The Ye Family of Luocheng City

Qingyuan River was Luocheng City's largest river, stretching 2,700 li in length. At its widest, it reached twelve li across; at its narrowest, only two or three.

Wooden boats crossed the river in a scattered, star-studded pattern.

Ye Chen stood at the bow, leading his horse, his gaze fixed on the distance. There stood a majestic city, square and orderly, with a tall tower rising at its center, visible clearly even from several li away.

"Young hero, are you heading home to visit family?" The boatman rowing the vessel saw Ye Chen's blue robes and treasured sword at his waist. No matter how the little boat rocked, he remained as steady as a mountain, and the boatman could not help asking.

Ye Chen nodded. "I haven't been home in three years!" He had not returned for the previous two year-end Clan Gatherings. Going back then would only have brought him humiliation. This time was different. Even if the family had not sent a notice, he would have returned to reclaim the dignity that belonged to him.

"You should go back. Nowhere is as good as home." The boatman seemed to think of his wife, and a warm smile surfaced on his face. He no longer felt tired.

Ye Chen was actually somewhat conflicted. Returning home meant seeing his parents. Though he had fused with this world's Ye Chen's soul and accepted all of the other's emotions, he was still the one controlling this body. In other words, the other's consciousness had already vanished; at heart, he was still himself from the twenty-first century.

When the boat reached shore, Ye Chen tossed a whole silver ingot to the boatman.

"Young hero, this is too much." The boatman froze for a moment, then said honestly.

Ye Chen waved his hand, swung onto his horse, and rode toward nearby Luocheng City.

Watching Ye Chen's retreating figure, the boatman felt both envy and delight. He envied the martial artist's bold, carefree elegance, never needing to worry about money. He was delighted because ten taels of silver could buy his wife several beautiful outfits, with plenty left over. She would surely be happy.

Luocheng City.

After showing the city guards his Ye Family Disciple Token, Ye Chen rode straight into the city at full gallop.

The Ye Family was located in the southern part of Luocheng City. It covered a thousand mu of open land. A pair of Stone Lions, each as tall as two men, stood before the gates. The doors were vermilion, studded with gleaming bronze nails and fitted with bronze rings. The household guards at the entrance wore bright clothes and spoke with full, resonant voices. They were clearly accomplished Qi Cultivation Realm martial artists.

"Young Master Chen! Young Master Chen has returned!" Hearing the hoofbeats, the household guards looked over. The moment they saw the blue-clad youth, their eyes lit up, and they shouted loudly.

"Young Master Chen, I'll take the horse." One of the guards hurried over and took the reins.

After dismounting, Ye Chen asked, "Are my father and mother at home?"

The guard replied, "The Patriarch and Madam are both here. I've already sent someone to inform them."

"Good. I'll go pay my respects immediately."

After entering through the gates, Ye Chen followed the guard to the entrance of the main hall.

Drawing a deep breath, Ye Chen stepped inside.

The hall was broad and magnificent. A man and a woman stood within. The man appeared to be around forty, fair-faced and beardless, with a tall build. Simply standing there, he radiated an indescribable authority that made others unable to meet his gaze. The woman looked only a little over thirty. She was exceptionally beautiful, graceful and dignified. Her bright eyes were exactly like Ye Chen's, while her figure was no less lovely than that of a young girl.

They were Ye Chen's father, Ye Tianhao, and mother, Shen Yuqing.

"Father, Mother." At that moment, Ye Chen naturally knelt and bowed, as though some invisible force had taken command of him.

Shen Yuqing's face was full of excitement as she stepped forward to help him up. "It's good that you're back. It's good that you're back."

Ye Tianhao smiled and nodded. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly gave a startled cry. "Chen'er, you've reached the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer."

"Is that true?" Shen Yuqing had been too excited at the sight of her son to notice. Looking again now, Ye Chen's aura was pure and vast. He was only one step away from condensing True Qi. If this was not the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer, then what was it?

"Chen'er, what happened?" By all rights, Shen Yuqing should have been happy—extremely happy. As an Outer Sect Elder of the Southern Luo Sect with cultivation at the early Primal Origin Realm, and as the wife of the Ye Family Patriarch, she had never wanted her children to lag far behind others and be called trash. Yet now that her son had suddenly become a genius, she was caught somewhat off guard.

Though Ye Tianhao said nothing, his eyes revealed his thoughts.

Ye Chen had already prepared an explanation. Clearing his throat, he said, "I don't know what happened either. I suddenly became enlightened. Cultivation felt very simple, just like eating and drinking." The more complicated a lie was, the easier it was to expose. Ye Chen understood this well.

"Suddenly became enlightened?" Ye Tianhao did not quite understand.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Yuqing said to her husband, "It is not as though such things have never happened. Our Southern Luo Sect once had a disciple who was utterly ordinary when he first joined, with below-average talent. But after a year or two, he unexpectedly became much sharper. His cultivation broke through again and again, and now he is already a Core Disciple."

"So our Chen'er is a genius too." Ye Tianhao did not care about some Southern Luo Sect disciple. What he cared about was his own son.

Shen Yuqing said, "More accurately, he is an acquired genius."

"Whether an acquired genius or an innate genius, a genius is still a genius! Hahaha, my Chen'er is a genius! I'm so happy!" Ye Tianhao burst into laughter, high-spirited and full of vigor.

Seeing how happy his parents were, Ye Chen said seriously, "Don't worry. From now on, I, Ye Chen, will not be inferior to anyone."

"Of course. In only three years, you rose from the early Second Layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm to the peak Qi Cultivation Realm Tenth Layer. Who would dare say my son is inferior to others?"

Shen Yuqing gently nudged Ye Tianhao. "I know you're happy, but Chen'er has rushed back through wind and dust. Let him rest first. We can talk more over dinner."

"You're right. Chen'er, your courtyard has already been tidied up. Go take a bath and wash away your fatigue first."

"Then I'll take my leave."

After leaving the hall, Ye Chen followed his memories back to his own courtyard.

"Greetings, Young Master." A green-clad girl had long been waiting in the courtyard.

Ye Chen smiled. "Cui'er, long time no see. You've grown up."

Cui'er blushed. "Hasn't Young Master grown up too?"

"Hehe, that's true. Has the bathwater been prepared?"

Seeing that Ye Chen was still so approachable, Cui'er finally relaxed and answered obediently, "It's ready. This way, Young Master."

Inside the bathing room.

A hazy white mist filled the air.

After sending Cui'er out, Ye Chen removed his clothes and slipped naked into the wooden tub.

"So comfortable!" With a soft groan, Ye Chen leaned back and closed his eyes.

Things had gone more smoothly than he had imagined. Most importantly, he did not feel any estrangement toward Ye Tianhao and Shen Yuqing. It was as though they truly were his parents.

Thinking of this, Ye Chen felt deeply moved. In the twenty-first century, he had never known who his parents were. He had been taken from an orphanage, then attended elementary school, middle school, and university. Like everyone else, there had been nothing special about him.

He had never expected that after coming to this world, he would have parents of his own. That blood-thicker-than-water familial bond filled him with warmth and longing.