Chapter 192: Honorary Principal

"What's this?" Zhou You took the box handed over by Elder Xuan with a puzzled look.

The box, made of carved wood, was antique and exquisite. Zhou You thought it was a gift, but upon opening it, he found ancient manuscripts. "What..."

"These are martial arts scriptures passed down in the Xuan sect for generations. We've continuously preserved them, repairing them when necessary. Who would've thought these items would become treasured heirlooms one day?"

Without looking further, Zhou You closed the box and returned it. "Since these are treasured heirlooms of the Xuan family, please keep them safe."

"These are just copies. We have many more at home. I've brought these to ask you a favor. Please consider it carefully."

"If you're making such a generous offer, it must be an important favor. Let's hear it first. Perhaps I can help."

Elder Xuan opened the box, revealing the manuscripts on top and a contract and appointment letter below. He handed them to Zhou You, "This letter appoints you as the honorary principal of our school, and the contract is for you to join the Xuan sect. Please don't decline right away. Read it first."

Zhou You was surprised. Many sought him as a teacher or partner, but this was the first invitation to join a sect.

He read the contract with curiosity. After finishing, he looked at Elder Xuan and then at Xuan Xuan, who seemed lost in thought, and asked, "Why this?"

The contract invited him to join the Xuan sect, and after three years, when Elder Xuan steps down, Zhou You would take over as the sect leader. The benefits were access to the sect's teachings, authority over its members, and control over its finances. The only downside: the fate of the entire sect would rest on his shoulders.

"I've been looking for a successor. My disciples have limited potential. Xuan Xuan has talent, but he's too whimsical and naive to lead. I made up my mind to approach you after our first meeting. There are many benefits to being a sect leader, especially now that everyone knows about your ties with Marshal Shao. You might be well-respected in Yangcheng, but in Shuguang City, without a title, people might look down upon you."

"I don't need their respect, and they have no right to look down on me."

"Indeed, you are powerful. But instead of spending time proving yourself, why not start with a bright aura? The Xuan sect should be prestigious enough."

Zhou You was speechless. It wasn't about prestige; it was about suddenly being handed a large sect. Wasn't there anyone suitable for succession within the Xuan sect?

His gaze landed on Xuan Xuan, who was eating. Did this kid even realize what he might be losing?

"Aren't you thinking a bit prematurely, Elder Xuan? You're still vigorous, and your grandson is young. A few years of grooming, and he should meet your expectations. If you believe he lacks maturity, I can recommend a military stint for him. The Xuan sect belongs to the Xuan family. It's not appropriate to hand it to an outsider like me." Zhou You genuinely cared for the duo, feeling that Xuan Xuan had potential.

"I admit I have selfish reasons. Among the top martial arts sects - Shaolin, Emei, and Wudang - none compares to the Xuan sect. We have 300 disciples and admitted 20,000 students this year. Yet, less than 10% can practice our internal martial arts. Perhaps it's our teaching method. With your deep internal martial arts, you could truly elevate our teachings."

"So, your aim is to elevate the Xuanmen Sect, surpassing the three major sects?"

"Haha, surpassing the three major sects might be an exaggeration. However, at the very least, I want more people to learn and master the arts, to contribute more martial artists to our nation. I believe this aligns with your intentions as well."

Zhou You hadn't expected the usually reserved Xuanmen Sect to harbor such ambitions. He always thought they chose obscurity because they weren't interested in fame or fortune.

Xuan Xue seemed to read his thoughts and scoffed, "My grandfather was no ascetic or lofty hermit. He just lacked the skill and didn't find a worthy disciple. He feared that too much prominence without true merit would bring ridicule."

"Impudent boy, is that any way to speak of your grandfather?" Elder Xuan remarked with a mix of amusement and reprimand, yet he didn't object.

"There's nothing wrong with pursuing fame and fortune to improve one's life. But Elder Xuan, why are you so sure of my capability? Is it because of my relationship with Shao Qi?"

"At first, I wasn’t aware of your relationship. I simply saw potential in you – young, stable-minded, immensely talented, visionary, and strategic. If you can't make it, then the others in my family stand even less of a chance."

Zhou You sighed and took out an ancient manual to flip through. The text was in traditional characters, with translations added. Likely, it was provided to assist any disciple who might have difficulty understanding, but to Zhou You, some of these translations were flawed.

"Who translated this?"

"It was my father. He's a renowned author skilled in classical literature. In his spare time, he translated these manuscripts into vernacular Chinese, saving us a lot of effort."

"You must understand why internal martial arts are hard to master. It's because of their complexity. The vernacular translations do make them more accessible, but they also risk diluting the essence. While deciphering them is challenging, it's also an invaluable practice. Moreover, from what I see, there are inaccuracies in this translation. Aren't you concerned about the risks of mispractice?"

Both the grandfather and grandson of the Xuan family were stunned, their faces pale. Xuan Xue exclaimed, "How can that be? We've always practiced according to this. There haven’t been any issues. Didn't you also check my pulse?"