**Chapter 7**
*Heaven and earth, the vast universe.*
*The sun and the moon, their radiance shines.*
*Cold and heat alternate, autumn follows winter.*
**Early morning.**
Xu Chuan taught the two little ones the *Thousand Character Classic*.
He wrote two copies, one with each hand.
And he personally crafted a set of tables and chairs suited to their height, so they could learn properly.
He read one sentence, and the two boys matched the words on the paper with their fingers, repeating the sentence after him.
The crisp sound of children's voices echoed through the small courtyard. The roosters and hens had been let out of their coop and were wandering around the yard, pecking here and there.
Smoke rose from the kitchen chimney.
**After breakfast.**
He held his young son and supervised Xu Mingwei and Xu Mingyuan as they copied the characters.
The two boys traced the characters seriously, following the models.
Xu Chuan began planning the house renovation—design, materials, finding helpers. He was very busy.
But even so, he still made time every day to visit the fields and walk through the mountain forest.
He checked the conditions, pulled weeds, and so on.
Then he also practiced the *Minor Dragon Elephant Skill* for an hour.
[Daily Vitality]—perseverance was the only way to gain anything.
Time passed over the next month and a half.
The house had changed a great deal.
It had become a residence with five bedrooms, a main hall, and a half-acre yard.
By village standards, it was one of the finest.
When a new house was completed, there was a custom of holding a house-warming banquet. Invitations were inevitable, and of course, gifts were received.
---
**Years passed.**
Then the year-end sacrifice arrived.
Through Xu Chuan's daily teaching and Bai Jing's strict supervision, Xu Mingwei had already recognized several thousand characters and could write half of them.
Because he was still young, he was only at the recognition stage.
**After the year-end sacrifice.**
Xu Chuan finally made the decision to grant Xu Mingwei a talent.
After the second generation was born, an extra page had appeared in the Blood Genealogy.
Five talents had been born.
They were: [Inborn Divine Strength], [Profit-Seeking and Harm-Avoiding], [Money-Making Path], [Eagle Eyes], and [All-Spirit Whispers].
All of these were talents that could be bestowed upon Xu Chuan himself if he wished.
But that thought passed in a flash.
Because even if he added them all to himself, he was only one person. He didn't have enough time.
Just like now—even with three talents, they weren't very useful to him at present.
For a family to grow, it naturally needed to pool its strengths and work with one heart. That was the path to lasting success.
"Shitou, you are the eldest son. In the future, you will support this family. Your father intends to have you walk the martial path. Do you have any objections?"
Xu Chuan set aside his usual gentleness. His expression was very solemn.
Xu Mingwei also felt the weight in the air around him. He raised his small face, looked directly at Xu Chuan, and nodded. "Dad has taught us many truths these past days. Shitou understands."
"Whatever Father commands."
"Shitou will be a good example for my brothers!"
"I will not shame our family. I will not embarrass Dad!"
Xu Chuan nodded with satisfaction. He took out the Blood Genealogy.
"Place a drop of blood on it."
In the main hall, only Xu Chuan and Xu Mingwei were present. The others were not allowed to enter.
Xu Mingwei had absolute trust in Xu Chuan. He did it without hesitation.
The blood was absorbed by the genealogy. He was surprised inside but did not ask questions.
"Now kneel down, close your eyes, and recite after me."
"Ancestors of all generations, divine spirits above. Descendants receive blessings, grace fills the court. Spring and autumn, filial sincerity. May the spirits shine, the family name resound, and the household prosper."
"Ancestors of all generations, divine spirits above. Descendants receive blessings, grace fills the court."
As the first-generation ancestor and the true controller of the genealogy, Xu Chuan could directly bestow gifts upon himself.
For others, strict requirements had to be followed.
With Xu Chuan acting as the master of ceremonies, a specific talent could be chosen for blessing. Without him, the genealogy would randomly grant a talent.
When Xu Mingwei finished reciting, Xu Chuan felt a translucent silken thread connecting his son's body to the genealogy.
