When the fleet sailed safely into Lin Hai County's wharf, it was already evening.
Compared with the sprawling bustle of Tian Nan Prefecture City, Lin Hai County's wharf felt familiar and welcoming.
Although it was much smaller, the salty, fishy scent unique to the harbor, along with the familiar shouts and faces, gave Chen Yuan and the others, who had been away from home for several days, a sense of reassurance.
As the year drew to a close, the wharf also carried more of the atmosphere of the approaching New Year.
Red lanterns had been hung outside some warehouses. Though they had not yet been lit, they stood out especially vividly against the gray winter dusk.
The people coming and going hurried along, their faces filled with the urgency of those who had worked hard all year and longed for a family reunion.
Every now and then, a mischievous child would chase another around, set off a small firecracker, and produce a crisp "pop," drawing laughter and scolding from the adults.
"We're finally home!"
Wang Meng let out a long breath and stretched hard, as if trying to shake off all the fatigue and tension accumulated along the way.
Even Sun Yun's usually cool face softened somewhat.
Li Wei and Zhou Tai, meanwhile, immediately busied themselves, directing the boatmen to moor and handing the cargo documents over to the manager of the Four Seas Trading Company, who had been waiting at the wharf.
The handover went smoothly. Though there had been a few minor twists during this trip to the prefectural city, the overall harvest had been quite substantial.
"Instructor Li, Chief Escort Zhou, we owe the disciples of your martial arts school a great deal for their assistance this time. Especially those few young brothers—truly, heroes have emerged from the youth!" the trading company's manager said with a beaming smile as he examined the list.
He then handed over a bulging money pouch. "This is the payment we agreed upon before. In addition, the owner instructed us to add another thirty percent as a token of appreciation."
Li Wei accepted the pouch and weighed it in his hand, a smile appearing on his face as well. "You're too kind, Manager. It was simply our duty. Now that the goods have been handed over, we'll return to the martial arts school and report to the Martial Hall Master."
"Of course, of course. Please give my regards to Hall Master Zhao!"
After bidding farewell to the trading company's manager, Li Wei took Chen Yuan, Wang Meng, and Sun Yun straight back to the Blackwater Martial Arts School.
Along the way, whenever they encountered familiar neighbors or disciples of the martial arts school, they all greeted them and asked about what they had seen in the prefectural city. Upon learning that they had returned safely, everyone said, "It's good that you're back. The New Year is almost here."
By the time they returned to the martial arts school, the streetlamps had just come on.
The martial arts school was also decorated with lanterns and streamers, giving it a stronger New Year atmosphere.
The disciple guarding the entrance called out to Chen Yuan, "Senior Disciple Brother Chen, a middle-aged accountant named Chen Dajiang came by a few days ago, claiming to be your uncle. You weren't here, so he left a message."
"He said the household has been much better off these past two months. He just bought a Green Canopy Carriage, which is tied up at the town's horse market. If you returned, just send word and he'd drive over to pick you up, so you wouldn't have to suffer in this freezing weather."
A warm current surged through Chen Yuan's heart. He nodded and thanked him. "Thank you for telling me, Junior Disciple Brother."
He then hurried into the martial arts school.
Not long afterward, upon learning that they had returned, Martial Hall Master Zhao Canghai immediately summoned them to the main hall.
"Master!"
The four entered the main hall and respectfully saluted.
Zhao Canghai sat upright at the head of the hall. His complexion was ruddy, and his aura seemed even more condensed than before, as though his cultivation had advanced again.
His wife, Liu Ru, sat quietly just behind him to the side, gently rolling a string of Agarwood Prayer Beads between her fingers. She wore a pale blue brocade jacket embroidered with plum blossoms in silver thread. Her hair was arranged meticulously, with a simple White Jade Hairpin tucked into it.
When she saw the disciples enter, she inclined her head slightly, a gentle smile at the corners of her lips as she looked kindly at each travel-worn disciple.
Zhao Canghai's gaze swept over the four of them, lingering briefly on Chen Yuan in particular, before he nodded. "It's good that you're back. How did the trip to the prefectural city go? Tell me everything in detail."
Li Wei stepped forward and reported the details of the mission, what they had seen in the prefectural city, Old Master Shen's vigorous breakthrough into the Qi-Eating Realm at the age of one hundred and thirty, and especially how they had encountered Demonic Beasts on the return journey, defended against the assault on the Pinghai Division's line, and joined forces to repel the enemy.
When he heard about the ceremony at Qingwu Peak, even Zhao Canghai could not help sighing regretfully at having missed the grand occasion.
But when he heard that Chen Yuan had instantly slain an opponent of the same realm with fierce saber techniques, and had even joined Zhou Tai and Li Wei to kill a Second-Order Demonic Beast, unconcealed shock appeared on Zhao Canghai's normally placid face.
"You injured a Second-Order Demonic Beast despite having only achieved Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment?"
Zhao Canghai shot to his feet, his gaze as sharp as lightning. He examined Chen Yuan carefully. "Yuan'er, come here."
