Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 200: Chapter 199: Li Jingxuan’s Dignity is on the Line (2)

Li Jingxuan clenched his small fist. He must win the competition for Yangyang!

"Hmph. Big words for a lazy brat who barely knows how to control his flame."

A cold, mocking voice interrupted their conversation. Liang Rui, another boy in the class, walked over with his arms crossed and a deep scowl on his face. Liang Rui had been trying to befriend Shen Yang for months, but Shen Yang always ignored him to talk to Li Jingxuan. The jealousy had been eating away at him and seeing them so close made him angrier.

"Shen Yang, don’t waste your breath on him," Song Chen sneered: "He doesn’t even know how to forge. This is not a kitchen fire. You cannot just make sparks and call it skill. Li Jingxuan, if you’re so confident, why don’t we make this a double competition?"

Shen Xiao frowned: "Liang Rui, what are you trying to do?"

Liang Rui’s expression stiffened slightly when Shen Xiao spoke up, he became even more irritated because Shen Yang was clearly speaking up for Li Jingxuan.

Liang Rui: "I am only telling the truth. Some people think they are talented because a teacher praised them once. We will compete in the academy’s official challenge, but we will also have a private competition. Whoever forges the weaker weapon must admit defeat, apologize in front of the whole class, and stay away from Shen Yang!"

Li Jingxuan’s competitive nature was instantly triggered. He stood up on his chair, pointing a finger at Song Chen: "You’re on! A double competition, it is! Don’t cry when my weapon smashes yours to pieces!"

"I hope you know what you’re getting into."

Li Jingxuan was puzzled, what’s this guy talking about now? Was it not you that invited me? Why are you suddenly sounding like I pick on you?

Liang Rui said: "I have been practicing forging for over a year now."

Li Jingxuan’s face immediately dropped. Over a year is quite a long time. How can he compete with someone who has such a high advantage? No wonder Liang Rui is so confident. Li Jingxuan wanted to give up, but Shen Yang was watching, he can’t make a fool of himself now."

"So, what if you have years of experience? I also have practiced for... some time now. I’m sure I can take you on."

By the time Fu Seng returned to pick the children up that evening and brought them to the Spiritual Tavern, Li Jingxuan was full of energy again. The moment they returned to the Tavern, Li Jingxuan ran straight into the kitchen, practically throwing himself at Li Jain’s legs.

"Dad! My dignity is on the line!" Jingxuan cried out dramatically, clutching the hem of his father’s robe.

Li Jain, who was busy wiping down the counter, blinked in confusion. "Your dignity, Xiao Xuan? What happened?"

What Li Jain wanted to say was; you have dignity? But luckily, he stopped himself.

Li Jingxuan stood straight, his face unusually serious: "Daddy, I need to practice forging. The crafting challenge is in three days. Teacher Zhuan said the reward has been upgraded as well. Also, someone challenged me. As a man with dignity, I can’t just leave it lying down so I accepted the challenge."

With gestures and exaggerated expressions, Jingxuan explained his intense rivalry with Liang Rui. He emphasized how he absolutely had to win to protect his honor and make sure he didn’t disappoint Shen Yang.

Li Jingxuan sighs heavily: "Shen Xiao believes I can do well. He said he will cheer for me. If I lose badly, won’t I disappoint him? Then how can he trust my ability in the future?"

Li Jain looked at his son’s determined little face. For a moment, he did not know whether to be worried or amused: "So you want to win because of Shen Xiao?"

"Well, that’s one of the reasons."

Usually, getting Xiao Xuan to practice his refining was harder than pulling a tooth, as the boy preferred playing around. Seeing his sixth son suddenly so motivated, even if the source of the motivation was questionable, Li Jain was still incredibly excited.

"Alright, alright, Xiao Xuan," Li Jain laughed, patting his son’s head: "If you are this determined, Dad will help you practice."

After Li Jain was done with his work, he cleared a large space in the backyard. The backyard was wide, with stone flooring and protective formations along the walls. Li Jain brought out a small forging table, a low-grade furnace, several pieces of common iron, and a few safer spiritual materials suitable for beginners. Li Jingxuan stood before the furnace with bright eyes.

He had been here before, and it wasn’t a good spot; he had to do what he had to do. Yang Yang is looking forward to this. And he also wanted to put Liang Rui in his place, that kid was too full of himself. How dare he call me a brat?!

