Chapter 22: Wei Tu's Refusal (Please add to favorites and follow for updates)

As the martial arts candidate fell silent.

The atmosphere in the living room gradually grew quiet; inside the window, one could even hear the faint sound of birds flapping their wings in the courtyard... Everyone's gaze subconsciously converged upon Wei Tu, wanting to hear how this disciple of the martial arts candidate would respond.

Most people, or rather ninety-nine percent of them, wore expressions of anticipation, hoping Wei Tu would follow the candidate's wishes and agree.

This included Shan Yengong, the only son of the Shan family, who had been somewhat at odds with Shan Fang previously.

The Shan family could tell that the old man was remaining silent because he did not want to force Wei Tu to agree, lest he damage the bond between master and disciple.

—By not explicitly rejecting Shan Fang's request, his implication was quite clear.

Even without this context, the Shan family could have guessed the old man's intentions.

When people grow old, they hope the legacy they built will continue and that the skills they take pride in will be inherited by their descendants.

Shan Yiwu was the descendant whom the martial arts candidate valued to inherit his martial arts within the family.

The people in the room understood clearly that the candidate had taken Wei Tu as a disciple with the intention that, once Wei Tu achieved official status, he would protect the Shan family's foundation.

While Wei Tu's agreement to teach Shan Yiwu martial arts was not directly related to this goal, it served as a way to gauge whether Wei Tu was "filial" in spirit.

If he wouldn't help with a "small matter," then whether Wei Tu would step forward during a moment of life or death for the Shan family was debatable.

"This matter..."

After a moment of silence, Wei Tu finally spoke. He bowed slightly and said, "I shall act entirely according to my Master's instructions."

As his voice fell.

The crowd frowned inwardly.

Having spent over a month with Wei Tu, they knew that although his personality was respectful, they also knew that this disciple, who had managed to win the candidate's favor, was by no means a simpleton who couldn't discern subtle intentions or the hearts of men.

They collectively agreed that Wei Tu's answer could have been more pleasant, more brilliant, and more pleasing to the candidate.

Even if it were a refusal...

—For example: "Master's cultivation is deeper, and he is better suited to teach Yiwu than I am; I would not dare to cause myself embarrassment or disturb Master's joy in playing with his grandson."

Any of those would have worked!

"Entirely according to my instructions?" The candidate raised an eyebrow slightly, his gaze shifting toward Wei Tu.

As Wei Tu bowed his head, the candidate's gaze from his seat happened to be level with Wei Tu's eyes.

However, the former was looking at the latter, while the latter was looking at his own toes and the floor.

The two did not make eye contact.

"I understand your thoughts now." After a moment, the candidate withdrew his gaze and motioned for Wei Tu to stand up, telling him there was no need to continue bowing.

Judging character by faces was something the candidate felt he lacked the ability to do, but having spent so much time with Wei Tu, he knew what kind of temperament the young man possessed and could guess his thoughts to some extent.

—Wei Tu did not want to remain perpetually dependent on him as a master or on the Shan family.

Just as his actions within the Shan household showed... he never asked for any extra wealth beyond knowledge.

The implication of saying "entirely according to my Master's instructions" was that while he would repay favors, he, Wei Tu, was not a servant of the Shan family and would not allow the family members to command or direct him at will.

Of course, there was another hidden meaning: Wei Tu would only take orders from his master; the rest of the Shan family had no such qualification.

"After I pass away, Wei Tu should be someone the Shan family can rely on," the candidate thought to himself after realizing all this.

Having lived so long, though he didn't consider himself an expert at reading people, he could discern seventy to eighty percent of a person's good or evil.

Furthermore, even a stingy man like Li Yaozu had placed his bets on Wei Tu, not hesitating to sacrifice a personal favor to send him here to learn...

Regarding this, the candidate did not believe Li Yaozu was blind.

"If Yiwu wants to learn martial arts, when you leave after the New Year, leave him with me, and I will teach him personally."

"Wei Tu still has to deal with the martial examinations; he won't have the time. The county exam is in February, the prefecture exam in April, and the provincial exam in nine months. He won't be free."

After a brief pause, the candidate took a deep breath and spoke to Shan Fang in a heavy, unquestionable tone.

"Father?" Shan Fang cried out in surprise.

This time, her desire for the family's secret boxing manual was real, and her wish for Shan Yiwu to apprentice under Wei Tu was also real.

A single true teaching is worth more than ten thousand books.

The Shan family's secret manual was worth a thousand pieces of gold; it was no common item. Whether it was sold or kept as a family heirloom, both were viable options.

As for having Shan Yiwu apprentice under Wei Tu...

Shan Fang was not blind. During her one or two months at home, she knew how much the candidate had placed his hopes on Wei Tu.

If Wei Tu became a martial official, he would undoubtedly become a prominent figure in Qingshan County. Whether used as a protective wing for her family or as a way to revitalize the family business through his connections, it would be an incredibly profitable endeavor.

But the prerequisite was that she had to establish a connection with Wei Tu, and Shan Yiwu was the perfect medium.

However, her calculated plan had broken at the most critical link.

The candidate had refused!

"Father, it doesn't have to be urgent. We can talk after Brother Wei finishes his exams. Yiwu will be two years older by then..." Shan Fang's voice grew weak again, as she pleaded with the candidate in a tone bordering on begging.

She did not believe the candidate could not see the pros and cons of this.

If they failed to establish a connection with Wei Tu, once the candidate was gone, the Shan family and Wei Tu would inevitably drift further apart. At that point, whether this old friendship could be maintained was unknown.

"I am not old yet. If Yiwu truly has the heart to practice martial arts, he doesn't need Wei Tu."

In a departure from his usual manner, the candidate refused Shan Fang's plea firmly and righteously, showing no sign of being moved by paternal affection.

Hearing this.

Shan Fang pursed her lips in silence. She searched her mind but could not think of a suitable rebuttal, so she turned to look at Lady Shan Min, who was sitting beside the candidate, hoping to use her words to persuade him once more.

She knew that the candidate always valued Lady Shan Min's opinion and would not easily oppose her.

However—

Something else unexpected happened to Shan Fang.

Lady Shan Min did not follow the script Shan Fang had imagined. Instead, she gave a soft hum, frowned slightly, and spoke in a conciliatory tone.

"Alright, my youngest daughter. There is plenty of time. If Yiwu and Brother Wei become close, it won't be too late to let Brother Wei teach him then..."

This sounded like a compromise, but Shan Fang knew in her heart that the matter of her son, Shan Yiwu, apprenticing under Wei Tu was dead; it had been completely vetoed by the old couple.

"We even sent a horse; why won't he agree to this..." Shan Fang stood in the living room, somewhat bewildered.

Even an old horse from the Shan family stables was a fine horse. An uncastrated good horse was worth a fortune.

One horse could be sold for nearly a hundred taels of silver.

And her request, no matter how one looked at it, was beneficial to the Shan family. All it cost the old couple was a bit of breath, which was worth far less than a hundred taels.

"Also, don't even think about the manual. Unless Yiwu can master the five pillar stances, or learns martial arts from me personally, there is no discussion," the candidate added.

Having finished speaking, the candidate waved his hand, signaling Shan Fang and her husband to withdraw.

***

*PS: To explain why Shan Fang is dividing the property: the book indicates that Shan Fang's husband is a matrilocal son-in-law, and Shan Yiwu carries the Shan surname. Therefore, even with a legitimate grandson, Shan Fang has the right to contend for the Shan family estate.*