The genealogy emitted a faint glaze—it was about to grant a random talent, but Xu Chuan blocked it.
He pointed his finger at Xu Mingwei's brow and directly bestowed two talents: [Inborn Divine Strength] and [Eagle Eyes].
Since his son was to walk the martial path, Xu Chuan naturally filled out the relevant talents.
Let his strength grow and grow, far surpassing ordinary people. His bones would gradually transform, becoming suited for martial arts.
As the name suggested, his eyes would be like an eagle's—sharp, deep, and perceptive.
The two talents combined destined him for the bow and arrow.
"Alright, Shitou. Open your eyes."
Xu Mingwei obeyed, but when he opened his eyes, the black book was gone.
"How do you feel?"
"I felt a chill at first. Now it's gone. But Dad, what did those words mean?"
"They are our family's prayers to the ancestors, begging them to protect our peace and good fortune. You must remember them and pass them down from generation to generation."
"I understand, Dad."
Xu Chuan smiled and rubbed Xu Mingwei's head. "Tomorrow, get up early and follow me to practice martial arts and archery. Then study and write with Aiyuan. Then follow me to visit the rice fields and the mountain forest."
"I don't expect you to become a master farmer, but you need to know something about it, so you can make decisions when things come up."
"The rest of the time, you will devote to training."
"Can you do it?"
"Dad, Shitou can!"
There was firmness in his eyes.
With Xu Chuan's teachings, and because Xu Mingwei was a child who could endure hardship, besides studying and writing with Xu Mingyuan every day, he spent the rest of his time following Xu Chuan, learning his knowledge, how to deal with people and situations, and so on.
Xu Mingyuan felt left out and sulked about not being able to stay with his brother. But Xu Chuan didn't agree and scolded him severely.
It was Xu Mingwei who comforted him. "After I practice martial arts in the yard, you can practice with me."
"Alright!"
And just like that, Xu Mingyuan was happy again.
He looked forward to coming back with his brother every day.
---
**A few nights later.**
"Husband, Shitou is only six years old. Aren't you being too hard on him?"
"These past few days, I've clearly seen the tiredness on his face. My heart truly aches."
Xu Chuan laughed. "Wife wants to be a loving mother. Your husband can only be a strict father. If we both spoil him, what kind of person will he grow into?"
"Maybe my husband is right, but I still—"
"Enough." Xu Chuan raised his hand to stop her.
When he was firm, he was firm.
But looking at Bai Jing's sad eyes, Xu Chuan sighed. "Our Shitou has perseverance. He's like me—he can endure hardship. After some time, he should be able to adapt."
After a few months, the talents would gradually reveal themselves.
"For now, our family is short on silver, but we don't need to scrimp. We need to add more meat to every meal."
"Shitou needs the nourishment."
"I understand, husband."
"Let's rest for tonight."
Xu Chuan's hand began to wander, but Bai Jing pushed it away.
She lay down on her side and said lightly, "Tonight, your wife is a little unwell. Husband can take care of himself."
"What—"
Xu Chuan's eyes widened.
*This woman is defying heaven!*
He watched her for a moment, then blew out the lamp and went to sleep.
---
**The next day.**
The morning darkness like ink had not yet faded, and in the eastern sky, crab-shell blue had begun to bloom.
**In the yard.**
The back of a cotton shirt was stained with dark sweat. White mist condensed into fine arrows with each exhale.
The young Xu Mingwei imitated his father's movements. His chubby little arms, straining like fat worms, looked crooked.
Xu Chuan stopped from time to time to correct his posture.
When he did well, he received praise. When he did poorly, he was severely reprimanded.
Xu Mingwei's eyes were full of tenacity. Even if he felt wronged inside, he swallowed it down and showed nothing.
More than half an hour passed.
Then it was time to read.
*Heaven and earth, the vast universe.*
*The sun and the moon, their radiance shines.*
Two children's voices cut through the mist and startled the sparrows under the eaves.
Another new day had begun.
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