Family Feast, Fishing Lights

By the time Chen Yuan returned to Iron Clothes Village, the sun had begun to slope westward, scattering golden ripples of light across the sea.

The moment he reached the village entrance, he saw his younger sister Chen Xiaoli running toward him like a joyful little deer, her cheeks flushed red as she waved her tiny hands from afar and shouted, "Brother! Brother's back!"

She rushed up and wrapped her arms around Chen Yuan's leg, tilting up her little face. Her big eyes were filled with excitement and the glow of shared pride.

"Brother! You were amazing! You scared all those Black Tide Gang bad guys away! Everyone in the village says they'll never dare come here again. Is that true?"

Chen Yuan smiled and rubbed his sister's hair. "Mm. They won't dare bully us again."

"Wow! Brother is the best!" Xiao Li cheered, then mysteriously lowered her voice. "Mother and Grandmother made so, so much delicious food today! Grandfather even brought out that jar of good wine he'd been hiding for ages—Scorching Cloud!"

Warmth filled Chen Yuan's heart as he took his sister's hand and headed home.

Before they even reached the door, the rich fragrance of food drifted over, mingled with laughter and cheerful voices.

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 glossy braised sea eel, a dish of steamed fat sea crabs, two plates of seasonal vegetables stir-fried with dried scallops and tiny shrimp, and even a small bowl of precious cured meat.

His mother Lin Sanniang and Grandmother Zhang Shi were still busy in the kitchen. Second Aunt Zhou Shi was unusually diligent as well, helping at the side with a sincere smile on her face.

His father Chen Dahai and Second Uncle Chen Dajiang were talking with Grandfather Chen Tie Mao, all three unable to conceal the delight on their faces.

His cousin Chen He stared eagerly at the dishes on the table, swallowing again and again.

"Brother Yuan is back!" Chen Dajiang spotted Chen Yuan first and immediately came over with a smile, warmer than he had ever been before.

"Yuan, come sit down," Chen Dahai hurriedly called, pride written all over his face.

Chen Tie Mao stroked his beard as he looked at his eldest grandson, his eyes full of gratification. "It's good that you're back. Did everything go smoothly at the martial hall?"

Chen Yuan walked to the table and first took out the Skin Tempering Ointment and martial hall waist badge from his robes, placing them on the table. "Instructor Zhang personally examined me and confirmed that I had entered the Skin Grinding Realm. He taught me the subsequent Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method, registered my details, and issued this month's Skin Tempering Ointment today. The martial hall has also reported my information to the County yamen for the record."

Seeing the waist badge that represented the status of a Core Disciple of the martial hall, along with the ointment giving off a medicinal fragrance, everyone's eyes lit up and the joy on their faces deepened.

This meant Chen Yuan's standing had been recognized. There was no longer any falsehood in it!

"Good! Excellent!" Chen Tie Mao excitedly picked up the weighty waist badge and rubbed the two words "Blackwater" engraved upon it. "My Chen Family has finally produced someone with real promise!"

"This is a joyous occasion beyond measure. We must celebrate properly!" Second Uncle Chen Dajiang loudly agreed.

At that moment, Lin Sanniang and Grandmother emerged carrying the last few dishes. When Lin Sanniang saw Chen Yuan, her eyes reddened again, but this time from happiness. "Yuan, you must be hungry. Come, sit down and eat. Today's meal is all to celebrate you!"

The entire family noisily gathered around the table. Chen Tie Mao personally opened the jar of treasured Scorching Cloud, and its rich aroma immediately filled the courtyard. He poured everyone a small cup, and even Xiao Li received a tiny sip of sweet rice brew.

"Today!" Chen Tie Mao raised his wine cup, his voice ringing with irrepressible joy. "Today is a day of great celebration for our old Chen Family! Brother Yuan has made a breakthrough in martial cultivation and brought glory to our family name. This first cup is to honor our ancestors for their blessings. May the tides lie calm and the shores stretch wide for the Chen Family from this day onward, with smooth sailing all the way!"

"To the ancestors!" The whole family solemnly raised their cups. Even Xiao Li copied them, her little face grave.

