Chapter 5: Hesitant Upon Returning Home

The phrase "nervous when nearing home" could not be more fitting for Ling Xiao at this moment. After seeing Mu Yiran and confirming her well-being, Ling Xiao hurried back to the countryside the very next day.

There, the Ling family owned a few scant acres of farmland and an old ancestral house.

Grandfather Ling was still alive.

The roads were rugged and rough, so Ling Xiao didn’t drive. Instead, he set out on foot with Ming Cheng, making his way swiftly to Ling Family Village.

He didn’t enter the village directly. Instead, step by step, he walked toward the ancient woods behind the mountain.

Amid the wild, desolate ravine lay two small, weather-beaten mounds—so humble that, if not for the stone marker, one would hardly know they were graves.

Ling Xiao stood before the graves for a long time in silence, letting the stream beside him soak his clothes.

After a while, he took a deep breath. His body, stiff with emotion, slowly knelt down. His eyes were already red and swollen.

“Father, Mother, your son is unfilial. It’s been so long since I came to see you. You both have suffered.”

Men are said to shed no tears, except at moments of true heartbreak. A man’s knees are as precious as gold, except before those to whom he owes his deepest filial piety.

No matter how strong or proud Ling Xiao might be, before his parents, he was always just a child.

Ming Cheng said nothing but knelt down, beginning to burn paper money and arrange the incense, candles, and wine.

Ling Xiao paid him no mind, only murmured through tears to the stone engraved with his parents’ names.

“Father, Mother, your son has grown up. I haven’t disappointed you. Your son is someone you can be prouder of than any child in this world! My leg has healed, I’ve found Yiran, and… I have also slain the entire Chen family—one hundred and thirty-seven in all!”

Gone was Ling Xiao’s former coldness; now he was just a boy, longing for the love of his parents.

“Father, I’ve brought you your favorite rice wine from River City. Mother, I’m burning extra paper money for you—you always loved to buy clothes, bags, cosmetics. Buy whatever you like! If there’s anything you want that you can’t get there, send me a dream and I’ll burn it for you. Don’t ever wrong yourself.”

“Father, Mother, I will live well, so your love and efforts will not be in vain.”

“You both, please wait for me in the afterlife. Give me a little more time—one day, I will strike down the Hua family with my own hands! I will wipe them out, not leaving a single one!”

At these words, Ling Xiao’s presence abruptly changed—the air grew cold, and Ming Cheng hurriedly exclaimed:

“Hey, hey, Young Master, I’m still here! Please, restrain yourself. Don’t hurt me!”

Ling Xiao glared at him.

“You talk too much.”

“Heh heh, Young Master, I’m just an honest fellow. If I’m feeling unwell, I’m not going to hold it in.”

After a pause, he spoke again:

“Young Master, don’t be too sad. The dead cannot return. But if your parents know, wherever they are, they will surely be proud of you!”

Ling Xiao nodded.

Just then, from the woods behind them, an elderly man hobbled slowly into view.

When he saw Ling Xiao’s back, the old man trembled, his eyes wide and his voice unsteady.

“Is… is that you, Xiao Xiao?”

Ling Xiao started, turning to look. A rush of emotion surged in his heart.

“Grandfather!”

Grandfather Ling hurried over, nearly running despite his limp. With a thud, he knelt beside Ling Xiao, touching his face, arms, and hands.

“My child! It really is you! At last, I’ve found you! Heaven has eyes!”

He hugged Ling Xiao tightly, as if afraid he would disappear.

“My good grandson, you’ve suffered.”

“Grandfather, I’m sorry I came back so late and made you worry.”

“It’s good that you came back late! Now that the Hua family is gone and your uncles are no longer home, you came back at the right time—you won’t be bullied anymore! From now on, I’ll look after you. You won’t have to hide away anymore. Wherever I go, I’ll carry you with me.”

Ling Xiao, between tears and laughter, shook his head.

“Grandfather, don’t worry about me. My leg is healed. I walked back on my own.”

“What?” Grandfather Ling cried out in shock. He helped Ling Xiao up and, after confirming for himself, was overjoyed.

“Heaven truly has eyes! Heaven has eyes! My grandson walks again! Thank you, Heaven, thank you!”

The old man turned to the south and bowed several times, his gratitude simple and profound, warming Ling Xiao’s cold heart.

“Grandfather, that’s enough. Please take care of yourself.”

“Yes, yes! Ling Xiao, it was all my fault back then for not being able to protect your parents. But now you’re back and healed, and that’s all that matters. I still have some savings. I’ll build you a house and find you a wife. With that, your parents can rest easy in the afterlife.”

Ling Xiao couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

“Grandfather, we’ve only just reunited, and you’re already thinking of finding me a wife?”

“You’re right, no rush! Come, let’s go home. It’s nearly noon; I’ll make you a couple of dishes, and the two of us can share a drink.”

Grandfather Ling took Ling Xiao’s hand, and together they made their way home, chatting as they walked.

“Ling Xiao, I searched that mountain for you so many times, but never found you. Where did you go?”

“I was rescued by a master. He healed my broken leg and taught me martial arts and medicine. I am now his disciple.”

“Oh, so that’s it. I knew my grandson was extraordinary. You know, when you were born, there were red clouds over our villa! I was beside myself with excitement!”

Behind them, Ming Cheng couldn’t help but mutter, “No wonder he’s such a prodigy—anything he learns comes naturally. He must’ve been extraordinary from birth!”

Grandfather Ling went on, “Xiao Xiao, where are you working now? What are your plans? Why not stay here in River State? Your third uncle is doing well here; I can ask him to arrange a good job for you.”

“No need, Grandfather. I don’t plan to look for work just yet.”

“That’s fine, too. You’ve just come back—take some time to relax, get to know River State. If you need money, just ask me. I’ll give you whatever you need.”

“Grandfather, your grandson has plenty of money. Please keep your savings for your own comfort.”

“Good! You are truly your father’s son—just as independent as he was, just like me! Both your father and I built everything from scratch. Now you’re only eighteen and can make your own way—I’m proud of you. By the way, have you gone to see Yiran?”

“I… have. We had dinner last night, but I didn’t reveal my identity.”

“What? Why not? Yiran has sacrificed so much for you—she’s been waiting for you all this time! And every year at Tomb Sweeping Festival, she comes to tend your parents’ graves. You mustn’t let her down, or I’ll never forgive you.”

A gentle warmth filled Ling Xiao’s heart.

That foolish girl.

“Grandfather, I don’t want to reveal myself to her yet. After all, my parents’ death has not been avenged. When I destroy the Hua family, the first thing I’ll do is ask Yiran to marry me.”

At these words, Grandfather Ling did not smile, but instead frowned and sighed deeply.

“Xiao Xiao, listen to your grandfather. Some things are better left in the past. The Hua family is simply too powerful! You’ve only just come back—if you go after them, aren’t you walking into a trap? If anything happens to you, how could I possibly go on living?”