Chapter 58: Elder Brother Shows His Might

After a long while, Wan Qing was the first to regain her composure.

With worshipful eyes fixed on Xia Daoming, she said, “After hearing Master Xia’s melody, I realize how crude my own skills are—I beg you, Master Xia, to guide me further!”

“Yes, yes, Master Xia is far too modest—he says he only understands a little about playing the qin, but if that’s just a little, then we’re all just banging random notes!” The other girls chimed in with sincere flattery.

Seeing Xia Daoming once again surrounded by the girls, Wu Chi Xiao and the other two were now truly convinced.

What could they do? He was powerful in martial arts, eloquent in speech, skilled in music, and still young—what could they possibly match him with?

“Younger Brother Xia, this melody is so serene, elegant, and beautiful—you must teach it to Wan Qing. Once this piece is played, it will make Qun Fang Lou look ordinary.” Liu Xiao Qiang said.

“No problem, but I’m only free tonight. Tomorrow I’m leaving on a long journey—I’ll probably be gone for a month.” Xia Daoming replied bluntly.

“Uh, younger brother is leaving again?” Liu Xiao Qiang and the others were taken aback.

“I have some personal matters to attend to,” Xia Daoming said.

“It’s said the rebel forces, unable to take the provincial capital, have split up to raid other cities in the southeast—places closer to the capital are growing increasingly chaotic.

Other regions are also far more turbulent than in past years. Younger brother, you must be careful on this journey. Would you like me to assign a few escort masters to accompany you?

They’re all third- or fourth-grade martial masters, seasoned travelers who know the lands well—they’ll help you avoid plenty of trouble.” Zhuo Xingji said.

“Younger Brother Zhuo, that’s an excellent suggestion. Your men are old hands—having them with you would be ideal.” Wu Chi Xiao nodded in agreement.

“Yes, yes, I’ll cover the escort fees!” Liu Xiao Qiang quickly added.

“Sister, what are you talking about? Daoming is your younger brother—is he not my younger brother too? Why should I send escort masters and then have you pay? Are you embarrassing me?” Zhuo Xingji’s tone turned sharp.

“Oh dear, Elder Brother Zhuo, it’s my fault for not explaining clearly. Look, younger brother is going to teach Wan Qing ‘Three Variations on the Plum Blossom,’ right? If I offered money, he’d refuse.

But this melody is so rare—I’d feel guilty taking it for free, so I thought: why not use the money to hire your men? It’s perfect!

I know Elder Brother is generous and loyal, but your affairs are vast and expenses everywhere—sending several escort masters at once is no small cost.” Liu Xiao Qiang hurried to explain.

“I think Sister Liu makes sense. But Younger Brother Xia carries Master’s great hopes—future prosperity of Qianjiao Martial Hall depends largely on him. We elder siblings were all nurtured by Master’s painstaking efforts—we must shoulder the duty of supporting our younger brother.

So the money shouldn’t fall only on Elder Brother Zhuo or only on Sister Liu. In my view, all of us elder siblings should contribute together.” Jiao Yongbao said.

Upon hearing Jiao Yongbao’s words, Xia Daoming was quietly moved.

This elder brother of his was famously stingy—he never spent a copper coin at Yaohua Pavilion, always letting Zhuo Xingji pay.

Yet today, he suddenly became generous—something utterly unexpected by Xia Daoming, and deeply warm.

With such elder siblings and sisters, it was worth giving them that vial of Yunshou Jade Elixir!

Of course, Jiao Yongbao and the others didn’t know the Yunshou Jade Elixir in Liang Jingtang’s possession came from Xia Daoming.

“I agree with Yongbao—let all of us elder siblings share the cost.” Wu Chi Xiao nodded.

“Cough, cough! Three elder brothers and sister—you’re all busy deciding for yourselves, but why didn’t you ask my opinion?” Xia Daoming interrupted, half-amused, half-exasperated.

Joke’s on them—he was already an Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master, and his meridians had been repeatedly strengthened.

He’d never seen anyone beyond a Grandmaster who could manifest force externally—his heart still trembled at the thought, and he dared not act rashly.

As for any martial master below Grandmaster, Xia Daoming didn’t give them a second thought.

