Chapter 324 - 312: Coming Home
Chapter 324: Chapter 312: Coming Home
In front of Duke Zhen’s Mansion, two young servants in blue were sweeping fallen leaves.
Zhao Lin had rushed home without stopping, yet standing before his own gate, he suddenly felt a surge of homesick apprehension.
’It’s been a year. I wonder if Mother and my brother are well?’
After a moment’s hesitation, he strode forward.
Inside the mansion, Mrs. Zhao was gathered with her son, Zhao Shan, his wife, and her three grandchildren.
"Shan, what of the inquiries you sent people to make? Is there any news of Lin’Er?"
Mrs. Zhao clutched a stack of letters. Every single one was signed with the same name: Zhao Lin.
In truth, Zhao Lin had written all these letters before he left. He had instructed the steward, Tian Dabang, to present one every month or two, pretending it had been mailed from outside to put the family’s minds at ease.
"There’s still no news of my brother."
Zhao Shan replied, "But please don’t worry, Mother. My brother is a Wuzong. He won’t be in any danger."
"I don’t know anything about Wuzu or Wuzong. All I know is that Lin’Er hasn’t been home for a year."
Mrs. Zhao sighed, wiped the corners of her eyes, and handed him a letter. "Shan, please read this letter to me again."
"Lin’Er said he would be back before winter, and that time is almost upon us, yet there’s still no word."
"Alright."
Zhao Shan agreed, took the letter, and began to read it aloud.
As Zhao Lin paced in front of the mansion gate, the two young servants turned to look at him. One of them asked, "Sir, may I ask who you are?"
The two servants had been at the Zhao Mansion for less than a year and didn’t recognize Zhao Lin. However, seeing his transcendent aura and distinguished bearing, their tone was quite respectful.
Before Zhao Lin could speak, the gatekeeper came out and scolded them. "What are you two staring at instead of working? Get back to... Ah!"
The gatekeeper stopped mid-sentence. He had suddenly spotted Zhao Lin and froze, stammering, "D-Duke!"
"It is I," Zhao Lin said calmly.
CLATTER!
The two servants’ brooms fell to the ground in unison.
"The Duke is back!"
The gatekeeper ran toward the main hall, shouting the news all the way.
"What’s all the fuss? Why are you shouting?"
Tian Dabang saw the gatekeeper, grabbed him by the collar, and demanded sharply.
"The Duke is back! The Duke is back!"
The gatekeeper was so excited he could barely speak coherently.
"Ah, go quickly and inform Elder Zhao and the Old Madam."
Elder Zhao was Zhao Lin’s older brother, Zhao Shan. For his world-shaking contributions to the Great Yue, Zhao Lin had been made Duke Zhen, his mother had received an imperial commendation, and his brother, Zhao Shan, had been granted the title of an earl.
After giving the order, Tian Dabang hurried to the mansion gate. Seeing Zhao Lin, he immediately bowed and said, "Lord Duke, you’ve finally returned!"
Zhao Lin smiled and nodded, then strode into the mansion and all the way to the main hall.
"Brother!"
Having received the report, Zhao Shan rushed out of the hall, throwing his arms around his brother. His eyes instantly reddened.
"Brother, I’m back."
Zhao Lin said, his voice thick with emotion.
"Lin’Er!"
Supported by a maidservant, Mrs. Zhao came out and called his name softly.
Zhao Shan quickly let go of Zhao Lin and led his younger brother to their mother.
"Mother, your unworthy son has come home."
Zhao Lin bowed low before her.
Mrs. Zhao trembled, too overcome with emotion to speak. After a long moment, she finally said, "It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back."
Then she asked, "Will you be leaving again this time?"
Zhao Lin’s heart skipped a beat. He forced himself to answer, "I’m not leaving... for now."
The old woman heard the unspoken meaning in his words. She said nothing, only sighing softly.
"Uncle!"
"Uncle’s back!"
