Chapter 43: Frost-Cold Cloud-Piercing

"Father, since the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall became famous after that one battle, many families have drawn closer to our Xu family. They've also sent their family disciples to train at the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall. Now the hall has sixty or seventy apprentices."

Xu Mingyuan looked at Xu Chuan seated in the family head's position in the great hall, joy difficult to conceal on his face.

"What about Hall Master Gu?"

"Hall Master Gu is naturally selecting youths suitable for the Dragon Elephant Sect's inheritance." Xu Mingyuan lifted his tea cup and took a small sip. After setting it down, he continued, "However, his requirements are quite high. He hasn't found anyone suitable yet."

"What about young Li Zhi? Is he still at Heavenly Dragon Martial Hall?"

"A few days ago, we already had him leave. He's now entered the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall."

Xu Chuan nodded, "Li Zhi's talent is somewhat better than Tantou's. Cultivating him according to the Xu family direct line's standards, becoming innate won't be a problem. He likely has hope of reaching innate perfection, or even impacting grandmaster level."

"You can have Hall Master Gu cultivate him well. If he approves, you can also have Li Zhi take him as master to deepen the relationship between them."

Xu Mingyuan was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected his own father to value Li Zhi so highly. He cupped his hands and said, "Father is truly far-sighted and strategic. Your son admires you."

"Yes."

"Then have them forge a powerful bow suitable for an innate martial artist. Don't spare on materials. Whatever they need, you seek it out for them. But remember to keep it secret."

"I see." Xu Mingyuan chuckled.

"You understand again." Xu Chuan looked at his second son and shook his head with a smile.

"In the family, besides elder brother, who else practices archery?"

"This is a gift for your brother. Is two months a problem?"

"Two months is more than enough time, but..." Xu Mingyuan put on a wronged expression, "After growing up, I've never received a gift from Father."

"This isn't just a gift, but another trump card for our Xu family. Shitou has reached innate, his strength is greater. The previous black iron powerful bow is already slightly insufficient. Only something with greater power is worthy and can bring his abilities to their extreme."

Xu Mingyuan was somewhat curious, "How strong can elder brother be using bow and arrows?"

"From a distance, he should be able to kill late innate realm martial artists."

"Hiss~"

Upon hearing this, Xu Mingyuan widened his eyes in disbelief, then sharply inhaled.

This conjecture wasn't something Xu Chuan said casually.

Although innate true qi was powerful and could leave the body, the distance was limited. The farther it went, the weaker it became.

With Xu Mingwei's talent and attainments in archery, he could suppress innate martial artists with bow and arrows from several li away, while they couldn't cause him any harm.

With his innate divine strength, he could draw and shoot arrows for extended periods. Arrows with that kind of power and speed would be extremely difficult for innate martial artists to dodge.

With the slightest carelessness, they would be severely injured or even killed.

"Such a trump card truly cannot be easily exposed."

Xu Mingyuan believed Xu Chuan, his expression also becoming serious, "Father, leave this matter to me. I'll definitely have someone forge a powerful bow that elder brother will like."

…

Over the two months, all the families in Qingjiang County had been calm and peaceful.

The Xu family's various businesses were also developing steadily.

On the tenth day of the eleventh month, Xu Chuan presented the treasure bow that Xu Mingyuan had forged to Xu Mingwei.

"Elder brother, this treasure bow is truly rare. It took nearly two months to forge and consumed quite a few precious materials. The bow body is forged from a composite of thousand-year cold iron and submerged wood, combining hardness and flexibility. The bow limbs are carved with delicate frost flower patterns inlaid with silver thread. The bowstring is made from superior snow silkworm silk, and the bow eye is inlaid with Lantian jade."

Xu Mingwei gently stroked the treasure bow, his eyes full of joy.

"As for these arrows, they're also extraordinary. The arrow shafts are also cast from thousand-year cold iron. The fletching is from variant silver eagle feathers. These feathers are light yet tough, each feather shining with silver-white radiance. The arrowheads are polished from black obsidian, incomparably sharp."

