Free Web NovelChapter 24: Chapter 22: Wei Tu’s Refusal
As Shan Wuju fell silent.
The living room grew still, so quiet that even the faint sound of birds flapping their wings in the courtyard could be heard from inside... Everyone’s gaze subconsciously fell upon Wei Tu, eager to hear how the disciple Shan Wuju treated as a son would answer.
Most people—or rather, ninety-nine percent of them—wore expressions of anticipation, hoping Wei Tu would acquiesce to Shan Wuju’s unspoken wish and agree.
This included the Shan Family’s only son, Shan Yanggong, who had just been at odds with Shan Fang.
The Shan Family members could see that the old master was remaining silent because he didn’t want to force Wei Tu’s hand, which might damage the bond between them.
—That he hadn’t explicitly rejected Shan Fang’s request made his implicit desire quite clear.
Even without this clue, the Shan Family could guess what was on the old master’s mind.
When people grow old, they hope the family enterprise they built will endure and that the skills they pride themselves on will be passed down to their descendants.
And Shan Yiwu was the descendant Shan Wuju had his eye on to inherit his Martial Arts within the family.
Everyone in the room was aware that Shan Wuju had taken Wei Tu as his Disciple with the intention that, after Wei Tu achieved success in the examinations, he would shelter the Shan Family’s fortunes.
Although Wei Tu agreeing to teach Shan Yiwu Martial Arts wasn’t directly related to that larger goal, it would be a test of his gratitude and loyalty.
If he wouldn’t help with such a "small matter," then whether he could be counted on to step up when the Shan Family’s very survival was at stake would become a serious question.
"This matter..."
After a moment of silence, Wei Tu finally spoke. He bowed slightly and said, "I will do as Master commands."
His voice faded.
The others frowned inwardly.
Having been around Wei Tu for over a month, they knew that while he was respectful, the Disciple who had so charmed Shan Wuju was no fool. He could read between the lines and understand people’s intentions.
They were all in agreement: Wei Tu’s answer could have been smoother, more impressive, and more pleasing to Shan Wuju.
Even if he were to refuse...
’For instance, he could have said something like: "Master, your skill is far deeper than mine; you are much more suited to teaching Yiwu. I wouldn’t dare overstep and ruin the joy you take in doting on your grandson."’
Even that would have been acceptable!
"You will do as I command?" Shan Wuju asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at Wei Tu.
As Wei Tu bowed, lowering his head, his eyes became level with those of the seated Shan Wuju.
However, the former was looking at the man, while the latter was looking at his own feet and the floor.
Their eyes did not meet.
"I understand what you’re thinking." A moment later, Shan Wuju withdrew his gaze and gestured for Wei Tu to stand up straight.
’I may not have the skill to read a person just by looking at their face,’ Shan Wuju thought to himself, ’but after spending so much time with Wei Tu, I have a good sense of his character and can guess at his intentions.’
’Wei Tu doesn’t want to be forever dependent on me or the Shan Family.’
’It’s just like his behavior here in our home... he never asks for anything besides knowledge.’
’The subtext of "I will do as Master commands" is that he will repay his debt of gratitude, but he, Wei Tu, is not a Household Slave of the Shan Family. He will not be ordered around by just any family member.’
’Of course, there was another layer of meaning: only he, as the master, had the right to command Wei Tu. No one else in the Shan Family was qualified to do so.’
’After I die, Wei Tu should be someone the Shan Family can rely on,’ Shan Wuju concluded, having thought it all through.
’I’ve lived a long time. While I don’t claim to be a master judge of character, I can still get a good read on whether a person’s heart is good or wicked.’
’Besides, for someone as stingy as Li Yaozu to think so highly of Wei Tu, even calling in a personal favor to send the boy here to study under me...’
’Shan Wuju certainly didn’t think Li Yaozu was a blind fool either.’
"If Yiwu wants to learn Martial Arts, leave him with me when you go home after the New Year. I’ll teach him myself."
"Wei Tu has to prepare for the Military Examination and can’t spare the time. The County Examination is in the second month, the Prefecture Examination is in the fourth, and the Daoist Examination is in the ninth and tenth months. He won’t have a free moment."
After a brief pause, Shan Wuju took a deep breath. He had spoken to Shan Fang in a deep, resolute tone that brooked no argument.
"Father?" Shan Fang cried out in surprise.
She was genuine in her desire to obtain the family’s Fist Manual, just as she was genuine in her wish for Shan Yiwu to become Wei Tu’s Disciple.
True Inheritance can be passed down in a single sentence.
A false teaching takes ten thousand scrolls.
The Shan Family’s heirloom Fist Manual was priceless, not some common article. Whether she sold it or kept it as a family treasure, both were viable options.
As for having Shan Yiwu become Wei Tu’s Disciple...
Shan Fang wasn’t blind. Having spent the last month or two at home, she knew the immense hopes Shan Wuju had placed on Wei Tu.
If Wei Tu were to pass the Military Examination, he would become a major figure in Qingshan County. Whether as a protective set of Wings for her branch of the family or as a source of connections to revive their fortunes, it would be an investment with immense returns.
But the prerequisite was establishing a connection with Wei Tu, and Shan Yiwu was the perfect link.
However, her perfect plan had just fallen apart at the very step where it was most likely to succeed.
Shan Wuju had refused!
"Father, there’s no need to rush. We can discuss this after Brother Wei finishes his exams. Yiwu needs another two years to develop physically anyway..." Shan Fang’s voice grew soft and weak again as she pleaded with Shan Wuju.
She refused to believe that Shan Wuju couldn’t see the advantages and disadvantages.
Without a connection to Wei Tu, once Shan Wuju was gone, the Shan Family and Wei Tu would inevitably drift apart. Whether their old bond would survive then was anyone’s guess.
"I’m not in my grave yet. If Yiwu is truly set on practicing Martial Arts, he doesn’t need Wei Tu."
Uncharacteristically, Shan Wuju sternly rejected Shan Fang’s plea, completely unmoved by their father-daughter bond.
Hearing this, Shan Fang fell silent, pressing her lips together. She wracked her brain but couldn’t think of a suitable rebuttal, so she turned to Mrs. Min of the Shan Family, who sat beside Shan Wuju, hoping to use her to persuade him.
She knew her father had always valued the opinion of Mrs. Min of the Shan Family and would not easily dismiss it.
However—
To Shan Fang’s surprise, Mrs. Min of the Shan Family did not follow her script. Instead, she cleared her throat, frowned slightly, and offered a placating remark.
"Now, now, my dear daughter, there’s still plenty of time. If Yiwu and Brother Wei grow close, it won’t be too late for Brother Wei to teach him then..."
Though the words seemed conciliatory, Shan Fang knew in her heart that it was over. Her son’s apprenticeship to Wei Tu had been completely shut down by the old couple.
’I even gave them a horse. Why won’t they agree to this?’ Shan Fang stood in the living room, completely baffled.
The horse in the Shan Family’s stables, though old, was a fine steed—a valuable, ungelded stallion.
A single one could sell for nearly a hundred taels of silver.
Her request, on the other hand, was clearly beneficial to the Shan Family and would only cost the old couple a few words—hardly worth one hundred taels of silver.
"And another thing. Don’t even think about the Fist Manual. Unless Yiwu can master the five Pile Skills or he learns Martial Arts directly from me, the matter is not up for discussion," Shan Wuju added.
With that, Shan Wuju waved his hand, dismissing Shan Fang and her husband.
