Reunion (Thanks to 20190303204144758 for the 10,000-coin tip)

---- Cloud Horn Prefecture, Chongming Sect

Standing beneath the archway, Lian Xuepu was even more handsome than when he left. The Sect Leader Kang Da had no idea that the former's appearance was the result of being raised on countless delicacies; he simply assumed that it was due to the great favor he received after joining the Hehuan Sect.

"My martial uncle is back."

Kang Dabao's voice was gentle, much more composed than Lian Xuepu remembered. A hint of guilt flashed in the latter's eyes, and after a long pause, he spoke again, "These years, Sect Leader, you've worked hard."

"Uncle-Master, what are you saying?!" Sect Leader Kang Da walked over with a smile, grabbed Lian Xuepu's sleeve, and led the latter into the sect, just like when he was young and asked for guidance. This made the Peach-Burning Envoy of the Hehuan Sect Union Sect somewhat dazed.

When Chongming Sect was renovating the house for the second time, Fei Shuhe, as the mistress of the house, offered many suggestions. Therefore, in Lian Xuepu's opinion, although the furnishings were simple, they were still elegant and quite different from ordinary small households with no background.

The two of them explored the entire vast sect together. Lian Xuepu, they only had time to pay their respects at the ancestral hall outside, without having a chance to take a closer look at the changes in the sect.

As someone close to the True Person and with a keen eye, he could see that there were many vulnerable points along the way that others might consider crucial. However, Sect Leader Kang Da did not shy away from these points. On several occasions when Lian Xuepu showed curiosity, he would even take the initiative to offer explanations.

This behavior warmed Lian Xuepu's heart, and he seemed to see the shadow of that great man from back then in the Sect Leader Kang Da. He felt even more guilty and his mood became low. He remained silent for the rest of the way.

Chongming Sect now occupies a considerable area, but its heartland is undoubtedly the sect leader's courtyard inherited by Kang Dabao. Even though Chongming Sect has been renovated for many years, Kang Dabao's courtyard remains largely unchanged from its original state, not much different from when the Old Sect Leader He was alive.

The two-bay hall with its hipped roof was no longer the place where Chongming Sect held meetings; it was only used for a while when close friends and relatives came out, as a way of receiving guests.

The scripture rooms, Alchemy Hall, discipline rooms, and reward and punishment rooms on both sides have been empty for many years. Even the current Sect Leader Kang Da himself doesn't know what they are meant to be used for.

The only room still in use is the Sect Leader's Cloud Chamber, which is rarely used. It's mostly only used when Sect Leader Kang Da and his wives and concubines occasionally indulge in debauchery.

In the low, flat hut where the patriarch is enshrined to the due south, the same clay and gold statues still fill the cramped space. In the past, when Wu Meng served Kang Dabao, he would occasionally come in to touch up the statues, but now they have all faded.

There are six monks' quarters on each side of the Ancestral Hall. They were only occupied for a few days before most of them became vacant again.

The banyan tree in the middle of the courtyard has grown to towering height, and the blue brick well under the tree is now completely different from what it used to be; the Spiritual Qi inside is so rich that it can overflow.

The stone table next to the well, with its surface inlaid with a yellow jade chessboard, was particularly eye-catching, Lian Xuepu reminding Lian Xuepu of a dashing figure who, after losing a game of chess, would take off his shoes and whip people all over the yard.

After Lian Xuepu stepped into the courtyard, he found himself unable to utter the prepared remarks he had prepared. After a moment of slurred speech, he had no choice but to sit down as the head of the group with Sect Leader Kang Da.

By this time, the positions had already been set up in the courtyard. The Double Brightness disciples who could enter this place might not necessarily have high cultivation levels, but they needed to be qualified. Sect Leader Kang Da and his fellow disciples were naturally among them, followed by the first two batches of disciples.

He Degong, who happened to be visiting his family in the Chongming Sect, was also invited and sat in a seat above the chairman.

He Chang was specially arranged by Kang Dabao to sit next to Lian Xuepu. As for his mother, He Wanying, she did not want to come, just like when Lian Xuepu returned to his clan last time.

The moment she saw this martial uncle, she remembered her own foolish behavior back then and realized that she had indeed failed her late father in raising her.

However, this time, Sect Leader Kang Da did not indulge her temper and insisted on summoning He Wanying over to properly greet Lian Xuepu.

Kang Dabao had no idea how much emotion the uncle and nephew felt upon seeing each other. He only sent Kang Changxi to urge Jin Shilun and his wife, who were preparing the coffin, to hurry up and serve the dishes.

Now that Chongming Small Pavilion's business has grown so much, even Second Tier chefs are no longer a luxury. The only ones who might be cooking in this small courtyard of Sect Leader Kang Da are this couple whose skills have become quite rusty.

Lian Xuepu has followed True Person Crimson Snow for so many years, and he has eaten more delicacies than Sect Leader Kang Da has ever heard of. However, he did not find the dishes at this family banquet disgusting. Instead, a warm feeling rose in his heart.

