Chen Yulou

After instructing Jiale, who had just changed into new clothes, to properly store the customers, Simu personally led Lu Yan to the guest room.

Lu Yan looked up to survey the space; the room was quite spacious, clean, and tidy, though it lacked furniture. Aside from the mat on the floor, there was only a set of table and chairs and a wardrobe leaning against the wall.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, I rarely have visitors, so the accommodations are a bit crude. Please forgive me."

Simu, fearing he might be neglecting his guest, spoke with a hint of apology.

Lu Yan smiled indifferently, shook his head, and said, "Not at all. I should be the one thanking Daoist Priest Simu for taking me in."

"I'll go tell Jiale to prepare a quilt for you. Come over for a meal in a moment."

After saying this, Simu walked out of the room.

Lu Yan had nothing much to unpack. He took some daily necessities out of the Kamui Dimension, tidied up a little, and pushed the door open to step outside.

"Uncle Master Lu!"

Just as he stepped out, he saw Jiale walking over carrying a quilt, calling out with a cheerful grin.

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

"Really? I'm going to go show Qingqing!"

Jiale placed the quilt on the mat, replied, and then scurried away in a flash.

"This kid."

Lu Yan shook his head, feeling that Simu truly raised him like a son; even at his age, he was still just like a child.

At this moment, in the living room, Simu was busy bickering with his old rival, Master Yixiu.

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

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

As they spoke, the two were locked in a struggle, pressing their hands against the bamboo table.

"These two are just like old children."

Seeing this scene as he walked out, Lu Yan couldn't help but feel speechless.

Seeing that sitting wasn't enough for their contest of strength and that they were about to stand up, Lu Yan walked over, pressed one hand onto the table to pin it down, and turned his head to ask, "Daoist Priest Simu, who is this master?"

Yixiu stopped when he saw Lu Yan and asked, "Simu, who is this?"

Seeing Lu Yan come out, Simu didn't want to be made a spectacle of. He glared at Yixiu and introduced, "This is Fellow Daoist Lu, whom I met on the road. He has returned from studying abroad, possesses extraordinary insight, and despite his young age, has a high level of cultivation."

After finishing, he glanced at Yixiu and added, "This is Yixiu, an old monk."

Yixiu was accustomed to Simu's sarcastic tone; he bowed and offered a greeting, "Amitabha, greetings to Benefactor Lu."

"Master Yixiu, hello."

Lu Yan returned the gesture.

"Master, Master Yixiu, time for breakfast!"

At this moment, Jiale walked over with a pretty girl dressed in red floral clothing, carrying food in their hands.

"Alright, let's eat breakfast then."

Simu responded and sat back down in his seat.

"Master, I made enough for you too, let's eat together," Jiale said as he set down the bowls and chopsticks, turning to Master Yixiu.

"Then many thanks to Jiale."

Yixiu sat down as well, gesturing for Qingqing to sit beside him.

As soon as Qingqing sat down, she leaned into Yixiu's ear and whispered curiously, "Master, who is that?"

After asking, she snuck a glance at Lu Yan, but upon seeing his smiling eyes, she immediately looked away.

Yixiu looked at his disciple with a smile and introduced, "Qingqing, this is Lu Yan, who has returned from studying abroad. He should be about your age; you should call him Brother Lu."

After the introduction, he asked Lu Yan, "Benefactor Lu, is it alright to address you that way?"

Lu Yan wore a reserved smile and said, "It's fine, let's just address each other however we prefer."

In reality, I'm only nine years old, just a child, yet you want to call me 'Big Brother', he thought to himself.

Jiale, standing to the side, also asked, "Uncle Master Lu, can I call you Brother Lu too?"

Lu Yan nodded again; as long as they were happy, it didn't matter.

"Brother Lu, what is it like abroad?"

Qingqing, sitting to the side, looked at Lu Yan curiously and asked.

Simu and Yixiu, who were eating, also stopped and looked at Lu Yan.

"The world is divided into seven continents. Our China is in Asia, and the main forces invading our China come from Europe and North America..."

As Lu Yan spoke, he used water to condense a rough map of the world in the air, explaining it to the four of them.

"There are many countries in Europe, among which England, France, and Germany are the powerful ones. Even the United States in North America was established by immigrants from England..."

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

Qingqing nodded, a look of sudden realization on her face. Simu and Yixiu also wore thoughtful expressions, while only Jiale remained, happily stuffing his face.

"It has always been this way. Our Huaxia is merely experiencing a temporary decline; it will surely rise again in the future."

As Lu Yan said this, he thought of the Rabbit Country of the modern era, and a surge of intense emotion welled up in his heart—one that even a decade of memories from another world could not dilute in the slightest.

"It seems the plan will have to change."

In that moment, Lu Yan suddenly shifted his perspective. Originally, he had only intended to acquire resources and withdraw once he had grown strong enough. But facing a world so similar, a people so similar, and knowing the suffering this nation was destined to face, he could not simply turn a blind eye—especially when he possessed the power to act.

After the meal, Qingqing pestered Lu Yan with more questions. Distracted by his own thoughts, Lu Yan gave a few perfunctory answers before returning to his room.

Meanwhile, a major event was unfolding in Xiangyin County, Xiangxi.

Xiangyin County was considered a major city in Xiangxi, and it was home to the most powerful and renowned leader of the greenwood outlaws in the region.

At this moment, Chen Yulou, the leader of the Xie Ling faction, sat at a table, frowning in deep thought as he toyed with an ancient bronze medallion in his hand.

"Warlords are clashing, the people are destitute, and refugees from other regions are flooding into Spring City. The granaries can barely hold out any longer."

"Is there really no choice but to agree to Luo Laowai's proposal and head to Old Bear Ridge?"

Chen Yulou felt hesitant, unable to make up his mind.

Had the events of a year ago not occurred, the hot-blooded, younger Chen Yulou would never have hesitated; he would likely have set off for Old Bear Ridge with Luo Laowai already.

But the events of that year were something Chen Yulou could never forget for the rest of his life.

The unpredictable dangers within that great tomb had resulted in the deaths of most of the Xie Ling brothers he had brought with him. If not for the desperate rescue efforts of Kunlun and Red Maiden, Chen Yulou himself would likely have been trapped inside.

And this time, according to his father, Old Bear Ridge was a place of deep, unmarked burials, hidden and treacherous. If he led his brothers there, would he even be able to bring them back out?

Yet, if he did not go, the refugees in these four regions would soon run out of food and starve to death.

Chen Yulou felt caught in a dilemma, unsure of what to do.

"Chief, the Old Master is looking for you."

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

"Very well, I'm coming."

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