Duke's Residence

Jiangnan, White Dragon River.

Before setting out.

Chen Sheng had not forgotten the vengeance of his family's destruction by drowning all those years ago.

This trip was merely a matter of convenience!

A mere band of brigands entrenched among the islands in the river.

—The Brocade Banner Bandits.

Chen Sheng did not even need to act personally.

As long as he found their trail and released three Puppets.

He could wipe them out completely.

High in the air.

Chen Sheng cast the Light Avoidance Art.

Concealing himself within the drifting clouds.

Riding the Azure Cloud Shuttle, he flew without a sound.

He repeatedly swept through several stretches of the river where the currents were treacherous and hidden reefs densely packed.

There were many small islands here.

Chen Sheng carefully scanned every island that might hold traces of a water stronghold with his spiritual sense.

Yet he found no bandit lair.

The Brocade Banner Bandits who had once occupied those islands.

Had vanished without a trace.

After several rounds of searching.

Chen Sheng instead witnessed a different scene.

The embankments were neatly maintained.

Newly planted weeping willows swayed gracefully.

The barren shoals had been reclaimed into orderly rice paddies.

The villages stood in neat rows, smoke curling from cooking fires.

Merchant ships streamed past like a woven tapestry, while fishermen answered one another in song.

It was a scene of peaceful prosperity.

Chen Sheng immediately understood:

"Time passes unnoticed within the residence."

"Twenty-three years have passed. The mortal world has long undergone vast changes."

"Judging by this sight, the troubled times must have ended, and peace has returned to the realm."

"Perhaps the river bandits washed their hands of the trade long ago."

Chen Sheng gently shook his head.

Unable to find them, he could only set the matter aside for now.

He looked out over the vast waters of the White Dragon River.

The swift current surged onward without end.

The roar of the waves remained the same!

Chen Sheng chuckled softly.

"Twenty-three years have changed the world."

"Only the river remains as it was, just like in the old days."

"I wonder how that kid Bai Li is doing."

"Is Old Man Bai still alive?"

With that thought.

Chen Sheng swallowed a Qi Replenishing Pill.

A gentle current of energy instantly spread through him.

Dispelling the slight fatigue caused by his prolonged low-altitude search and the sustained use of his arts.

The Green Light beneath Chen Sheng's Flying Shuttle blazed brightly.

He abruptly changed direction.

Following the mighty river upstream.

He sped toward.

The riverside cooking smoke from his memories!

Along the White Dragon River.

At a familiar yet unfamiliar river mouth.

The old scene had long since vanished.

Had the geography of the mountains and rivers not remained unchanged.

And the contours of the mountains on both banks not been etched into his memory.

Chen Sheng truly would not have dared to confirm it.

In his memories.

The low, dilapidated thatched fishermen's huts had disappeared without a trace.

In their place stood an immense complex of grand residences, with soaring eaves and elaborate brackets.

Vermilion gates rose high, and Stone Steps stood in solemn majesty.

Above the imposing gateway.

Hung a gilded imperial plaque.

It gleamed with an imposing light beneath the sun.

—Imperially Built Homeland of the Duke of England!

Chen Sheng lightly swept the place with his spiritual sense.

In an exquisite waterside pavilion by the river in the rear courtyard.

An old man dressed in a brocade casual robe was playing chess with someone.

It was Old Man Bai!

Joy welled up in Chen Sheng's heart.

An old friend still lives!

With that thought.

Chen Sheng guided his Escape Light down silently before the residence gates.

The Light Avoidance Art receded like the tide.

His figure gradually solidified.

The gatekeepers were not ordinary servants.

They were more than a dozen soldiers clad in standard cowhide light armor, sabers at their waists and sharp looks in their eyes.

Their leader was a stern-faced man.

An Old Soldier missing one arm.

The Old Soldier was currently leaning against the gate corridor.

His hawk-like gaze vigilantly scanned the road ahead.

The moment Chen Sheng appeared.

Without a sound.

It was as if he had stepped directly out of light and shadow!

"Who goes there?!"

The Old Soldier's pupils contracted sharply.

His remaining right hand instinctively gripped his sword hilt.

His body instantly tightened like a fully drawn bow.

The soldiers behind him also snapped awake in alarm.

A chorus of soft clinks rang out as swords were drawn.

Yet Chen Sheng remained calm. He cupped his hands in greeting, his voice clear.

"Please trouble yourself to announce me. An old friend has come to pay a visit."

Upon hearing this.

The one-armed Old Soldier looked Chen Sheng over, and his heart jolted!

The man before him wore an azure Daoist robe. He was exceptionally tall, and his bearing seemed utterly detached from the mortal world around him.