The delicacies that Jin Shilun had painstakingly prepared failed to catch Lian Xuepu's eye, but the plain-looking plate of dumplings placed in the center evoked a sense of nostalgia in the latter's eyes.

After meeting Pill Master disregarded etiquette and manners, and without exchanging greetings with others, he immediately picked up some food with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

"It tastes just like the ones my sister-in-law used to make,"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Jin, who was accompanying the guests, smiled and pointed to the women's table, saying to Lian Xuepu, "Uncle-Master, you may not know, but this time it was the Sect Leader's wife who cooked again."

Lian Xuepu saw Fei Shuhe rise from her seat upon hearing the sound and give a graceful curtsy, he also laughed. But after the laughter subsided, he sighed again.

However, when Lian Xuepu put down his jade chopsticks, he didn't say much. He simply looked at Sect Leader Kang Da carefully again before praising him, "Fortunately, Senior Brother He passed the leadership to you, his junior nephew."

He gently stroked the head of He Chang, who was no longer young, and sighed softly, "Having returned to this scene today, even if I were to die tomorrow, it would not be a pity."

"Uncle-Master, what are you saying? Raise your glass, raise your glass."

Yuan Jin still had several wounds wrapped in medicine, but his heroic spirit remained undiminished when he raised his wine cup. Lian Xuepu, preoccupied with his own thoughts, did not refuse, and the atmosphere naturally became lively.

The only outsider present He Degong, was deeply moved by the scene. He watched as the square face of Sect Leader Kang Da was flushed and tinged with the smell of alcohol before silently praising him:

"My elder brother here truly possesses a remarkable ability to discern people's hearts. He offers substantial rewards to those who value profit and entrusts genuine feelings to those who value loyalty; how could he not win people's hearts? However, this skill is even more difficult to learn than achieving the Golden Core."

Lian Xuepu was so intoxicated by the clinking of glasses and the dazzling banquet that he forgot to take out the storage ring he had prepared for a long time to give to Kang Dabao.

Just then, a message arrived from outside. Jiang Qing glanced at the message and, upon seeing its color, his expression immediately darkened.

After he reached out and took it, he made an excuse to go into a room. When he glanced at the letter again, he let out a long breath and almost crushed the wine cup in his hand.

The usually resolute Third Master Jiang showed a hint of hesitation at this moment. He tilted his head back and poured down the amber-colored wine in his cup. Only then did Jiang Qing seem to have the courage to open the talisman.

Unfolding the scroll, one sees only a few words, yet each one is like a knife, carving bloody marks into Jiang Qing's heart.

"The Hehuan Sect!!!"

Blood immediately seeped from Jiang Qing's clenched fist, but after letting out a low growl, he felt utterly powerless. In the end, he could only crumple up the bright red talisman and throw it on the ground.

The creaking sound of the door opening, deliberately made by the newcomer, pulled Jiang Qing back to reality. He turned around and saw Yuan Jin leaving the commotion behind him and walking towards him.

Jiang Qing, who had been trying to hide his grief, suddenly softened his expression. "Second Senior Brother, Zhe'er and Changsheng..."

"Alright, you've been in here too long. It's time for you to leave, otherwise you won't have a good excuse."

Forced to smile, Yuan Jin gestured to stop Jiang Qing from saying what he was about to say. He pointed to the commotion outside, then to Kang Dabao, who was still expressing his true feelings for Lian Xuepu, before speaking slowly:

"This is not the time to speak. We should wait until our Martial Uncle Lian returns before discussing anything further. We must not put our senior brother, the sect leader, in a difficult position."

The two brothers exchanged a glance and both felt sorry for each other. Yuan and Jiang then came out of their room and quickly rejoined the lively atmosphere.

Lian Xuepu couldn't remember the last time he was this happy. After drinking cup after cup of the delicious spirit wine, he became a little more sober.

After thinking for a moment, he took out the storage ring and handed it to Sect Leader Kang Da, then straightened his tongue and began to speak seriously:

"Inside are two kinds of Zhou Grade Daoist inheritances and a hundred kinds of Hong Grade Daoist techniques, all of which have been carefully selected and are suitable for my disciples to cultivate. Even this ring can be considered a rare item, which even Golden Core might not have after many years."

Today, I offer this as a congratulatory gift to my Martial Nephew He, wishing you success in achieving the Golden Core and entering the inner sanctum; and to celebrate the continued prosperity of our Chongming Sect in the Mountain South, ensuring the unbroken lineage of our Dao!

Sect Leader Kang Da rarely refuses gifts, and since it was from an elder, he naturally accepted it with a smile.

The banquet was a great success for both hosts and guests, and it didn't end until the moonlight filled the sect leader's courtyard. Lian Xuepu wasn't exactly a completely free man, so he didn't dare accept the younger generation's suggestion to stay overnight. Instead, he walked out of the sect with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Both sides understood that they didn't know when Lian Xuepu would return again.

After bidding farewell to the younger generation, Lian Xuepu leaped over the archway of the Chongming Sect, his feet treading on red clouds and bathed in moonlight as he continued his journey. But after only a few feet, he stopped, looked back, and sighed softly:

How could that sorrow be hidden?

