Pan Long's return delighted his family beyond measure.
They had expected him to be gone at least three to five years after his last departure—perhaps he would never return at all, sending only a letter and a few small gifts through someone else. They had never imagined he would come home less than a year later.
Especially with the New Year so close.
The whole family gathering for the New Year was a custom shared by the Northlands and all the Nine Provinces of Great Xia. Pan Long had spent years roaming the Martial World without coming home, and his family had worried about him all that time. When he had finally returned last year, he had rushed off before even spending a full night under their roof. That had hurt them more than they could say.
His mother, Ren Yue, had cried several times in private, but there had been nothing she could do.
This time, his father merely smiled a little when he came home. His mother laughed and jumped for joy, as happy as a child.
And when he told them he would stay for the New Year, she hurried off in high spirits to get his New Year clothes ready.
Even Northerners, whom people across the Nine Provinces considered rough, changed into new clothes for the New Year.
His parents had not planned to prepare any for Pan Long. If he was not coming home, doing so would only make them miserable. But now that he had returned, his mother naturally sprang into action.
Once Ren Yue had left, his father, Pan Lei, asked, "Why did you come back? Has the problem been solved?"
"Yes. It's solved."
"Who solved it for you?"
"Who else? My teacher, Bi Lingkong." Pan Long had already decided to give her