Chapter 325: The Return, Wei Shan Hai's Shock

Chapter 325: The Return, Wei Shan Hai's Shock

August 29, 2024

"Cang County, we're finally back," Mag and Wei Zian exclaimed with excitement as they approached the city gates, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Despite their travels through Zhongzhou, where they had witnessed the grandeur of many majestic cities, including the ancient and mythical Qinglong City and the Sacred City, it was this humble small town that held a special place in their hearts.

"Isn't that Young Master Wei and his master, Mag?"

"Young Master Wei has returned! I thought they were out on a journey of self-discovery."

"What magnificent horses! They look so ethereal!"

"Their auras are so powerful; they far surpass mine!"

Lu Qing and his companions' carriage was already quite eye-catching. But it was the two Dragonblood Warhorses that truly drew everyone's attention. Their majestic appearance and the powerful auras they exuded left onlookers in awe. Even ordinary Refine Bone Realm cultivators couldn't compare.

Naturally, the carriage attracted the attention of the scouts at the city gates. As a result, they noticed Wei Zian and Mag disembarking from the carriage. The scouts were well acquainted with these two individuals.

News of the return of Young Master Wei and his master quickly spread throughout the city.

"Is this where Young Master Lu resides?" Hu Zezhi and Hu Laosan peered out of the carriage windows, their curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar surroundings.

"My home, and Master Ma's, are not within the city walls. Young Master Wei and his grandfather live here," Lu Qing explained with a smile.

"Lu Qing, should we head to the village first or pay a visit to the city?" Mag asked, still seeking Lu Qing's opinion despite their arrival at the city.

Lu Qing pondered for a moment before replying, "Let's go to the city first. I have something I'd like to discuss with Elder Wei."

"In that case, let's head to my place first!" Wei Zian suggested excitedly.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan also felt a surge of happiness. She had not seen her aunt in a long time and missed her dearly.

Mag steered the carriage toward the city, and the guards at the city gates dared not stop them. After all, the carriage bore the mark of the Wei family, and who would dare impede their path?

They arrived at the Wei family's ancestral home without incident. Wei Dahuan, the chief steward, was already waiting at the entrance with a group of servants.

Among the scouts at the city gates were some from the Wei family, so news of their arrival had already reached the household.

"Uncle Hai, I'm back!" Wei Zian exclaimed as he jumped down from the carriage, his voice filled with excitement.

"Welcome back, young master. You seem to have grown taller and stronger," Wei Dahuan said, his face beaming with delight.

However, as he sensed Wei Zian's aura, he was taken aback. He found that he couldn't discern the young master's cultivation level. Wei Zian's aura was shrouded in mist, making it difficult to grasp.

Although Wei Dahuan was surprised, he didn't show it. Instead, he turned toward the carriage and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Elder Chen and Young Master Lu," he said, addressing Lu Qing and the old physician.

"Wei, there's no need for such formalities. We fear we may impose on your hospitality once again," the old physician said with a smile.

"Elder Chen, please don't say that. Your presence here will surely bring great joy to Master and Madam Wei," Wei Dahuan replied.

Wei Zian then proceeded to introduce Hu Laosan and his daughter. Upon learning that they were guests from Qinglong City, Wei Dahuan's expression turned solemn, and he bowed politely to greet them.

After some pleasantries, the group made their way into the compound. The servants had already removed the threshold to allow the carriage to enter smoothly.

However, when Wei Dahuan caught sight of the two Dragonblood Warhorses, he was once again struck with amazement. He had personally selected the horses for Lu Qing's carriage before their departure, and now, these same horses had transformed into extraordinary beasts with powerful auras that even he felt intimidated by. If not for the distinctive markings on their bodies, he wouldn't have believed that they were the same horses he had chosen.

It was clear to Wei Dahuan that Young Master Wei and his companions must have experienced extraordinary events during their journey through Zhongzhou.

"By the way, Uncle Hai, where are my father and mother, as well as Grandfather Wei?"

Upon entering the house, Wei Zian finally voiced the question that had been on his mind.

Having been back for some time, he had yet to see his father and mother.

"Your father had a premonition and decided to enter seclusion for a period. He hasn't emerged yet," Wei Dahuan replied.

