**Chapter 26: Before His Weak Crown, a Master's Talent**
"Teach me?"
Xu Mingwei turned his eyes toward Xu Zhen, a hint of fighting spirit rising within him.
"Dad, this brat dares to hurt my son—teach him a lesson!" Xu Mao fanned the flames.
Yang Zhao was also surprised. "Brother Xu, this young man of yours is a bit arrogant."
"I've heard of this Xu Zhen. Though his talent is average, he's been a first-rate warrior for over ten years. His experience is deep, not something a newly promoted first-rate warrior can match."
Xu Chuan didn't care. He waved his hand. "Let the boy take some pain."
Yang Zhao said no more.
"Truly, the younger generation inspires fear!"
"Well, I won't bully you. If you can take three moves from me, I'll consider it your win."
Xu Zhen didn't want to lose face here. If he could defeat Xu Mingwei in public, losing face wouldn't matter.
"Second Master, please!"
Xu Mingwei grinned. A faint sound seemed to come from between his breaths.
One punch shot out—the force of the blow split the air.
Xu Zhen struck back with a punch of his own.
*Thud!*
*Scrape—*
Xu Mingwei didn't move. Xu Zhen, however, staggered back several steps.
Xu Mao and the other Xu family members were all stunned, their faces full of embarrassment.
The rest of the onlookers erupted in whispers.
"How old is he? To beat a seasoned first-rate warrior like that?"
"Yes—even if Xu Zhen isn't at his peak, he's not someone a younger generation should be able to handle. Could he be a first-rate warrior himself?"
"Before his weak crown, this is a master's talent."
In the major counties, a master-level warrior might appear only once every few decades, or even centuries.
Xu Zhen was equally shocked.
That punch had combined raw strength and inner strength perfectly.
He hadn't held back at all, yet he had still been shaken back.
It was enough to see that the other party's strength was above his own.
"Why are you still standing there? Why are you showing mercy to someone like him?"
Xu Zhen looked at Xu Mao. "It's all your fault."
He took a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve and tossed it to Xu Mingwei. "I've seen your Xu family's ability today. No need to continue."
"Come back to the mansion with me."
Xu Zhen didn't say much more. He led the others, except Xu Mao, back to the Black Wind Martial Hall.
Xu Chuan smiled slightly and looked at Xu Mao. "Brother Xu, you still have a gift to deliver."
"Xu Chuan, don't get cocky! My Xu family has the county magistrate behind us. Offend my Xu family, and you won't have an easy life in the future!"
Then he turned to look at Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao had been insulted by Xu Mao before, and now Xu Mao dared to use his name to swagger and deceive. He could no longer hold back.
"Xu Mao, you said the Yang County magistrate was behind you. Then do you know who I am?"
Xu Mao had never seen Yang Zhao before. His uncle had seen him once or twice.
But he was always arrogant. He glanced disdainfully at Yang Zhao and said lightly, "Aren't you just the one writing the inscription for Mr. Xu Chuan?"
"I advise you to know when to yield. Leave now, and don't get involved with this family."
"Otherwise, you won't even be able to finish your fruit!"
"Enough!"
Yang Zhao laughed, extremely coldly.
Just then, several soldiers arrived. They were patrolling the streets of the West City.
Seeing the large crowd, they came to investigate.
Originally, they had just come for the fun—to see if the newly opened shop might offer some extra income.
But when they saw Yang Zhao, they immediately stepped forward and said, "We pay respects to the County Magistrate."
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone around was in an uproar.
"The County Magistrate actually appeared in a small fruit shop—and personally wrote an inscription for it? What is the history of this family?"
"We pay respects to the County Magistrate!"
They might not know the county magistrate by sight, but the soldiers who came and went in the county office would never be mistaken.
The people around quickly moved aside.
Bai Jing and the others were also surprised. They hadn't expected Xu Chuan to have invited the Qingjiang County magistrate.
"You—you are the county magistrate?"
"Xu Mao, you have insulted the county magistrate and used an official's name to deceive others. For these crimes, seize him, take him back to the county office, and throw him in prison."
"Yes, County Magistrate."
