Anping County, the southern quarter.
This had once been a rather secluded alley within the county town, lined with several old locust trees. Veiled by wind and snow, it seemed especially tranquil.
Deep within the alley stood a three-courtyard residence, hardly extravagant, yet suffused with a faint spiritual charm—Clearwind Courtyard.
It was a property the Wu Household had given Chu Bai when he first joined the Demon-Suppression Office.
Back then, to make cultivation easier, he had spared no expense in setting up a small [Five-Element Spirit-Gathering Array].
Now, several years later, nourished by that array, the residence had become a rare treasure of auspicious terrain within Anping County.
"Big Brother, this is our home. Father and Mother will be overjoyed when they find out you're back!"
Holding Chu Bai's hand, Chu Lin stepped through the snow and excitedly pointed at the vermilion gates ahead.
Although Chu Bai had bought this residence, he had spent these past few years away. Chu Lin had actually spent more of his childhood here.
Standing before the gates, Chu Bai gazed at the familiar lintel and felt the faint yet gentle five-element spiritual qi spilling from the courtyard. The string that had been stretched taut within his heart for months finally relaxed completely.
However fierce the wind and snow of the Far North, they could not blow into this little Clearwind Courtyard.
Rather than disturb his parents with his divine sense, Chu Bai raised his hand and knocked with the door ring, just like any ordinary traveler returning from a distant journey.
"Coming, coming! Who is it, in all this snow?"
Hurried footsteps sounded from within, accompanied by the familiar voice that had haunted Chu Bai's dreams—his mother's.
The gates were pulled open.
A woman in a thick padded jacket poked her head out. Her