Let's Climb the Mountain Together

Early the next morning, when Tang San set out, there was an extra little girl bouncing along beside him, with a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman following behind.

"How much farther is it?" Xiao Wu looked around and asked casually.

"We're almost there. See that mountain over there? Holy Soul Village is at its foot." With home so close, Tang San could not help feeling excited.

"Is home really that wonderful?" Seeing how excited Tang San was, Gu Yuena asked in confusion.

Tang San looked at Gu Yuena in surprise. "Home is a harbor where the soul can rest after enduring the hardships of the world. Every journey home is a pleasure, and every return brings a surprise. Haven't you ever gone home?"

A surprise? In a moment, that surprise will probably turn into a scare!

Gu Chen, who had memorized the plot, thought to himself.

Gu Chen took Gu Yuena's hand and said apologetically to Tang San, "Sorry to spoil your mood. Gu Yuena and I have been orphans since childhood, so we've never experienced what having a home feels like. That's why she asked you that."

Gu Chen made up a backstory on the spot, though it was not entirely wrong. After all, they had been born from the Dragon God's division. Calling themselves orphans was not exactly inaccurate.

Tang San felt deeply apologetic upon hearing this. "I'm sorry. I brought up something painful..."

Gu Chen waved a hand, showing that he did not mind.

Before long, the group entered Holy Soul Village. Tang San's home was at the entrance to the village. He raised a hand and pointed at the shabby sign on the roof. "Look! That's my home."

With home right before his eyes, Tang San became involuntarily excited. His pace quickened, and he reached the door in just a few strides.

Because of Tang Hao's habits, the door to Tang San's home had not been closed, just as it had been when he left. There was nothing worth stealing in such a small blacksmith shop anyway.

"Dad, I'm back!" Tang San shouted excitedly.

Xiao Wu had never seen Tang San this emotional before. She stood behind him, watching him curiously.

"Oh, Little San, you're back." A gentle voice sounded as someone emerged from the inner room.

The newcomer was aged and frail, yet his eyes remained sharp and strong.

Tang San froze when he saw him. "Grandpa Jack, you're here too? Where's my father?"

Seeing the renowned beginner-village chief, Old Jack, Gu Chen could not help paying him a little more attention.

Old Jack gave a bitter smile. "Take a look. Your father left this behind. I came to see him this morning because I wanted him to come pick you up with me, but I didn't expect you to have already returned."

The excitement on Tang San's face turned into anxiety. He silently took the paper and began reading.

See? A surprise turned into a scare in seconds.

Gu Chen held Gu Yuena's hand and did not disturb him.

After reading the letter, Tang San's mood sank completely. He even asked the Old Jack he respected so much to leave.

Old Jack departed, leaving only Tang San, Gu Chen, and the others in the blacksmith shop. Tang San said nothing and silently began tidying the messy room.

"Ding!"

"Having detected the host's current situation, the daily choice system has been activated:

A. Help Tang San clean up the room.

B. Stay out of it; it has nothing to do with you.

C. Mock him sarcastically and worsen the relationship."

I choose A.

Gu Chen walked over to Tang San with Gu Yuena and helped him put everything back in order.

It was only a small matter, something easily done in passing.

Xiao Wu came in from outside with a scoop of clean water and began wiping down the furniture.

As the sun slanted westward, four small figures sat side by side in front of the blacksmith shop.

The Scorpion Braid girl on the far left tilted her head toward the ordinary-looking boy in the middle. Resting her chin on her hands, she seemed to want to say something, but ultimately held it back.

"Xiao Wu, Gu Laoda, Sister Na'er, thank you." It was the ordinary-looking boy who spoke.

"Thank you for staying with me all this time." Tang San lowered his head and stared at the ground, his eyes seeming somewhat unfocused and misty.

"Don't worry. Your father has only left temporarily. Everyone has their own ambitions. Once he finishes what he needs to do, he'll definitely come back for you. After all, you're his only son!" Gu Chen patted Tang San on the shoulder.

Tang San winced in pain. His shoulder felt like it was about to shatter. Gu Chen was incredibly strong; just one light pat was already more than Tang San could bear.

At that moment, Xiao Wu shook her head, swinging her long Scorpion Braid to the front. "Even without your father, you still have friends like us. If you insist on finding a relative, I don't mind being your big sister. Come on, call me Sister Xiao Wu."

Seeing Xiao Wu's pretty appearance and her rosy little face illuminated by the setting sun's afterglow, Tang San could not help smiling.

"If you're willing to be my little sister, I don't object. If I remember correctly, we're the same age, but you seem to be a few months younger than me."

"Not a chance! I'll only be the big sister, never the little sister!" Xiao Wu raised her hand and knocked Tang San on the head irritably.

Romantic relationships all develop from being brother and sister!

Gu Chen silently complained, though his eyes instinctively turned toward Gu Yuena beside him.

Gu Yuena was hugging her knees, her amethyst-like eyes gazing dreamily at the sunset as though she were pondering something. Her long silver hair fell to the ground, and several strands drifted in the breeze before quietly settling in Gu Chen's palm.

Then Tang San's body flashed as he darted forward, stopping three meters in front of Gu Chen and the others. His expression was extremely serious, as though he had made some decision. "Xiao Wu, Gu Laoda, Sister Na'er, come climb the mountain with me. I have something to show you."

Climb... climb the mountain?!

Gu Chen's expression became exceedingly strange. Is he going to silence us?

Xiao Wu did not think that much about it and followed him directly.

Gu Chen knew what was about to happen. He was only surprised that Tang San had invited both him and Gu Yuena along.

Taking Gu Yuena's soft, boneless little hand, Gu Chen followed Tang San up the mountain.

Tang San stood at the mountain peak facing the setting sun, his eyes already filled with purple.

"Xiao Wu, this is where I used to train. I want to ask you a question seriously, and I hope you'll answer me seriously."

Xiao Wu instinctively snapped back, "Were you a towel in your past life? Why are you so twisted up?"

The next second, Xiao Wu immediately realized what she had done. "Sorry, Little San. After learning so much from Gu Laoda, I just snapped at you without thinking. Ask whatever you want."

She completely failed to notice Gu Chen's dark expression not far away...

The perfect atmosphere was instantly ruined, but Tang San still forced himself to continue. "Xiao Wu, I truly hope I can have a little sister like you. Although I can't give you the things nobles possess, I can give you a promise—I will always protect my little sister and never let her suffer even the slightest harm."

Looking into Tang San's eyes, Xiao Wu's eyes gradually reddened. "What if one day, many people want to kill me, and those people are stronger than you?"

A faint smile suddenly appeared on Tang San's face. "Then ask them to step over my corpse first."