Fate Rewritten, Homecoming Cottage's Warm Lights

A full hour later.

Huo Chen slowly withdrew his hand. The emerald radiance of the Reincarnation Other Shore Flower in his palm gradually faded, returning to its pure, bewitching crimson.

The nine scarlet soul rings around him also slowly dimmed, withdrew, and sank back into his body.

A fine sheen of sweat covered his brow, and his breathing fluctuated slightly. Clearly, this lengthy treatment that had reached the very source of the injury had consumed a great deal of his soul power.

"It's done." Huo Chen slowly rose to his feet, his expression gentle. "Senior, you may examine yourself. All the old injuries to your origin have been completely healed."

Ice Empress slowly opened her eyes.

She lowered her head to look at her hands, gently clenching and then relaxing them.

A full, steady, supremely powerful force—far beyond her current condition—surged through her body. It was clear and unobstructed, without the slightest hindrance, perfectly restoring her to the peak state of four hundred thousand years ago. All hidden injuries from heavenly tribulations, cracks in her origin, and blockages in her meridians had vanished without a trace.

She tried circulating her ice-attributed soul power. The frigid force of ice was pure and vast, utterly flawless.

"This..." Ice Empress's voice trembled slightly, her eyes filled with disbelief. "It's really... all healed?"

"Mhm." Huo Chen nodded lightly with a faint smile. "Your origin has been completely restored, and your life is no longer in danger. However, your foundation has only just recovered and is not yet stable. Do not force yourself into fierce battles or attempt to break through any bottlenecks for the time being. Rest quietly for several days, and your cultivation foundation will be completely stabilized, paving the way for you to undergo a perfect heavenly tribulation again in the future."

Ice Empress remained silent for a long time.

For four hundred thousand turbulent years, she had carried lingering injuries through half her life, facing the decline decreed by fate. She had long since accepted life and death. Never had she imagined that her fate, already nearing its end, would be completely rewritten by the young man before her.

After a long while, she lifted her eyes. The sharp, icy gleam of the past had completely faded from them, leaving only gratitude, respect, emotion, and a faint reliance that had quietly begun to take root.

"Huo Chen." Every word was solemn, her voice slightly hoarse. "I owe you my life."

"You flatter me, Senior." Huo Chen gently shook his head. "Since I promised to keep you safe and rewrite your fate, I will certainly see it through."

"No." Ice Empress's gaze was resolute, her sense of gratitude and grievance crystal clear. "I, Ice Empress, have lived for four hundred thousand years. I distinguish clearly between debts and favors, and I have never been vague about either. You saved my broken life and shattered my dead end. This favor outweighs heaven and earth. From now on, whatever you need, I, Ice Empress, will brave fire and water and face death ten thousand times without regret."

Seeing that her mind was made up, Huo Chen no longer refused. He nodded warmly. "All right. I'll remember that."

The two walked out of the quiet rear courtyard chamber side by side.

In the courtyard, Snow Empress and Huo Yuhao had long been waiting silently.

The instant she saw Ice Empress step out the door, Snow Empress's eyes suddenly lit up, disbelief and joy filling them. "Bing'er! Your aura... it's completely whole. You've fully recovered!"

"Mhm." Ice Empress nodded, revealing a rare, genuine, gentle smile. "I'm completely healed. This kid's soul skill is practically heaven-defying."

Snow Empress turned toward Huo Chen. Her cool eyes were filled with sincere respect as she gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

"There is no need for such formality, Senior." Huo Chen smiled calmly. "A promise made is never left unfulfilled."

At that moment, Huo Yuhao hurried over with a tray of warm tea, his face bright with excitement. "Uncle! Senior Ice Empress! Hurry and have some tea and rest!"

Ice Empress accepted a teacup and took a light sip of the warm tea. Raising a brow, she smiled faintly. "Not bad, little fellow. You've got skill."

Huo Yuhao scratched his head and grinned foolishly, overjoyed.

Snow Empress also lifted her cup for a small sip. Her gaze lingered on Huo Chen for a long while before she finally spoke, voicing the question that had troubled her most.

"Huo Chen, there is something I wish to ask you."

"Please go ahead, Senior."

"You did not hesitate to expend your own soul power, risk entering the Extreme North to find us, heal Bing'er's grievous origin injuries, and even promise to help me survive the fatal tribulation of taking human form..." Snow Empress's gaze was clear and piercing, directed straight at his heart. "What exactly do you want?"

The question was blunt and sharp, without the slightest attempt at evasion.

Beside them, Huo Yuhao instantly held his breath and looked nervously at his uncle.

