Chapter Twenty-Four: Return to the Family

The night passed without incident.

After replenishing supplies in the halfway city of Yong'an, the caravan finally arrived in Willow Poplar City after more than a week of arduous travel. Stepping onto its bustling streets, Yun Yufeng observed the modest city with care; from now on, this would be the birthplace of his future, the stage where he would take his first steps.

He glanced at Uncle and Xi Muyan beside him; it was here that he would part ways with them. After more than a week together, they had grown quite familiar. Although he and Xi Muyan often bickered, Yun Yufeng never felt any dislike toward her. On the contrary, he enjoyed her straightforwardness, and it felt much like the quarrels between siblings—a feeling foreign to Yun Yufeng, who had always been lonely and without close family.

“Uncle, I’ll be leaving you soon. Thank you for your care along the way.”

The bearded man burst into hearty laughter. “Young man, we’ll meet again. Get home early and take care out there. When we meet again, let’s enjoy a drink together. Perhaps by then, you’ll have left me far behind.”

Yun Yufeng, caught up in the man’s infectious spirit, grinned. “Alright, Uncle, until we meet again on the road. Muyan, farewell.” Waving to the two, he went off alone.

He found a carriage in the city and set off toward Mount Encircled Town. As the carriage rolled along, Yun Yufeng quietly pondered the matter of cultivation techniques; upon his return, he must quickly acquire some battle skills to study, and he remembered the family had a stash of scrolls.

The sun was setting. Smoke rose from village kitchens, and after a day’s toil in the fields, people busied themselves gathering their tools to return home and enjoy the warmth of family.

Vast mountains encircled thousands of acres of fertile land, at the center of which thrived a prosperous little town. A clear stream ran through its heart.

On the outskirts of the town stood a small hill, at the foot of which lay a grand estate, with high walls and deep courtyards. At that moment, a large group of riders galloped through the gates into the manor.

In the main hall, a middle-aged man knelt before a stern elder, reporting, “Clan Leader, I have searched every inch of Mount Encircled, but still cannot find any trace of Young Master Yun Yufeng. More than a month has passed; I fear there is little hope.”

“Outrageous! As long as there is the slightest hope for a Yun family descendant, we must not abandon them.”

“Yes, I will continue to intensify the search,” replied the middle-aged guard, bowing his head.

“Go,” said the elder, waving him away.

Ever since learning that Yun Yufeng’s disappearance was caused by his own grandson, the Yun clan leader had executed the Western Desert guard who had sheltered him, sent Yun Shangmo to meditate in the Ice Cave—he would not be released until Yun Yufeng returned—and confined Yun Yexiang for a year, allowing him only to remain within the manor. These punishments were delivered privately, with orders to keep silent. Most clansmen knew only that the offenders were punished, not the reason why.

Slowly, the sun sank behind the mountains. A carriage rolled in from the distance, rattling along the cobbled road.

“Whoa!” The carriage stopped at the Yun manor gates. Yun Yufeng hopped out, sent the driver away, and approached.

The guards stared at him as if they'd seen a ghost. After a moment, one shouted, and another dashed inside, while the remaining one welcomed Yun Yufeng with a beaming smile, bowing low. “Young Master, you’ve truly returned! The manor has been in turmoil these days. Many people went out searching for you but couldn’t find you. Now that you’re back, the Clan Leader will be overjoyed.”

Yun Yufeng patted the guard’s shoulder. “Carry on with your duties. I’ll go in and greet the elders.”

The guard hurriedly stepped aside. “Please, Young Master, come in.”

Yun Yufeng had barely entered the gate and walked a hundred meters before the Clan Leader, accompanied by several guards, came to meet him. Soon after, several elders of the Yun family also arrived, though Yun Yufeng’s grandfather, Yun Feiyan, did not appear.

“Child, you’ve finally returned. I kept sending people to search for you but to no avail. I feared we’d never find you,” the Clan Leader, with hair as white as snow, greeted him joyfully.

“Heh, I am grateful for the concern of all elders. I am well.”

“Good, that’s all that matters. As long as you’re back, everything is fine. Child, your cultivation seems indistinct—have you stabilized your strength?” The old Clan Leader scrutinized Yun Yufeng, yet all he saw was a haze, unable to discern his level. Yun Yufeng was using the concealment technique granted by the first layer of the Godslayer Tower, which blurred his cultivation and prevented others from gauging his power, thus making them wary.

