Chapter 56 Return to the Liu Manor

  More than a month after leaving the Liu mansion, Liu Xuan returned to the mansion again. However, he himself did not live in the Liu mansion for long and had no feelings for it either. When Madam Cai drove him out of the Liu mansion, she also cut off his last bit of nostalgia for the place.

  He is a Liu family descendant after all, and it's only natural for him to return to the Liu manor to attend the ancestral rites. No matter how much Lady Cai hates him, she can't stop him from entering the manor before New Year's.

  "Second brother, I want to move over and live with you, what do you think?"

  Arriving at the Liu residence, seeing that there was no more opportunity, Liu Hu finally couldn't help but express his own wishes. This was something he had considered for a long time. He had studied martial arts for many years, but made little progress, while watching Liu Xuan advance rapidly, and could no longer resist this temptation.

  Liu Jiong stopped in his tracks, feeling somewhat surprised. He saw Liu Hu's face was flushed bright red, but his eyes were unusually stern, looking like he was really angry.

  "But... does your brother allow it?"

  Liu Hu's elder brother was Liu Chao. The two brothers' father had also passed away, and they lived with their mother in Xiangyang City.

  "There shouldn't be a problem, I've lived in the sword pavilion for several years and he didn't say anything, besides, I'm already eighteen years old, completely capable of being independent." Liu Hu's eyes gazed eagerly at Liu Jing, hoping that he would agree immediately.

  At this time, Liu Xuan's heart moved, he happened to want to give Zhang Pingan a deputy, but for the time being, he couldn't find a suitable candidate. Isn't this Liu Hu just the best candidate?

  He is a well-known fool in Xiangyang, but actually, Liu Xuan knew that he was not stupid at all, just lacking in cunning. Last time when competing with Cai Jin in sword fighting, didn't he advise himself not to accept?

  Thinking of this, Liu Xuan smiled and said: "You can live with me, but I have a condition. I'll arrange for you to work at the You Jun Suo, of course not as a small soldier, how about it?"

  Liu Hu scratched his head and chuckled, "You're afraid you can't afford to raise me, right?"

  "Fine, don't then!" Liu Jiong was fed up, this guy's thoughts were too complicated.

  He urged his horse towards the gate of the mansion, Liu Hu quickly pulled him back and smiled: "I was just joking with you, how could I not agree, whatever you say is what we'll do."

  "Alright then, it's settled!"

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  Liu Xuan and Liu Fu walked into the main hall, where all the Liu family members had gathered. Apart from the few Liu family members that Liu Xuan recognized, there were also some distant relatives who sat around Liu Bei, each with a humble smile on their face.

  Liu Biao had four biological brothers. Liu Biao was the eldest son, the second son died young due to illness, the third son's family died in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the fourth son, who was Liu Cong's father, also passed away.

  The rest of the clan brothers and younger brothers are still in their teens, most of whom were scattered and lost in the chaos at the end of the Han Dynasty. Those who survived all came to Jingzhou and relied on Liu Biao. However, most of them have mediocre talents and are scattered throughout Jingzhou. This time for the ancestral sacrifice, everyone rushed to Xiangyang.

  Liu Biao sat in the center, and the first person on his left was Liu Bei's nephew, Liu Pi. He was even closer to Liu Qi than before. From this point, Liu Xun judged that the person who would be in charge of the sacrificial ceremony this year should be Liu Pi.

  Liu Ke and his brother Liu Hu looked completely different, about twenty years old, medium build, fair skin, looking gentle and elegant, a typical white-faced scholar.

  "Hehe! Xuan'er is here."

  Liu Biao saw Liu Xuan enter the hall and smiled at everyone, saying: "It's been several years since we've all seen him, let's take a look at how much he has changed?"

  Liu Bei's words made Liu Xuan break out in a cold sweat, he had almost forgotten his true identity and always thought of himself as the real Liu Xuan, now no one suspected that he was fake.

  That's because most people have never seen the real Liu Xuan, but his clansmen are different. They all saw him before, and only then did Liu Xuan realize that his true test had finally arrived late.

  Liu Jue suppressed the tension in his heart and knelt down to pay respects to Liu Biao, "Nephew pays respects to elder uncle."

  At this time, he had already heard the whispers coming from both sides.

  "Seems like he's grown a lot taller, darker and thinner than before, but more robust."

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  These rumors suddenly reminded Liu Xuan of something, and he immediately had a wonderful excuse. He was also very different from the one a month ago.

  Liu Biao hadn't seen him for a month either, and after sizing him up, he asked in surprise, "Jing Er, aren't you studying gunpowder? How did you become so dark and thin, I almost didn't recognize you."

  Liu Jing hastily said: "Reporting to Uncle, at first it was learning about gunpowder, but soon after started practicing martial arts, every day having to run and jump in the water, so..."

  Liu Bei burst out laughing, "I said so! How could one month's absence make you almost unrecognizable? It turns out that it was martial arts training. I reckon everyone thinks you've changed a lot."

  Liu Bei turned his head and asked a middle-aged man, "Second brother, what do you think?"

  This middle-aged man is called Liu Du, a distant cousin of Liu Biao and the uncle of Liu Hu. He was quite clever and capable, and was appointed as the governor of Lingling County by Liu Biao last year. Liu Du had only arrived in Jingzhou four years ago, so he had some impression of Liu Xun.

  "He stroked his beard and smiled, 'The change is great. Four years ago he was still a mischievous little yellow-haired boy, but in the blink of an eye he has become an adult. It makes one deeply feel the passing of time, and it is also a sign that our family will prosper.'"

  He asked Liu Xuan again, "Xuan'er, how's your leg now?"