Huo Chen fell silent for a moment, then slowly raised his eyes and smiled frankly.

"If I said that I simply could not bear to see the two of you meet the same tragic fate as in the original work, would you believe me, Senior?"

Snow Empress said nothing, merely gazing steadily at him.

"Very well, I'll be honest." Huo Chen's tone was sincere. "I do have selfish motives. I hope that you two Seniors can stay here—as friends, companions, and family. With your strength, protect those around me and ensure Yuhao lives a lifetime of peace and security."

His gaze grew even gentler. "But more than that, it is what my heart desires. I have seen the endings of your fates. Such tragic conclusions should never have belonged to you. Since I happened to arrive at this time and possess the ability to defy heaven, then I will rewrite everything for you."

A gentle breeze swept through the courtyard, and plum blossoms fluttered down from the corner of the yard, landing beside Snow Empress's temple.

Snow Empress remained silent for a long time. Then she gave a soft sigh, and all distance and wariness faded from her eyes, leaving only gentleness and relief.

"I have lived for seven hundred thousand years and seen through the hearts of countless people." She spoke softly. "People fear my icy cold, covet my cultivation, and scheme for my origin. Not one has been sincere. Yet you alone seek neither repayment nor profit, wishing only to rewrite our fates."

She raised her cup in salute, her expression softening slightly. "This cup is to you."

Huo Chen raised his own cup to meet hers, the crisp clink echoing in the evening breeze.

"To the road ahead, and peace year after year."

The two cups of clear tea went down their throats, and every barrier, wariness, and distance melted away.

Standing nearby, Huo Yuhao felt warmth surge through his heart, filling him with genuine joy. He could clearly sense that Ice Empress and Snow Empress had truly accepted his uncle, and accepted this little Homecoming Cottage.

Night gradually deepened, the sky scattered with countless stars.

The little courtyard of Homecoming Cottage glowed with warm, gentle lamplight, driving away the chill of the night. It was peaceful and quiet.

Huo Chen busied himself in the kitchen for a while, and soon a table full of steaming homemade dishes was set out: braised pork ribs, steamed fresh fish, stir-fried vegetables, and a pot of mild, nourishing chicken soup, brimming with the warmth of everyday life.

Ice Empress and Snow Empress looked at the spread of mortal fare before them, their expressions subtly softening.

"Four hundred thousand years, and I had never tasted mortal food." Ice Empress picked up a piece of ribs and put it in her mouth, her eyes abruptly lighting up. "It tastes wonderful!"

Snow Empress sampled the fish as well and gave a slight nod, warmth rising in her heart.

Huo Yuhao shoveled down mouthfuls of rice, his heart filled with peace. If his mother were still alive, then this perfect scene would hold no regrets. He suppressed the faint ache in his heart and earnestly joined everyone for dinner.

After the meal, Huo Chen prepared two clean and tidy guest rooms in the west wing, each with brand-new bedding, and settled the two of them in to rest.

"The accommodations are modest. Please make do for now."

"It is more than enough." Snow Empress looked at the warm room, her gaze gentle. "It is tens of millions of times warmer than the ice caves of the Extreme North."

Ice Empress sprawled directly across the bed, stretching out her limbs as she raised a brow in contentment. "This soft bed is far more comfortable than a ten-thousand-year black ice bed! Huo Chen, I'll be living here from now on!"

"You are welcome anytime." Huo Chen answered with a smile, gently closing the door behind him.

Outside the main hall.

Huo Yuhao sat on the doorstep, looking up at the star-filled sky as he softly asked, "Uncle, will they stay at our home from now on?"

"They will not be bound here forever." Huo Chen sat beside him and replied softly, "But until they find a true place to belong, Homecoming Cottage will always be their home."

"That's great!" Huo Yuhao broke into a wide grin, overflowing with joy. "I really like them!"

Huo Chen rubbed the top of his head and teased softly, "Get along with them well. Perhaps one day, they'll become your two aunts."

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then began grinning foolishly.

The evening breeze was gentle, the river of stars shone brilliantly, and the lights in the little courtyard glowed peacefully.

Inside the west-wing guest room.

Snow Empress stood alone by the window, gazing at the moon in thought as she softly murmured the name of the young man in azure robes.

"Huo Chen... what kind of person are you, really?"

No one answered.

Only the evening breeze brushed past the window, and the gentle moonlight quietly traced the faint smile that bloomed at the corner of her lips without her realizing it.

Fate had already been rewritten. The road ahead stretched far, and every passing year would be peaceful.