Family Accompanies

The carriage left the west gate of the county town, and the road gradually shifted from blue stone slabs to packed dirt.

Reeds on both sides rustled in the morning breeze, and occasionally a few egrets rose from the marsh, gliding past the faintly glimmering sea in the distance.

Old Zhou drove steadily, the carriage barely jolting. Chen Yuan sat on the side seat, watching the outline of the fishing village grow clearer ahead, his mind already picturing his family's faces—

He wanted to first tell his grandfather about taking a master. The old man was always steady and would surely calm his parents' emotions first. He wanted to describe the Listening Tide Courtyard at the martial hall in detail to his grandmother, so she'd rest easy knowing he lived well. He also wanted to lift Xiao Li into the carriage and tell her the county town's candied fruit shop had licorice apricots even sweeter than sesame candy.

After about three-quarters of an hour, a familiar fishing song came from ahead—Chen Yuan's spirits lifted. Just as he was about to speak, Old Zhou slowed the carriage and pointed ahead. "Young master, isn't that an elder from your family?"

Chen Yuan followed his gaze. Beneath the old locust tree at the village entrance, an old man in a faded, washed-thin coarse cloth vest stood peering out, leaning on a tobacco pipe. The wood grain of the pipe was familiar—it was made from an oar of the old Sea Swallow. It was his grandfather, Chen Tie Mao.

"Grandpa!" Chen Yuan shouted, vaulting off the side seat and sprinting over.

Chen Tie Mao turned at the sound. His clouded eyes first landed on Chen Yuan, then were drawn to the carriage behind him. The hand holding the pipe trembled slightly.

When Chen Yuan reached him, he reached out and felt Chen Yuan's arm, then looked at the carriage's bronze fittings. His voice was a little hoarse. "Back? This... is the martial hall's carriage?"

"Master arranged it, specially to pick you and Mom and Dad up for the apprenticeship ceremony in the county town." Chen Yuan supported his grandfather's arm, lowering his voice. "Grandpa, I've become a Personal Disciple of Martial Hall Master Zhao Canghai."

Chen Tie Mao froze. The pipe slipped through his fingers before he gripped it tightly again.

He stared at Chen Yuan for a long moment, then suddenly raised a hand and patted his shoulder. The force wasn't heavy, but it carried a weighty pride. "Good... good boy. Didn't disgrace the Chen family. Your dad and mom went to the dock early to see the Flying Swallow. I told them you'd be back today, but they said you were busy at the martial hall. Your grandma and Second Aunt are home with Xiao He, should have food ready. Your Second Uncle's on duty at the town fish market—he probably won't hear the news until later."

As he spoke, Xiao Li's crisp cheers rang out from afar. "Brother! Brother's back!"

Chen Yuan looked up. Lin Sanniang was holding Xiao Li's hand, and Chen Dahai was carrying a newly mended fishing net, running from the dock.

Xiao Li broke free from her mother's grip, darting over like a little sparrow. She hugged Chen Yuan's leg and looked up. "Brother, your carriage is so pretty! Prettier than Village Head Wang's!"

"Yeah? Then I'll let you ride in it later, and we'll go to the county town together, okay?" Chen Yuan laughed, scooping up Xiao Li and pinching her cheek. He pulled out the sesame candy he'd prepared earlier. "Bought this for you. Eat it on the way."

"Yay!" Xiao Li took the candy, peeled one open, and stuffed it into her mouth, then pointed at the carriage. "Brother, can those two horses run really fast? Can they catch up to the Flying Swallow?"

The comment made everyone laugh. Lin Sanniang stepped closer, giving Chen Yuan a thorough once-over. Seeing his healthy complexion and that he looked sturdier than last time, she relaxed.

She reached out and touched the carriage curtain, then glanced at Old Zhou, who was climbing down from the rear compartment. Her eyes reddened slightly. "Making you trouble Master Zhou to come all this way for the martial hall..."

"You're too kind, ma'am. It's my duty." Old Zhou smiled quickly in reply, then lifted two gold-painted lacquer boxes from the carriage. "These are gifts from the martial hall for you and Uncle. Just some everyday dried goods and tonic pills."

Chen Dahai came over, net on his shoulder, eyeing the carriage's ebony body and then the Wave-Splitting Blade at Chen Yuan's waist. He grinned. "Yuan'er, being a Personal Disciple really is different! Come on, let's go home! Your grandma got up early to steam corn cakes and stir-fried dried fish. She said you need hot food when you get back."

