Hearing Old Fifth's words, Hou Yuxiao wished he could lift him up and kiss him. Last night he had wracked his brains but hadn't thought of what excuse to use today when showing these upgraded martial arts to the four of them.
An "unrivalled martial arts talent" as an excuse was indeed perfect...
Hou Yuxiao didn't speak but merely smiled faintly in response to the awe-filled gazes of the four, saying, "Keep it low-key, it's not to my benefit if this gets out!"
The four immediately looked apprehensive. Considering the martial world's fervent pursuit of martial arts, they solemnly nodded to each other and made a silent vow to keep this matter secret forever.
However, upon seeing the second-rate martial arts in their hands and confirming that these were indeed improved by Hou Yuxiao, their faces couldn't help but flush with an unnatural redness, and their eyes sparkled with extreme excitement.
Hou Yuxiao saw their reactions but didn't show any surprise. He had foreseen this scene already.
It was no wonder the four were excited; after all, second-rate martial arts were indeed precious...
Firstly regarding the quantity, Tongling County's population of over two million was substantial. One first-class and seven second-rate clans exist, not counting the Hou Clan. Based on the current understanding of each family, the total number of second-rate martial arts definitely wouldn't exceed thirty, meaning less than four per family.
Of course, the Great Luo Sect would have more since a second-rate force requires owning three second-rate martial arts.
Next, its utility; martial arts are lethal skills and could be considered aside from cultivation, the strongest and most crucial abilities in Yongzhou. There's seldom a concept of friendly matches here; typically, a fight implies a battle to the death.
A crucial martial art is a lifesaver...
Therefore, whether as a force or an individual, one rarely sells second-rate martial arts unless absolutely necessary, which also explains why a single second-rate martial art could sell for more than one hundred thousand taels.
"Big brother, is the Lifting Dragon Stick Technique also derived from your improvements to the Black Dragon Thirteen Forms?"
This inquiry from Hou Yuduan pulled the others back to reality. All of their eyes eagerly fixed on Hou Yuxiao, and seeing his slight nod, their excitement rose to another level.
"Does this mean that our Hou Family will never lack martial arts from now on?"
Hou Yuling, looking at the eight martial arts involving swords, sabers, whips, palm, fist, and stick techniques, suddenly realized that Hou Yuxiao's talent wasn't limited just to stick techniques and asked in surprise.
The others quickly caught on and turned their gazes to Hou Yuxiao as well.
"No more lack. All martial arts, with my modifications, can be upgraded. Currently, the highest is second-rate, and as my mastery deepens, it might reach even higher!"
Hou Yuxiao chose to remain modest, merely stating his ability to elevate martial arts to second-rate. Yet even this modest statement significantly shocked the four, including the typically calm Hou Yuduan, who could not help but pace around muttering to himself.
"So this means any martial arts given to Big Brother can be upgraded, regardless of their level? Even second-rate and third-rate are useful to us. Who knows, maybe as Big Brother's mastery increases, second-rate can even become first-class, or even Earth Level, this...this..."
"Our Hou Clan... shall flourish!"
Hou Yuduan's statement became somewhat incoherent, unable to continue further. A boisterous voice picked up where he left off, belonging to the excited Hou Yucheng.
Seeing the excitement of the four, Hou Yuxiao did not try to suppress their emotions. In the prefectural city, when the fourth white petal opened up, revealing the martial arts upgrade feature, his reaction was hardly stronger than the four before him.
Only when he saw that their faces had slowly calmed down did Hou Yuxiao speak.
"Besides the Lifting Dragon Stick Technique, the other seven martial arts are to be kept by Yu Duan. After all, these are second-rate martial arts, not to be taught lightly. I propose that in the future, the ten chieftains from the Upper Hou Gate and the twelve from the Lower Hou Sect can choose two each for training. As for their subordinates, each can only choose one.
Moreover, a rule must be established—other than to one's children, anyone who dares to teach these secretly to outsiders will be regarded as a rebel of the Hou Clan. From the heights of heaven to the ends of the earth, no matter where they hide, our Hou Family must exterminate their entire lineage!"
Hou Yuxiao's tone was very stern, and none of the other four, not even the kind-hearted Hou Yuduan, objected; instead, they showed agreement.
Martial arts are indeed a sensitive matter; the rule against private transmission is not unique to their Hou Family—all sects and clans across the World follow it.
"Currently, the placement of our clan's martial artists is in four locations: Hou Gate, Zhaoyang Iron Guards, Zhaoyang Escort Agency, and the Qinglong Association!"
Hearing about the Qinglong Association, Hou Yu Jie and Hou Yuduan both looked puzzled. Seeing this, Hou Yucheng, who remembered that they hadn't been to the prefectural city, stepped forward to explain. After his explanation, they understood.
"Yucheng, your Zhaoyang Iron Guards are the largest in scale. The clan's basic level martial artists will be assigned to you first. Hou Gate, Zhaoyang Escort Agency, and Qinglong Association, being crucial to our clan's enterprises, must also be staffed with elite martial artists. So they will select people from your ranks. Currently, only cultivation matters; once they reach the Third Level of Body Opening, they can be sent to the Lower Hou Sect.
In the future, when we are not in need of manpower, you'll have to worry about selection, not just based on cultivation but also other aspects. For example, the Escort Agency will need those suited for travel; Qinglong Association will need experts in assassination, each with its own focus."