Chen Yuan stepped forward as instructed. Zhao Canghai placed a hand on his pulse. A gentle yet immense force entered his body and carefully sensed his condition. The shock on his face did not diminish. "It truly is Skin Grinding - Major Accomplishment, the Stone Skin Realm. And your foundation is solid. The chill of your saber technique has already fused into your force. Good! Good! Good!"
He said "good" three times, clearly overcome with excitement.
How long had it been? His Final Disciple had already grown to such a level. This talent and temperament far surpassed what he had initially expected.
"And your saber technique... You can already combine chill with explosive force to that degree..." Zhao Canghai released his hand, his eyes filled with satisfaction and praise.
"It seems you've already mastered the Cold River Spirit Blade Saber Canon. Excellent. Not only did you complete the mission perfectly during this trip to the prefectural city, you also remained fearless in the face of danger and brought glory to our martial arts school. Very good indeed."
"Master, you flatter me. I only did my best," Chen Yuan said modestly.
"There's no need to be so humble." Zhao Canghai waved his hand and sat down again, a smile on his face.
"In martial cultivation, fierce and diligent progress is certainly important, but practical tempering matters even more. What you experienced this time is worth several months of closed-door cultivation. It seems that after the New Year, the Top Scholar position in the County Examination will once again fall into the hands of our Blackwater Martial Arts School."
"Master, I think the internal competition doesn't even need to be held. I know all the disciples in the school. If Junior Disciple Brother Chen takes the stage, wouldn't they all be so disheartened they'd want to die? You might as well give the reward directly to Junior Disciple Brother," Wang Meng said with a cheeky grin.
Zhao Canghai waved his hand. "Yuan'er still has to take the stage and offer some guidance. Otherwise, how will he convince everyone? And you—when will you break through? If you keep dragging your feet, your junior disciple will catch up with you."
Wang Meng quickly laughed it off and muddled through.
Liu Ru spoke at just the right moment, her voice gentle. "The children have worked hard on the journey and must all be tired. The New Year is nearly here. Why not let them return early to reunite with their families?"
As she spoke, she turned toward Zhao Canghai, a hint of inquiry in her eyes.
Zhao Canghai nodded. "My wife is right. The martial arts school can begin the New Year holiday tomorrow and reopen after the sixteenth day of the first lunar month. Tomorrow, I'll also take my wife and daughter back to our ancestral home in Zhao Village to honor our ancestors and pay New Year's visits."
At these words, joy immediately appeared on Wang Meng's face, while Sun Yun's eyes also brightened slightly.
Zhao Canghai continued, "As for the affairs of the martial arts school, Zhen Shan will manage them for the time being."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said sincerely, "Your disciple Chen Yuan wishes Master and Mistress a safe journey, a healthy New Year, and good fortune in everything!"
"May Master's martial path reach new heights in the coming year, and may the reputation of our Blackwater Martial Arts School grow even greater!"
Wang Meng, Sun Yun, and the others also reacted and hurriedly bowed to offer their congratulations.
Zhao Canghai stroked his beard and laughed heartily, clearly in excellent spirits. "Good. I'll borrow your auspicious words. Rise, all of you."
"You've also worked hard on the journey. Go back and rest early, and reunite with your families. However, during the New Year holiday, you must not neglect your cultivation."
Liu Ru also nodded with a smile. "You're all good children. I also wish you family reunions and progress in the New Year."
After leaving the main hall, Wang Meng eagerly pulled Sun Yun aside to discuss which tavern they should visit for a celebration.
Chen Yuan politely declined their invitation. His heart was already racing toward home, and he only wanted to return as quickly as possible.
He first returned to Listening Tide Courtyard and carefully counted the gains from this trip.
More than half of the silver earned from selling the Demon Serpent materials remained. With the trading company's additional reward and his previous savings, he now possessed a considerable fortune.
More importantly, he had personally witnessed a breakthrough into the Qi Eating Realm this time, greatly broadening his horizons.
He carefully put away the silver and money, then began considering what New Year gifts to prepare for his family...
For his grandfather, Chen Tie Mao, he bought a Brass Tobacco Pipe made of sturdy materials and crafted with exquisite workmanship, paired with a fine Jade Cigarette Holder, knowing how much the old man enjoyed such things.
For his father, Chen Dahai, he prepared a pair of Waterproof Warm Gloves made from tough tanned beast hide with thick cotton-fleece lining. His father spent all year at sea, and his hands were the most likely to suffer from the cold.
For his grandmother and mother, Lin Sanniang, he bought two warm new jackets and selected three bolts of brightly colored, soft silk cloth, enough to make several beautiful new outfits in the coming year.
As for his younger sister, Xiao Li, besides the Warm Jade Hairpin he had bought in the prefectural city, he had also specially purchased a packet of candied fruit famous in the city from the "Eight Treasures Shop" and a small red cloak.
Finally, he bought woolen vests with inner linings for everyone...
After packing all the gifts one by one, Chen Yuan's heart had already flown back to that simple yet cozy home in Iron Clothes Village.
Outside the window, someone had apparently begun testing their fireworks. Small silver blossoms occasionally bloomed across the night sky.
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