By the time Chen Yuan returned to Iron Clothes Village, the sun had already begun to sink westward, scattering golden ripples across the sea.
As soon as he reached the village entrance, he saw his younger sister, Chen Xiaoli, sprinting toward him like a joyful little deer. Her cheeks were flushed, and she waved her small hand from afar as she shouted, "Big Brother! Big Brother's back!"
She ran up to him, hugged him around the leg, and tilted up her little face. Her large eyes were filled with excitement and pride.
"Big Brother! You were amazing! You scared away all those Black Tide Gang villains! Everyone in the village says they'll never dare come back again. Is that true?"
Chen Yuan smiled and ruffled his sister's hair. "Mm. They won't dare bully us anymore."
"Wow! Big Brother is the best!" Xiao Li cheered, then lowered her voice mysteriously. "Mother and Grandmother made lots and lots of delicious food today, and Grandfather even brought out that jar of treasured 'Scorching Cloud' liquor he's kept hidden for ages!"
Warmth filled Chen Yuan's heart as he took his sister's hand and walked home.
Before they even reached the door, the rich aroma of food had already drifted over, mingling with bursts of laughter.
The Chen Family's little courtyard was especially lively today.
The old wooden table usually used for mending fishing nets and drying fish had been scrubbed spotless. It was covered with lavish dishes rarely seen on ordinary days: a huge sea bowl of milky-white stewed fish soup, a plate of gleaming braised sea eel, a dish of plump steamed sea crabs, two plates of seasonal vegetables stir-fried with dried scallops and shrimp, and even a small bowl of precious cured meat.
His mother, Lin Sanniang, and his grandmother, Zhang Shi, were still busy in the kitchen. Second Aunt Zhou Shi was also unusually diligent today, helping at their side with a genuine smile on her face.
His father, Chen Dahai, and Second Uncle Chen Dajiang were chatting with their grandfather, Chen Tie Mao. All three wore irrepressible smiles of delight.
His younger cousin, Chen He, stared longingly at the dishes on the table, swallowing repeatedly.
"Brother Yuan's back!" Chen Dajiang's sharp eyes spotted Chen Yuan first. He immediately came forward with a smile, treating him more warmly than ever before.
"Yuan'er, come sit down," Chen Dahai said hurriedly as well, pride shining on his face.
Chen Tie Mao stroked his beard and gazed at his eldest grandson, his eyes filled with relief. "It's good that you're back. Did everything go smoothly at the martial arts academy?"
Chen Yuan walked to the table and first took out the Skin Tempering Ointment and the academy waist token from his arms, placing them on the table. "Instructor Zhang personally examined me and confirmed that I'd entered the Skin Grinding Realm. He taught me the subsequent Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method, registered me in the records, and issued this month's Skin Tempering Ointment today. The academy has also reported the information to the County yamen for filing."
Seeing the waist token representing the status of a Core Disciple and the ointment radiating a medicinal fragrance, everyone's eyes lit up, and the joy on their faces deepened.
This meant that Chen Yuan's status had been acknowledged. There was no longer any falsehood to it!
"Good! Good!" Chen Tie Mao excitedly picked up the heavy waist token and rubbed the two characters "Blackwater" engraved on it. "Our Chen Family has finally produced someone truly promising!"
"This is a heaven-shaking joyous occasion. We have to celebrate properly!" Second Uncle Chen Dajiang loudly agreed.
At that moment, Lin Sanniang and Grandmother came out carrying the last few dishes. When Lin Sanniang saw Chen Yuan, her eyes reddened slightly again, though this time from happiness. "Yuan'er, you must be hungry, right? Come, come sit down and eat. Today's feast is all to celebrate your success!"
The whole family happily gathered around the table. Chen Tie Mao personally opened the treasured jar of "Scorching Cloud," and its rich liquor fragrance immediately filled the courtyard. He poured everyone a small cup, and even Xiao Li received a little sweet rice wine.
"Today!" Chen Tie Mao raised his cup, his voice booming with uncontrollable joy. "Today is a great day for our old Chen household! Brother Yuan has broken through in martial arts and brought honor to the family. This first cup is to honor our ancestors for their protection. May our Chen Family henceforth enjoy calm tides and broad shores, sailing smoothly all the way!"
"To our ancestors!" The entire family solemnly raised their cups. Even Xiao Li copied them, her little face serious.
