Family

Otherwise, Rank 6 at its peak would be the limit for humans.

As for mages, as long as they had a meditation method and decent talent, a small number could still cultivate to Rank 7 Mage at around seventy years of age.

However, a Rank 7 Archmage over seventy had no possibility of breaking through to Rank 8 Archmage before reaching the limit of one hundred and twenty years. Their achievements in this life would end there.

But regardless, a Rank 7 Mage possessed greater strength and status than a Rank 7 Warrior.

Of course, no matter how poor Locke's talent was, he would at least be able to become a High Mage by the time he was seventy or eighty.

As a result, the Manla Family received considerable care from the villagers because of Locke, and their circumstances had improved greatly compared to before.

After all, if Locke grew stronger in the future, he would certainly become Pu'er Village's greatest support.

When Locke said this, Carlet carefully examined his face for a few moments before finally finding some familiar traces.

"So it's little Locke."

After recognizing Locke, the taut string in Carlet's heart finally loosened.

"Not long ago, the Manla Family received your letter saying that you would return after some time. I didn't expect you to arrive so soon."

"Mm. The Fifth Legion was defeated by the Temple of Light. I stayed in Bidia City during this period, and after confirming that the Fifth Legion would not be reorganized, I didn't return to the army and came straight back."

"It's good that you're back, good that you're back."

Carlet smiled and patted Locke on the shoulder.

Locke's willingness to return to Pu'er Village was undoubtedly good news for the village.

If Pu'er Village had a mage stationed there, then whether they encountered magical beasts attacking the village or exploitation by outside merchant caravans, they would have enough confidence to resist.

Overall, with Locke back, the villagers of Pu'er Village would certainly see a huge increase in their income.

After all, the merchant caravans had raised the price they paid for medicinal herbs somewhat because Pu'er Village had produced a mage, but how could that compare to the increase brought by the mage himself returning to the village?

"Oh, right, Locke. Your father built a new house on the eastern side of the village. Your family has already moved there, so you won't find your parents here. Go this way, then keep going straight. You'll arrive after passing a few intersections."

Once he recognized Locke, Carlet immediately understood why Locke had been standing there for so long.

After all, Locke's childhood home was not far ahead. Having returned and failed to find his family in the familiar place, it was only natural that he would feel somewhat lost.

Carlet promptly explained where his family lived now.

"Thank you, Captain Carlet."

After nodding gratefully to Captain Carlet, Locke immediately followed the direction he had indicated. About ten minutes later, he arrived at the entrance to his home.

As for how Locke knew this was his home...

"Mother, I'm back."

Seeing the middle-aged woman at the doorway drying Pu'er, Locke quietly approached behind her and spoke softly.

Hearing Locke's voice, the woman suddenly turned around. The moment she saw him, she was overjoyed.

She set down the Pu'er in her hands, wiped her palms on her clothes, and pulled Locke into the house.

Though they had not seen each other for more than ten years, a mother would never mistake her own child.

What was more, Locke had sent them a letter only a few months ago, saying that he might return after some time.

As she walked, she kept talking to Locke. "Locke, you're back!"

"Have you eaten? Are you hungry?"

"Oh, you've gotten so thin..."

Though they were only ordinary household remarks, Locke deeply felt his mother's love for him.

"Big Brother!"

Less than half an hour later, a young man around twenty and a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties stepped into the house.

Both were extremely happy to see Locke.

One of them was Locke's father, Manla.

The young man was Cole, Locke's younger brother by three years.

After confirming Locke's identity, Carlet had hurriedly sent someone to notify Locke's father and younger brother. The two of them had rushed back from the fields where they grew Pu'er.

Though they had not seen each other for many years, their feelings had not faded with time.

Looking at the additional gray hairs and wrinkles on his father's and mother's faces, Locke sighed softly to himself.

His mother was merely an ordinary village woman. Although his father had trained for a time and served for several years in the village guard, he was only a Rank 4 Warrior even now.

Moreover, his father's strength had begun to decline. He might now possess only the strength of a Rank 3 Warrior.

As for his younger brother Cole, he was currently at his peak. He was a Rank 5 Warrior serving in Pu'er Village's guard.

As Locke's strength increased, he had begun to vaguely sense a person's state of life.

His mother had roughly twenty years left to live.

His father would live somewhat longer, perhaps around thirty years.

His younger brother's life force was still extremely vigorous, with no sign of decline. His future remained uncertain.

Over the next few days, the villagers of Pu'er Village took turns visiting Locke's home. Locke did not put on the airs of a mage. Instead, as a junior, he chatted with everyone in the village and listened as they praised his parents for raising such a promising son.

One day, a carriage arrived at Pu'er Village and, led by a villager, came to Locke's home.

"President Luqi?"

Locke was somewhat surprised when he saw President Luqi.

He had thought that President Luqi and the members of those merchant caravans had already returned.

"Lord Locke."

Upon seeing Locke, President Luqi immediately rose, bowed and scraped, and respectfully saluted him.

"Fulin offended you. I have already dismissed Fulin and demanded the wages paid to him back from him."

"Because Fulin had already given that money to his son for his marriage and was unable to repay it, while his son and daughter-in-law refused to repay the debt on his behalf, they have now been thrown into prison..."

"Mm."

After hearing President Luqi's words, Locke merely gave a soft acknowledgment.

Fulin was only a coachman who had given him a ride for part of the journey. They had no real connection, and Locke had no need to take responsibility for Fulin's future.

Locke's attitude toward President Luqi, as well as President Luqi's attitude toward Locke, gave the villagers watching nearby a more tangible sense of Locke's status.

At the same time, they felt even more pride.

This was the most promising child from their village!

And even though he had become successful, he remained humble and polite toward elders like them.

Seeing that Locke had little reaction, President Luqi grew somewhat flustered.

He had never imagined that he had merely wanted to give Lord Locke a carriage and a coachman, only for that coachman to anger Lord Locke.

Stupid as a pig!

I only hope Lord Locke is somewhat satisfied with how I handled this and will not take his anger out on me...