He then remembered his identity, lowered his head, and murmured, "It would have been better if I had just died back then."

The Sect Leader Kang Da, who remained in the courtyard, had excellent eyesight. Only after Lian Xuepu had completely disappeared did he turn back with a solemn expression. Zhou Yixiu's eyes were already filled with tears, and her dry, chapped lips opened and closed repeatedly, but she could not utter a word.

"Ming Zhe and Changsheng are gone, aren't they?!"

"Waaah!" Zhou Yixiu's sobs could no longer be contained; his thick, cloudy tears flowed like a dam breaking, soaking the old man's clothes in just a moment.

"Why isn't it me? Waaah! Why isn't it me?"

The joyful scene in the courtyard earlier seemed to be made of paper, shattered by this mournful voice. The disciples in the sect looked sorrowful and began to sob. Even when Yuan Jin, this tough man, closed his eyes, two lines of tears secretly slipped out from his eyes.

Jiang Qing seemed to have already grieved. He just stared at He Chang, whose eyes were red, in silence for a while, before turning his gaze to the slightly hunched Sect Leader Kang Da.

Even someone as close as him couldn't discern the latter's current expression.

When Ye Zhengwen, who was in charge of the register, flicked his wrist, the five seal characters on it immediately turned into two ink stains.

Xuanwei City, Fei Household

Fei Tianqin's sharp eyes were filled with displeasure. Recalling the humiliation he had suffered in the Hehuan Sect, he wished he could use his sharp beak to tear True Person Crimson Snow into pieces of rotten flesh.

However, it also knew that this was a complete fantasy, so it could only sulk in silence when it returned to the Fei Household.

After all, if it weren't for the fact that True Person Crimson Snow still held its title of Marquis in high regard, he might have truly skinned and dismembered it. After all, Fei Ye Shui is a member of the imperial family and a close minister; even ordinary True Person would give him some face. But what is the harm in killing a mere beast?

Fei Nanying and Fei Donggu, who had just returned from Ying Prefecture, stood by his side, but seeing Fei Tianqin's appearance, they dared not speak for a moment.

Fei Tianqin, who had been pondering for a long time, spoke first, "This matter cannot be kept secret. We must inform my younger brother as soon as possible. Even if we know it will exhaust him, we have no choice but to do it."

The Hehuan Sect is far superior to the other sects that went to Ying Prefecture to compete for the Five-Spirit Ice Mallow. Someone in the court needs to intervene in this matter, otherwise it might truly be a catastrophe for my Fei Household."

"After I go down there, I will draft a document and submit it to the clan to inform Ancestor Ye Shui." Fei Nanying clearly understood the implications, and upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and replied.

Fei Tianqin hadn't completely lost his composure; he simply explained a few more important matters, and his frustration subsided considerably.

As Fei Tianqin let out a long sigh, the teacup on the low table made a soft clattering sound, and then the lid was lifted, revealing the tea inside flowing slowly into Fei Tianqin's mouth.

"Has the message for Kang been delivered?"

"Yes, it was written by the young man himself and delivered by a reliable person."

"That's good. They must have lost quite a few people this time. They're the kind of people who remember kindness and hold grudges." Fei Tianqin nodded for a moment, then turned to Fei Donggu and asked:

"Have you inquired with those in Ying Prefecture about when the provisions for half a century that my brother promised to the She Mountain Hall will be delivered?!"

"Reporting to the Ancestor, Myriad Treasures Trading Company's asking price is too high, and they require a senior scholar from our family to accompany them for the transport. Therefore, Nanxi has decided to inform them when the authorities allocate military supplies to the Mountain North Imperial Guards next time, and send them along with the goods. However, this will be later, probably another quarter before it can proceed, and it will likely take about a year to arrive..."

"Hmm, slow is fine, it's appropriate." Fei Tianqin praised, but this time the question was directed at Fei Nanying: "Have you thought about how to use it?!"

Without hesitation, the latter stated directly, "Most of the quotas should be clearly allocated and distributed. Given the current tense situation, the only proper course of action is for the cultivation of our family members to improve; we shouldn't be bound by the Chongming Sect. After all, the entire She Mountain Hall benefited from Kang's influence this time, and they should show their appreciation."

Fei Tianqin nodded repeatedly after hearing this, but his words were pragmatic. "Yes, your nephew-in-law is quite a figure now; we need to win him over."

Even though Fei Nanying didn't entirely share this sentiment, he didn't offer an explanation, but simply responded respectfully.

Fei Tianqin had no interest in getting too involved in these matters, after all, Fei Nanying and Fei Donggu were trustworthy people, so there was no need for him to worry about them too much.

However, given its nature, it is impossible for it to stay here for long or sit idly for too long.

Fei Tianqin stood up and said, "Ancestor, I'm going to the Duke's mansion to ask why they haven't moved yet, and why they're still staying on my son-in-law's land. Aren't they ashamed?! This is a fiefdom personally bestowed by the Emperor, enough to be passed down to future generations. We can't let them continue to take advantage of us here."

(Lao Bai, I'll try to make up for the extra chapters for those who donated as soon as possible.)