**Chapter 28: Yang Zhao's Worry**
"Brother, tell me the truth—can you reach the peak of the acquired realm?"
Yang Shichang looked at Xu Mingwei's face and questioned him.
Xu Chuan had warned Xu Mingwei to keep a low profile on weekdays, but after a moment of deep reflection, Xu Mingwei nodded.
"The peak of the acquired realm before eighteen is a master's talent."
Yang Shichang was one year older than Xu Mingwei, but he was also a first-rate warrior now. Though the gap between a first-rate warrior and the peak of the acquired realm wasn't enormous, the difficulty of reaching that peak was not low.
"The innate realm is far away, let alone the master level." Xu Mingwei sighed.
Yang Shichang smiled. "Actually, there is a shortcut to the innate realm—through the introduction of Qi into the body, feeling the power of heaven and earth. That can accelerate becoming an innate warrior."
"All the great children of the prefectural city do this."
"Qi Pills—how do you get them?"
"They are too rare in the county. Even in the prefectural city, they are controlled by the great families. They require the means of cultivators to refine, and one pill costs three thousand taels."
"Moreover, a single Qi Pill cannot fully guarantee success in reaching the innate realm. It only increases the probability. Generally, you need a dozen or so to have a reasonable chance."
"The prefectural city has produced three of its most talented people in the past decade."
"Haven't any broken through on their own?" Xu Mingwei asked curiously.
"There are some, but it's very difficult. Only about one in a hundred geniuses in the prefectural city succeed on their own." Yang Shichang looked at Xu Mingwei and smiled. "But the sooner you break through in martial arts, the further you can go in the future."
"After all, after the age of sixty, blood and energy begin to decline. Basically, you can't break through then."
"If the two of us become close relatives, with your talent, my father might be able to get a few Qi Pills from the family side to help you break through."
The Yang family was looking toward the family's future, and the Yang family's prospects were bright.
But they wouldn't provide such precious resources as Qi Pills for no reason. However, if it were for a son-in-law, that would be a different matter.
"I need to ask my father about this."
"Brother, you really are something. My sister loves you so much, and you won't marry her."
"Brother, who says won't marry?"
The voice came, and they saw two figures in the corridor ahead.
The taller one stood like a elegant pavilion. The smaller one was playful and cute, her crescent-moon eyes full of mischief.
It was Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingyi.
"Sister, it seems my brother has no intention of marrying you. You should choose another good son-in-law."
"Brother, don't say that. My brother won't fail me. We've sworn to each other."
Xu Mingwei and Yang Ronghua looked at each other and smiled.
Three years had passed.
The Xu family had grown closer to the Yang family.
They often spent time together, and the children were very familiar with one another.
Yang Ronghua and Xu Mingwei had developed feelings for each other.
Everyone who saw them thought they were a perfect pair of golden jade.
"I will not fail my sister." Xu Mingwei spoke as if swearing an oath. "I will break through to the innate realm as soon as possible, meet Father's requirements, and then, with the three letters and six rites, eight great sedan chairs, marry Sister Ronghua through the door."
"Hahaha." Yang Shichang suddenly laughed. "Brother Xu, you said it."
"My sister and I are waiting."
"Little Snow, let's go see your Little White. Let's not disturb them here."
Xu Mingyi blinked. "Let's go. I'll show you the power of Little White!"
Yang Shichang sparred with Little White for a while.
Indeed, he was no match for that white tiger. After being thoroughly thrashed, he was met with Xu Mingyi's applause.
Of course, Xu Mingyi wouldn't really let Little White hurt him.
Otherwise, not only would she be unable to explain it to her godfather, but when she got home, both person and tiger would be severely punished. The white tiger might never be allowed out again.
---
**Not long after.**
The siblings returned to Dongxi Village.
Today, the Xu family's residence had expanded to over one hundred acres. The buildings were magnificent—truly the bearing of a great family.
Xu Mingwei told Xu Chuan about the Qi Pills.
"I'll discuss this with your Uncle Yang. I'll have Aiyuan ask him."
"As for the marriage, you are both young. A year or two is not too long to wait."
Xu Chuan smiled at Xu Mingwei. Xu Mingwei nodded. "Father is right."
"Prepare for the establishment of the household."
"This is the big day when our family officially becomes one of the Qingjiang families."
"Shitou understands the weight of this."
