C10 Going Straight to the Main Door

Although the Xu family is one of the three great families in Four-direction City, they have less than ten Martial Masters, and the number of martial cultivators doesn't even reach fifty. The recent operation resulted in the loss of a Martial Master Expert and over ten martial cultivators, diminishing the family's strength by a third!

In this world where the strong prey on the weak, the family's fate is shared by all its members. Without the Xu family's formidable protection, each member would be reduced to an ant, vulnerable to oppression and bullying.

"Fourth Young Master!"

Upon Xu Ming's arrival, the group discussing these matters fell silent and greeted him with the utmost respect, dutifully returning to their tasks.

"Carry on, I haven't heard a thing," Lee Zhen said nonchalantly, strolling into the farm with a leisurely air, hands clasped behind his back.

"Fourth Young Master heard everything!"

"Damn, caught out first thing in the morning..."

"That's on you and your loose lips. When have you ever refrained from badmouthing others?"

"Don't worry, don't worry. Fourth Young Master is the Patriarch's son, after all. He wouldn't side with the third elder. His attitude is clear; by telling us to continue, he's indicating he doesn't care."

Xu Ming, having only walked a short distance, couldn't help but feel exasperated.

These farm guards had often gossiped about him and made his life difficult behind his back. He had thought about teaching them a lesson, but now he found he had completely lost interest in them. With his changed perspective, he no longer saw them as worth his attention.

"Fourth Young Master, you're here. There's not much happening today; feel free to find a spot to rest."

Shortly after, Xu Ming encountered Xu Liang.

"Oh, in that case, I'll head back. If anything comes up, just send someone to fetch me," Xu Ming replied indifferently, turning to leave without a moment's pause.

People's perceptions can change so quickly. Once regarded as worthless by others and subjected to their disdain and bullying, Xu Ming was no different in Xu Liang's eyes. But one doesn't strike a person who offers a smile. Since Xu Liang was making friendly overtures, Xu Ming could afford to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Xu Ming was well aware of Xu Liang's intentions. He simply sought to leverage Xu Ming's rising power to secure his own departure from this place.

"Rest assured, if I join the family, I will certainly secure an escape route for you," Xu Ming whispered, eliciting a look of sheer joy on Xu Liang's face.

"Rejoin the family? Hmm."

At that moment, the third elder, Xu Le, accompanied by another Martial Master Expert, the seventh elder brother, made their entrance. Their voices dripped with a mix of coldness and scorn: "Well, if you hadn't taken the Explosive Essence Pill, you might have had a chance to rejoin the family. But I set this rule, and upon my return, I will admit my fault. From now on, anyone who fails the annual test at sixteen will never have the opportunity to return to the Xu family."

Xu Ming turned sharply to face Xu Le, whose expression was stern. Xu Ming's gaze was remarkably calm, and he remained silent, his eyes filled with skepticism as he regarded the third elder.

The third elder was wrapped in white bandages stained with blood, his face marred by numerous wounds, likely from the claws of a Spirit Beast. The other Martial Master Expert was in an even worse state; though not quite crippled, he was a sorry sight, propped up on crutches. At a glance, one might mistake him for a mummy. His bulging eyes fixed on Xu Ming with a cold huff.

"These people have no sense of decorum. They're nothing but rejects sent to toil in the fields, yet they dare to dream of rising like a phoenix from the ashes? How delusional. Like mother, like son—a whore for a mother, a waste for a son. Xu Liang, I shall take my leave now."

With those words, Xu Le turned and strode away. A carriage awaited him in the distance, with a White Cloud Beast harnessed in front.

"Xu Le—you'll regret this," Xu Ming seethed, his eyes blazing with fury as he balled his fists. His gaze was laden with a murderous intent.

To insult his forebears was one thing, but these contemptible fools had repeatedly dishonored his late mother, and that was truly beyond the pale.

"Don't fool yourself into thinking that just because you've defeated Yang Er, you can waltz back into the family, Xu Ming. You're oversimplifying things. When you have the qualifications to make me regret my decisions, then you can talk," the elder's voice trailed off as the carriage disappeared into the distance.

Xu Ming's fists were clenched tightly as he fought to suppress the nearly overwhelming urge to lash out in violence. Xu Le had only sustained minor injuries and his prowess as a Martial Master Peak remained intact. A confrontation with Xu Le at this point would only be to Xu Ming's detriment.

"I believe that day is not too far off," Xu Ming said coolly, before turning on his heel and walking away.

Just then, a falcon swooped down, landing deftly on Xu Liang's arm, a message canister affixed to its leg. Xu Liang extracted a slender piece of folded paper and unfolded it quickly. His face changed color as he urgently called out to Xu Ming, who was departing, "Fourth Young Master, the Patriarch summons you to return to the family by noon today."

Standing before the imposing vermilion gate, Xu Ming felt a pang of nostalgia. Here stood the Xu Family Inner Court in Four-direction City, a place where he had spent over a decade of his life—a place both familiar and foreign to him.

In Xu Ming's recollection, the Xu Family Inner Court was expansive, covering at least two hundred acres. "This is the main entrance, unlike the back. There's a distinct difference between using the back door and the front."

Indeed, the back door was designated for servants, while the front was reserved for welcoming distinguished guests and members of the family. Both doors served the same purpose, yet the status of those passing through could not have been more different.

