"Boss, do you still have sweet fermented rice balls?" Yuan Ming asked the plain-clothed woman.

"Yes, yes, please have a seat, sir. Dazhu, one bowl of sweet fermented rice balls!" The woman nodded her head, turned, and lifted the curtain to shout an order to the kitchen.

Soon, a middle-aged man around thirty brought out a bowl of steaming rice balls.

As he put down the bowl and was about to leave, Yuan Ming called out to him.

"Li Dazhu, where's your father?"

"You know my dad?" Li Dazhu turned, surprised to see Yuan Ming's youthful appearance.

"I used to eat his fermented rice balls a lot when I was young. I never imagined that the little stall from back then has now become a shop. How is he doing nowadays?" Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"Thank you for asking, my dad passed away two years ago." Li Dazhu's expression darkened.

Yuan Ming was stunned, "Passed away? Two years ago, was he over seventy?"

"That's right, seventy-eight. As the saying goes, 'To live past seventy is rare in olden days,' my dad passed away peacefully," Li Dazhu sighed, seemingly reluctant to dwell on the topic any longer. With a "take your time" he went back to the kitchen.

In the tavern, the clacking of an abacus echoed as Yuan Ming sat dazed at the table, staring at the bowl of rice balls in front of him, feeling a heavy, indescribable emotion in his heart.

Suddenly, he stood up swiftly and walked quickly toward the exit.

"Hey, sir, you haven't paid yet!" the woman called out hurriedly upon hearing the commotion.

Without turning back, Yuan Ming flicked his wrist, and a silver ingot landed precisely on the counter.

At the same time, alarmed by his wife's shouting, Li Dazhu ran out of the kitchen, intending to chase after Yuan Ming, but his wife stopped him.

Upon learning that Yuan Ming had casually left behind a silver ingot, Li Dazhu was greatly surprised and even more puzzled to see the untouched fermented rice balls.

"What a strange man," he murmured, watching Yuan Ming's retreating figure.

...

Fifteen minutes later, at Yuan Mansion.

Anxious for his parents, Yuan Ming was about to enter through the main gate when he suddenly furrowed his brows and stopped.

A sense of being watched rose within him, and without hesitation, he released his Divine Sense to search the area, quickly locating a Qi Refinement cultivator in green robes in a nearby alley.

The cultivator was carrying a Concealing Talisman, thinking himself well-hidden, but he couldn't fool Yuan Ming's Divine Sense.

Yuan Ming felt a familiar Mana from the man and instantly knew he was a disciple of the Chang Chun Temple. His heart sank with displeasure, but he didn't lash out. Instead, he deceived the cultivator with an Illusion Technique and leaped into Yuan Mansion.

Without alerting anyone, he stealthily made his way to the entrance of the study, and before he got too close, he saw Fu Qing standing vigilantly at the door.

"Commander Fu, is my father inside?" Yuan Ming removed his disguise and approached directly.

Fu Qing, sensing someone approaching, became irritable, but upon hearing the voice realized something was off. Looking up, he saw it was Yuan Ming, and, rubbing his eyes in disbelief, called out.

"Young master? Is it really you?" he exclaimed.

Yuan Ming nodded with a smile, about to speak, when a noise came from behind Fu Qing in the study.

With a creak, the door opened, and Yuan Zuochong stepped out briskly, giving Yuan Ming a thorough look. At first, he was overjoyed, but then his expression turned sorrowful.

"Ming'er, you shouldn't have come back!" he sighed deeply.

Frowning, Yuan Ming, recalling the Chang Chun Temple disciple guarding the gate, asked immediately, "Father, what has happened at home these years I've been away, and why is there a Chang Chun Temple cultivator outside? Is it still about the State Preceptor's business?"

"Alas, now is not the time to discuss this. Ming'er, you must quickly leave through the secret passage before the others from Chang Chun Temple arrive. They mustn't catch you. Commander Fu, lead him away now, I'll go to the main hall. If people from Chang Chun Temple come, I will try to delay them," Yuan Zuochong said hastily.

Fu Qing nodded and took the orders, but Yuan Ming, like a specter, swiftly moved in front of Yuan Zuochong, speaking calmly:

"Father, don't panic. I was aware of being watched as I entered the mansion, but didn't let them notice me. Chang Chun Temple doesn't know I'm back yet."

"Ming'er, you must not be careless. Now there is a Core Formation Elder from Chang Chun Temple stationed in the Capital, and his methods are formidable; you won't be able to deceive him," Yuan Zuochong hurriedly said.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Ming suddenly smiled, showed a hint of his aura to his father, and then opened his mouth to summon the Soul Destroying Sword.

"Father worries too much, it's just Core Formation after all. If I wish to deceive him, he will definitely not notice," Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"Ming'er, have you also reached Core Formation?" Staring at the Soul Destroying Sword, Yuan Zuochong widened his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.

"It's been some time, but I was entangled with some trivial matters and couldn't return home in time, please forgive me, Father," Yuan Ming said.

A mix of emotions flickered across Yuan Zuochong's face—excitement, relief, and even a hint of envy.