The strong liquor slid down their throats with a rush of warmth, as if all their joy and hopes had melted into their every limb and bone.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, the atmosphere grew ever warmer and more harmonious.
Everyone peppered Chen Yuan with questions about the martial arts academy, the mysteries of the Skin Grinding Realm, and his plans for the future.
Chen Yuan answered each question he could, and also mentioned that various trades in the county city might come to recruit him.
"Brother Yuan, what are you planning to do later on?" Second Uncle Chen Dajiang was most concerned about this and could not help asking. "Will you serve at the County yamen? Or go to Sihai Shipping Company? We're familiar with the Fish Market, and I hear the treatment there is good too..."
Chen Dahai pondered. "Working for the government is good, but there are many rules. Sailing for a shipping company is hard work and carries unforeseen risks. The Fish Market is steadier..."
Chen Tie Mao waved his hand. "What's the hurry? Brother Yuan has only just broken through and needs to consolidate his cultivation and advance his martial arts. With the academy's ointment and cultivation method, he should first devote himself to training at the academy for a while. As for those offers, he can simply wait and see who bids the highest."
Experience truly was the sharper ginger. Chen Tie Mao had seen the key at a glance. Chen Yuan nodded as well. "Grandfather is right. The most urgent matter is to consolidate my realm first. The other things can be considered slowly."
Seeing that Chen Yuan had his own ideas, everyone said no more, though the delight and anticipation on their faces did not lessen in the slightest.
Just as the family was chatting and laughing merrily, a crisp voice carrying a hint of shyness came from outside the courtyard gate. "Uncle Chen, Aunt Chen, are you home?"
Everyone turned toward the sound. A young girl in a faded floral cloth dress stood outside the gate, carrying a small bamboo basket covered with a piece of blue cloth.
The girl appeared to be fifteen or sixteen. She was slender, with the wheat-colored skin common among people living by the sea. Her features were delicate, and her eyes were particularly bright, like black glazed stones soaking in water. At that moment, she was looking somewhat bashfully at the lively scene inside.
She was Zhou Yu, the girl from the Zhou Family who lived next door.
The Zhou Family were also fishermen, and they had always maintained a harmonious relationship with the Chen Family.
Zhou Yu was two years younger than Chen Yuan. They had grown up together and could be considered childhood sweethearts.
She was quiet and obedient, with nimble hands and feet. She often helped her family weave and mend nets, and sometimes came over to help Lin Sanniang with needlework.
"Oh, it's Xiao Yu! Come in, come in!" Lin Sanniang hurriedly welcomed her with a smile.
Only then did Zhou Yu step into the courtyard. Seeing the whole family and the table laden with dishes, her cheeks flushed slightly. She said softly, "I heard... I heard Brother Yuan broke through in martial arts. Our family made some Red-Shelled Turtle Egg Custard, and Mother asked me to bring a bowl over to congratulate Brother Yuan, and... and add another dish to the table."
As she spoke, she lifted the blue cloth from the basket. Inside was a large bowl of tender, enticingly yellow egg custard sprinkled with scallions and drizzled with sesame oil, giving off a distinctive fresh fragrance.
Red-shelled turtle eggs were a rare delicacy even by the coast. They were highly nutritious and quite beneficial to martial artists.
Lin Sanniang hurriedly accepted it and chided her gently. "You child, why are you being so polite? Your family isn't well-off either. Wouldn't it be better to keep it and nourish your father?"
Zhou Yu lowered her head slightly and said softly, "It's only right. Brother Yuan broke through, and that's a joyous occasion for our entire fishing village."
As she spoke, she secretly raised her eyes and darted a quick glance at Chen Yuan. She happened to meet his gaze, and immediately lowered her head in panic like a startled fawn. Even the tips of her ears were tinged with a faint red.
Seeing her like this, Chen Yuan could not help smiling inwardly.
With the memories of his past and present lives merged, he was naturally very familiar with this girl from next door.
He rose and said with a smile, "Thank you, little sister Xiao Yu. And please thank Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou for me as well. Why don't you sit down and eat with us?"
"No, no!" Zhou Yu waved her hands repeatedly, her face growing even redder. "The food at home is already prepared. I... I have to go back."
Having said that, she turned and hurried out of the courtyard almost as if fleeing, leaving behind only a faint, fresh fragrance that belonged to a young girl.