Even Xu Shixiong, the most renowned martial master in Licheng right now, he was confident he could knock him down with one hand, easily!

Did he really need a few third- or fourth-grade escort masters to protect him on his journey?

Besides, how could he play cards with Liu Qiaolian if he had a few escort masters trailing him?

That’s a whole month-long journey!

“You’re the younger brother—this decision isn’t yours to make; it’s ours!” Wu Chi Xiao asserted his senior authority.

“Hehe, but after returning from Cangmang Mountain, Master himself clearly designated me as his heir—he even said that, in a sect, I’m already the Young Master!” Xia Daoming said with obvious pride.

“Damn! Who knew you were even more arrogant than Gu Ren? Now you’re already acting like a boss—do you think I won’t… cough, cough, I can’t beat you alone, but with Xingji and the others, we’ll gang up and teach you a lesson!”

“Wan Qing and the ladies, please step outside for a moment—I need to speak privately with my elder siblings.” Xia Daoming ignored Wu Chi Xiao and smiled at Wan Qing and the others.

“Yes, Master Xia—we’ll take our leave!” Wan Qing and the others bowed and exited, closing the door behind them.

“So you really think you can challenge us? I’ll tell you—I was careless last time; in actual combat, I’m not that far behind you!

Your Elder Brother Zhuo’s strength equals mine—we’re two strong Fifth-Rank Great Martial Masters, plus Jiao Yongbao and Liu Xiao Qiang, who’ve both cultivated hidden force.

Your Elder Brother Jiao was once even more talented than Gu Ren—he’s now mastered hidden force and can stand toe-to-toe with any Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master.

You dare openly defy us elder siblings? If I don’t give you a taste of real discipline today, you’ll turn the whole world upside down tomorrow!” Wu Chi Xiao grew more animated, ending with a loud slam on the table.

No choice—he’d been humiliated all night, his chest still ached, and now, finally, a chance to assert his senior authority and relieve his frustration—he couldn’t miss it!

“Exactly! Elder Brother won’t show his power, and you think I’m just a figurehead—” Zhuo Xingji raised his hand, ready to slam the table too.

But his hand froze mid-air.

For at that moment, Xia Daoming’s body radiated the aura of six meridians.

The private room fell utterly silent—even a pin dropping would have been audible.

Wu Chi Xiao and the others stood frozen like clay statues.

Damn! How long had it been? He’s already Sixth-Rank!

Is he even human?

Liu Xiao Qiang was no exception.

She was only a Fourth-Rank Martial Master, with limited experience—she didn’t realize that night, when Xia Daoming had traced patterns on her body, that was no ordinary feat—only an Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master with profound cultivation could accomplish it.

Until now, she’d naïvely believed Xia Daoming was still a Fifth-Rank Great Martial Master.

Watching Wu Chi Xiao and the others frozen in shock, Xia Daoming secretly gloated.

Overreacting—no sense of perspective!

If I revealed I’m an Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master, you’d all collapse on the floor!

Luckily, I’m humble and low-key!

“Elder Brother Wu, Elder Brother Zhuo—come, come, I’m curious—what does your power display look like?” Xia Daoming smiled at Wu Chi Xiao and Zhuo Xingji.

“Cough! Younger brother, when did you reach Sixth-Rank? Such great news—why didn’t you tell us sooner? I could’ve prepared a big red envelope!”

“Yes, yes! Why didn’t you say anything? You must’ve wanted to surprise us, right?”

Wu Chi Xiao and Zhuo Xingji rubbed their hands, smiling nervously.

Joke’s on them—when he was Fifth-Rank, he’d beaten Wu Chi Xiao like a child.

Now he’s Sixth-Rank—just use your toes to think: he’d crush all four of them like toys!

What power display? Forget it!

Watching Wu Chi Xiao and Zhuo Xingji rubbing their hands and smiling nervously, Jiao Yongbao wiped sweat from his forehead.

He’d almost charged forward to show off his strength just moments ago!

Only Liu Xiao Qiang looked at Xia Daoming with soft, admiring glances.

Even though Wu Chi Xiao had dragged her into the group, she’d never once considered joining the challenge.

Joke’s on them—she’d only cultivated hidden force thanks to Xia Daoming.

If she were to teach him a lesson, it’d be in her boudoir.