Chapter 190: Xu Gongming

Chapter 190: Xu Gongming

"It's really damn cold!" the old man grumbled as the harsh winter wind lingered over the lake for months. The weather had slightly warmed in spring, but it was as cold as the winters of previous years.

The young plants stuck in the soil withered and turned yellow, not a single one survived. When the chill finally receded, summer warmed up only briefly before plunging back into a bone-chilling fall. That year, the fields yielded no crops, and the farmers, swallowing their pride, set down their hoes to forage in the mountains for food.

Old Master Xu sat in front of his house, shivering as he rubbed his hands together in the cold wind, calculating whether his family's remaining grain would last until next year. Since his father, Xu San, had passed away, he had been managing the household for over a decade and had become quite adept at it.

The Xu Family was one of the larger families in the town, although far scruffier compared to the Tian and Liu families. They had never managed a town during the era when the Li Family rose to power and had naturally declined over the years.

While the number of their family members had swollen thanks to the Li Family's exploitations of Mount Yue and absorbing refugees from the east, the family had not progressed, merely surviving year after year without any improvement.

Old Master Xu got up and strolled around the yard. After counting the grain left from the previous year, his courtyard door was knocked on twice.

"Who is it?"

"Uncle, it's me, Gongming!"

The gate creaked open, and a young man entered.

Old Master Xu stroked his beard and called out, "Gongming, come inside and sit."

As Xu Gongming entered the courtyard, he immediately said, "Uncle, have you heard? The main family is preparing to fight Mount Yue, and they are recruiting soldiers in town. There has been drumming for many days... I want to join the army. My parents, being farmers, are undecided, so they asked me to consult with you."

After Xu San's death, the Xu Family split, and each branch developed separately in town. As the eldest and somewhat educated, Old Master Xu naturally became the decision-maker of the family. He looked at the young man before him and hesitated to speak.

Xu Gongming, the only one in the family with a spiritual orifice and now at the second stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm, became anxious seeing his uncle's silence and said in a low voice, "Uncle! No family in our town is as destitute as ours! The Liu Family has always owned lands in Jingyang and holds significant status since they are related to the ancestor of the main family through marriage. The Tian Family is thriving with many capable members controlling most spirit fields, and the Chen Family, though quiet, already boasts a Qi Cultivator... If our family is to find a way forward, it can only be through the military!"

Old Master Xu picked up a large bowl and squinted as he counted the grains inside, responding slowly, "The army is a tool for the townsfolk, but which battalion commander[1] is not from the Li Family..? Do not think it is that easy..."

Xu Gongming slumped into a shabby wooden chair, disheartened by his uncle's words which disrupted his hopeful plans. He urged hastily, "Then give me some advice... The Xu Family is about to fall into my hands, yet I feel powerless to do anything!"

These cultivators, having barely stepped onto the path of immortality, cherished their lives immensely. When the family issued the conscription order, revealing plans to attack Mount Yue, they did not specifically summon these cultivators.

All of them pretended not to hear what was happening outside though they were usually busying themselves with singing, dancing, banquets, and outings. Now, they all obediently stayed at home farming; none ventured out to cause trouble.

"Yes," Li Pingyi responded, watching as Li Yuanxiu pondered for a moment, flipping the letter back and forth several times. He then murmured, "The Xu Family has also contributed to our family. Over the decades, we have given them opportunities, and my father even mentioned them specifically to me, but the Xu descendants have not grasped these opportunities well... leading unsatisfactory lives."

"Xu Gongming is already outside," Li Pingyi interjected, prompting Li Yuanxiu to nod.

"Call him in."

Shortly after, a young man around twenty-five or twenty-six years old walked in. He wore a sword at his waist and had an earnest look, appearing quite straightforward.

Upon seeing Li Yuanxiu, he cupped his fist and said in a deep voice, "Xu Gongming greets the young master." After speaking respectfully, Xu Gongming stood silently with his head bowed humbly.

Li Yuanxiu inquired about his family's circumstances. Xu Gongming answered succinctly and clearly; whether he had prepared his responses in advance or was simply quick-witted, his answers were all satisfactory.

Li Yuanxiu nodded slightly and said in a gentle voice, "You may go to the barracks tomorrow."

Xu Gongming cupped his fist again, his expression solemn as he withdrew without asking further about the position he would receive, simply departing silently.

Li Yuanxiu felt an increased respect for him and murmured, "The Xu Family has had a tough time over the years... Now that they finally have a member with a spiritual orifice, it seems he wishes to serve in the military. Let's start him off as a squadron leader of a hundred; his cultivation at the second stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm should be good enough for that role."

Most of the cultivators in the military were from the Li Family's minor sect and branches, with those at the first and second stage of the Embryonic Breathing Realm serving as squadron leaders of a hundred, and those at the third and fourth as battalion commanders of a thousand, totaling eight. With Xu Gongming, there were now nine cultivators.

As Li Yuanxiu was contemplating this, someone hurried into the courtyard. As usual, the clan soldiers kneeled one by one, laying their weapons on the ground as a gesture of respect. Seeing this, Li Yuanxiu quickly descended the steps.

Upon recognizing the figure, his face lit up with joy and he let out a loud exclamation.

"Father!"

1. The battalion commander here actually means a 1000-man commander. ☜