"Second brother, this sounds extraordinary." Xu Mingxuan said enviously, "I want one too."

"You'll have to ask Father. Father had me forge this, and besides, do you even know archery?"

Xu Mingxuan was immediately left speechless.

"Thank you, Father, and thank you too, Ahyuan. I really like it." Xu Mingwei said with genuine happiness.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly, "Give it a name."

"This bow feels icy cold to the touch. Let's name it the Frost-Cold Bow. As for these arrows, their silver feathers fly together, sufficient to pierce clouds and break through the sky. Let's call them Cloud-Piercing Arrows."

"Frost-Cold, Cloud-Piercing—good names." Xu Chuan said with a smile, "Father hopes you can use this bow and arrows to protect the Xu family and shoot through the hearts of enemies."

"Yes, Father."

…

More than a month later came the year ceremony.

After the year ceremony, Xu Mingwei also reached the age of twenty.

At this time, Yang Ronghua was also approaching her due date. A midwife had already moved into the residence.

Half a month later, Yang Ronghua gave birth.

Xu Mingwei paced back and forth outside the door. Hearing the heart-wrenching screams coming from inside the room, sweat beaded on his anxious forehead.

Even fighting an innate martial artist wouldn't make him this anxious.

His eyes were full of worry.

Xu Chuan pointed at him and chuckled, "Wife, look, your husband was also this anxious, spinning in circles outside before. Now it's our Shitou's turn."

Bai Jing pinched him hard, "Husband, be serious."

"Let go, let go, it's my fault."

Xu Mingwei wanted to rush in several times but was stopped by Xu Chuan each time.

Xu Mingyuan was busy in Qingjiang County. Xu Mingxuan and the others were also at the Dragon Elephant Martial Hall, only returning to the Xu family estate once every six or seven days.

Because of Yang Ronghua's labor, Xu Chuan had specially dispatched guards to call them back.

More than two hours later, the door opened. A maid walked out with a smile, "Family Head, Madam, First Young Master, the First Young Madam has given birth to a young master."

"Good, good, good." Xu Chuan laughed heartily and said to Xu Mingwei, "Hurry in."

Without another word, Xu Mingwei rushed into the hall. He didn't even have time to glance at the child before rushing to the bedside like a gust of wind, brushing aside Yang Ronghua's sweat-soaked hair and tightly grasping her hand.

"Wife, you've worked hard."

Yang Ronghua smiled faintly. Although she had Qi and Blood Pills to replenish her blood and qi, she still looked exhausted at this moment, her complexion somewhat pale.

At this time, Xu Chuan and Bai Jing also entered.

Bai Jing took the infant wrapped in fine silk from the midwife's hands, her eyes full of loving kindness as she gently swayed him, "My eldest grandson."

Xu Chuan also came over for a glance, then said to Yang Ronghua, "Rest well."

"Yes, Father."

Soon after, Xu Mingwei's siblings arrived one after another.

"Has my eldest nephew come out?" Xu Mingyuan called out boisterously before even entering.

"Be quiet. If you wake my eldest grandson, watch me chase you out."

"Father, now that you have a grandson, you don't love me anymore." Xu Mingyuan joked, "As expected, love always transfers."

"Hahaha~"

The others all burst out laughing.

"Let me see." Xu Mingshu brought her head over, then said softly, "I'm your aunt. Call me aunt."

"He's just been born. How could he speak?" Bai Jing said with a smile.

"Shitou, have you thought of a name?"

Xu Mingwei said, "According to the generational inheritance you established—Ming, De, Chong, Wen, Jing, Yun, Chang, Zhao, Wei, Shan, Yong, Ji, Shi, Ze, Chang, Zhao, they are the De generation."

"I hope this child's future will be as someone upright and open, with virtue shining forth."

"Let's call him Xu Dezhao."

The third generation's talent is finally about to appear!