That day, at dusk, Xin Yong and his trusted aide Yuan Shouzhi returned to Xianggu County by carriage.
Yuan Shouzhi was not tall, but his shoulders were broad and solid, giving an impression of sturdiness.
Yuan Shouzhi’s father was the steward of the Xin family in the previous generation, and he passed away at the age of ninety within the West Gate Mansion a few years ago.
Yuan Shouzhi and Xin Yong grew up together in the mansion, and they had been close since childhood.
Since Xin Yong took over the Xin family’s business, he had never kept anything from Yuan Shouzhi.
However, Yuan Shouzhi’s talent in martial arts cultivation far surpassed that of Xin Yong.
Xin Yong was still only at the Second Level of the Inner Breath Realm.
The rotation of inner breath at the Third Level already involved dual circuit operation and required a certain level of spiritual power, which Xin Yong could not achieve due to his limited talent.
However, Yuan Shouzhi reached the Great Success Realm of the Fourth Level of the Inner Breath Realm by the age of thirty.
Even though Yuan Shouzhi had reached the Great Success Realm, he remained respectful and proper in front of Xin Yong, never daring to overstep boundaries. This sense of hierarchy and propriety had been ingrained in them since childhood, deeply embedded in their bones.
After returning to the mansion, Xin Yong and Yuan Shouzhi had dinner. During the al, Xin Yong inquired about Xin Kankan. The servants said that Xin Kankan had gone out in the afternoon and had not yet returned.
Xin Yong was unperturbed and, after the al, sat with Yuan Shouzhi in the garden pavilion, sipping tea and enjoying the cool breeze.
"Shouzhi, do you think this trip to the Prefecture City was fruitful?" Xin Yong took a sip of tea, gazing at the flowers swaying in the breeze as he spoke.
Yuan Shouzhi smiled aningfully and said, "Master! In my opinion, this trip was highly rewarding!"
"Oh..." Xin Yong’s eyes moved, looking at Yuan Shouzhi, seemingly encouraging him to continue.
Yuan Shouzhi said, "Chen Chunlei has quite a complex network in Yuanyang Prefecture, and his herbal shop accounts for nearly a third of the entire Prefecture City. By connecting with him, even if we concede so profit, in the long run, it’s a sustainable and profitable venture."
Xin Yong nodded slightly and said, "Shouzhi, you’re right. We were thinking along the sa lines. Although Xianggu County is remote with inconvenient transportation, the dense forests here are filled with dicinal herbs. Once the sales channel is open, we can also encourage local villagers to cultivate herbs. The key is to establish this route with Chen Chunlei and bring in the flow of wealth."
"Master’s insights are indeed far-reaching and thorough." Yuan Shouzhi couldn’t help but praise.
Xin Yong’s business acun was indeed extraordinary, a fact that Yuan Shouzhi had recognized since childhood.
Upon hearing this, Xin Yong rely smiled faintly, looking at the darkening garden with flickering eyes.
At that mont, Xin Kankan had returned from outside. Upon hearing that Xin Yong had returned to the mansion, he imdiately went to the main courtyard to pay his respects.
After several days without seeing each other, the father and son exchanged glances full of subtle emotion.
Seeing the weariness on Xin Yong’s face, Xin Kankan’s heart skipped a beat, and he said, "Kankan pays respects to Father! Greetings to Uncle Yuan!"
Xin Yong and Yuan Shouzhi both smiled at Xin Kankan.
Xin Yong said, "Where did you go to play this afternoon? You’re back so late."
Xin Kankan replied, "I made plans with Duan Rong and Jiang Qingyu to drink at Yanyue Tower, which is why I returned late."
Xin Yong nodded. As long as it wasn’t too out of line, he generally didn’t interfere with Xin Kankan. "Did anything happen in the mansion while your Uncle Yuan and I were away?"
"Just routine business, nothing significant!" Xin Kankan replied.
"I haven’t been overseeing your cultivation in martial arts this past half year. Have you been lazy?" Xin Yong suddenly asked.
When Xin Kankan heard the ntion of martial arts, he couldn’t help but scratch his head, he hadn’t practiced much martial arts during this half year.
