Where are you going so late at night?

The train from Demon Capital to Huai City slowly pulled out of the station at half past five in the evening.

"So this is it, I'm a bit reluctant to leave..." Chu Xiongtian sat by the window, watching the scenery recede outside, then turned to Lin Shuguang with a hint of emotion, unable to help but smile, as if he too found himself a little sentimental at the moment.

Lin Shuguang chuckled at that. "It's just a twenty-day break, and you'll be back before you know it. When that time comes, you won't be able to run even if you want to."

Chu Xiongtian's face immediately fell. "Well, that killed the parting feeling real quick."

Just then, Lin Shuguang's phone chimed with a notification. He glanced down—three million nine hundred thousand had been credited to his account.

Cao Chao had also sent him a message; he and Han Yi had both paid the remaining balance.

Lin Shuguang put away his phone and heard Chu Xiongtian speak again. "Brother Lin, when are you heading to the bureau to report?"

"Tomorrow, I guess. By the time I get home tonight, it'll be around eight or nine." As Lin Shuguang spoke, he thought about the Blood Desolate Land matter. Si Qianjun had avoided saying too much over the phone to prevent eavesdropping, so he had no idea how far things had progressed.

Chu Xiongtian still didn't know the inside story of the Blood Desolate Land, so he didn't dwell on it. He grinned cheerfully. "Then I'll go tomorrow too. I'll get a good rest tonight. To catch up with you guys, I nearly threw my life away. Talent really does matter!

I might grind twelve hours a day just to match what you do in one hour of training—it's pure torment.

Oh, by the way, Boss Lin, did Young Master Meng mention that he's planning to come to Huai City too?"

"Him?" Lin Shuguang paused, glanced around, and didn't spot Meng Shenzhou anywhere. He raised an eyebrow. "Did he say when?"

Chu Xiongtian shook his head. "He didn't say. Probably waiting for his family to give the green light. Guys from big families like his worry about being targeted when they go out. Especially now that the Divine Temple is suddenly grabbing people everywhere—it's got everyone on edge."

Lin Shuguang's eyes flickered.

Both Fulong Cave and the Blood Desolate Land had stirred up trouble, possibly even connected to the legendary gods.

With that happening right before, and the Divine Temple suddenly making a move to capture young martial artists right after, there had to be some inevitable link between the two.

Lin Shuguang didn't believe the Divine Temple was arresting people without a purpose.

Chu Xiongtian brought up a few trivial matters, but when he noticed Lin Shuguang had lost interest in chatting, he tactfully ended the conversation.

Lin Shuguang began to rest with his eyes closed.

With a thought, he pulled up his attribute panel.

His Blood Energy Value had already broken through to 38,240 calories. Back when he left Huai City, how much had it been... He'd long forgotten the exact number, but who else could boast a surge of twenty thousand calories in just over a hundred days?

His cultivation had even shot up to the level of Bone Forging Thirty-Seven Rings.

Now, he was truly a different man.

"This... I guess you could call it returning home in glory." Lin Shuguang couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

Beside him, Chu Xiongtian noticed the smile on Lin Shuguang's lips and was curious, but wisely didn't ask.

Past eight in the evening.

The two got off the train. Lin Haiyang, Mother Lin, and his younger sister Lin Xiaoxi were all waiting outside the platform.

"Brother!!!" Lin Xiaoxi's sharp eyes spotted Lin Shuguang walking out with Chu Xiongtian, and she immediately shouted, waving vigorously.

Seeing this, Lin Shuguang's face finally broke into a wider smile as he waved back.

Chu Xiongtian grinned. "Well, Boss Lin, I'll head off then."

"Alright, take it easy."

"See you tomorrow."

After saying goodbye to Chu Xiongtian, Lin Shuguang picked up his luggage and walked toward his family.

"Your mother kept saying you wouldn't take care of yourself over there, always worrying you'd gotten thin. But I think you look fine—sturdier, even." Lin Haiyang walked up with a smile, squeezing Lin Shuguang's shoulder, his face beaming.

