I'll write a manual called the Sunflower Manual, and the entire martial arts world will turn in

Xie An had no good feelings towards the Xie family of Baiyun County.

I even felt a bit disgusted.

The Xie family was once a moderately wealthy family in Baiyun County, with an ancestor who had passed the imperial examinations at the county level, but later declined. It was only when Xie Zhengtang, the father, passed the imperial examinations and became a clerk in the Huanglei City government that the Xie family prospered again.

Later, after ten years of service in the government office of Huanglei City, my father finally managed to secure a place for his descendants to study martial arts at Bailu Academy.

This spot originally belonged to Xie An, but his grandfather insisted on giving it to Xie Yunfei, the son of his eldest uncle Xie Zhengde. He said that Xie Yunfei had practiced martial arts since childhood and had extraordinary talent. For the sake of the family's interests, it was only right that Xie Yunfei should study at Bailu Academy.

He also said that once Xie Yunfei made it big, he would give Xie An a helping hand.

Several years later, Xie Yunfei became a scholar who passed both civil and military examinations, and even served as a constable in Baiyun County, but he never tried to curry favor with Xie An.

What particularly angered Xie An was that after his father's accident, his younger sister repeatedly sent Zhao Hu to the Xie family in Baiyun County to ask for help, but there was no response.

I wonder why they've come to my door so abruptly.

Xie An stepped out of the bookstore and was surprised to see a carriage parked in the snow outside, with two guards with swords standing next to it, and a head steward.

Xie An recognized the steward; he was Li Yuan, the steward of his second uncle's household.

"Butler Li, what brings you here?"

Before Li Yuan could speak, the carriage curtain slowly opened, and a slender young woman of about eighteen or nineteen years old stepped out. She wore a pink, fitted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and an expensive fur coat. She wore a silver hairpin in her hair and carried a small hand warmer in her hand.

The young girl stood gracefully on the carriage platform, looking down at Xie An without any intention of getting off. "Fifth brother. It's been many years. You've grown even stronger."

This is Xie Yu, the daughter of Xie Zhengwang, the second uncle.

He was two years older than Xie An.

It is said that at the age of thirteen, he joined the White Deer Academy in Huanglei City through his uncle's connections.

It seems that Xie Yunfei did indeed help his family after he made it big.

However, he wasn't pulling Xie An, but rather Xie An's second uncle's family.

Xie An stood quietly, neither humble nor arrogant, and asked, "Fourth Sister, is there something you need from me?"

Xie Yu's face darkened, and she said softly, "Grandma has been seriously ill for the past two months. We've searched all the famous doctors in the county, but nothing has worked. Yesterday, Grandma started talking nonsense, and the doctor said she might pass away in the next couple of days. Before she died, Grandma kept calling your name. We're all from the same family, we share the same blood. Even though Second Uncle was young and ran away from home, please remember Grandma's kindness and go see her."

Xie An was stunned for a moment.

I searched my mind for memories related to my grandmother.

My grandmother, in my memory, was a conservative woman, timid and bound by traditional female virtues. She was submissive her whole life, always obeying my grandfather's wishes. However, she adored Xie An and often cooked for him.

"Alright, I'll go to the river management office to ask for leave, and then I'll go to the county to visit Grandma. Fourth Sister, please wait here for a moment." Xie An called out to the courtyard, "Xiaoyu, make Fourth Sister a pot of hot tea, I'll be right back."

Xie An is currently serving as an auxiliary soldier patrolling the river at the Hebo Garrison. He doesn't know how many days it will take to go to the county town to accompany his grandmother, so he should ask for leave.

……

Huffing and puffing~

The carriage wheels rolled over the snow on the official road and sped towards Baiyun County.

Xie An and Xie Yu sat in the warm carriage. Xie Yu sat opposite them.

The carriage was furnished with wall lamps and warm, soft animal hides, making it very comfortable to sit in. However, Xie Yu intentionally or unintentionally kept her distance from Xie An and his sister.

The journey to the county town is a full eighty li (approximately 40 kilometers), and the carriage doesn't travel very fast; it will take at least two hours.

The journey was long, so Xie Yu started chatting. "Actually, Second Uncle shouldn't have been so impulsive as to run away from home. We're all family; we can discuss everything. Why be so black and white? In the end, it caused you and your siblings so much suffering."

