Chen Yulou

After telling Jiale, who had just changed into fresh clothes, to settle their guest in, Simu personally led Lu Yan to the guest room.

Lu Yan looked around. The room was fairly spacious and neat, but it had little furniture. Apart from the mat on the floor, there was only a set of table and chairs and a wardrobe leaning against the wall.

"Daoist Lu, hardly anyone ever visits me, so the place is rather bare. I hope you won't mind."

Simu seemed worried he hadn't made his guest feel welcome and spoke with a hint of apology.

Lu Yan smiled and shook his head. "Not at all. I should be thanking Daoist Simu for taking me in."

"I'll ask Jiale to bring you a quilt. Come over for dinner later."

With that, Simu left the room.

Lu Yan didn't have much to unpack. He took some necessities out of his Kamui Dimension, tidied up a little, then opened the door and went outside.

"Uncle Lu!"

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Jiale coming over with a quilt. Jiale greeted him with a cheerful grin.

Lu Yan nodded and looked Jiale over, then gave him a thumbs-up. "Jiale, you look handsome in those clothes."

"Really? I'll go show Qingqing!"

Jiale set the quilt on the mat, replied, and dashed off in a flash.

"That kid."

Lu Yan shook his head. Simu really did raise Jiale like his own son. He was already so grown up, yet still acted like a child.

In the living room, Simu was sitting with his longtime rival, Master Yixiu, trading barbs.

"It's been so long, I thought you'd gone to the Western Pure Land."

"I did go, but they told me to bring you along."

As they spoke, the two pressed their hands against the bamboo table and vied for strength.

"Those two are like a pair of old children."

Seeing them, Lu Yan couldn't help feeling speechless.

When sitting down to compete wasn't enough and they were about to get to their feet, Lu Yan walked over, pressed one hand on the table, and forced it down. He turned to ask, "Daoist Simu, who is this master?"

Seeing Lu Yan, Yixiu also stopped and asked, "Simu, who is this?"

When Simu saw Lu Yan come out, he didn't want to be caught showing off. He glared at Yixiu and introduced him. "This is Daoist Lu, whom I met on the road. He returned from studying abroad, has broad knowledge, and is young but highly skilled."

He shot Yixiu a sidelong glance, then continued, "This is Yixiu, an old monk."

Yixiu was used to Simu's sarcastic tone. He bowed and said, "Amitabha. Greetings, lay disciple Lu."

"Master Yixiu, pleased to meet you."

Lu Yan returned the bow.

"Master, Master Yixiu, breakfast is ready!"

Just then, Jiale came over with a pretty girl in a red floral dress. They were carrying the food.

"Then let's all have breakfast."

Simu answered and sat back down.

"Master, I made enough for you, too. Come eat with us."

As Jiale set down the bowls and chopsticks, he turned to Master Yixiu and spoke.

"Then thank you, Jiale."

Yixiu sat down as well and beckoned Qingqing to sit beside him.

As soon as Qingqing sat down, she leaned toward Yixiu and whispered curiously, "Master, who is that?"

After asking, she glanced at Lu Yan. When she caught his smiling gaze, she quickly looked away.

Yixiu gave his disciple an amused look and introduced him. "Qingqing, this is Lu Yan. He returned from studying abroad. He should be about your age, so you can call him Big Brother Lu."

After the introduction, he asked Lu Yan, "Lay disciple Lu, is that all right with you?"

Lu Yan smiled politely. "It's fine. We can each call one another whatever we like."

He was thinking, I'm only nine. I'm a child, and you want her to call me big brother.

Jiale also asked, "Uncle Lu, can I call you Big Brother Lu, too?"

Lu Yan nodded again. Whatever made them happy.

"Big Brother Lu, what's it like abroad?"

Qingqing looked at Lu Yan curiously as she asked.

Simu and Yixiu, who had been eating nearby, stopped and looked at Lu Yan, too.

"The world is divided into seven continents. Our Huaxia is in Asia. The main invaders of Huaxia come from Europe and North America..."

As he spoke, Lu Yan condensed water into a rough map of the world in the air and explained it to the four of them.

"Europe has many countries. Among them, England, Frankfurt, and Germany are powerful nations. Even America in North America was founded by English immigrants..."

"So that's how it is. It seems the foreigners aren't all that impressive after all."

Qingqing nodded with sudden understanding. Simu and Yixiu looked thoughtful, while Jiale was the only one happily stuffing himself with food.

"That's right. Huaxia has only fallen on hard times for a while. It will surely rise again."

As Lu Yan said this, he thought of the modern-day Rabbit Nation, and a powerful emotion surged through him. Even more than ten years of memories from another world couldn't diminish it in the slightest.

"Looks like I'll have to change my plans."

At that moment, Lu Yan's mind changed. Originally, he had only wanted to acquire resources, grow stronger, then withdraw. But faced with a world and a people so much like his own, and knowing the hardships this people would soon face, he couldn't stand by and do nothing—especially when he had the power to help.

After breakfast, Qingqing pestered Lu Yan with more questions. Lost in thought, he gave her a few perfunctory answers, then returned to his room.

Meanwhile, a major event was unfolding in Xiangyin County, Western Hunan.

Xiangyin County was considered a major city in Western Hunan. The Greenwood leader with the greatest strength and reputation in the region lived there.

At that moment, Chen Yulou, leader of Xieling, sat at a table, frowning in thought as he toyed with an ancient bronze token.

"With warlords fighting among themselves and the people in misery, refugees from elsewhere keep pouring into Spring City. The granaries are almost empty."

"Do I really have no choice but to agree to go to Old Bear Ridge with Luo Laowai?"

Chen Yulou hesitated, unable to make up his mind.

If what happened a year ago hadn't happened, the hot-blooded young Chen Yulou wouldn't have hesitated at all. He would probably have set off for Old Bear Ridge with Luo Laowai by now.

But what happened a year ago was something Chen Yulou would never forget for the rest of his life.

The dangers in that great tomb had been impossible to predict, and more than half of the Xieling brothers he'd taken there had been killed or wounded. If Kunlun and Red Maiden hadn't risked their lives to save him, Chen Yulou might have been trapped inside, too.

As for Old Bear Ridge this time, his father had said it was known for its deeply buried tombs, unmarked and without trees. The dangers within were impossible to fathom. If he took his brothers there, could he bring them back out?

But if he didn't go, the refugees in these four regions would soon have no food and starve to death.

Chen Yulou felt caught between a rock and a hard place, unsure what to do.

"Chief, the master is looking for you."

Hua Maguai stood outside the door, knocked twice, and spoke in a low voice.

"All right. I'll be right there."

Chen Yulou stood, brushed the hem of his robe, opened the door, and headed toward the old master's quarters.