The Weiyuan Escort Agency's caravan returned triumphantly.
After ten days of wilderness training, the youths had shed their restlessness. Though they chatted and laughed, their peripheral vision remained alert to their surroundings.
Experience made all the difference—where they once only knew to be cautious without understanding the details, they now possessed effortless observational skills.
"Come on, let's go eat out to unwind!"
"The braised chicken feet in Flat Peach Town are especially delicious."
"Let's go drink!"
Zhang Hua slung an arm around Old Six Yan Yu's shoulders while Xie Xiaodao shoved Little Seven Miao Kai playfully.
"I'll pass. I need to go home," Li Pingfu declined. The Li family had an unwritten rule—if you could eat at home, you must. This applied even more after a long journey.
"What about you?" Xie Xiaodao looked at Li Yuan, sensing something off about his friend.
Li Yuan unconsciously gripped a grimy peace jade pendant, his expression distant.Three days ago, he'd found this pendant—one he'd personally chosen for his younger sister Li Qian. He remembered her delighted expression when she received it; she'd never discard it carelessly.
The lost pendant, White Lady's divination moon cakes, combined with the long silence from home... Waves of unease crashed over him.
Dazed these past days, he didn't know how to respond. He lacked the energy for feasting nor the will to face his father's interrogation.
"I'll... visit Uncle Li with Pingfu," Li Yuan finally evaded.
"Alright," Li Pingfu agreed.
"Caw!" Little Black circled overhead, scouting Peach Blossom Village as Li Pingcan's second pair of eyes.
Li Pingcan sighed inwardly. Brother Li Yuan, you can't escape—your father's at our house.
But he didn't warn him.
The truth about Li Qian would surface in a few years. The wealthy families supporting Li Fang only did so hoping for favors once Li Qian became an immortal. When her absence continued and returns failed to materialize, their resentment would explode—bringing disaster to the Li family.
Better for Li Yuan to grow independent now, preparing to protect his family when catastrophe struck.
This was his unavoidable trial.
Fortune or misfortune, the first hurdle began with his father.
......
The Li Residence.
"Father! Mother! We're back!" Li Pingfu shouted cheerfully. Even Li Pingcan felt his worries about Li Qian's possible death ease upon returning home.
Hearing the commotion, Lady Qin rushed past the threshold. Seeing Li Pingcan slightly tanned, she fretted, "Can'er, you've lost weight! Must you endure escort missions when we can provide for you?"
Li Pingfu glanced at his robust younger brother and stayed silent. Mother, he devours a whole salted chicken leg daily with three bowls of rice—plus precious medicines. Weight loss? Impossible.
"Mother, weren't you complaining I never left home before?" Li Pingcan retorted playfully.
"You ungrateful child! Can't I worry?" Lady Qin tapped his forehead lightly.
Grinning, Li Pingcan presented his gift—a beautiful hairpin woven from heart-through grass. "I know you care. This is for you. Pretty?"
"Lovely." Beaming, she adorned it, enhancing her charm.
"And yours, Yuanyuan."
A pair of glimmering glass earrings.
"Thank you, Brother Can." Xie Yuan smiled demurely, accepting them before whispering, "Hungry? There's braised pork knuckle in the pot."
Li Pingcan shook his head. His Earth Pulse Sense detected frantic footsteps—Li Fang stomped onto the threshold, bellowing at Li Yuan, "Brat! Run now and never return!"
"Father..."
Li Yuan hadn't planned to flee. Suspecting Li Qian's demise left him listless, yet he couldn't voice his fears.
Misinterpreting his demeanor as defiance, Li Fang coldly declared, "You're coming home. The wedding date's set—you're marrying soon."
Li Yuan froze. Marriage now?
Why must he breed like livestock?
Grief and indignation erupted like lava. "You sold Second Sister! Now me too!"
"Sold? She's living luxuriously as a wife!"
"Luxury? Her wastrel husband barely visits! She's a glorified widow! The Zhous only wanted Li Qian's immortal connections!"
Publicly exposed, Li Fang burned with humiliation. His palm cracked against Li Yuan's cheek, leaving five vivid marks.
"Kill me then! I won't marry!" Li Yuan stood rigid.
"I will!" Li Fang raised his hand again.
"Li Fang! Halt!"
Li Rongzhou seized his wrist. "This is my home. Discipline your son elsewhere."
The martial artist's Qi Opportunity locked onto Li Fang, oppressive energy freezing him mid-motion. His pretentious wealth deflated like a punctured balloon, reverting him to his humble past self.
Psychological dominance from his elder!
Li Fang stammered, "Brother Rongzhou, I... I understand. Release me."
Li Rongzhou complied, sighing. "No feud lasts overnight. Explain your parental concerns—he'll understand."
Relieved by the validation, Li Fang agreed hastily, "Exactly! Parents mean well..." Though he remained inexplicably intimidated.
Seeing Li Rongzhou intervene, Li Yuan ignored his stinging cheek. "I'll marry—but my choice. And you'll support my martial training with Blood Qi medicine."
He'd realized—strength was key. Even if Li Qian met tragedy, he'd protect their family.
Li Fang scowled, but a glance from Li Rongzhou made him concede grudgingly. "Fine."
Those noble girls were elegant beauties—he'd surely fancy one.
As for martial arts? Mere exercise!
Ah, children grow rebellious. What can one do?
......
"Dear, how did Li Fang become like this?"
That night, Lady Qin tossed restlessly, haunted by Li Fang's weeping wife's gratitude.
The once-simple man had grown unrecognizable after sudden wealth.
"Human nature," Li Rongzhou mused. "He forgot his roots amid arrogance."
Still upset, Lady Qin buried her face in her husband's chest. "May our family stay united."
"We will."
Recalling his youngest's evening report about Li Qian, Li Rongzhou's gaze deepened. "We definitely will."