Xie Yu sat down next to Xie An. Hearing these words, he felt very uncomfortable, but he was sensible and did not refute them.

Xie An was too lazy to answer such sarcastic remarks.

Xie Yu then said, "I heard that my second uncle went to run a business several months ago and encountered a water monster. Has he been found since?"

Xie An felt extremely uncomfortable sitting with his fourth sister, and suppressed his anger as he replied, "No."

Xie Yu sighed, "I only just found out about this from the nearby shopkeepers. Why didn't you send a message when my second uncle had his accident? Even though we've separated the family, we're still family."

Xie Yu gritted his teeth and lowered his head.

Xie An frowned even more deeply.

Back then, my younger sister sent more than ten SOS messages, but received no response. And now you're asking about this?

Xie Yu lifted the curtain of the side window and looked at the snow-covered landscape outside. "In this world, it's not easy for ordinary people to find a job. Fifth brother, go see Grandma first, fulfill her wish, so that she can pass away peacefully. I'll think of a way to get you all to come to the county to make a living."

Xie Yu then chimed in, "My brother is practicing martial arts in town and has already trained his tendons. My brother and I can support ourselves. There's no need for Fourth Sister to worry."

Xie Yu turned around and looked Xie An up and down. "No wonder he's so strong. But the martial arts schools in town can't teach you anything worthwhile. Most of the people who open martial arts schools in town are down-on-their-luck martial artists who can't make it in the county town. They can only teach a very limited amount of things."

Xie An didn't want to continue the conversation or make things awkward, so he said, "Thank you for your kindness, Fourth Sister. We can talk about this later."

Hmm.

Xie Yu sighed softly, "You're just like your second uncle, both stubborn. Actually, all you need to do is bow your head and admit your mistake to your eldest uncle. Given the Xie family's current situation, it won't be difficult for you to find a good job in the county."

Xie An was furious when he heard this.

My uncle stole my place at Bailu Academy, which rightfully belonged to him, forcing my father to run away from home. And then he blames my father for being stubborn? And expects me to apologize and apologize?

There's no such logic in this world.

If it weren't for the fact that his grandmother in the county was dying, Xie An would have left with his youngest sister right now.

After a bumpy and stumbling journey, we finally arrived in the county town.

This is Xie An's first time visiting Baiyun County since his time travel.

Compared to Wuqiao Town, Baiyun County is much more impressive. It boasts a tall city gate, rows of houses, bustling streets, and vibrant flowers.

It is said that the population living in the county seat alone exceeds 100,000.

The Xie family's residence was located in the west of the city. Its gates were high and wide, with two imposing stone lions standing at the entrance, and guards armed with swords standing on either side. At first glance, the guards appeared to be martial artists who had entered the Central Plains.

It's clear how well the Xie family has fared all these years, relying on the quota that rightfully belonged to Xie An.

Upon entering the Xie residence, Xie An proceeded to the entrance of the back courtyard, where he found the courtyard filled with a diverse group of people, some pacing anxiously, others weeping with their faces covered.

Even though Xie An retained the original owner's memories, he hadn't been home for so long that many of his former peers had grown up and he no longer recognized them.

I saw my second uncle, Xie Zhengwang, dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, with a middle-aged woman in a ruqun standing next to him. Although she was over forty, she was well-maintained and still had a charming appearance. She was my second aunt, Xie Linshi.

"This is the third brother's child. It's been so many years, and he's grown so strong. Is this Xiaoyu? That little girl from back then has also grown up." Madam Xie Lin came up to greet them, but deliberately kept her distance from Xie An and his sister.

"Second Aunt," Xie An said, then rushed over to Xie Zhengwang and said, "Second Uncle."

Xie Zhengwang, however, patted Xie An on the shoulder familiarly, a smile on his face: "Mingxi, it's been so many years, you've grown up quite a bit. Your grandmother is inside, go and see her first."

Xie An nodded in agreement and pulled Xie Yu into the room.

The room was spacious and luxuriously decorated, but it was filled with a pungent medicinal smell.

The people guarding the bedside were his eldest uncle, Xie Zhengde, and his eldest cousin, Xie Yunfei.

Upon first seeing Xie Yunfei, Xie An felt a strong sense of oppressive aura emanating from him, no less so than that of Wei Xiang or Shen Lie.

A martial arts master with profound skill? Or...?