  Liu Xuan learned from Meng Shu that his leg had been broken when he was young, which he already knew very well. The problem is, who is this middle-aged man in front of him?

  Although Meng Shu told him the family tree, he had never seen anyone on it, and he couldn't match them with real people. This man obviously knew him, if he didn't know him, it wouldn't make sense.

  However, perhaps it can be muddled through. Earlier, didn't Liu Bei call him second brother? He looks to be around fifty years old, should be older than his own father.

  Liu Xuan decided to take a gamble, he immediately knelt down and performed a courtesy, respectfully saying: "Reporting back to Second Uncle, nephew's leg has completely recovered, how is Second Uncle's body?"

  Everyone likes a polite child, Liu Du immediately smiled and said: "I'm fine! I can adapt to the climate on the Lingnan side."

  As soon as he mentioned Ling, Liu Xuan immediately knew who he was. He quickly changed his words and said: "Zhongfu's body has always been strong and can adapt to any place, I don't know if my second brother is here."

  The young scholar nodded and smiled: "Jingdi, I'm here!"

  "Now, everyone is here, I should talk about the specific details of tomorrow's sacrifice."

  Liu Hu gently pulled Liu Xuan to the last two seats on the right and sat down, and Liu Xuan's heart finally fell, and the first pass was finally over.

  "Tomorrow at dawn, the worship ceremony will start from 5:00 am. I will be the main officiant, and Pishi will assist me. The five of you should gather in the temple by then, don't be late. I'll reassign each of your tasks again..."

  Liu Hu said in a low voice to Liu Xuan, "Yesterday was the first discussion and you didn't come. The master of the house said that since it's your first time participating in the ancestral rites, he won't let you do anything. Just follow me, the etiquette is simple, I'll do what I do, and you just do the same."

  Liu Xuan had a very good impression of Liu Hu, who was so considerate and understanding. Who said he was foolish? Liu Xuan also liked this cousin, and perhaps they could strive together in the future.

  Thinking of Liu Hu's slightly weaker martial arts skills, Liu Jing smiled and said: "Brother Hu, let's stay together tonight! Let's discuss our martial arts."

  "Great!" Liu Hu got excited, "I'll practice martial arts with you."

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  At night, Liu Xuan gave Liu Hu a 'Wind and Thunder Change' knife spectrum. "The reason I can defeat the Water Wolf is because I know this move. There are 24 knives to practice, but actually there is only one knife. This is a secret that has not been passed down. I formally give it to you, hoping you won't spread it out."

  "'Feng Lei Bian' was specially tailored by Yu Zhenzi for Liu Xuan, and has nothing to do with Luo Feng Men, so it doesn't matter if Liu Xuan passed it on to Liu Hu. The key is that he can't pass on the Luo Feng Gong Fa."

  But Liu Xuan didn't think so, to practice 'Feng Lei Bian', he must learn a little bit of Luo Feng Gong Fa, and Liu Xuan also decided to pass on some of the Luo Feng Gong Fa to him.

  What he needs is a capable assistant, and the rules of Luofeng Gate cannot restrain him.

  Liu Hu looked on with his tongue tied, and said "Wow", one move twenty-four styles, he had never heard of it before.

  "Xingdi, can I practice well?"

  "Master this move first, then I'll teach you the skills later. Don't rush, practice slowly! Once you master this move, Cai Jin won't be your opponent anymore."

  Liu Hu was overjoyed and jumped up, shouting: "I'll go practice right now!"

  Liu Xuan grasped him tightly and stared at him: "If you spread this matter, don't think I'll teach you anything again!"

  Liu Hu saw Liu Jing's expression was unusually stern, he also solemnly nodded, "Even if you cut off my tongue, I will never say!"

  Liu Xuan also stood up and smiled: "I'm going to Xixiang River now, I guarantee that we will gather at the temple at 5 o'clock."

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  The ancestral temple of the Liu family is located in the west house, worshiping ancestors from Liu Yu, Duke Gong of Lu, and this is the family temple of Liu Biao, covering an area of 20 mu, composed of dozens of buildings, also the most sacred place for each family.

  Before the fifth watch, men and women of the Liu family had arrived at the male and female dressing rooms on both sides of the gate. They needed to change into black mourning robes here, wear flat-top mourning caps, line up and set off to worship in the main hall.

  Men in front, women behind, just like a married-out daughter cannot participate in the sacrifice and can only worship at her husband's home.

  Liu Bei had already changed into his ceremonial attire and was quietly watching the others change when he suddenly furrowed his brow and asked Liu Hu: "Where's Xinghe? Why isn't he here?"

  "He's feeling a bit under the weather, he'll be here later tonight, right away."

  As soon as the words fell, Liu Xuan suddenly appeared in the room without a sound, and Liu Hu was overjoyed, pointing and saying: "He's here!"

  Liu Biao nodded, "Teach him to change clothes, take him with you today, and don't let anything unexpected happen."

  "I understand!"

  Liu Hu hastily ran in front of Liu Xuan and whispered: "Why did you come so late!"

  "Isn't it too early?" Liu Xuan smiled awkwardly.

  "It's already the fifth watch, time to set off! And we still need to change into our ceremonial attire. Ah, I forgot to tell you, hurry up!"

  Liu Hu helped Liu Xuan put on a black sacrificial robe and also helped him wear a flat-top crown. This was the first time Liu Xuan had worn sacrificial attire, and he clearly understood the meaning of the sacrifice. By participating in the sacrifice, it was equivalent to formally acknowledging him as a member of the Liu family.

  Dong! Dong!

  As the melodious funeral bell tolled, more than 100 people from the Liu family, led by their master Liu Bei, lined up and marched towards the main hall for worship.

  On this day, the sky was clear and bright, Jian'an 7 finally arrived.