Li Jain said: "First, you need to control the flame steadily. Do not make it too high."

"Yes, Dad!" Jingxuan shouted, his face flushed red from the heat of the forge, his eyes burning with determination as he struck the glowing iron. Clang! Clang! Clang!

Meanwhile, in the far corner of the back pavilion, a different kind of battle was taking place.

Li Yujian was sitting at a stone table. Opposite him was the massive, imposing figure of Liu Xiong, and between them was a chess board.

Liu Xiong’s moves were calm and ruthless. He gave no unnecessary openings, and every small weakness Li Yujian revealed was caught immediately.

After the third loss, Liu Xiong looked at him and asked, "Continue?"

Li Yujian nodded: "Continue."

After the eighth loss, even Liu Xiong felt a trace of surprise. Despite his fearsome reputation as a powerful cultivator, Liu Xiong was frowning deeply, staring at the board: "Kid, you’re surprisingly stubborn, that’s the eighth game in a row you’ve lost."

Li Yujian’s face remained entirely calm, his dull, lifeless eyes showing no sign of discouragement. He calmly reset the board: "Again."

Liu Xiong let out a hearty laugh, deeply impressed by his mental resilience. Most kids his age would have thrown a tantrum and given up after the second loss, but Yujian’s focus only seemed to sharpen with each defeat.

"Alright, since you’re this persistent, let me show you something," Liu Xiong said, pointing to the board, arranging a few pieces: "This is a tactical formation used by military generals when they are cornered. It’s called the ’Coiled Dragon Trap.’ It looks like a weak defense, but the moment the enemy lunges for the kill..." He moved a piece, cutting off Yujian’s simulated offense: "...the trap closes, and they have nowhere to run. This time, watch the center. You defend the corners too early, so your middle becomes weak "

Li Yujian watched more carefully, his sharp mind was absorbed every movement, and every explanation of the placement on the board.

"I see," Yujian muttered,

He placed his pieces and began practicing the tactical moves. Within just a few minutes of trial and error, his movements became fluid. He executed the "Coiled Dragon Trap" flawlessly, catching Liu Xiong’s piece in a tight, inescapable lock.

Liu Xiong’s jaw dropped slightly. He stared at the board, then at the calm face of the young boy. "Incredible... you grasped that in just a few minutes? You really are a son of your father."

That’s the best praise Yujian has ever gotten, he smiles and bow respectfully: "Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Liu."

In the background, the sound of Jingxuan’s hammer striking the anvil echoed throughout the yard. When the clock hit eight, it was time to go home.

...

The next afternoon, the Spiritual Tavern was buzzing with its usual lively crowd. Fragrant steam drifted from the kitchen, drawing in hungry cultivators from all over South River City.

Li Zhang, who returned from school not too long ago, was wandering around the bustling streets of District Seven. With his sunny, active personality, he couldn’t sit still for long. His eyes darted to the various stalls selling spirit snacks and trinkets.

As he turned a corner near the tavern, three shady-looking cultivators in mismatched Daoist robes blocked his path. Their eyes gleamed with a mixture of greed and cunning.

Li Zhang had always believed that he was not easy to fool. He might not be as calm as his eldest brother, not as clever as the third brother, and not as smooth as his second brother, but he still had eyes. He could tell when someone was acting strangely, and these men are definitely up to no good.

"Hey there, little brother!" The leader, a rat-faced man, called out with a greasy smile: "You’re the owner’s son from the Spiritual Tavern, aren’t you?"

Li Zhang lifted his chin: "Why?"

The rat-faced man’s smile became even more greasy: "Do not misunderstand. We have no bad intentions. We only heard that the owner of Spiritual Tavern has seven sons. Seeing the young master’s noble appearance, we guessed you must be one of them."

Li Zhang stepped back cautiously: "Who are you?"

"Ah, we are traveling merchants of rare wonders!" the rat-faced man said, nudging his companion. The companion quickly pulled out a small wooden box.

Li Zhang crossed his arms: "What do you want?"

The rat-faced man stepped closer and lowered his voice: "Young master is straightforward, so we will also be straightforward. We have a treasure. A real treasure. We want to offer it to the owner of the Spiritual Tavern."

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