Seeing Xin Kankan’s deanor, Xin Yong could guess the situation and said in a deep voice, "Show your Thunder Smoke Saber technique for your Uncle Yuan and ."
Xin Kankan sighed lightly and had no choice but to brace himself, drawing his saber and performing in front of the garden pavilion.
After finishing the routine, Xin Kankan stood holding his saber, looking sowhat apprehensively at Xin Yong.
Xin Yong was silent for a while before saying, "You may go. Don’t run off tomorrow, and join for a family dinner at noon tomorrow."
"Yes." Xin Kankan was taken aback but imdiately responded with joy.
He hadn’t expected to pass so easily; he thought his father would insist on daily practice when martial arts were ntioned. "Father, Uncle Yuan, Kankan takes his leave!"
Xin Kankan slowly turned and walked out of the garden, breaking into a trot as soon as he exited the courtyard...
Xin Yong watched Xin Kankan’s departing figure and turned to Yuan Shouzhi, saying, "Shouzhi, the boy’s saber technique seems to have improved quite a bit..." Xin Yong seed unsure.
Yuan Shouzhi chuckled and said, "Master has noticed too! Indeed, Kankan’s saber technique has made significant progress. Apparently, he has gained further insights into the Thunder Smoke Saber’s Great Success Realm mastery."
"Is that so? Further insights?" Xin Yong’s eyes reflected suspicion.
"Kankan’s extraordinary talent suggests that his future achievents in martial arts could be limitless," Yuan Shouzhi praised.
"The boy’s talent is quite impressive; he takes after his mother in that regard." Xin Yong laughed.
Kankan’s mother, Li Yilin, Xin Yong’s first wife, passed away due to illness when Kankan was three years old, and all these years, Xin Yong had not remarried.
Recently, Kankan had been sparring with Duan Rong, and Duan Rong’s rapid progress had motivated him to fully engage in his abilities. Kankan had naturally made great strides in his saber technique, although he didn’t notice these changes himself due to his lack of interest in martial arts.
"However, the boy has never liked practicing martial arts. It’s odd that his saber technique has improved during this ti."
Could it be that the boy has really changed his character?
Xin Yong suddenly called for his maid i Qin, saying, "i Qin, go find Shi Kang."
After about the ti it takes to finish a cup of tea, i Qin led Shi Kang to the pavilion in the garden. Knowing her master had sothing to discuss with Shi Kang, i Qin ushered Shi Kang to the pavilion, curtsied, and then gracefully left.
Xin Yong looked at Shi Kang and asked if Kankan had been practicing martial arts recently.
Shi Kang initially said he hadn’t, but upon seeing Xin Yong’s disapproving expression, he hesitated and added, "The Young Master has, in fact, been frequently sparring in saber technique."
"Sparring in saber technique? With whom?"
"With Duan Rong, the Escort Master from Yuan Shun Escort Agency."
"Duan Rong?" Xin Yong’s eyes narrowed, recalling the scholar who painted for Xin Kankan at Snow Covered Residence and his line "A single branch and a leaf matter."
"Does Kankan frequently interact with Escort Master Duan Rong?" Xin Yong fixed his gaze on Shi Kang.
"They often interact! And... and..." Shi Kang suddenly hesitated.
"And what? Speak!" Xin Yong demanded angrily.
"The Young Master calls Duan Rong ’Brother Duan’ and holds him in great respect," Shi Kang blurted.
"Brother Duan?" Xin Yong’s expression twitched, pondering for a mont before looking up at Shi Kang and saying, "You may go. Take good care of the young master. If anything seems amiss, report to promptly."
"Yes, I understand." Shi Kang left in a hurry, relieved.
After Shi Kang left, Xin Yong stood up and began pacing in front of the pavilion.
In the world of business, no matter how significant the matter, Xin Yong could always remain calm, yet when it ca to matters involving Xin Kankan, he was easily unsettled by concern.
Being his own son, Xin Yong understood him best. The boy had so wild tendencies in his bones, and his ability to address a peer as ’big brother’ truly surprised Xin Yong.
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