---
**That night.**
**Green Cloud Street, the Yang family residence.**
"Husband, what's made you so happy today?" Mrs. Yang poured wine for Yang Zhao, curiosity on her face.
"There's a letter from the family. There's an opening on the prefectural city side. We can go back to the prefectural city."
"Really?"
"My uncle wrote the letter himself. It can't be false."
"We'll have a few more drinks tonight."
"Alright, husband."
After three cups, Mrs. Yang also took out an invitation. "The Xu family sent Mingyuan with an invitation. In half a month, they will establish their household and open their shrine. They invite us to the ceremony."
The expression on Yang Zhao's face froze.
"What's wrong?" Mrs. Yang asked in surprise.
"So fast! Three years of soaring, and now they're establishing their household." Yang Zhao sighed.
"It is rapid. But the Xu family is no longer what it was. Their foundation may not be deep, and with their youth and small clan, they can't be compared to old families. But the strength of their wealth and their connections—these cannot be ignored." Mrs. Yang analyzed carefully.
"When all five of their children are married, the family will immediately flourish and have a solid foundation."
Yang Zhao agreed, but his expression was different from before.
Mrs. Yang noticed the difference and asked, "Why this expression when mentioning the Xu family this year? It wasn't like this in the past."
Yang Zhao sighed softly. "Today, my uncle sent a letter. He wants me to compete for the position of county lieutenant. But the competitors—the Chang clan and others—all have their eyes on it."
"To succeed, I need the help of a powerful family."
"The Wen family has produced several county lieutenants. Though they are not as good as the Chang family or my Yang family, they still have deep roots."
"My uncle advised me to form an in-law relationship with the Wen family."
"I am the most likely in the Yang family to win the county lieutenant position."
"This is good news!"
Mrs. Yang knew this was about her husband's future. Her eyes lit up with joy. "Shichang is also at a marriageable age. He could marry a daughter of the Wen family of suitable age."
"Wait, husband—you don't mean to marry Hua'er into the Wen family, do you?"
Yang Zhao nodded heavily and said quietly, "Shichang and Hua'er are close. If we arrange one marriage, we might as well arrange both at the same time."
"That way, our relationship with the Wen family will be even stronger. Only then will the Wen family be willing to help me compete for the county lieutenant position. With my Yang family and the Wen family working together, this county lieutenant competition will be in the bag."
"This—"
Mrs. Yang suddenly showed the same expression Yang Zhao had earlier.
Though it was only an unspoken understanding, the Yang family and the Xu family had long had a tacit agreement. When the time was ripe, Xu Mingwei would marry Yang Ronghua.
Yang Zhao admired the Xu family and wanted to become in-laws with them. Xu Mingwei's character and training were excellent. For Yang Ronghua, it was a good match.
Now he faced a choice—the future versus his daughter's happiness.
"But Hua'er, she... Shichang told me that the two of them have deep feelings. They've sworn to marry no one else."
"Nonsense! Do you know what 'sworn for eternity' means?"
Yang Zhao slammed the table, his voice fierce. It was unclear whether he was angry at his daughter for deciding her own life or sighing that the future required sacrificing his daughter's happiness.
"Husband, is there really no other way?"
Mrs. Yang loved her daughter. Hearing this bad news, she couldn't help but burst into tears.
"I don't know."
Yang Zhao was also helpless. He sighed. "But even if I were willing to give up my future, how would I explain it to my uncle and his father? This isn't my matter alone. It concerns the entire Yang family."
"Was I raised by the Yang family to abandon my own people?"
"If it's not that—Shichang hasn't yet formally betrothed anyone, but Hua'er has already been promised to the Wen family. The bride price has been paid. They're only waiting to choose the wedding date. You, husband, have seen the Xu family. You've said their future must be as the first family of Qingjiang."
"If we marry Hua'er to the Wen family, the feelings between the two might be damaged, and the years of relationship we've built would be wasted."
"Husband, I want you to think again."
Yang Zhao heard this, was silent for a long time, then said, "You speak well."
"The Xu family's potential is extraordinary. They will not lose to my Yang family."
"Tomorrow, I will return to the prefectural city and discuss with my uncle whether another daughter of suitable age from the Wen family can marry Shichang, or whether we can take a step back and have Hua'er marry into the Wen family under my name."
Mrs. Yang heard this and smiled.
---