Dressed in a luxurious mansion, Xie Zhengde nodded coldly when he saw Xie An and his sister enter: "Come and greet your grandmother."

Xie An led Xie Yu along the way, and saw his elderly grandfather Xie Bingxiang sitting by the bed, holding his grandmother's hand and whispering comforting words, "My dear wife, Mingxi, whom you've been talking about, has arrived."

Xie An also approached the bedside and saw his grandmother Bingxiu lying on the bed.

My grandmother, though old, was agile and kind-faced. She would often sit under the eaves, holding a hot water bottle, lost in thought. She would even give Xie An some candy when she saw him.

But now Grandma's face is withered and thin, just skin and bones, and her sunken eyes are full of yellow spots.

Gurgle.

Bingxiu swallowed hard, stretched out his hand with difficulty, and waved it in the air: "Mingxi, where is Mingxi?"

Moved by her emotions, Xie An quickly went over and took his grandmother's hand, saying, "Here I am, Grandma."

Bingxiu strained to stare at Xie An, but could no longer make out his features.

As elderly people approach death, their five senses deteriorate, and their hearing and vision become increasingly impaired.

So, Bingxiu laboriously reached out to touch Xie An's face, speaking in broken sentences, "Mingxi has grown so much. Grandma can hardly recognize you anymore. When you left, your head was so small, and your skin was so pink and tender. You must be a grown man now. It's good that you've grown up, it's good that you've grown up. You can make a living on your own now. Grandma was so worried that you two wouldn't grow up. Bingxiang, I want to talk to Mingxi alone for a while."

Xie Bingxiang, dressed in a Tang suit, nodded, then led Xie Zhengde and Xie Yunfei out, closing the door behind them.

"Mingxi, have your grandfather and the others left?"

"Let's go," Xie An whispered in his grandmother's ear.

Hearing this, Bingxiu breathed a sigh of relief, and tears suddenly streamed down her face. "Grandma knows how much you've suffered these past years with Lao San. But Grandma is useless. I've wanted to go out of town to see you so many times, but Bingxiang, Zhengde, and Zhengwang wouldn't let me. Several times Grandma went out by herself with food and clothes, but she got lost. The road is too long, Grandma can't walk that far."

"Zhengde and Zhengwang are the apples of my eye, but Zhengtang is also the apple of my eye. How can you be so biased? Yunfei is an outstanding and promising young man, but he is ultimately benefiting from your success. All of this should have been yours, and I have felt guilty all these years."

For some reason, as Xie An listened and watched his grandmother, who was already on the verge of death, still trying her best to speak, he felt a pang of sadness.

"Grandma, I'm fine. I'm doing great now."

"Hehe~" Bingxiu suddenly laughed, his hands trembling as he took out a small cloth bag from under his body, fumbled around for a moment before finding Xie An's hand, and stuffed the bag into Xie An's hands.

"This is a precious pill that Bailu Academy gave to Yunfei. I heard it's very good for the body, can improve one's physique, and speed up martial arts training. So I took this precious pill. Later, it caused a huge uproar in Zhengde's family, but Grandma just wouldn't tell them. They got a favor from the third son's family, what more do they want? Here, this is from Grandma."

Xie An opened the cloth bag and saw a green pill inside, about the size of a thumb, with a refreshing and pleasant aroma. It seemed to contain some kind of terrifying power.

Xie An was about to refuse when Bingxiu said, "You must take it. Our Xie family owes you and the third son a lifetime of kindness. Your father is ignorant, but your mother cannot be like this. If you don't take it, Grandma won't be able to leave in peace. I begged and pleaded to see you before they sent someone to find you... Grandma just wants to give you this precious pill."

Xie An accepted the cloth bag. "Thank you, Grandma. Mingxi will accept it."

call!

Upon hearing this, Bingxiu let out a long sigh of relief, as if a wish had been fulfilled, and she became much more at peace. "Mingxi, Grandma is so sorry for you, so sorry for your father, for making you and that girl suffer. Where is that girl?"

"Grandma, I'm here." Xie Yu was already in tears as she leaned over and took Bingxiu's hand.

Bingxiu's hands trembled as she patted Xie Yu's head, mumbling indistinctly, "Good, good. Little Yu has grown up. She's a pretty and dignified girl. Little Yu, Grandma is so sorry. From now on, you must listen to your brother."

