Free Web NovelChapter 677: Chapter 1: Homecoming
Chen Tang did not rush to leave Liangzhou City.
Firstly, to consolidate his cultivation realm.
The rescue mission in the capital was fraught with danger; any improvement in strength would increase his chances of success.
Now was probably the only time he could squeeze out for cultivation.
Secondly, to continue repairing his divine soul and strive to practice the "Burning Wood Saber" to the eighth layer as soon as possible.
Yuan Qingmo was imprisoned in the Celestial Prison of Daqian Capital City. The Little Emperor wanted to execute him publicly to set an example and deter others, but he wouldn’t harm his life.
Changsun Ming, Murong Haitang, and others had returned to the capital, and with Yuan Qingmu taking care of things there, his life should not be in danger.
Li Yan knew Chen Tang’s identity was sensitive.
If any action was to be taken, it was best not to reveal his whereabouts.
Except for some old acquaintances of Chen Tang, the information released to others claimed that the Demon Monarch of Xiling had come to assist.
This was not a lie.
However, even in the Xiling countries, not many people knew the true name of the Demon Monarch.
Chen Tang spent nearly three months cultivating in Liangzhou City.
That night.
The moon was bright, and the stars sparse.
Chen Tang sat quietly on the rooftop, his eyes seemingly open and closed, practicing the Kunpeng Breathing Technique.
With each breath he took, he exhaled the old and inhaled the new.
The Yin and Yang Innate True Qi in his dantian became even more condensed.
The attributes of the Yin and Yang Qi also became increasingly distinct.
His dantian had already absorbed the power of two divine artifacts, the Vajra Relic, and his inner qi was vast as the sea.
Once he stepped into the Innate realm, all he had to do was slowly transform it.
In three months, the Innate True Qi had reached great success, nearing the extreme realm!
Unknowingly, the sky brightened, and the dawn was faint.
Chen Tang took a deep breath, opened his eyes.
It was midsummer now, with only a little over a month left until autumn.
He was preparing to set off.
Rescuing Yuan Qingmo required planning ahead and making some arrangements.
Chen Tang touched the blood-red scar at the center of his brow.
For the past three months, aside from practicing the Kunpeng Breathing Technique and Burning Wood Saber, he had been constantly practicing the Visualization Method, visualizing the vast sea to repair his divine soul.
The injuries to his divine soul had eased significantly, and this scar was lighter than it was more than three months ago.
After saying goodbye to everyone and making some arrangements, Chen Tang went to the stables belonging to Thunder Leopard and Ten Thousand Miles Cloud.
During this time, Thunder Leopard’s injuries had mostly healed.
After being baptized by celestial thunder, Thunder Leopard looked even more extraordinary and spirited than before.
Chen Tang said, "I’m leaving, going back to Pingzhou."
"Snort."
Thunder Leopard snorted, shook its head, and glanced at Ten Thousand Miles Cloud beside it.
During these days, Ten Thousand Miles Cloud’s belly looked somewhat larger.
From Thunder Leopard’s meaning, it didn’t plan to return with him; it intended to stay and take care of Ten Thousand Miles Cloud.
Chen Tang laughed and said, "You beast still have some conscience, knowing to stay and accompany your wife."
"Snort!"
Thunder Leopard snorted again and glanced sideways at Chen Tang.
That look contained a hint of disdain.
"Hey, what’s the meaning of that look?"
Chen Tang gritted his teeth and said, "How am I without conscience?"
Just after he spoke, he suddenly recalled a scene in his mind, a moment of deep exchange with Luo Sha by an oasis in Xiling.
At that time, Thunder Leopard had been right there, watching everything unfold.
Thunder Leopard naturally didn’t know the details, but it saw him getting dressed and leaving Luo Sha behind.
So it believed he was a heartless person.
"I’m not bothering to explain to you."
Chen Tang also snorted lightly, glared at it, and waved his hand, saying, "I’m leaving."
With that, Chen Tang leapt into the air, his body constantly rising.
A golden light shot from the distance, just arriving beneath Chen Tang, carrying him away from Liangzhou City and soon disappearing into the horizon.
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Changze County.
On this day, a man in black arrived in the county town, tall, with eyes like lightning and an extraordinary demeanor.
The passersby in the county town, who inadvertently caught sight of him, dared not meet his gaze and quickly averted their eyes.
However, a few individuals gazed at the back of the man in black, furrowing their brows thoughtfully.
"Husband, what’s wrong?"
A woman asked softly.
The middle-aged man beside her muttered, "That person looks somewhat familiar."
The woman pursed her lips and said, "Forget it. Someone like him, once seen, isn’t easily forgotten. We’ve spent our lives in this remote backwater; when would we have seen such a person?"
"True enough."
The middle-aged man nodded and went home with the woman.
Yet, his eyes still held some confusion, and he glanced back once more.
Chen Tang returned to his old haunt, observing the surroundings with a complex feeling in his heart.
Before long, he arrived in front of the Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall.
A few years ago, the Black Water Gang had ransacked this martial arts hall, severely injuring the owner, Mei Nianzhi, and causing the hall to decline.
Now, it seemed to have been left idle for some time, already in ruins.
Chen Tang lingered briefly, then continued forward.
Changze County appeared even more desolate than three years ago.
There were fewer people on the roads.
With a slight movement of his ears, Chen Tang could tell that many houses in the county were vacant, uninhabited.
Soon, he arrived at his own home.
Chen Tang pushed the door open.
It was still that familiar small courtyard.
However, the yard was in disarray, and the house had collapsed, turning it into a ruin.
No one had come by in the last two or three years.
Chen Tang walked around once before leaving the place. Walking a little further along the street, his eyes lit up as he saw a familiar figure.
The recent warm weather.
In peaceful times, the blacksmith shop’s business was fair.
But now, business was becoming increasingly difficult.
Old Sun tended the shop, leaning on a bamboo chair, half-asleep, and sighed.
"Uncle Sun, I’d like to choose a saber."
At this moment, a voice came from outside.
Old Sun jolted awake, not yet opening his eyes, and quickly said, "Alright, alright, what kind do you need, sir?"
As he spoke, Old Sun got up and looked over.
Standing at the door was a tall man in black, with his hair tied up, eyes bright and sharp, looking at him.
"You, you are..."
Old Sun paused, unable to believe his eyes.
He instinctively rubbed his eyes, then looked again. The person still stood there, giving him a slight smile and said, "It’s me."
"Ah!"
Old Sun gasped, nearly falling to the ground.
"You, you, how come you’re not dead?"
Old Sun hurriedly ran out, pulling Chen Tang into the house, looked around, and not seeing anyone else, brought Chen Tang into the inner room.
"What’s wrong?"
Chen Tang asked.
Old Sun said, "You should hide quickly, running out so openly like this!"
"How does Uncle Sun know about my death?"
Chen Tang asked with a calm demeanor, smiling.
"It was a little over two years ago."
Old Sun said, "Many people came to Changze County, posting notices everywhere about you, claiming you were a rebel against the court, guilty of heinous crimes, and wanted to exterminate your entire clan. After investigation, they found your family had long since perished."
"They tore your home apart, turning everything inside out."
Chen Tang was well aware inside.
Old Sun continued speaking to himself, "During that time, everyone in Changze County was on edge, each person anxious, afraid of being implicated."
"You child, I used to brag to everyone about your achievements, how you became a high official in Wu’an County, joining the Cyan Dragon Guard. What grave error did you commit to end up in such a state, alas."
