Jinliu Village.

Nearing dusk, a father and son walked slowly along the village path.

"Is something on your mind?"

Shen Yuan turned back, looking at his preoccupied second son, and asked.

Shen Wenyan raised his head, forced a smile, and shook his head.

"Did you upset the Master again today?"

"Ah Die, the Master said... after the summer harvest, he wants to take me on a study tour."

After contemplating for a long time, Shen Wenyan finally spoke his mind.

"A study tour?"

"That's a good thing."

"Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. You have grown up; it's time for you to see the world with the Master."

Shen Yuan smiled gently to console him.

But Shen Wenyan became anxious after hearing this and hurriedly caught up to say:

"Before my eldest brother left, he asked me to take good care of you and Mother at home."

"The Saint said, 'While parents are alive, do not travel too far.' I worry about you and Mother."

Looking at his son, who was already a handsome young man and only a head shorter than himself, Shen Yuan smiled.

"Ah Die, I'll tell the Master tomorrow that the study tour can wait for two more years, at least until my elder brother returns!"

Shen Yuan shook his head slightly.

"Ah Nu, you've been apprenticing under the Master for five years now, haven't you?"

"Let me ask you, why did the Saint say 'While parents are alive, do not travel too far'?"

Shen Wenyan was a bit stunned upon hearing this. Without much thought, he replied, "As a son, one must be filial. When traveling far, one is not by their parent's side, so how can one fulfill filial duties?"

"That's right, now let me ask you, while staying by your parents' side, what can you do?"

Seeing his father's faintly smiling face, Shen Wenyan hesitated.

"I can help you and Mother take care of my younger siblings, assist with spring and summer farming, cut pig grass, and chop wood on the mountain..."

"Your mother and I can handle those."

"I'm not yet forty, still in my prime, and there's no need for you and your brothers to shoulder household matters."

"The Master wants to take you on a study tour, hoping you'll develop sooner. If you achieve accolades in the future, that too is a form of filial piety."

Shen Wenyan fell silent, realizing that his eloquence, which even troubled Master Lu, was useless against his father.

Over the years, his father seldom asked about his studies or lectured him.

Yet, with few words, he always articulated reasoning that was difficult to refute.

"Ah Die is more like a master than the Master..."

Unable to retort, Shen Wenyan could only mumble.

"You little rascal... If the Master hears this, he'll have a score to settle with you!"

Shen Yuan laughed and scolded, patting his shoulder: "Let's go, your mother should have dinner ready."

When father and son returned home, little Shen Wenping immediately ran up and pestered Shen Wenyan to read to her.

Meanwhile, the youngest, Shen Wen'an, was evidently a martial arts enthusiast.

Despite his young age, he diligently practiced Pile Skills whenever he could.

Because of this, Shen Yuan often considered sending him to Huang Qingzhou.

Currently, with the eldest Shen Wenxing not at home, he, being a half-baked Postnatal Martial Artist, couldn't really teach his young son.

More importantly, it was about medicinal diets.

If Xiao Wen'an started taking them now, given his diligence, he might breakthrough to become a Postnatal Martial Artist in a year or two.

After all, various signs already indicated that Shen Wen'an was born with a Ninth Grade Bloodline.

But this youngest son was rather introverted, home-loving, socially anxious, disliked talking, and was too young.

His wife was also reluctant to let him go so soon; hence, the matter had been delayed.

In the kitchen, Shen Yuan approached his wife.

"Ah Nu says Master Lu wants to take him on a study tour after the summer harvest."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yufen paused slightly with the ladle and slowly turned around to ask, "What did Ah Nu say?"

Shen Yuan laughed, "The rascal is home-loving, can't bear to leave us, and wants to wait for two years. I gave him a talking-to."

"It's good for children to see the world as they grow up."

"As a great scholar, if Master Lu takes Ah Nu out, they will surely visit scholars all over, which is a rare opportunity."

Hu Yufen, unable to hide her sadness, glared at him and said, "Your heart is so broad; Shi Tou just left, and now Ah Nu is leaving too. They're all our kids; don't you feel empty inside?"

Shen Yuan gently embraced her from behind and said, "We still have Wenping and Wen'an, the little ones, don't we?"

"Besides, it's just a study tour, shouldn't be too long. Don't worry."

Hu Yufen wriggled slightly, handing over a bowl of rice in displeasure: "Our father wasn't so harsh on you back then, I wonder who you take after."

Taking the bowl, Shen Yuan laughed, "Because our father wasn't harsh, I didn't become accomplished, just a common man with his back to the sky and face to the earth."

"If he were, how would I have met you?"

"Such sweet talk!"

Hu Yufen's melancholy lessened immediately with his words.

"Ask the Master about Ah Nu's matters tomorrow; we need to be more attentive. Over the years, Master Lu has taken meticulous care of him."

Ever since Shen Wenyan apprenticed under Lu Zhiyuan, aside from clothes, their daily food, writing materials, and the gentleman's sword were all provided by Lu Zhiyuan, sparing the couple any worries.

In terms of emotions, the two, named as teacher and student, were akin to grandfather and grandchild.

Shen Yuan nodded and helped bring the dishes to the courtyard.

"Wen'an, wash your hands for dinner."

Hearing the call, Shen Wen'an finished his practice, quietly fetched a basin of water to wash his hands, and then sat at the table.

"Will this child become foolish from too much martial practice, always staying in and rarely going out..."

Hu Yufen handed over the meal, mumbling.

At five years old, most are lively and should be out playing.

But her youngest preferred staying home and practicing all day, never crying or whining, so quiet it was worrisome.

"Mother, I'm not foolish."

Receiving the bowl, Shen Wen'an stuffed a mouthful of rice, then looked at Shen Wenyan and asked, "Second brother, after eating, can you teach me swordplay?"

Swordplay?

Shen Wenyan looked at him curiously, "You aren't even taller than a sword; what can you practice?"

"You'd be better off practicing writing. Even our little sister can write many characters now."

"If I can write, will you teach me swordplay, second brother?"

Shen Wen'an asked stubbornly.

"Wen'an, stop fooling around. Eat up." Hu Yufen interrupted their conversation.

Shen Wen'an said no more, quietly eating his rice.

After finishing his meal, he blocked Shen Wenyan, who was about to teach his sister writing, and said, "Does your earlier promise still stand?"

Shen Wenyan scratched his head, looking toward Shen Yuan.

"If he's interested, teach him."

With his father's approval, Shen Wenyan conceded, "I must first see your writing, if it's not good, I won't teach you."

The brothers went inside.

"Second brother, our younger brother can write," Shen Wenping said, watching Shen Wen'an already writing.

Writing isn't hard; once you know how, it's about controlling the pen.

Though only five, Shen Wen'an had been refining his body control and coordination through Pile Skill practice with his elder brother Shen Wenxing since age three.

He simply didn't enjoy it, not that he couldn't write.

Writing dozens of characters fluidly, his handwriting was even better than Shen Wenping's, who practiced regularly.

"This little rascal is hiding his talents."

Looking at the slightly ostentatious writing in front of him, Shen Wenyan was surprised.

"Can I practice swordplay now?"

Setting down the pen, Shen Wen'an asked, looking up.

"Naturally." Shen Wenyan removed his belt sword, leading him to the courtyard.

"What will you use as a sword?" Watching his empty-handed brother follow him out, he asked smilingly.

"Wait a moment, second brother." The little guy said, hurriedly rushing back inside and returning shortly with a somewhat worn wooden sword.

"Huh?"

"Isn't this the sword Ah Die made for our eldest brother years ago? Where did you find it?"

Shen Wen'an didn't answer, just waited silently for him to start.

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