"Who goes there? This is the Xu Family estate. No unauthorized persons may approach," a guard at the front gate called out, his impatience evident as he motioned dismissively. "Move along, now."

Xu Ming's brow furrowed, but he remained still, a cold laugh echoing in his mind. "Such grandeur. The Xu Family certainly knows how to assert its authority. Is this guard acting as if he's guarding a military fortress or the Emperor's private chambers?"

"Hsiao Yi, what are you blustering about? Don't you recognize this man? This is our Xu family's Fourth Young Master, Xu Ming! Have you no sense of propriety or respect for rank?"

Just then, a young man emerged from the door, glanced at Xu Ming, and with visible irritation, kicked the guard who had been speaking. "Be more careful next time!"

Xu Ming recognized the guard; his name was Xu Xu, the son of the Xu family's guard captain, Xu Tie Lin.

Xu Ming was somewhat taken aback. Previously, Xu Xu had never given him so much as a second glance, yet today, he had come to his defense. It was quite unexpected.

"Could it be because the third elder's strength has significantly diminished, and the Patriarch's lineage has reclaimed its dominance? Have they remembered past favors and thus summoned me back to the family?"

Xu Ming was unsure, but he couldn't help but ponder the possibility.

"Fourth Young Master?"

The young man named Hsiao Yi looked around, bewildered: "We have a Fourth Young Master in the Xu family? How come I've never heard of him?"

"Scram!" Xu Xu chuckled and kicked Hsiao Yi again, seeing his puzzled expression. "You're new here, so you're unaware of our Fourth Young Master's renown. Half a year ago, our Fourth Young Master hadn't managed to break through the Martial Dao Grade Two barrier. As per our family's rule, if one doesn't reach Martial Dao Grade Seven by sixteen, they're assigned to work in the family's enterprises. Our Fourth Young Master was sent to the farms. You'll come to understand in time."

"I see. No wonder I've never heard mention of a Fourth Young Master."

The guard Hsiao Yi gave Xu Ming a dismissive look, barely concealing his disdain. In Four-direction City, particularly among the prominent families, the family laws were stringent. Even if you were the progeny of the family head, without any utility, you were not esteemed, and your status could be even lower than that of a servant with formidable cultivation.

Hsiao Yi, who had reached Martial Dao Grade Six, was a recent addition to the Xu family but had already been entrusted with significant responsibilities. His worth far exceeded that of the so-called Fourth Young Master, so he wasn't concerned about offending Xu Ming.

"I've been summoned by the family head," Xu Ming stated, realizing that Xu Xu was mocking him. Angered, he retorted icily, "There's no need for mockery. I've never claimed to be any sort of Young Master."

Xu Ming shot Xu Xu a frosty glance and strode directly toward the Xu Family Inner Court.

The title of Fourth Young Master is a mark of respect from others, not a self-proclaimed status that demands recognition. It's a title that must be earned through one's own strength!

"Soon, I will have you groveling at my feet!" Xu Ming thought to himself with a cold laugh, dismissing the contemptible servants from his mind.

"Fourth Young Master, you seem to have lost your way. Are you sure you're allowed through the main entrance?"

Xu Ming, preferring to avoid conflict, had no intention of stirring up trouble. However, Xu Xu blocked his path, gesturing toward the side doors flanking the main entrance, "Those are the doors you're meant to use."

"And what if I choose to use the main entrance?" Xu Ming retorted, his gaze icy as a chilling smirk played at the corner of his mouth.

Xu Xu felt a shiver run down his spine, a sudden panic seizing him. But his fear quickly gave way to a surge of rage, particularly at the sight of Xu Ming's menacing smile. It felt like a slight from someone who was nothing more than a Martial Dao Grade Two nobody. Anger twisted Xu Xu's features into a snarl, "Xu Ming, I call you Fourth Young Master as a courtesy. Frankly, you're nothing but refuse, discarded by our clan. What right do you have to act so high and mighty?"

Xu Xu stepped in front of Xu Ming, blocking the grand entrance, "Let me make myself clear: as the Guard Commander of the Xu family's main gate, I have the authority to deny you entry. Trash like you should stick to the side doors. If you insist on using a main gate, the northern gate of our estate is always open for you!"

The northern gate was, in fact, the Xu family's back door, designated for the use of servants and menial workers.

Xu Ming's eyes narrowed, a fiery intensity burning within them as sparks of lightning seemed to dance in his gaze. "Xu Xu, you'll regret your words."

"Oh?" Xu Xu responded with indifference, "I'll be waiting—but I'm curious, how exactly do you intend to make me pay the price, Fourth Young Master?"

"I will make you die!"

Staring down the presumptuous Xu Xu, whose lips curled into a sneer, Xu Ming stood his ground. He advanced several steps, tilting his head up slightly to meet Xu Xu's gaze, and declared deliberately, "If you're not keen on dying, then beat it—fast."

Xu Ming had undergone a transformation; he was no longer the failure he had been six months prior. Now, he possessed the bloodline of God Level Grade Seven and the power of Martial Dao Grade Nine, more than enough to overpower Xu Xu, who was merely at Martial Dao Grade Seven.

With Xu Ming's words heavy with murderous intent, the air around them seemed to freeze.