"That girl is still so shy." Lin Sanniang shook her head with a smile as she watched Zhou Yu's back, though her eyes held a hint of satisfaction and affection.
She had watched Zhou Yu grow up. Her character and appearance were both beyond reproach.
Chen Dahai and Chen Tie Mao exchanged a glance, both revealing knowing smiles.
Only Xiao Li blinked her large eyes and asked curiously, "Mother, why was Big Sister Xiao Yu's face so red?"
The child's innocent words provoked another round of good-natured laughter from the adults.
This little interlude made the family feast even warmer and livelier. Everyone ate the tender egg custard Zhou Yu had brought and praised the Zhou girl for her thoughtfulness. Before they knew it, the conversation had shifted from Chen Yuan's martial arts prospects to family matters, fishing seasons, and the sea's conditions.
"...We'll rest for two days after coming back this time. For our next trip to sea, I think the waters around 'Black Reef Bay' look good. We should be able to make a decent haul." Chen Dahai spoke of their plans while drinking.
Chen Tie Mao narrowed his eyes and pondered. "There are rather a lot of undercurrents around Black Reef Bay. Still, the fish do like gathering there. I'll go with you next time. It'll be safer."
Chen Yuan's heart stirred, and he spoke up. "Father, Grandfather, take me with you next time you go to sea."
"Hm?" Everyone at the table froze and looked toward Chen Yuan.
Chen Dahai frowned. "Yuan'er, you've only just broken through. You should be practicing properly. Going to sea is hard work, and it'll delay your training..."
Chen Yuan smiled. "Training isn't something that must be done all at once. The Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method can't be mastered quickly through mindless hard work alone. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."
"I want to follow Grandfather and Father out to sea and see things for myself. Experiencing real wind and waves may help me comprehend the cultivation method. Besides..." He paused, his tone steady.
"Now that I've entered the Skin Grinding Realm, going out to sea with you will provide an extra measure of security. If we encounter some minor wind and waves or an ordinary Sea Beast, I should be able to handle it."
His words were reasonable and well-founded.
Hearing this, approval appeared in Chen Tie Mao's eyes. "Brother Yuan is right. In martial arts cultivation, one cannot shut oneself away and build a cart behind closed doors. You'll come with us next time."
Since his father had spoken, Chen Dahai no longer objected. He merely reminded Chen Yuan, "That's fine, but the sea is different from the shore. You must obey your father and grandfather in everything. Though you've been on a boat a few times, you must never act recklessly."
"This son understands."
The matter was settled just like that.
The family feast continued until the moon climbed to the center of the sky. The jar of "Scorching Cloud" was emptied as well, and everyone's faces glowed red from drink, their hearts filled with beautiful hopes for the future.
The night deepened. The sea breeze swept past, bringing wisps of coolness, yet it could not disperse the warmth and hope filling the Chen Family's little courtyard.
That night, Chen Yuan took out a portion of Skin Tempering Ointment in his room.
The ointment was dark brown and viscous, giving off a strong herbal scent faintly mixed with the smell of minerals and Sea Beast oil.
He took an appropriate amount and spread it evenly over the skin membranes of his forearms, chest, back, and other vital areas.
The ointment was cool at first, then gradually heated up, as if countless tiny needlepoints were gently pricking his skin.
Chen Yuan immediately circulated the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method, guiding the qi, blood, and force within his body into fine spirals and driving the medicinal power deep into his skin membranes.
Sizzle—
The faint sound seemed to come from beneath his skin. Numbness and slight stabbing pain intertwined. Guided by the Mysterious Vortex Force, the ointment was absorbed with astonishing efficiency, and he could clearly feel the toughness and density of his skin membranes strengthening bit by bit.
The Tide Intent he had comprehended flowed naturally, making the Spiral Force even more nimble and efficient, far exceeding the normal effects Instructor Zhang had described.
Skin Grinding Realm · Initial Completion (9/100)
After cultivating with only one portion of ointment, his progress had risen by three points. Though he had to wait three to five days before using it again, at this rate, he would likely need only a month to approach minor completion.
Feeling the steadily growing strength within his body and his increasingly resilient skin membranes, and listening to the indistinct sound of waves outside the window, Chen Yuan's mind was utterly tranquil. Martial arts, his family, and that shy girl from next door... All of it made his sense of belonging to this world grow increasingly real.
The Family Feast, with Fishing Lights
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