brother's kind act earlier," Xu Mingxuan transmitted his voice to Xu Mingshu.

Xu Mingshu nodded in agreement.

"You have no other relatives?"

"Yes."

Xu Mingyuan pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Your grandfather's death was ultimately partly my fault, and your last remaining blood relative also died because of me. Do you really not resent it?"

“My grandfather often told me that doing good deeds will bring good fortune. If the immortal master feels guilty because of his kindness, my grandfather will not be at peace in the afterlife. I have no resentment towards the immortal master in my heart.”

If I ever harbor resentment towards the Immortal Master because of this, I will surely suffer a terrible death!

As for my second uncle, I never considered him a close relative. He killed my grandfather, and he never liked me either, always beating and scolding me. If it weren't for your arrival, Immortal Master, I probably would have died at his hands within a few days.”

"In that case, I may take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Ren Xiaoyao suddenly looked up, staring at Xu Mingyuan in disbelief. After a moment, he said, "Take me as your disciple?"

Xu Mingxuan smiled and said, "When my second brother asked me to give you a tonifying pill and help you neutralize its effects, I discovered that you have the potential to embark on the path of immortality."

"I can cultivate immortality?!"

"Kid, what are you standing there for? Hurry up and become my apprentice."

Ren Xiaoyao immediately realized what was happening and kowtowed three times, respectfully saying, "Disciple greets Master."

A smile appeared on Xu Mingyuan's lips as a magical force lifted him up. He said calmly, "My surname is Xu, and my name is Xu Mingyuan. These two are my younger brothers and sisters. You can call them Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle."

"Third Uncle, Fourth Uncle," Ren Xiaoyao immediately bowed.

"We come from the Xu family of Yuehu County, a family renowned for its cultivation. Now that you have joined our Xu family, you are a member. We will do our utmost to nurture you, but if you dare to betray us..."

"I would never dare to betray my master or the Xu family, or I will suffer the consequences: my intestines will be ripped out, I will be burned to death, I will be struck by lightning, or I will die a horrible death."

"You're ruthless enough to yourself." Xu Mingxuan said with a faint smile, "Xiaoyao, remember this: when you become a cultivator in the future, you must not break your vows carelessly, otherwise the Heavenly Dao will sense it and make your vows come true!"

"Thank you for your teachings, Third Uncle. I will keep them in mind."

"The title 'Third Uncle' sounds strange. If you don't mind, you can call me Third Uncle along with Dezhao and the others. Master is also like a father to me. Now that you've become my second brother's disciple, we're family."

“That’s right, you can call me Auntie, or Aunt Mingshu, either is fine.”

"Third Uncle, Aunt Mingshu."

Ren Xiaoyao felt a surge of emotion.

His own blood-related second uncle treated him like an enemy, while a high-ranking immortal master, whom he met by chance, treated him like his own nephew.

"Let's bury your grandfather first."

"Yes, Master."

Xu Mingyuan and the others buried the old fisherman next to Ren Xiaoyao's parents.

Before leaving, Ren Xiaoyao ran to the aunt next door who had taken care of him and told her that she was leaving her house to his family.

Xu Mingyuan also gave him a sum of money to help take care of the graves of Ren Xiaoyao's parents and grandfather.

Ren Xiaoyao was puzzled. “When you have completed your studies, you can come here and move the graves of your parents and grandfather to my Dongxi. It is a place with beautiful mountains and clear waters and simple folk customs. I believe your parents and grandfather will like it.”

"Thank you, Master." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes were filled with tears.

"By the way, Xiaoyao, I heard your bastard second uncle mention that your grandfather successfully raised a spirit fish? Your grandfather was just a mortal, how did he manage to do that?" Xu Mingxuan asked curiously.

"Third Uncle, actually the spirit fish wasn't raised by my grandfather, but by me."

(End of this chapter)