Xu Mao seemed not to have heard. His soul seemed to have left him. He collapsed to the ground.
"Big brother."
Xu Chuan recognized one of the soldiers and called out.
"Xu Chuan." Chen Daming replied with a word.
Yang Zhao looked at Chen Daming. "Brother Xu, do you know him?"
"We're from the same village. His father took special care of me when I was young. But our families went their separate ways, had little contact. I haven't seen him in several years."
"I see." Yang Zhao looked at Chen Daming and said, "Take Xu Mao back first."
Chen Daming's heart had been pounding, sweat on his forehead. He had been afraid that Xu Chuan might say something bad about him in front of Yang Zhao.
Now he was completely relieved.
*"I didn't expect Xu Chuan to know the county magistrate, and not a breath of wind leaked over the years."*
*"His mind is too deep."*
But he didn't dwell on it.
Just then, Wang Guan, who had been sent by Third Master Xu to deliver a congratulatory gift, arrived.
"Brother Wang, go find my father, my uncles—tell them to save me!" Xu Mao cried out as if he had seen a savior.
Wang Guan was also startled. He stuffed a few silver coins into someone's hand, hurriedly inquired, and then realized that Xu Mao had offended County Magistrate Yang. His heart was very confused.
"We are only following orders. We must return to the county office. Step aside."
Chen Daming said, then took Xu Mao and continued toward the county office.
Xu Mao still shouted loudly, "Brother Wang! It's all Xu Chuan's fault—tell my father to avenge me!"
Seeing this, Wang Guan naturally didn't deliver any gift. He immediately returned to the Xu family to report the matter.
---
"Dad, you're so good! That Xu Mao is terrible. Yesterday he came to our house and tried to steal my Little White and our family's Green Jade Pears. You have to teach him a good lesson."
"Snow, eat a pear."
Xu Mingyi made another "small report."
"Good. Daddy will give him a good punishment."
Yang Zhao didn't stay long. He wrote the inscription and returned to the county office.
He felt he had been used.
But there was no evidence.
Because he had only come to visit, witnessed the opening, written the inscription, and planned to go back.
Who would have thought so much would happen?
The shop opened. After several twists and turns, it finally succeeded.
Even without the Green Jade Pears, the word of mouth spread quickly. Soon, many families in the county would know that the Xu family had a close relationship with the county magistrate. Countless people would come and go.
After the opening ceremony, the Xu family returned to the West City residence.
Only Zhou Ming and a few attendants remained to mind the shop.
Though Xu Chuan had thought the Xu family might cause trouble, he hadn't expected Xu Mao to cooperate so readily. Xu Mao had practically handed him the opportunity, allowing him to successfully draw his three-pronged arrow.
He had no quarrel with the Xu family, but Xu Mao had been making trouble for years, and he was disgusted by it.
So he had dug a pit and let Xu Mao jump in.
If Xu Mao hadn't come, nothing would have happened.
But now, Xu Mao had offended Yang Zhao.
Even if he didn't die, he would be stripped of his status, and the Xu family would be damaged.
---
**West City.**
**The residence, main hall.**
Bai Jing looked at Xu Chuan and asked curiously, "Husband, I didn't expect you to know the county magistrate and to invite him. Otherwise, the scene today wouldn't have ended well."
"I've met him a few times and left some friendship." Xu Chuan said lightly, with shallow lips.
Xu Mingyuan also said, "Dad, why haven't I heard you mention this before? With this connection, our family could have reached out to Qingjiang County long ago."
"Relationships go both ways. You need to match the other party's status."
"Until now, I have developed our family to the point where I have the standing to deal with someone like the county magistrate."
"But it is forbidden to act in his name. Otherwise, Xu Mao's fate today would be my family's fate tomorrow."
"Yes, Father."
All the Xu children answered.
With the county magistrate's handwritten inscription, with Green Jade Pears and other fruits and vegetables—and the fact that the other produce was also selected by the family, bought from small growers, with guaranteed quality—therefore, the people who came to the shop every day were endless. There were many repeat customers.
Many of them also had great reputations in the county.
"Before his weak crown, a master's talent" became even more widely known.
In one day, the Xu family became the new rising star of Qingjiang County.
---