The strong wine slid down their throats with a warm glow, as if all their joy and hopes had melted into every limb and bone.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the atmosphere became even more harmonious and fervent.

Everyone chattered over one another, asking Chen Yuan about the martial hall, about the mysteries of the Skin Grinding Realm, and about his plans for the future.

Chen Yuan answered whatever he could, one question at a time, and also mentioned that the major trades in the county town might come to recruit him.

"Brother Yuan, what are you planning to do in the future?" Second Uncle Chen Dajiang was most concerned about this and could not help asking, "Will you take a post at the county yamen? Or go to Sihai Shipping Company? We know the fish market well, and I hear the compensation there is good too..."

Chen Dahai mused, "Government posts may be good, but there are many rules. Sailing for a shipping company is grueling and carries unforeseen dangers. The Fish Market would be more stable..."

Chen Tie Mao waved a hand. "Why the rush? Brother Yuan has only just broken through. This is precisely the time to consolidate his cultivation and advance in martial arts. With the martial hall's ointment and cultivation method, the proper course is for him to focus on training at the martial hall for a while. As for those recruitment offers, we can wait for the best price."

Old ginger was still the spiciest. Chen Tie Mao saw the crux of the matter at a glance. Chen Yuan nodded as well. "Grandfather is right. The urgent matter is to stabilize my realm first. Everything else can be considered slowly."

Seeing that Chen Yuan had his own plans, the others said no more, though the joy and anticipation on their faces did not diminish in the slightest.

Just as the family was chatting and laughing merrily, a clear yet somewhat timid voice came from outside the courtyard gate. "Uncle Chen, Auntie Chen, are you home?"

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw a young girl standing outside the gate. She wore a faded floral cloth dress and carried a small bamboo basket covered with a blue cloth.

The girl was about fifteen or sixteen, slender in figure, with the wheat-colored skin common among seaside folk. Her features were delicate, and her eyes especially bright, like black glass submerged in water. At that moment, she looked somewhat bashfully at the lively scene in the courtyard.

It was Zhou Yu, the Zhou Family's girl from next door.

The Zhou Family were fishermen too, and they had always gotten along well with the Chen Family.

Zhou Yu was two years younger than Chen Yuan. They had grown up together since childhood and could be considered childhood sweethearts.

She was quiet and obedient, hardworking with both hands and feet. She often helped her family weave and mend nets, and sometimes came over to help Lin Sanniang with needlework.

"Xiao Yu? Come in, come in!" Lin Sanniang quickly called with a smile.

Only then did Zhou Yu step into the courtyard. Seeing the whole family and the table full of dishes, her cheeks reddened slightly as she said softly, "I heard... I heard Brother Yuan made a breakthrough in martial cultivation. My family made some Red-Shelled Turtle Egg Custard, and Mother told me to bring over a bowl to congratulate Brother Yuan and... and add another dish."

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As she spoke, she lifted the blue cloth from the bamboo basket. Inside was a large bowl of tender, enticing yellow egg custard, sprinkled with chopped scallions and drizzled with sesame oil, giving off a distinctive fresh fragrance.

Red-shelled turtle eggs were a rare thing even by the sea. They were rich in nutrients and quite beneficial to martial artists.

Lin Sanniang hurriedly accepted it and chided her affectionately, "You child, why be so polite? Your family isn't well-off either. Better to save it to nourish your father."

Zhou Yu lowered her head slightly and said softly, "It's only right. Brother Yuan's breakthrough is a happy event for our entire fishing village."

As she spoke, she secretly lifted her eyes and stole a swift glance at Chen Yuan, only to meet his gaze. She immediately lowered her head in panic like a startled little deer, and even the tips of her ears were dyed a faint red.

Seeing her like this, Chen Yuan could not help smiling.

With the memories of his past and present lives fused together, he was naturally very familiar with this girl next door.

He rose with a smile. "Thank you, Little Sister Xiao Yu. Please thank Uncle Zhou and Aunt Zhou for me as well. Why not sit down and eat with us?"

