Homecoming, part two

"We're nobles now."

As his words fell, silence settled over the room. His parents were still so overwhelmed by shock that they did not know what to do with their hands and feet. Seeing their awkwardness, Shiheng smiled and stood, opened his bundle again, and took out several thoroughly cleaned pieces of magical beast meat. The meat was pale red with a firm grain, clearly not the sort of game an ordinary farming family could eat. He had specially set it aside before leaving, intending to bring it home to nourish his parents.

"Dad, Mom, sit down and rest a while. I'll cook us something good."

Shiheng worked deftly. Having grown up poor, he had learned all sorts of household chores early, and he lit the fire, washed the meat, and cut it into chunks in one smooth sequence. He put the magical beast meat into the pot, added some simple wild vegetables for flavor, and stewed it over high heat. In less than half an incense stick's time, a rich, mellow aroma drifted from the pot, spreading everywhere and instantly filling the cramped room, completely sweeping away the bland smell of the thin porridge.

This was meat from a low-level magical beast. Not only was it delicious, but it also contained a faint trace of spiritual energy and tasted a hundred times better than ordinary poultry. Sitting at the table and smelling an enticing aroma unlike anything they had ever encountered, his parents' stomachs rumbled involuntarily. The warmth in their eyes as they looked at Shiheng grew even more heartfelt.

Soon, a large pot of steaming magical beast meat was ready. Shiheng ladled out three large bowls and placed one before each of his parents and himself. Filled with plump chunks of meat and rich broth, the bowls were mouthwatering just to look at.

"Dad, Mom, try it. This is meat from magical beasts I hunted myself in the Magical Beast Forest. It tastes good and nourishes the body."

His parents picked up their bowls and chopsticks with trembling hands and cautiously tasted a bite. The meat was tender and thoroughly flavored, its savory richness bursting across their tongues. They had never tasted anything so delicious in their lives. In the past, they had only managed a taste of meat at New Year, never imagining they might one day eat it by the mouthful like this.

The three sat around the warm stove, slowly chatting over the fragrant pot of magical beast meat. Shiheng skipped over the desperate battles in which he had narrowly escaped death, telling his parents only about amusing incidents in his unit, the strange sights in the Magical Beast Forest, and how he had earned military merit and been made a baron, patiently soothing the worries in their hearts.

His parents ate the meat and listened to their son's experiences, occasionally reminding him to stay safe while away, their words full of tender concern. The dim oil lamp flickered, casting their three shadows on the wall. The room was filled with the aroma of meat and gentle conversation. The shabby little house, once cold and quiet, was now alive with the warmth of everyday life.

For the first time in so many years, this family felt so secure and well provided for. It was as though all their hardships had been utterly dispelled in that moment by the warmth and hope before them.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, the room felt warmer still. Looking at his parents' peaceful expressions, Shiheng suddenly felt a trace of unease. After a moment's thought, he said, "Dad, Mom, let's leave Yanhe Village and move to Kelan City in the Duchy."

Seeing their puzzled expressions, he quickly explained, "Our village is close to the outskirts of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts. Wild beasts come down to attack the village, and roaming bandits burn, kill, and plunder. It's far too dangerous. Now that I'm a baron appointed by the Empire, with a title and wealth, I'm bound to attract the attention of ill-intentioned people. I'm afraid that once I return to the army, bandits will set their sights on you two if you stay here, putting you in danger."

After hearing him out, his parents exchanged a glance, looking troubled. Only after a long silence did they slowly reply, "We've spent our whole lives in Yanhe Village. Our relatives, neighbors, and everyone we know are here. Asking us to suddenly move somewhere completely unfamiliar like Kelan City, where we know neither the people nor the place-we really couldn't get used to it. We wouldn't feel at ease."

Shiheng understood their concerns and did not want to force them. The family sat together and discussed the matter carefully, finally deciding to settle in Hess City. It was the most prosperous city in the area, with city defenses to protect them and ensure their safety. It was also not far from Yanhe Village, allowing them to keep in touch with relatives back home while completely escaping the threat of wild beasts and bandits. Nothing could have suited them better.

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, news that Shiheng had returned home and been made a baron spread throughout Yanhe Village. Fortunately, the villagers had always been honest and kindhearted, and had always gotten along well with his family. When they heard the news, they felt nothing but joy and admiration, without the slightest jealousy.

Shiheng set off for Hess City early that morning. He generously hired skilled cooks and bought large quantities of pork, magical beast meat, rice, flour, grain, oil, fruit, vegetables, and other plentiful ingredients. He hired wagons to transport everything back to the village, intending to hold a feast for all the villagers, both to thank them for looking after his parents and to share his family's good fortune.

The cooks from Hess City brought their helpers, set up large pots, tables, and chairs in the open space outside Shiheng's home, and got to work. The sounds of chopping, stir-frying, and crackling firewood mingled together. Rich cooking aromas drifted far afield, filling the entire village with enticing scents.

