Chapter 15: Thirteen Years Homecoming, the Courtyard Deep, the Old Friends Changed

After several more days of travel, the official road ahead gradually became smoother and wider, and the number of travelers increased; though most hurried along, their clothing and appearance were no longer those of refugees.

In the fields beside the road, figures of farmers tilling the land now appeared.

Su Chen knew this meant they were nearing the imperial capital’s surrounding region.

After parting from the refugee group, Su Chen quickened his pace.

He no longer rode the wind but instead employed a travel technique learned at the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave—each step carried him dozens of zhang forward, appearing leisurely, yet faster than a galloping horse.

The closer he drew to his hometown, the more complex his emotions became.

Thirteen years had passed—were his parents still well?

Half a day later, the familiar silhouette of a city emerged on the horizon.

This was the royal capital of Jiang State.

But when Su Chen arrived at the former location of the Su residence, he found it had become the Li residence.

Su Chen’s heart clenched—had something happened to the Su family?

He silently calculated the celestial patterns, but he was not skilled in divination; he could only vaguely sense that his relatives were still alive, yet could not discern the specifics.

So Su Chen knocked on the Li residence’s gate and inquired, learning that the Su family had moved away from the capital several years after his departure, relocating to Mianshui County, not far from the capital.

Upon learning his family’s whereabouts, Su Chen hurried toward Mianshui County.

At dusk, the silhouette of a small county town finally appeared on the horizon.

“Mianshui County.”

The city walls were not tall, their surfaces scarred by wind and rain; compared to the grandeur of the capital, this place resembled an elderly man weathered by time.

At the city gate, several guards leaned lazily against the wall, inspecting incoming and outgoing civilians—not so much inspecting as opportunistically extorting bribes.

Su Chen concealed his aura, dressed in plain cloth, indistinguishable from villagers seeking livelihood in the city; the guards merely glanced at him and waved him through impatiently.

Inside the county town, the streets held few pedestrians, yet compared to the lifeless wasteland outside, they carried a faint trace of human warmth.

Based on information gathered along the way, Su Chen navigated several alleys and finally stopped before a courtyard.

The gate plaque was far less imposing than the former Su residence in the capital, merely the style of an ordinary wealthy household; the vermilion wooden door’s bronze rings had lost their luster.

No stone lions stood before the gate, only two worn stone pedestals.

Even the steps at the entrance bore a few stubborn blades of green grass.

The Su family had truly fallen.

Su Chen stood before the gate, gazing at the plaque bearing the characters “Su Residence,” his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Thirteen years ago, he had risen to fame as Jiang State’s top martial artist, and for the sake of immortality, he had left home without hesitation.

He had never imagined his departure would bring such upheaval to this family.

He raised his hand to knock on the door, but his arm felt as heavy as a thousand catties, unable to descend.

Just as he hesitated, laughter from children echoed behind him.

“Giddy-up! Giddy-up! Fast horse, run!”

A boy, about four or five years old, rode a bamboo pole, shouting commands as he dashed “tap-tap-tap” from the alley entrance.

Behind him followed a slightly older girl, about seven or eight, with twin buns, holding a string of candied hawthorns, laughing as she chased him.

“Brother, slow down! Don’t fall!”

The boy ran too fast, slipped, and fell with a “thud,” the bamboo pole rolling aside.

He did not cry, only pouted, climbed up by himself, and brushed the dust off his hands.

The girl rushed over, tenderly wiped the mud from his face, and offered him the candied hawthorns: “Don’t cry, don’t cry, sister has candy hawthorns for you.”

The boy’s eyes lit up at the sight of the candy, his face broke into a grin, and he grabbed the treat, shoving it into his mouth, sugar dripping everywhere.

Su Chen watched this scene, his gaze unconsciously softening.

He stepped forward, picked up the bamboo pole, and handed it to the boy.

“Thank you, uncle,” the boy mumbled through his candy.

The girl curiously studied Su Chen; seeing him stare fixedly at their gate, she asked brightly: “Uncle, who are you looking for?”

Su Chen smiled, crouched down, and softened his voice: “I’m looking for Su Yuanshan, Master Su.”

“You’re looking for my grandpa!” the girl’s eyes lit up, “My grandpa’s at home—I’ll take you in!”

Saying this, she grabbed Su Chen’s hand and ran confidently to the gate, standing on tiptoe to bang on the wooden door.

“Father! Mother! Open the door! Someone’s here to see Grandpa!”

Footsteps sounded inside, and after a moment, the door creaked open.

A retainer in coarse cloth poked his head out; seeing the children, he smiled: “Young Master, Miss, you’re back.”

When his gaze fell on Su Chen, he paused, eyes filled with confusion: “Who is this?”

“This uncle is here to see Grandpa!” the girl answered eagerly.

The retainer studied Su Chen; though dressed plainly, the man carried an extraordinary aura, so he dared not be careless: “Please wait a moment—I’ll inform Master Su.”

“No need,” a steady male voice came from within the courtyard.

Su Chen’s heart trembled—he recognized that voice all too well.

A middle-aged man in a blue long robe stepped out from inside.

His face bore seven-tenths resemblance to Su Chen’s, though his temples were streaked with frost.

It was Su Chen’s elder brother, Su Feng.

Su Feng saw Su Chen at the gate, froze for a moment, then seemed to recall something—his eyes widened, his lips trembled, and the book in his hand dropped with a “clatter.”

“L-Little brother?”

That single word—“little brother”—sent ripples through Su Chen’s steadfast Dao heart.

“Big brother,” he said.

Su Feng lunged forward, gripping Su Chen’s shoulders tightly, scanning him up and down, his eyes instantly reddening.

“You little rascal! You finally came back!” He punched Su Chen’s chest lightly, the force weak but heavy with years of longing and resentment, “Thirteen years! Thirteen whole years! Do you know how much Father and Mother missed you!”

The two children, startled by this sudden scene, stared dumbfounded as their father hugged a stranger, crying and laughing.

The girl tugged at Su Feng’s sleeve and whispered: “Father, who is this uncle?”

Su Feng wiped his tears, pulled the children close, pointed at Su Chen, voice trembling with emotion: “Foolish children, this is your Second Uncle! Quickly, say ‘Second Uncle!’”

“Second Uncle,” the children said in unison, staring curiously at Su Chen.

“Mm,” Su Chen replied, looking at these adorable nieces and nephew, warmth flooding his heart.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded from within the courtyard.

“Feng, who’s here?”

An elderly couple hurried out from the inner hall.

It was Su Chen’s parents, Su Yuanshan and Li Shi.

Thirteen years had passed—his father’s back was no longer straight, his mother’s hair was now snow-white.

Time had carved deep grooves into their faces.

When they saw the figure standing at the gate, they froze.

Li Shi covered her mouth, tears falling like broken beads.

“Chen’er… is my Chen’er back?”

Su Chen could hold back no longer—he rushed forward in three strides, fell to his knees before his parents, and bowed his head hard to the ground.

“Father, Mother, unworthy son Su Chen has returned!”

“You’re back, you’re back!” Su Yuanshan wept uncontrollably, stepping forward to lift Su Chen, patting his back repeatedly.

Li Shi seized Su Chen in a tight embrace, weeping loudly, as if pouring out thirteen years of longing and worry.

The entire family wept together; even Su Feng’s wife, a gentle woman, stood nearby, quietly wiping her tears.

Long after, their emotions gradually calmed.