"N-No!" Zhou Yu waved her hands repeatedly, her face turning even redder. "Dinner is already ready at home. I... I have to go back."

With that, she turned and almost fled from the courtyard at a small run, leaving behind only a faint, fresh scent that belonged to a young girl.

"That girl is still so shy." Lin Sanniang smiled and shook her head. As she watched Zhou Yu's retreating figure, there was a trace of satisfaction and affection in her eyes.

She had watched Zhou Yu grow up, and there was nothing to fault in either her character or appearance.

Chen Dahai and Chen Tie Mao exchanged a glance, both revealing knowing smiles.

Only Xiao Li blinked her big eyes and asked curiously, "Mother, why was Sister Xiao Yu's face so red?"

A child's words knew no taboo, drawing another burst of good-natured laughter from the adults.

This little interlude made the family feast even warmer and livelier. As everyone ate the tender egg custard Zhou Yu had sent over and praised the Zhou Family girl for being thoughtful, the topic gradually shifted from martial prospects to household matters, fishing seasons, and sea conditions.

"...We'll rest for two days after this return. The next time we go out to sea, I think the water around Black Reef Bay to the east looks good. I reckon we might have a catch." Chen Dahai drank as he spoke of the next voyage.

Chen Tie Mao narrowed his eyes and pondered. "There are rather more undercurrents around Black Reef Bay, but the fish schools do like gathering there. I'll go with you when the time comes. 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 was taken aback and looked at Chen Yuan.

Chen Dahai frowned. "Yuan, you've only just broken through. You should be training properly. Going to sea is hard work, and it will delay your time..."

Chen Yuan smiled. "Training cannot be rushed in a single moment. The Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method cannot be mastered quickly through Arduous Cultivation alone. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."

"I want to follow Grandfather and Father out to sea more often, to experience real wind and waves firsthand. Perhaps it will help my understanding of the cultivation method. Besides," he paused, his tone calm and steady,

"now that I have entered Skin Grinding, I can provide another measure of protection if I go out with you. If we encounter minor storms or ordinary Sea Beasts, I can handle one or two."

His words were both reasonable and well-grounded.

Hearing this, Chen Tie Mao revealed a look of approval. "Well said, Brother Yuan. Martial cultivation cannot be done by shutting oneself indoors and building a cart. Next time we go to sea, you'll come with us."

Since his father had spoken, Chen Dahai no longer objected. He merely cautioned, "All right, then. But the sea is different from land. You must listen to me and your grandfather in everything. You've been on a boat a few times, but you must never try to show off."

"Your son understands."

And so the matter was settled.

The family feast lasted until the moon stood high overhead. That jar of Scorching Cloud was drained dry as well, and everyone drank until their faces glowed red, their hearts full of beautiful hopes for the future.

As the night deepened, the sea breeze carried a trace of chill, yet it could not disperse the rich warmth and hope within the Chen Family's little courtyard.

That night, Chen Yuan took out a portion of Skin Tempering Ointment in his small room.

The ointment was dark brown and viscous, giving off a powerful herbal smell faintly mixed with the scent of certain minerals and Sea Beast oils.

He scooped out a suitable amount and spread it evenly over the skin membranes on key areas such as his arms, chest, and back.

The ointment was cool at first, then gradually turned hot, as though countless tiny needle tips were lightly pricking his skin membranes.

Chen Yuan immediately circulated the Mysterious Vortex Skin Grinding Method, guiding the force of his qi and blood into minute spirals and driving the medicinal power to seep deep into his skin membranes.

Sizzle—

A faint sound seemed to come from beneath his skin. Numbness and slight stinging 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 that Spiral Force even more nimble and efficient, far surpassing 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 needed to wait three to five days before using it again, at this rate, he would likely approach the minor completion realm in just one month.

Feeling the steadily increasing strength within his body and his increasingly resilient skin membranes, while listening to the faint sound of waves outside the window, Chen Yuan's heart was utterly peaceful. Martial arts, his Lineage, and that shy girl next door... all of it made his sense of belonging in this world grow ever more real.

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