So as not to make things awkward for others, and since the disciples were convinced anyway, the result was acceptable.
At this moment on Heaven-Genesis Mountain, everyone watching Xu Zimo’s appearance and exit fell silent.
No one knew what the others were thinking, it was like knocking over a jar of mixed feelings.
“Everyone, excuse me for a bit. My son’s back, and he’ll probably come find me at Green Mountain,” said Xu Qingshan, standing up. “That rascal... years without coming home, and the moment he returns he beats up a fellow disciple. I need to give him a good talk.”
Everyone looked at Xu Qingshan. Though he said that, his proud expression and the barely hidden grin on his face told the real story.
All anyone could think was: “What a hypocrite. You talk about discipline, but you’re clearly proud as hell.”
“Let the kids handle their own matters. We old folks shouldn’t interfere,” said Sacred Lord Xiao.
Watching Xu Qingshan leave, he turned to the silent core elders.
“So? What do you all think?”
“A fierce tiger returns to the forest, a true dragon dives into the sea. We old guys probably aren’t his match anymore. What more is there to say?” the Second Elder said with a laugh.
“Qingshan has a fine son,” Sacred Lord Xiao sighed.
...
Xu Zimo left the battle platform and went straight to Green Mountain, where his father lived.
That peaceful mountain hidden in mist hadn’t changed.
Every flower, every blade of grass, every tree and leaf...
Xu Zimo felt like everything else in the world had changed while he’d been away, except this place, it was just as he remembered.
A quiet stream flowed down from the mountaintop, and a small cypress-wood hut sat beside it.
When Xu Zimo arrived, his mother, Wenren Yun, and father Xu Qingshan were already waiting at the top of the mountain.
His mother pulled him into a tight hug and burst into tears. Xu Zimo’s eyes turned red as well.
Everyone in the world might leave you, be tied to you by interest, but only your parents love you unconditionally, expecting nothing in return.
“You’ve grown up so much. As your father, I feel like I can’t keep up anymore,” Xu Qingshan said with emotion.
Xu Zimo looked at his father, he had broken through to the God Meridian Realm.
“Watching your child grow up, isn’t that a source of pride for a father?” Xu Zimo smiled.
“But I haven’t helped you much along your path,” Xu Qingshan replied.
It was true, Xu Zimo had rarely stayed at the True Martial Sacred Ground. Most of his journey had been outside.
“You gave me life and raised me. That’s already enough,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
At that moment, Xu Qingshan felt like his son had truly grown up, grown to the point where he no longer needed him.
Like a hatchling becoming an eagle, now able to soar alone and even become someone others could rely on.
Xu Qingshan smiled to himself and sighed silently, “Time really flies.”
Wenren Yun pulled Xu Zimo to sit in front of the thatched hut and began asking him about everything.
Xu Zimo was happy to share. He talked about his experiences, the trip to the Northern Continent, what happened at his grandfather’s place.
Aside from a few secrets, he told them everything.
There are countless cultivators in the world, many with lifespans over ten thousand years.
For some of them, children are no longer about affection, just a way to pass on their bloodline.
But Xu Zimo felt his mother was the simplest kind, someone who had given her whole life to her husband and son.
As they chatted, Wenren Yun suddenly asked, “Mo’er, is there any girl you like?”
“Mom, that’s kind of a sudden change of topic,” Xu Zimo said, holding his forehead.
“I know you have big ambitions, and you may not spend much time at home. But you should at least leave behind a child. I can help raise them and promise to raise them better than I raised you,” Wenren Yun said.
“With your talent and our lineage backing you, what woman in this world could even match you?”
“Mom, I just remembered Ruhu and Little Gui were looking for me. I’m gonna go now,” Xu Zimo said, standing up quickly.
“If you don’t leave behind an heir, that’s the greatest disrespect!” Wenren Yun shouted at his back.
After saying that, she turned and glared at Xu Qingshan. “And you, you just let him off like that?”
“A child grows up. He has his own ideas,” Xu Qingshan smiled, pulling her into an embrace.
...
Back at his residence on South Goose Mountain, Xu Zimo felt a strange mix of familiarity and distance.
Time had flown, it felt like a lifetime had passed.
The two maids, Chunxiao and Xiaqiu, had kept the courtyard tidy all this time.
Seeing Xu Zimo return, they were overjoyed. They prepared hot water for him to wash away the dust of his travels.
Xu Zimo gave them both some cultivation items as rewards.
These items were useless to him now but were priceless treasures to them.
After bathing with their help, Xu Zimo came out to find Lin Ruhu and Little Gui waiting in the pavilion.
Little Gui hadn’t changed much, just looked a bit more mature.
Xu Zimo still remembered the first time they met, when Little Gui introduced himself with exaggerated flattery.
As for Lin Ruhu, he had grown taller and more muscular, radiating strong pressure.
“Senior Brother Zimo.” they greeted together.
“How have you two been?” Xu Zimo sat down with a smile.
“Pretty good. But Zimo, things must’ve been tough out there for you,” Lin Ruhu replied.
“This time when I leave, it might be a long while, maybe not until the Heaven’s Will appears will I return,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“What are your plans for the future? Tell me. I’ll do what I can to help.”
“I don’t need any help,” Little Gui laughed. “Senior Brother, Shengnan and I are married now. She’s pregnant too. My only wish is to live quietly with her and our child for the rest of my life.”
Yao Shengnan was once part of the Celestial Race. She gave Xu Zimo the Tree of Life, and he had promised to destroy Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground for her.
“How about you, Ruhu?” Xu Zimo asked.
“Senior Brother, I used to want to follow in your footsteps. But I realized, your pace is too fast. I can’t keep up,” Lin Ruhu said with a free, easy smile.
“Now I’ve understood what my own path is. No one can carry you forever. I want to walk it alone. Maybe someday, we’ll meet again.”
Hearing this, Xu Zimo suddenly thought of a saying:
The peak of martial cultivation is lonely, is desolate, is a long, endless pursuit, where it’s cold at the top, and few can endure the height.