After finishing his sigh, Qin Xu silently stared at Qin Yi for a long time. Then he suddenly transmitted his voice again to Elder Huang.
"Elder Huang, according to my previous plan, I intended to train Datou the same way my father trained me."
"Two years of Intensive Learning—using two years to complete the foundational studies of books, mathematics, the Yi (changes), music, rites, and medicine."
"Two years of Extensive Reading—using two years to finish all the books in my collection."
"Two years of Travel—walking through the mortal world, seeing the countless faces of humanity, and forming the will to cultivate virtue."
"Then, at the age of eight or nine, he would enter the training camp for half a year. After that, I would pass him a visualization diagram, allowing him to form a martial will and officially become a martial artist."
"And finally, he would fulfill the duty of a martial artist—by going to the battlefield."
"In the last few years of my life, I would at least cultivate one exceptionally talented martial artist for the family. That would be my final contribution."
This was the martial path Qin Xu himself had walked.
It was also the path followed by the outstanding children of the great aristocratic families.
They formed the backbone of the martial forces that protected the human race.
For thousands of years, generation after generation had followed this same road—advancing without fear, passing down the tradition without interruption.
Elder Huang listened quietly without responding.
He knew that the Young Master did not need an answer.
He simply needed someone to listen.
"But…" Qin Xu continued slowly, "in Datou, I see hope."
At this point, excitement flashed in his eyes.
"The hope of cultivating Yuanwu!"
Elder Huang's eyes widened in shock.
He stared at Qin Xu in disbelief.
Although he also thought highly of Qin Yi, he had never held expectations as high as Qin Xu's.
The Path of Yuanwu was the martial path left behind by the Sage of Yuanwu, the founder of martial cultivation itself.
It was universally recognized as the strongest martial inheritance in the world.
"The martial path created by the Yuanwu Sage is extremely difficult to begin," Qin Xu continued. "That's why the later generations created the Five Great Schools, hundreds of branches, and countless martial techniques."
"Although those paths allow faster cultivation, in terms of combat power, none can compare with the Yuanwu Sage's path."
Among the later systems, the easiest to cultivate and the fastest to advance was the inheritance left by the Sage of Wenwu.
That was also why, for nearly two thousand years, the great aristocratic families mainly followed the Wenwu tradition.
"It is said that the Yuanwu Sage possessed extraordinary insight," Qin Xu said. "And Datou's insight is the best I have ever seen. If even he cannot succeed, I truly cannot imagine who could."
Elder Huang had not expected that Datou's interpretation of the three characters Heaven, Earth, and Man would have such a profound impact on the Young Master.
He wanted to object.
But in the end, he remained silent.
Qin Xu naturally noticed Elder Huang's concern and smiled.
"Don't worry. I won't recklessly ruin Datou's future."
"I intend to teach him both the Wenwu path and the Yuanwu path at the same time. With Datou's insight, it may be difficult, but it should still be manageable."
"Of course, if by the age of nine he still has not entered the Yuanwu path, I will abandon this plan and let him focus solely on the Wenwu path."
Even cultivating Yuanwu alone was extremely difficult.
Cultivating both systems simultaneously would be unimaginably hard.
Elder Huang believed the chances of Datou succeeding were almost zero.
Although he admired the boy, the Young Master was far more important to him.
Whatever the Young Master wished to do—even if it seemed absurd—he would not oppose it.
Still, he could not help thinking:
What a pity for that child.
"The Young Master has considered everything carefully. May your wishes come true," Elder Huang said.
After hearing this, Qin Xu seemed to recall something and suddenly burst into loud laughter.
Qin Yi, who was writing characters in the sand nearby, turned around in surprise.
A trace of worry appeared on his face.
Previously, he had personally seen the Young Master's old injuries flare up because of excessive laughter, forcing him to take medicine immediately.
This time… would it happen again?
Seeing the concern in Qin Yi's eyes, Qin Xu stopped laughing.
However, the smile in his gaze became even warmer.
He beckoned Qin Yi over.
Fortunately, the Young Master's injuries did not relapse.
Qin Yi dropped the wooden stick he was using and ran over.
"Young Master, did you need something?"
Qin Xu gently rubbed Qin Yi's head.
"Datou, do you have any aspirations?"
Qin Yi scratched his head, puzzled.
Why was the Young Master suddenly asking about his ambitions?
"I don't really have any ambitions," he replied honestly. "I just want to live my life safely."
"Safely?" Qin Xu repeated, stunned for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Safety is not a simple thing. In this world, unless one is invincible, there is no such thing as true safety."
Qin Yi scratched his head again, completely confused.
Was that really what I meant?
Why did it feel like something had gone wrong somewhere?
Qin Xu looked at him with a complicated expression and sighed.
"I never expected that the martial path you seek would actually be the path of invincibility."
"It must be fate."
The Yuanwu Sage had pursued exactly that—invincibility.
"Datou," Qin Xu continued, "from now on, after you spend half an hour at noon reviewing what you learned in the morning, you will begin martial training."
"Ah? Martial training?!"
Qin Yi cried out in shock.
Happiness had come too suddenly.
For a moment, he didn't even know how to react.
"But… but didn't you say: 'To train in martial arts, one must first cultivate virtue; to cultivate virtue, one must first establish ambition; to establish ambition, one must first broaden knowledge; and to broaden knowledge, one must first strengthen learning.'"
"I've only just started the stage of strengthening learning. Isn't martial training still far away?"
Qin Xu was momentarily stunned.
Then he burst into laughter again.
"Did you think those stages were gates you had to pass through one by one?"
After laughing, he looked at the confused boy and explained seriously:
"Datou, remember this. Strengthening learning, broadening knowledge, establishing ambition, cultivating virtue, and training in martial arts are things a martial artist must practice every moment of his life."
"They are not steps you complete and leave behind forever."
"That understanding is wrong."
"These five are not separate—they are one whole."
"Think about it. When you learn characters, aren't you increasing your knowledge? And when your knowledge increases, don't you naturally start thinking about their meaning, about right and wrong?"
"The first two are strengthening learning and broadening knowledge."
"The latter two are establishing ambition and cultivating virtue."
"Do they not naturally blend into each other?"
"The same is true for martial training."
"It is also part of this whole—and in fact the core of it. The other four exist to support it."
"And while you train in martial arts, you will also strengthen learning, broaden knowledge, establish ambition, and cultivate virtue."
"They support each other and cannot exist without each other."
However, Qin Xu left one thing unsaid.
Understanding a principle was easy.
Living by it was extremely difficult.
Very few people in the world could truly achieve it.
Even Qin Xu himself could not claim he had succeeded.
After hearing the explanation, Qin Yi suddenly understood.
"So that's how it is!"
The excitement he had been suppressing could no longer be contained.
"Finally I can practice martial arts!"
"Young Master, I want to train! I want to train! Martial arts are my favorite!"
Qin Yi jumped around excitedly, waving his arms and cheering with joy.
(End of Chapter)