Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Xu Ming returned to the Xiaochun Courtyard of the Xu family residence at a time that wasn't particularly late—just about a quarter of an hour later than usual.

Chen Suya didn't ask why Xu Ming came back later than usual. After all, being held back by the teacher, a delayed lesson, or playing around a bit on the way home were all normal occurrences.

Xu Ming didn't intend to explain the situation to his mother, either. If he told her, she would surely worry. Even though it was something that wouldn't stay hidden for long, he figured that if he could spare his mother a day of worry, he would.

After lunch, Qin Qingwan came to find Xu Ming to play.

Every time Qin Qingwan tried to bring up the fight at the academy, Xu Ming cut her off. Qin Qingwan's large, peach-blossom eyes blinked knowingly, and she quickly caught on, dropping the subject.

Sitting in the courtyard with Xu Ming, as usual, they began reading the Tianxuan Heart Method. Partway through, Qin Qingwan leaned against Xu Ming's shoulder and fell asleep.

Chen Suya came over, picked Qin Qingwan up, and carried her to the room for a nap together. As for Xu Ming, Chen Suya knew her son never napped. He had always been full of energy, and she was used to it by now.

While his mother was napping, Xu Ming resumed his usual sparring session with the big white goose.

The Tianxuan Goose won again, but this time, it didn't press down on Xu Ming to declare its victory. Despite its win, the big white goose was drenched in sweat, realizing it needed to intensify its training. Otherwise, in a few months, it might find itself pinned beneath its "little brother."

Xu Ming did 100 push-ups, and the Tianxuan Goose used its wings to do 150. Xu Ming did 100 sit-ups, and the goose clasped its neck with its wings and mimicked him. Xu Ming ignored it.

I'm training to earn attribute points—what are you working for?

"Honk honk honk! (Little brother, someone's here for you!)," the Tianxuan Goose said, flapping its wings to get Xu Ming's attention.

Xu Ming turned to look toward the courtyard gate and saw Xu Pangda poking his round head through the arch.

While Xu Ming paused his training, the Tianxuan Goose seized the moment to do a few more high-knees, feeling triumphant that it had widened the gap again.

Xu Pangda, startled when he noticed Xu Ming looking at him, turned red, his chubby face full of embarrassment. Still, he gathered his courage and stepped into the courtyard, holding a bundle in his arms.

"Third Brother, what's wrong? Do you need something?" Xu Ming asked.

Xu Pangda scratched his head with his pudgy hand before placing the bundle on the table and unwrapping it. Inside was a large box of delicate pastries and some loose silver coins.

"Well…" Xu Pangda stammered, his face flushing even redder. "Fifth Brother, thank you for helping me today. This box of pastries was made by my mother. She said it'd be a waste to throw them out, so she asked me to bring them over. And these silver coins—they're my savings. I want you to have them."

Xu Ming looked at the box of pastries and immediately understood where Xu Xue'nuo's pride came from—it was clearly inherited from her mother. The pastries looked fresh out of the oven, with condensation still on the box.

But more importantly, the loose silver coins amounted to barely thirty taels.

It wasn't that Xu Ming thought it was too little, but for a legitimate son of the main wife, how could he seem so poor?

Noticing Xu Ming's gaze, Xu Pangda's round face turned even redder. "This really is all I have. My mother doesn't give me much pocket money..."

"Wait here," Xu Ming said before heading into the kitchen. He came back with some candied fruits and a jug of cold water. "Take your money back. I'll accept the pastries, though. Let's eat them together."

"But..." Xu Pangda hesitated.

"There's no 'but,'" Xu Ming cut Xu Pangda off just as he was about to speak again. "Your sister is very close to us. She once said that if I were bullied, she'd stand up for me. So if someone bullies you, I'll stand up for you too."

"Okay," Xu Pangda nodded, his chubby face lighting up a little. "Then I'll bring you something tasty every day."

"Sure," Xu Ming replied nonchalantly, pouring a cup of well water for Xu Pangda. He then took a bite of the pastries made by Lady Wang and pushed the box toward Xu Pangda.

Xu Pangda gulped audibly, grabbed a piece of pastry, and took a bite.

Xu Ming noticed the red marks under Xu Pangda's sleeve—it looked like he'd been beaten.

"Why did you get into a fight with them?" Xu Ming asked.

Xu Pangda swallowed the pastry in his mouth, drank some water, and hung his head in dejection. "Because they insulted my mother."

Hearing his answer, Xu Ming was momentarily stunned before nodding. "In that case, you were right to fight."

"But Mother says that a gentleman uses words, not fists, and that fighting is wrong," Xu Pangda muttered, pouting his chubby lips.

"For Lady Wang, you were wrong to fight. But for yourself, fighting was the right thing to do," Xu Ming said, taking another bite of the pastry.

Xu Pangda looked at Xu Ming in confusion. "I don't really understand what you mean, Fifth Brother."

Xu Ming chuckled. "It's okay. You'll understand in time. Here, have a pear."

"Thank you, Fifth Brother."

Xu Pangda accepted the pear, lowering his head as he cradled it in his hands.

"Fifth Brother, you're amazing. Not only are you great at studying, but you're also so good at fighting. I'm not like that—I'm bad at everything. Eldest Brother has exceptional talent in the Dao of talismans, Second Brother has a pure yang constitution, and Fourth Sister was born with an innate sword bone. I'm nothing. Compared to Eldest Brother and Second Brother, I don't even have the qualifications to fight for Mother's sake to inherit the hereditary title."

Xu Ming shook his head. "You're great too. Just the fact that you can stay awake and pay attention in class is already rare. Besides, there's more than one path in this world than cultivation.

The title of Duke of Xu is indeed prestigious, but who says a title has to be inherited? Why can't you earn one for yourself? I heard from Lady Qin that the previous prime minister, Zhuge Wen, was dedicated to the people and was granted the title of Marquis of Liyang by the late emperor. General Mo of this dynasty rose from being a mere soldier with no background to becoming a pillar of the nation.

They were both ordinary people, unable to cultivate. So why can't you?"

"Me? I could become a great official?" Xu Pangda asked, pointing to himself incredulously.

Xu Ming smiled. "Who says you can't? When you excel in the imperial examinations and rise to high office, the title you earn, I believe, will hold far more weight in Lady Wang's heart than the Duke of Xu ever could."

Fueled by Xu Ming's words, Xu Pangda's imagination ran wild, and his heart swelled with excitement. "Then, Fifth Brother, let's both take the imperial exams! Let's become officials together! Let's both be marquises and prime ministers!"

Xu Ming shook his head. "I don't think that'll be possible for me."

Xu Pangda froze. "Why not?"

Xu Ming replied calmly, "Bastards can't participate in the imperial examinations."

Xu Pangda's confusion deepened. "Why can't bastards take the imperial exams?"

"Because of the laws of Wu," Xu Ming explained.

"But I've heard my mother say, 'The laws of Wu are nonsense—everything can be changed,'" Xu Pangda said earnestly.

Xu Ming chuckled. "That would require being a very, very high-ranking official to make that happen."

"Oh…" Xu Pangda lowered his head again, gripping the pear in his hand, looking thoughtful.

Xu Ming said no more and continued eating the pastries.

After a while, Xu Pangda suddenly looked up. "Fifth Brother."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to become a very, very high-ranking official!"