Free Web NovelChapter 671: Chapter 253: Return (Part 6)
He knew very well that unless it was something important, the array guardian cultivators would not disturb him late at night.
"My lord, outside the array, a stranger with the Shen Family’s direct lineage jade seal has appeared. However, I find him very unfamiliar, and I’m unsure about the situation and would like to ask you to take a look."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhan frowned deeply.
Holding the Shen Family’s direct lineage jade seal...
He turned around and looked at Shen You.
Standing before him was Liang Xu, who had served as an array guardian cultivator for nearly twenty years.
There shouldn’t be any direct lineage members of the Shen Family unfamiliar to him currently outside.
Moreover, Shen Chongxuan and the others knew how to activate the Ren Water Concealing Spirit Array, and wouldn’t show the token in the middle of the night for someone to open it.
"Husband, let me go with you to have a look."
Shen You thought for a moment, then walked slowly over and said.
Xu Zhan quickly supported her upon hearing this.
"Senior sister, you are with child, it’s not safe for you to take risks. I can go alone."
Shen You smiled lightly: "With you and the grand array, what could possibly happen?"
"Moreover, I’m not leaving the city, just taking a look from the city wall."
Hearing what she said, Xu Zhan hesitated for a moment and then did not insist further.
"Let’s go then."
The three of them left the small courtyard and headed towards the south city gate.
Outside the array, Shen Chongxu stood quietly, his face not showing any impatience.
He understood that currently in Yunshui City, there were likely not many who even knew of his existence. If these array guardian cultivators couldn’t reach his siblings or some elders of the clan, he indeed wouldn’t be able to enter Yunshui City tonight.
Xu Zhan carefully helped Shen You up onto the city wall.
"Lord Xu, miss."
Several cultivators nearby saw them and immediately cupped their hands in salute.
Shen You nodded slightly, and the middle-aged cultivator beside her, named Liang Xu, immediately pointed to the man outside the array wearing a cobalt blue long robe, identifying him as Shen Chongxu: "Lord Xu, it is that person."
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhan looked into the distance.
He also did not recognize Shen Chongxu.
When Shen Chongxu left the family, he was still in nursery pants and had no right to meet these direct lineage kids of the Shen Family.
"Senior sister..."
Upon turning around, Xu Zhan saw Shen You’s face full of stunned surprise, staring intently at the figure below.
And below, seeing Shen You on the city wall, Shen Chongxu’s expression also froze, then he slowly clenched his fist, his eyes becoming somewhat blurry.
"Open the array..."
Shen You said with a trembling voice.
Liang Xu and Xu Zhan beside her were all startled.
"Open the array!"
Shen You’s voice grew a bit louder, prompting Liang Xu and the others to hurriedly open the array.
"Senior sister, he is..."
Xu Zhan asked in confusion, but Shen You just gently shook her head and said: "I’ll tell you later."
As she finished speaking, she disregarded her pregnant condition and manipulated the wind to descend to the base of the city wall.
Shen Chongxu walked slowly to the front, and the siblings smiled at each other.
"You rascal, where have you been all these years..."
Not many in the family knew Shen Chongxu was still alive.
Though Shen You and Xu Zhan had seen Dongyun Hu who brought items, they were unaware Dongyun Hu was behind Shen Chongxu.
Xu Zhan approached, scrutinizing Shen Chongxu before him, and suddenly frowned deeply.
Having cultivated the "Nine Fiends Gathering Body Technique," he was quite sensitive to Blood Evil Qi.
Without the grand array’s barrier, he could distinctly sense that the person before him was suffused with an intense Evil Qi, obviously, his hands were stained with the blood of countless creatures.
"Senior sister..."
Xu Zhan was about to speak, but Shen You wiped away her tears at the corner of her eyes and said, "Husband, quickly inform grandpa and father, and the elder brother too!"
Hearing these words, Xu Zhan seemed to have realized something and immediately left the city gate.