"As for your mother, she went to Qinglefang to listen to some music earlier. I've already sent someone to inform her of your return, and she should be back soon."

Just as Wei Dahuan finished speaking, they heard quick footsteps approaching from outside.

Soon after, Wei Zian's mother, Wei Furen, rushed in with a delighted expression on her face.

"Mother!" Wei Zian exclaimed, jumping up from his seat.

He wanted to rush into her embrace but suddenly remembered that he had grown up and shouldn't act so childishly. So, he stopped in his tracks.

However, he saw his mother walk right past him and hurry over to Xiao Yan, giving her a tight hug.

"Xiao Yan, you're back! Let Auntie take a look. Did you get tanned, and did you suffer any hardships while you were away?"

The sudden embrace took Xiao Yan by surprise, and she stood there, a little dazed.

But, feeling her aunt's concern, Xiao Yan's eyes turned slightly red as she softly replied, "Auntie, I didn't get tanned, and with Gege around, I didn't suffer any hardships."

Wei Furen examined Xiao Yan for a while and found that she hadn't gotten tanned at all.

A smile appeared on her face as she said, "Auntie knows that with Gege around, you wouldn't suffer. But you've been away for so long; did you miss Auntie?"

"I did, Auntie. I missed you a lot, and I even bought you a gift." Xiao Yan replied obediently.

"Oh? Then, Auntie will definitely have to take a good look at it later."

As Wei Furen was talking to Xiao Yan with a smile on her face, a somewhat helpless voice sounded from the side: "Mother, I'm back too."

Wei Furen turned around and saw her younger son, looking a little aggrieved.

She nodded with satisfaction and said, "Not bad. After going out for a while, you've become more mature."

Otherwise, with his usual temperament, he would have rushed over to her without a care.

Wei Zian was left speechless.

How could he forget that in the past two years, his mother often stayed at the other residence in Jiuli Village to visit Xiao Yan, treating her as her own daughter and getting even closer to her than to him.

Many times, she even seemed to favor Xiao Yan more than him.

Wei Zian felt a little embarrassed as he thought about it.

Wei Furen examined her younger son and found that apart from looking a little tanned, he showed no signs of injury and had even become more robust.

She heaved a sigh of relief, composed herself, and then bowed to Lu Qing and the old physician with a smile.

"Greetings, Young Master Lu and Elder Chen. Our son has grown so much during this trip, thanks to your care along the way."

"Hehe, Madam Wei, there's no need for such formality. This old man doesn't know how to take care of people. In fact, it was Young Master Wei who took care of me, this old fellow, during the journey." The old physician chuckled.

"Elder Chen, you're too humble. I know my son's temperament very well. If he had truly learned how to take care of people, then you must have guided him very well."

Wei Furen didn't quite believe that her son had learned how to take care of others. She knew her son's character, and if he had truly changed to that extent, it would be quite surprising.

The old physician smiled but didn't continue the topic.

After all, Wei Zian's changes would eventually become apparent to the Wei family.

After some more pleasantries, Lu Qing suddenly asked, "Madam Wei, where is Elder Wei? I haven't seen him."

"Grandfather Wei? Ever since you all left on your journey, he has been staying in Jiuli Village and rarely comes back to the city," Wei Furen replied.

Lu Qing's heart skipped a beat as he realized that Wei Shan Hai was staying in Jiuli Village to fulfill his promise of taking care of the village and ensuring its safety.

"Young Master Lu, do you have something urgent that requires Grandfather Wei's attention? Should I send someone to inform him?" Wei Furen asked, seeing Lu Qing's serious expression.

Lu Qing thought for a moment and then nodded. "Please do. Tell him that Lu Qing has an important matter to discuss and would like to seek his advice."

Wei Furen sensed the gravity in Lu Qing's tone and knew that it must be a significant issue.

She didn't dare delay and immediately said, "Alright, I'll send someone right away."

Sending a message to Jiuli Village didn't require Wei Furen to go herself.

She simply instructed Wei Dahuan, who promptly made the necessary arrangements.

Soon, a falcon soared into the sky from the Wei residence, circling once before swiftly flying towards Jiuli Village.

