Returning in the Cold of Winter

The fleet sailed into Lin Hai County's dock with some close calls but no real danger, arriving just as dusk fell.

Compared to the sprawling noise of Tian Nan Prefecture City, the dock at Lin Hai felt familiar and welcoming.

Though much smaller in scale, the salty, fishy tang of the harbor air and the familiar shouts and faces gave Chen Yuan and the others, who had been away for days, a sense of grounding.

It was year-end, and the dock carried a growing atmosphere of the approaching New Year.

Red lanterns hung outside some warehouse doors, not yet lit, but they stood out sharply against the gray winter evening.

People hurried past, faces etched with the eagerness of reunion after a year of hard work.

Occasionally, children chased and played, setting off a small firecracker with a sharp "pop," drawing laughter and scolding from adults.

"Finally home!"

Wang Meng let out a long sigh and stretched hard, as if shaking off all the fatigue and tension of the journey.

Sun Yun's cold face softened a little.

Li Wei and Zhou Tai immediately got busy, directing the boatmen to dock and handing over cargo documents to the Four Seas Trading Company steward, who had been waiting on the pier.

The handover went smoothly. Though the trip to the prefecture city had its minor troubles, overall, it had been quite fruitful.

"Instructor Li, Chief Escort Zhou, we owe much to your martial school's disciples for their help, especially these young lads—truly, heroes emerge from youth!" The steward smiled broadly as he looked over the list.

He then handed over a bulging money pouch. "This is the agreed payment. Additionally, the boss instructed an extra thirty percent as a token of thanks."

Li Wei took the pouch, weighed it in his hand, and smiled back. "You're too kind, Steward. It was our duty. Since the goods are handed over, we'll head back to the school to report to the Hall Master."

"Of course, of course. Give my regards to Hall Master Zhao!"

After bidding farewell to the steward, Li Wei led Chen Yuan, Wang Meng, and Sun Yun straight back to Blackwater Martial Arts School.

Along the way, they ran into familiar neighbors or school disciples, all greeting them and asking about their time in the prefecture city. Hearing they'd returned safely, everyone said, "Good to have you back—just in time for the New Year."

By the time they reached the school, lanterns were already lit.

The school was decorated with lanterns and bunting, adding to the festive mood.

A disciple at the gate called out to Chen Yuan, "Senior Disciple Brother Chen, a middle-aged accountant named Chen Dajiang, who claims to be your uncle, came looking for you a few days ago. Since you weren't in, he left a message."

"He said the family's been better off these past two months and just bought a Green Canopy Carriage, tied up at the town's horse market. If you're back, send word, and he'll drive over to pick you up, so you don't have to suffer the bitter cold."

A warm current surged through Chen Yuan's heart. He nodded in thanks. "Thank you for telling me, Junior Disciple Brother."

He then quickly followed the others into the school.

Soon after, learning of their return, Hall Master Zhao Canghai summoned them to the main hall for a talk.

"Master!"

The four entered the main hall and bowed respectfully.

Zhao Canghai sat at the head, his complexion ruddy, his aura even more condensed than before—as if his cultivation had advanced further.

His wife, Liu Ru, sat quietly behind him to the side, gently fingering a string of Agarwood Prayer Beads. She wore a pale blue brocade jacket embroidered with silver plum blossom patterns, her hair coiled neatly and pinned with a simple White Jade Hairpin. As the disciples entered, she nodded slightly, a warm smile on her lips, her eyes kindly resting on each travel-worn disciple.

Zhao Canghai's gaze swept over the four, pausing briefly on Chen Yuan. He nodded. "Good to have you back. How did the trip to the prefecture city go? Tell me in detail."

Li Wei stepped forward and reported the mission's details, the sights in the city, and especially how Old Master Shen, at a hundred and thirty, had broken through to the Food Absorption stage with vigor, and how on the return journey, they encountered a Demonic Beast assault on the Pinghai Division's defenses, with everyone joining forces to fight. He recounted everything thoroughly.

When he heard about the ceremony at Qingwu Peak, even Zhao Canghai sighed regretfully at missing such a grand event.

But when he learned that Chen Yuan had killed a peer with a sharp saber technique and even cooperated with Zhou Tai and Li Wei to slay a second-rank Demonic Beast, Zhao Canghai's usually calm face showed undisguised shock.

"Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment, and you can already injure a second-rank Demonic Beast across ranks?"

Zhao Canghai stood abruptly, his eyes sharp as lightning, scrutinizing Chen Yuan. "Yuan'er, come forward."

Chen Yuan obeyed. Zhao Canghai reached out and placed his fingers on Chen Yuan's pulse, sending a gentle yet vast force probing inward. After sensing carefully, his shock didn't fade. "Indeed, Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment, the Stone Skin Realm, and with a solid foundation. The cold energy from your saber technique has already merged into your force. Good! Good! Good!"

