After everyone had said their goodbyes and left, Tang Yin stood at the academy gates, gazing at the familiar street. He hesitated for a moment, then turned and headed toward Moonlight Pavilion in the west of the city.
Heaven Dou Royal Academy was in the suburbs, quite a distance from the noble district where Moonlight Pavilion stood. But as a Soul Master, he had no need to hire a carriage.
It had been over a month since he had last returned to Moonlight Pavilion.
Although his aunt Tang Yuehua understood that he needed time to adjust to academy life and team training, given her temperament, she would surely have plenty to say.
Sure enough, the moment he stepped into Moonlight Pavilion's tranquil courtyard, he saw Tang Yuehua in a moon-white dress, sitting on a stone stool by the pond and feeding the fish.
At the sound of his footsteps, she didn't even turn around. Her voice was gentle, though tinged with a trace of reproach. "So you do remember the way back?"
Tang Yin's steps faltered. He went forward and bowed. "Aunt."
Only then did Tang Yuehua turn around. She scattered all the fish food in her hand into the pond, sending the koi scrambling for it.
She looked Tang Yin up and down. Though he was travel-worn, his breathing was steady and composed, and his eyes were bright and sharp. Her expression softened a little.
"It's been over a month," Tang Yuehua said coolly. "If someone from the academy hadn't told me you went Soul Hunting with one of the instructors, I'd have thought you'd vanished just like your father."
Tang Yin felt helpless. He knew this was how his aunt showed her concern, so he could only lower his head and admit his mistake. "This nephew was careless