Xu Caichen: I'm a Father!

The Wu Kingdom, Lin'an City.

The crowds surged and flowed endlessly, giving one a sense of bustling activity and vibrant life.

But upon closer inspection, the vast majority of pedestrians on the road were sallow-faced, emaciated, raggedly dressed, and listless.

Chu Feng could smell the incense in the streets and alleys, and he could also hear the chanting of scriptures from time to time.

The Great Sage Golden Wing glanced at the passersby and muttered, "That wicked dragon has truly committed countless atrocities. It has absorbed most of the life force of the people in the entire Lin'an City. If we had arrived any later, Lin'an City would probably have become a living hell."

Chu Feng said calmly, "What I'm curious about now is why that demon would choose to wreak havoc in a mortal kingdom like Wu Kingdom?"

The Great Sage Golden Wing laughed and said, "Most likely it's to steal the nation's fortune in order to break through to the Dao Integration Realm. The Wu Kingdom is declining and its national fortune is weak, making it easier to steal."

Upon hearing this, Minister Ming trembled and respectfully asked, "Immortal Master, what should my Wu Kingdom do to prolong its national fortune and prevent widespread suffering?"

Great Sage Golden Wing shook his head. "That's not something I'm good at. You can ask my brother Feng."

Minister Ming then bowed to Chu Feng: "Please enlighten me, Immortal Master."

Without hesitation, Chu Feng replied, "Find a Child of Fortune to continue the fortune of the Wu Kingdom."

"Then where should we search for the Child of Fortune?"

Minister Ming then asked.

Chu Feng smiled and said, "That's for your Wu Kingdom to find out yourselves. I don't interfere in worldly affairs."

Minister Ming then realized he had overstepped his bounds and bowed, saying, "I have been impolite; I hope the Immortal Master will forgive me."

It's alright.

Chu Feng abruptly changed the subject. "All good things must come to an end. Let's part ways here."

"Farewell, Immortal Master."

Minister Ming was perfectly aware of the unspoken meaning behind the other party's words. As a smart man, he naturally knew what to do.

Yan Chixia then bid farewell to the group, saying, "Ning the Fool, I'm going to Brother Xu's residence for a chat. Goodbye for now."

Goodbye.

Ning Qi'an bowed slightly and watched Chu Feng and his group leave.

well...

After Chu Feng and his group disappeared from sight, Minister Ming let out a long sigh.

Ming Yuexi, who was standing to the side, asked, "Father, are you still worried about state affairs?"

Minister Ming said, "I originally intended to ask these immortal masters for their assistance to my Wu Kingdom, but I didn't expect that they were indeed as rumored to be, detached from worldly affairs."

Ning Qi'an then spoke up, "Lord Ming, although those immortal masters don't care, their relatives are still settled in Lin'an. If we can find their relatives, there might still be a chance for this matter to turn around."

Minister Ming's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "You're right. Let's report the matter of the Fazhang to the Emperor first, and then send people to investigate the families of those immortal masters. Perhaps our Wu Kingdom can turn the tide."

Half an hour later.

Xu Caichen and his entourage arrived at an old courtyard, where the old plaque at the entrance still bore the words "Xu Manor".

No one spoke; they all focused their attention on Xu Caichen.

Xu Caichen dismounted and stepped forward, gently knocking a few times on the door.

A moment later, half of the door creaked open.

An old servant poked his head out from inside and asked a question instinctively.

Who is it?

Upon seeing the old servant, Xu Caichen smiled and said, "Uncle Fu is my Caichen."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Fu carefully examined Xu Caichen, then his face showed astonishment. He said excitedly, "Young Master, you're finally back! Miss has been trying to send you messages these past few days."

"Oh?"

Xu Caichen was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Has something happened at home?"

Uncle Fu said, "Young Master, this is not the place to talk. Please come in first, I will go and inform the young lady."

"Um."

Xu Caichen nodded, then turned to the crowd and said, "Master, fellow disciples, please come in."

Chu Feng nodded slightly, then led everyone off their horses and accompanied Xu Caichen into the Xu Manor.

After a short while, Chu Feng saw a middle-aged woman, accompanied by an old woman, running quickly towards Xu Caichen.

"Caichen."

"Elder sister."

The siblings met and instantly burst into tears.

Sister Xu held her younger brother's hand, carefully examining him. Seeing that he hadn't changed at all since she left home, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"Caichen, how have you been these past few years?"

Xu Caichen did not hide anything. "I have been a disciple of the immortals for many years, and everything is fine."

Upon hearing this, Sister Xu's eyes lit up, and she murmured, "That's good, that's good. By the way, who are these people behind you?"

Xu Caichen turned around and began to introduce everyone to each other. After some pleasantries, the group arrived at the main hall of the Xu family home.

A young maidservant served tea to everyone.

After taking a sip of tea, Xu Caichen asked, "Sister, how has things been at home these past few years?"

Sister Xu said, "Your brother-in-law is a minor official in the capital. He's not rich, but he's doing alright. It's just that your wife is having some trouble."

As she spoke, her eyes suddenly darkened. Years ago, her younger brother's marriage to that white snake demon almost led to the destruction of the Xu family. She never expected that this would happen again. If she hadn't been unable to keep it from Caichen, she wouldn't have wanted to reveal the snake demon's information to him.

"What's wrong, my wife?"

Upon hearing that his wife was in trouble, Xu Caichen immediately stood up.

He looks like he's head over heels in love.

"Well..."

Sister Xu sighed, "This is a long story. You should see your son and have Xiaoqing relay the message to you."

I'm a dad?

Xu Caichen was immediately overjoyed, but from his sister's tone, he could tell that his wife was in quite a bit of trouble.

In the past, he would have been frantic, running around like a headless fly, but now he's not worried at all.

"Quick, take me to see that child."

"Well."

Sister Xu said "good" twice in a row, then stood up and led everyone towards the backyard.

Cao Youqian patted Xu Caichen on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Xu, I never expected that among all of us, you would be the first to become a father. Congratulations!"

Xu Caichen said with a smile, "At the time, I didn't expect my wife to be pregnant. Otherwise, I would have risked my life to keep her by my side."

Chu Feng comforted her, "Good things come to those who wait. We can still bring her back now."

"Um."

Xu Caichen nodded, and the thought of having a son made him quicken his pace.

As they walked through the front yard and into the back yard, they heard the laughter of a child.

Chu Feng looked in the direction from which the sound came and saw a child of about ten years old playing in the courtyard, with a girl dressed in green beside him.

The child was practically a miniature version of Xu Caichen; it was obvious without asking that he was his son.

Xu Caichen looked at the tiny child, strode forward, picked him up, and said, "My child, my child."

The child was startled by the sudden action and was about to cry for help, but what came into view was the face he had been longing for, and he subconsciously uttered those two words.

"Father."

"Eh."

Xu Caichen blurted it out.

Upon hearing this, the child burst into tears, crying, "Waaah, Daddy, Hanlin misses you so much..."

Seeing this scene of filial piety between father and son, Chu Feng and his group quietly withdrew from the courtyard, leaving the father and son alone...