Chapter 572 Hometown

The True Martial Sect!

As these three words fell, the scene suddenly went quiet.

As the two greatest sects of the current age, the True Martial Sect and the Divine Heaven Sect possessed the strength to influence the world’s balance of power.

As fellow disciples of Major Sects, they understood the weight of those three words better than any common person.

“Junior Brother Ji.”

Wang Dian’s eyes glinted.

“The last time we met, if I recall, was at Qiushen Mountain. Back then, I was merely an Inner Sect Disciple of the Wenda Sect.”

“That’s right!” Ji Wenchang said.

“Even back then, I knew Senior Brother Wang had a boundless future ahead of him. Seeing you today proves it. You’ve already become a True Inheritance disciple.”

“Come!”

He turned to the side and gestured.

“Allow me to make some introductions for Senior Brother Wang. These three are disciples of my Sect. This is my senior brother, Yuan Henshui.”

Yuan Henshui looked to be in his thirties or forties. He wore a gray Daoist Robe and held a duster, dressed as a Daoist. He possessed a transcendent air and, upon being introduced, clasped his hands in a formal salute.

“I have long heard of the name ‘Overlord’ Wang Dian. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”

His voice was raspy, as if his throat had been scratched, but it was not unpleasant to the ear.

“Brother Yuan is too kind.”

Wang Dian returned the salute.

“When I first entered the Sect, I heard of the Cloud Guest, Brother Yuan. I have admired you ever since.”

It was common in the Martial World to give people nicknames, and the major sects had a similar custom, though only the most outstanding individuals earned one.

These people,

without exception, all had the potential to advance to the Third Grade.

If they managed to reach the Third Grade in time, their current nickname would become their title, known far and wide.

“Haha…”

Ji Wenchang laughed heartily.

“We’re all friends here, no need for such formalities.”

“This is Junior Brother Maa Jiang. We are accompanying Junior Sister Shuang’er on a visit back to her family home.”

‘Family home?’

Wang Dian’s heart skipped a beat. ‘This is bad,’ he thought.

And just as he expected.

A beautiful figure in a Gauze-like Immortal Skirt emerged from behind Yuan Henshui, her gaze complicated as she looked at the seated Zhu Ju.

She opened her mouth slightly.

“Young M—”

“Shuang’er is back.” Zhu Ju rose, cutting her off. He scanned the surroundings and announced:

“Allow me to introduce everyone. This is my younger sister, Zhu Shuang’er. Many years ago, she became a disciple of Senior Wujiu of the True Martial Sect.”

“Today, she returns home, her training complete. This calls for a celebration!”

“Nursing Director Zhang.”

“Sir!” Nursing Director Zhang replied loudly, his face flushed with excitement.

“Go have someone prepare a banquet. The Zhu Mansion is hosting guests today. See the irrelevant people out,” Zhu Ju said.

“Don’t let them spoil our esteemed guests’ mood.”

“Yes, sir.” Nursing Director Zhang grinned, turned to Wang Dian and his group, and gestured toward the outside.

“Gentlemen, if you please!”

Wang Dian’s expression shifted, his eyes twitching erratically. His gaze paused on Yuan Henshui for a moment before he broke into a grin.

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding today. Since the Zhu Mansion has business to attend to, we won’t impose any longer.”

“Farewell!”

He then signaled to the men beside him.

“We’re leaving!”

Fang Zhuo opened his mouth to speak, but Pang Fei grabbed him and dragged him out before he could utter a word.

Watching their figures depart from the Zhu Mansion, Yuan Henshui smiled faintly and spoke to Zhu Shuang’er.

“Since you’re home, Junior Sister, you might as well rest here for a few days. We won’t stay any longer.”

“If you need anything, you can find us at Baiyun Temple.”

“Senior Brother…” Zhu Shuang’er was taken aback for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

Yuan Henshui lightly waved his duster, and an Invisible Power enveloped the two people beside him. The three of them transformed into a trail of Seven-Colored Clouds and shot into the sky, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

“Upper Fifth Grade!”

Ming Nianwei’s beautiful eyes sparkled.

“That man’s Cultivation is impressive. He has the potential to reach the Third Grade, and he has grasped the True Intent of the Floating Light and Shadow Body Technique.”

“Hmm…”

“He seems approachable, but in reality, he’s utterly arrogant.”