In the study, Yuan Ming sat opposite his father and began to recount his experiences over the years.

Yuan Zuochong listened silently, his eyes filled with surprise, and when he heard about Zuo Qinghui's visit and threats, which led to Yuan Ming having no choice but to kill him, a complex expression flashed in his eyes, and his emotions shifted.

"Was that Chang Chun Temple Core Formation Elder named Zuo Qinghui really killed by you, Ming'er?" Yuan Zuochong suddenly asked.

"Indeed, Father, your question suggests that you knew about this beforehand? Could it be that Chang Chun Temple has also found out?" Yuan Ming was no fool; hearing his father's question, he immediately realized something.

"Since your departure, Chang Chun Temple appointed another Foundation Establishment cultivator as State Preceptor. I have put down my responsibilities and no longer handle government affairs. He has no intention of becoming enemies with the Yuan Family and has kept to his side of the bargain," Yuan Zuochong explained.

Yuan Ming listened silently, not interrupting or speaking, just listened as Yuan Zuochong paused before continuing:

"However, six years ago, he suddenly visited me and repeatedly mentioned wanting to meet you, but I turned him away each time. He didn't say much openly, but since then, more cultivators have been surveilling our Mansion. They think they're well-hidden, but I, who have had military experience, still have that power of observation. At the time, I was puzzled as to why they suddenly took an interest in finding you."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming's face remained calm as he watched Yuan Zuochong.

"I wanted to leverage my connections to inquire, but even the letters to and from were controlled by them, so I couldn't obtain any useful information. Until one day, a Jade Scroll suddenly appeared in my study, stating that a Chang Chun Temple elder had mysteriously disappeared and they suspected it was you, Ming'er. Therefore, they dispatched another Core Formation Elder to investigate this matter fully. That Core Formation Elder is now in charge of the Capital, overseeing the surveillance of Yuan Mansion; it was his idea to wait and catch you," said Yuan Zuochong.

At this, a trace of emotion momentarily flickered in Yuan Ming's eyes.

"At first, I thought there was something more to the matter, and that Chang Chun Temple was just looking for an excuse to make things difficult for you, Ming'er, but it turns out that it really was you who killed him," Yuan Zuochong said with a wry smile.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming also sighed helplessly. Killing Zuo Qinghui had been a last resort, and although he had predicted that Chang Chun Temple would eventually find out, he had not expected that in failing to find him, they would resort to targeting his parents.

Not to mention that his parents had long resided in the Capital, even the Iron Law of separation between immortal and mortal was utterly disregarded by Chang Chun Temple, which was truly outrageous.

"Aside from surveillance, has Chang Chun Temple taken any other actions?" Yuan Ming asked with concern.

"Under the cover of night, they've secretly infiltrated the mansion several times, retreating after a search. Uncle Fu and I discovered them on a few occasions, but they hardly cared," Yuan Zuochong recalled, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"What about the Imperial Family lineage within Chang Chun Temple? Did they not respond?" Yuan Ming asked expressionlessly.

"Considering this involves a Core Formation Elder, they might not find it easy to openly oppose. However, I suspect that the Jade Scroll that appeared in my study was left by someone from the Imperial Family lineage," Yuan Zuochong said.

He paused, then with some worry, advised, "Ming'er, although you have achieved Core Formation, you're still alone against a powerful entity like Chang Chun Temple. It's best not to confront them directly; in my opinion, you should leave quickly. Your mother and I would understand."

"Father, after so many years out there, I've come to realize a few truths; running and hiding won't lead to peace. With a Sect like Chang Chun Temple, the more you give in, the more they will push. Only by showing a strength that they fear can we sit down and have a proper discussion," Yuan Ming said calmly, glancing at the white hairs at Yuan Zuochong's temples.

Yuan Zuochong opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could speak, Yuan Ming's tone grew firmer:

"Besides, their humiliating treatment of you and mother shows they no longer take us seriously. If I leave today and they lose their patience, what if they do something even more despicable? How would that be handled?"

Yuan Zuochong grimaced and remained silent at these words.

"They are looking for me, right? Fine, I won't hide. I'll return home openly. If they want an explanation for Zuo Qinghui's death, I also have my grievances about Zuo Qinghui belittling me and trying to force me into servitude!" A flash of cold light appeared in Yuan Ming's eyes.

Seeing Yuan Ming like this, Yuan Zuochong was half relieved and half worried, still advising, "Chang Chun Temple is powerful, Ming'er. You must not act rashly."

"Don't worry, Father, I will not act blindly," Yuan Ming nodded in assurance.

Seeing Yuan Ming's composed demeanor, not swayed by anger, Yuan Zuochong felt slightly reassured and began to talk about the household matters of the past twenty years.

Older people tend to become a bit long-winded, but Yuan Ming didn't find it tedious at all. He listened attentively, occasionally chiming in with playful comments, making Yuan Zuochong laugh heartily.

The father and son were enjoying their conversation, so much so that they lost track of time, until the sound of a door creaking open interrupted their exchange.

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