Half a month later.
Jiang Shennong rode the Fire Qilin back to the Jiang Tribe.
The people of the tribe were delighted by their young lord's return, singing and dancing to welcome Jiang Shennong home.
Jiang Shennong was equally happy, greeting the people of the tribe one by one.
He saw that many of his childhood playmates had married and had children, and that many of his comrades from his youth had become extraordinarily strong.
Amid laughter, Jiang Shennong made his way into the tribe.
Outside the chief's tent.
Golden sunlight spilled across the grass.
Jiang Yang sat on a beast-hide seat, looking at his tall, powerfully built son with considerable gratification.
A little gray had already appeared in his hair, and his face had aged somewhat, but his smile was gentle and his bearing steady.
Filiya, standing beside him, was still young and beautiful. The years had left not the slightest trace on her fair, lovely face.
Standing before his father, Jiang Shennong realized something for the first time.
His father was now a mortal through and through. Even having been born through God Blood entering the womb, he could not escape the years.
A trace of sadness suddenly spread through his heart.
After Mother left me, would Father leave me someday too?
As though he had seen through Jiang Shennong's thoughts.
Jiang Yang stood up and patted his shoulder with a smile.
"Nong'er, come walk along the river with me. We haven't seen each other in ten years, father and son."
Jiang Shennong nodded and said.
"Yes, Father. Since I climbed Mount Kongtong, ten years have passed in the blink of an eye."
"Back when I was a god, I had an eternal lifespan and never cared about the passage of time. And so I thought I had