Zhu Ju nodded.

Although the Daoist-robed Yuan Henshui had been smiling the whole time, he hadn’t so much as greeted him.

Clearly, in Yuan Henshui’s eyes, Zhu Ju and the others were completely insignificant.

…

The Zhu Mansion held a grand banquet with great fanfare, as if afraid others wouldn’t know about it, but in truth, there were few people at the table.

The two aunts made excuses not to appear, while Zhu Zhenzhen and the others sat there dazedly. They would pick at their food when told to eat, but otherwise remained as silent as geese, not uttering a single word unless spoken to.

They were still young when Shuang’er left, and they had actually come to believe they had such an older sister.

A ‘relative’ who had left home at a young age to cultivate at a ‘Martial Arts Holy Land’.

The reputation of the True Martial Sect was too great.

So great that, although filled with curiosity, they just kept their heads down, not even daring to steal a few glances at her.

“Qian Shiyao was quite thoughtful.”

Zhu Ju looked at the dishes on the table and smiled.

“It’s not fine dining, but it’s familiar home-cooked food. Perhaps it will bring back some childhood feelings.”

“Young M—”

“Just call me Brother.”

“…Brother Zhu.” Zhu Shuang’er’s gaze was complicated, her feelings indescribable. She just picked at the porridge in her bowl and forced a smile.

“I haven’t seen you in so many years. You haven’t changed much.”

“You, on the other hand, have changed a great deal,” Zhu Ju said, turning his head.

“You’ve grown up.”

“…” Zhu Shuang’er put down her bowl and chopsticks and took a deep breath.

“I want to see Xiaohong and the others.”

“Are you sure?” Zhu Ju asked.

“After you left, many of the maids in the mansion were replaced. Xiaohong and the others have either married or moved elsewhere with their parents. The only ones who remain are the aunts’ personal maids.”

“Never mind.”

He put down his chopsticks and stood up.

“Come.”

“I’ll take a walk with you.”

*

*

*

A cool breeze swept over the water, leaving ripples in its wake.

The willows on the bank swayed in the wind as if calling out to something, but they received no response.

Much like Zhu Shuang’er at this moment, her heart was filled with confusion, unsure of what to do.

“Disappointed?”

Zhu Ju strolled slowly, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Is it different from what you imagined?”

“…Yes.” Zhu Shuang’er pulled her gaze back from the distance and nodded slowly.

“The Xiaocui from back then is now a mother of three. In my memory, she was still a child. Her skin was so fair and delicate. I was so envious back then. But now…”

“Everything’s changed.”

If not for their shared memories, she could hardly imagine that the coarse-looking woman was the same clever, quick-witted Xiaocui from her memories.

It wasn’t just Xiaocui.

Everyone, it seemed, had changed.

It was as if her childhood experiences were an illusory dream, not reality.

“When you look at the world as a child, everything feels new and wonderful,” Zhu Ju said with a smile.

“When you grow up and look back, there’s a certain hazy beauty to it.”

“Why did you come back this time? Did you miss your hometown and decide to pay a special visit?”

“There’s been unusual Demon activity in the East Sea. The Divine Dynasty is having trouble assembling an army to suppress them, so they’ve asked the Major Sects to dispatch disciples to help eliminate the Demons,” Zhu Shuang’er said, composing herself.

“I happened to need to leave the mountain for training, so I accepted the mission and decided to come home for a visit at the same time.”

“Home,” Zhu Ju said.

“Do you still consider this place your home?”

“Of course,” Zhu Shuang’er said, stunned. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I grew up in the Zhu Mansion. Of course this is my home. Is there a problem with that?”

Zhu Ju just smiled.

“Master said that my heart needs a place to be anchored, so that I may go further,” Zhu Shuang’er said.

“That’s why I had to come back this time while I was out for my training.”

“Then…” Zhu Ju asked.

“Is this a suitable place to leave your heart? Or rather… is there anything you need here?”

Zhu Shuang’er fell silent.

Before she arrived, her heart had been filled with excitement, apprehension, hope, and a little unease.

Now, all that remained was a vast emptiness.

Everything from her childhood memories had vanished. Was this still her hometown?

“Home is where the heart is.”

Zhu Ju spoke slowly.

“It seems your heart is not here.”