The group headed home. Xiao Li insisted on sitting on the carriage's side seat while Old Zhou led the horse slowly. She chattered nonstop along the way. "Master Zhou, are there big restaurants in the county town? Are there ships bigger than the Flying Swallow? Can all the senior brothers and sisters at the martial hall beat up Sea Beasts?"

Old Zhou, gentle-natured, answered each question with a smile. Occasionally, he'd point at a seabird in the distance. "The county dock has Magic Ships, some several times bigger than the Flying Swallow. They've got Runes on the bottom, so they fly across the sea. The young master will take you to see them one day."

When they reached the Chen family courtyard, Grandmother Zhang Shi was sitting on the threshold of the main hall, mending clothes. In her hands was a coarse cloth shirt Chen Yuan had worn out last year.

Hearing the commotion at the gate, she set down her needle and thread, pushed herself up using the doorframe, and spotted Chen Yuan and the carriage. A smile immediately spread across her face. "Yuan'er's back! Come in, come in! The cakes are still warm in the pot, and the dried fish is hot too."

Chen Yuan helped his grandmother inside and handed her the blue fabric he'd bought. "Grandma, this is the best soft silk from the county cloth shop. Make yourself a new dress to wear to the apprenticeship ceremony."

Zhang Shi took the fabric, felt its fine texture, looked at Chen Yuan, and smiled. "Good, good. Grandma will wear new clothes and watch my Yuan'er take a master."

Second Aunt hurried out of the house too, with Chen He peeking curiously from behind.

When she learned Chen Yuan had become the Martial Hall Master's Personal Disciple and was taking everyone to the county town to watch the ceremony, she was both surprised and delighted, offering repeated congratulations.

Chen He stared at the blade at Chen Yuan's waist and the carriage at the gate, his eyes full of admiration and longing.

The family gathered around the table. Chen Yuan ate while recounting his experiences at the martial hall—how it felt to break through to the Skin Grinding Realm, the authority and care of his master Zhao Canghai, the guidance of Second Senior Disciple Brother Zhang Zhenshan, and the warmth of Fifth Senior Disciple Brother Wang Meng and Sixth Senior Disciple Sister Sun Yun.

Chen Tie Mao listened most intently, occasionally asking, "Is the technique Master taught you hard?" or "Did you get hurt sparring with anyone?" Chen Yuan answered each question.

After the meal, Chen Yuan said to Old Zhou, "Uncle Zhou, I'll need you to take a detour. Let's stop by the town fish market to pick up my Second Uncle."

"Sure thing, young master. I know the town roads well." Old Zhou agreed readily.

The family began bustling about, packing up. There wasn't much luggage—just a few clean sets of clothes.

Lin Sanniang bundled up several large packs of homemade salted dried fish and seaweed, insisting Chen Yuan bring them for his master and fellow disciples to try.

Old Zhou stepped in with a smile, quickly and efficiently stowing everything in the spacious carriage.

The carriage first headed for the town. The fish market was in a town not far from Iron Clothes Village, about a half-hour's ride.

At the fish market entrance, Chen Yuan jumped down and spotted his Second Uncle, Chen Dajiang, in a slightly worn blue linen robe. He sat behind the counter, clicking away on an abacus, checking accounts.

"Second Uncle!" Chen Yuan called.

Chen Dajiang looked up at the sound. Seeing Chen Yuan, he first smiled, then noticed the carriage and his family inside. He froze, forgetting the abacus in his hands.

"Yuan'er? This... what's going on?" He quickly stood and came out.

Chen Yuan briefly explained about taking a master and Master sending the carriage to pick them up.

Chen Dajiang listened, stunned. His face was a mix of joy and disbelief. "Personal Disciple of the Martial Hall Master? And he specially sent a carriage for us? This... this is an incredible honor!"

He was so excited he stumbled over his words. He hurriedly asked the counter manager for leave.

The manager had already heard the commotion. He poked his head out, saw the martial hall's carriage and Chen Yuan's bearing, and beamed. "Brother Dajiang, go, go! This is a great joy for your family! The accounts can wait."

Chen Dajiang thanked him repeatedly, packed up quickly, and followed Chen Yuan onto the carriage.

The carriage grew even livelier. Chen Dajiang looked at the comfortable interior and the generous gifts from the martial hall, listening to the family's excited chatter. He was deeply moved and kept saying, "Yuan'er's really made something of himself, really..."

The whole group was finally together. The carriage started again, heading straight for Lin Hai County. Chen Yuan sat on the side seat, feeling the morning breeze on his face. He looked up at the distant sea, where dawn light spilled across the waves, gleaming gold.

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