The villagers arrived in small groups. Looking at the abundant dishes laid out before them, they all wore expressions of amazement, their eyes full of respect for Shiheng. His family had once been poor and struggled to get by in the village. Now, not only had he returned safely and become an exalted noble, but he had not forgotten to treat his fellow villagers to a feast. Such character made him all the more admirable.

Dressed in neat, clean clothes, Shiheng stood beside his parents and greeted the arriving villagers with a smile. His manner was composed and proper, without the slightest aristocratic arrogance. Standing beside him, his parents looked at the villagers filling the bustling yard and listened to their congratulations, unable to hide their smiles. Their backs were straight, too. After a lifetime of keeping their heads down in the village, they could finally hold them high.

The feast began, and large bowls of meat, fragrant rice, and delicious vegetables were brought to the tables one after another. The villagers sat together, heartily eating delicacies they rarely saw in everyday life and offering their congratulations to Shiheng and his parents.

"Shitou has really made something of himself! Yanhe Village has produced a noble!"

"Brother Shi, Sister-in-law Shi, you've finally made it through the hard times. All you have to do now is enjoy a comfortable life!"

"Thanks to Shitou doing so well, we get to share in his good fortune and have a fine meal!"

Hearing the villagers' sincere blessings, Shiheng's parents grew misty-eyed and thanked them repeatedly. Shiheng picked up his cup of water, stood, and addressed the whole village solemnly. "Thank you all for looking after my parents. Now that I've achieved a little success, I certainly won't forget my ties to this village. If any of you have difficulties in the future, please don't hesitate to ask. Before long, I'll be taking my parents to settle in Hess City. This meal is both my thanks to you and a farewell to everyone."

His words were met with enthusiastic cheers, and all of Yanhe Village was immersed in a lively, festive atmosphere. Sunlight spilled over the yard, the aroma of food filled the air, and laughter and cheerful voices rang out without end. This was a moment of glory for the Shi family, and the liveliest day Yanhe Village had ever seen.

Before long, the next day arrived. Shiheng had packed their luggage and was helping his parents along, ready to set out for Hess City to settle there. Before leaving, he made a special trip alone to the village chief's home with the generous gifts he had prepared in advance.

He raised his hand and knocked lightly on the courtyard gate. Once the village chief opened it, he wasted little time on pleasantries, turning aside to signal the villagers following him to carry over two large slabs of fresh, firm magical beast meat. They weighed a full four hundred jin and had a bright, fresh grain. This was fourth-level magical beast meat, rich in spiritual energy. Eating it could strengthen ordinary people's bodies and was especially beneficial to children's physical development.

"Village Chief, sorry for the trouble, but please distribute these four hundred jin of fourth-level magical beast meat to the village children who regularly train their bodies, to supplement their nutrition and strengthen them." Shiheng's voice was steady and sincere. As he spoke, he took a heavy bag of gold coins from inside his clothes and handed it to the village chief. "There are five hundred gold coins here. I'll leave these with you as well, as a small token of my affection for the village. You can use them to repair village homes and help families in difficulty."

Holding the heavy money pouch and looking at the great pile of fourth-level magical beast meat before him, the village chief stood stunned, his heart filled with gratitude. Just as he was about to thank Shiheng and urge him to stay, Shiheng gave a slight nod, turned, and walked back toward his own home, his steps firm and without the slightest delay.

He was grateful for the care the villagers had shown his family over the years. Leaving these gifts was his final way of giving back to his homeland.

After Shiheng and his parents arrived in Hess City, he wasted no time and bought a spacious, imposing residence near the City Lord's Mansion. The area was heavily guarded, quiet, and pleasant, both safe and respectable, making it very suitable for his parents to live in long-term.

Once they were settled, Shiheng immediately took the document granting his baronial title to pay a visit to the City Lord's Mansion. The city lord, Kleisler, was a renowned sixth-level warrior, steady and open-minded. Learning that Shiheng was a rising noble who had earned his title through military merit, and seeing his measured manner, neither arrogant nor impatient, Kleisler thought highly of him. The two had quite a pleasant conversation.

After formally establishing himself in Hess City, Shiheng declined all social engagements and devoted himself to spending time with his parents. He helped them become familiar with the residence, bought them clothes, and sampled the city's delicacies with them, making up for the time he had been unable to spend by their side.

Seven days passed in this peaceful warmth.

On the morning of the seventh day, Shiheng saw that everything at home was settled and his parents were in good spirits, and finally felt at ease. He said goodbye to them, packed his belongings once more, and set off on the road back to the military camp.

His home was secure and his parents free from worry. He no longer had anything at home to weigh on his mind.

Next, he would return to the battlefield, continue honing his strength, and stride toward higher, stronger realms.