He reached out to take Lin Shuguang's luggage, but Lin Shuguang chuckled. "It's fine, it's not heavy. I'll carry it myself."

He turned to look at Mother Lin. "Mom."

Mother Lin was all smiles too. "You haven't eaten dinner yet, have you? Come on, let's head back quickly."

"Brother, Mom heard you were coming home tonight, so she went to the market early this morning to buy stuff for a good meal." Lin Xiaoxi butted in to announce her presence.

Lin Shuguang laughed and reached out to ruffle the little girl's head. "Then let's go home and eat."

"Brother, can I have some Big Red Porridge tonight?" Lin Xiaoxi's face was full of anticipation.

She'd been craving it for a full hundred days—heaven knew how she'd managed to hold out this long.

But Lin Shuguang just gave her a harmless smile, ruffled her hair again as if he hadn't heard a thing, picked up his luggage, and strode ahead.

Lin Xiaoxi stood there, stunned.

Had her brother not heard her clearly?

"Brother, wait for me!"

After more than three months, he was finally back in the familiar home. Lin Shuguang sat on the sofa, the TV in front of him stuck on a news channel. He didn't bother watching what was playing, instead taking in the cozy little house with a heart full of emotion.

He realized, somewhat, that he already felt out of place here.

"Brother!"

Just as he was thinking, a figure suddenly pounced into his arms. Lin Xiaoxi looked up at him with eager eyes. "Brother, the Big Red Porridge—"

"What Big Red Porridge?" Lin Shuguang asked, his face full of innocent confusion.

"It's that super red congee you made for me before—really, really red congee." Lin Xiaoxi racked her brains trying to describe it clearly, but no matter how she went on, it came out too vague.

Lin Shuguang shook his head and patted her head. "You must be remembering wrong. I never made that for you."

"You did! You definitely did! I remember it really clearly..."

"Then describe it to me."

"It's, um, it's..."

Before his sister could finish describing it, Lin Shuguang pulled a pile of snacks from his bag. "These are all treats I brought back from the Demon Capital for you. Take a look."

Lin Xiaoxi instantly forgot all about the red congee, her eyes lighting up as she charged over.

Lin Shuguang quietly slipped away, leaving no trace of his good deed, and headed to the kitchen. "Mom, make less. I've been sitting in the car all the way, not that hungry."

"Alright, alright. Go rest for a bit."

Before long.

The family gathered around the table.

For Lin Haiyang and the others, this was Lin Shuguang's first time traveling far from home, and their tone carried more worry and relief.

But for Lin Shuguang, this was the fastest he'd ever returned home.

In the past, he always had to stay away for several years.

The family ate and drank, filled with laughter and chatter.

Lin Shuguang relaxed and enjoyed it all.

It was probably only at home, basking in this warmth, that he would set aside all his sharp edges.

After the meal.

Lin Xiaoxi was messing around in the living room, occasionally tossing a throw pillow at Lin Shuguang, hinting for him to join the fray.

But Lin Shuguang's attention was caught by the news playing on TV.

"A beast attack with fatalities on Longhu Road. Police have sealed off the scene... Exclusive report."

Lin Shuguang stood up. "Mom, Dad, I'm heading out for a bit. I'll be right back."

"Bro, won't you play with me?"

"Wait for your brother to come back."

Mother Lin poked her head out of the kitchen, puzzled. "Where are you going this late at night?"

"A friend's place had some trouble. I'm going to check it out."

"Did you bring any money?"

"I don't need any. Won't take long..."

Having just stepped through the front door not long ago, Lin Shuguang changed his shoes and left, calling Si Qianjun on the way. "I'm back in Huai City. Heading to Longhu Road now. I'll handle it."

At home.

Lin Haiyang came out of the bathroom, looking stunned. "Where's Shuguang?"

"Said he went to see a friend."

"This late at night..." Lin Haiyang muttered with a frown, but his gaze was soon drawn to the same news on TV. His frown deepened as he murmured, "Has it gotten this serious already?"