In the Chen Clan's main courtyard, everyone was gradually dispersing...
"Brother Xun, Brother Zhang..."
"Uncle Xun, Uncle Zhang..."
"Uncle Xun, Uncle Zhang..."
"Young clan leader..."
"First Master, Second Master..."
"What's the happy occasion? Why are there so many people?" A booming voice rang out from the entrance. Chen Xun had returned, with not only Chen Zhang behind him, but Ma Zhibin as well.
On their way home, the brothers Chen Xun and Chen Zhang had run into Ma Zhibin wandering around the village, showing off everywhere on the strength of that damned handsome face. The fellow was an idle loafer wherever he went, and the moment he spotted Chen Xun, he latched onto him.
Chen Xun looked at him speechlessly. "Why aren't you eating at the ancestral hall? My father is hosting a feast. The village cooks really know their craft, and they've even made your favorite braised chicken feet."
Generally speaking, Soul Masters rarely ate ingredients related to their own martial souls. The Ma Family had phoenix-type martial souls, and although those had little to do with chickens, members of their family usually avoided them.
Ma Zhibin was an exception. He ate anything, meat or vegetables, and was especially fond of braised chicken feet.
Looking utterly unconcerned, Ma Zhibin said, "Well, the food might be good, but staring at Old Xue's shoehorn face rather spoils my appetite."
"Besides, I need to know my place. Looking at me would spoil their appetites too, wouldn't it?"
"And I know how well your wife Xiuxin cooks. She's top-notch."
Ye Xiuxin and Chen Jianjun hurried forward to greet them, with Chen Xiaojun following behind, holding Xiao Yi's hand.
Out of habit, Xiao Yi kept her little body close beside the boy, gripping his hand tightly, as though only this could give her a