“This… I picked up a little trick on the road—it lets me hide my cultivation. Heh, my strength has improved a bit since I left,” Yun Yufeng smiled, unwilling to reveal his true level due to lurking threats.

“You must have suffered these past weeks. Go quickly and see your mother and grandfather. Your father is still out, handling family business,” said the Clan Leader, unconcerned by Yun Yufeng’s cautiousness. He turned to announce, “Spread the word: tonight, we feast together. It’s been too long since we’ve had a lively gathering.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.” Yun Yufeng bid farewell to the elders and headed toward his mother’s courtyard. As he entered the gate, he saw his mother hurrying out with her maid.

“Feng’er, you’re finally back! Come, let me take a good look at you. You must have suffered so much,” his mother cried with joy, rushing over in a few quick steps. The maid followed, calling, “Madam, please slow down, don’t rush!”

Seeing his mother so emotional, Yun Yufeng felt a swirl of emotions. Though she was not his birth mother, she gave him a warmth he had never known.

Obediently, he let his tearful mother embrace him and nestled into her arms, murmuring, “Mother, your child has returned. I’ve worried you.”

“That’s all that matters. You mustn’t be so reckless again. Wait—what’s that in your arms, so soft?”

“Oh, just a little pet.” Yun Yufeng pulled out the greedy wolf pup, stroking its silver fur with a smile. “This little fellow fell asleep a week ago and hasn’t woken up since—such a glutton.”

Madam Liu, seeing her son’s genuine smile over his pet, felt even more heartache. This child must have endured so much, to show such affection to an animal—he used to torment all the family pets. She quickly instructed the maid, “Go, bring Young Master’s favorite pastries to the main hall.”

“Madam, the Clan Leader said there will be a banquet tonight.”

“Just go! Are you looking for a scolding? You’re usually so clever—why are you so slow now?” Madam Liu glared.

“Heh, Cui Zhu must be so happy about my return she’s gotten silly. Mother, let’s talk inside.”

“Alright, Feng’er, you’ve learned to be courteous after your travels.”

As she left, Cui Zhu muttered under her breath, “Happy? Happy enough to go silly? What nonsense! He’ll surely bully me again now that he’s back.” The little maid grumbled, thinking of the Young Master’s unruly ways and feeling frustrated. At least the little master and princess were always polite, or serving them would be even harder.

In the main hall, Yun Yufeng sat with his mother, sipping tea and chatting. Looking at her sensible child, Madam Liu’s eyes brimmed with warmth; his safe return, and newfound maturity, made all the hardship worthwhile.

“Feng’er, here’s your favorite osmanthus cake. Have a piece—let mother feed you.”

“Mmm, not bad. Is this Cuihua’s handiwork?”

“Of course, that clever girl made it. I was thinking of having her serve you—she’s more capable than the others.”

Yun Yufeng blinked and quickly swallowed his cake, waving his hands. “Mother… please, it’s not necessary. I’m not used to being waited on—I can take care of myself. Besides, you need Cuihua more than I do.”

Madam Liu picked up another slice, stuffing it into his mouth. “Mother only wants what’s best for you. Cuihua is clever; if you keep her close, you’ll build a bond. One day, she’ll make a fine concubine.”

“Pfft!” Yun Yufeng spat out his food, spraying it everywhere.

“I’m not even of age!”

“That’s called planning ahead—what do you know, child? Build the bond now for an even happier future,” Madam Liu’s eyes crinkled with laughter, convinced of her own wisdom.

“Mother, let’s talk about it later.”

“What do you mean, ‘later’? It’s settled. Starting tomorrow, Cuihua will attend to your daily needs,” Madam Liu raised her brows.

“Uh…” Yun Yufeng was dumbfounded, never expecting his mother to be so forceful.

“Feng’er, now tell me how you managed these past weeks?” Madam Liu smiled radiantly, oblivious to her earlier sternness.

Yun Yufeng wiped sweat from his brow, wondering what she might say next.

“Well… I don’t really know how it happened—when I woke up, I was in the mountains a thousand miles away. I just kept walking until I made it home.” Yun Yufeng looked at Madam Liu with innocent eyes.

“Naughty,” Madam Liu smacked his head, laughing so hard she trembled. “How can you be so perfunctory with your mother?”

“Hehe!” Yun Yufeng wisely kept quiet.

“Alright, let’s go to the main hall—the banquet should be starting soon. We’ll chat again next time.” With that, she called, “Cuihua, come eat with me.”

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