After sending the message, Lu Qing introduced Hu Laosan and his daughter, Hu Zezhi, to Wei Furen.

Knowing that they were from Qinglong City, Wei Furen also treated them with great respect.

Although she was a lady from a small city, as the matriarch of the Wei family, she had read many of the family's collection of books and had naturally heard of the renowned First Pass Under Heaven.

As they chatted, about half a hour passed when suddenly, a figure appeared and landed in the courtyard from outside.

"Lu Qing and Elder Chen have returned?"

Before the person even entered the house, Wei Shan Hai's loud voice, filled with surprise, rang out.

"Ancestral Master!"

The Wei family servants bowed respectfully.

"Ancestral Master Wei, you're back!" Wei Furen greeted him with a delighted expression.

"Hmm, I just received the message from the residence, saying that Lu Qing and the others have returned, so I hurried back." Wei Shan Hai chuckled.

"Elder Wei, it's been a while."

"Greetings, Wei Lao Zhang."

"Grandpa Wei."

Lu Qing and the old physician also stood up to greet him.

As for Hu Laosan and his daughter, they were secretly astonished.

They hadn't expected that even in this remote small city, there would be such a powerful cultivator at the Xiantian Realm.

"Elder Chen, I thought that your journey to Zhongzhou would take at least a year or half a year.

It's been less than three months, and you're already back?" Wei Shan Hai said, his joy mixed with confusion.

He glanced at Lu Qing and the old physician, trying to sense their cultivation levels.

However, despite his improved cultivation during the past two years, he still couldn't discern their realms.

He could only vaguely sense that their auras had become even more profound and unfathomable.

"Some unexpected events occurred, so we returned sooner than expected." Lu Qing smiled in response.

"I see." Wei Shan Hai nodded, but he didn't inquire further about the unexpected events. Instead, he asked, "Lu Qing, the previous message mentioned that you have an important matter to discuss with me. May I ask what it is?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Qing's expression turned solemn.

"It's a matter of great significance. Elder Wei, may we discuss it in private?"

Wei Shan Hai noticed Lu Qing's serious demeanor and became solemn as well.

He nodded and said, "Of course. Let's go to my private chamber."

He then led Lu Qing and the old physician to the room he usually used for seclusion cultivation.

Once inside the chamber, Wei Shan Hai closed the stone door and said, "Lu Qing, this chamber is where I usually cultivate in seclusion. It's the most secretive place in the residence. Now, please tell me what this important matter is."

However, Lu Qing suddenly released a strange aura, enveloping the entire stone chamber.

"Domain? Lu Qing, have you also mastered this ability? Have you broken through to the Xiantian Realm?" Wei Shan Hai exclaimed in shock.

In the past two years, he had developed a deep friendship with the old physician, often exchanging martial arts insights.

He had also witnessed the mysteries of domains and tried to comprehend them himself.

Now, he immediately recognized that Lu Qing was using a domain to conceal their conversation.

Wei Shan Hai was truly astonished.

Although he wasn't surprised that Lu Qing had reached the Xiantian Realm, given that he had already reached the peak of the Houtian Realm before their journey to Zhongzhou, he was amazed by Lu Qing's rapid progress.

He himself had tried to comprehend the mysteries of domains but had failed to gain any insights.

Even when the old physician personally demonstrated the use of a domain to aid his understanding, Wei Shan Hai had been unable to grasp even a hint of its essence.

Yet, in just a few months, Lu Qing had not only broken through to the Xiantian Realm but had also mastered a complete domain.

Despite knowing that Lu Qing was an exceptional genius carrying a grand destiny, Wei Shan Hai still found it hard to believe the speed of his progress.

"It was a recent breakthrough, please forgive my rudeness, Elder Wei." Lu Qing smiled and said, "Walls have ears, and the matter I wish to discuss is of great importance, so it's best to be cautious."

"Lu Qing, what is this matter that has you being so cautious?" Wei Shan Hai took a deep breath, calming his mind, as he noticed Lu Qing's serious expression.

He couldn't imagine what kind of matter could be so important that Lu Qing would go to such lengths to ensure their conversation remained private.

"Senior Wei, the matter I wish to discuss concerns the giant cauldron you brought back years ago." Lu Qing said solemnly.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end