Zhao Shan’s two sons ran over, grabbing Zhao Lin’s legs, one on each side, and shouting excitedly.
The two boys were old enough to understand that Zhao Lin was the greatest warrior in the world. They idolized him, and his words carried more weight with them than even their own father’s.
Zhao Shan’s young daughter, who was now able to walk, followed them and called out timidly, "Uncle."
Seeing his family safe and sound, Zhao Lin finally felt at ease. He wiped his face and reached out to ruffle his niece’s hair.
"Duke!"
Tian Dabang, Tao Zhuang, and other former subordinates, as well as the captain of his personal guard, came forward one by one to pay their respects.
"You have all done well."
Zhao Lin offered a few words of encouragement before leading his family back into the main hall to talk.
Mrs. Zhao had missed her son so much that she held his hand tightly, refusing to let go, as if afraid he would disappear again.
"Lin’Er, give me a straight answer. How many days will you be staying this time?"
"About ten days."
Zhao Lin steeled himself and told her the truth.
At his words, the room fell silent.
Zhao Lin’s mind was in turmoil. He desperately wanted to bring his whole family to live with him in the Chenghua Sect, but there was a rather troublesome problem.
The mortal residential areas in the Chenghua Sect were divided into different classes. The area where the families of new disciples lived was quite ordinary, offering only basic safety.
For instance, Zhu Cong’s parents lived on Jue Ming Mountain, not far from Han Chi County—the very place where Zhao Lin had last exterminated the locusts. Aside from the beautiful scenery, the living conditions were far from comfortable.
In the mortal world, Zhao Lin held a high status, and his family was accustomed to a life of luxury. His mother might be able to manage, but he feared his nieces and nephews would have a hard time adapting.
Of course, there were better places than Jue Ming Mountain—quite a few, in fact.
As long as a cultivator accumulated enough merit points, their family could live in the best mortal districts—places with abundant Spiritual Qi and rich resources, where mortals could live worry-free and even extend their lifespans.
Unfortunately, Zhao Lin only had a mere one hundred and sixty merit points, which was nowhere near enough to allow his family to live there.
Thinking of this, Zhao Lin decided not to tell his family about the Xuanyuan Continent for the time being. He would wait until he had saved up enough merit points and then bring them over directly.
His mother had been overworked in her youth and looked older than her years, but she was actually not yet sixty. After years of care and recuperation, she was still in robust health.
And so, Zhao Lin settled down in the mansion. He went nowhere, spending his days accompanying his brother and mother, and occasionally playing with his three nieces and nephews.
"Mother, I have a medicinal pill here. Please take it."
That evening, Zhao Lin took a small box from his storage pouch. Inside the box was a pale, cyan-colored pill.
"What kind of medicine is this? It smells quite fragrant," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile.
"A Longevity Pill."
Zhao Lin placed the pill in his mother’s hand and stood up to pour her a cup of water.
Alchemists in the Cultivation Realm primarily refined pills related to cultivation. However, cultivators also had mortal relatives, so skilled Alchemists would, as a matter of course, also refine some medicines suitable for mortals to ensure their families’ health and longevity.
The Longevity Pill was one such medicine.
Although this pill was intended for mortals, its ingredients were anything but ordinary. Zhao Lin had exchanged his merit points and Spirit Stones for them.
"Mother, this pill is no ordinary thing. Taking it will ensure your health and long life."
Worried his mother would be reluctant to take something so precious, Zhao Lin personally helped her consume it.
"My son is so good to me."
Mrs. Zhao happily took the pill, not thinking much of it, mainly just to make her son happy.
The next day, Mrs. Zhao discovered her legs had grown nimbler and her body felt lighter. She could walk without anyone’s support, feeling as if she had suddenly become ten years younger.
Everyone in the mansion was amazed.
Seeing that the pill had worked, Zhao Lin felt relieved. ’I’ll have to work even harder when I go back. I must bring my whole family to the Spiritual Energy World as soon as possible.’