"Let’s go, grandpa and the others will surely be happy to see you."
The siblings walked slowly towards the mountainside estate.
In the estate’s side chamber, although it was late at night, the room was full of people.
Shen Yuan sat in the main seat, with the brothers Shen Wenxin and Shen Wenan sitting beside him, and then there were Shen Chongming, Xu Zhan, and the nervous yet eager Shen Xiubai.
Everyone sat quietly, listening to the footsteps approaching from outside, making Shen Xiubai immediately stand up, craning his neck to look out the door.
At the entrance of the side chamber, Shen You and Shen Chongxu’s figures appeared.
Staring at the people inside the room, Shen Chongxu’s expression was complicated; after a brief daze, he quickly stepped inside and knelt on the ground with a thud!
"Grandpa, Uncle."
"Third Uncle... Elder Brother..."
This scene also left Xu Zhan stunned!
"Chongxu, this is your brother-in-law, Xu Zhan."
Shen You came to the front and pointed to introduce Xu Zhan.
Shen Chongxu immediately addressed him as "Brother-in-law."
Looking at Shen Chongxu kneeling in front of him, Shen Yuan felt momentarily lost and finally said in a trembling voice: "Stand up, child."
After standing up, Shen Chongxu turned to look at Shen Xiubai, gazing at him dumbfoundedly.
The father and son looked at each other silently, neither speaking a word.
Seeing this, Shen Chongming smiled and spoke: "Xiubai, this is your father."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xiubai returned to his senses and, being slightly agitated, cupped his hands in salute.
"Greetings to Father."
"Good... good!"
With a smile on his face, Shen Chongxu quickly supported him, silently sizing up his now-grown son.
"A bit weak in body, just like your uncle, carrying more Literary Qi..."
Feeling the strength of those large hands on his arms and hearing his father’s voice, Shen Xiubai’s eyes gradually welled up with tears.
It’s been twenty years!
In these twenty years, he had always been imagining his father’s likeliness and demeanor.
Now, he finally saw his father’s true face.
Watching the tears welling up in his eyes, Shen Chongxu’s heart suddenly trembled, and he embraced him, saying in a deep voice: "Child, I’m sorry."
Shen Xiubai said nothing, only shook his head firmly.
This scene triggered a sense of wistfulness in everyone else in the side chamber.
Seeing this, Shen Yuan was reminded of his already departed second son, Shen Wenyan.
The temperament of Shen Chongxu and his father was much alike, stubborn and reckless in their youth.
But Shen Chongxu was lucky; at least he had a chance to return.
Unlike Shen Wenyan, who ultimately sacrificed his life.
"Alright, your dad has some matters to discuss with your great-grandfather, we’ll have a good chat later."
Releasing his son, Shen Chongxu wiped his tears and approached Shen Yuan again, cupping his hands: "Grandpa, it was thanks to you last time, otherwise, grandson might have already..."
Shen Yuan waved his hand: "It’s good that you are safe."
"This time coming back... are you still leaving?"
Facing Shen Yuan’s hopeful eyes, Shen Chongxu hesitated slightly and said: "Grandson still plans to return."
"Grandpa knows, the Southern Border suits grandson’s development better, and being there, grandson can gather more intel for the family."
"I have some news to share with you and Uncle from this trip home."
Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan sighed inwardly.
"Let’s discuss matters tomorrow; Xiubai has never seen you since birth, don’t leave the child waiting."
"Also..."
Shen Yuan hesitated briefly, giving Shen Xiubai a complex look: "About Xiubai’s mother, I hope you reconsider."
Hearing this, Shen Chongxu was taken aback for a while before nodding: "Grandson understands."
"I will discuss matters regarding the Southern Border with you, Uncle, and Elder Brother tomorrow."
Shen Yuan nodded: "Go ahead."
Shen Chongxu once again cupped his hands to everyone and then approached Shen Xiubai.
"Come, take me home to look around..."