He said "good" three times in a row, clearly deeply stirred.

How long had it been? This Final Disciple of his had already grown to such a level. This talent and temperament far exceeded his initial expectations.

"And the saber technique... to combine cold energy with explosive power to that degree..." Zhao Canghai released his hand, his eyes full of satisfaction and praise.

"It seems you've truly entered the hall of the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon. Excellent. On this trip to the prefecture city, you not only completed the mission flawlessly but also faced danger without fear, bringing honor to our school. Very good."

"Master flatters me. I only did my best."

Chen Yuan said modestly.

"No need for false modesty." Zhao Canghai waved his hand and sat back down, a smile on his face.

"In martial arts cultivation, bold progress is important, but real combat tempering matters more. This experience of yours is worth months of Arduous Cultivation behind closed doors. It seems that after the New Year's County Examination, the Top Scholar position will surely be in our Blackwater Martial Arts School's pocket again."

"Master, I don't think we need to hold the school's internal competition. I know all the disciples. If Junior Disciple Brother Chen takes the stage, they'll all be disheartened. Why not just give him the reward directly?" Wang Meng said cheekily.

Zhao Canghai waved his hand. "Yuan'er still needs to go up and give some pointers, or how else can we convince others? And you—when will you break through? Keep dragging your feet, and your junior brother will catch up to you."

Wang Meng quickly laughed it off to change the subject.

Liu Ru spoke up at the right moment, her voice gentle. "The children have had a hard journey and must be tired. With the New Year approaching, why not let them go home early to reunite with their families?"

As she spoke, her gaze turned to Zhao Canghai, carrying a hint of inquiry.

Zhao Canghai nodded. "The mistress is right. Tomorrow the school can start its New Year break, reopening after the sixteenth of the first month. I'll be taking my wife and daughter back to Zhao Village tomorrow to pay respects to our ancestors and exchange New Year greetings."

Hearing this, Wang Meng's face lit up with joy, and Sun Yun's eyes also brightened slightly.

Zhao Canghai continued, "The school's affairs will be temporarily managed by Zhen Shan."

Chen Yuan stepped forward immediately upon hearing this, bowed respectfully, and said in a sincere voice, "Disciple Chen Yuan wishes Master, Mistress, and Junior Sister a smooth journey, a healthy New Year, and all the best!"

"May Master reach new heights in martial arts in the coming year, and may our Blackwater Martial Arts School's reputation grow even stronger!"

Wang Meng, Sun Yun, and the others snapped to attention and quickly followed suit with their bows and well-wishes.

Zhao Canghai stroked his beard and laughed heartily, clearly in excellent spirits. "Good, good. I'll take your kind words. Rise, all of you."

"You've worked hard on the journey. Go back early and rest, reunite with your families. But don't slack on your training during the holidays."

Liu Ru also smiled and nodded. "You're all good children. I wish you happy family reunions and progress in the New Year."

Once they left the main hall, Wang Meng couldn't wait to drag Sun Yun off to discuss which tavern to celebrate at.

Chen Yuan declined their invitation. His heart was set on going home, and he wanted nothing more than to get back as quickly as possible.

He first returned to Listening Tide Courtyard and carefully tallied up the gains from this trip.

Most of the silver from selling the Demon Serpent materials remained, and with the extra reward from the trading company plus what he'd saved before, it was now a considerable fortune.

More importantly, he had witnessed a breakthrough into the Qi Eating Realm firsthand, broadening his horizons immensely.

He stowed the silver away carefully, then began thinking about what New Year gifts to prepare for his family...

For his grandfather, Chen Tie Mao, he bought a sturdy, well-crafted brass tobacco pipe with a fine jade cigarette holder, knowing the old man had a taste for it.

For his father, Chen Dahai, he prepared a pair of waterproof warm gloves made from tough animal hide, lined with thick cotton fleece. His father spent all year at sea, and his hands were the most prone to frostbite.

For his grandmother and his mother, Lin Sanniang, he bought two warm new padded jackets and selected three bolts of brightly colored, soft silk for them to make several beautiful new outfits in the coming year.

As for his little sister, Xiao Li, besides the pair of warm jade hairpins he'd bought in the prefectural city, he also specially purchased a pack of the famous "Eight Treasures Shop" candied fruit and a little red cape.

Finally, he bought wool vests and inner linings for everyone...

With all the gifts carefully packed, Chen Yuan's heart had already flown back to Iron Clothes Village—that humble yet warm home.

Outside the window, someone had already started setting off test fireworks, and little silver blossoms bloomed in the night sky from time to time.