Xie Yu said with tears in her eyes, "Yes, I know, Grandma. I will listen to my brother."

Bingxiu's breath grew weaker and weaker. "Ah. I gave birth to three good children in my life. I originally thought that our family would be harmonious and peaceful, but I didn't expect that children would always have their own ideas. When children grow up, their mother can no longer control them, and they don't listen to their mother. Now that I've seen you all grow up, Grandma can go in peace."

As he spoke, Bingxiu laboriously took Xie An and Xie Yu's hands and placed them together. "You two poor souls, you must support each other from now on. Mingxi, you must keep your eyes open and find Xiaoyu a good husband. Also, you've always been stubborn. If life outside is tough, just humble yourself and apologize to your uncle. Don't suffer for a lifetime because of a moment of loyalty. If you make something of yourself in the future, don't hold a grudge against your family. It's not easy to be a family member in this life..."

"It's not easy to be a family member in this lifetime..."

Bingxiu repeated these words over and over, his voice growing weaker and weaker until finally his hands fell limply to his sides and he remained still.

"grandmother!"

Xie Yu screamed in anguish.

Looking at Bingxiu on the bed, Xie An suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over him.

……

Seven days later.

The Xie family has finished handling Bingxiu's funeral.

Xie An tidied up briefly, then came out of the storeroom of the Xie residence and prepared to leave with Xie Yu.

During this period, Xie An lived in the storeroom and no one came to visit him.

Now that his grandmother has been laid to rest, Xie An naturally has no reason to stay.

There's nothing left to cherish in this home.

As soon as I stepped out of the back gate, I saw Xie Yunfei, dressed in a constable's uniform, walking over with a broadsword at his waist, looking very imposing.

Xie Yunfei was followed by Xie Yu, who was wearing a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

Xie Yunfei looked Xie An up and down and said, "I heard from Xiaoyu that you practiced martial arts in town and even broke through to the Copper Tendon Realm. That's quite an achievement. It's not a disgrace to the family. But the martial arts school in town has limited prospects."

Xie An said, "You might as well speak your mind."

Xie Yunfei paused for a moment, then said, "Back then, my second uncle and my father had a big fight and even hit each other. He beat my father up. I heard that my second uncle had an accident two months ago. Remembering my grandmother's instructions, I can't just ignore whether you and your brother live or die. As long as you go and apologize to my father, I'll have someone arrange for you to learn martial arts at the county's martial arts school."

Xie Yu chimed in, "Fifth Brother, your father almost beat your uncle so badly he vomited blood back then, but he just bowed his head and admitted his mistake. It's nothing serious. Don't be so stubborn. Now your uncle is a senior clerk in the government office in Huanglei City. If your uncle agrees, and with Brother Yunfei's help, you might have a chance to study martial arts at Bailu Academy in the future. Bailu Academy is one of the four major sects in Huanglei City. So many people are desperate to get in. I also got into Bailu Academy thanks to Brother Yunfei and your uncle's recommendations, and now I'm already a Dark Force martial artist. Don't miss such a great opportunity."

Although the two of them spoke nicely, constantly claiming they were thinking of Xie An's best interests.

However, Xie An still sensed the distance and condescension between the two, and his words carried an air of superiority.

Moreover, Xie An was present when his father and uncle fought. His father only shoved his uncle twice, yet he almost vomited blood?

Thinking of this, Xie An pinched the precious pill in his pocket and said, "Thank you for your kindness, cousin, but there's no need for you to trouble yourself with this matter."

After saying this, Xie An pulled Xie Yu around Xie Yunfei and hurriedly left.

Xie Yunfei's face immediately darkened. "They really don't know what's good for them. Do they really think they can make a name for themselves in town? How naive!"

Hmm.

Xie Yu sighed, his face filled with disappointment: "Fifth Brother is still too young. Brother Yunfei and Uncle gave him such a good opportunity, and he just refused it. In a few years, he'll understand that what he rejected today was the only path to changing his fate in this life. It's just a pity that by then, it will be too late to regret it!"

Humph.

Xie Yunfei scoffed disdainfully, "If it weren't for Grandma's dying words, I wouldn't have given him a chance. If he goes back on his word in the future, even if he kneels down and begs me, it will be too late."

Xie Yu comforted him, saying, "Eldest brother has already done more than enough; it's fifth brother who doesn't know how to appreciate it."