A figure with such transcendent air.

He had only seen them within the Royal Military Tent.

Every one of them had been an extraordinary person.

No wonder his appearance had been so unusual!

The Old Soldier did not dare be careless in the slightest. He respectfully cupped his hands.

"May I ask this gentleman's name?"

Chen Sheng nodded.

"I am Chen Sheng."

Upon hearing that.

The Old Soldier's brows immediately furrowed.

The name felt incomparably familiar.

His thoughts raced.

Then, all at once.

The Old Soldier suddenly understood.

Was this not Young Master Chen, whom the Old Master and the Duke had spoken of for years?

With that thought.

A smile immediately appeared on the one-armed Old Soldier's face.

He cupped his hands and bowed, his manner exceedingly respectful.

"So it is Mr. Chen."

"I did not know you had arrived, sir. Please forgive my discourtesy!"

"The Duke often speaks of you."

"The Old Master also mentioned you beforehand."

"There is no need to announce you. Please, come in at once!"

As he spoke.

He stepped aside and respectfully led the way.

Then he sharply barked at the soldiers behind him.

"Sheathe your blades! Do not be disrespectful!"

Chen Sheng had not expected this.

He could not help but chuckle inwardly.

Fugui hasn't forgotten his old friends after all!

He followed the Old Soldier through the gates.

Along the way.

They passed through courtyard after courtyard.

Flowers and trees shaded pavilions and waterside terraces.

An air of wealth and grandeur rushed over him.

Chen Sheng walked unhurriedly.

Before long, he was led to the rear courtyard.

Within the waterside pavilion.

The chess game had been interrupted.

"Old Master, Mr. Chen has arrived."

Old Man Bai, his silver hair white as snow, turned around in confusion.

Though he was already past seventy, his body remained robust.

As the saying went: one's surroundings shape one's bearing, and one's nourishment shapes one's body!

Old Man Bai's complexion was rosy and full of vitality.

He actually looked several years younger than he had back then.

The two met each other's eyes.

Old Man Bai was slightly taken aback.

He carefully examined the tall figure before him.

He found him incomparably familiar.

Yet for the moment, he could not remember who he was!

Chen Sheng, however, smiled as he cupped his hands.

"Old Mr. Bai, do you still remember Chen Sheng?"

"Thank you for saving my life when you jumped into the river all those years ago."

Old Man Bai's eyes suddenly erupted with immense delight.

"Young Master Chen?!"

He shot to his feet.

He even knocked over the chessboard.

The Jade Chess Pieces clattered across the floor!

Old Man Bai hurried forward in a few strides.

Both hands seized Chen Sheng's arms.

He carefully examined that familiar young face:

"It really is Young Master Chen."

"Where have you been these past twenty years, Young Master?"

"Li has been searching for you all these years!"

"We thought..."

"Heaven truly has eyes! Heaven truly has eyes!"

Old friends reunited after a long separation.

Old Man Bai was so overcome that tears filled his eyes.

Chen Sheng was also greatly delighted and casually explained:

"Old Mr. Bai, thank you for remembering me."

"I have been cultivating in the deep mountains with my master all these years and never came down."

Old Man Bai suddenly understood:

"No wonder, no wonder."

Before long.

The two sat by the window in the waterside pavilion.

The Maid served fragrant tea nearby.

Old Man Bai gradually calmed down.

His face glowed with vitality.

He seemed to have grown much younger all at once.

Chen Sheng then asked:

"How have you all been these past years?"

At those words.

Old Man Bai immediately grew excited.

Holding Chen Sheng's hand, he rambled on:

"This old man's later years have all been blessed by you and Li, Young Master!"

"I have enjoyed every worldly luxury."

"Thank you for teaching Bai Li such fine skills back then..."

Old Man Bai's words were filled with pride.

He slowly began recounting the experiences of these past years:

When Bai Li was a youth.

As soon as his martial arts reached fruition, he could kill Roaming Bandits.

He protected the local people and struck fear throughout the region!

Later, chaos engulfed the realm.

Bai Li led the villagers into the army.

He fought his way south and north...

Until, a few years ago, the land was finally pacified.

Bai Li was granted the title Duke of England.

He stood first among the Six Dukes.

Chen Sheng smiled faintly and nodded gently.

Back then, he had worried that after Bai Li attained success in the martial path.

He would grow arrogant and bring disaster upon himself!

He had vaguely mentioned that "the Immortal Path was elusive, yet undeniably real" and that "Destiny Returns to Chen."

It seemed.

The kid had been fairly obedient.

He joined Wang's army, followed the will of fate, and ultimately achieved his reward.